One day in Lucerne

Day by day

1. Day 1: Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) and Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town

   Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town, Musegg Wall and towers and Spreuer Bridge, then KKL Luzern and Kunstmuseum Luzern in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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. Allow 20–30 minutes.

   2. Late morning

      Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town

      Look up: the most elaborate frescoes are on the upper floors around Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz. Allow 1–2 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lucerne vol-au-vent

      Traditional restaurants in the old town and guildhall-style dining rooms; look for 'Pastetli' on the menu.

   4. Afternoon

      Musegg Wall and towers

      Enter at the eastern end near the Wacht Tower and walk west, finishing near the Spreuer Bridge. Allow 1 hour.

   5. Late afternoon

      Spreuer Bridge

      It is far quieter than the Kapellbrücke, so take your time with the paintings. Allow 15–20 minutes.

   6. Evening

      KKL Luzern and Kunstmuseum Luzern

      Even without a ticket, walk under the roof at the water's edge for a view of the old town across the bay.

If it rains

• Swap in Swiss Museum of Transport (Lido): Arrive by lake steamer from the station piers to turn the journey into part of the outing.
• Swap in Jesuit Church (Old Town): Visit outside service times and step onto the riverside terrace outside for a view back across to the old town.
• Swap in Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche) (Hof): It is a five-minute walk from the Lion Monument, so link the two on the way back to the lake.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 4–6 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.5 hours in December to 15.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Walking. Walking is the easiest way to see the centre; the lakeside promenade continues to the Museum of Transport and Tribschen in about 25 minutes.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Lucerne
• 3 days in Lucerne

Questions travellers ask