How Many Days in Lucerne: 1 Day, 2 Days, or 3 Days Itinerary
If you’re planning a trip to Lucerne and you’re not sure how long to stay, you’ve come to the right place.
This post will give you an idea of how many days you need to see all the attractions you’re interested in.
It includes a summary of the time required for each attraction in Lucerne and sample itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 days that you can use as a starting point.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.
Use the table of contents to skip to topics.
But before anything, I must introduce you first to Lucerne through my article explaining why Lucerne is a place worth visiting. There I got 15 reasons telling the most beautiful things and experiences you can find in Lucerne.
Before we begin, please note that this post is based on careful research from various sources that you can find at the end of this post. I have used data such as the average time spent at each attraction, the travel time, and the distances to help you plan your trip to Lucerne. However, these are only estimates and may vary depending on your preferences and pace. I have also used digital tools like Google Maps to calculate the travel time and routes between different destinations. You can access these tools by clicking on the links that I have provided. This post is a great resource for your Lucerne trip, so make sure to bookmark it or pin it to Pinterest for future reference.
Anyhow, to put an end to your curiosity about how much time you need in Lucerne, the answer is 2 days.
Two days is usually enough to cover the primary sights. However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to take things slow and really savor each experience, you might want to consider extending your trip to three days. On the other hand, if you’re short on time and only have a week to explore Switzerland, a one-day trip to Lucerne can still be a great way to get a taste of this stunning city.
For a week-long or shorter trip to Switzerland, I believe one day in Lucerne is sufficient. It would be better to spend more time in Zermatt and the Jungfrau Region. It would only be better to stay in Lucerne for 2 days if you are only traveling to Lucerne on weekends or on a 3-day trip to Switzerland (for some practical reasons).
Later, as we discuss how you can spend days in Lucerne, I’ll give you different points of view to help you further decide how long you should visit Lucerne.
Things to Do in Lucerne (with Time Needed for Each)
The way I determine how many days I will stay in a city/destination that I’m planning to visit is through the following:
- Select which places in the city I want to see.
- Know much time is needed for the points of interest to be thoroughly enjoyed/seen.
- Sum up all the time required to spend on the attractions I want to visit.
- Calculate the travel time when moving from one tourist spot to another.
For Lucerne, I found 12 points of interest you can visit or activities to do during your stay. They are listed below, and included in the discussion is the amount of time that most travelers have spent during their visit.
As early as now, you should consider seeing other places in Switzerland and budgeting your time for them. Below are the places I suggest you compare with Lucerne:
- Interlaken — is a town between two lakes and mountains. Here’s my 7-Day Interlaken Itinerary and 3-Day Interlaken Itinerary.
- Lauterbrunnen — is the heaven-on-earth valley of Switzerland. Here’s how you can spend 3 days in Lauterbrunnen.
- Grindelwald — is the town best to visit for adventures.
- Kandersteg — is the village closest to Oeschinensee (one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes).
- Zermatt — best for viewing the world’s most famous peak, the Matterhorn. Learn more: 10 best views in Zermatt.
- Gruyeres — has a medieval flair like Lucerne. Come here for its unique cheese and unlimited chocolates.
- Bern — is the capital of Switzerland. And it has a time-transporting UNESCO historic town center.
Discover more places like the beautiful villages in the Swiss Alps and cities near the Swiss Alps. Lucerne is one of the cities near the Swiss Alps. The other four are Montreux, Sion, Thun, and Brig. You can get more ideas of how you can spend time in Switzerland from my Switzerland itineraries for 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. The itinerary starts with Zurich and ends with Geneva for a 14-day Switzerland trip. Learn more about Zurich (15 reasons to visit) and Geneva (10 reasons to visit) here.
Let’s kick off the list with the Old Town Lucerne, one of the most unmissable things to do in the city.
Old Town
1 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
The heart of Lucerne, its old town, is an absolutely unmissable place to be. A stroll along its cobblestone lanes, filled with quaint houses painted with colorful Luftmalerei, should be your journey to medieval times.
