One Day in Lucerne: The Perfect Itinerary to See Lucerne in One Day
Nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities. Known for its medieval Old Town, colorful frescoed buildings, and stunning views of the Swiss Alps, it was the perfect place to start our 7 day Switzerland trip***.
If you’re short on time, spending one day in Lucerne is still enough to take in its highlights. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what to do in Lucerne in one day, including the must-see attractions and top things to do in Lucerne to make the most of your visit.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my business so I can create content like this for you!
How to Get to Lucerne
Lucerne is extremely well connected by Switzerland’s excellent train network.
- From Zurich: The most common entry point. Direct trains run hourly from Zurich Airport (Flughafen) and Zurich Main Station, taking about 1 hour.
- From Geneva: Trains take about 3 hours with a transfer in Bern.
- From Basel: Around 1 hour by direct train.
- From Milan, Italy: You can get from Milan to Lucerne in less than 4 hours on high-speed trains with a connection in Lugano.
Since it is only an hour away from Zurich, you can see Lucerne in a day as a day trip from Zurich if you’re short on time.
Is One Day in Lucerne Enough?
Many travelers wonder if one day in Lucerne is sufficient. I think a day in Lucerne is enough to see the main sights such as the Chapel Bridge, Old Town and the Lion Monument. The city of Lucerne is pretty compact, so you can cover a lot in a short amount of time.
Lucerne is close to several famous mountains, including Mount Rigi, Mount Titlis and Mount Pilatus. If you want to visit one (or more) of these mountains, consider adding a day.
We stayed in Lucerne for about 24 hours, arriving in the early afternoon. We had time to see the main sights on the first day and visited Mount Pilatus on the morning of the second day before heading to our next destination. See my guide on visiting Mount Pilatus from Lucerne here.
Your Trip Essentials
- Swiss Travel Pass – unlimited travel in Switzerland by train, bus, boat, and public transportation. Discounts of up to 50% on many excursions, as well as free entrance to over 500 museums.
- Swiss Half Fare Card – 50% off most public transportation (trains, boats, and buses) in Switzerland for 1 month
- E-sim for Switzerland
- Golden Round Trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus
- Silver Round Trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus
- Golden Round Trip – Guided Group Tour
- See my 7 day Switzerland Itinerary***
How to Get ARound in Lucerne
The best way to get around Lucerne is on foot by walking. Most of the city’s main attractions including the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and the lake promenade are all within a 10 to 15 minute walk of each other. You won’t need a car, and in fact, driving in Lucerne can be inconvenient due to limited parking and pedestrian-only zones.
If you want to venture slightly further, Lucerne has an excellent bus network. Tickets can be purchased at machines near bus stops, on the SBB mobile app, or with a Swiss Travel Pass (which covers all buses and trains within the city).
Also, consider taking a boat across Lake Lucerne. Passenger ferries connect the city with nearby towns like Weggis and Vitznau, perfect if you’re planning a day trip to Mount Rigi. We didn’t have time to do this and this is one of my regrets!
Where to Stay in Lucerne
Lucerne Hotel Recommendations
Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Lucerne.
The most charming stays are in Old Town. Think historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and mountain & lake views. There’s tons of dining options and shops nearby, as well as all the highlights of the city.
If convenience is your priority, stay near the Luzern train station so you won’t have to venture far with your luggage.
Old Town:
Hotel Des Alpes
Hotel Des Balances
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
Luzern Train Station:
Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
Hotel Continental Park
Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel
Luxury around Lake Lucerne:
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Park Hotel Vitznau
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
One Day in Lucerne Itinerary
Let me start by saying that my 24 hours in Lucerne began in the afternoon, around 2 pm, after arriving from Zurich. I had the rest of that day to explore the city, and the following morning until 2 pm for a short excursion. This gave me the chance to spend the first afternoon and evening discovering Lucerne itself, and then dedicate the next morning to a day trip to one of the three nearby mountains that Lucerne is famous for.
The itinerary I’m sharing here focuses on how to experience a full day in Lucerne, covering the very best sights and things to do. If you have more time, I’ll share suggestions for a half-day mountain trip to Mt. Pilatus afterward.
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
The Chapel Bridge is the most famous and iconic symbol of Lucerne. It’s one of the best things to do in Lucerne, without a doubt.
Built in the 14th century, it’s a covered bridge decorated with flower boxes that spans across the Reuss River. Along the bridge are triangular panels above with paintings that depict moments from Swiss history.
