10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lucerne
Switzerland is one of my all-time favorite places on this Earth, and let me tell you – even after having traveled all over the country: from The Alps, Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Bern, and even Zermatt – Lucerne is still one of my top choices on places to visit in Switzerland.
Lucerne, situated closely to the Swiss Alps, is truly a stunning place that everyone should visit at least once.
View of Chapel Bridge in Lucern, Switzerland; July 2018
Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?
Yes, Lucerne is absolutely worth visiting when on a trip to Switzerland – as this small Swiss city offers something for everyone from excursions to Mount Pilatus to simply wandering around the town. Plus, Lucerne is more scenic than other Swiss cities like Zurich or Basel – making a great destination for those looking for the nature side of Switzerland.
As someone who has extensively traveled the rest of Switzerland, I’m going to break down all of the reasons why I think Lucerne is absolutely worth visiting on your next trip to Switzerland.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Lucerne?
Lucerne can be seen in a day, but if you want to take a day trip to Mount Pilatus – it’s better to do 2 full days in Lucerne. These will leave lots of time for leisurely wandering, day trips to Mount Pilatus or the Swiss Alps, and simply taking in the majestic views Lucerne has to offer.
Which one Should I Visit: Lucerne or Zurich?
Personally, I think Lucerne is a much nicer town for tourists over Zurich – which is much more sterile and rigid than the free, breezy vibe found in Lucerne.
The overview cards below will help you decide whether Lucerne or Zurich is right for you:
🇨🇭⛵🧀 Lucerne vs. Zurich — Which Swiss City Should You Choose?
Lucerne: Slightly more affordable overall, especially for hotels and dining.
Zurich: One of the most expensive cities in Europe — especially for accommodation.
Both are expensive, but Lucerne is usually the better choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Lucerne: Cozy, charming, romantic, and scenic with a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Zurich: Modern, polished, upscale, and much more fast-paced.
Lucerne: Slow-paced travelers who appreciate scenery, lakes, mountain views, and smaller charming cities.
Zurich: Travelers who enjoy larger cities, nightlife, shopping, museums, or want a convenient base for day trips around Switzerland.
Lucerne: Dramatic mountain views, lakefront promenades, and classic Swiss postcard scenery.
Zurich: Beautiful in its own way, but more urban and city-focused than nature-focused.
10 Reasons why Lucerne is worth visiting
1. It’s the prettiest City in Switzerland
Beauty may be objective, but it’s hard to argue with reality – which is that Lucerne is a gorgeous place.
View of Lake Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland; July 2018
It’s true that almost anywhere you go in Switzerland is going to have beauty of some sort given you’re almost always surrounded by mountains and water. However, Lucerne has something aesthetically special about it: the cobblestones, the scenic mountains in the background, the famous Chapel Bridge – it all comes together and looks like something out of a postcard.
Truthfully, it was hard to stop taking photos in Lucerne – because it just gives off that vibe of being so stunning, you’re desperate to capture it and savor its prettiness at a later point in time.
2. Lucerne Has a Great Mix of both city & nature
Again, although this is the case of most cities in Switzerland, where you can opt to take day trips to mountains or stay in the city center – I think Lucerne does the best job. There are plenty of museums or parks to enjoy in the city center, or you could opt to go up Mount Pilatus – which is a pretty simple day trip.
The city of Lucerne; July 2018
3. The streets are small but strong in Charming character
Lucern is an extremely small city, only being around 29.1 square kilometers or 11.2 sq mi big – but because it’s so small, you immediately feel more immersed in everything European and Switzerland: from the iron gate fences, little shops, small side streets, to the indescribable, raw, humbling beauty that is Switzerland.
Wandering around the shops in Lucerne, Switzerland; July 2018
4. Lucerne is One Of the More walkable Swiss cities
Every time I’ve been to Switzerland, whatever hotel I stay at offers me a free public transportation ticket. I usually get my use (and then some) out of those tickets, but in Lucerne – it wasn’t really necessary.
Walking the streets of Lucerne; July 2018
Everything is in reach by foot, and it’s nice to explore a city solely on your own when you need a break from hot, crowded buses in Italy (I’m talking about you, Sorrento…).
