Discover the Best Attractions in Lucerne, Switzerland

Nestled by the magnificent Lake Lucerne, with the Swiss Alps in the background, Lucerne is called the Heart of the Country. It is compact, gorgeous, and easy to explore, with all major sightseeing places within walking distance of the railway station. One of the most popular cities for romantic vacations in Switzerland, Lucerne is a place to breathe in the fresh air, capture incredible pictures, and treat your taste buds with authentic Swiss chocolates. The town, with its exquisite historical buildings, well-preserved medieval architecture, and peaceful environment, takes tourists back to the bygone era while keeping them awestruck. With glistening snowy landscapes, cultural highlights, fairy tale old town streets, and outdoor adventure, Lucerne makes a must-visit place in the itinerary of the best Switzerland tour packages.

What Are the Top Tourist Attractions in Lucerne, Switzerland?

A medieval Swiss town, Lucerne lies in the centre of Switzerland, making it an excellent base for exploring top tourist attractions in Lucerne, Switzerland. The picturesque city has a lot to offer culturally, historically, and socially.

If you are planning a trip to Lucerne, here is a list of the best attractions that you should include in your tour itinerary.

• Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
• Old Town (Altstadt)
• Mount Pilatus
• Glacier Garden (The Gletschergarten)
• Swiss Museum of Transport
• Musegg Wall
• The Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)

Chapel Bridge

One of the most popular attractions in Lucerne city, Chapel Bridge, is called the landmark of the city. It is Europe's oldest covered bridge, built in 1360. One of the most famous bridges in the world, Chapel Bridge or Kapellbrücke, is adorned with beautiful flowers, spanning across the Reuss River and connecting the old town to the modern city centre in Lucerne. It is commonly recognised as the “Water Tower Bridge” because of its two towers, one of which is a water tower. You can walk across the bridge and visit Spreuer Bridge, another lesser-known covered bridge crossing the River Reuss.

Things to do at Chapel Bridge

• You can visit the 17th-century portraits inside the bridge piers, describing the history of Lucerne and Switzerland.
• It is one of the most photographed monuments in Switzerland, so do not forget to capture some amazing pictures.

Old Town (Altstadt)

One of the best things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland is to visit the beautiful Old Town (Altstadt). One of the prettiest towns in Lucerne, it has striking squares surrounded by buildings with historic murals. Located on the bank of the River Reuss, the Lucerne Old Town is an ideal spot to start Lucerne sightseeing. With gorgeous medieval squares, narrow cobblestone alleyways, and ancient buildings and bridges, Old Town reflects a rustic charm. The old town is a pedestrian zone, offering tourists a break from the traffic noise and chaos of modern cities.

Things to do in Old Town

• A walk through the town offers visitors an opportunity to go back in time and experience the rich history while enjoying all the attractions.
• The Old Town is an ideal point to start Lucerne sightseeing and enjoy lip-smacking food at some of the best restaurants here.
• Here, you can also enjoy shopping as the town is filled with many boutique shops, galleries, international brands, etc.

Mount Pilatus

Situated in Central Switzerland, Mount Pilatus is one of the best Lucerne sights to see. Standing tall at around 2132 meters above sea level, Mount Pilatus is a majestic mountain with spectacular natural beauty overlooking the Lucerne city. The sight of the Swiss Alps and Lucerne city from the height of Mount Pilatus is stunning. Also known as the mountain of Dragons, Mount Pilatus has derived its name from the Pileatus, which is a Latin term – that means ‘cloud-capped’. There is a restaurant and observation deck at the top of Pilatus. When visiting Lucerne city attractions, Mount Pilatus is something you cannot miss.

Things to do at Mount Pilatus

• Enjoy a Cogwheel Train Ride from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm (the summit)
• Hike the Dragon Trail and Tomlishorn Peak and trek back to Pilatus
• Enjoy paragliding from the summit and sledding on the natural snow slopes

Glacier Garden

One of the best places of interest in Lucerne, Glacier Garden is a unique combination of landscape garden and museum. It is a network of glacier potholes that was founded in 1872, and soon it became one of the top tourist attractions in Lucerne. In this rocky underworld, you can have a glimpse of the history of the Earth, go back in time, and learn some of the most interesting facts about stones. The Glacier Garden comprises fossilised shells and palm leaves from the subtropical oceanic area of 20 million years ago and kettle basins from the last Ice Age 20,000 years ago. The garden also features a maze of mirrors where ninety mirrors create confusion and make the routes through the maze look endless while they are short in reality.

Things to do in Glacier Garden

• Visit the Swiss chalet featuring a shop, a bistro, and a museum with historical objects.
• Get panoramic sights of the surroundings from an elevated perspective through the lookout tower.
• See the Lion Monument, one of the oldest conserved figures in Switzerland.

Swiss Museum of Transport

The next on the list of the top attractions in Lucerne, Switzerland, is the Swiss Museum of Transport. Opened in 1959, the Museum of Transport features several theme park exhibitions and simulations. It is one of the most extensive museums for mobility in Europe, displaying the present, past, and future of mobility with interactive exhibitions. Located on Lidostrasse along the coasts of Lake Lucerne, the Swiss Museum of Transport showcases more than 3,000 items in 20,000m2 of exhibition space. The big outdoor area with a beautiful lake and sports facilities makes it a must-visit experience. With its display areas of rail, aviation, road transportation, and navigation (water), the Swiss Museum of Transport is Switzerland’s most popular museum.

Things to do at the Swiss Museum of Transport

• Try out a plane or helicopter simulator.
• Learn about chocolate in the Swiss Chocolate Adventure through a multimedia ride.
• Try virtual reality goggles in the Media World with VR experience.

Musegg Wall

One of the best tourist attractions in Lucerne, the Musegg Wall, is famous for medieval architecture. Once a symbol of power, this 800-meter-long wall is a part of Lucerne's historic fortifications, creating a striking crown around the Old Town.  The Musegg Wall is not only an enthralling factor of the city, but it also provides a natural habitat for endangered plants and animals. Made of natural stone, this ancient wall is seen as one of the longest, well-preserved protective walls in Switzerland. You can visit the nine preserved towers at this historical structure, learn about the wall's historical significance, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.

Things to do at the Musegg Wall

• Capture beautiful pictures of the lake, skyline, and the exclusive architecture of the tower and wall.
• Enjoy a relaxed walk at the top of the wall, evaluating diverse sections to appreciate the sights from different vantage points.
• Join a guided hiking tour to get more insights into the history of the Musegg Wall and the city.

The Church of St. Leodegar

Founded in the mid-8th century, the Church of St. Leodegar is one of the top places to visit in Lucerne city. Also known as the Hofkirche, this church is considered one of the city’s most stunning landmarks. Built around 735 or 736 AE, the Church of St. Leodegar was burned in 1633. The present structure of the church was completed in 1645, featuring the German Renaissance style and white stone interior adorned with ornate altars and gilt statues. This beautiful church has striking stained glass panels portraying biblical scenes. Hofkirche plays a significant role architecturally, religiously, and historically.

Things to do at the Church of St. Leodegar

• Walk through the aisles and nave, admiring the intricate carvings, religious artwork, and sculptures.
• Enjoy the lakeside view as the church's site by Lake Lucerne offers pleasing sights.
• The twin towers are a crucial feature of the church and can be seen from diverse parts of the city.

With so many places to see, Lucerne makes a spectacular destination for tourists of all ages. Whether you want to experience the art and history or just wish to enjoy sightseeing in a gorgeous Swiss town, there is something for everyone in Lucerne. You can book one of the best Lucerne vacation packages to enjoy the most memorable trip of your life.