Last Updated: May 2026
Lucerne, Switzerland, nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne and ringed by the peaks of Mount Pilatus and Rigi, is one of the most picturesque cities in all of Europe. It was our final stop on a Tauck Switzerland tour, arriving by motorcoach from Bern. Lucerne made for a spectacular finale — from the medieval Chapel Bridge and the solemn Lion Monument to the frescoed streets of the Old Town and the remarkable Rosengart Collection of Picasso and Klee. Our Tauck group also enjoyed a farewell dinner at the lakeside Seehotel Baumgarten, complete with a traditional Swiss alphorn performance.
Hotel Schweizerhof, Lucerne
We stayed at the Hotel Schweizerhof located near the old town on the shores of Lake Lucerne. It opened in 1845. Overall, it was a nice hotel, but of the 5-star hotels we stayed in on this trip it was our least favorite.
The rooms were small, the spa facilities were limited and there wasn’t much in terms of spaces to hang out and enjoy a drink or coffee and read a book. Oddly, each room was themed after someone who previously stayed there. Ours was a Swedish punk band who we’d never heard of. There were obnoxious pictures of them and memorabilia on the walls. Worse yet, the word HOLLYWOOD in white letters was above our bed. Hardly a 5-star hotel, maybe a Hard Rock Hotel.
We enjoyed the last dinner with our friends Katie, Jim and Tom before they went back home the next day. We stayed on for a couple more nights.
Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) stands as Lucerne’s signature landmark, Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge dating to the 14th century. Adorned with 17th-century paintings depicting local history, it spans the Reuss River and features a surviving water tower from a 1993 fire reconstruction. Nearby, the Spreuer Bridge offers similar timber architecture with macabre Dance of Death frescoes.
Old Town, Lucerne
Lucerne’s Altstadt boasts frescoed buildings, cobblestone streets, and vibrant squares like Weinmarkt—once a medieval fish market with a Gothic fountain—and Kornmarkt, anchored by the Renaissance-style Old Town Hall. Over 200 public fountains provide fresh drinking water throughout the city.
The Church of St. Leodegar (also known as Hofkirche St. Leodegar) has distinctive twin Gothic spires that dominate the city’s skyline along the Reuss River. Built mainly between 1633 and 1639 in the Baroque style after a fire destroyed the earlier medieval structure, it blends Gothic towers (over 60 meters tall) with a light-filled white stone interior, ornate altars, wood carvings, and one of Switzerland’s finest historic organs from 1640. The site traces back to an 8th-century Benedictine monastery.
Lion Monument, Lucerne
The Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal), carved into sandstone in 1821, honors Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution. It was designed in Rome by one of the most famous sculptors of the day, Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen, and carved in the rock face of a former quarry by stonemason Lukas Ahorn. Mark Twain called it “the most mournful piece of stone in the world,” set in a serene park beside the Glacier Garden’s Ice Age potholes and prehistoric fossils.
After exploring the Lion Monument we enjoyed pizza for lunch.
Musegg Wall
We explored the Musegg Wall, a preserved medieval rampart with nine towers including the Zyt Tower — home to the city’s oldest clock, which chimes one minute before the city’s other clocks each hour — offering sweeping panoramic views across Lucerne’s rooftops to Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps beyond.
Seehotel Baumgarten
Lake Lucerne has numerous boat cruises to see Mount Pilatus and Rigi’s majesty. Baumgarten lakeside hotel-restaurant lies at the foot of Bürgenstock Mountain, offering stunning views of Mount Pilatus across the water. It’s a classic boat cruise destination from Lucerne’s main piers — about 20-30 minutes via public lake steamer or private boat, docking right at their small marina. The spot feels serene and rural, ideal for escaping the city’s buzz. The on-site restaurant serves Swiss and European cuisine, including hearty regional dishes like veal, roast beef and fresh lake fish, paired with local wines and beer. Above is a group photo of everyone on our Tauck tour. A couple of them were very skilled at playing the Swiss Alphorn, which was used by Swiss shepherds to call the cows from the pastures into the barn at milking time.
Rosengart Collection Lucerne
The Rosengart is a modern art museum in central Lucerne that grew out of a former Picasso-focused museum opened by the Rosengart family in 1978. It now houses a major private collection centered on Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee, along with works by more than 20 other Impressionist and Classic Modernist artists such as Cézanne, Monet, Matisse, Chagall, and Kandinsky. The entire ground floor is dedicated to Picasso, arranged roughly chronologically so visitors can follow his development from the late 1930s to the 1960s. There are over 100 works — paintings, drawings, and prints — plus several portraits of Angela Rosengart that Picasso painted.
