Lucerne is a beautiful Swiss town that offers many things to see and do. It is a compact city and most of the main sights are located in Old Town, which makes it easy to visit.
The Old Town has a lot to offer, with medieval architecture, narrow cobblestoned streets and ancient bridges. The area is pedestrianized and really picturesque, with plenty of photo opportunities!
1. Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Lucerne. It is a popular place for locals to hang out and socialize, and it is also a beautiful spot for photography.
It is known for its enchanting paintings that are housed in triangular frames on the roof of the bridge. The paintings depict a variety of stories and events from the city’s history.
The artworks were created in the 17th century by a local Catholic painter named Hans Heinrich Wagmann. Unfortunately, a fire on the bridge destroyed two-thirds of these paintings in 1993.
After the fire, firefighters were able to repair the damaged beams and planks of the bridge. But some of the famous paintings were destroyed.
2. Mussel Wall
A great way to see Lucerne’s Old Town is to climb up Musegg Wall, one of the city’s historic fortifications. Forming a striking crown around the Old Town, this former symbol of power consists of nine towers.
The only round tower on the wall, Nolliturm, is a popular spot to watch the sunset as it sits on the edge of Lake Lucerne. You can take a short hike to Luegislandegg, which offers more expansive views of the towers.
You can also check out Europe’s oldest preserved wooden bridge, Chapel Bridge. This iconic sight is connected to an octagonal Water Tower which was a defence post for the inner city before becoming a church, city treasury, prison and torture chamber.
This is a free attraction and you can visit from April 1 to November 1, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. You can also check out the Mirror Maze, which is comprised of 90 mirrors built in 1896.
3. Swiss Transport Museum
The Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz in German) is one of the country’s most popular attractions. It features an array of exhibits devoted to transportation by rail, road, water and air.
The railway hall has a huge collection of historic trains from Switzerland, including a steam locomotive and carriages. There’s also a model railroad that shows trains working the Gotthard Pass and an underground tunnel show.
Another great feature is a space exploration area with a variety of different models and even an airplane simulator for you to try out your hand at flying. You can also ride little battery-powered boats across the lake.
This is a wonderful experience for kids and adults alike. The museum is full of activities that will entertain and educate everyone. You can also enjoy a visit to the Planetarium, Chocolate Adventure, Film Theatre and Media World, or take a trip into the universe in the IMAX cinema.
4. Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus towers over Lucerne and the surrounding mountains, and is one of the most popular attractions in Switzerland. It's best known for its mystical dragon legends and stories about Pontius Pilate's soul, but it also offers plenty of activities to keep you busy once you're up there.
- During the summer, you can hike to the top of this mountain, taking in the stunning views over glistening Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. In the winter, you can take part in snow sports such as tobogganing or rope climbing.
- For a more relaxed way to get up there, you can choose to book a private guided tour, which follows the "Golden Round Trip" route, including riding on the cogwheel train and a boat cruise across Lake Lucerne.
- You can also climb up on your own, but it's recommended to hire a guide to help you with the tricky parts of the trail. The most popular routes are Alpnachstad-Kriens and Langis-Pilatus, but there are more challenging options too, such as the Heitertannliweg, which is 23 kilometers long and involves just under 1,400 meters of altitude gain.
