This guide of places to see in Lucerne, will help you prepare a walking route through one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, optimizing the weather to the maximum.
In addition to a privileged situation on the shores of the Lake of the Four Cantons and with the Alps in the background, this city has a beautiful medieval old town, where its wooden bridges over the river Reuss are surprising, for which we advise you to walk and lose yourself then, walking or by boat, along the shore of Lake Lucerne and then regain strength by eating a delicious fondue.
You can visit Lucerne, including it as a one-day stop on a route through Switzerland by train or car, or making a two-day getaway flying to Zurich, located an hour by train.
Based on the experience of the time we spent in this city during our trip to Switzerland by car, we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 places to visit in Lucerne essential. We start!
1. Chapel Bridge
Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge is a wooden covered bridge from the 14th century, which is considered to be the oldest in Europe of its characteristics in addition to one of the most beautiful places to see in Lucerne.
With more than 200 meters in length, this bridge that receives the name of the nearby Chapel of St. Peter, allows you to cross the Reuss River diagonally while you enjoy important scenes of the city's history reflected in the interior paintings.
Just in the middle of the bridge you will find the Water Tower, a fortification 30 years prior to the bridge that has been used throughout history as a prison, archive and treasure.
It is worth photographing Kapellbrücke from both sides and have a beer on the terrace of the Rathaus Brauerei, which has fantastic views of the Kapellbrücke.
Chapel Bridge
2. Monument to the lion
The sculpture of a dying lion next to a shield of the French monarchy and another with the emblem of Switzerland, is one of our Favorite places to visit in Lucerne.
This 10-meter sculpture carved on a large rock with a small lake in front, honors the 760 Swiss Guard soldiers who died defending King Louis XVI and his family, during the French Revolution.
The expression of the lion's pain in his final minutes is so shocking that the famous writer Mark Twain defined it as the "saddest and most touching piece of stone in the world".
Lion Monument, one of the places to see in Lucerne
3. Church of San Leodegario
Entering the St. Leodegarian or Hofkirche Church in Renaissance style and one of the oldest in Switzerland, is another of the best things to do in Lucerne.
Dedicated to the patron saints of the city, this church was built between 1633 and 1639 on a Romanesque basilica of the eighth century that burned and in its exterior stand out its two Gothic bell towers of more than 60 meters high and the interior of white and Baroque style, which impresses with its wood carvings and the marble main altar.
A good way to learn more about the history of the city and not miss anything interesting is to book this visit with a guide in Spanish.
San Leodegario Church
4. The Wall
The old medieval wall or Museggmauer, which surrounded the city and of which 9 defensive towers are preserved, is another of the Must see places in Lucerne.
This 15th century wall, one of the best preserved and longest in the country, can be explored on some stretch on foot and enjoy magnificent views of the historic center from one of its towers.
You can start the route through the walls in the Männliturm tower with good views of the Spreuerbrücke and reach the beautiful Zytturm, which has a beautiful clock on the facade. Remember that in the sections that you cannot go over the wall you have a path that runs parallel.
Tower of the Wall
5. The Lake of the Four Cantons, one of the places to see in Lucerne
Taking a cruise on the Lake of the Four Cantons, surrounded by great mountains like the Rigi and Pilatus, is another of the best things to do in Lucerne.
This huge lake of glacial origin and crystalline waters, is one of the most beautiful in Europe thanks to its large languages that are introduced into the valleys, in a similar way to the fjords. It owes its name to the four cantons (regions in which Switzerland is divided) that surround the lake: Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden and to fully enjoy the lake we recommend you book this one-hour cruise on a panoramic yacht with comments in Spanish.
One of the best viewpoints to see the lake and the surrounding landscape is the Fronalpstock, which is accessed by climbing a ski lift in Stoos.
Lake of the Four Cantons
Our recommended hotel in Lucerne
Our recommended accommodation in Lucerne is Barabas Luzern, located in the historic center, less than 5 minutes walk from the Chapel Bridge. In addition to its magnificent location and having one of the best quality / price ratios in this expensive city, this hotel allows you to live the experience of sleeping in a cell of an old jail, which has been renovated to have the comforts of a hotel room .
6. Old Town
Strolling through the cobbled streets and squares surrounded by guild buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries of the old town, will transfer you to medieval times.
You can start the route crossing the Chapel Bridge and arriving at the Weinmarkt (wine square) and Kornmarkt (grain square) squares, two of the places to see in Lucerne with more charm.
Among the most prominent buildings in the historic center is the Town Hall or Kornschütte, which has a beautiful Renaissance-style facade.
town hall
7. Spreuerbrücke
The Spreuerbrücke is another covered wooden bridge that crosses the river Reuss, a little less famous than the Chapel Bridge, although also located between the essentials to visit in Lucerne.
Built in 1408 and completely restored in 1889, it owes its name to being the only one from where locals were allowed to throw wheat (spreu) into the river.
It is worth crossing the bridge to see the 67 decorative interior altarpieces that represent the dance of the dead and the small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Spreuerbrücke
8. Swiss Transport Museum
The Swiss Transport Museum, the most visited in the country and one of the most complete in its theme, is another of the places to visit in Lucerne.
This museum, which was originally to be only railways, will give you an interactive walk through history and the future of transport and communications.
Imax cinemas, collections with all types of vehicles and transport, a Planetarium, a complete map of Switzerland and several exhibitions, will make your visit a great experience.
Remember that if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, a highly recommended card if you are going to travel Switzerland by train, they will give you a 50% discount.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 6pm.
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Church of the Jesuits
The Church of the Jesuits or Jesuitenkirche, located next to the river Reuss, is another of the wonders to see in Lucerne.
This church built in 1677 was the first in the country in the Baroque style and stands out for its two towers finished with a bulb shape. Inside you can see several chapels, a vault with beautiful frescoes and the altarpiece of the main altar.
Jesuit Church
10. Excursions from Lucerne
Another of the best things to do in Lucerne, is to make some excursion to some of the wonders to see in Switzerland that are closer.
These tours will take you to alpine landscapes and glacial lakes dotted with small mountain villages surrounded by green meadows that seem taken from the Heidi story.
Among the most recommended excursions in Lucerne with a guide in Spanish are:
Mount titlis
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Lucerne essential, add yours in the comments.
