Visiting Lucerne for the First Time: What to See, Do & Know
Lucerne was a wonderful base for part of our five days in Switzerland.
With its beautiful lakefront setting, historic Old Town, famous wooden bridges, and mountain views, Lucerne has plenty to keep you busy. One of the things I liked most was how easy it was to explore. Most of the sights we wanted to see were within walking distance, so we could spend the day wandering without constantly worrying about transportation.
We visited Lucerne after our Viking Rhine River cruise and used it as our base for exploring more of central Switzerland. Along the way, we visited the city’s most famous landmarks, climbed part of the medieval Musegg Wall, ate fondue, stopped for Swiss chocolate (and ice cream!), and stayed in a former prison.
If you’re visiting Lucerne for the first time, here’s what I think is worth seeing, along with a few practical tips that might make your visit easier.
Planning a longer Switzerland trip? See my 5 Days in Switzerland itinerary for our complete trip from Basel to Lucerne and beyond.
Exploring Lucerne on Foot
One of the best things about Lucerne is that you don’t need to overcomplicate your sightseeing.
The main attractions in the historic center are close enough that you can combine several of them into one walking day. We arrived by train from Basel after our Rhine River cruise, and Chapel Bridge was practically our first stop.
From there, we explored the Old Town, crossed both of Lucerne’s famous wooden bridges, visited the Lion Monument, and made our way to the Musegg Wall.
If you’re reasonably active and comfortable walking, you can see quite a bit of Lucerne without needing a car or a complicated transportation plan. That said, if you’re staying in a Lucerne hotel, you may also have access to a visitor card that includes free use of local buses and trains during your stay. It’s another reason you don’t necessarily need a car here, especially if you’re planning to explore beyond the city center.
See Lucerne’s Historic Bridges & Landmarks
Walk Across the Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is probably the sight you’ll recognize immediately when you start researching Lucerne.
The covered wooden bridge crosses the Reuss River right in the heart of the city, connecting the Old Town with the area around the train station. It’s lined with colorful flower boxes and is unbelievably photogenic.
It was also our first glimpse of Lucerne.
After arriving at the train station, we walked toward the Old Town and soon found ourselves standing on one of the most recognizable bridges in Switzerland. It’s one of those travel moments where the photo you’ve seen a hundred times suddenly becomes the view in front of you.
Don’t just walk across it, though. Look up.
The inside of the bridge is decorated with a series of triangular paintings dating back centuries. Part of the bridge was destroyed by a fire in 1993, and you can still see evidence of the damage as you walk across.
And, of course, don’t forget to look back toward the river. Chapel Bridge is photogenic from just about every direction.
Don’t Stop at Chapel Bridge: Visit Spreuer Bridge Too
If you’re already exploring Lucerne’s Old Town, it’s easy to add another historic covered bridge to your walk.
Spreuer Bridge is farther along the Reuss River and is less famous than Chapel Bridge, but I thought it was worth seeing. It’s only a few minutes away, so there’s really no reason to skip it if you’re already in the area.
Like Chapel Bridge, Spreuer Bridge has historic paintings inside. The artwork here has a darker theme, depicting the Dance of Death.
You don’t need to set aside a separate chunk of your day for it. Just add it to your Old Town walk.
Visit the Lion Monument
The Lion Monument is another one of Lucerne’s most recognizable landmarks, but it feels very different from the lively streets around Chapel Bridge.
The monument is carved into a natural rock face and commemorates Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution.
This is one of those monuments where photographs don’t do it justice. It’s quite moving, and the carving is set into a lush garden area with a water feature that reflects the monument.
We walked over to see it as part of our sightseeing day, and it’s an easy addition to a visit to the Old Town.
It’s also a good reminder that Lucerne isn’t just about pretty bridges and lake views. There’s quite a bit of history tucked into this relatively compact city.
Walk the Musegg Wall for a Different View of Lucerne
If you want to get a little more active during your Lucerne sightseeing, make time for the Musegg Wall.
The medieval fortification stretches along the hillside above the Old Town, with towers that give you a completely different perspective of the city.
We walked along part of the wall and climbed several of the towers.
Be Prepared for Stairs
This isn’t quite the same as strolling along the flat streets of the Old Town. Getting up to the wall and climbing the towers involves some hills and stairs, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to work a little for those views.
For us, it was absolutely worth it.
From above, you can look out over Lucerne’s rooftops toward the lake and surrounding mountains. It’s one of those places where the reward comes from doing a little more than simply checking a landmark off your list.
Good to know: Access to the Musegg Wall and towers is seasonal, so check current opening information when planning your visit.
Take Some Time to Wander Lucerne’s Old Town
Not every worthwhile experience in Lucerne needs to be an attraction.
Once you’ve seen the major sights, give yourself some time to simply wander.
Lucerne’s Old Town is filled with colorful buildings, fountains, little streets, shops, and historic churches. We also stopped to see the Jesuit Church, whose ornate pink-and-white interior was quite different from what I expected to find in Switzerland.
This is one of those places where I’d resist the urge to plan every minute.
Walk along the Reuss River. Cross a bridge. Turn down a street because it looks interesting. Stop for a photo.
You may not remember every street name later, but you’ll remember the experience of walking around Lucerne.
Where We Stayed in Lucerne: A Former Prison
Staying at Hotel Barabas
For our stay in Lucerne, we chose Hotel Barabas, a unique hotel in the heart of the Old Town.
