Lucerne Travel tips – Switzerland (EN)

Jan 13, 2019 | by Aline Paladino | 88 comments

We want to share some tips about our hometown, Lucerne!! I live here with my family since 2013 and love the city! One of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, Lucerne attracts over 1 million visitors every year.

Location

Canton Lucerne bellows to the German-speaking part of Switzerland, is about 50 km from Zürich (the nearest airport) and 100 km from Bern, Switzerland’s capital. It is a medium-sized city, for Swiss standards, it has around 80.000 inhabitants. Since the Middle Age, it is part of the vital route that connects the North to the South of Europe through tunnel St. Gotthard. Because of strategic location, it is one of the main bases for tourists traveling thought the country to set up different itineraries, such as panoramic trains and snow sports.

Sightseeing

-Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)
If you are passing through Lucerne, be sure to visit the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe with over 650 years of history. In 1993, part of The Chapel Bridge was destroyed by fire. One of the peculiarities of the bridge is the paintings of the 17th century, some already restored and tell part of Swiss history. Next to it is the Water Tower (Wasserturm), built-in 1300, once a prison and used to store the city’s treasure, and today it is Switzerland’s most photographed monument.

-Spreuerbrücke
Near the Jesuit Church, another wooden bridge, built in the 14th century, is the „Spreuerbrücke.“ Nowhere in the world will you see a bridge with such morbid paintings than „Dance of Death,“ painted by Kaspar Meglinger.

-Old Town and Rathaus
The historic buildings of Lucerne are amazing! The highlight is the Rathaus, built during the first decade of the 16th century in the Renaissance style. We’ve attended an event here, and the interior of the Rathaus is awe-inspiring!

-Museggmauer / Medieval Towers
Initially, 30 Towers of the Middle Ages protected Lucerne between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Today, there are still 13 towers, and we can visit 4 of then from April to November. We’ve visited the “Zytturm,” which means in English “Tower of Time.” The Zytturm is 31m high and was built in 1535 by Hans Luter. This attraction is for active children + 5 years old; there is no access to strollers and lots of stairs. The view of the city is spectacular!

-Jesuit Church
Beautiful church built-in baroque style, SO worth seeing inside!! Just Beside the historical building is today the State Chancellery.

-Lion Monument
Another famous attraction in Lucerne is the Löwendenkmal or Lion Monument, built honoring more than 700 Swiss guards who died during the French Revolution in 1792 serving King Ludwig XVI.

-Gütsch
A visit to the Gütsch, hotel restaurant with over 130 years of history, is as well worth it. Although it has never been a proper castle and always been a hotel, Gütsch has a great city view!!

Museums

The most important museums in Lucerne are:
– Swiss Museum of Transport – Verkehrshaus to read more, click Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (De-En)
– Rosengart – with Picasso, Monet, Joan Miro, Renoir, and others; this museum offers five times a year exclusive guides Tours from Kids to Kids, age 7 to 11;
– KKL Convention and Cultural Center;
– Gletscher Gardens – The garden of frozen time! Located just beside the Lion Monument.
– Bourbaki-Panorama – Museum, Cinema, Café, and Culture.

Mountains Day trips around Lucerne

Mount Pilatus, link here
Mount Rigi, link here
Titlis, link here
Fürenalp, link here
CabriO Stanserhorn, link here
Stoos
Gemsstock
Klewenalp
Melchsee-Frutt, link here
Brunni
Brienzer-Rothorn, link here

Accommodation

Check it out these options in Lucerne:
-Hotel des Balances, link here.
-Seehotel Hermitage, link here.
-Tradicional Grand Hotel National, our review here.
-Barabas Hotel. Sleeping behind bars in Lucerne – former prison hotel, read more about it here.
-Hotel Alpenblick Weggis, link here.

Our favorite restaurants

Thai Song Pi Nong (Thai) Don’t miss trying the Red Curry with Meat or shrimps. (Sternenplatz 6, 6004 Luzern Tel: 041 412 1213)
The Stadt Keller serves typical Swiss food and has a folklore show. (Sternerplatz 3, 6004 Luzern Tel: 041 410 4733)
Fondue Haus (Falkengasse 4, 6004 Luzern Tel: 041 412 3737)
The best Italian restaurant in town is the Ristorante Barbatti (Topferstrasse 10, 6004 Luzern)
GartenHAUS 1313, typical Swiss chalet offers a surprise dinner (Lindenstrasse 21, 6015 Lucerne Tel: 041 240 2565)

Kids-friendly

Inseli Park is located just 2 min walk from Lucerne train station/KKL.
Vögeligärtli-Park city playground, beside the City Library and Frankstrasse.
Tibits vegetarian restaurant on the 3º floor of the train station, with play area and uncomplicated food for children/babies.
Coop Restaurant offers a Kids menu, play area, and diaper room, near the Lion Monument.

Hidden gems that we love in Lucerne

-Max Chocolatier
Fresh homemade chocolate by the Lake Lucerne, during summer, has delicious sorbets and homemade gelatos, and incredible chocolate gifts all year-round. Schweizerhofquai, 2. 6004 Lucerne.

-Park Konservatorium Dreilingen
One of our favorites, the Konservatorium Dreilingen (Dreilingenstrasse 93, 6006 Lucerne), is such a beautiful place to take the kids. In addition to an incredible view of the city, this place is perfect for picnicking to the sound of diverse musical instruments played by the students, specialized in classical and choral music. It is the largest park in the city, with 35,000 m² and its palaces built-in English garden style, from the eighteenth century. Marble sculptures and a cave complete the beauty of the place. This place belonged to a family, was donated to Lucerne in 1929, and from 1952 as a conservatory of music. Since 1999 he is part of the University of Music of Lucerne. Being located on a hill, it has a privileged view of the Alps and hardly receives tourists, most of the visitors are local and school groups. Update 2019: unfortunately, this place was sold, and the University will be transferred from here.

-Chärnsmatt Park
Located in the Rothenburg district, at 10min from the center, this park has Mini Steam, and Electric Locomotives are the highlights of this place. Each train ride costs CHF3.00
(Bertiswilstrasse 40, 6023 Rothenburg Tel: 041 280 3434 www.chaernsmatt.ch )

-Ace Café
A subsidiary of the legendary Ace Café of London, which began its history in 1949, the place is a meeting point for lovers of motorcycles, vintage cars, and Rock and Roll. The Bar has several events throughout the year, with encounters of various car and motorcycle brands, antique classics, and relics. Live shows are also part of the program. To eat Classic Burger, Onion Rings, and Classic Hot Dogs. More about the Ace Café and calendar of events on the website .(Ace Café Sonnmatthof 2, 6023 Rothenburg Tel: 041 530 00 44)

Do you have any questions or comments about Lucerne? Write to us with a comment! We are glad to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!! Discover in our family blog outdoor adventure tips in Switzerland, family-friendly destinations, and much more! 🙂