The beautiful small city of Lucerne is located in the heart of Switzerland on the shore of the scenic Lake Lucerne, near to magnificent snow-capped Mount Pilatus and Rigi. The beautiful Reuss River flows through the city and there are a number of bridges as well as a well preserved Old Town in Lucerne. The scenic landscape of the Swiss Alps is great for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Lucerne often serves as a base for trips to Central Switzerland.
City attractions. Apart from outdoor activities, there is lot to see and do in Lucerne. Originally built of wood in the 14th century, The Chapel Bridge is the landmark of Lucerne. The well preserved Old Town with its 15th-century buildings, passages, squares, fountains, towers, and churches is one of the main attractions in Lucerne. Visit also the St. Leodegar Church which has beautifully decorated interior. The city is home to several historical sites, such as Lion Monument and the old city walls. It was in Lucerne where the legendary William Tell shot an apple off his son’s head.
Culture & entertainment. Lucerne is home to several fine galleries and museums. In the Swiss Transport Museum you can see numerous trains, planes, ships, automobiles and motorcycles. In the Picasso Museum there are many photographs of the famous artist, and some of his works. The Culture and Convention Center houses many cultural events and concerts in Lucerne. A carnival named Fasnacht is celebrated each year before Lent in Lucerne. During the festival you can see many kinds of street parades and music performances in the city. The picturesque Old Town with its department stores and specialty shops is also the centre of shopping in Lucerne.
History, culture and sports - Attractions and activities in Lucerne
The city of Lucerne, also known as Luzern, is located at the foothills of Mount Pilatus in the Swiss Alps. The scenic landscape with mountains and lakes is ideal for outdoor activities, such as hiking around Lucerne and biking around Lucerne. You can reach the top of the mountain by cogwheel railway in summer or by cable car year-round. On unforgettable boat tours in Lucerne you can admire the blue Lake Lucerne and the scenic landscape around it. The sandy beach of Lido is great for sunbathing and water sports in summer. In the winter you can enjoy for example nice resorts for skiing around Lucerne.City attractions. Apart from outdoor activities, there is lot to see and do in Lucerne. Originally built of wood in the 14th century, The Chapel Bridge is the landmark of Lucerne. The well preserved Old Town with its 15th-century buildings, passages, squares, fountains, towers, and churches is one of the main attractions in Lucerne. Visit also the St. Leodegar Church which has beautifully decorated interior. The city is home to several historical sites, such as Lion Monument and the old city walls. It was in Lucerne where the legendary William Tell shot an apple off his son’s head.
Culture & entertainment. Lucerne is home to several fine galleries and museums. In the Swiss Transport Museum you can see numerous trains, planes, ships, automobiles and motorcycles. In the Picasso Museum there are many photographs of the famous artist, and some of his works. The Culture and Convention Center houses many cultural events and concerts in Lucerne. A carnival named Fasnacht is celebrated each year before Lent in Lucerne. During the festival you can see many kinds of street parades and music performances in the city. The picturesque Old Town with its department stores and specialty shops is also the centre of shopping in Lucerne.
Practical information for your stay in Lucerne
Lucerne enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and relatively cold winters with some snowfall.
Photo: Olivier Bruchez, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Most rainfall can be expected in summer. The peak season for tourism in Lucerne runs from July and August. The winter sports season in the nearby ski resorts is from November to April.
Visitor services. There are plenty of hotels in Lucerne in all price categories. Many restaurants in Lucerne have beautiful settings in the Old Town and they serve both local and international food. What comes to the nightlife in Lucerne, there are several bars, clubs and discos in the city. Lucerne can be regarded a very safe city for visitors.
How to get there. You can travel to Lucerne from many cities in Switzerland, including Zürich and Berne. The nearest airport to Lucerne is located in Zürich approximately 55 km away. There are boat connections to the city via Lake Lucerne.
Local transport. The small city of Lucerne is compact enough to be toured on foot, and driving in the old town is forbidden. There is an efficient bus network in Lucerne. Car rental in Lucerne is a good option if you want to visit other destinations in Switzerland.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Zurich, Interlaken, Berne, Basel, Liechtenstein, Bodensee (Lake Constance), Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Zermatt, Davos, Lake Como, Lausanne
