Chapel Bridge - landmark of the city of Lucerne

Lucerne – city in the heart of Central Switzerland

A visit to Lucerne with the legendary Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, the Lion Monument and many other sights is part of our luxury tours through Switzerland. On request, we can also book a steamboat trip on Lake Lucerne for you.

Our tip: Visit the Musegg Wall with its 9 Musegg towers and enjoy a fantastic view of the city of Lucerne and Lake Lucerne.

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Impressive scenery: Lucerne between Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains

Rather, sure is that now small town of Lucerne has become among the most recommended tourist destinations in the country of Switzerland. Looking at both lakes and mountains, Lucerne is recognized as the gateway to the Central Switzerland area. The main tourism landmark of the given city is the Chapel Bridge, which is considered to be the most photographed image of Switzerland.

View of Lucerne

Gateway to Central Switzerland: Lucerne’s Charms Captivate Travelers Worldwide

This is because Lucerne is located on the shore of Lake Lucerne and near such interesting travelling mountains such a Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis, Stanserhorn-Many travelling groups and single travellers on their way to Switzerland always visit the city of Lucerne. Furthermore, the city has many sights, developed culture, liveliness and many good restaurants as well as a rich evolution in art.

Step Back in Time: What is waiting for You in Lucerne?

Now, it is high time to focus on such significant sightseeing as the Old Town and the Scenic Wall.

The key features of the city include the typical Old Town with the ‘frozen in time’ narrow streets and legal sightseeing objects like Chapel Bridge , Water Tower and Jesuit Church. the wall of the city is also maintained well and that in anyhow is a good place to watch the inner old town and the view of the Lake Lucerne.

The location by the shores of Lake Lucerne and the alpine mountains surrounding it also plays an important role in making the location look great. The construction of comparative modern architecture incorporating the Culture and Convention Center (KKL) and the Lucerne Theatre blend perfectly into the locality.

Top Sights and Monuments

Lucerne’s main highlights include the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, the Lion Monument, the Old Town, the Jesuit Church, the Musegg Wall and the KKL – Culture and Convention Center Lucerne:

Chapel Bridge

The Chapel Bridge is easily one of the must-see sightseens in Lucerne or basically, one of the most famous tourist spot in Switzerland. As for the structure of Chapel Bridge, it was built along with the city walls and gates in the first half of the XIV century. The hall owes its name to the St Peter’s Chapel adjacent to it. Panels of the 17 century filled with new information, historical background of Switzerland and town history, patronal saints of the town St.Leodegar and Mauritus lives are depicted. Unfortunately the bridge has been a victim of fire in the year 1993, however, the bridge has been reconstructed and looks bright.

Chapel Bridge with Water Tower

Water Tower

Another facility worth observing in the city and one of the fragments of the medieval fortifications is the water tower. It was perhaps built on a non-wash influenced territory in the first half of the fourteenth century. It has served the noble purpose of a palace, prison, fortress and treasury and in modern times, provides dwelling to some of the population of Assisi. The water tower was also used as a both a defensive and a watchtower, a later a building that stored documents and treasures along with being a storage for weapons.

The lowest room of the building was actually used as a prison cell; comprised of walls that were 4 1/2 meters thick, the cell was located in an underground area. The damnable souls that ventured inside could only be lowered in through a hole and were tied with a ball in their mouths. They were however a torture chamber, which every normal tower would possess. Modern the water tower has been turned into a museum and I enjoyed a marvelous view of the town and the Lake Lucerne.

Lion Monument

Lion Monument:

The Lion Monument is one of Lucerne’s most famous sights and one of the most visited memorials in Switzerland. It is a monumental sculpture of a dying lion made of sandstone and carved into a rock face. The monument commemorates the Swiss soldiers who stormed into the Tuileries Palace in the service of the King of France and were murdered during the French Revolution in 1792.

The American writer Mark Twain described “the dying lion of Lucerne” as the saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world. The Lion Monument is considered one of the most important works of sculpture of the 19th century and is a symbol of Swiss freedom and independence.

Lucerne old town

Old Town

Lucerne’s Old Town is a beautifully preserved historic center with charming cobblestone streets, old half-timbered houses and picturesque squares. Among the top sights are the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge and the Musegg Wall. Particularly worth seeing are the Weinmarkt, where the people of Lucerne swore the Swiss Confederation with Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden in 1332, the Hirschenplatz, named after the medieval inn of the same name, and the Kornmarkt with the town hall and the frescoed Zunfthaus zu Pfistern as eye-catchers.

The Old Town is also a popular shopping and restaurant district and offers many opportunities to buy local specialties and souvenirs. A stroll through the old town is a journey into the past and an experience not to be missed.

Jesuit Church

The Jesuit Church in Lucerne is known for its baroque architecture and magnificent interior. The two towers of the Hofkirche dominate the cityscape. It is considered one of the most important baroque churches in Switzerland. The ceiling frescoes, altars and numerous stucco works are particularly impressive. The Jesuit Church is also known for its excellent acoustics, which is why it is often used for concerts.

Musegg wall with towers

Musegg Wall

The city wall of Lucerne, also known as the Musegg Wall, is over 700 years old and surrounds the old town. It consists of nine towers, each with its own charm and history.

Visitors can stroll along the city wall and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and Lake Lucerne.

The city wall is an important part of Lucerne’s history and culture and should definitely be visited during a visit to the city.

KKL – Culture and Convention Center Lucerne

The KKL Luzern is an award-winning cultural and congress center on the shores of Lake Lucerne, renowned for its architecture and first-class events. It was designed by the famous architect Jean Nouvel and opened in 2000.

