Things To Do in Lucerne: 8 Must-Sees for an Unforgettable Trip

Many consider Lucerne to be one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. Thanks to its picturesque location on the shores of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by a unique mountain panorama, it’s got a lot to offer: picture-postcard scenery, a tangible sense of history, art, culture and superb food. What’s more, it’s perfect for visitors who aren’t huge fans of cold weather – despite its proximity to the Alps, the city actually has a surprisingly mild climate. No wonder writers including Mark Twain, Victor Hugo and Leo Tolstoy all waxed lyrical about the city. Here's a curated list of the standout things there are to do in Lucerne.

Cross the Reuss river on your way from the station and you’ll immediately find yourself in the Old Town, near several of Lucerne’s best-known sights. You'll probably spot the town hall tower first, rising proudly above the rooftops, but the real stars of the Old Town are the houses with their colourfully painted façades.

Wander through the narrow, winding streets, past secluded squares and beautifully decorated fountains, and you’ll feel as though you’ve gone back in time. Each of the frescoes adorning the historic houses tells a story, whether about former residents or about Lucerne Carnival, the largest in Switzerland and a firm fixture on the city’s calendar. Each spring, the carnival's joyful start is celebrated at the equally colourful Fritschibrunnen fountain on Kapellplatz. Just a bit further along, on Weinmarkt, biblical faces adorn the walls, once a way of bringing scripture to everyday people. The best thing to do in Lucerne is simply to have a wander – the Old Town is wonderfully walkable, with conveniently located hotels like ibis Styles Luzern City making your trip even easier.

One of the most photographed sights in Lucerne is the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) with its octagonal Wasserturm (water tower), which the people of Lucerne once used as a treasury, archive and prison. This fully covered wooden bridge is over 200 metres long, linking the old and new towns together. Built as a battlement back in the 14th century, the medieval bridge fell victim to a devastating fire in 1993. Today, it has been largely reconstructed, as have many of the triangular paintings under the gable roof that depict important events in Swiss history. The best time to visit is early in the morning so you can admire the paintings in quietude.

• 6002 Luzern

History buff? If you only do one thing in Lucerne, this is it: over 800 metres of medieval history on the Museggmauer (Musegg Wall), taking you right through the Old Town and delighting you with fantastic views along the way. Start at the Schirmerturm, one of the nine best preserved defence towers. You’ll notice a fair amount of creaking on your climb up to the almost 30-metre-high tower, but don’t let that put you off. At the top of the wall, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view over Lucerne and its picturesque surroundings.

Continue down the narrow path along the wall to the Zytturm clock tower, with its painted façade. It's home to the oldest clock in the city, dating from 1535, and uniquely striking the hour one minute before any other city clock. Keep walking to the Männliturm tower, where there are just 125 steps between you and one of the best viewing platforms in the city.

Nearby, you might hear chickens clucking and goats bleating. That's the Kulturbauernhof Hinter Musegg urban farm, a great spot for foodies. Grab yourself some regional specialties from the farm shop and enjoy them on the spot while you admire the view of the Musegg Wall.

Musegg Wall

• Auf Musegg, 6004 Luzern
• Open daily from 1 April to 1 November
• Free

Few monuments stir emotion like the Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), a sandstone carving commemorating the Swiss Guards who died in the 1792 Storming of the Tuileries. Mark Twain called it “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”, and once you’re standing before it, you’ll understand why. The vast monument measures around 10 by 6 metres and was designed by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, who is said to have fashioned it after a living lion in Rome.

To brighten the mood, head nearby to Gelateria dell’Alpi for homemade ice cream made with regional ingredients – think basil, cucumber-apple, beetroot-cinnamon or black sesame, plus house-made waffles. Afterwards, stroll through the nearby rock formations in the Glacier Garden, where you can take a close look at traces of ancient landscapes, including a fossil beach.

