Things to do in Lucerne in winter – if you need information about what to do in Lucerne, here’s our comprehensive guide on Things to do in Lucerne in winter. Lucerne is one of the most attractive metropolia in northern Switzerland, one that will make you fascinated by its architecture, topography, and specific Swiss lifestyle.
It’s right in the middle of the Rigi and Pilatus mountains, two interesting peaks for those passing through the Alps and want to feel a chill, eat a fondue (cheese!), or enjoy chocolate (Swiss!) as if you were a local.
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Where is Lucerne on the map?
It is found 50km south of Zurich. Furthermore, Lucerne has about 80,000 inhabitants and is among the numerous significant cities in the northern region of Switzerland. Its history impacted the construction of present-day Switzerland, being part of the first “Swiss Confederation” in 1332. In other terms, there are numerous attractive tourist attractions to visit in Lucerne. There are several things to do in Lucerne in winter.
From Zurich, you can proceed to Lucerne by train. Every 30 minutes there is a train heading to Lucerne’s Bahnhof (Train Station), but if you purchase tokens in advance you can find amazing fees.
For those who would like to preserve, it pays to buy the Swiss Travel Pass, which entitles you to complete travel throughout the country for specific days. Click here to read our page with everything you ought to understand about the Swiss Travel Pass.
The travel between Zurich and Lucerne brings about 1 hour on the train and in itself is a wonderful time with beautiful pictures.
What to do in Lucerne?
The basic time of Lucerne consists of visiting the tourist attractions of the historic center on foot and exploring the Lake Lucerne region. I recommend a walk about the city at sunrise, then a boat trip on Lake Lucerne in the afternoon. there Too many Things to do in Lucerne in winter as the list doesn’t end.
If you have a better time, you can bring a day to visit one of the mountains in the area: Rigi, Pilatus or Titlis. Titlis is the greatest one that will have snow all year round, while the others only include snow during the winter. Things to do in Lucerne Switzerland.
1. KKL Lucerne
Start the tour from Lucerne Main Station towards KKL, the convention and culture center. It’s on the right out of the main station. This building was designed by architect Jean Nouvel with the idea of reflecting the lake water on the ceiling. The building is gorgeous and the scenery from there is amazing. Yearly, the Lucerne Festival takes residence at the KKL, renowned for showcasing the finest classical music artists on the planet in the metropolis.
It is likely to organize tours of the building, so the architectural inhabitants will appreciate this tour. More information on the official KKL.
On the method, note that there is a portal request in front of Lucerne train station. This was the ancient entrance to the station, before the renovation, which certainly evolved into a beautiful gateway to the municipality.
Restart your tour via the historic hub of Lucerne, where there are many tourists draws. First, visit the Chapel Bridge, followed by the Jesuit Church, the Franciscan Church, and the ancient Pharmacy. Then travel the Spreuerbrücke and visit the Medieval Wall and Old Town Hall. Eventually, complete my time at the Lion of Lucerne. Don’t forget to bring tons of images along the path because the lanes are attractive and pay a lot of wows!
2. Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge is extremely unusual as it is the most senior-covered wooden bridge in Europe, as well as the most aged surviving lattice bridge from antiquity! It is the chapel bridge (or in German Kapellbrücke ), built-in 1333, which has experienced several renovations while still maintaining its authentic nature. Do not travel this bridge yet, as most of the interests are on the identical side of the riverbank.
During spring and summer, the bridge is ornamented with colorful flowers, which are so attractive. It is forbidden to smoke inside the bridge, due to a blaze that occurred just because of a smoker in the 90s. At this time, it was almost all boiled down and reconstructed again for the people a year later.
3. Jesuit Church
An ornate church from the 17th century, quite elaborate and hyper-decorated, of an extraordinary standout in Switzerland. It is a Catholic church that was made to strengthen the Catholic faith in the metropolis behind the Protestant Reformation in the north. Without a doubt, it is one of the innumerous spectacular buildings in the city.
