Excursion tips and sights in and around Lucerne
The city of lights on Lake Lucerne and its surroundings offer many excellent excursion destinations, world-famous sights, exciting events and culinary delights from traditional Swiss cuisine and the whole world. Whether you are young or old, a sporting ace or a leisurely stroller – Central Switzerland has special offers for every age and every type.
The HITrental team has come together to find the best excursion tips and sights in and around Lucerne. Take a look at our selection and let yourself be inspired by Lucerne’s charm.
Day trips in fine weather
Lake experiences for young and old: boat trip on Lake Lucerne to Brunnen
A boat trip on Lake Lucerne to Brunnen is the perfect way to relax. The trip starts at Lucerne railway station and leads past the beautiful areas of Hertenstein, Weggis and Vitznau. Those who have had enough of the boat swing after two hours should get off at Brunnen and visit this picturesque village. Stroll through the alleys in Brunnen and enjoy one of Switzerland’s best glaces in Dave’s Gelateria Artigiana on Olympstrasse 2.
The departure times of the ships can be found on the website of the Lake Lucerne Shipping Company.
Family fun: tobogganing on the Rischli Sörenberg
The summer toboggan run in Sörenberg offers fun for young and old. The toboggan run is almost 1km long and takes you down the slope at high speed. The toboggan run is ideal for a stopover if you are visiting the Rothorn or exploring the Sörenberg region. The pleasure costs CHF 6 per trip for adults and CHF 5 per trip for children.
Pure nature: Hiking on the Swiss Path
Do you want to do something active and at the same time admire a breathtaking scenery? Then a hike on the Swiss Path is an excellent choice. The trail leads along the southern part of Lake Lucerne, begins at the Rütli and ends in Brunnen. Various sections can be selected: there are longer and shorter sections of the trail. The Rütli – Seelisberg route, for example, is suitable for short walks. If you have more endurance, we recommend the section between Flüelen and Brunnen.
The unique cheese experience
Would you like to enjoy nature and at the same time learn more about cheese making? Then the Wispile cheese trail is the perfect leisure activity for you! The trail is located in the Bernese Oberland and begins on Gstaad’s local mountain Wispile. Before the hike starts, you can enjoy a fantastic 360 degree view up here. The tour takes about an hour. During the hike you will have the opportunity to visit the alpine cheese dairy in the morning. Those who start the hike from Lucerne should start early, as the journey by public transport takes about four hours – but the way is worth it.
Other excursions in fine weather
- Mooraculum – largest moor adventure park
- Excursion to the Brienzer Rothorn
- Excursion paradise Klewenalp
- Excursion to Hallwyl Castle
- Hammetschwend Lift
Day trips in case of bad weather
Excitement and adventure: Swiss Museum of Transport
On rainy days, a visit to the Swiss Museum of Transport is highly recommended. The Swiss Museum of Transport is an exciting and eventful place of discovery. It shows the development of mobility and the way communication functions in a varied way. The guests are also catered for by a varied gastronomy.
Visit to the Emmentaler show dairy in Affoltern
If you want to know more about the production of cheese, visit the show dairy in Affoltern in the beautiful Emmental. Take a guided tour through the cheese dairy and learn the secrets of cheese production.
Other excursions in case of bad weather
- Visit to the Lucerne museums
- Minerbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad
- Visit of the Glasi Hergiswil
- Visit to the Einsiedeln Monastery
- Aeschbach Chocolatier, ChocoWorld
- Swiss Knife Valley Visitor Center
Sights in Lucerne
Chapel Bridge and Water Tower – the oldest wooden bridge in Europe
The Chapel Bridge with the Water Tower is the landmark of Lucerne and the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. It was built around 1333 and initially served as part of the city fortress. The fact that the bridge is still in such good condition is no coincidence, but it was regularly maintained and renewed. On 18 August 1993 the bridge fell victim to a fire, only the two bridgeheads and the water tower could be saved. Hardly any other incident in Central Switzerland has moved the world as much as this fire.
Lion Monument and Glacier Garden
The Lion Monument is one of the most fascinating sights in Lucerne. The sculpture was designed by Bertel Thorvaldsen and hewn into the natural rock in memory of the Swiss heroic death in the Tuileries in 1792. The writer Mark Twain elevated the Lion of Lucerne to “the saddest and most touching piece of stone in the world”. The glacier garden is right next to the lion monument.
Musegg Wall
The history of the Musegg Wall dates back to the 13th century. It belongs to the historical city fortification of Lucerne and has a total of 9 towers. 4 of the 9 watchtowers are open to the public. Each of the towers has its own name: Nölli-, Männli-, Luegisland-, Heu-, Zyt-, Schirm-, Pulver-, Allwinden- and the Dächliturm. The wall is 870 meters long and a unique monument from the Middle Ages.
Further sights in and around Lucerne
- Culture and Congress Centre Lucerne (KKL)
- Jesuit church
- Franciscan church
- town hall
- Bourbaki Panorama
- Richard Wagner Museum
- Old town squares
Take a look at our apartments in Lucerne:
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