Explore the old town Lucerne to see elaborated fountains dating back to the 16th century, shops selling cute authentic Swiss souvenirs, restaurants and cafes having mouth-watering menus. You can also find boutiques and stores of different international brands here!
You can follow this Google Map route to see the best parts of Lucerne Old Town. It goes through Kornmarkt, Ritterbrunnen, Hirschenplatz, and Sternenplatz – places where the most fascinating buildings are.
Strolling and wandering in Lucerne Old Town, seeing most of its charming narrow alleys and beautiful buildings, can be one of your unforgettable moments in Switzerland.
Depending on your phase or if you plan to dine or have a drink within the area, a visit to the old town of Lucerne may last 30 minutes to 1 hour. That includes picture taking too!
Chapel Bridge & Water Tower
2 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
A visit to Lucerne is incomplete without going through the city’s most iconic and most photographed landmark, Chapel Bridge & Water Tower. It’s the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge, built in the 14th century. That’s why it’s a reason to visit Lucerne.
The Chapel Bridge lies where the Reuss River and Lake Lucerne meet together. If you are from the train station, just walk north towards the lake, and after a few moments, it will be in your sight.
The bridge can be visited anytime, but it would be best to see the Chapel Bridge very early in the morning when the crowd hasn’t swarmed the bridge. A visit to the Chapel Bridge would not last longer than 30 minutes unless you want to take many photographs or chill at the cafes near the river/lake and admire the bridge from afar.
Musegg Wall & Towers
3 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Another time transporting attraction in Lucerne is its medieval wall, Musegg Wall. The wall and its 9 towers were constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries to guard Lucerne’s old town against the enemies coming from the north.
You can climb 4 of Musegg wall’s towers (Schirmerturm, Zytturm, Wachtturm, and Mannliturm) during the summer. While in the towers, you can imagine that you’re a medieval sentry overlooking the splendid views of the city and mountains and hills.
Zytturm is the one you must not miss to see among the 9 towers of Musegg Wall. It has art and the city’s oldest clock. Come inside the tower to see its mechanisms.
Musegg Wall is about 800 meters long, considered Switzerland’s one of the longest and best-preserved defensive wall. To explore Musegg Wall fully, you have to allocate 1 to 2 hours, depending on your phase.
Lion Monument
4 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Lion Monument is probably Lucerne’s most “meaningful” landmark which commemorates hundreds of Swiss soldiers killed during the French Revolution while protecting King Louis XVI. Mark Twain even said that it’s “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”
The Lion Monument is a rock relief that measures 10 meters long and 6 meters wide.
This massive sculpture stands beside a pond where you can often see its reflection. It is surrounded by serene gardens where you can hang around to relax after exploring the old town.
From the heart of Lucerne’s old town, Sternenplatz, it only takes about 10 minutes to reach the Lion Monument (See the shortest route on Google Maps). There is no admission fee for the monument. Most people have spent 30 minutes to 1 hour in the Lion Monument.
Glacier Garden
5 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
A few steps from the Lion Monument is the Glacier Garden, which is a bit of a surprise to find. Glacier Garden is a relic of the last ice age showing potholes created by glacial waterfalls.
Fossils dating back 20 million years ago can also be found on the site.
We usually see incredible works of nature similar to what we can find in the Glacier Garden in the mountains but not in the heart of a city. Nevertheless, it is a “cool” experience, especially when watching the projections of the rock formations.
The Glacier Garden in Lucerne also has a museum containing different rock specimens and a relief model of Switzerland. At the same time, this museum features Alhambra Mirror Maze, which can be enjoyable for kids and adults. Most of the visitors have spent an hour or so in Glacier Garden.
Jesuit Church
6 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Do you also love admiring beautiful architecture? Lucerne has lots of them, but if it’s the impressive interiors we’re talking about, it’s the Jesuit Church you must see! You can find it along the banks of Reuss River, between Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge.
