6 top sights in Lucerne
Tranquil Lucerne should be a must-see on every trip to Switzerland. Sights such as Chapel Bridge and the unmistakable cityscape with the old town and the lake make Lucerne a very beautiful destination.
Chapel Bridge: Lucerne’'s landmark
The 200-meter-long Chapel Bridge, built around 1360, is one of the most famous sights in the whole of Switzerland. It is considered a landmark of Lucerne. The Chapel Bridge is probably the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe and today runs from the new town on the south bank of the Reuss to the Rathausquai in the medieval old town. Right in the middle, it passes the approximately 34-meter-high, octagonal water tower, which used to be part of the city wall. As you walk across Chapel Bridge, you can learn about the history of Lucerne and other Swiss regions on the information panels.
Interesting fact: In May 2025, the lights on Chapel Bridge were replaced with energy-saving LED lights. According to the city, this will save electricity and make the wooden bridge more visible in the dark.
The old town: Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and Musegg Wall
Lucerne’s old town is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. On a stroll through the old town, you will pass many historic squares and buildings with typical façade paintings, which make excellent photo motifs. These include Mühlenplatz, Weinmarkt with the city’s most famous fountain and Kornmarkt with Lucerne’s imposing town hall.
The 870-meter-long Musegg Wall with its nine towers was part of the former city fortifications. You can stroll along it and enjoy the magnificent view of Lucerne and its sights, including the old town, Lake Lucerne and the scenery in the foothills of the Alps.
Interesting fact: While Lucerne’s old town has virtually no trees, there are many parks and recreational areas close to the city center, such as Dreilindenpark or Inseli-Park right on Lake Lucerne.
Lake Lucerne: imposing waterscape
Lake Lucerne is a fjord-like lake with various lake basins and bays, which is one of the most beautiful recreational areas in Switzerland thanks to its surroundings in the foothills of the Alps. Lucerne is located directly on this body of water, where you can take a boat trip and discover different scenery in almost every bay. Several boats depart directly from the station every day.
The promenade is a great place for a stroll, and in the summer months you can also visit the swimming spots around the deep blue lake and explore the lake basin on a pedalo. This natural attraction in Lucerne is also ideal for sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling and diving.
Must-do: Take off or land on Lake Lucerne in a seaplane.
The Lion Monument: a historical memorial in the park
The Lion Monument is one of the most famous sights in Lucerne. It is located in a small landscaped park in the middle of the city and depicts a stone lion with a spear in its back, which was carved into the rock in 1821. The monumental big cat measures ten by six meters.
Interesting fact: The Lion Monument commemorates the Swiss Guards who fell during the French Revolution in 1792.
Swiss Museum of Transport: Switzerland’s most popular museum
Opened in 1959, the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne is the most visited museum in Switzerland. It deals with the theme of mobility in Europe in numerous exhibitions, theme parks and simulations.
The large outdoor area with water basin and play facilities for children attracts families to this museum even when the sun is shining, and is open to any trends. This cultural attraction in Lucerne has other superlatives to offer: Documentaries are shown on the largest screen in Switzerland, you can fly to the stars in the modern planetarium and the latest communication trends are presented in the Media World.
Interesting fact: The Swiss Museum of Transport had more than one million visitors in 2024.
Pilatus: outdoor experiences on Lucerne’s local mountain
Mount Pilatus is considered Lucerne’s local mountain, towering up to 2,128 meters south of the city. The mountain is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Lucerne area, mainly due to the wide range of outdoor sports options available. The Pilatus can inspire the whole family: for example, on a hike along paths with beautiful views, on a ride on one of the three cable cars or wildlife spotting on an ibex safari. Maybe even a dragon will appear – according to legend at least, these creatures live there. The dragon trail is a reminder of this.
Interesting fact: The world’s steepest cogwheel railroad runs from Alpnachstad up the Pilatus, with a maximum gradient of 48 percent.
Discover Lucerne between the city, lake and mountains
Lucerne is a picturesque city with numerous sights, nestled between Lake Lucerne and high mountains. Lucerne has a lot to offer historically, culturally and socially. Especially in the warmer months, various events take place on the lakeshore and in the city center, such as the Lucerne City Festival, open-air concerts or the Lucerne Festival in summer, which is dedicated to classical music for a month.
The best way to discover beautiful Lucerne is with the Platinum Card from American Express, which gives you various benefits during your stay. One example: the "Platinum Dining" program, which gives you benefits at more than 60 restaurants throughout Switzerland, including the Jazzkantine in Lucerne.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Lucerne is considered the gateway to Central Switzerland, the city is located southwest of Zurich and northeast of Bern.
Lucerne is known above all for its picturesque old town and Chapel Bridge, as well as for its location between the mountain peaks on Lake Lucerne.
It can take less than an hour by train from Zurich to Lucerne, and the journey is also easy by car thanks to various highway connections.
