2 Days in Lucerne: The Perfect Itinerary for a Fairy Tale Visit

Planning a 2-day stay in Lucerne? I’ve got you covered.

Picture a historic town with a storybook charm fit for a Disney princess against the backdrop of a deep blue lake and the beautiful Swiss Alps, and you’ve got the quintessential Swiss destination: Lucerne.

I was lucky to spend some time in Lucerne during my two-week honeymoon and it was a top highlight. Two days is the perfect amount of time to explore the main attractions and even enjoy a nearby mountain and lake excursion.

In this guide, you’ll find everything there is to know including where to stay, how to get around, and top things to do, so you can explore Lucerne with confidence.

Where to Stay in Lucerne

If you’re staying in Lucerne for 2 days, I suggest staying as close to Chapel Bridge as possible so you can be within walking distance of the top sights.

TIP: A lot of hotels in Lucerne (and Switzerland for that matter) do not have air conditioning. If you are visiting during the summer months, it can get a bit stuffy inside without it. So if you like sleeping cool at night, be sure to select a hotel that offers air conditioning.

Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Lucerne for every budget. Good news: each hotel has air conditioning!

• Luxury: Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern (best option for luxury + convenient location)
• Premium: Hotel Des Balances (I stayed here during my honeymoon and highly recommend it — splurge for a room with a river view)
• Premium #2: Continental Park (Rick Steve’s recommendation)
• Mid-Range: Hotel Des Alpes (conveniently located on the river and across from the Chapel Bridge — splurge for a room with a river view)
• Budget: ibis budget Luzern City (10-minute walk from the train station)

How to Get Around Lucerne

If you are staying near the city center (which I would recommend), you don’t need anything but your own two feet to get around. Lucerne is easily walkable with most of the key landmarks and things to do within a 10-15 minute walk.

The train and main bus station are also just a 5 to 10-minute walk from Old Town (Altstadt) or New Town (Neustadt). My husband and I stayed in Old Town and easily wheeled our luggage to our hotel, which was just a 7-minute walk away, without any issues.

TIP: If you’re staying in Old Town near the Reuss River, I suggest staying to the left of the Chapel Bridge after leaving the train station along Bahnhofstrasse and then crossing over to avoid rolling your luggage on (most) of the cobblestone streets.

Psst: Some people might suggest buying a Tell Pass that covers all public transport, boat rides, etc. The pass is priced around 199 CHF for two days and it’s only worth it if you plan to use a LOT of public transportation during your 2-day visit. In my opinion, it’s better to save your money and skip purchasing this pass.

The “best bang for your buck” is to get a Lucerne Visitor Card (it’s free to any overnight guests — ask your hotel to email you a copy in advance or you’ll receive it at check-in) AND the Half-Fare Travelcard* which will get you a 50% discount on most transportation.

*If you’re in Switzerland for just 1-3 days, the Half-Fare Travelcard is NOT worth it. Stick with the Lucerne Visitor Card, but skip the train pass and pay full price for tickets instead.

2-Day Lucerne Itinerary

This detailed two-day itinerary covers all the essential sights, a mountain excursion, and must-try Swiss treats.

Note: This minute-by-minute itinerary is for reference purposes only, giving you an estimate of the time needed at each location and what you can fit in a day.

Day 1: Explore Old Town

Morning

Breakfast: Many of the hotels in Lucerne offer free breakfast, but if you want to enjoy a local gem, try Mill’Feuille in Old Town (Altstadt) — reserve a table here (highly recommended) and ask for a table with a view of the river.

Explore: Put your comfortable walking shoes on today because you will definitely be getting your steps in. First on the agenda is a stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) before the crowds get too big.

Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)

9:30 – 9:40 am

Considered Europe’s oldest covered bridge and the unofficial symbol of the city, the Chapel Bridge was built around 1360, with the interior triangular paintings inside dating back to the 17th century. Which blows my mind as someone from the United States!

The bridge serves as a central landmark in Lucerne, connecting New Town to Old Town. So, you will pass right by it (or even use it) multiple times during your stay.

But it’s more than just “walking on a bridge”. Take your time and admire the paintings (look up), as only 30 fully restored images remain after a fire in 1993 destroyed nearly 86 of them. Seeing picture stories in public spaces like this is quite rare in art history, so take it all in.

Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche)

9:40 – 10:00 am

About a 3-minute walk from the Chapel Bridge, you’ll find Jesuit Church — your next stop. The church first served as a place of worship for the Jesuits and as a high school for nearly 300-400 students at its peak. It carried on its school function up until 1996.

