9 Best Things to Do in Lucerne, Switzerland

The Top Things to Do in Lucerne

Let’s discuss what to do while visiting Lucerne. From museums to eateries to outdoor activities, I’ve included the must-visits in this charming Swiss city.

1. Go Up to Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus – which is visible from the city – is absolutely worth a visit. The views from up top are absolutely stunning, so I highly recommend making your way up if you have the time. There are some easy hikes up top, as well as more challenging trails for those that are feeling a bit more adventurous. Not into hiking? You can still get incredible views without breaking a sweat. 

2. Explore Lucerne’s Old Town (Altstadt)

Old Town Lucerne is located on the right bank (north side) of the river. There are tons of restaurants and shops in the area, but the best part is truly just enjoying the architecture and intricate detailing. 

Some scenic spots worth highlighting are Weinmarkt-Brunnen, the Town Hall Clock Tower, Sternenplatz Square (the paintings on the buildings here are incredible!), and Fritschibrunnen and St. Peter’s Chapel. You’ll also want to walk along Unter der Egg/Rathausquai to enjoy the views of the historic bridges and Jesuit church across the river.

As you’re strolling through the area, be sure to stop by one of the fountains to refill your water bottle. There are over 200 fountains throughout the city, all of which have filtered water that is clean enough to drink!

3. Indulge in Swiss Chocolate

Obviously, leaving Switzerland without binging on some amazing chocolate would be a major mistake. I really loved Max Chocolatier, which is located on the outskirts of Old Town. The strawberry and lime truffle and the Madagascar 68% truffle were two of my favorites. They also had quite a few vegan options, so it’s a great spot if you’re looking for vegan chocolate in Lucerne! 

4. Visit the Lion Monument

Lion Monument is one of Switzerland’s most iconic and most visited monuments, and it’s located right in Lucerne. Here, a sculpture of a dying lion (which was completed in 1821) is carved into a massive sandstone rock face. It commemorates the Swiss guards who were massacred in Tuileries Palace in 1792 during the French Revolution. Admission to Lion Monument is free. 

5. Check Out the Bourbaki Panorama

The Bourbaki Panorama was completed by Edouard Castres in 1881, and depicts the nearly 90,000 French soldiers who came to Switzerland to find refuge after the Franco-Prussian War ended in 1871. It’s a circular painting (with added three-dimensional figures) that was designed to place viewers in the middle of the action. While it was initially presented in Geneva, it has been on display in Lucerne since 1889. 

Adult tickets are currently 12.00 CHF. Note: if you have a Lucerne Visitor Card, you’ll get a 20% discount on admission! Be sure to mention it to the cashier. 

6. Walk Across Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge

Chapel Bridge (AKA Kapellbrücke) is probably one of the most recognizable sights in Lucerne. It’s the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, dating back to the 1300s. As you walk across the footbridge, you’ll see 17th century paintings that cover the history of Lucerne. Many of these paintings were destroyed in a fire in 1993, but 30 of the originals were able to be restored. 

While Chapel Bridge is Lucerne’s more famous bridge, there’s also Spreuer Bridge (AKA Spreuerbrücke) right down the river. It was built in the 15th century, and like Chapel Bridge, features paintings. The paintings on Spreuer Bridge are a little more sinister – they represent the concept of death (fun!).

7. Climb Up Männli Tower

If you want to get incredible views of the city, you have to make the climb up Männli Tower. It’s about 108-feet tall (from ground to pinnacle) and is situated on a hill, so it gives you perfect views of the river, the Jesuit church, Mount Pilatus, and the surrounding area. The climb up the stone and wood staircases is definitely tiring, but totally worth it. 

Männli Tower (AKA Männliturm) is part of Musegg Wall (AKA Museggmauer), which was built in the 13th century to protect the city from attacks. While there were originally 30 towers, nine have been preserved. Four of these towers are open for free for visitors to climb up. In addition to Männliturm, there’s Wachtturm, Zytturm, and Schirmerturm. 

The wall (and the four towers) is open from early April to the end of October, from 8:00am to 7:00pm.  

8. Visit the Jesuit Church

The beautiful Jesuit Church is located on the left bank of the river, right near Chapel Bridge. The 17th-century church is one of the most striking buildings on the river, so you definitely won’t miss it. If you get a chance, I’d recommend making a quick stop inside to admire the interior. As of now, it’s open daily from 6:30am to 6:30pm, with the exception of Mondays and Thursdays, when it opens at 9:30am. 

9. Walk Along the Lake

Lake Lucerne is super beautiful, and you’ll naturally have some moments to walk along the shoreline as you’re exploring the city. If you have the time, I suggest taking a longer lakeside walk on the paved path along the north side of the lake, walking away from the city (towards the Verkehrshaus Lido ferry dock). The further away you get from the center of town, the more peaceful it is. You’ll pass by plenty of parks and cool sculptures and art installations along the way. 