4. Franciscan Church
This is already a much more modest church than the foremost, but equally impressive. This is a 13th-century structure, which was made in the Baroque style and has numerous elaborate pulpits in the country. Banners describe the wars won by Lucerne during the Middle Ages.
5. Old Pharmacy
It’s a nearly normal drugstore – they held the ancient bottles like they used to vend medicines in the window. The result evolved into a tourist attraction. At least everyone quits taking a picture of the window, which ends up drawing clients to the traditional drugstore. It’s on Bahnhofstrasse, 21, for those who can’t locate it on the map!
6. Spreuerbrücke
Another impressive bridge, also constructed of wood. The Spreuerbrücke has in its internal several images from the 17th century, all smudged with Catholic motifs. This is because it was needed to keep the Catholic belief in the area at the beginning of the Protestant reform that impacted northern things to do in lucerne Switzerland in winter. It is likely to travel this bridge and follow the city base from there. It is also forbidden to smoke inside.
Once you travel the bridge, you’ll drop into the core of the historic interior. There are numerous old houses, multiple sprays, portraits, and skins of arms throughout the city. Just glance up to reach across some of these wonders. The shows have been a practice in the city for many years, as they tell tales of Lucerne’s families, culture, faith, and famous life.
7. Lucerne’s Medieval Wall
Lucerne also holds the medieval wall that once covered the city. This is one of the rare cities in the world that held the ancient wall almost unchanged, even after the upsurge in the 19th century. It’s cool to hike along the wall to create strategic stops at the buildings along the way. There are 9 towers in total, 4 of which are open to the people, with free access. And from up there, the view is stunning!
Among the buildings, the timing tower grabbed my attention, as it is the tower where the clock that was established in 1535 is discovered. When you enter the building you can see the clock from the inside, that is, all the technology of the time. As the watch is aging, you can see how they created clocks, with almost no help like the ones we have today. I ought to alert you that there is a lovely darn climbing to get there, but the struggle is worth it!
8. The Lion of Lucerne
Ah, the lion! Suppose you only have 1 hour to finish in Lucerne. What to do?! Go visit the lion! It is a gigantic stone sculpture, cut directly from the mountain. It’s a lion, fantastically etched out of the rock, so a truly unique statue.
Marc Twain once defined it as the most painful and most satisfying piece of stone on the planet. It’s not for less! This lion has lived in Lucerne since 1820 and is a homage to the Swiss guard who was killed during the French Revolution. These guards kept the family of King Louis XVI in Versailles (the one who was beheaded by the French, you know?).
History tells that the Swiss Guard was one of the most suitable armies in Europe, despite being created by mercenaries. Such watches were recognized for their profession and commitment, meaning they were operated by different regal homes in France, Spain, Italy to save their legacy. Over the years the guard has failed its position, but there is still some remains of the Swiss Guard in Europe. They are the ones who take consideration of the Vatican, for example
Major Mountains of Lucerne
There are several Cliffs in Lucerne, ideal to visit if you have better while in the city. I would state that if you expend at most nominal 2 daytimes in Lucerne, take one of them to see one of the city’s peaks.
Among Lucerne’s most prominent peaks, the main (and most expensive) is Mount Titlis. This is also the most distant mountain from Lucerne, although it is easy to get to. Rigi Mountain is known as the Queen of the Mountains and is 100% contained in the Swiss Travel Pass, indicating it is the most affordable. Pilatus, the Mountain of Dragons, has an impressive tree design, excellent for going with children during the summer. Yet, Stanserhorn has a super relaxed switchable cable car system to visit in the summer!
1. Mount Titlis
Titlis usually attracts tourists from all over the world interested in seeing the revolving cable car and its glacier. It is therefore the perfect mountain for skiing and other snow sports.
At the top of the mountain, there is even a very impressive design for those who like adrenaline, with a discontinued and open bridge that is scary just to look at! Here’s an awesome complete post on what to do in Titlis and how to get to the mountain from Lucerne.