In 1993 a fire caused significant damage to the historic landmark, but most of it was restored afterwards.
At midpoint of the bridge, you’ll find the stone water tower which served multiple functions throughout history, including as a prison and a treasury.
The bridge is open 24/7, and free to cross as many times as you want! Personally I love admiring the bridge from afar with the scenery of mountains in the background.
Old Town (Altstadt)
After crossing the Chapel Bridge, explore the Old Town (Altstadt) of Lucerne.
The charming cobblestone lanes twist into charming little squares. Each square is lined with colorful medieval houses painted with frescoes. Just look around, and you’ll spot scenes of saints, mythical creatures, or guild emblems on the faces of buildings.
As you walk, you’ll notice decorative fountains scattered throughout the Old Town. Many date back to the Renaissance and are topped with statues of lions, knights, or saints. They’re still used today, and the water is drinkable so bring a bottle you can refill. Some of the most beautiful ones can be found at Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt squares.
If you want to learn a bit more about the history behind Lucerne, consider the following guided walking tours:
Lion Monument
Make your way to the Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal), also known as the “Dying Lion.” Carved directly into a sandstone cliff in 1821, the sculpture honors the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution.
Musegg Wall (Museggmauer)
The Musegg Wall is a medieval fortification that still has several of its original towers intact.
The Museggmauer consists of nine towers and stretches along the city walls, and used to serve as a defensive structure to protect the city.
You can climb a few of the towers (like Zytturm, which has a historic clock) for panoramic views over the rooftops, lake, and mountains.
Lake Lucerne Promenade & Boat Ride
After exploring the Old Town, head back toward the water and enjoy a stroll along the Lake Lucerne promenade.
Like I’ve said before, one of my regrets for Lucerne is not doing a boat ride. We had arrived to Lucerne after an international flight from the US so we were pretty tired, and decided to rest early.
If you have the opportunity, I recommend doing a boat cruise across Lake Lucerne. Boats depart from the pier right next to the train station and Old Town. Lake Lucerne is large, and there are shorter or longer trips around the lake that you can take.
If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the boat rides are fully covered. With a Swiss Half Fare Card, you’ll get 50% off the boat rides.
The main piers for the boat rides are just outside the train station.
You’ll see stunning skylines of the city of Lucerne with surrounding mountains, and you could even visit other nearby villages like Weggis or Vitznau.
Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz)
An alternative to the boat ride is visiting the Swiss Transport Museum. Hop on a short bus ride or a 20-minute lakeside walk to Switzerland’s most popular museum. The Swiss Transport Museum is interactive with exhibits on trains, planes, automobiles, and even space exploration. Families love it, and it’s also a great rainy-day alternative if the weather isn’t ideal for a boat ride.
And that wraps up Lucerne in one day!
Mount Pilatus Day Trip
Mount Rigi, Mount Titlis and Mount Pilatus are 3 famous mountains in Switzerland that you can access easily from Lucerne.
After our first day exploring the city of Lucerne, we got to bed early and woke up next morning to head to Mount Pilatus.
You can read my detailed guide on how to visit Mount Pilatus from Lucerne here. This guide explains the Golden and Silver Round Trip from Lucerne.
We checked out of our hotel and left Lucerne around 9:30 am and got back to our hotel to pick up our luggage around 2:30 pm, so it took about 5 hours total to go up to Mount Pilatus and return.
Where to Eat in Lucerne
You have to try traditional Swiss food when in Lucerne, right?
- Wirtshaus Taube Luzern – For a cozy, rustic evening, head just off the Old Town into this historic tavern by the Reuss. You can get traditional Swiss food served in warm, wooden-beam surroundings. The terrace on the river is perfect in good weather.
- Old Swiss House – Famous for its wiener schnitzel prepared tableside, this historic restaurant offers a full Swiss dining experience. We walked by it and the ambiance looks amazing too. It’s pricier, but the performance and quality are worth it if you’re looking for a memorable meal.
- Rathaus Brauerei – Grab locally brewed beer (brewed in-house) while admiring scenes of the river and mountains.
Final Thoughts – One Day in Lucerne
I hope this guide has helped you plan out your one day in Lucerne, a stunning lake-side city in Switzerland! Save this post so you can refer to it when wondering what to do in Lucerne. You could definitely visit Lucerne as a day trip, but I highly recommend staying overnight and allowing time to visit one of the nearby mountains.
You may also want to check out other Switzerland articles.
