4 Best Things to Do to Explore City of Luzern: An Unforgettable One Day Itinerary
Visiting An Iconic Bridge
In 2020, our travel adventures got cancelled because of closed borders. We were forced to spend more time exploring Switzerland. Hence, we picked one day to explore the City of Luzern. We drove to Luzern, parked our car at a public parking garage, and started our adventure using our two very underused feet during 2020, all thanks to Covid.
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Arriving in Luzern
- Via Train or Bus: Take a direct train to Lucerne from major Swiss hubs. Check schedules and book your ticket via Busbud here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Zurich Airport and take a direct train to Lucerne to explore the city. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Switzerland
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
1. Relax by the Beautiful Lake Luzern
Every adventure in Switzerland starts either at a lake or a mountain. We started our exploration of Luzern by walking to Lake Luzern and enjoying the beautiful blue water.
We figured we needed some more closeness to the water and rented a pedal boat. We went around the lake on our boat and had a blast since the weather was nice and sunny. We spent 90 minutes pedalling and enjoying the beautiful view of the lake, the city, and the mountains.
2. Admire the Architecture of Hofkirche St. Leodegar
Our next stop was the stunning Hofkirche St. Leodegar, a Catholic Church in Luzern. It had great architecture and stood out due to its tall spires. We did not go inside the church, but we spent some time admiring the architecture from the outside.
3. Visit the Historic Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument)
Löwendenkmal, or the Lion Monument, is a very famous icon of Luzern. It is featured on a lot of Luzern postcards.
The monument was built to honour the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. The monument was carved into a natural rock and has a water body in front of it. The carving is extremely precise and is a perfect art piece. It was very crowded, but it was totally worth visiting.
4. Walk Across the Iconic Chapel Bridge
From the Lion Monument, we took a long and slow walk to the Chapel Bridge, with a few detours here and there to enjoy the vibe of the city.
The Chapel Bridge is a timber bridge and is considered Europe’s oldest covered bridge. It is a real piece of art and mastery. It is extremely beautiful and sturdy, and it provides stunning views of the River Reuss and the City of Luzern. The bridge is another one of the icons of Luzern.
Final Remarks
There is a lot one can do at Luzern. However, if you are looking for some laid-back and affordable activities to do on a sunny day, this is definitely the checklist to follow.
Found our exploration of Luzern useful? We’d be happy to build a personalized itinerary just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do you need to explore the City of Luzern?
You can see the main highlights of the city center, such as the Chapel Bridge, Lake Luzern, and the Lion Monument, in one full day.
Is Luzern walkable?
Yes, Luzern is an extremely walkable city. Most of the major historic landmarks and lakeside attractions are located close to each other.
What is the best way to get around Luzern?
Walking is perfect for the city center. For longer trips or to visit nearby mountains, the Swiss public transport system is excellent.
