Lucerne is located in central Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by the Swiss Alps, especially Mount Pilatus and Rigi. With its placid water and breathtaking Alpine views, Lucerne represents what tourists think of when they hear “Switzerland.” Lucerne has a population of just under 60,000 people. Lucerne is located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
Get to Lucerne
Lucerne has a central train station with frequent connections to other places in Switzerland and some international destinations. Lucerne does not have an airport; Zurich International Airport is the most used by travelers in the area.
Discount card
The Lucerne Card, available for durations of 1, 2 or 3 days, offers free public transport within Lucerne and discounts at many other museums and attractions.
Where to stay
Hotel Des Balances is highly rated for its riverside location and service. Lake Lucerne is a lovely recreation area, and if you like country alpine chalets with views of the mountains and the sea, you can enjoy a Lake Lucerne vacation rental.
Museums and attractions
Lucerne has a small medieval center to get lost in, and there are many museums to visit.
- Glacier Garden (Gletchergarden)
- Swiss Museum of Transport: 20,000 square meters of transport history and technology.
- Museum of Modern Art.
- Richard Wagner Museum
- Historical Museum of Lucerne (Historisches Museum Luzern)
Other attractions
You can take a steamboat around Lake Lucerne, have lunch on the boat, or take a cable car up Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cogwheel, or get a panoramic view of Canton Lucerne from Mount Rigi.
Of course, you can simply stroll through Lucerne’s medieval core and cross the wood-covered Chapel Bridge, first built in the 14th century, then see the city walls and climb the watchtowers.
There are also organized coach tours that can take you from your hotel in Lucerne to the Alps. Viator’s Best Lucerne Tour takes you to the Jungfraujoch at 11,333 feet, the top of Europe.
Summer events
In August, the Midsummer Night Festival (Luzernfest) is celebrated with music and around the lake, as well as with fireworks. The famous Blue Balls Festival is a music festival held in July with lakeside venues.