The church is open daily throughout the year from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the exception of Monday and Thursday when it opens at 9:30 a.m. Tours are permitted all day, except during church services. While the church’s exterior is stunning, its interior is even more magnificent (in my opinion). So step inside and have your camera ready!

If interested, the Prefect of the Jesuit Church himself, Dr. Hansruedi Kleiber SJ, offers guided tours (by appointment). Or, I recommend downloading a free audio guide for Apple or Android that provides you with a quick overview.

Dr. Hansruedi Kleiber SJ contact info to request a tour:

041 240 31 33
hansruedi.kleiber(at)kathluzern.ch

Pit Stop: Between Jesuit Church and the next stop, Spreuer Bridge, you’ll find Au Cachet (Pfistergasse 15, 6003 Luzern), Lucerne’s oldest chocolate shop. It’s a family-owned business and you can taste the love in each bite! It’s a must-visit spot whether this is your first time visiting Lucerne or 20th.

Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke)

10:15 – 10:25 am

Lucerne is well-known for its medieval wooden bridges, so be sure to cross over this other worthy bridge that’s on the way to your next destination.

Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge or “Mill Bridge”) is the second preserved covered wood bridge that remains in Lucerne and is a 5-minute walk north of Jesuit Church. The southern half of the bridge was built in 1408 and features a series of 45 paintings, known as the Danse Macabre (Dance of Death), and a chapel inside.

📷 Psst: It also makes for a great picture spot with the Needle Dam (Nadelwehr) on the Reuss River just off to your right side.

Musegg Wall (Museggmauer)

10:30 – 11:30 am

For some of the best views of Lucerne, head up to the Museggmauer (Musegg Wall), a 5-minute walk from the Spreuer Bridge. Soon after you finish crossing the bridge, make a left on Brüggligasse (+keep left at the fork) and continue until you reach the first tower, Nölliturm.

There are nine towers in total (4 open to the public) so by no means do you have to visit each one, unless you want to of course. The best views can be found from the Männliturm tower which is the second tower you will come across following Nölliturm.

The entrance can be a little tricky. Once you see Nölliturm, take a right up about 100 steps or so and start walking behind the tower walls. Look for an underground entrance on your right where you will descend a few steps and find a door.

In typical European fashion, there are more stairs (4 flights) to climb in order to reach the top of the wall, but the views are worth it. You’ll get a beautiful sight of the Reuss River, Lake Lucerne, and the snow-covered Alps in the background.

Another tower worth visiting is Zytturm (it’s the second to last). Known as the “clock” tower, it has gardens overlooking Old Town and showcases interior and exterior clocks.

The Musegg Walls are open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm between April 1st and November 1st. As a bonus, this historic landmark is completely free to visit.

Afternoon

Lunch at Manora Restaurant

11:40 am – 1:00 pm

It’s lunchtime! After you visit Zytturm, walk down the stairs and make your way back down to Old Town. a.k.a. Descend to Museggstrasse until you reach Weggisgasse (about a 5-minute walk).

Make a left and just down the street, you’ll find Manora Restaurant, located on the top of the Manor department store (Weggisgasse 5, 6002 Luzern).

Manora Restaurant is a “cafeteria” style restaurant — meaning there are different stations where you can choose from soups, salads, meats, pizzas, etc. Prices are reasonable (for Switzerland standards) and the view from the rooftop terrace is stellar!

Note: Manora Restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Lion Monument

1:10 – 1:40 pm

Now that you’ve had a bite to eat, it’s time to do some more exploring. A 9-minute walk from Manora Restaurant, you’ll find the Lion Monument.

The Lion Monument is a sculpture carved into a rock face, honoring Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution protecting King Louis XVI of France. Pictures don’t do it justice — it’s truly a sight to see and completely free to visit.

Note: On your way to the Lion Monument, you’ll pass by tons of shops; feel free to stop at any that catch your eye. You’ll be back this way right after, so if you miss anything now, you’ll have another chance to shop for the perfect souvenir soon.

Glacier Garden Museum (Gletschergarten)

1:40 – 3:10 pm

The Glacier Garden is a unique attraction just steps from the Lion Monument. The Glacier Garden gives you a glimpse into Lucerne’s formation millions of years ago and features gems like fossils before the Ice Age, glacier potholes, and a mirror maze built in 1896.