2. Pilatus
Pilatus is known as the Lucerne Dragon Mountain because it is the mountain of fantastic legends, a neatly structured business to go with children. In summer, there is a toboggan run, a tree climbing structure, and a breathtaking view. In winter, lots of snow is on the course! Just going up by rope car is already quite an interest!
There are two routes to go up in Pilatus, I recommend going by cable car and down by train, with a boat journey on Lake Lucerne to finish off! Here in this position, you have more details about Mount Pilatus in Lucerne, with all the information to make a response.
3. Rigi
Rigi is one of the numerous classic mountains in Switzerland, with a very wide network of cable cars and rack-type trains. It’s the lowest peak, but it’s 100% contained in the Swiss Travel Pass, meaning it’s free! 🙂 In winter, it is also likely to finish the day at the RigiKaltbad Thermal Spa, an excellent location for those who do not like to rehearse snow sports. To learn more, here’s a full post about Rigi.
4. Stanserhorn
Stans is a much less famous mountain in the Swiss Alps, but it should obtain more engagement because it has a very special technology, with a switchable cable car. In other words, it is a beautiful place to visit in the summer, on very hot days, preferably! Here in this post, you can find more information about Stanserhorn.
What to eat in Lucerne?
If you want familiar food, order fondue! In Switzerland, the ordinary dish is cheese fondue. It is one of the things to do in Lucerne in winter. There’s even meat fondue, named fondue Chinoise, but it’s a considerably undersized favored dish. And don’t actually think about ordering chocolate fondue, they get annoyed: chocolate is for liquefying in the mouth and not in the pan. This according to them, ok, because I love chocolate fondue!
Fondue
Well, the cheese fondue is healthy. Fondue is a blend of melted cheese and white wine. It is can Then you penetrate bread or potatoes with a unique fork and dip your skewer into that softened cheese. In other terms, gobble, simply gobble!
Rösti
If you don’t like intense flavors and aromas, my advice is that you ask Rösti. It’s an amazing grated potato with melted cheese on top, one of my favorite Swiss dishes. It’s usually served as a side dish, but I’ve seen Rösti served as the main course as well.
Raclette
There is also Raclette, which is a portion of cheese that melts over potatoes, game, and pork, also extremely good. Any one of these three options will make you comprehend the popular flavors of Switzerland: yellow cheeses with potatoes, in other words, just joy! 😀 It can be some things to do in Lucerne in winter.
Cordon Bleu
But if you enjoy a little interpretation, Switzerland is also the land of Cordon Bleu, my choice! I had one that was pork-loaded with cheese (for a change). Divine!
It is one of the Things to do in Lucerne in winter
Cheeses
You can already see that cheese is a mainstay of nutrition in local cuisine, right!? Among regular Swiss cheeses, Emmental and Gruyère are recognized among the numerous popular. Great to attend a fine wine in that atmosphere of fantasy in the Alps!
Chocolate
Place the scales, because behind eating there is always chocolate for dessert.
Restaurants in Lucerne
There are several specific restaurants in the city, nearly all on the banks of the Reuss River, between the covered bridges. But I suggest the restaurant Old Swiss House, which is on the lion’s way to Lucerne and is a business that does almost all typical Swiss dishes, it’s worth it.
Where to stay in Lucerne?
If you plan to stay in Lucerne and experience Things to do in Lucerne in winter, the purpose is to examine hotels that are more prominent and close to the lake, so you can hike without owning to worry about transport. Those examining for a more reasonable hotel can stay at the Hotel des Alpes, very prominent and with a good service structure. If you want luxury, the most recommended 5-star hotels in town are the Schweizerhof and the National.
The Hotel Des Balances (4 stars) has an ideal location and impeccable assistance, with a stunning view of the River Reuss and the city’s historic structures. For me, it’s the perfect hotel, hyper comfy and cozy, perfect for honeymoon trips for those looking for something special.
Latest tips about Lucerne
Nearly everything in the city has Swiss prices, that is, nothing extremely cheap there. It’s consistently acceptable to have some food in your backpack if you’re not ready to consume a lot, as you’ll have to spend for transport and tours. You can save by buying the Swiss Travel Pass.