Jesuit Church’s ornate ceiling and arches have frescoes and stuccoes to make your jaws drop. It can be surprising to focus on the first impression of its simple exteriors. Gazing at its interior made up of white marble feels like you’re inside a temple in heaven, especially if you have the Christian faith.
A visit to the Jesuit church can be quick, depending on you. 15 minutes is enough, but it can last longer if you want to take pictures, check the little details, or have a moment in silence.
Swiss Museum of Transport
7 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
The old town of Lucerne boasts many medieval, historically-rich tourist attractions, but the range of experiences in the city does not end there. Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport – it’s one of the most unique places you can find in Switzerland. The museum’s uniqueness is seen right away from its building, covered with street/traffic signboards.
The thing is, the Swiss Museum of Transport isn’t just about cars. All sorts of vehicles are inside! From carriage to industrial-age trains, bullet trains, airplanes, submarines, cars, and so on… this museum has it all, perhaps. It has a plane simulator too.
The Swiss Museum of Transport is the place best to visit in Lucerne during unpleasant weather. You must really consider visiting this museum if you have kids and teens – they’ll surely enjoy it! You should allocate at least half-day, 3 to 6 hours or more, to see everything inside.
Lake Lucerne
8 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Aside from the city attractions, Lucerne has natural attractions to offer, and they absolutely make Lucerne so much worth visiting.
We can start with its own lake, Lake Lucerne, which already looks breathtaking even on the shores. It has beaches with views of the snow-capped Swiss Alps on the backdrop.
There are three things you can do in Lake Lucerne.
- First, you can simply visit the shoreline and take photos of the relaxing view.
- Second, Go to the beach and splash or sunbathe during summer.
- Lastly, get a boat ride tour that brings you to different attractions around the lake.
The time you may need to spend in Lake Lucerne is really up to you. But, if you want to really enjoy or maximize your stay, I suggest getting a boat tour which may last for 2 to 4 hours or so. Here are some of the boat tours to give you an idea of what you can expect to see on Lake Lucerne:
Hammetschwand Elevator
9 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
One best way to oversee Lake Lucerne and everything that surrounds it?
Go to Hammetschwand Elevator. Aside from it will let you see incredible views; it offers an extraordinary experience being the highest exterior elevator in Europe and the fastest in the world!
The Hammetschwand Elevator is located Rocky mountain walls of Mt Bürgenstock, opposite the city, across Lake Lucerne. At 1,132 meters on top of the elevator, you will behold breathtaking views from Mount Rigi (east) to Mount Pilatus (west).
You can learn more about Hammetschwand Elevator from Corina’s travel blog. (see sources)
Visiting the Hammetschwand outdoor elevator will involve a boat ride, hiking, and sightseeing. You will need to allocate 3 to 5 hours (half-day) to get to the elevator and finish the hiking back and forth.
Meggenhorn Castle
10 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Meggenhorn Castle is your fairytale destination around Lake Lucerne.
Perched on a hillside of the Meggen peninsula, the castle offers unobstructed and overlooking views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps beyond. Its garden is a very romantic spot to watch the sunset.
Yes, the Meggenhorn Castle has a beautiful garden; also a museum, and a playground for kids. You are free to enter the castle’s garden as it is open to the public. See the sources at the end of this post to learn more about the Meggenhorn Castle.
Visit Meggenhorn if you want to escape the crowd. It is a 15-minute bus ride (arrive at Meggen) plus a 12-minute walk from Lucerne Train Station. It’s up to you how long you will stay, but I suggest allocating 1 to 2 hours to spend during the afternoon before sunset.
Mount Rigi
11 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
There are two mountains where you can have excursions while in Lucerne.
The first mountain is called Mount Rigi, also called the “Queen of The Mountains.” It is located north of Lucerne, a perfect day trip regardless of the season.
Mount Rigi offers stunning views and several activities not only for fun but also for wellness. 120-kilometer hiking trails and 35-kilometer ski routes await you in mount Rigi – sure, there will be a lot to explore. After the activities, you can rest in its thermal baths and spa to soothe you for whole-body relaxation.
