As a girl from a tropical country, I find Switzerland a breathtaking sight! With its majestic Swiss Alps, pristine lakes, charming cities, and villages, every shot is picture-perfect! I recently strolled in the Old Town of Lucerne, Switzerland for a day in the summer of 2024. Here's how it went.
At a Glance
Lucerne, Switzerland
Located in central Switzerland, Lucerne is positioned on the shores of Lake Lucene (Vierwaldstättersee) and at the foot of the impressive Swiss Alps. Since it is at the center and has convenient transportation links to other major cities, it is an excellent jump-off point for exploring different regions of Switzerland.
The city lies along the banks of the Reuss River that feeds Lake Lucerne. With charming well-preserved medieval buildings and modern structures, Lucerne is a picturesque sight. Aside from the view of the Swiss Alps, it is also surrounded by impressive peaks, including Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. Its mild climate makes it a haven for adventure and relaxation.
A Summer Day at Lucern, Switzerland
I had a layover in Zurich last August 2024. It was tempting to stay in bed because of the gloomy weather, but my Filipino colleagues persuaded me to stroll around Lucerne. I'm glad I did.
Switzerland during summer is usually pleasantly warm, ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Lucerne is a bit on the colder side because of its proximity to the Swiss Alps, ranging from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius. This for me is the perfect temperature for strolling around. I just put on an oversized sweater and off we went.
How we got there
Not taking breakfast, we left our hotel in Zurich at around 8 in the morning and went to Zurich HB to book our transit tickets to Lucerne. We were informed that the direct trip to Lucerne is currently unavailable due to an accident so we had to switch trains at Olten. Nonetheless, we reached Lucerne at 10:30 am, as scheduled.
Lucerne Alstadt (Old Town) in Switzerland
Hoping off the train, we were greeted with a lovely sight! We headed towards Chapel Bridge into Lucerne Altstadt (Old Town). This is the highlight of our trip - a walk around Old Town. It boasts well-preserved medieval structures, cobblestone streets, and a panoramic view of the nearby mountains and Lake Lucerne. Everywhere I look, it's as if I am looking at a postcard. Topped with the charmingly cool breeze, this is indeed perfect! Old Town can be explored within a few hours, making it an exemplary option for people with limited time.
Here are the highlights of our walk.
Kapellbrücke
The Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge is a famous landmark of Lucerne and a vibrant social hub for tourists and locals. It is a wooden pedestrian bridge over the Reuss River spanning 300 meters. Walking through this bridge, we couldn't help but take pictures of the scenic riverbank lined with quaint and historic structures.
At the end of the bridge lies the St. Peter's Chapel. Fun fact! This bridge was built in 1333 and was named after St. Peter's Chapel.
Here's a video of the Chapel Bridge from afar.
St. Peter's Chapel
St Peter's Chapel or Peterskapelle was built in the 12th century and is one of the city's oldest churches. Designed in Romanesque style, it is simple, elegant and serene.
There was an ongoing farmers market right in front of it. There were a lot of stalls offering pastries, sausages, cheese, etc. I wish I had extra cash (Swiss Franks) since most stalls accept cash only. I bought an ice cream cone and ate it as we strolled around.
Here's a video of the exterior of St. Peter's Chapel.
We walked around Old Town and admired these well-preserved structures and buildings. They were not only aesthetically pleasing but they were also functional. Some of them have colorful frescoes and realistic medieval statues.
We didn't have breakfast so after a bit of walking, we decided to try one of the restaurants along the riverbank. We tried one that offered local food.
Wirsthaus Taube
This traditional tavern had a rustic feel to it. Although the interior was lovely, we opted for the elegant riverside. We ordered the following.
Original Lozärner Chögalipaschtetli (left) is Lucerne's puff pastry served with veal, rice, and some vegetables.
Panierts Reise-Schnetzu (center) is pork schnitzel with a side of fries.
Chapubrogg Rosti (right) is Lucerne's rosti (fried shredded potatoes formed into patties) topped with bacon, cheese, tomato, chive, and egg.
They all tasted amazing, especially since we're famished. My favorite was the rosti. That fried shredded potato patty was so good. It's reminiscent of hashbrown with a softer center. Its toppings sealed the deal!
Mannliturm and the Museggmauer
Resting for a few minutes, we resumed our walk and reached Mannliturm (Little Man Tower). Mannliturm is a watch tower strategically positioned at the eastern end of the Museggmauer (Musegg Wall).
View of Museggmauer from Mannliturm Museggmauer refers to the well-preserved ramparts and towers that served as fortifications surrounding the old town. To strengthen the city's defenses during the Middle Ages, the wall was built in the late 14th century. Nowadays, it is a tourist favorite and a symbol of the city's history, resilience and identity.
The tower was approximately 30 meters high and nope, we did not plan on climbing upstairs to get to the observation deck. We saw some people entering the structure. Curious, we took a peek at the interior. But this led us straight to an elliptical staircase. And the steps get narrower as you go higher. But Boy! The view was breathtaking! We got a stunning bird's eye view of Lucern City and its lake. Here are some of the pictures I took when we reached the lookout.
Löwendenkmal
Löwendenkmal (The Lion Monument) Before heading back, we quickly stopped by Löwendenkmal (The Lion Monument). It was inaugurated in 1821 as a tribute to the killed Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Since it is located in a small park, it is fairly accessible to tourists. It's a good thing we managed to get decent videos and pictures 'cause it's just packed!
We also bought our gelato from Amorino and enjoyed them as we walked towards the train station. Here's a photo of it. It looks like a flower. So cute!
Here's my Lucerne in summer 2024 walking tour video.
Other things to do in Lucerne
Aside from exploring the Old Town, here are other things that you can do in this quaint city.
Take a relaxing boat cruise on the stunning Lucern Lake or opt for active excursions like paddle boating.
Take the cogwheel train or cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus for breathtaking panoramic views. There are hiking trails and restaurants at the top.
If you're into museums, you can explore the Swiss Museum of Transport dedicated to all forms of transport, including trains, planes, and automobiles.
Discover Swiss art at Kunstmuseum ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary works.
Catch local festivals, concerts, or cultural events, depending on your visit.
There are a lot of activities to do in Lucerne. But as for our gang, we had to be back to Zurich before our wake-up call. The train ride was a feast for the eyes. Lucern is indeed a quaint and aesthetic city. I'm so in love with it and I know you'll do too!
Here's a bonus photo of the Alps from the aircraft! Hope you like it... see you on my next blog!
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