Tickets start at CHF 22.00 for adults 16+ and CHF 12.00 for children (6-16 years). Discounts are provided for families and if you have a specific pass, such as a Swiss Travel Pass, and Lucerne Visitor Card.

If you have a pass, wait to buy your tickets at the museum box office. You can also take a guided tour with a theater cabaret group, Strohmann-Kauz.

Late Afternoon Pick-Me-Up & Shopping

3:10 – 4:45 pm

If you didn’t get your shopping in beforehand, now is the time. After spending time at the Glacier Garden, retrace your steps on Hertensteinstrasse and you’ll pass by a street lined full of shops. The shops range from small boutique gems to international retail stores, like Lacoste, Guess, and H&M.

TIP: Most of the shops are closed on Sundays so skip this (or save it for tomorrow), if you happen to arrive on this specific day.

End in one of the most beautiful piazzas in Lucerne, the Weinmarkt (wine market). And what’s visiting this square without having a glass of wine?

Storchen Weinbar is a personal favorite of mine. On a nice day, enjoy a drink on their outdoor patio. If it’s a Friday or Saturday, you might even see newlyweds celebrating their marriage at the church across the street. We did, and it was lovely!

Note: Storchen Weinbar is closed on Sundays.

Painted Squares

4:45 – 5:20 pm

The Weinmarket is one of several areas in Lucerne where you can find buildings adorned with ornate paintings. You can find other painted buildings in Sternenplatz, Hirschenplatz, and Hotel Des Balances right next door.

After your visit to Storchen Weinbar, wrap up the sightseeing part of your day by following the guide below and seeing some of these beauties for yourself. The paintings tell stories, such as commemorating important battles, and are an important part of Lucerne’s history.

• Weinmarket —-🚶‍♂️ 2-minute walk to the west —-> Hotel Des Balances
• Hotel Des Balances —-🚶‍♂️2-minute walk to the east —> Hirschenplatz
• Hirschenplatz —🚶‍♂️ 4-minute walk to the east —> Sternenplatz

Evening

Feel free to freshen up in your hotel room before dinner. Just a heads up, my dinner recommendation is only a 2-minute walk from Storchen Weinbar and the painted squares. So, if your hotel is in Neustadt (New Town) and/or you want to give your feet a break, you can head straight to dinner. It’s a quick stroll from there!

Restaurant Bündnerland Luzern

6/6:30 pm

Dinner tonight is at a traditional Swiss restaurant called Restaurant Bündnerland Luzern. This super cozy spot is located in one of Lucerne’s oldest houses and serves delicious and unique dishes from the southeastern Swiss Alpine canton.

It’s won several awards over the years including the “Best of Swiss Gastro Award,” making it the first restaurant in the canton of Lucerne to win the top spot in the “Classic” category.

The restaurant is open until 10 pm Monday to Saturday and until 7 pm on Sunday. The kitchen will stop serving food 30 minutes beforehand. Reserve a table here.

Nightcap (optional)

Phew, I know it’s been quite a busy day already, so if you’re ready to head back to your hotel, I completely understand. However, if you’re not ready to call it a day yet, here are a few options depending on what you’re in the mood for:

Day 2: Lake Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus

Morning

Breakfast: If you happen to be visiting Lucerne on a Tuesday or Saturday morning (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.), then the weekly farmer’s market (Wochenmarkt) is a must!

This charming farmer’s market runs all along the Reuss River, near the Chapel Bridge, and offers the freshest mountain cheese, cold meats, fruits, vegetables, and bread. It’s a great spot to grab breakfast and maybe even pick up some Swiss souvenirs (we purchased some cured meat to bring back home).

Afternoon

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Now, it’s time to get on the water and experience Lucerne’s beauty up close. You can kill “two birds with one stone” and combine a scenic boat lake on Lake Lucerne with a visit to a landmark mountain, Mt. Pilatus. Plan to spend at least 3 hours on this entire excursion.

Before you take off on this half-day trip, there are a couple of logistical matters to address so you can buy a ticket that’s “right” for you. Starting with…

1. Which ticket should you purchase?

The two most popular ways to reach Mt Pilatus are the Golden Tour and Silver Tour. What’s the difference between the two? I’ve listed 3 distinctions to help make your decision:

• (1) The Golden Tour adds a scenic boat ride on Lake Lucerne while The Silver Tour will replace this portion of the journey with a train ride.
• (2) The price of The Golden Tour is slightly higher than The Silver Tour (~13 CHF.—).
• (3) The Silver Tour “season” is slightly longer than The Golden Tour. In 2024, the Silver Tour runs until November 17th, whereas the Golden Tour ends on October 20th.

