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After spending five nights in Lucerne and exploring every nook and cranny, I designed the ultimate Lucerne self-guided walking tour to help you experience the best of this enchanting Swiss city. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just seeking some Instagram-worthy views, this leisurely tour takes you to 11 must-see spots, all within a day!
Why Choose This Walking Tour?
Lucerne city is the jewel of Switzerland, a perfect mix of medieval charm, Alpine beauty, and vibrant culture. Despite being compact and easily walkable, the city boasts an impressive array of landmarks and attractions. This tour allows you to explore Lucerne at your own pace—no rushing needed!
Start and finish near the train station and enjoy a loop that leads you through historical sites, picturesque bridges, and serene waterfront views. Along the way, you’ll soak in Lucerne’s magic, and by the end of the day, it will feel like you’ve unlocked the heart of this stunning city.
Table of Contents
Lucerne Self Guided Walking Tour Route
- Lucerne Railway Station
- Chapel Bridge
- St. Peter’s Chapel
- Old Town
- Jesuit Church
- Spreuer Bridge
- Musegg Wall
- Lion Monument
- Glacier Garden
- Church of St. Leodegar
- Lake Lucerne
11 Things to See on this Lucerne Self Guided Walking Tour
There are 11 stops along this walking tour route. With just one day, you can easily tour Lucerne and see everything at your own pace.
I’ve included the time it takes to walk from one stop to the next to help you gauge your time. How long you spend at each stop is up to you! There is no need to rush since Lucerne is so compact and walkable.
The tour route begins with the train station and ends at Lake Lucerne, across the street from the train station. The walking tour route is a circle of sorts, you could easily start at any point along the way and go from there.
1. Lucerne Railway Station
Lucerne Railway Station
Start your day at the Lucerne Railway Station. This bustling hub is not just a gateway to the city but also a blend of modern infrastructure and Swiss efficiency. It’s known for its distinctive façade and grand entrance.
Inside, the station features a shopping arcade with a variety of stores. You’ll find everything from Swiss souvenir shops to boutiques and convenience stores. There are also cafes and restaurants where you may want to can grab a meal or a snack before heading out.
Tip: Across from the Railway Station, be sure to notice the boat docks – that’s where your final stop of the day will be.
2. Chapel Bridge
(5 min. walk)
The Chapel Bridge, beautiful from every angle.
Head west out of the railway station to the famous Chapel Bridge. This iconic wooden bridge and tower offers splendid views of the Reuss River and the surrounding medieval architecture.
Originally built in 1333, the Chapel Bridge suffered significant damage in a fire in 1993. However, extensive restoration efforts were undertaken, and the bridge was reopened to the public in 1994.
The Chapel Bridge is named after St. Peter’s Chapel across the river and the next stop on your tour.
3. St. Peter’s Chapel
(5 min. walk)
St. Peter’s Chapel (on the left) is where the Chapel Bridge gets its name from.
Once you’ve made your way over the Chapel Bridge, you’ll be at St. Peter’s Chapel, a small white Baroque-style church. The chapel has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was originally built in the 12th century and has undergone renovations and modifications over the centuries.
The interior of St. Peter’s Chapel is notable for its medieval frescoes. The wall paintings depict scenes from the life of St. Peter, the patron saint of the chapel. These frescoes offer a glimpse into the religious and artistic practices of the time.
4. Old Town
(2 min. walk)
Frescoed buildings line the streets of Old Town.
Next, you’ll head west and wander down Kapellgasse straight through the center of Old Town. With cobblestoned streets and buildings decorated with frescoes, Old Town offers a mix of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. You could easily wander away the day here looking for that special gift to bring back home!
Old Town is also a hub for cultural events and festivals. Depending on the time of your visit, you may encounter markets, music performances, or other fun events happening.
You’ll also find the Lucerne Town Hall in this area. It’s worth a quick stop to go up to the attic to watch and feed the Rathaus doves. The Lucerne Town Hall is located between St. Peter’s Chapel and the Pfistern restaurant.
5. Jesuit Church
(3 min. walk)
Swiss fondue at Pfistern, overlooking the Jesuit Church!
After you’ve finished strolling Old Town and maybe grabbed a bite to eat, head back across the river using the bridge between the Town Hall and the Pfistern restaurant. You’ll see the Chapel Bridge on your left and the Jesuit church will be across the river, to the right.
