Chapel Bridge is about 650 years old and was originally part of Lucerne’s city fortifications. A series of paintings adorns the bridge, and the Water Tower stands in its middle. You can trace the city’s history further at the Musegg Wall: the fortification, around 800 metres long, was built around 1400 after the Battle of Sempach and is considered one of Switzerland’s best-preserved and longest defensive walls. Männli Tower is open to the public; check seasonal visiting conditions before your visit.

City history and music

Music also shapes the cultural offering. The international Lucerne Festival for classical music was founded in 1938. Its main annual edition takes place in summer, from mid-August to mid-September, and features around 100 concerts and related events. Dates and programme vary. Shorter festivals in spring and autumn complement the programme; Lucerne Festival Forward in November is dedicated to contemporary music. If you would like to plan your trip around concerts, check the latest event dates.

The Swiss Museum of Transport combines interactive exhibitions on means of transport and energy with topics such as aviation and space travel, road and rail transport, shipping, cableways and tourism. The Swiss Chocolate Adventure offers a different kind of discovery: the approximately 20-minute ride takes you through the discovery, origins, production and transport of chocolate, appealing to your eyes, ears and palate. In Lucerne, city history and music sit alongside exhibitions that put technology and chocolate centre stage.

Lakes, castles and trails

The Lucerne countryside region is divided into four areas: Seetal, Lake Sempach, the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch and Willisau. Lake Hallwil and Lake Baldegg shape the landscape in Seetal. The hills offer panoramic views of the Central Swiss Alps; well-developed hiking and cycling trails connect the lakes with Heidegg, Hallwyl and Lenzburg castles.

Heidegg Castle in Gelfingen is one of the important country estates of Lucerne’s patrician families. The estate includes vineyards, the Tobelweg trail, a chestnut avenue and a rose garden on the Baroque terrace. A visit includes animated stories in the tower cellar, which is more than 800 years old, and the “Heidegg Home Story” in the historic living rooms. The S9 runs from Lucerne or Lenzburg to Gelfingen; check the timetable before your visit.

You can also experience the landscape around Lake Sempach on the Sempachersee-Moosweg trail. The 8-kilometre route runs from Sursee to Nottwil past meadows and fields and along the lake; it takes two hours. The Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach offers a different perspective on the nature along the shore. Its visitor attractions include an interactive exhibition, a bird cinema, a mechanical theatre about birdsong and a nature garden on Lake Sempach.

Moorlands and traditional crafts in Entlebuch

The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch covers more than 400 square kilometres of moors, mountain landscapes and herb meadows. It stands for sustainable development and rich biodiversity. Hiking options range from short circular walks for families to multi-day hikes through moorlands. One specific circular route is the easy, 14.07-kilometre Moorpfad Mettilimoos themed trail, which passes through impressive raised bogs and flower-rich fens.

The Köhlerweg Romoos offers a different landscape experience: it leads through the Goldbach gorge, past steep Nagelfluh cliffs and waterfalls. Information boards tell you about charcoal burning, gold prospectors and natural phenomena in the region. On the trail between Romoos and Bramboden, you may be lucky enough to see charcoal burners at work. The route therefore combines nature watching with insights into a traditional craft.

Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne

Mount Pilatus adds an alpine touch. Pilatus Kulm sits at 2,132 metres above sea level and can be reached by the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. The Pilatus cogwheel railway runs from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm, takes around 30 minutes and tackles gradients of up to 48 per cent. It operates seasonally. Mount Pilatus has well-marked hiking trails, from panoramic paths and family-friendly routes to challenging summit hikes. Seasonal conditions affect access; check them before setting out on a hike. At Pilatus Kulm, the interactive Dragon World, centred on the legendary Pilatus dragons, adds to the attractions.

The fjord-like arms of Lake Lucerne also offer a range of activities: sailing, kayaking, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips. These bring together lake scenery, inland navigation and historic sites along the shore. Some services are seasonal, and timetables vary. If you would like to explore the region by water, check the latest timetable.

A speciality from Willisau

Willisauer Ringli are ring-shaped biscuits with a notably hard texture and a distinctive lemon-and-honey flavour. Café Amrein Chocolatier, the original home of Willisauer Ringli, offers guided tours of the production process with tastings. Tours about the product’s history are also available. Ask about times and booking options in advance, as bookings and opening hours may vary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lucerne, Hochdorf, Sursee, Willisau, Entlebuch, Glarus, Neuchâtel, Zurich.

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