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Lake Lucerne, Vierwaldstaetter See in German, is Switzerland’s fourth-largest lake, located in the center of the country. The lake is unusual because it has a very irregular shape, with many bends and turns and four arms. The shores of Lake Lucerne are partly formed by steep mountains like the Rigi and Pilatus, bordered by fabulous towns like Lucerne and Weggis, and are the site of Switzerland’s oldest history.
The three original cantons which formed the Swiss Federation on August 1, 1291, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, touch on the lake, all of which makes for some of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland. You can go on train rides up the Rigi mountain, boat trips on original paddle steamers on the lake, excursions to historic sites of Lucerne, walks in the woods, and visit the location of the famous shot of William Tell. A great variety of things to do and see for every taste and level of fitness.
Lake Lucerne is best reached by train, just about an hour from Zurich. Stay in Lucerne and travel around from there.
9 Memorable Things to Do At Lake Lucerne In Switzerland
1. Discover The Charm Of Lucerne
The river Reuss flows through Lucerne, and of course, Lucerne is bordered by the lake of the same name. If you’re visiting Lucerne for the first time, start by exploring the Old Town, which nestles between the river and the old city wall. Be prepared for a lot of walking and climbing many, many steps, but it’s all worth the effort. For a great overview, make your way to the 14th-century Musegg Wall. Nine towers are interspersed in the wall, the most remarkable being the Zytturm, with an ancient clock and a museum of one-of-a-kind timepieces.
Back in the old town and by the river, you need to walk the length of Europe’s oldest covered, wooden bridge, Chapel Bridge. Stop at the tall stone water tower and enjoy views over the city and river, and even glimpse the lake. A few years back there was a fire, but the city of Lucerne has done a splendid job of restoring woodwork and the paintings.
The bridge’s interior is covered by colorful paintings depicting scenes of Switzerland’s most important history. There is another wooden bridge called Spreuer Bridge. It’s somewhat shorter but is an alternative to get from one side to the other. This one is also full of paintings.
Learn about history by looking at the Lion Monument. It’s a wounded lion, lying on his side, carved into a cliff. The lion symbolized the Swiss soldiers that were killed during the French Revolution. Nearby is Lucerne’s charming Kornmarkt, a quaint little square with a clock tower and plenty of shops and restaurants. Make sure to look up as nearly all buildings are beautifully painted.
A unique work of art is the Bourbaki Panorama. It’s a massive cylindrical painting created by Edouard Castres in 1881, reflecting the flight of the French Bourbaki Army to Switzerland in 1871 and their fate. A unique combination of history, art, culture, and politics will keep you glued to the huge canvases for hours to study the thousands of details.
Other interesting places to visit in Lucerne, depending on your tastes and interests, are the 17th-century Jesus Church with an incredible Baroque and Rococo interior, the Swiss Transport Museum, or the Schwanenplatz, famous for an array of exquisite watch shops. If you fancy one of the most precious (and expensive) Swiss watches, this is the place to come.
Not to be missed is the Glacier Garden, a museum built around a glacial pothole. It reopens in January 2021.
2. Be Awed By Mount Rigi
Rigi is the ‘house mountain’ of Lucerne, clearly visible from the city. Summer or winter, a trip up Mount Rigi is an awesome experience.
Mount Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains,” offers a range of activities year-round. Visitors can hike scenic trails, take a cogwheel train ride for breathtaking views, enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, or simply relax at spas and enjoy the stunning alpine scenery.
The steep mountain is surrounded by three lakes: Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz. The trip up is already half the fun as you can go either by cable car or cog rail. Once on top, enjoy one of the most impressive views in all of Switzerland, ski in winter, hike, and sit in the sun in the summer.
3. Relax In Weggis
Located on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne, at the foot of Rigi Mountain, Weggis is the second most popular tourist destination in the canton of Lucerne. South facing, the charming village gets a lot of sunny days with a mild climate and even enchanted Mark Twain on his visit in 1897. You can walk along the promenade bordering the lake, enjoy the view and the lush vegetation. Before the construction of cable cars and cog rails, Weggis was a favorite starting point for wealthy travelers who wanted to reach the summit of Mount Rigi. The only way was to be carried up by sedan chair bearers.
Plenty of Switzerland spas are found in Weggis, too, if only for a few hours of pampering. If you manage to visit in September, you can visit two typically Swiss events: On September 4, the Alpine Wrestling Festival, and on September 25, a Cattle Show and Autumn Market. All the animals are adorned with flowers and bells.
4. Go On A Boat Trip
The peculiar shape of Lake Lucerne means that you can enjoy a lot of different sights and places on a boat trip around the lake. The most romantic way of doing so is on board one of the five historic art deco paddle steamers. They depart from Lucerne to Fluelen. There are many more, including departing from Weggis and of different lengths. You can even have a candlelit dinner. The choice is yours, and after all the hiking, stair climbing, and walking you will have to do on land, you’ll appreciate a few hours of gliding along on the water, resting your feet.
