Looking for the best things to do in Lucerne? So Swiss and at the same time so international, Lucerne is a quite small but hospitable sized city.
Located on the shores of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape, the city has a quaint city centre, two picturesque wooden bridges and a beautiful “Seepromenade”.
But it is also home to an intense cultural life: museums for rainy days, an annual calendar packed with festivals, and concerts at the modern cultural centre KKL. We really are in love with this wonderful city which we’ve call home.
Some links in this guide may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting to Lucerne is easiest by train. Switzerland’s rail network is extremely efficient, with direction connections from Zürich, Interlaken and Geneva. If you’re planning multiple journeys, The Swiss Travel Pass can be excellent value, covering trains, boats and other public transportations across the country.
Table of Contents
Where to Eat in Lucerne
- Enjoy breakfast at: When we have enough time, we love to have breakfast at Melissa’s Kitchen (Hirschengraben 19). It is a quite lovely place just a little out of the city centre offering a huge selection of sweet and salted breakfast food. It is also the perfect place for a Saturday or Sunday brunch! (Want to make breakfast at home? Try this Swiss Bircher Müesli recipe)
- Grab a coffee at: Is it a sunny day? Then let’s take a seat at the outdoor terrace of the Café César (Haldenstrasse 4), along the lake promenade – and enjoy your coffee with a view!
- For authentic Swiss hospitality: you absolutely should have a dinner at the Wirtshaus Galliker (Schützenstrasse 1), a few steps from the lesser-known wooden bridge of the city: the Spreuerbrücke. At Galliker you will find the classics of Swiss cuisine such as Cordon Blue and Spätzle. But we strongly suggest trying the seasonal dishes, prepared with fresh and local foods too!
- For something more international: When we feel a bit nostalgic for Italy, we book a dinner at Barbatti, an Italian restaurant located just in the city centre and of course Italian approved! Prefer Chinese food? Then enjoy a dinner at the Jialu National Luzern, just inside the huge Hotel National (Haldenstrasse 4), along the lake promenade.
- In between Sightseeing take a break: while walking along the Reuss river, enjoy a true Italian ice cream at “Dieci Gelateria & Caffè” at Rathausquai 7!
- Vegetarians will feel at home at: the buffet of the Restaurant Tibits, located on the higher floor of the Lucerne Station. It’s also a good place for Vegans!
- For Date Night: the big and beautiful hotels built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century along the Seepromenade are the perfect location for a romantic and sophisticated dinner! We recommend the restaurant of the Grand Hotel National and the restaurant of the Art Deco Hotel Montana, both located in Haldenstrasse!
- For Drinks: Lido Beach House (Lidostrasse 6a) plans parties, events and dance evenings during summer! They also provide good drinks and cocktails!
- Grab something sweet at: Confiserie Bachmann, a must for sweets lovers! While mainly a take-away with many locations all throughout the city, if you want to take a short break, we suggest the shop located in Schwanenplatz 7, in the city centre.
Where to Shop in Lucerne
- Buy your groceries at: Migros and Coop have shops located throughout the city, also in the city centre. Are you looking for something cheaper? You can find at least two shops from Aldi Suisse and Denner. And if you are looking for something special, make a visit to Globus (Pilatusstrasse 4).
- Visit the Farmers Market: a farmers market with fresh vegetables, meat and cheese takes place along the Reuss River every Tuesday and Saturday mornings. You will find us there early on Tuesdays when it’s less crowded. Tuesdays are best for enjoying the market, having time to choose the best products and – why not! – having a small chat with farmers!
- Grab a loaf from: we love to grab a loaf in the Bäckerei “Macchi”. We are also addicted to their Laugenbrezel, so soft and fresh! There are 5 shops all throughout the city. But if you want to try something local, you should absolutely buy a “Pilatusbrot” from Confiserie Bachman!
- Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss: Max Chocoatier’s store – in the city centre (Hertensteinstrasse 7), a must for chocolate lovers like us! But here is the good news: they also have a “Chocolatier Design Studio” (Obergrundstrasse 42) a little bit out of the city centre where you can have a chocolate tasting or making experience!
- The best Cheese can be found: at “Chäs Barmettler”, located in Hertensteinstrasse 2, at the end of the shopping street in the city centre. It is a very popular place with the locals’ thanks to its huge selection of local cheese and also for its warm “Chaeschuechli” – a savoury quiche-like tart. Perfect as an afternoon snack!
- Find something for the home at: the cheapest and biggest shop for home furniture and accessories is Maxi Bazar, a big shop just along the Reuss river. It’s easily reached by foot and easily found thanks to its picturesque red and white wooden building!
- Grab a nice bottle at: if you are looking for something in the city centre, the best choice is ‘Drinks of the World’, a shop located inside the train station. Instead, if you are looking for something very special, we suggest you visit Schubi Weine (Bernstrasse 110). It is a bit out of the city centre, but has a very big selection of wine, beers and spirits!
Where to Stay in Lucerne:
Lucerne offers a range of stays, from the historic Hotel des Balances with it iconic painted facade and riverfront terrace to the centrally located Hotel des Alps with its Chapel Bridge views. For an ultra modern vibe, try the pocket friendly boutique hotel The Lobo or the legendary 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof where every room tells a story of its famous past guests.
Things to Do in and Around Lucerne
- Families love to visit: the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, the popular Museum of Transport, in Lidostrasse 5. Don’t miss a show at the indoor Planetarium, but if you don’t speak German, ask about the show’s language before purchasing a ticket!
