Free things to do · Lucerne · Switzerland
8 free things to do in Lucerne
Lucerne without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Liridon, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Lucerne without paying an entry fee: Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Lion Monument, Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town and Musegg Wall and towers are all free. Compare a Swiss Half Fare Card with a Swiss Travel Pass before buying mountain tickets; either can cut excursion costs substantially.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January, March and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Old Town
1.Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)
Walk it early in the morning, then view it from the Rathausquai or the Seebrücke to get the bridge and the Water Tower in one frame.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
Landmark · Wesemlin
2.Lion Monument
Combine it with the Glacier Garden and the Bourbaki Panorama, both within a few minutes' walk.
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
- Art
Neighbourhood · Old Town
3.Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town
Look up: the most elaborate frescoes are on the upper floors around Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Historic site · Old Town
4.Musegg Wall and towers
Enter at the eastern end near the Wacht Tower and walk west, finishing near the Spreuer Bridge.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Active
- Kids
Landmark · Old Town
5.Spreuer Bridge
It is far quieter than the Kapellbrücke, so take your time with the paintings.
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Old Town
6.Jesuit Church
Visit outside service times and step onto the riverside terrace outside for a view back across to the old town.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · Hof
7.Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)
It is a five-minute walk from the Lion Monument, so link the two on the way back to the lake.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Tribschen
8.Ufschötti and lake swimming
Lake water is usually warm enough for swimming from about late June to early September.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town, Musegg Wall and towers, Spreuer Bridge and Jesuit Church | 20–30 minutes + 1–2 hours + 1 hour + 15–20 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Wesemlin | Lion Monument | 15–20 minutes |
| Hof | Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche) | 30 minutes |
| Tribschen | Ufschötti and lake swimming | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Tribschen
Richard Wagner Museum, Tribschen
Bring a picnic for the meadow in front of the villa, one of the calmest spots on the lakeshore.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Bruch
Gütsch viewpoint and funicular
Ride up and walk back down the forest path at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Old Town
Natur-Museum Luzern
Pair it with the neighbouring Historical Museum if older children want more.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
More ways to save
- Compare a Swiss Half Fare Card with a Swiss Travel Pass before buying mountain tickets; either can cut excursion costs substantially.
- Eat a hot lunch menu and keep dinner simple, or picnic from Coop and Migros by the lake.
- Refill a water bottle at the city's public fountains, most of which carry drinkable spring water.
- Many sights in town are free: both covered bridges, the Lion Monument, the Musegg towers and the churches.
- Ride scheduled boats rather than dedicated cruises; the scenery is the same and passes often cover them.
- Hotel prices drop noticeably from November to March, outside Christmas and Fasnacht.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lucerne expensive to visit?
Lucerne is very expensive for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Lucerne?
Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge): Walk it early in the morning, then view it from the Rathausquai or the Seebrücke to get the bridge and the Water Tower in one frame.