And yes, it really is a former prison.
The original building has been converted into hotel rooms, with the old prison cells turned into accommodations. The hotel has also expanded into a newer section with three Japanese-style rooms.
We stayed in one of the newer Japanese-style rooms, while our adult daughter stayed in one of the original prison rooms.
So technically, we didn’t sleep in prison cells — but our daughter got the full Hotel Barabas experience!
If you’re curious about what the hotel actually looks like before booking, I filmed a walkthrough so you can see the rooms and the former prison setup for yourself.
Don’t Leave Lucerne Without Eating Fondue
We couldn’t spend time in Switzerland without having fondue, could we?
After a full day of walking around Lucerne, sitting down to a traditional Swiss dinner and sharing a pot of fondue was a pretty excellent way to end the day.
This is one of those travel experiences I think is worth making time for even if you aren’t normally someone who seeks out traditional foods when traveling.
I will say that the spot we chose felt overpriced for a small portion, so do your research when picking your fondue place!
And Yes, We Stopped for Chocolate and Ice Cream
Switzerland and chocolate go together, so naturally we made a stop at the Lindt store while exploring Lucerne.
And then we discovered the ice cream. A large, swirled cone of soft-serve ice cream with liquid chocolate on top? Messy and delicious — I was all about it.
I’m not going to pretend this was an important cultural experience. It was just a really good travel treat.
Need Groceries on a Sunday? Remember the Train Station Coop
Here’s one practical tip I wish more first-time visitors knew before traveling in Switzerland: Sunday shopping can be tricky.
If you’re staying in an apartment or hotel room where you want to pick up snacks, breakfast supplies, or drinks, don’t assume you’ll be able to run into a regular grocery store on Sunday.
The Coop grocery store inside Lucerne’s main train station is a particularly useful option because it stays open when many other stores are closed. We were walking around with our Google Maps app open, lamenting about finding an open store, when a passing local took pity on us and told us about the train station Coop. Bless her!
We found this especially helpful because the train station is so centrally located.
Tip: If you’re traveling on a Sunday or Swiss holiday, check the current hours before you go. Holiday schedules can vary.
Use Lucerne as a Base for Mountain Adventures
One of the reasons I think Lucerne is such a good place to spend several days is that you don’t have to choose between a city trip and a mountain trip.
You can spend one day wandering the Old Town and the next day head into the mountains.
Take the Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip
We did the Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip, which combines several different types of transportation into one memorable day.
Here’s our full Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip experience if you want to see how it all works.
It’s a great example of why I wouldn’t limit Lucerne to a single day if you have more time in Switzerland.
Hike Stoos Ridge
For an even more active day, Lucerne also worked well as our jumping-off point for our Stoos Ridge hike from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock.
I wrote more about our Stoos Ridge hike here, including what the trail was like and why those views were some of my favorites.
How Many Days Do You Need in Lucerne?
So, how long should you actually stay?
If you’re short on time, you can see many of Lucerne’s major sights in one full day.
A one-day visit could include:
- Chapel Bridge
- Spreuer Bridge
- Lucerne Old Town
- Lion Monument
- Musegg Wall
But if you have two or three days, I think Lucerne becomes even more worthwhile.
You can spend one day exploring the city at a relaxed pace and use another day for Mt. Pilatus or another mountain excursion.
That’s how I’d approach it if you have the flexibility. Lucerne isn’t just a sightseeing stop — it’s a great base for exploring central Switzerland.
Practical Tips for Visiting Lucerne for the First Time
Lucerne is Very Walkable
For sightseeing in the city center, we did most of our exploring on foot.
That made it easy to combine several attractions without spending a lot of time figuring out transportation.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be walking a lot if you explore Lucerne the way we did. Add the Musegg Wall and you’re definitely going to appreciate comfortable shoes.
Plan Ahead for Sundays
Grocery stores and other shops may have limited hours or be closed on Sundays and holidays. The train station Coop can be a lifesaver if you need groceries.
If you’re a budget-minded traveler like me, having access to groceries can also help keep you from eating out for every single meal. Switzerland is notoriously pricey!
Check Seasonal Attractions Before You Go
Some attractions, including parts of the Musegg Wall, have seasonal access. Always check current information before making them part of a tightly scheduled itinerary.
Don’t Overplan Your Old Town Time
The major sights are worth seeing, but leave yourself some time to wander.
Lucerne is one of those cities where simply walking around is part of the experience. You’ve got beautiful lake and mountains views from all over the city.
Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Lucerne gave us a little bit of everything we wanted from our time in Switzerland: beautiful scenery, historic sights, easy walking, good food, and convenient access to the mountains.
I especially liked that we didn’t have to choose between being tourists and being active. We could spend the morning exploring historic bridges and medieval walls, then spend another day hiking or riding into the mountains.
For a first trip to Switzerland, I think Lucerne is an especially good addition to the itinerary. And if you have the time, I’d stay long enough to experience both the city and the mountains around it.
Planning Your Trip? Read Next: ✈️
- 5 Days in Switzerland – a first-timer’s itinerary
- Viking Rhine River Cruise Review – Our experience cruising from Amsterdam to Basel
- Viking Rhine River Cruise Itinerary – Our day-by-day journey along the Rhine
- Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus – Our scenic mountain day from Lucerne
- Stoos Ridge Hike – Klingenstock to Fronalpstock with a Multigenerational Group
- Lauterbrunnen Tour Review – A closer look at our guided valley tour
