Fun Facts:
| Official name | Luzern (German) ** (spelling found most in Luzern)Lozärn (Swiss-German)Lucerne (French)Lucerna (Italian) |
| Nicknames | “City of Lights” “City of Bridges” |
| Population | 82, 922 (2021)- United Nations |
| Best Known For | Wooden Bridges (Chapel Bridge)Lake LucerneLion MonumentMount Pilatus |
Lucerne, or Luzern, is a gem nestled in central Switzerland, sandwiched between the Swiss Plateau and the majestic Alps. While it’s currently rocking the title of the “city of lights,” in the middle ages, it was all about those stunning wooden bridges—definitely a more fitting nickname for this charming place!
Fun tidbit alert! Lucerne in French is Luzern in German. I always scratched my head over those spellings, wondering which one’s the VIP. Turns out, Luzern is the superstar around town since most locals are fluent in German!
The moment I hopped off the train from Bern and stepped into Luzern station, bam! Gorgeous mountain views and those legendary wooden bridges greeted me. I had no idea what I was walking into, but Luzern quickly snagged a top spot on my favorites list for this trip!
I zipped through on a day trip, and let me tell you, it was a breeze to navigate! Luzern is bursting with sights, and I was pleasantly surprised by its beauty, so I’m definitely plotting a return visit to soak it all in. If you’re short on time like I was, this guide is your golden ticket for a fun-filled day in this enchanting town! 🌟
How to Get to Luzern
If you caught my last blog, you know I kicked things off in fabulous Zürich! After a marathon 24-hour flight from Honolulu (HNL), I landed at Zürich Airport (ZRH). Our next destination was Bern and I set up camp for two nights there. I spent one day wandering the charming streets of Bern and then jaunted over to Luzern for another day of fun before circling back to Bern. Getting around is a breeze—just hop on a train! I cruised on the IR15 train line from Bern to Luzern, and in just an hour.
How to Get Around Luzern
The best way to get around Luzern is by foot. If you have difficulty walking far distances there are inner city trains or buses you can take around the city. Luzern is a smaller city so walking around can be easily done and if you can, I would highly recommend it because it is the best way to explore.
| Fun fact: If you are an overnight guest in a Luzurn city hotel, they provide a Visitor Card with access to buses and trains within the city zone free of charge 🙂 |
What to Do in Luzern
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is a beautiful (and extremely pristine) lake surrounded by Rigi and Pilatus mountains. The lake also offers views of the beautiful Swiss mountains from afar. The lake is 114 square km (so like 28,000 + acres) of majestic lakes. There are 32 boat piers around the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy scenic boat cruises on the lake.
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
A wooden covered bridge connecting the old town (Altstadt) to the right bank of River Reuss. Known as the world’s most famous and oldest bridge dating back to the 14th century (built in 1333). It was so beautiful walking through the bridge and viewing the decorated pictures throughout was like you were travelling through time. It is truly majestic.
In the Eastern Cape, the Xhosa people invite travelers to take part in community activities such as drumming, beadwork, and storytelling. By participating in these activities, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of South Africa’s diverse cultural heritage.
Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrücke)
Spreuer Bridge is the other extant covered wooden footbridges. It was built in 1408 and unfortunately destroyed by a flood and rebuilt in 1566. The original bridge was named Mill Place (Mühlenplatz but after it was destroyed was replaced with the current bridge and given a new name. Although not as preserved at the Chapel Bridge it is definitely worth walking over and enjoying the views across the Reuss River 😉
Luzern Altstadt (Old Town)
Luzern’s old town is a charming area where history and medieval architecture come together. Walking along the Reuss River, you can explore the Old Town Boulevard, which has a variety of shops, restaurants, and inviting cafes. As I wandered through the streets, I appreciated the beautiful City Hall and the famous Chapel Bridge.
Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)
The Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal = Lion of Lucerne) stands as a majestic rock relief, crafted by the esteemed Bertel Thorvaldsen between 1820 and 1821. A heartfelt remembrance to the Swiss Guards who met their fate in 1792 during the French Revolution, it holds the esteemed title of Switzerland’s most renowned monument, drawing around 1.4 million curious souls each year.