5. Seeing the Stunning Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge alone is a reason to visit Lucerne, as this was truly my favorite part in the entire city.
The Chapel Bridge in Luzern, Switzerland; July 2018
Simply put, the Chapel Bridge is stunning and an absolute must-see while in Lucerne – as it really looks just like my pictures in real life. The white boats parked on the clear-as-day water, with intricate detailing carved in the wooden walk way with the dramatic mountains as a backdrop.
I strongly suggest walking it back and forth both ways to soak up the scenery while you can.
6. The sunsets In Lucerne are out of this world
Now, the sunset I saw in the outback is still at the top of my list, with Venice not far behind and Santorini a close contender – but I have to say, the sunsets in Lucerne were also something out of this world.
The sun setting against the mountains in Luzern, Swizterland; July 2018
7. Stroll Through Mühlenplatz
Lucerne was made for casual and comfortable exploration, and if you’re craving a promenade – places like Mühlenplatz allow you to do exactly this.
I always say that you don’t go to Switzerland to do, but to see and be – and taking a leisurely stroll on a street like this in Lucerne is one of the best opportunities to do just that.
Walking through Mühlenplatz in Lucerne, Switzerland; July 2018
8. Visit Amazing Museums in Lucerne
Lucerne may be small, but there are still ample chances to learn and discover something new – such as museums like the Swiss Museum of Transport or the Glacier Garden of Lucerne.
The overview cards below will help you decide which museum in Lucerne might be the better fit for you to visit:
Swiss Museum of Transport
One of the most popular museums in Switzerland, the Swiss Museum of Transport is filled with interactive exhibits on trains, planes, cars, boats, and even space travel. Standard museum entry costs around CHF 37 for adults, while full day passes with the planetarium and Swiss Chocolate Adventure are more expensive.
Glacier Garden of Lucerne
The Glacier Garden is one of Lucerne’s most unique attractions, featuring ancient glacier potholes, underground rock formations, panoramic viewpoints, and a famous mirror maze. Adult tickets cost around CHF 24 , and it’s located right next to the iconic Lion Monument.
View while walking the Chapel Bridge; July 2018
9. Beautiful Boat Rides on Lake Lucerne
If you really want to take it easy and soak up the serene atmosphere that Lucerne has to offer, there’s no better or more beautiful way to do it than with a ride on the water – as Lake Lucerne is right there in the city’s backyard.
Swiss flag with clear waters on Lake Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland; July 2018
With second class fare starting at around 46 CHF (around $60 USD), it’s well worth a water cruise or small boat ride in Lucerne if you’re a sucker for beautiful scenery, and best part is – you won’t even have to walk anywhere!
10. Marvel in Mount Pilatus
One of the best things that Lucerne has to offer is a day trip to Mount Pilatus – which I and many other international travelers I spoke to agreed was the highlight of their stay while in Lucerne.
Mountains in the distance at Lake Lucerne in Lucerne, Switzerland; July 2018
The overview cards below will reveal the best way to get to Mount Pilatus as a day trip from Lucerne:
The Golden Round Trip
The most popular way to visit Mount Pilatus is via the Golden Round Trip , which combines a boat ride across Lake Lucerne, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, panoramic gondolas, cable cars, and a bus back to Lucerne.
How Long It Takes
While the route itself takes around 4–5 hours minimum, most travelers spend closer to 5–6 hours total enjoying the viewpoints, restaurants, hiking trails, and scenic stops along the way.
Cost
Expect to pay around CHF 119.80 for the standard 2nd class Golden Round Trip from Lucerne. Prices are reduced for travelers with Swiss travel passes or half-fare cards.
Why It’s Worth It
Between the dramatic mountain views, scenic lake cruise, and iconic cogwheel railway, Mount Pilatus is easily one of the most unforgettable day trips you can take from Lucerne.
Don’t Miss Out on a Trip to Lucerne
Overall, if you’re looking for a quintessential Switzerland experience: where you want to taste the famous milk chocolate, get a feel for their cities, and also have some, “I’m on top of the world” moments whilst on a mountain – I highly recommend putting Lucerne on your travel bucket list.
🇨🇭🏔️🌊 FAQs on Visiting Lucerne
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Last updated: May 11, 2026