- Take a dip: during the Summer, all of Lucerne’s lakeside parks turn into free swimming areas! However, for something more structured and organized as well as a real sandy beach, the Strandbad Lido (Lidostrasse 6A) is the best choice! It is also located on the sunnier side of the lake, so it is also perfect for an afternoon dip!
- Pull on your hiking boots and: walk everywhere, to be honest! Lucerne is in the centre of a wonderful Alpine landscape and you are spoilt for choice. Choose to hike the famous Stoos cliff walk or part of the long Swiss Path. But if you have less time and if you prefer to stay around the city, Mount Rigi – Königin der Berge, Queen of mountains – has plenty of hiking trails with a panoramic view of Lake Lucerne and across to Zug!
- An easy day trip: The iconic Lungernersee, a true Swiss icon due to the emerald colour of its waters and the green of the surrounding pastures! Just take a Zentralbahn train which runs from Luzern to Interlaken and return. The 45-minute-long train trip crosses one of the most beautiful alpine landscapes of Switzerland and is an experience in itself. Once you reach Lungern, you can walk around the lake!
- For something different explore: the city during the Lilu Light Festival – at the beginning of January – when artists from all over the world create spectacular light shows, giving a new face to the city’s buildings and main monuments.
- If it is raining: don’t worry! You can spend at least 4 hours discovering the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, the popular Museum of Transport (Lidostrasse 5). Like modern art? Then take a tour of the Rosengart Museum, close to the main train station (Pilatusstrasse 10).
- Locals ski at: the narrow Eigenthal Valley, at the foot of Mount Pilatus. It is very popular among locals as a skiing and sledging destination. It’s easily accessible from Lucerne by bus! Other popular options include Mount Rigi, the Klewenalp area or the Melchsee-Frutt region! They are all amazing!
- For the best views: Of course, on a sunny day the top of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi (Pilatus Kulm and Rigi Kulm) are both must-see places because they offer the best view of the city and of the lake. But for a cheaper choice or for those short on time take the Hotel Gütsch elevator (Baselstrasse 21A)for an amazing view of the city centre from the Gütsch Hill!
- When guests visit: for a very Swiss experience, we usually bring them on board on a historical steamboat from Lucerne to Weggis or Vitznau. In both villages, you can have lunch and a short walk before going back to Lucerne!
Lucerne Tips from a Local
- Local festivals not to miss: of course Carnival – the Luzerner Fasnacht – in February! It is a spontaneous and viral event, minimally planned because it is the result of a collective spirit of fun and celebration with a very special soundtrack: the Guggenmuusige – musical bands that play popular songs in noisy and funny arrangements.
- The locals eat at: one of the many restaurants located in the Bruchquartier or Neustadt Quartier: Drei Könige, Restaurant Weisses Schloss or the Hotel-Restaurant Anker. They are a little bit outside the tourist centre, but don’t worry! You can reach them easily by foot or by bus!
- The best time of year to visit is: During Spring and Summer you can fully enjoy the city, swim in the lake and explore the main mountains around the city. (Not sure what to pack? Check the what to wear in Switzerland in summer guide) But we also love to have a walk in the city during Fall: the Seepromenade with the foliage’s colours is really amazing.
- Best place to watch the sunset: Due to the surrounding alpine landscape, the sunset in Lucerne can be really impressive! If you visit the city in the summertime, enjoy golden hour at the Sunset Bar (Seeburgstrasse 61)!
Free Things to do in Lucerne
Switzerland is an expensive country to visit, however, there are many free things to do if you know where to look. Of course you have the iconic Chapel and Spreuer Bridges. Or climb up to Chateau Gutsch (the “Disney” castle on top of the hill) for view across the city. The Lion Monument is free to visit as is a stroll along the lakeside promenade. You can swim for free from “Ufschötti” a lakeside park where locals like to picnic and take a swim.
Getting Around Lucerne
- Best to get around on: absolutely by foot! The city is small and the main attractions are very close to each other. But if you feel a bit lazy, you can easily travel by bus! If you are a hotel guest in Lucerne, you can receive the Visitor card, which allows free on all buses and trains within zone 10.
- Closest airport/train station/bus stop: Lucerne’s closest airport is in Zurich. From there, there are a few direct trains a day and also a lot of trains with change in Zurich HB. The main train station in Lucerne is located in the city centre! (Coming from the south, read our Gotthard Tunnel post first.)
- Rent bikes/Scooters from: throughout the city you can find many bike hire spots. Look out for bike-sharing network nextbike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lucerne worth visiting for a day trip?
Absolutely. Lucerne’s old town, Chapel Bridge, and lakefront are all walkable within a few hours. But if you want to take a mountain excursion to Pilatus or Rigi, or enjoy lake life, plan for at least two days.
Where do locals eat in Lucerne?
Locals head to the Bruchquartier and Neustadt neighbourhoods for restaurants like Wirtshaus Galliker, Drei Könige, and Restaurant Weisses Schloss — away from the tourist centre but easy to reach on foot.
What is the best way to get around Lucerne?
On foot. The city centre is compact and all major sights are within walking distance. Hotel guests receive a free Visitor Card for buses and trains in zone 10.
What is the best time of year to visit Lucerne?
Spring and summer are ideal for swimming, hiking, and lake cruises. But autumn brings stunning foliage along the Seepromenade, and February’s Luzerner Fasnacht (Carnival) is an unforgettable experience.
About Ale & Mic
We are Ale & Mic and are behind “PerSpa in Wanderland”. We are an Italian rainbow couple currently living in beautiful Lucerne. We explore Switzerland mainly by foot and public transport and love to share our experiences with walkers and travel lovers! Follow them over on Instagram.