To get to Rigi from Lucerne, you must take a 1-hour boat ride to Vitznau and a 30-minute train ride to Rigi Kulm from Vitznau. You can allocate 2 hours for exploring Rigi for a half-day trip; 4 hours for a whole-day trip.
You can check Rigi’s website on sources at the end of this post to see all the activities in the mountain.
Mount Pilatus
12 of 12 Things to do in Lucerne
Mount Pilatus is considered one of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountains.
For me, it’s the ultimate destination for a short trip to Switzerland for the stunning views, fun activities, and unique experiences found even by the time you get to the top.
Mount Pilatus is a “mystical mountain,” by the way. It has many legends, which will be a part of your overall experience in the mountain. Some say it is the burial site of a biblical figure, Pontious Pilate. Other tell dragons with healing powers lived on Mount Pilatus during medieval times.
Most importantly, here in Mount Pilatus lies the steepest cogwheel rail globally! It’s a bucket list activity you should not miss for being such an engineering marvel. Also, lots of activities await you on top, from hiking, toboggan running, scenic restaurant, cable car rides, etc.
Like Mount Rigi, a visit to Mount Pilatus requires at least half a day to enjoy. 4 to 5 hours is the minimum. I recommend conducting the visit to Mount Pilatus on another separate day (whole day) to fully enjoy and avoid feeling rushed during the trip.
Summary: How Much Time is Needed for Each Tourist Attraction in Lucerne
To make planning your trip to Lucerne easier, I’ve created a handy table below that lists all the must-see attractions and the amount of time you’ll need to explore each one.
Whether you’re staying for a day or a week, this table will help you make the most of your visit to this beautiful city.
| Things to do | Minimum time (Approximate) |
Maximum time (Approximate) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town | 30m | 1h | |
| Chapel Bridge & Water Tower | 30m | 1h | |
| Musegg Wall & Towers | 1h | 2h | |
| Lion Monument | 30m | 1h | It can be quick if you just want to see the monument. 1 hour if you plan to relax in the garden of the monument |
| Glacier Garden | 1h | 2h | |
| Jesuit Church | 15m | 30m | |
| Swiss Museum of Transport | 3h | 6h | |
| Lake Lucerne | 2h | 4h | The time required is dependent on the boat tour you join. |
| Hammetschwand Elevator | 3h | 5h | The approximate time includes 20 minutes boat ride to Bürgenstock, a 5-minute funicular, 40-minute hike. (One way) + Lunch |
| Meggenhorn Castle | 1h | 2h | Add the travel time from where you’re coming from. 25 minutes (bus + walk) one-way travel time from Lucerne Train Station |
| Mount Rigi | 5h (half day) | 8h (whole day) | Travel Time (boat > cable car > cable car > boat) included. Find the best things to do on Mount Rigi here. |
| Mount Pilatus | 4h (half day) | 8h (whole day) | Travel Time (bus > cable car > cogwheel > train) included. Find the best things to do on Mount Pilatus here. |
You can find all the boat passes/activities in Lake Lucerne here.
You can check how I estimated the time I need to visit a city in the previous section (Things to Do in Lucerne).
How to Spend Days in Lucerne (Sample 1 Day, 2 Day, 3 Day Itinerary)
If you’re planning on spending several days in Lucerne, be sure to prioritize visiting the city’s landmarks.
The reason is that the city offers unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
Once you’ve had your fill of exploring Lucerne’s Lion Monument, Musegg Wall & Towers, and Chapel Bridge & Water Tower, that’s when it’s ideal to proceed to the natural attractions surrounding Lucerne.
You know, while the mountains and lakes in Lucerne are beautiful, there are many alternatives scattered throughout Switzerland.
Let’s get into details.
Visiting Lucerne For a Day? Spend Longer!
If you’re planning to visit Lucerne, make sure to give yourself more than a day to explore.
Firstly, with just a day, you’ll only have time to see the city’s main attractions, or half of them if you choose to visit Mount Pilatus or Rigi on a half-day tour.
