Is Lucerne Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons To Visit in 2024

Are you trying to decide if Lucerne is worth visiting?

Lucerne (or Luzern) is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, located in the German-speaking region of the country. The city attracts over 9 million tourists each year, but is Lucerne worth the hype?

I recently spent a significant amount of time in Switzerland and thoroughly enjoyed exploring Lucerne. It just about ticks all the Swiss clichés, and, out of the larger cities in Switzerland, it’s the most charming (in my opinion).

In this post, I’ll highlight the top reasons why Lucerne is worth visiting and what makes it unique among other Swiss destinations.

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Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?

Is the Pope Catholic? In all seriousness, yes, Lucerne is definitely worth visiting even if you are just passing through for one or two days.

After exploring several places in Switzerland like Bern, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Zermatt, and Zurich, Lucerne quickly became one of my favorite destinations. When my friends ask for recommendations on where to stay in Switzerland, I always suggest Lucerne — especially if you are only visiting the country for a short amount of time.

Lucerne has it all and is often called the “pocket-sized version of Switzerland”: you’ll find centuries-old buildings as you do in Bern, alpine day trips like those in the Bernese Oberland region, and a stunning deep blue lake similar to Geneva’s.

Yes, Lucerne attracts many tourists, and it is expensive to visit like the rest of Switzerland. However, I’m going to bet you’ll want to return again and again.

Is Lucerne Worth Visiting in Winter?

Lucerne Old town, Switzerland, decorated with Christmas lights in winter

Yes, there’s something special about visiting Lucerne in the winter! Old Town (Altstadt) is lit at night to create a magical atmosphere that reminds me of the classic Christmas towns you see in Hallmark movies.

There’s plenty to do during the winter months including the annual Christmas markets in December, free holiday concerts, the Lilu Light Festival in January, Luzerner Fasnacht in February, and skiing/snowboarding opportunities at nearby ski resorts, like Engelberg.

Crowds are also usually less during the winter months and hotel prices are typically lower. It’s a win-win!


7 Reasons Why Lucerne Is Worth Visiting

Lucerne is a must-see destination in Switzerland for its unique mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are seven reasons why you should visit this charming city.

1. Stunning Lake and Mountain Views

View to Pilatus mountain and historic city center of Luzern, Switzerland.

Lucerne is a prime example of a “picture-postcard town”. With beautiful Lake Lucerne surrounding the city and the snow-capped Swiss Alps as a backdrop, paired with the town’s cobblestone streets and medieval architecture, you might wonder, “Is this real?”

I’m here to tell you: it is! Plus, Switzerland — Lucerne included — is extremely clean. It’s not a place that only looks great on paper (or social media) but once you get there it’s littered with trash, graffiti, etc. It looks exactly like the beautiful pictures you see online.

If you want to splurge on accommodations right on the water, where you can stare at these views directly from your window, check out Hotel Des Balances, Hotel Des Alpes, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, or Grand Hotel National Luzern. Make sure to ask for a room with a river view.

2. Rich Medieval History and Culture

Sunrise in historic city center of Lucerne with famous Chapel Bridge and lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstattersee), Switzerland

Lucerne was founded in the 8th century, making it a dream destination for all you history buffs out there.

One of the city’s key landmarks is Chapel Bridge (German: Kapellbrücke), Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge built in the 14th century. Nearby, the Water Tower (Wasserturm) adds to the historical significance, once serving as a watchtower, treasury, and prison.

Other historic landmarks worth visiting include The Musegg Wall (Museggmauer) which gives insights into the city’s medieval defense mechanisms, the Rosengart Collection art museum, which features works by Picasso and Klee, and the Lion Monument, a sculpture commemorating Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution.

You can find all these attractions and more in my 2-day Lucerne itinerary.

3. Nearby Alpine Day Trips

Pilatus - world's steepest cogwheel railway and view to Swiss Alps from the top of Pilatus mountain

Switzerland is well known for its mountain excursions that take you to the top of peaks in the Swiss Alps. Some of the more popular ones include Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Express, and Schilthorn.

Good news: Lucerne offers several popular mountain excursions all within an hour and a half of the city! See below for popular options:

  • From May to October, you can take the “Golden Tour” to Mt. Pilatus, which includes the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and a toboggan run (extra price).
  • Mt. Titlis (1 hr and 15 mins from Lucerne) is another popular option that offers snow tubing, an ice cave, and Europe’s highest suspension bridge.
  • Mt. Rigi (1.5 hours from Lucerne) for great hiking trails and skiing, snowboarding, and sledding opportunities in the winter.

TIP: Be sure to use your Swiss rail pass (if you have one) to receive a significant discount on tickets.

4. Great Home Base for Exploring Switzerland

Perspective view of a platform in Lucerne Central Railway Station with sunlight cast on trains parking by the platform & passengers hurrying for boarding~A beautiful corner in Lucern Railroad Terminal

If you plan on exploring other cities in Switzerland and are looking for a good “home base”, Lucerne is a fantastic option!

Lucerne’s central location and excellent transport links make it the perfect base for exploring other parts of Switzerland. Major cities are just a short train ride away — like Zurich (>1 hour), Bern (1 hour), Basel (1.5 hours), and Interlaken (1 hour and 50 minutes).

