1. Do the Goldene Rundfahrt Tour
Mount Pilatus is a major peak situated to the south of Lucerne and stands at a staggering height of 2,128 metres above sea level! If you are in Lucerne for the summers, you must definitely do the Goldene Rundfahrt or the Golden Tour.
For the tour, you start on a paddle steamer from Lucerne and then take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the mountain. The summit is then accessed by the ‘Dragon Ride’ aerial cableway and once you have enjoyed your days amidst mesmerizing views, you can come down on a gondola cableway.
Location: Mount Pilatus
Price: Starting from 103 CHF or 7,500
Timings: May to October (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
2. Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport
The Swiss Museum of Transport has made its place in the top things to do in Lucerne as it is not just a display of Switzerland’s best transportation but is much more than that! The museum is home to Switzerland’s first IMAX theatre, a planetarium, a 1:20,0000 scale photo of Switzerland taken from space and Swiss Chocolate Adventures.
On the transport front, you can expect to encounter one of the country’s earliest trains, cars and aircraft at the museum.
Location: Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: 26 CHF or Rs. 1,900
Timings: Daily; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
3. Walk on the Chapel Bridge
The Chapel Bridge is not only the oldest monument of Lucerne but also the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge! The bridge stands on the Reuss river and connects the edges by running diagonally for 200 metres.
The covered wooden bridge dates back to the 14th century and has several portraits on its roof that date back to the 17th century. There are only about 30 paintings that remain after the bridge caught fire in 1993, leading to heavy destruction.
Walking on the bridge is one of the most popular things to do in Lucerne and you can visit a souvenir shop in the basement to buy memorabilia!
Location: Kapellbrücke, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: Free
4. Visit the Glacier Garden
If you are looking for things off the beaten track, then visiting the Glacier Garden is definitely amongst the top 10 things to do in Lucerne. Glacier Gardens have been made at a natural site which was discovered back in 1872.
The highlights of the place include a group of potholes that were created during the last ice age, some 20,000 years ago. What makes the place even more interesting are the fossils of shellfish and palm fronds found in the area which date back some 20 million years.
This place is believed to be the shore of a subtropical sea that existed millions of years ago. When here, you can also climb the observation tower to enjoy uninterrupted views of Lucerne and the surrounding peaks.
Location: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: 15 CHF or Rs. 1,100
Timings: Daily; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
5. Dine on Lucerne Lake
Lucerne Lake is the fourth largest lake in the country and stretches on for miles! You can choose to ride a boat, ferry or steamer and enjoy your day cruising. Depending on the cruise you go for, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset on the waters along with dinner or choose to have breakfast or lunch as you sail.
Location: Lake Lucerne
6. Walk around the Old Town
The Old Town of Lucerne is a vibrant place where you will find something to do at practically any time in the day! The town is situated between the river and the city walls that stand intact to this day! You can spend your day walking past gorgeous buildings, visiting historic monuments and walking on scores of old bridges!
You can always take a break from site-seeing by spending your time sipping on excellent Swiss coffee, relishing exquisite fondues or enjoying sit-down meals! The place is packed with some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants.
Location: Old Town, Lucerne
Click Here to Book: Walking Tour to Chapel Bridge & Old Town in Lucerne
7. Get Clicked against the Lion Monument
The Lion Monument is a fascinating site and a visit to the monument is a must thing-to-do in Lucerne. The monument shows a wounded lion that has been carved entirely out of a stone that forms the side of a cliff.
The lion commemorates all the Swiss soldiers that were wounded or martyred during the French Revolution. Beneath the lion, you can see the names of all the soldiers that participated in the war. The list includes names of the 760 killed and 350 wounded soldiers.
Location: Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: Free
Timings: Open all-day
8. Spend time at Bourbaki-Panorama
The list of things to do in Lucerne is incomplete without the mention of the Bourbaki museum of art. At this museum, you can learn more about the history of the German-French war of 1870 through one of the oldest mediums found in human history, panorama.
The museum is home to 112 metres by 10 metres large painting which depicts the different aspects of the war. You can spend time admiring the art form and educating yourself more about the history of the place.
Location: Löwenpl. 11, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: 12 CHF or Rs. 877
Timings: Daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9. Attend a Concert at KKL
If you want to check out the local music and art scene when in Lucerne, there is no better place to go, than KKL. KKL or the Lucerne Culture and Congress Center is a large hall which has the city's concert hall, convention centre, art museum and a handful of restaurants.
The place is almost always hosting a gig or a concert and is filled with a youthful crowd. So, if you happen to be here during a performance, try not to miss it! Apart from the vibrant music scene, KKL also impresses with its contemporary architecture; therefore, if you are an architecture enthusiast, you must visit the place at least once!
Location: Europaplatz 1, 6005 Luzern, Switzerland
Price: Depends on the concert
Timings: Depends on the concert