Lucerne is famous for the Chapel Bridge, its lakefront location, chocolate, medieval architecture, and water activities. This is one of my favorite cities in Switzerland, so I’ve created the ultimate Lucerne city guide to help you plan an awesome trip.

Switzerland Travel Guide

Pro Tip: cash is king in Lucerne. Credit cards are usually accepted at hotels, high-end restaurants, and boutique or department stores. But some smaller establishments only accept cash or charge a fee for using credit cards.

Here’s the ultimate Lucerne city guide!

When To Go

May to August is the peak travel season, so be prepared for high prices and crowds. Book your accommodation and tours as early as possible to save money and ensure availability. Because of Lucerne’s proximity to the Alps, summer daytime temperatures rarely go above the mid-80s, and the evenings can be chilly, so bring a light jacket. Rain is common during these months, so always have a rain jacket.

September and October are shoulder months. Accommodation rates will drop, and the crowds will have thinned. Temperatures will be pleasant during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. The leaves will be changing color, and this is grape harvesting season.

November to March is the off-season when you can have Lucerne practically to yourself. The one exception is the holidays when this festive town fills up. Snow is common during these months, so bring your warmest layers and sturdiest boots. Many shops, restaurants, and historic sites will have limited hours, so you’ll need to research any activities you want to do in advance. You can also score great accommodation deals during these months.

April is a shoulder month when wildflowers and the city’s gardens start attracting visitors again. Daytime temperatures will be cool, so you’ll want layers for the cold mornings and evenings. Tourist numbers and prices will increase this month, but April is the perfect “sweet spot” for visiting Lucerne.

What To Do

Do a walking tour of the historic Old Town.

Walk across the Chapel Bridge.

Have a traditional fondue meal.

See the Lion Monument

Go boating on Lake Lucerne.

Stroll along the Lake Rot riverfront path.

Visit the Hofkirche.

Go inside the Jesuit Church.

Do a food or chocolate tour.

Tour the Schloss Heidegg

See the Bourbaki Panorama.

Walk along the top of Lucerne’s original city walls.

Where To Stay

I stayed at the Art Deco Hotel Montant, a historic boutique hotel with the city’s best rooftop restaurant.

Lucerne has incredible accommodations for every budget and preference. So from boutique hotels to castles to historic inns, I’ve rounded up the best hotels and vacation homes in Lucerne.

Where To Eat

Swiss: STERN Luzern ($$-$$$), Restaurant Balances ($$$$), Hotel Hofgarten Restaurant ($$-$$$).

My Favorites: Scala Restaurant (European, $$$$), Grottino 1313 (Italian, $$-$$$), Fondue House du Pont (Fondue, $$$$).

Breakfast: Richemont Gastronomie ($$-$$$), Restaurant Hermitage ($$$), Bacio Della Mamma ($$-$$$).

International: BOLERO Restaurante (Mediterranean, $$-$$$), Restaurant Geissmatt (Italian, $$-$$$), Jialu National (Asian, $$-$$$).

Fine Dining: Ampersand Grillrestaurant (European Grill, $$$$), Villa Schweizerhof (French, European, $$$$), Restaurant Olivo (Seafood, Mediterranean, $$$$).

Cheap Eats: Twiny Station (European Street Food, $), Pastarazzi Spezialitaten & Take Away (Italian, $), Neubad Lucerne (European bar, $).

Best Day Trips

Mt. Pilatus: Start by taking the aerial cable cars up to the top of Mt. Pilatus, then hike around the peak. Go back down via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and take a scenic boat ride back to Lucerne.

Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen: Located about an hour and a half from Lucerne, these Alpine towns are in neighboring valleys. They’re both beautiful and relatively similar, so I’d pick one or the other to visit as a day trip. Both towns have quaint downtowns for shopping and eating, hiking trails, cable cars, and stunning views.

Bern. Bern is the “Beer Capital of Switzerland,” so you should definitely do a beer tour when you’re here. Other great things to do are stroll through the medieval Old Town, admire the famous Renaissance fountains, climb the tower of Berner Münster, watch the Zytglogge Clock Tower show at the top of every hour, see the city’s famous bears, and walk across the Nydeggbrücke bridge.

Vaduz, Liechtenstein. This is the capital of one of the smallest countries in the world. Start your day by driving up to Vaduz Castle. Then head down to the city center and walk along the pedestrian street. You can shop, tour a museum, and visit the St. Florin Cathedral. Have a nice lunch, then head to The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery. Do a wine tasting, walk through the vineyards, and have another glass of wine in the garden. On your way out of town, stop at the Old Bridge.

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This Lucerne city guide is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this Lucerne city guide are entirely my own. Some of the links in this Lucerne city guide are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this Lucerne city guide.