You can easily take day trips to any of these cities, leave your luggage behind, and return before night falls.

5. Scenic Lake Cruises

Lake cruise in front of snow covered Alps mountains peaks on Lake Lucerne, central Switzerland

Lucerne sits at the northern edge of Lake Lucerne, named one of the top 10 most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. You can see this deep blue lake right from the city center, creating a beautiful backdrop for your visit.

Going on a lake cruise while you are visiting Lucerne is a must. You can take a scenic 1-hour cruise onboard a panoramic yacht or hop onboard the public ferry (located at the boat terminal across from the main train station).

If you decide to take the ferry, be sure to explore some of the quaint villages along the way, like Weggis or Vitnau. As the well-known author, Mark Twain, once said, “I believe that this place [Weggis] is the loveliest in the world, and the most satisfactory. The scenery is beyond comparison beautiful.”

Advanced reservations for the ferry are not required unless you are taking a special culinary cruise (1st class cruise with a gourmet lunch / candlelight dinner cruise).

TIP: For the longest and most scenic boat ride (i.e., the main activity of your day), book a ticket for Luzern—Flüelen. This journey takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes one-way.

6. Easy to Navigate

Young female tourist looking map at center city of Lucerne ,Switzerland

When I say my husband and I walked everywhere in Lucerne, I’m not exaggerating. But, Lucerne is not like other cities in Europe, where you easily rack up over 20,000 steps a day and end up with blisters. Lucerne is just that compact.

Most key landmarks are close to the river; plus the main train station, bus station, and boat terminal are all centrally located (a 5-minute walk to Old Town).

Especially if you are staying in Old Town (Altstadt) or New Town (Neustadt), you could technically get by without ever using public transportation within the city. But, even if you stay outside the city center, you can use the free buses and trains with the Lucerne Visitor Card (available to all overnight guests).

7. Cheese & Chocolate

Tasty Swiss food, block of medium-hard yellow cheese emmental or emmentaler with round holes, matured gruyere and high quality milk chocolate close up served in cubes as mountains top with Swiss flag.

Of course, a trip to Switzerland wouldn’t be complete without trying its rich cheese and chocolates! Luckily, Lucerne does not disappoint in this department.

Go on your own “DIY chocolate tour” by visiting local gems like Au Cachet (the oldest chocolate shop in Lucerne), Bachmann, Max Chocolatier, Läderach, and Heini.

And don’t forget about visiting at least one of the local cheese shops — my favorite is the family-owned business, Chäs Barmettler. The store offers 100 regional and international cheese varieties so you can try a little of everything. My recommendation: the warm cheese pies (chäs chüechli) – SO GOOD!

Or, you can go on this guided tour where you can enjoy tastings of Alpine cheese, chocolate, and wine, and visits to Chapel Bridge and a historic castle.


Where To Stay

I recommend staying in Old Town (Altstadt) or New Town (Neustadt) which will put you within walking distance of popular sights, shopping, and restaurants.

Budget Option: Ibis Budget Luzern City is a budget-friendly hotel offering simple, clean rooms. It’s conveniently located in New Town (Neustadt) and near public transportation, making it an ideal base for exploring Lucerne.
➡️ BOOK HERE

Mid-Range Option: Hotel Des Balances is a beautiful historic hotel on the River Reuss and features 56 air-conditioned rooms and suites. I stayed here with my husband during our honeymoon and splurged on a river-facing room—it was worth every penny!
➡️ BOOK HERE

Luxury Option: You can’t go wrong with either of these 5-star hotels, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern or Mandarin Oriental Palace. Both sit right on the shores of Lake Lucerne and offer luxurious rooms, top-notch amenities, and incredible views of the Swiss Alps.

Unique Option: Château Gütsch is set in a 19th-century castle and has welcomed guests from kings & queens and prisoners of war during World War II. It’s perched high above Lucerne and requires a funicular to reach.
➡️ BOOK HERE

FAQs

Have more questions? Check out my FAQ section for answers to common queries.

How many days do I need in Lucerne?

To fully experience Lucerne, I recommend spending 2-3 days in the city. While it is possible to explore most of the key landmarks within a day, having additional time allows you to venture beyond the city center (highly recommended).

With an extra day or two, you can enjoy a mountain excursion to the nearby Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi for breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. Also, this gives you time to take a scenic lake cruise on Lake Lucerne which is a must during your trip in Lucerne.

Which month is best to visit Lucerne?

The best months to visit Lucerne are mid-May to mid-September. During these summer months, the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and lake cruises.

These are also the months with the highest average hours of sunshine per day. So, your chances of getting a clear view of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps are greater.

What is so special about Lucerne?

The beauty of a specific place is subjective, but Lucerne’s appeal is undeniable. People call it a “fairytale village” for a reason! Its charm lies in the combination of stunning natural landscapes and well-preserved historical architecture.

It’s a place where you should take your time and enjoy a lunch along the river, pop into the local shops along the cobblestone streets, and savor the views.

Conclusion

If you’re debating where to spend time in Switzerland, include Lucerne on your list!

Simply put—Lucerne is one-of-a-kind! It has beautiful scenery, incredible historical sites, and lots of cultural activities. Whether you love nature, history, or just exploring a new city, you should definitely add Lucerne to your travel plans!

Hope you enjoy your trip!

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