Lucerne walking tour & city guide
A wooden bridge, painted houses and mountains all around.
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Lucerne may be the most picturesque city in Switzerland. Its medieval wooden bridges cross the Reuss river, painted houses line the old town squares, and Lake Lucerne stretches out between steep mountains. It is the perfect gateway to central Switzerland.
The bridges and the old town
The Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge from the 14th century, is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Painted panels under its roof show scenes from the city's history. Much of it burned in 1993 and was quickly rebuilt. Next to it stands the octagonal Water Tower. Further downstream, the Spreuer Bridge has paintings of the Dance of Death.
In the old town, squares like the Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz are surrounded by houses with colorful painted facades. The Musegg Wall, the old city wall with nine towers, can be walked in summer, and one tower holds the oldest clock in the city.
Lion Monument and the lake
The Lion Monument, carved into a rock face, commemorates Swiss Guards who died defending the French king in 1792. Mark Twain called it 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'.
Historic paddle steamers cruise Lake Lucerne to villages and mountain railways. Mount Pilatus can be reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, and Mount Rigi by Europe's oldest mountain railway. The Swiss Museum of Transport is one of the country's most popular museums.
Visiting tips
Lucerne is about an hour from Zurich by train. The 'Golden Round Trip' combines a boat, the Pilatus cogwheel railway and a cable car. Lucerne's carnival, Fasnacht, in February is the biggest in Switzerland.
Top sights in Lucerne
- 1
Chapel Bridge
A covered wooden bridge with a stone water tower.
- 2
Lion Monument
A moving lion carved in rock.
- 3
Old town squares
Houses with painted facades.
- 4
Musegg Wall
Medieval walls and towers above the city.
- 5
Mount Pilatus
Reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway.
- 6
Swiss Museum of Transport
Trains, planes, ships and space travel.
Food markets & where to eat in Lucerne
Reuss riverside
Café terraces along the river.
Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt
Restaurants in old town squares.
Tuesday and Saturday market
A market along the Reuss river.
Lake promenade
Kiosks and cafés along the water.
Food to try in Lucerne
Luzerner Chügelipastete
A puff pastry filled with veal and mushrooms in cream sauce.
Rösti
A crispy grated potato pancake.
Lake fish
Perch and whitefish from Lake Lucerne.
Swiss chocolate
From the old town's chocolate shops.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Lucerne
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in LucerneCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Lucerne.
- eSIM for SwitzerlandStay online from the moment you land.
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