Lucerne was one of those places that I wasn’t really looking forward to because I never heard of it – but as soon as I saw it, I felt like I was in a fairy tale. We spent one day in Lucerne, and it’s a city I’ve wanted to go back to since. This idyllic Swiss city took me by surprise and had more personality than I imagined. It’s a quaint city that’s easy to explore. So here are the best things to do in Lucerne in one day.
If you’ve got more time in Lucerne (lucky!) check out my guide to the best hotels in Lucerne to fit any budget. Not sure when to visit this city? Check out my guide for the best times to visit Lucerne.
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Lucerne at a Glance
Located on the bank of Lake Lucerne with the Swiss Alps in the background, Lucerne is one of the oldest cities in Switzerland. It’s located in the German-speaking part of the country, so locals call it “Luzern”
We visited Lucerne in between Munich and Venice for a night. It’s peacefully nestled at the bottom of the Alps, which makes a great spot for a beautiful view. We were there in January, which means that everything we saw was quaintly snow-covered.
From swans to squares, cobblestone streets to beautiful architecture, interesting museums, and delicious cheese – spending one day in Lucerne should be on your bucket list!
If you’re traveling with a family, here’s a guide to Lucerne with kids.
Chapel Bridge
The first thing to see in Lucerne is the Kapellbrucke, or Chapel Bridge (and it’s hard to miss at the center of the lake). Built in 1365, it’s named after nearby St. Peter’s Chapel and is the oldest covered bridge in Europe. The feature of the bridge is the octagonal Wassturm (or water tower- or tower standing in the water). This tower has served Switzerland in a number of ways ranging from a prison and torture chamber to a municipal archive and local treasury. While the tower itself is closed to the public, there is a tourist shop to learn more about it. Some of the bridge was destroyed in a fire in 1993, and those paintings have been destroyed. There are still paintings to enjoy throughout the bridge, so take your time enjoying the bridge – as it is one of the top things to do in Lucerne.
Lucerne’s other bridge, the Spreuer Bridge, is also a covered bridge that brings quaint character to the city. Enjoy the views of and from these bridges. The snow-capped mountains in the distance, the crystal blue waters of Lake Lucerne, and the charm of the city can warm any heart even in the coldest of winters.
Old Town
Walking through the network of alleys and narrow streets on the north side of the city is an absolute must-do when visiting Lucerne. The town is filled with traditional Alpine houses and half-timbered houses, making each street a beautiful landscape. You’ll find mom-and-pop shops, locally-owned restaurants, and hidden gems around every corner.
The Wounded Lion Monument
Once you’re finished soaking in the bridges, visit the Lion. The Lion Monument, or Wounded Lion, is a powerful memorial to over 800 Swiss mercenaries who gave their lives to defend King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Being honest, I wasn’t expecting to be as moved as I was staring at the lion, so even if memorials aren’t your thing take a minute to take in the monument, the details, and remember the lives lost. It’s one of the most powerful things to see in Lucerne.
The dying lion is portrayed pierced by a spear. His head is bowed and a paw is covering a shield bearing the symbol of the French monarchy (fleur-de-lis) and near his head is a shield bearing the coat of arms of Switzerland. The sadness in the lions eyes broke my heart!
Jesuit Church
Along the riverfront is another eye-catching Lucerne landmark – the city’s Jesuit Church. The onion-shaped towers make it stand out along the Reusse River. The church was built in a series of phases between the 16th and 19th centuries. It was founded to help keep the Swiss Catholics from converting to Protestantism.
Glacier Garden
Near the Lion is the Gletschergarten, or Glacier Garden. This monument was discovered in 1872 and shows that Lucerne was covered by glaciers during the Ice Age. The Gletschergarten has an Alhambra Mirror Maze to get lost in and explore. If art is more interesting to you, then visit the Rosengart Collection. There are paintings by Picasso, Chagall, Monet, and Matisse.
Enjoy the Swans
There are swans everywhere in Lucerne – and they’re CONSTANTLY being fed. They swim on both the lake and river, so if you’re near water be on the lookout. Since visitors are always feeding them, they swim close to the water’s edge.
Travel Tip: Do NOT feed waterfowl bread. It actually hurts their digestive system and can kill them.
Museggmauer
Once you’ve had your fill of art inside, it’s time to go back outside to the Museggmauer, or Musegg Wall. It’s about a mile away and has some of the best views of the city. On a clear day, you can see the entire of Lucerne, the mountains, and of course Lake Lucerne. For an even better view, you can climb one (or all four) of the towers – Zyt, Mannli, Wacht and Schrmer.
Finally, enjoy strolling around Old Town, or Kornmarkt, where you can find small shops, cobblestone streets, and painted buildings. Be sure to make a stop at Laderach, they’re famous for their Swiss chocolate.
Travel Tip: In the warmer months, there is a farmers’ market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. They have everything from homemade Swiss cheeses, meats, produce, wine, flowers and crafts!
Where to Eat in Lucerne
You didn’t think that I would forget to talk about the best places to eat in Lucerne, did you?
For a great waterside view, visit Wirtshaus Taube. While the menu changes weekly, they specialize in traditional Swiss food, including Alpen bratwurst mit Zwiebelsauce – or fried Swiss mountain sausage with onion sauce, roesti (potatoes), and vegetables.
For some of the best fondue in Lucerne, head to the Fondue House. If you don’t have fondue in Lucerne, be sure to at least have it in Switzerland! You could even have lunch on a 2-hour cruise along Lake Lucerne.
To appease your sweet tooth, visit one of the Bachmanns in Lucerne. There are a few around town, so it should be easy to find one.
Where to Stay in Lucerne
You really can’t go wrong when you stay in Lucerne, almost everywhere will have a view of some type. But I’ve put together over 25 amazing hotels in Lucerne – from budget to luxury.
However, if you’re not afraid of a short drive (or Uber), we stayed at Hotel Peak previously known as Hotel Himmelrich. Even though it’s a drive, it has breathtaking views of Lucerne, especially at night.
Honestly, the views from this hotel are why I’ll always have a special place for Lucerne in my heart!
Check out these other posts on Switzerland:
10+ Most Beautiful Cities in Switzerland
9 Awesome Adventures in Switzerland
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beautiful place, thank you for creating this article