Moreover, trying to squeeze everything into one day might leave you feeling rushed and unable to fully appreciate each attraction.
You can find the best hotel deals in Lucerne from this link.
How to Spend 1 Day in Lucerne
There are three ways you can spend a day in Lucerne.
You can focus on the city center trip, have a mountain excursion, and mix city & nature travel. Visiting the museum can be an option, particularly during bad weather.
Here’s a sample Lucerne Itinerary focused on exploring the city center. This itinerary is probably the most budget-friendly among the rest:
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Lucerne Train Station | Arrival to Lucerne |
| 8:10 am | Chapel Bridge and Tower | Enter the bridge, emerge to Rathausquai, and stroll in Rathausteg (see the route on Maps). See the souvenir shops in Wasserturm. |
| 8:40 am | Jesuit Church | |
| 9:00 am | Old Town Lucerne | Start from Reussbrücke (bridge) to Saint Leodegar Church (see the route on Maps). |
| 10:30 am | Lion Monument | |
| 11:30 am | Lunch | There are restaurants, cafes, and fast food near the Lion Monument. |
| 1:30 pm |
Glacier Garden, then Boat Ride in Lake Lucerne or Swiss Museum of Transport |
You can find all the boat passes/activities in Lake Lucerne here. |
| 5:00 pm | Musegg Wall and Tower | Climb the tower for a spectacular sunset view! |
Are you interested in visiting the old city of Lucerne and Mount Pilatus?
Instead of exploring the Swiss Museum of Transport, Glacier Garden, and Meggenhorn Castle, you could opt for a DIY or guided tour to Mount Pilatus in the afternoon.
You can check these great offers for more convenience:
It is also possible to have a day trip directly to Mount Pilatus or Rigi from Switzerland’s major cities.
Discover more information about these day trips from the links below.
2 Days in Lucerne? Just Right.
Spending 2 days in Lucerne is perfect and possibly the best duration of stay in Lucerne, especially if you intend to explore Switzerland for a week.
During your stay, you can explore all the must-see sights in the old town and even have some leisurely time to visit Lake Lucerne or Mount Pilatus or Rigi.
In addition, you can witness the picturesque streets of Lucerne at night, making your 2-day trip unforgettable.
You can find the best hotel deals in Lucerne from this link.
How to Spend 2 Days in Lucerne
The best way to spend 2 days in Lucerne is to have one whole day in the city and another on a fun excursion.
Have fun exploring the city during the first day, stroll and shop in its narrow lanes, discover mouth-watering delicacies, etc.
Behold the stunning views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne, and have fun in the activities in the mountains for the second day.
Below is a sample itinerary that you can make as a reference for a 2-day trip to Lucerne.
Day 1 of 2-day Lucerne Itinerary
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Lucerne Train Station | Arrival at Lucerne. Drop baggage at the hotel. |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast | |
| 9:30 am | Lion Monument | |
| 10:30 am | Glacier Garden | |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:30 pm | Old Town Lucerne | Start from Saint Leodegar Church to Reussbrücke (bridge) (see the route on Maps). |
| 2:30 pm | Jesuit Church | |
| 2:45 pm | Chapel Bridge and Tower | Enter the bridge, emerge to Rathausquai, and stroll in Rathausteg (see the route on Maps). See the souvenir shops in Wasserturm. |
| 3:15 pm | Cafes and Restaurants along the Reuss River or Lake Lucerne |
Have Refreshments or 1-hour boat tour You can find all the boat passes/activities in Lake Lucerne here. |
| 5:30 pm | Musegg Wall | Climb the tower for a spectacular sunset view of the city |
Day 2 of 2-day Lucerne Itinerary
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Chapel Bridge | Watch sunrise and breakfast |
| 8:15 am | Lucerne Railway Station, Dragon Ride (Cable Car to Pilatus) | Follow the Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip. See More information at the end of this post (sources). You can find the Mount Pilatus skip-the-line tickets/tours here. |
| 9:45 am | Mount Pilatus | Sightseeing, restaurants, toboggan run, etc. |
| 3:45 pm | Pilatus Railway | Down to Alpnachstad. |
| 4:30 pm | Alpnachstad scenic boat ride | Go back to Lucerne |
The day 1 and day 2 itineraries are interchangeable if you did not make a booking for a specific day (Swiss Museum of Transport, Mount Rigi, Boat Ride, or tours to Mount Pilatus or Rigi).
