Lucerne is the entry to central Switzerland which is surrounded by mountainous panorama. It has souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside and the nearby mountains of Pilatus. The town is a tourist attraction for many travel groups and also individuals. For a start, you can take an incredible ride up to Mount Titlis in a revolving cable car or enjoy an awesome visit to the Ice Grotto. Alternatively, go on a day tour to Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps from Lucerne. Furthermore, you can also try a one-hour cruise on Panoramic Yacht at Lucerne and take a leisurely stroll across the Chapel Bridge which crosses the River Reuss. It is crafted out of wood and contains many paintings.
See the Lion Monument and Swiss Museum of Transport. Worship at the Church of St. Leodegar.
1. Admire the city's architectural details - contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
Lucerne, the city of military mercenaries, has bridges with paintings, painted houses, and, of course, mountains. What is so attractive about the most beautiful city in the country? It has the oldest wooden covered bridges in Europe (also with original paintings from the 16th to 17th centuries) and the most touching monument in the world (the Lion Monument).
Its historical architectural details are also visible across the city and tell stories from the distant past. For example, one house in the center is decorated with frescoes. Stunning views of the surrounding area can also be found from the fortress wall - one of the few preserved in the country.
Of course, Lucerne also has the most beautiful views of the mountains and lake.
2. Try fondue in The Bakers' Guild House building - contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
The Bakers’ Guild House is one of Lucerne’s painted houses, for which the most beautiful city in Switzerland is famous. By the way, there is a restaurant in it where you can taste the “correct” fondue with a view of one of the symbols of central Switzerland—Mount Pilatus. I highly recommend taking a ride there and at the same time burning off a high-calorie dish.
3. Visit the Jesuit Church of Lucerne - contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
The Jesuit Church of Lucerne is a symbol of Counter-Reform. Unlike Zurich, Lucerne is a deeply Catholic canton. It’s Catholic because there were good money reasons for this. This church was the first in the country built in the Baroque style and is one of the vestments of the patron saint of Switzerland, St. Niklaus from Flue, is here.
Jesuit Church of Lucerne
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 11A, 6003 Luzern, Switzerland
Website: Jesuit Church of Lucerne
Opening hours: Tue - Wed; Fri - Sun: 6:30am - 6:30pm; Mon & Thu: 9:30am - 6:30pm
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4. Take in the sculptures at Promenade Luzern - contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
After relishing the fresh lake air and calming water views, take some time to admire the wonderful sculptures created by Julian Voss-Andreae. The unique art creates an optical illusion sure to amaze you. The sculptures were recently moved from Bürgenstock to the beautiful promenade of Lucerne!
Promenade Luzern
Address: Kurpl., 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
Opening hours: Open 24 hours (daily)
5. Take an incredible ride up Mount Titlis on a revolving cable car
Mount Titlis is part of the Uri Alps which is located between the cantons of Obwalden and Berne in Switzerland. It is accessible by a revolving cable car to give you a 360 degrees of awesome panoramic view of the mountains and snow during winter. The Titlis Rotair revolving gondola or cable car transports you swiftly to the mountain station, where you can rest, walk around and experience snow firsthand. It is touted to be the world’s first revolving cable car!
Mount Titlis is at 3,020 meters or 9,910 feet above sea level. Up at the peak there is only one season which is winter, due to its high altitude.
Mount Titlis
Address: Titlis, 6390 Gadmen, Switzerland
Website: Mount Titlis
6. Enjoy an awesome visit to the Ice Grotto
The Ice Grotto is like an ice cave where one is surrounded completely by ice. It is like going inside a freezer and the frigid coldness may make you shiver. So come with thick layers of clothing, ear muffs, long scarves, leather gloves and winter boots. Also, don’t forget to wear long underwear beneath your denims as the freezing coldness can even penetrate the thick denims material. As a girl guide, you will learn the motto: Be prepared!
Ice Grotto of Mount Titlis
Address: Titlis, 6390 Gadmen, Switzerland
Website: Ice Grotto
7. Go on a day tour to Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps from Lucerne
The Jungfrau, also known as “maiden” or “virgin,” is at 4,158 metres (13,642 ft) above sea level. It is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps in Central Switzerland. It is one of the most distinctive sights of the Swiss Alps and it is affectionately known as the ‘Top of Europe.’ The Jungfrau is the westernmost and also the highest point of a huge 10 kilometer wall dominating the valleys of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
Jungfraujoch
Address: Jungfraujoch, 3823 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Website: Jungfraujoch
Tip from tour guide
A trip to Jungfraujoch will be the highlight of any trip to Switzerland! From Lucerne, take a panoramic train along lakes, mountains, and passes. There's also a cable car so you can admire the views from above. Next, take a train along the highest mountain railway in Europe to an altitude of 3,400 m (11,154.86 ft) cut into the rock more than 100 years ago!
On the top, you can easily spend four hours, especially if you stop by for a cup of coffee at the shelter (a walk along the glaciers with dizzying views will take about 45 minutes one way!) Go down by train overlooking the valley of waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen.