Psst: If you’ve already done some other mountain excursions in Switzerland, like Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat, Schilthorn, etc., and want to skip this portion of the day trip altogether, you can choose to just do a scenic 1-hour cruise onboard a panoramic yacht on Lake Lucerne instead. (IT’S AMAZING!)

Personally, I think the scenic boat ride that The Golden Tour offers is worth the higher price tag (it was my favorite part of my trip to Lucerne), but that’s just me.

⚠️ Important!! Operations will be suspended for maintenance on April 29th and 30th, 2024, and from October 21st, 2024 to November 8th, 2024.

2. Which route should you take?

There are two different routes to Mt. Pilatus. You can go clockwise from Lucerne and take the boat ride to Alpnachstad first or choose to go counterclockwise and end with the boat ride on Lake Lucerne. The choice is up to you, but here’s my recommendation.

Note: The above only applies if you choose to purchase The Golden Tour. The Silver Tour will follow the same route, but you’ll swap out the boat ride for a train.

I’d suggest going counterclockwise and starting with the bus ride to Kriens. With only 2 days in Lucerne, every moment is precious. Mt. Pilatus is a popular destination and can get BUSY, potentially leading to long lines and wait times between transports. I’d hate for you to spend all your time getting there and then feel rushed at the top.

If you were to go the clockwise route, the earliest boat going from Lucerne to Alpnachstad leaves at 9:38 am while the first available cable car to Kriens (going counterclockwise) starts at 8:30 am. So already you can start your journey to Mt Pilatus a whole hour earlier.

Also, the cog railway from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm can sometimes require additional waiting times unless you reserve a seat. You don’t run into nearly as many people by taking the cog railway down to Alpnachstad (counterclockwise route).

The only drawback of going counterclockwise is the last boat ride back from Alpnachstad during peak season (May 25th – September 8th) is at 5:30 pm, arriving in Lucerne at 6:45 pm. It’s even earlier from May 9th – May 24th and September 9th – October 20th when the last boat departs Alpnachstad at 4:27 pm and arrives in Lucerne at 5:36 pm.

Be sure to check the latest boat schedule so you can make plans accordingly.

This should be fine as long as you start early and depending on how long you want to spend doing “extra” activities. If you stop first at Fräkmüntegg on the way to Mt Pilatus, there’s a rope park, a zip-line glider, and a mountain toboggan for kids (and adults 😉) to enjoy.

Overall Routes for Both Tours

TIP: If you have a GA or Swiss Travel Pass, you only need one ticket for the ascent and descent. This can also be purchased in the ticket shop.

P.S. Instead of Mount Pilatus, there are several other mountain excursions within an hour and a half of Lucerne that also offer fantastic day trip opportunities:

• Mt. Rigi (1 hr and 30 minutes from Lucerne) — nicknamed the “Queen of the Mountains”- offers an incredible view of surrounding lakes and Alps. Free with the Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass, half-price with a Half-Fare Travelcard, Eurail, and Interrail Pass, and 20% off with the Lucerne Visitor Card.
• Mt. Titlis (1 hr and 15 mins from Lucerne) — there’s so much to do here including snow tubing on a glacier, visiting an ice cave, and walking on Europe’s highest suspension bridge. Free with the Tell Pass, half-price with a Half-Fare Travelcard, Berner Oberland Pass, and Swiss Travel Pass, and 10% off with the Lucerne Visitor Card.

Evening

Drinks at Château Gütsch

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Before you say “goodbye” to Lucerne, it’s time for one last epic view! Depending on what time you get back to Lucerne, you can either return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner or head straight to Lucerne’s main bus Station, located opposite the rail station and Bahnhofquai (boat docking station).

From there, take bus no. 2 or 12 to the Gütsch bus stop. Buses arrive every 3-5 minutes, and the ride itself takes about 7 minutes. Once off the bus, nearby is the Gütsch funicular (Gütschbahn), which will take you right up to the Chateau Gütsch hotel. Press the button to “call” for a ride. It takes just one and a half minutes to reach the top.

TIP: Tickets for the bus ride AND funicular up to the hotel are free with the Swiss Travel Pass or Lucerne Visitor Card. If you do not have either of these, you can buy a ticket at the machine in the Gütsch bus station or the Chateau Gütsch reception desk for 3.00 CHF (or 2.60 CHF with a Half-Fare Travelcard)

Once you’ve arrived, head inside to The American Bar, formerly the Gütsch Bar, for a cocktail or a light bite to eat. But, the top reason to come here is for the breathtaking views! If the weather is nice, grab a seat on the terrace in the castle courtyard.

