Lucerne between the lake and the city’s history

Lucerne is considered a picturesque city between the lake and the mountains: a lively urban setting meets the tranquillity of Lake Lucerne. Its cityscape is defined by striking landmarks such as Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, Spreuer Bridge, the Lion Monument and the Culture and Congress Centre Lucerne. There are also museums and experiences that each offer a different perspective on history, art or nature.

Bridges, landmarks and city history

The world-famous Chapel Bridge is about 650 years old. In its early years, it served as a footbridge between the two banks of the Reuss. Spreuer Bridge has its own story to tell: built in 1408, it features a cycle of paintings depicting the Dance of Death, created by Caspar Meglinger between 1625 and 1635. The two bridges thus offer distinct glimpses into Lucerne’s past.

Musegg Wall and its nine towers are part of the historic city fortifications. At the same time, the wall provides a habitat for specialist and, in some cases, highly endangered animals and plants. The seasonal closure is important when planning a visit: Musegg Wall and its towers are closed from the beginning of November to the end of March. Check the visiting conditions if you would like to include the fortifications in your trip.

The Jesuit Church is Switzerland’s first major Baroque church; it was built between 1666 and 1677. In addition to church services, it serves as a training venue for organists and as a concert venue. The Lion Monument offers a different perspective: this ten-by-six-metre work of art honours the Swiss Guards who fell during the Storming of the Tuileries in Paris in 1792. It stands amid a rocky grotto in a park.

Museums exploring history, art and nature

The Bourbaki Panorama brings a historical event to life: it depicts the internment of 87,000 French soldiers who found refuge in Switzerland at the end of the Franco-Prussian War in the winter of 1871. The scene is presented as a 360° viewing experience featuring paintings, sound and spatial staging. As a cultural monument, it conveys the willingness to help shown by the civilian population, the Red Cross and the army, as well as themes of humanity, solidarity and commitment to peace.

At the Glacier Garden Lucerne, original glacial potholes and a world of rock formations sit alongside historical exhibitions on the history of the earth and climate. The rock formations tell the story of Lucerne sandstone: from its formation in the primordial sea and the folding that created the mountains, to the shaping of the landscape during the ice ages. The Mirror Maze creates a very different impression. Its 90 mirrors make the short paths seem endless.

The Lucerne Museum of Art presents international temporary exhibitions, collection displays and showcases of younger artists from the region. Families can enjoy engaging tours of current exhibitions followed by workshops. This makes it easy to combine a museum visit with shared activities focused on art.

Interactive experiences for a range of interests

Swiss Chocolate Adventure is an interactive experience lasting around 20 minutes, exploring the discovery, origins, production and transport of chocolate. It is designed to be family-friendly and is recommended for children aged six and over. Its short duration and broad range of topics make it a well-defined stop among Lucerne’s other experiences.

At the Swiss Museum of Transport’s Planetarium, five powerful projectors display a variety of 360° content on the dome. The Traffic Garden is for children aged four and over: they can explore road traffic through play and learn about road safety. Both attractions take up themes featured at the Museum of Transport, but focus on different things – one on the experience beneath the dome, the other on playful learning in the Traffic Garden.

Boat trips and routes on Lake Lucerne

Boat trips on Lake Lucerne offer excursions on the water with views of Rigi, Pilatus and Bürgenstock. Routes and operating details can vary by season, so check the latest timetable information before making plans. Lucerne can also be explored on foot or on one of the many city tours. The official city tour takes you through hidden alleyways and lively squares and offers a view of Musegg Wall. As dates may vary, it is worth checking the latest schedule.

One specific route is the Lucerne Lakeside Path, Schweiz Mobil 560: it follows the promenade along Lake Lucerne from Lucerne railway station to Hotel Seeburg. The Lake Lucerne region is also ideal for cycling tours by the lake and in the mountains. The area around Lake Lucerne is also known as a hiking destination with impressive mountain panoramas. This offers a choice of different ways to experience the landscape – on foot, by bike or on a boat trip.

Discover more destinations: Weggis, Lucerne, Vitznau, Rigi Kaltbad, Meggen, Malters, Littau, Kriens, Horw, Ebikon, Greppen, Schwarzenberg, Schachen, Gisikon, Buchrain, Adligenswil, Dierikon, Meierskappel, Root.

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