The KKL hosts a variety of events such as concerts, operas, theater performances and exhibitions. It is also the home of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra.

The building also houses a restaurant, a bar and a concert hall with impressive acoustics, which is one of the best in the world. The KKL Lucerne is an important cultural and tourist attraction in the city.

Many more sights and monuments: Lucerne Highlights

Lucerne is the ideal starting point for excursions to nearby mountains

Thanks to its central location, Lucerne is ideal for excursions to the Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis or Stanserhorn. Or take the Gotthard Panorama Express for a journey back in time from Lucerne through primeval Switzerland to Ticino.

The best way to combine the excursion is with a leisurely boat trip on Lake Lucerne:

View Rigi-Kulm

Rigi Queen of the mountains

Visitors to Mount Rigi immediately understand why it is known as the “Queen of the Mountains”: with a breathtaking 360° panoramic view, it offers a fascinating sight of 620 Alpine peaks and 13 lakes, and that in all four seasons. This natural spectacle is often complemented by a romantic sea of fog. The cogwheel railroads from Goldau and Vitznau and the aerial cableways from Weggis and Kräbel station offer a variety of round trips, which can also be wonderfully combined with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne.

The Rigi is not only a place for impressive views, but also a classic hiking paradise for people of all ages. Whether young or old, the region offers a variety of hiking trails that allow you to explore and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings on foot. Read more…

Pilatus

Golden round trip Lucerne-Pilatus

The “Golden Round Trip” to Mount Pilatus is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Central Switzerland. This unique journey takes you by various means of transportation, including boat, cogwheel railroad, aerial cableway and panoramic gondola, to the most picturesque places around Mount Pilatus and finally to its majestic summit. The Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railroad in the world, offers you an exciting and unforgettable transportation experience.

The Pilatus rises a proud 2,128 meters above sea level and rewards you at its summit with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and lakes. This spectacular panoramic view can be experienced from May to October and makes the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus an incomparable full or half-day excursion. Immerse yourself in the diversity of Lucerne’s local mountain and enjoy a journey through this fascinating mountain landscape. Read more…

Titlis

Titlis – 360° panoramic adventure

The Titlis rises majestically as the highest excursion mountain in Central Switzerland and impresses with its fascinating glacier landscape. The Titlis-Rotair cable car, the world’s first rotating cable car, is particularly outstanding. During the seven-minute ride, it offers a unique 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain peaks.

At the summit, which is a proud 3,238 meters above sea level, visitors can look forward to a variety of fascinating attractions. The glacier garden, the ice cave and the “Titlis Cliff Walk”, the highest suspension bridge in Europe, invite you to enjoy unforgettable experiences. The glacier garden offers insights into the impressive world of glaciers, while the ice cave with its frosty formations transports visitors to a magical ice landscape.

An absolute highlight is the “Titlis Cliff Walk”, which combines thrills and panoramic views. This suspension bridge on the summit allows visitors to walk across a dizzying precipice while admiring the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains. The Titlis is therefore not just a mountain peak, but a true adventure that thrills the senses and creates unforgettable memories. Read more…

CabriO-Bahn Stanserhorn

With CabriO cable car to the Stanserhorn

The ride to the Stanserhorn on the innovative CabriO cable car and the historic funicular dating back to 1893 is also a fascinating journey through the history of cable cars. This unique ascent offers a breathtaking view over 100 kilometers of the Alps and 10 Swiss lakes.

On the Stanserhorn, visitors can expect not only impressive landscapes, but also a variety of attractions. The Stanserhorn Rangers, curious marmots and a plant reserve with an enchanting variety of fauna and flora are just some of the highlights.

Guests can also experience culinary highlights in the revolving restaurant Rondorama. Specialties such as Älplermagronen from the Edelweis pot are served there. The Stanserhorn thus offers not only a historic and modern cable car experience, but also a multifaceted journey of discovery through nature, wildlife and culinary delights.

Boat trips on Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne is one of the most beautiful and interesting lakes in Switzerland. A steamboat trip on Lake Lucerne is a memorable experience for tourists and leaves a lasting impression. The steamboat trips take you to Lake Uri, Lake Küssnacht or Lake Alpnach. The boat station in Lucerne is just a few steps away from the railroad station, the city center and the old town. Steamboats, motorboats, catamarans and panoramic yachts await you. Read more…

Events, conferences and congresses

Lucerne – also known as the City of Music – is a popular destination for conferences and congresses due to its excellent location on Lake Lucerne and its well-equipped event venues. The KKL – Culture and Convention Center Lucerne, the Swiss Museum of Transport and the Grand Casino Lucerne are just a few of Lucerne’s best-known venues.

Chocolate tasting

The KKL is one of the best-known congress centers and can accommodate up to 3,000 participants. In addition, the city of music offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxurious hotels to affordable guesthouses and hostels.

The city is also easy to reach, as it is well connected to the international air and rail network. Zurich airport is only an hour away and there is a direct train connection to Lucerne main station. In addition, the picturesque countryside surrounding Lucerne provides the perfect setting for team-building activities and other leisure pursuits. Lucerne is also an ideal destination for incentive trips as it offers many activities such as boat trips, mountain hikes, skiing and chocolate tasting.
Read more…

Video The ULTIMATE Travel Guide: Lucerne, Switzerland

The reason why most people visit Switzerland is because of this ancient town and its stunning location. Located at the edge of the lake and amidst the snow-capped mountains, Lucerne with its medieval architecture is a town with strikingly modern sensibilities. Lucerne has grown to become one of Switzerland’s largest and most important tourist destinations due to its magnificent surroundings, temperate climate, and easy access by road and rail.

The ULTIMATE Travel Guide: Lucerne, Switzerland

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