Best Things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland

Best Things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland

Destinations, Europe

Best Things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland

The Top sights to see & chocolates to eat!

Most well-known for its wooden bridge over the Reuss River, turreted buildings and a colorful Aldstadt (old town), Lucerne is like a childhood storybook come to life. If you are visiting Northern Switzerland, or basing your trip in Zurich, then Lucerne is a must see. With just a quick train ride from Zurich, you can hop off to explore this popular take off to the Swiss Alps.

Upon exiting the train station, historic Lucerne is a quick five-minute walk away. In fact, the town is visible from the train station and is a perfect example of preserved history meeting updated 21st century livelihood, all settled gently on the shores of Lake Lucerne. This contrast will have you scurrying toward the famed Kapellbrücke to immerse yourself in the old-world charm.

[We walked around Lucerne in half a day, had lunch then proceeded up to the top of Mt. Pilatus.]

Here are the best things to do in

Lucerne, Switzerland:

Kapellbrücke (Wooden Bridge)

The Kapellbrücke is famous not only for its picturesque setting but also for its archway paintings dating back to the 17th century. Uniquely Kapellbrücke has maintained its damaged areas from a 1993 fire, which destroyed many of the paintings. The charred wooden sections have their own history to them giving visitors an opportunity to cherish what has been able to be preserved. Known as the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, Kapellbrücke is what lures visitors to Lucerne.

Jesuit Church Lucerne

If you’ve visited elaborately decorated Italian churches than many of the churches in Switzerland will appear lackluster in comparison. However, this Jesuit church is quite beautiful. A light interior glittered with blush pink and gold accents, this was the first baroque* style church built north of the Alps in Switzerland.

Musegg Wall & Towers

A quick walk towards the back of town and you’ll find the Musegg wall. Built in the late 14th century, this rampant wall is still very well maintained with three easily accessible towers to climb up. Enjoy the bright blue views of Lake Lucerne, and don’t miss the city clock that chimes one minute before the rest of the towns clocks.

Walk around Aldstadt

Like Zurich’s Aldstadt area, Lucerne’s’ old town will have you wandering through winding streets and hidden shops.

Lunch on the Ruess River

There are a handful of restaurants on the Reuss river, and while I believe that places to eat in high tourist areas can be traps and/or have bleh food, many of these places had better reviews than places further in the town. We ate at Rathaus Brauerei, which is a small brewery. If you go there be sure to try whatever their seasonal brew is. In the words of Donna from Parks & Rec, ‘treat yo’ self’ to a traditional Swiss lunch while enjoying the Kapellbrücke views.

Lion Shrine

One of the world’s most famous monuments, the Lion Shrine is dedicated to the Swiss mercenaries who were massacred during the French Revolution. Mark Twain is quoted having said that this shrine is “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”. Let that sink in. I’m always in awe of sculptures and the Lion Shrine of Lucerne captures agony and pain admirably.

So, why was this French Revolution monument built in Lucerne, Switzerland? One of the Swiss mercenary guards was on leave in Lucerne during the time of the revolution and raised funds to construct a monument memorializing his fellow guards.

*Please keep in mind this is a monument and a place to be respected. I wouldn’t recommend taking group photos or posing with a selfie stick here.

Mount Pilatus

If a clear day with blue skies, visit Mount Pilatus where its legendary curative dragon once dwelled is an exciting way to crawl up into the Swiss mountains. Details on visiting Mount Pilatus are here!

Max Chocolatier

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Stopping here prior to heading back to Zurich means enjoying seasonal hand-crafted chocolate pieces on your journey. Tag this place on your map (opens in the afternoon) and tell me what flavors you enjoyed most! With over excitement for these I cannot recall which flavor was best… let’s be real, they were all amazing.

Boat tours

We chose not to take a boat tour as we had done so in Zurich, however these seemed popular while we were there. Walk up to the offices located near the train station to find more details.

Lucerne radiates traditional mixed with modern and is a great gateway to central Switzerland for excursions. Panoramic views of the Alps, peaceful Lake Lucerne and three stunning mountains to explore nearby are begging to be discovered here.

Top TIPS for visiting Lucerne, Switzerland

  • Baroque: following the Renaissance era, Baroque was a European style that thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries. Best known for grandeur, contrast, detailed movement and was meant to stir awe. (I should mention I took an art history class in college that focused on the baroque style. Probably the most impressive era for art).
  • See how to best navigate Mount Pilatus here

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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Towns to visit Outside of Zurich, Switzerland

Towns to visit Outside of Zurich, Switzerland

Destinations, Europe

Towns to visit Outside of Zurich, Switzerland

The cutest towns to visit in one day when visiting Zurich, Switzerland

While most major cities are hubs for travelers there is quite a bit to experience and enjoy in the towns that are outside of the comforts of an international city cushion. Food, people, transportation, the entirety of a destinations culture are most ingrained in small towns.