The Quetscher Mehlsecken is a Guggenmusik ensemble that plays upbeat brass music, often in costumes and masks, especially around Fasnacht (carnival) season and at special events in Lucerne. They travel from pub to pub enjoying the local beer and are quite a happy group.
Lakeshore Walk, Lucerne
We spent half a day just walking the lakeshore. It was a perfect temperature and partly cloudy. Fall plants were still in bloom.
We passed by the Transportation Museum and a musical event at this odd shaped inflatable event center.
Lucerne was a wonderful way to end our Switzerland trip. The view from our hotel room was scenic. For dinner we ate like a local. That morning we took a very early private ride to Zurich to fly back to San Diego.
Visitor Information
Getting There: Lucerne is served by fast, frequent trains from across Switzerland. Direct trains from Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Zurich Hauptbahnhof take approximately one hour, and trains from Bern run about 1.5 hours. On our Tauck Switzerland tour, we arrived by private motorcoach from Bern. From Lucerne’s central train station, all of the city’s major highlights — the Chapel Bridge, Old Town, Lion Monument, and Musegg Wall — are within comfortable walking distance.
When to Visit: Spring (April–June) and early fall (September–October) offer the best combination of mild weather, blooming scenery along the lakeshore, and manageable crowds. Summer brings long days and easy access to mountain excursions on Pilatus and Rigi, while winter delivers a festive Christmas market atmosphere in the Old Town but colder, greyer conditions.
Getting Around: Lucerne is a wonderfully walkable city — nearly all of the top attractions are easily reached on foot from the central train station. Lake cruises to Seehotel Baumgarten and other destinations depart regularly from the main piers near the station. Day trips to Mount Pilatus (via cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad) and Rigi (by cog railway or cable car from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau) are highly recommended additions to a Lucerne stay.
Currency and Language: Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). German is the primary language in Lucerne, though English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and Swiss ATMs are reliable and widespread.
Practical Tips
Chapel Bridge: Walking across the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is completely free and one of the most rewarding experiences in Lucerne. Arrive in the early morning for the best light and fewest crowds — midday can get quite busy with tour groups. The water tower alongside the bridge is a landmark but is not open for interior visits.
Lion Monument: Entry to the Lion Monument park is free. It is a short, pleasant walk from the Old Town and pairs well with a visit to the adjacent Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten), which charges a modest admission fee and contains remarkable Ice Age potholes carved by glacial meltwater, as well as a Victorian mirror maze.
Musegg Wall: The Musegg Wall’s towers are open for climbing from April through November at no charge — a rare opportunity to walk a fully intact medieval city rampart. The Zyt Tower houses Lucerne’s oldest working clock, which chimes exactly one minute before the city’s other clocks each hour, a tradition that dates back centuries.
Rosengart Collection: Plan at least two hours for the Rosengart Collection. Photography without flash is generally permitted, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Picasso, Klee, or 20th-century European art. The museum is located in a beautiful neoclassical building in central Lucerne, just a few minutes’ walk from the train station.
Swiss Travel Pass: If you’re spending multiple days in Lucerne, the Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, lake boats, and free or discounted entry to many Swiss museums — including the Rosengart Collection and the Swiss Museum of Transport along the lakeshore, Switzerland’s most-visited museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lucerne, Switzerland known for?
Lucerne is famous for the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge; the solemn Lion Monument; a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town filled with frescoed buildings and public fountains; and sweeping Alpine scenery along the shores of Lake Lucerne. It also serves as a gateway for excursions to Mount Pilatus and the Rigi.
How do you get to Lucerne from Zurich?
The fastest and most convenient option is a direct train from Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB) or Zurich Airport to Lucerne, taking approximately 50 minutes to one hour. Trains run frequently throughout the day, making Lucerne an easy day trip from Zurich or a natural overnight stop on a Swiss rail itinerary.
Is the Chapel Bridge free to visit?
Yes, walking across the Chapel Bridge is completely free. The bridge spans the Reuss River in the heart of the Old Town and is accessible at any hour. The adjacent octagonal water tower, which predates the bridge, is a landmark from the exterior but is not open to the public for interior visits.
What happened to the Chapel Bridge in 1993?
A fire in August 1993 destroyed a large section of the wooden Chapel Bridge and many of its famous 17th-century painted triangular panels. The bridge was painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 1994, using surviving original timber where possible. About 30 of the original painted panels were restored or replaced; the remaining originals that survived are displayed in the Lucerne Museum of History.
Can you take a boat trip on Lake Lucerne?
Absolutely. SGV (Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees) operates regular lake steamers and modern boats from Lucerne’s main piers, connecting the city to surrounding villages, mountain bases such as Alpnachstad for the Pilatus cogwheel railway, and lakeside destinations like Seehotel Baumgarten. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most SGV lake journeys.
