Lucerne is one of the prettiest cities in Switzerland. It is nestled amidst six(!) mountain peaks and a lake, has a hilly terrain and amazing medieval architecture. We spend there half a day and would love to come back. In this post: why Lucerne is worth visiting
Lucerne is a German-speaking city of 80,000 residents and a social, and cultural hub of central Switzerland, and the capital of canton Lucerne.
Why Lucerne is worth visiting
1. Kapellbrücke
Kapellbrücke is one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland.
The elegant bridge, covered in flowers (during the warm time of the year), was completed in 1333. It stretches across the Reuss River, connecting the historic town with its adjacent banks:
Pictured below: another side of the bank, with Jesuit Church in the middle:
2. Jesuit Church, Lucerne
The Jesuit Church looks like a picture from a postcard. It was built in 1677 and stands as Switzerland’s first large sacred building in the Baroque style in Switzerland:
3. Lucerne, Altstadt (Old town)
The Old Town of Luzern is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it has beautiful, well-preserved medieval architecture. Walking along its narrow, cobblestone streets feels akin to traveling back in time:
Pharmacie building, Altstadt, Lucerne
Old Town was our favorite part, it felt like being in a fairy tale. Every fountain we saw was a unique one. The one, pictured below has drinking water:
In the picture below: colored, painted medieval building, beautifully preserved:
Old Town Square with a flag of the canton Lucerne:
The nice thing: Lucerne isn’t big, so you can explore it in one day.
Forged signs are one of the most ancient original types of outdoor advertising. European civilization used them for centuries and some have survived to this day.
One of the goals of these signs was to help citizens who could not read find the right place without difficulty.
Pictured below: another piece of art, a fountain:
You can wander in Old Town and stumble at the buildings like this:
Switzerland is a high-tech, innovative country, that’s why we were quite surprised to see such a feeble system:
This water system protects the city of Lucerne from flooding after intense rainfalls or thaw and also ensures a sufficient water level for navigation.
4. Swiss Museum of Transport
The Swiss Museum of Transport has a memorable exterior and great, interactive exhibitions for all ages inside. It showcases historic vehicles and the evolution of railways, automobiles, aviation, and even space travel in Switzerland
5. Museggmauer, fortified wall
In the northern part of the city, you’ll find the impressive Museggmauer, a fortified wall that dates back to the 1300s and is remarkably well-preserved:
6. Richard Wagner Museum
For those, who like classical music, there is a gem in Lucerne: Richard Wagner Museum. Wagner Museum occupies the residence where the composer once lived in Lucerne from 1866 to 1872:
7. Saint-Leger Church of Lucerne
Pictured below: the area around Saint-Léger church. We liked it a lot, as it has just a few people around on a busy summer evening:
The church has a nice garden and fountain nearby:
8. Lucerne promenade
Lucerne promenade is a nice trail that runs along the lake for nearly 4 km. You can walk past marinas, parks, playgrounds, a beach, and a city swimming pool.
We didn’t have much time to walk it all, just the busiest part, near the old town:
Swans, residents of Lucerne:
Swiss’s national dishes
Swiss’s national dishes (and the most popular ones in the country) are cheese fondue and raclette, you can try them anywhere in the city:
Where did we stay and why
In the pictures below – “Andi’s Bnb”. We paid 170 euros per night for a double room, with a hot breakfast. It was a great experience, plus much cheaper than staying in Lucerne and just a 20-minute drive from the city.
Thanks for reading, friends, we are very happy to have you here.
Make sure to check out hours, schedules, and fees before you go
Read next:
Visiting Geneve, the largest French-speaking Swiss city
Getting to know 2d largest French-speaking city in Switzerland – Lausanne
Jura Region: French and Swiss Mountains. If you ever heard about the JURASSIC period, you heard about the Jura Region!
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