8. Try 1-Hour Cruise on Panoramic Yacht at Lucerne
Panorama Yatch MS Saphir is a luxury yacht for everyone. Rejuvenate your senses and take in the first class comfort of their cutting edge ship MS Saphir with all the facilities provided for your enjoyment and comfort. There is the convertible roof on the upper deck and the aqua terrace on the main deck.
Panorama Yatch MS Saphir
Address: Bay of Lucerne, Switzerland
Website: Panorama Yatch MS Saphir
9. Take a leisurely stroll across Chapel Bridge
Tourists can take a leisurely stroll across the Chapel Bridge which crosses the River Reuss. It is crafted out of wood and contains many paintings. Art lovers should not miss this walk across the Chapel Bridge and Christian art. The nearby Old Town boasts a town hall which dates back to the Late Renaissance. There is also a Jesuit church, Switzerland’s oldest Baroque church, nearby.
Chapel Bridge
Address: Kapellbrücke, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Website: Chapel Bridge
10. See the Lion Monument
The Lucerne Lion Monument is a giant dying lion carved out of a wall of sandstone rock. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution. It is a well known historical work of art and a gigantic piece that is admired by the world over. The Lucerne Lion Monument has become a tourist attraction that is popular with its rich history and meaning. People come from afar to visit this amazing place and stone sculpture of a dying lion with historical significance.
Lucerne Lion Monument
Address: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Website: Lucerne Lion Monument
Tip from tour guide
Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti. So everyone can understand: "The loyalty and courage of the Swiss Guard." Over 300 years, that’s more than 500,000 mercenaries, 60% of whom never returned home.
The most important consequence of the victory at Marignano was the “perpetual peace” concluded between the king of France and the Swiss confederation in Friborg (November 29, 1516). Under its terms, the Swiss renounced encroachments on Milan (in exchange for monetary compensation) and entered into an alliance with France.
The Treaty of Friborg laid the foundations for the Swiss policy of neutrality, ending all attempts at confederate aggression to the west and south.
Mark Twain called the Lion of Lucerne the most moving monument in the world.
11. Visit Swiss Museum of Transport
Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport to have a feel of mobility by road, rail, water, air and also outer space - from yesteryear to the future. Technical innovations allow us to be mobile and change our lives for the better. It also promotes economic prosperity as cities are connected to each other for easier communication by vehicles, train, plane and boat. Businessmen can then transport goods, materials and construct more buildings and develop the rural areas further. And satellite cities are formed.
Swiss Museum of Transport
Address: Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
Website: Swiss Museum of Transport
Tip from tour guide
About a 20-minute walk from the city center in the direction of Riga, you'll find the Swiss Transport Museum. The experiences are numerous, and you'll see joyful children on your visit. Nearby, there is a museum - the Hans Enri Foundation, which opened under the artist's leadership and funds in 1976 in honor of his 70th anniversary.
12. Worship at Church of St. Leodegar
Catholics can worship at Church of St. Leodegar and do penance, where a worshiper confesses sins to a priest and is given absolution. Others can admire the intricately stained glass designs when the light shines in. It is a holy place and fellow Catholics come from different countries to worship God and honor the Saint.
Church of St. Leodegar
Address: St. Leodegarstrasse 6, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
Website: Church of St. Leodegar
Amazing Lucerne
Lucerne is a beautiful place in central Switzerland that you should not miss. It has all the tourist attractions and many souvenir shops to buy mementos to bring back from your trip to Switzerland. With the famous Mount Titlis in a revolving cable car, Ice Grotto, Swiss Alps, Panoramic Yatch, Chapel Bridge, Swiss Museum of Transport, Church of St. Leodegar and the Lion Monument, one will find so many interesting places to visit. One day is not enough to cover all the places and admire the beauty of them all. Just come here and experience them to widen your knowledge and see the local culture, foods and weather.
Tip from tour guide
Lucerne is also one of the best places to celebrate August 1, or Swiss National Day. On the eve of the anniversary of the signing of the document that laid the foundation for the history of modern Switzerland, Lucerne celebrates until 1am! On August 1, check out the celebrations that will take place in Rütli meadow.
Indulge in some sinful chocolate at Max Chocolatier Boutique Luzern
Contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
Cocoa became widely known in Switzerland in the 17th century, although it was brought to Europe a century earlier. At first, chocolate was used as a medicine or a bitter drink that was supposed to have an aphrodisiac effect. A lot has changed since then!
If you’re a chocolate lover visiting Lucerne, I suggest you visit Max Chocolatier Boutique Luzern, where four chocolatiers hand-make the most delicious chocolates every day. They only have two boutiques, one in Zurich and another in Lucerne, and finding them on your own is quite difficult. Well, at least, you need to know what to look for!
Once you reach the workshop, within two hours, you will learn to create your own masterpieces, listen to stories about the history of chocolate, and at the end of the experience - appreciate their taste! I’m sure it will be an experience you’ll never forget!
History
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