Lion Monument

• Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern
• Open 24 hours

For a modern contrast, put the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern (Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre, or KKL) on your list of things to do in Lucerne. Designed by French star architect Jean Nouvel, its modern, lakefront façade is not only visually beautiful, but also gorgeous to listen to: under the building’s sweeping roof and between the two channels that bring the lake into the building, there's a concert hall that is world-renowned for its exceptional acoustics. Movie classics are regularly screened here, accompanied by a live orchestra. And every year, the famous Lucerne Festival takes advantage of the unique atmosphere of this venue to celebrate classical music in all its glory.

Architecture fans can join guided tours, while food and art lovers can linger at the Michelin-starred restaurant, café bar and art museum. Don’t miss the terrace for gorgeous lake views. Stay just 10 minutes from the KKL and train station at ibis budget Luzern City, with comfortable accommodation and a breakfast buffet.

• Europapl. 1, 6005 Luzern

The trendy Bruchquartier district is brimming with small boutiques, cool cafés, trendy bars with a homely atmosphere and art galleries. Until 1971, this area beloved by locals was the site of the city’s cattle market, with Bruchstrasse the hub of lots of lively haggling. Today, the neighbourhood delights with its alternative urban lifestyle. Is shopping on your list of things to do in Lucerne? Support independent labels at some of the area’s coolest shops, such as Atelier Treger, beARTrice and the stories.

The Bruchquartier is also home to some of the most popular burger bars in the city, and they’re a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Try the juicy, colourful homemade burgers at ANTONS (vegetarian and vegan options available) or Wolf Burger & Steak Bar on the outskirts of the district.

Atelier Treger

• Klosterstrasse 11, 6003 Luzern
• Open Tue-Fri 10 am-noon, 1:30pm-6:30 pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Looking for a truly memorable thing to do in Lucerne? Try a steamboat trip on Lake Lucerne. With its many tributaries, the lake winds its way through the foothills of the Alps. On clear days, enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the picturesque mountain landscape and admire Mount Pilatus, Rigi and the other peaks in all their splendour. As you sail over the deep blue water, you’ll glide past idyllic bays and promenades with villas and palm trees. And if you’ve got a little bit more time to spare, choose the historic paddle steamer or – this one's for foodies – one of the fondue boat trips.

Boats depart from Bahnhofquai, right by the train station, several times a day. Got a while to wait before your boat leaves? Grab a drink at Seebistro LUZ, which offers a view not only of Lake Lucerne, but also all the boats coming in and out of the harbour basin.

If you’re a thrillseeker, head for the cogwheel railway in Alpnachstad, just south of Lucerne, and climb the 2,128-metre-high Mount Pilatus. One of the best things to do in Lucerne, this railway was opened in 1889 and is the steepest in the world, with a gradient of up to 48% in some places. The trip up the mountain takes 30 minutes and the views are impressive – you may even spot some ibexes. At the summit, there are several walks of varying lengths to explore, but make sure to have sturdy shoes on as the terrain can be rough underfoot.

• Brünigstrasse 2, 6053 Alpnach
• Operates from May to November
• Reservations recommended

Lucerne is ideal for a day trip, with direct train connections from Zurich and Basel in one to two hours. The city's main attractions are very close to each other, so it’s easy to see them all in a day. Stroll from the station to the Kapellbrücke and then head to the Old Town across the Reuss. Wander past the town hall to the Weinmarkt to take in the colourfully painted houses, then climb Musegg Wall to admire wonderful vistas of the city, lake and mountains. From here, it’s not far to the Lion Monument.

After a relaxed lakeside lunch, combine a museum visit with an afternoon walk along the promenade. If you’ve got children in tow, head to the Swiss Museum of Transport just outside the city centre – make the trip worthwhile by soaking up the views over Lake Lucerne towards Mount Pilatus and the alpine panorama.

Local tip: Get your chocolate where the locals do: Au Cachet at Pfistergasse 15. The friendly owner will welcome you warmly to this traditional little shop and you won't find a better selection of pralines and truffles.

Lucerne may be compact, but it offers an impressive mix of history, culture, scenery and easygoing charm – all wrapped in that unmistakable lakes-and-mountains magic. So take your time here, savour the moment and let the city leave you with memories as lasting as its mountain skyline. Continuing your journey across Switzerland? Check out our guide to skiing near Zurich or this handy itinerary for a weekend in Geneva.