Lucerne: The City Experience

Sited on Lake Lucerne, Lucerne ranks amongst the world’s prettiest cities and is rich in sights and attractions. Lucerne has attractive shopping offer, impressive mountainous panorama, beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountain sites, is the popular gateway to central Switzerland.

Lucerne is a city of town squares and churches. Historic houses decorated with frescoes line the picturesque town squares as they do the ‘Weinmarkt’ square in this car-free old town. Contributing to Lucerne's cityscape alongside the world-famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower are the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Spreuer Bridge, the Lion Monument, the KKL culture and convention centre and a host of other sites of interest.

The Lion Monument in Lucerne is one of the most popular and most photographed monuments in Switzerland. Over 1 million tourists from all over the world visit the carved stone monument each year and this monument will celebrate its 200 years this August.

Most people have only a vague idea of the historical background to the romantic monument. In fact, the allegory of the dying lion is a memorial to the Swiss Guards who were fighting like a lion and died during the storming of the Tuileries Palace in Paris by the revolutionaries on August 10, 1792.

Opened in 1959, The Swiss Museum of Transport is now the most-visited museum in Switzerland. For the inquisitive minds, the museum takes a fascinating, interactive look at the development of transport and mobility on road, rail and water, air and space travel.

On display are more than 3,000 objects, simulators, multimedia shows and interactive exhibits occupying an area of 20,000m².  Many of the cars, boats, trains and aircraft in this museum can be boarded, making this museum trip so special and remarkable. 

Apart from immersing oneself in this city and get to know the legendary charm of Lucerne, there are countless shops available ideal for a shopping spree. Founded in 1888, the family owned company, Bucherer has one of the most distinguished traditions in Europe’s watch and jewellery industry. At Bucherer, one can look forward to discovering the latest new products, exclusive and limited editions from world-famous brands and probably the largest selection of Rolex watches.

For outdoor lovers, Lucerne is the ideal starting point for many excursions to the highlights of central Switzerland.  Ride a cogwheel or funicular railway or aerial cableway up the Pilatus, the Rigi, the Titlis and many other easily accessible mountains.

The journey to the TITLIS is truly an adventure in itself. Visitors may first take the TITLIS Xpress gondola to the middle station, then continue their journey in the TITLIS Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car, all the way to the top. At 3,062 metres, the summit offers not only a breathtaking 360° panoramas of the wide Engelberg valley but high enough to guarantee snow all year round.

Things get really cool at the upper station. Visitors can discover the Glacier Cave and admire the solid ice and beautiful ice sculptures or grab a snow toy such as an inflated rubber ring and race down the slope. The ultimate thrill is the TITLIS Cliff Walk, at 3042 metres above sea level and 500 metres off the ground,it holds the record for being the highest suspension bridge in Europe.

An excursion to Central Switzerland is just not complete without a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Whether a Lunch Cruise on the modern MS Diamant or a romantic cruise at sunset on an antique paddle steamer – it’s a must.

With a wide range of services, the Lake Lucerne navigation company (SGV) offers the perfect cruise for every taste. From Lucerne, the different boat routes provide the most direct access to the different mountain railways, beautiful villages and fascinating places steeped in history such as Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus or the luxurious Bürgenstock Resort.