The Lion Monument was easy to find in the city. I used google maps to help guide me but learned that everyone else was heading towards the monument so I followed the crowd. It is amazing how much attention to detail it is. I would try to get there early as it does get quite crowded as you would expect. 😁
Museggmauer (Musegg Wall)
The Museggmauer (Musegg Wall) is an ancient wall with nine Musegg Towers (four that are accessible to the public from April to October). The 4 accessible towers include:
- Mannliturm
- Zytturm (Time Tower) has a clock from 1535 and a large bell that is rung every hour one minute before all the other clocks in Luzern
- Schirmerturm
- Heuturm (Watch Tower)
You can walk along and get amazing views of Luzern. The walls were constructed in the 14th century to protect the city during the medieval times. It can easily take 1-2 hours to walk around as you find yourself taking multiple pictures of the breathtaking views.
Lucerne Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche)
Luzern’s first large baroque Catholic church built in Switzerland north of the Swiss alps. The architecture displays power and glory in a time when the Catholic church received much criticism during the 17th century by protestant churches. The church was finished in 1677. It sits right on the Reuss River near Chapel Bridge. Trust me you can’t miss it when walking along the river. You should definitely take a look inside, whether you are religious/spiritual or just curious, it is beautiful inside.
Mount Pilatus
Now I can write a whole blog on this amazing mountain and the experience I have but for now I will tell you a little more about this. Definitely a must do when you decide to visit Luzern. You can easily spend a whole day here with all the different activities and things to see but because I was in a time crunch here are some of the recommended things I would do.
- Cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad
- Gondola and aerial cableway from Kriens all the way up to Pilatus Kulm (Recommend!!!)
- Hiking (multiple trails to choose from) Check out “Dragon Path”
- Check out the observation deck at the top of the mountain (MUST SEE!!)
| Fun Facts: During the Middle Ages it was believed dragons with healing powers lived in the clefts and crevices of Mount Pilatus so many things and representations in Mount Pilatus symbolizes Dragons. |
Where to Stay in Zürich
Now mind you, I did not stay in Luzern but after visiting for the day I wish I had more time and that I did. After asking locals and visitors, I got some insight to places they thought were worthwhile (Mind you I do not get paid to tell you these secrets 😂).
Other places you can stay at include:
● Young Backpackers Homestay. Simple hostel with mountain views
● The Grand Hotel National. Best views of the lake.
● Hotel Pilatus-Kulm. Top of Mount Pilatus with the most amazing views.
● Hotel Château Güetsch. Gütsch Follicular takes you to the hotel with views of the city. It’s a beautiful château that looks like a castle so expect it to be $$$
● Hotel des Balances. Great for couples.
● Hotel Continental Park- Lifestyle Family Suite. Excellent for families.
What to Eat in Luzern
When in Luzern, you gotta try its delish bites, too! Here are items I tried and absolutely loved:
● Alplermagronen (Alpine Macaroni). Swiss version of macaroni and cheese but add diced potatoes, bacon, caramelized onions and apples.
● Heissi Marroni. Roasted chestnuts (only available in the winter)
● Chügelipastete. Meat pie dating back from the 18th century in Luzern.
● Cheese Fondue. No Swiss trip is complete without dipping bread, veggies, or potatoes in some yummy hot cheese fondue.
● Luzerner Lebkuchen. Gingerbread cake found in the Lake Lucerne region
And again…Swiss chocolate – You can’t leave Switzerland without trying it in every city 😋
Where to, Next?
And just like that, my amazing day trip came to an end 🥲 I honestly wished I had at least another day so I wasn’t rushing. If I were to do it all again – and trust me I intend on going back, I would do a day in Luzern and a day trip to Mount Pilatus. NEXT UP were two of the most majestic cities I’ve ever been to, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald so stay tuned… You do not want to miss reading up on this ☺️