It’s better not to book reservations with specific dates if you plan to see Lucerne during seasons with more unpredictable unpleasant weather.
As excursions from Lucerne need pleasant weather to enjoy the activities and the views, you may need to be more flexible with your schedule.
If the sky is clear and sunny during your first day in Lucerne, do the excursion right away! Then, do the city tour the next day.
Visiting Lucerne For Three Days? Great!
In just three days, you can experience the best of Lucerne’s tourist destinations both inside and outside the city.
Most of the must-see spots can be visited within this time frame.
If you only have one day for an excursion from Lucerne, it is strongly recommended to choose between Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi only.
You can find the best hotel deals in Lucerne from this link.
How to Spend 3 Days in Lucerne
Below is a sample itinerary that you can make as a reference for a 3-day trip to Lucerne. I prefer visiting Mount Pilatus over Mount Rigi because it is easier to see from Lucerne.
Day 1 of the 3-day itinerary to Lucerne
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Lucerne Train Station | Arrival at Lucerne. Drop bags at the hotel. |
| 8:00 am | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 am | Chapel Bridge and Tower | Enter the bridge, emerge to Rathausquai, and stroll in Rathausteg (see the route on Maps). See the souvenir shops in Wasserturm. |
| 10:30 am | Jesuit Church | |
| 10:45 am | Old Town Lucerne | Start from Reussbrücke (bridge) to Saint Leodegar Church (see the route on Maps). |
| 11:00 am | Lion Monument | |
| 12:00 am | Lunch | There are restaurants, cafes, and fast food near the Lion Monument. |
| 1:30 pm | Glacier Garden | |
| 2:30 pm | Musegg Wall | |
| 4:00 pm | Meggenhorn Castle | Watch the sunset in the garden |
Day 2 of the 3-day itinerary to Lucerne
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Chapel Bridge | Watch sunrise and breakfast |
| 8:15 am | Lucerne Railway Station, Dragon Ride (Cable Car to Pilatus) | Follow the Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip. See More information at the end of this post (sources). You can find the Mount Pilatus skip-the-line tickets/tours here. |
| 9:45 am | Mount Pilatus | Sightseeing, restaurants, toboggan run, etc. |
| 3:45 pm | Pilatus Railway | Down to Alpnachstad. |
| 4:30 pm | Alpnachstad scenic boat ride | Go back to Lucerne |
Day 3 of the 3-day itinerary to Lucerne
| Time (Estimate) |
Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Lucerne Beach | Sunrise near the lake, breakfast, stroll around, photograph the lake |
| 9:30 am | Lucerne main harbor quay | First boat ride to Bürgenstock |
| 10:00 am | Bürgenstock | Ride the Funicular and then start hiking |
| 11:30 am | Hammetschwand Elevator | Sightseeing + lunch |
| 2:00 pm | Bürgenstock | Boat ride to Lucerne |
| 3:00 pm | Swiss Museum of Transport |
You can find all the boat passes/activities in Lake Lucerne here.
Sources
- Musegg Wall: tripadvisor.com, myswitzerland.com (hour estimates)
- Lion Monument: tripadvisor.com (hour estimates)
- Glacier Garden: google.com/maps (hour estimates)
- Swiss Museum of Transport: myswitzerland.com (hour estimates)
- Hammetschwand Elevator: packedagain.com (guide), myswitzerland.com (hour estimates)
- Meggenhorn Castle: swiss-castles.com (guide)
- Rigi: rigi.ch (all you need to know)
- Mount Pilatus: fullsuitcase.com
- Mount Pilatus timetable: pilatus.ch
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