Lucerne (Luzern)

Take a walking tour of the city, and see Lucerne landmarks such as Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. Then visit the Picasso Museum and the lakeside farmers markets and take a walk along the city’s old fortifications, the Musegg Wall.

You can see Lucerne on a day trip from Zurich that includes round-trip transportation and a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, or stay in town and head out into the Alps to visit sights like Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, and the Bernese highlands. You can also visit Lucerne on a multi-day tour of the Swiss Alps that includes other must-see towns like Interlaken, Gruyères, and Zermatt.

• Boat cruises and mountain tours leaving from Lucerne may be cancelled for safety reasons if the weather is bad.

• Weather in the Swiss Alps can be cool and unpredictable even during the summer months; make sure to bring along extra layers and a rain jacket.

• Some Lucerne boat cruises and city tours are wheelchair accessible; inquire before booking.

Lucerne is located on the shores of Lake Lucerne near the Swiss Alps, about 32 miles (52 kilometers) south of Zurich. The nearest international airport is located in Zurich, and there is a direct train from the airport to Lucerne. Parking can be expensive and difficult to find in the city, so it’s best to take public transportation or book a tour.

Lucerne is a year-round destination and is particularly crowded in July and August. The best time of year to visit depends on which activities you want to participate in. May through September is the ideal time for hiking and biking adventures, ski season runs from early December through late March, and Lucerne’s Carnival Festival takes place in February.

A trip to the summit of 6,995-foot (2,132-meter) Mount Pilatus is one of the most popular excursions from Lucerne. The journey to the summit involves a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, a trip on the world’s steepest cogwheel train, and a ride on the aerial cableway to the summit. From Mount Pilatus, you can head out for a hike or just enjoy the panoramic views of Lucerne and the Swiss Alps from the summit.

Yes, Lucerne is worth visiting, especially if you’re looking to experience a smaller Swiss city instead of a bigger city like Zurich and Bern. Some things worth seeing include Lake Lucerne, the city’s medieval architecture, and its picturesque mountain vistas. Plus, the city center is compact, making it perfect for car-free visitors.

Two days in Lucerne is enough to cover old-town sightseeing, plus a Lake Lucerne cruise followed by a mountain adventure at nearby Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi; however, a third day offers extra time to linger by Lucerne landmarks such as the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge.

The best month to visit Lucerne really depends—June through September is when sunny days are common and outdoor adventure beckons, but Lucerne’s winter season still offers plenty of things to do, from skiing in the snowy mountains to its Christmas markets in December and its wild Fasnacht carnival in February.

Yes, Lucerne is a walkable city with its key sightseeing areas around the old town and new town that straddle the Reuss River. Wear comfy shoes to conquer the cobblestone streets with ease, and if you have extra time, schedule a walk around the city’s Musegg Wall, too.

Like every city in Switzerland, Lucerne is expensive when compared to other cities in Europe. Budget-conscious travelers can consider self-catering apartments with kitchens away from the old town area to save money. Also, Swiss supermarkets like Coop, Migros, or Aldi are all worth browsing for picnic-style fare for lunches out.

Yes, you can speak English in Lucene. While the official language in Lucerne is German, most Swiss people speak English well, too. You won’t have any problems communicating in English in this tourist-friendly town, although making the effort to speak a few words in German always is greatly appreciated by locals.