5. Hike The Swiss Path In Morschach
High above Lake Lucerne in a glacier moraine nestles the village of Morschach. It is a fabulous location for summer and winter activities. You can combine a walk along the Swiss Path reliving the oldest and most important history of Switzerland. The seven-section path was built to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Federation’s formation on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne.
Each section is easy to reach and to walk separately. If you head to Morschach and the Swiss Park, a popular resort complex, you come through the hometown of Swiss national hero William Tell. In fact, the whole area is steeped in history, including the legend of the Tell jump and him shooting an apple from the head of his son with a crossbow.
The different sections are all family-friendly should you travel with kids. Despite the steep mountains forming this part of Switzerland, the terrain is not too difficult to manage. In Morschach, you can also ride the Fronalpstock open cable lift, but the views are vertiginous, so the trek is not suitable for travelers suffering from vertigo.
6. Ascend Mount Pilatus
As you can see, your adventures around Lake Lucerne involve water and plenty of mountains. Mount Pilatus is a massif above the lake, which actually comprises several peaks of which the highest is called Tomlishorn at 7,000 feet. It’s not only breathtakingly beautiful but also the site of many legends. Supposedly Pontius Pilatus is buried here. Also, a stone giant stands guard at the entrance to a secret cave, and it was the home of a magic dragon. The entire massif offers hiking trails but is also popular with mountain climbers and gives you an overview of all three lakes and many more mountains.
A cable car takes you up from Lucerne, and if you want an even bigger thrill, make your way to Alpnachstad and go on the world’s steepest cog railway.
7. When Visiting Lucerne, Indulge In Fondue And Raclette
Any travel experience includes food and drink, and here, you have the opportunity to sample the two most popular Swiss cheese specialties: fondue and raclette. Both originate from the French-speaking part of Switzerland but are particularly good around Lake Lucerne because of the cheese’s quality and strong flavor.
Fondue is cheese, melted in a special copper pot with white wine and eaten by dipping croutons on a long fork into the hot mixture. Raclette is a lump of cheese, slowly melted in a special oven, then portions are scraped off as they seep out and are eaten with potatoes, pickled onions, and gherkins. For the best raclette, try the Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern in Lucerne.
8. Walk the Chapel Bridge
Strolling across the famous Chapel Bridge is a must-do in Lucerne. Built in the early part of the 14th century, Chapel Bridge is the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world. It crosses the Reuss River linking the Old Town with the right bank. The Chapel Bridge is also historically interesting, with triangular 17th-century paintings by local painter Hans Heinrich Wägmann, depicting the history of the city.
A fire in 1993 all but destroyed the Chapel Bridge but the rebuild restored all the charm to the famous bridge in Lucerne. The Water Tower next to the bridge is 34 meters high and particularly stunning at sunset. It’s named due to its position and it doesn’t actually store water.
9. The Jesuit Church
Situated on the southern bank of the River Reuss, the twin onion-domed towers of the Jesuit Church dominate the skyline. It was modeled on the Church of the Gesù in Rome and was the first large church in Switzerland to be built in the Baroque style.
Inside, the Jesuit Church is beautiful. The organ, the high altar, and the painted ceiling depicting St Francis Xavier, the Patron Saint of Lucerne are the highlights of the church.
Pro Tip
Unless you just want to stick to boat trips and walks along the lake promenades, you need to be in reasonably good shape to do all the walking and hiking. The language is German, and the currency is the Swiss Franc, but English is no problem.
The real insider tip is not to drink white wine with fondue or raclette, but hot tea instead. This way, the cheese won’t sit like a stone in your stomach and give you indigestion. It’s further helped along with a strong schnapps at the end of your meal, either a Kirsch of a Pfluemli.
FAQs
What Makes Lake Lucerne So Special?
Aside from its unique shape, with countless different bays and side arms, Lake Lucerne is also noteworthy for its variety of scenery. World-famous mountain peaks in the heart of the Swiss Alps add to the scenic grandeur of Lake Lucerne.
How to Get to Lake Lucerne?
A 35-minute ferry ride is one of the most popular ways that you can travel to Lake Lucerne. Taking a taxi from the train station is another option. Reaching the lake takes about 25 minutes.
What Are the Top Attractions in Old Town Lucerne?
Charming and picturesque Old Town Lucerne exudes beauty with plenty of things to see and do. Some of the must-visit places in the Old Town include the Chapel Bridge, the Glacier Garden, the Jesuit Church, and the Lion Monument.
What Does the Swiss Travel Pass Cover in Lucerne?
In Lucerne, you can use the Swiss Travel Pass for the boat ride on Lake Lucerne, the Swiss Museum of Transport, and the Golden Pass Line. The pass offers unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boat tours throughout Switzerland.
What Is Lucerne Known for Besides Its Beautiful Lake?
Lucerne is famous for its beautiful nature, lovely old town, rich history, and famous Swiss chocolate. It hosts music festivals and it’s home to world-class museums like the Swiss Museum of Transport and the Richard Wagner Museum. If you’re visiting Lucerne for the first time, do a city walking tour with a local guide.