5 Things to See in Lucerne in One Day

This beautiful Swiss city is located on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the snowy Alps and attracts many tourists every year. Its streets and buildings still preserve the imposing medieval architecture, making Lucerne a walkable city and one of the best Swiss cities to explore on foot. You can also get to know it from the lake by cruise.

Lucerne has many interesting attractions, so it can be challenging to decide what to see if you are staying for a short time. Here are our top five suggestions. 


Take a Walk on the Chapel Bridge


Lucerne is famous for its wooden bridges. The most famous bridge in the city, the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), was built during the 12th century as part of the city's fortifications and stretches across the Reuss River.


During the 1990s, the ship burned under it, destroying much of its structure. Today, after reconstruction, it represents the city's favorite tourist attraction.


Inside the bridge's structure, there are pictures that tell the story of the city's history, and this beautiful building is decorated with many colorful flowers. The swans on the river make the experience of walking over the bridge special, especially if you watch the sunset from here. Photos from this bridge are sure to be among your favorite travel memories.



Visit Old Town 


If you only have a day in Lucerne, we recommend visiting the old town. This part of the city is surrounded by medieval walls and is located on the banks of the Reuss River. UNESCO has declared it a cultural heritage. It is decorated with long streets and wooden houses and is surrounded by beautiful squares.


In the old part of the city, there is also a medieval market known for its clock tower. One of the oldest and the town's most famous squares is the Kornmarkt, decorated with a stone fountain. While walking through its streets, you will come across many lovely cafes and restaurants where you can take a break and relax with some of your favorite drinks.



Go On a Lake Lucerne Cruise


After you get to know the city and the lake by walking, you might want to see them from the water. There are various lake cruise options on offer. We recommend a one-hour panoramic yacht cruise if you are only staying in the city for 24 hours. This is the perfect way to admire the city's panorama and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, famous attractions, and monuments.


Around the lake, you can visit some interesting attractions such as Meggenhorn Castle and Rütli, a mountain meadow. Boat tours usually include an audio guide in several languages.


Visit the Rosengart Collection Museum


Lucerne has many museums, and one of the most interesting is certainly the Sammlung Rosengart. This museum contains paintings by Pablo Picasso as well as works by many other artists of the Impressionist and Modernist periods. It was founded in 2002 and is in the former Swiss National Bank building, built in 1923-1924 by the Zurich architect Hermann Herter.