BEST THINGS TO DO IN LUCERNE!
Lucerne is one of my favorite cities in Switzerland! I spent one day exploring this preserved medieval-style city and have put together this complete guide of 3 Awesome Things To Do in Lucerne to help you plan your trip!
Related Article → 8 Day Switzerland Itinerary
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Contents
WHERE IS LUCERNE & HOW TO GET THERE
Lucerne is located 53 km south of Zurich. The best way to get to Lucerne from Zurich is by train, which is a short one hour journey.
If you are planning a trip around Switzerland, I highly recommend purchasing the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass which includes trains, buses and boats throughout the whole of Switzerland.
Click Here to find out everything you need to know about the Swiss Travel Pass.
Lake Lucerne – What to do in Lucerne
3 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN LUCERNE
#1 CHAPEL BRIDGE
Chapel Bridge is the most iconic attraction in Lucerne and the oldest wooden bridge in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century.
The Chapel Bridge Lucerne stretches 200 meters across the Reuss River and attached to the bridge is an old water tower that served as a dungeon, an archive and a treasury vault in medieval times.
It’s free to walk over Chapel Bridge and remember to look up to discover the colorful old paintings on the underside of the roof. Definitely add Chapel Bridge to your itinerary as it is one of the best places to visit in Lucerne.
Nomatic Travel Bag: Best travel bag in the world! The Nomatic 40L Travel Bag is a game changer and perfect for all adventures. With an incredible organization system that enables you to pack more in less space, this carry-on size bag will change the way you travel!
Chapel Bridge – Lucerne things to do
Chapel Bridge Lucerne – Things to do in Lucerne
#2 BOAT TRIP ON LAKE LUCERNE
A boat trip on Lake Lucerne is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Lucerne Switzerland.
With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can take a round-trip boat ride on Lake Lucerne which is the best way to see the region at a slow pace!
There are daily departures on Lake Lucerne, usually every hour during the day. Just head down to the ferry terminal and jump on board when a boat arrives and you’ll be asked to show your Swiss Travel Pass.
Lake Lucerne boat trip – Things to do in Lucerne
Lake Lucerne sunset – Things to do in Lucerne
Boat trip on Lake Lucerne – What to do in Lucerne
#3 MOUNT RIGI
Last but not least on this list of things to do in Lucerne is Mt Rigi, also known as the queen of the mountains, which is a large mountain range in the Lucerne region.
The best way to get to Mt Rigi, using the Swiss Travel Pass, is to take the one-hour boat ride from Lucerne Ferry Terminal and get off at Vitznau.
From here there is a special cog-wheel train that will take you up to the summit of Mount Rigi. This was my favorite part of the adventure as I was able to hang outside the windows of the train to take photos!
Panoramic views await at the summit of Mt Rigi, overlooking three lakes and phenomenal alpine peaks in the distance.
If you want to grab lunch or a beer you can simply pop into a hotel restaurant and most have outdoor terraces with stunning views. Be sure to add Mt. Rigi to your list of things to do in Luzern.
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The summit of Mt. Rigi, Lucerne
The cogwheel train – Things to do in Lucerne
Sunset from Mount Rigi – Things to do in Lucerne
BEST TOURS IN LUCERNE
If you’ve got a few days up your sleeve to explore this wonderful city, see the list below for some of the best tours in Lucerne that you might like to check out.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LUCERNE
Luxury: Lucerne Lake View Apartments
Offering stunning lake views, free wifi and just walking distance to the center of the city, this 5-star accommodation is hard to beat! Each apartment is fitted with a balcony, fully-equipped kitchen, dishwasher, sofa, tv, dining room, washing machine, private bathroom with a bath, fridge and freezer, microwave and coffee machine. Convinced yet?
Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com
Mid Range: Hotel De la Paix
This 3-star hotel is located right in the heart of town, just 200m walk to the old quarter in Lucerne. Various restaurants, cafes, bars and shops are all located in the vicinity of Hotel De la Paix. There are single, double and triple rooms available and breakfast is included.
Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com
Budget: Barabas Hostel
I personally stayed at the Barabas Hostel in Lucerne City, located just ten minutes walk from the Lucerne Train Station. The Barabas Hostel is one of the coolest and most unique hostels I have stayed in, the reason being that it was once an old prison. The dorms and private rooms are the same rooms where prison inmates used to sleep back in the day (much cleaner and refurbished of course) and it gives you a real sense of what it would be like to be a prisoner. A buffet breakfast is also included with the room and the staff are overly helpful with their knowledge of the best things to do in Luzern.
Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN LUZERN, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
MAP OF LUCERNE
BEST TIME TO VISIT SWITZERLAND
The best time to visit Switzerland depends on what you plan to do. I personally prefer the spring and summer months in Switzerland (April – September) when temperatures are warm and the landscapes are vividly green.
However, visiting Switzerland in winter (December – March) is absolutely magical because the landscapes are completely covered in glistening white snow. Visiting Switzerland in winter also means you have to opportunity to go skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Search All ∼ Flights to Switzerland on Skyscanner.com
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The currency in Switzerland is Swiss Francs (CHF) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = $1 CHF.
Purchasing a sim card in Switzerland is very simple. You can do this at the airport on arrival or find a phone store close to your accommodation. For approximately $40 USD, you can get a local sim card that comes with 10GB of data.
JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
Do you have any questions about my things to do in Lucerne post?
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MORE SWITZERLAND TRAVEL GUIDES
If you are planning a holiday in Switzerland, be sure to check out my other travel guides below that you might find useful while putting together your Switzerland Itinerary:
• 15 Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen
LONELY PLANET – SWITZERLAND
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Switzerland Travel Guide.
BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET SWITZERLAND
WHAT TO PACK FOR LUCERNE
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF THINGS TO DO IN LUCERNE
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Things To Do In Lucerne, drop me a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Adventuring 😃
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Hey, I’m Jonny – surfer, skater, photographer, and coffee-lover from Australia!
With a burning passion for travel and the outdoors, I launched this Adventure Travel Blog in 2017, and I’ve been exploring the world ever since!
My little corner of the interwebs is a space where I love to share all of my epic adventures, cultural experiences, and captivating photos from around the globe with the ultimate goal to inspire and motivate other like-minded travelers to explore this wonderful earth too!
The photos and structure of the guide make it so easy and enjoyable to read through. Love your content on every platform. Thank you!!
Author
Thanks a lot Tamara! I am glad you love the content 🙂
Love your content, easy to understand and useful!
Author
Aww thanks a lot! Glad you enjoy the content on my blog 🙂