You can also choose to do this after dinner if you prefer. The funicular that ascends and descends from the hotel runs daily from 4:30 am to 1:15 am.

Dinner at a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant

6:15/6:30 pm

Did you know Lucerne is home to over 10 MICHELIN Guide restaurants? If you want to end your last night in Lucerne with a bang, try Old Swiss House for a traditional Swiss dinner with the BEST Wiener schnitzel in town (prepared fresh at your table).

>>> Book a table by calling +41 41 410 61 71 (closed Sunday and Monday).

Or, if you’re exhausted from today’s activities and happen to be staying at or near Hotel Des Balances, the restaurant inside is also included in the MICHELIN Guide. Located on the river Reuss, this swanky spot offers French-Mediterranean dishes and a piano player in the evenings. It’s a great spot to unwind after a busy day. We loved it!

>>> Book a table here.

Nightcap (optional)

Here are several options depending on what you’re in the mood for:

Additional FAQs

Is 2 days in Lucerne enough?

You could easily spend more than 2 days in Lucerne! However, 2 days offers a solid introduction to Lucerne and allows you to see the city’s main attractions.

During this time, you can visit iconic landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge, Jesuit Church, Lion Monument, and Mount Pilatus, as well as enjoy leisurely strolls along the lakefront and charming Old Town cobblestone streets.

Is it Better to go to Zurich or Lucerne?

Having been to both, I would 100% recommend Lucerne over Zurich. While Zurich is worth visiting too, if you’re short on time and must choose between the two, Lucerne gets my vote.

Zurich resembles other major European cities like Madrid or London (though it’s still much smaller) whereas Lucerne offers the quintessential charm of a Swiss town straight out of a storybook. Zurich is better suited for the average businessman while Lucerne is better for tourists (in my opinion).

Plus, Lucerne is centrally located in Switzerland and makes for a great base to explore other nearby cities like Bern (1-hour train ride), Basel (1.5 hours), Zurich (>1 hour), Interlaken (1 hour and 50 minutes), and Geneva (3 hours).

Which is Better: Interlaken or Lucerne?

It depends on a couple of factors. First, how long are you staying in Switzerland? If you are visiting for 1-3 days, then I would recommend Lucerne.

Well, at face value, I would actually always recommend Lucerne over Interlaken.

However, if you are in Switzerland for 3 days or more, consider exploring areas near Interlaken. It’s best to bypass Interlaken itself, as it’s a bit touristy and lacks the charm of nearby Swiss villages like Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Grindelwald, and Gimmelwald. While Interlaken offers mountain views, these villages place you directly in the Alps.

So, if the choice were between Lucerne and one of these smaller villages, I would choose the latter. However, it still depends on how long you will be in Switzerland, as reaching these villages takes longer compared to Lucerne, which is just an hour’s train ride from Zurich.

Is Lucerne worth visiting?

Lucerne is absolutely worth visiting and adding to your Switzerland itinerary! To begin with, it’s incredibly accessible — less than a 1-hour train journey from Zurich, one of the two major airports you’ll likely fly into. Furthermore, the city itself is one-of-a-kind, surrounded by the super blue Lake Lucerne and the beautiful Swiss Alps.

I joked to my husband that whenever we retire or win the lottery (a girl can wish), I would like to buy a home in one of the smaller towns off Lake Lucerne.

Wrap-Up: 2 Days in Lucerne

A two-day stay in Lucerne offers a rich experience steeped in Swiss heritage and natural beauty. From iconic landmarks to serene lakefront walks, the city’s blend of history and medieval charm provides a memorable trip.

Lucerne’s central location and timeless appeal make it a destination worth exploring, promising a glimpse into the beauty of Switzerland in just a short visit.

More posts about Switzerland:

• Is Lucerne Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons To Visit
• Do People Speak English In Switzerland?
• Paragliding In Lauterbrunnen
• How To Get To Jungfraujoch From Lauterbrunnen
• Lauterbrunnen To Mürren: How To Get There By Cableway, Train, Or On Foot
• Murren Restaurants: 10 Best Dining Spots
• One Day in Bern: Best Things to Do + Itinerary
• Is Bern Worth Visting? 7 Reasons We Think So!