The church was designed by Father Christoph Vogler, a Jesuit priest, and Brother Kaspar Meglinger. Meglinger is also known for his work on the triangular paintings on the Spreuer Bridge, which you’ll be crossing next. The exterior of the church is relatively simple, but the interior is richly adorned with elaborate stucco work, sculptures, and frescoes.
6. Spreuer Bridge
(5 min. walk)
Wildly fascinating scenes of death!
Continue walking along the river to the Spreuer Bridge. The bridge was built in the 16th century, between 1408 and 1409. It is made of wood and features a unique design with a steep roof, which is decorated with a series of triangular paintings.
These paintings, created by Kaspar Meglinger between 1626 and 1635, depict the Dance of Death (Totentanz). The Dance of Death is a medieval allegory on the universality of death, representing people from all walks of life, from peasants to kings, being led to their graves by skeletons. It’s a little morbid but quite fantastic to see!
7. Musegg Wall
(8 min. walk)
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Climb the towers and walk along the Musegg Wall.
After crossing the Spreuer Bridge, turn left and then go up Museggstrasse to find the Musegg Wall. The wall was built in the 14th century as part of the city’s fortifications. Lucerne was an important medieval city, and the wall served to protect it from external threats.
You can easily admire the wall and its nine towers from a distance but, if you’re able, I highly recommend that you walk along the top of the wall. You’ll also want to climb the medieval towers for outstanding panoramic views of Lucerne, the lake, and the surrounding mountains.
8. Lion Monument and Park
(13 min. walk)
The Lion Monument
Next, you’ll walk east along Museggstrasse to the dying Lion Monument, a powerful sculpture carved into a sandstone rock face. The Lion Monument is a somber and moving tribute to the Swiss Guards who were serving in the Royal Palace of Versailles. They were massacred during the French Revolution when revolutionaries stormed the palace. The monument serves as a symbol of Swiss bravery and loyalty in the face of adversity.
The Lion Monument is known for its emotional impact and has been described as one of the most moving sculptures in the world. The expression of sorrow and the symbolism of sacrifice make it a powerful and memorable piece of art.
9. Glacier Garden
(2 min. walk)
Be sure to go in the Labyrinth at Glacier Garden and try to find the peacocks!
Next to the Lion Monument is Glacier Garden. This is such a unique park featuring glacial potholes and rock formations formed during the last Ice Age, around 20,000 years ago. Glacial movements shaped the landscape, leaving behind fascinating rock formations and potholes.
There is also a Labyrinth with a mirror maze, which was surprisingly fun!
10. Church of St. Leodegar
(8 min. walk)
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Enjoy a glass of wine at the steps of the church of St. Leodegar.
After finding your way out of the mirrored maze at the Glacier Garden, find your way south towards the church of St. Leodegar. When you look at classic pictures of Lucerne, it will usually include one of two things. Either the Chapel Bridge over the Reuss River, or the city skyline along Lake Lucerne with towering twin spires reaching up to the heavens. Those spires are the church of St. Leodegar.
It is named after Saint Leodegar, a Frankish bishop and martyr and was built between 1633 and 1639 on the foundation of the Roman basilica which had burnt in 1633.
11. Lake Lucerne Boat Tour
(11 min. walk)
Like a fairy tale!
Your final stop will bring you back to the water (and across from the railway station,) for a boat tour on Lake Lucerne.
Several companies operate boat cruises on Lake Lucerne, and they vary in duration, from short 45-minute excursions to full-day trips. Services on Lake Lucerne are also seasonal, with more options available during the warmer tourist seasons.
You can book your tour ahead of time online or you can purchase your ticket from the ticket booth at the ferry docks. And if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, most of the tours will be totally free!
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While this self-guided walking tour may only scratch the surface of Lucerne’s wonders, it promises a magical experience that lingers in the memory long after the visit!
Looking for More Things to do in Lucerne?
Are you looking for more than a Lucerne self guided walking tour? Or do you have more than one day to spend in Lucerne and the Lake Lucerne region? If so, check these options out. They are some of my most memorable experiences when I visited Lucerne and make fantastic day trips!
Go Tandem Paragliding in Lucerne
Explore the Ruins of Grapplang Castle