Lucerne Two Day Itinerary

If you’re able to spend two days in Lucerne, here’s a stop-by-stop guide on how to spend your time. This is the exact itinerary I followed when visiting! 

Day 1

Start the day by going for a leisurely walk along Lake Lucerne. Once you’re done, make your way towards town and walk across Chapel Bridge to the left bank of the river. Stop inside the Jesuit Church, and then grab a cup of coffee down the street at Mardis Gras. For a quick lunch before continuing your day, I recommend checking out tibits (located in the train station), a popular vegetarian buffet-style eatery. 

Walk back over the river, this time via Spreuer Bridge. Explore Old Town, and be sure to get some chocolate at Max Chocolatier while you’re there!

For dinner, I recommend checking out either Mill’Feuille or Pastarazzi. Mill’Feuille is located right on the river, and has a great seasonal menu with delicious cocktails (check out the photos below). Pastarazzi has super fresh pasta dishes that change daily. 

Day 2

Spend the first half of the day up on Mount PIlatus, hiking the Flower Trail and going down the toboggan while you’re there. You can have lunch while you’re up top. 

After you’ve made your way back to Lucerne, head over to the Bourbaki Panorama. Afterwards, walk up the street and check out the Lion Monument. If you need a little caffeine boost, stop by Aplineum, which is right across the street. Walk back through Old Town, and make your way up to Männli Tower to enjoy the beautiful view of the city. 

Lucerne One Day Itinerary

Given the city’s fairly compact size, you can still see a lot with just one day in Lucerne. To start the day, head up to Mount Pilatus. Since you’ll be short on time, skip the hike and just enjoy the views from up top. 

After you make it back down to Lucerne, stop by tibits for a quick lunch. After, walk across Chapel Bridge, and then spend some time exploring Old Town. Make sure you stop by Max Chocolatier while you’re there. 

Walk over to Bourbaki Panorama, and then check out Lion Monument. Afterwards, walk back through Old Town and make your way to Männli Tower. Check out Spreuer Bridge, and then grab dinner at either Mill’Feuille or Pastarazzi. 

Where to Stay in Lucerne: Hotel Beau Séjour Review

If you end up staying in Lucerne overnight, I highly recommend checking out Hotel Beau Séjour. This charming hotel is about a 15-minute walk from Old Town, and is right across the street from the lake. The location really is perfect. It’s in a peaceful area right on the water, but is still super close to the center of town. 

The belle époque-style hotel is small with just 28 rooms, and is decorated with fun wallpaper and contemporary art. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily (with a genuinely great selection of delicious food), and there’s also a small bar on-site. 

We picked a lakeside room with a balcony, which I think was absolutely worth it – we could see Mount Pilatus from our room! That said, even if you aren’t lakeside, the hotel has a really nice outdoor patio space out front where you can take in the views. 

Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?

Short answer: yes! Longer answer: The city itself has a ton to offer. The town is beautiful and fun, the lake and surrounding mountains are picturesque, and there are some great restaurants. Plus, there are amazing opportunities for outdoor adventures just outside of the city. There really is something for everyone in Lucerne. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Lucerne?

Lucerne is a popular day trip destination, and you can definitely see a lot if you have limited time. The train from Zurich to Lucerne takes only about 50 minutes, so it’s an ideal day trip spot for anyone who is visiting Zurich. 

That said, if you can spend more time in Lucerne, I’d highly recommend it. This is especially true if you’re planning on exploring Mount Pilatus and hiking and doing other activities while you’re there. I ultimately ended up spending two days in Lucerne. This felt like the perfect amount of time to explore the city (and go up Pilatus) without feeling rushed. 

What is the Lucerne Visitor Card?

Guests staying overnight in Lucerne receive a digital visitor card, which you can save to your wallet on your phone (alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the QR code). The Lucerne Visitor Card gives you free bus and train use within the city. You also get discounts to some mountain cableways and railways (unfortunately not Mount Pilatus), museums, and other activities within the city. You can check out the website linked above for more details. 

There’s also a free WiFi network you’ll have access to in the city. I’ll be honest, it was a little bit spotty, but it did come in handy! I found it worked best around the Old Town area.

Is Lucerne a Walkable City?

Yes! Lucerne is super easy to get around on foot. I only took the bus twice while in Lucerne: once to get from my hotel to the train station (since I had my suitcase), and once to get from Kriens back to Lucerne after visiting Pilatus. 

If you do end up needing to take the bus, the city has a great system that’s easy to navigate. Of course, like all Swiss public transportation, the buses are on time and efficient. As mentioned above, bus rides are free within Lucerne if you have a visitor card!

If you’re planning a Switzerland trip, here are some additional travel guides to check out:

• The Complete Guide to Visiting Mount Pilatus, Switzerland
• What to See in Zurich in Two Days: A Complete Itinerary
• The Perfect Day Trip to Lauterbrunnen and Mürren, Switzerland