What to see in Lucerne, attractions, most interesting places, photos
Our review will lift the curtain on which famous places in Lucerne are most attractive to tourists. When compiling this rating, we took into account many factors, including reviews from travelers and recommendations from experienced tour guides. If you have not yet decided what exactly to visit in Lucerne, but are already planning your future adventure in this cozy city, then this article is for you.
What to see first in Lucerne
The list of exciting attractions in Lucerne is endless, and we would like to share with you just a few of them that, in our opinion, are a must-see for every tourist:
Kornmarkt
The main square of Lucerne, home to Lucerne's main attractions, including the town hall, is a true architectural gem, distinguished by its medieval charm: each building is decorated with exquisite inscriptions and frescoes. There are also many boutiques and shops, making this square a real shopping center.
Old Town Hall
This building, erected at the beginning of the 17th century, impresses with its original architecture: stonework, a high rectangular tower and a huge roof. In the past, the tower was used to monitor the market square, where various large-scale fairs were held. If you are interested in history and architecture and don't know what to see in Lucerne, this place is worth adding to your must-see list.
Museggmauer fortress wall
This object is included in all lists of “the best attractions in Switzerland”, since the vast majority of the country’s fortifications have already been lost. This structure, which connects 9 medieval towers, is 870 meters long. However, only three of them are available for visiting.
Hofkirche Church
An early Renaissance style temple that once served as a cathedral for a Benedictine monastery. The original building was completely destroyed by fire in the mid-17th century. The existing parish church is still used for worship. Inside you will find several altars, an impressive arched gallery with sculptures of saints and a black marble bas-relief created in the 15th and 16th centuries. When planning an excursion in Lucerne, you should definitely consider visiting this temple.
Sproerbrücke Bridge
The second name of this attraction, which was built back in the 15th century, is known as the Sproerbrücke Bridge, or the Bridge of Waste. Despite its unusual name, it attracts the attention of many travelers from all over the world, and local guides in Lucerne recommend visiting it first. In the immediate vicinity is the Chapel of St. Mary. Under the roof of the Sproerbrücke you can see rare medieval frescoes, including the famous Dance of Death.
Kapellbrücke Bridge
The bridge, dating back to 1333, is an ancient timber structure. The name of this attraction comes from the temple that stands on one of its banks. The length of the Kapellbrücke is 170 meters. Under its roof there are more than a hundred works dedicated to the mythology and history of the state. The bridge tower, known as the Wasserturm, has been preserved in its original form. Over time it served as both a dungeon and an arsenal. In the summer of 1993, the bridge and the paintings stored in it were damaged by fire. In memory of this tragedy, the charred canvases were left without restoration, although the bridge itself was restored.
Culture and Congress Center
It is necessary to highlight this unique complex with exhibition halls, an art museum and a concert hall when compiling a list of the best attractions in Lucerne. The complex also includes a luxurious convention hall. It is located on an area divided into three sections, between which flow the stormy waters of the Roysa River. Visitors can enjoy the exhibits and interiors of the halls, as well as relax on the outdoor terraces. A trip here promises to be unforgettable.
Hotel Chateau Gooch
Few hotels in Lucerne can boast such a rich history. The Chateau Gooch Hotel is located in an ancient 19th-century palace perched on a mountainside. Here, guests are invited to enjoy the surrounding royal landscapes, as well as visit observation platforms to observe the valley, lake and panorama of the city. Among the hotel guests you can meet representatives of royal families, famous businessmen, artists and directors.
Jesuit Church
The majestic Baroque building with exquisite interiors is located near the town hall. It was erected relatively recently, in the 17th century. Historians suggest that the famous architect K. Vogler worked on the building project.
Lucerne Nature Museum
This small museum deserves the attention of every visitor. Housed in a building built in the early 19th century in the neoclassical architectural style, it offers exhibitions on the earth's environmental issues, geological features, and flora and fauna. Among the exhibits you can see stuffed birds and animals. In addition, the museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions, adding new interesting exhibits to its collection.
Swiss Transport Museum
This museum complex is considered one of the most exciting in Europe due to its interactive exhibitions. It covers an area of more than 40,000 square meters and presents more than 3 thousand examples of various types of transport, including spaceships, planes, trains and cars.
Rozengart Collection
The exhibition center displays more than 120 paintings by Klee, as well as works by such famous artists of the 19th and 20th centuries as Matisse and Monet. Visitors can also enjoy Duncan's World War II photographs. A separate space is allocated for Picasso's paintings. This is an ideal place for art lovers who are interested in the works of famous masters.
Richard Wagner Museum
The famous composer settled in this country in 1866, and his house was often visited by the most famous personalities of that time: Ludwig II, Nietzsche, Liszt. The museum is located in the residence where Wagner lived and worked. The exhibits include items that belonged to this genius or related to his life and work.
Lucerne Historical Museum
In the exhibitions of this museum you will find archival documents, handicrafts, military equipment, armor and personal belongings of local residents. To immerse visitors in the atmosphere of past eras, theatrical performances with experienced actors are regularly held here. This is a great option for those who want to learn more about Lucerne in just one day. The museum also offers organized tours for visitors.
Glacier Garden
Lucerne's urban landscape features a variety of geographical and geological features, divided into several unique zones. Here you will find recreated glaciers and subtropical garden displays. A special feature is the mirror labyrinth and observation deck from where you can enjoy beautiful views. Exhibitions in this complex demonstrate long-term changes in the topography of Lucerne and Switzerland, presenting landscapes and natural formations in all their glory.
Monument “The Dying Lion”
Carved on the rock is the image of a lion, a symbol of strength and power, wounded by a spear and personifying the Swiss coat of arms. This monument, located below, commemorates the soldiers who died defending Marie Antoinette and the Tuileries Castle. It serves as an honorary memorial, paying tribute to their courage and sacrifice.
Panorama of Bourbaki
The huge pavilion, designed in the shape of a circle, displays an impressive panoramic canvas, covering an area of more than a thousand square meters, depicting the passage of the French army through Switzerland. This painting, created in the 19th century, is a unique architectural and artistic work that attracts the attention of visitors.
Carnival Fasnacht
This grand event, lasting six days, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon, although the exact date changes annually. The theme of this holiday revolves around spirits, monsters and ghosts. From the old part of Lucerne, a spectacular procession of carnival carriages and participants dressed in amazing costumes begins. Every local resident drenches himself in beer, throws confetti, sings songs and dances in the streets. Numerous visitors from different parts of Switzerland and the world do the same. Fasnacht frescoed houses, brightly painted, depict scenes from this carnival. If you were unable to join the celebration in person, you can always enjoy the unusual frescoes on the walls.
Pilatusban
This 4.5-kilometer-long rack-and-pinion railway, which slopes about 50 degrees, was built in the late 19th century and only underwent modernization in the mid-20th century. It has remained unchanged since then, but still functions flawlessly.
Lucerne Train Station
This is the city's railway station, from where trains depart for both long-distance and suburban destinations. The building, designed by an architect from Spain, features a unique roof and a transparent corridor. The owner of this building is a state concern, which also controls the railway lines in Switzerland.
Sights of Lucerne: what else to visit in the city
If you've already checked out the Lucerne attractions listed above, now it's time to explore the following:
Royce River
The water of this waterfall falls from a height of approximately two kilometers. Along the river's shoreline are majestic architectural masterpieces, including several historic buildings dating back to the 18th century. Walking along the banks of the Royce, you can enjoy the magnificent landscaped garden. It is best to start exploring the surrounding area with a trip by steamship or ship, which will allow you to appreciate the local beauty. Typically this tour takes about an hour.
Lake Lucerne
On the banks of a huge reservoir formed from an ancient glacier, forested cantons were previously located. The size of the lake is impressive: its depth reaches two hundred meters, and its length is about thirty-five kilometers. In the warmer months, the water takes on an emerald hue and heats up to a comfortable twenty degrees Celsius. Paddle steamers that have existed since the last century, as well as more modern vessels, sail on this body of water. On any of them you can go on an exciting journey around the lake.
Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve
The ecosystem of this region covers foothills and peat valleys, spreading over an area of 400 square kilometers. Here you can find a variety of natural landscapes, including picturesque places along which hiking routes of varying difficulty and duration are laid for tourists.
Nadelwehr Dam
A historic log dam regulates the water level of the Royce River. This object attracts the attention of tourists with its antiquity and unique design. It is located within the city walls and served an important function as a replacement for the earlier "Reuss steps" which regulated the water supply to the local mills.
Mount Rigi
Among the available entertainment here you can highlight visiting thermal springs, trekking along mountain trails and sledding along specially prepared tracks (the necessary equipment can be rented on site). Already in the 19th century, a cogwheel railway began operating on this mountain, which leads to the very top of Riga. The peak of the mountain offers stunning views of the city and its surroundings, which provides an excellent opportunity to capture unique moments in photographs.
Mount Pilatus
The mountain lies on the border of several canyons in the Swiss Alps. The highest point of the massif, surrounded by dense forests, reaches a height of more than 2.1 thousand meters. The name of this natural attraction is associated with a legend that claims that the grave of Pontius Pilate, a famous character from the Bible, is located on this site. However, there is also a scientific version according to which Pilatus got his name because of his cloud cover, or, as they say in Latin, “pilleatus”. The mountain meadows of Pilatus are home to various species of wildlife such as moose, hares and foxes. To climb this mountain, it is proposed to use a cable car or the most winding and steep railway in the world.
Our brief description of the main attractions of Lucerne has certainly only opened the door to a world of amazing experiences for you, and we are sure that you will want to see it all with your own eyes.