Below are three small destinations outside of Zurich that can be visited in one day. Yes, you read that correctly. Three places in one day. Waking up early to catch a morning train is my personal travel style and what makes it possible to explore as this post suggests. Basically, aim to experience as much as the daylight will allow. You can stay in the major hub for a reasonable price and be able to see more places than most.

Stein am Rhein

Stein am Rhein is a quaint and colorful town cozied next to the Rhine River. The train station leads to a short bridge where you can see the town nestled in its original roots and waking up for the day. Cobblestoned streets wind into the Old Town main square where every half-timbered building has a painted façade.

Pop into the nearest café to enjoy a cappuccino or espresso and a flaky sweet pastry, then wander outside to enjoy the serene calm before tourist groups clatter through. Make sure to take advantage of restaurants and benches that line the river for an exceptionally calm view. And if you have the time, explore the Hohenklingen Castle.

Exceptional preservation of architectural heritage makes Stein am Rhein a place worthy of your time. An hour or two to walk around is all you need to enjoy it.

Rhine Falls

Rhine Falls is Europe’s largest waterfall! Its immensity comes from its width rather than its height. With three different areas at Rhine Falls, my suggestion is to choose one and enjoy it from there;

  1. View point from the Worth castle; cross the bridge up top to get to it
  2. View point in the middle; this is where my pictures are from
  3. Open area at the bottom of it; where the boat rides are available (see below for details on this)

Tectonic shifts during the Ice Age forced the Rhine River to the path it takes today and created Rhine Falls. In the middle of the falls is a small but mighty rock that has withstood the test of time for over a thousand years! Small boats ferry passengers over to climb the stairs and platforms hovering over the falls allowing brave people to feel the strength of the water.

We couldn’t resist shffling onto a small speed boat to battle against the current of the falls and climb those stairs. Most people were polite about cautious walkers and those wanting to take solo pictures, which made for a pleasant excursion. Once back on dry land, hop onto the Rhyfall Express, a motorized ‘train’ that transfers guests to and from Schaffhausen, our next stop.

In total, Rhine Falls took about 2 hours to visit including the boat trip.

*See my tips below for how to successfully get to Rhine Falls (and not waste time getting onto the incorrect train like we did)

Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen is a MUST-see town. It was my favorite stop of the day! Settled between the Black Forest and wineries with its own fortress lies this whimsical town. Schaffhausen is known as being one of the most delightful towns in Switzerland because of its lavish facades (similar to Stein am Rhein), oriel windows, colorful buildings, great shopping and a wonderful open square. Being that we visited at the end of the day on a Sunday by the time we arrived most places were closed for the day (as is typical of Europe), however just walking around was enough to pacify us. It is also what led us to our first of many Swiss chocolate shops

Finishing the day at Schaffhausen was the perfect ending to exploring northern Switzerland. It also helped because there were no train transfers from Schaffhausen back to Zurich. That meant a simple train ride back into Zurich’s city center.

TIPS for towns to visit outside of Zurich, Switzerland

  • Getting there; Zurich to Stein am Rhein– check the Swiss train website for transfer details as you’ll need to transfer trains at Schaffhausen. I found it best to follow what the website said as opposed to interpreting the many signs at the train station and it never led me amiss
  • At Stein am Rhein there is a castle atop of the nearest hilltop, called Hohenklingen Castle. You can hike up or drive (I’ve read there is a car park up there)
  • Lindwurm Musuem in Stein am Rhein is a stop for those interested in exploring medieval middle class living. Entrance cost is 5 CHF.
  • Getting to Rhine Falls from Stein am Rhine: I like to think myself an avid traveler who is able to get herself around easily with some research… figuring out the trains from Stein am Rhein to Rhine Falls was confusing. This is your warning and some tips to get there quicker than we did—take the train back to Schaffhausen. Then take a train to Neuhausen. From the Neuhausen stop you can walk to Rhine Falls. There are signs to follow that are easy to find. You can also walk along the river at the Schaffhausen stop to reach Rhine Falls. That should take you about 45 minutes.
  • Leaving Rhine Falls via the Rhyfall Express: Ask the driver what direction the tram is going/if they’re going to Schaffhausen. For as cheap as it was, I would suggest doing it. It drives you through the town leading into Schaffhausen.

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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48 Hours in Zurich

48 Hours in Zurich

Destinations, Europe

48 Hours in Zurich

Last Updated November 12th, 2019

How to spend two days in Zurich, Switzerland, with the top sights to see

This page contains affiliate links to products and tours that I have used for my own travels, purchased & enjoyed. Clicking these links does not cost you anything, however doing so will support Blue Eyed Compass and allow the site to continue. THANK YOU!

Zurich, the city known as the banking epicenter of Europe -maybe the world- is by far one of the most efficient cities with an equally high standard of living. It’s a destination that has up to date convenience mixed with extravagance and an old-world charm… all of which you’ll notice on your wallet (Zurich ain’t cheap, but it sure is worth the visit).

But don’t let those things deter you from visiting Zurich. It is a great city to book a 48-hour stopover in to see it’s stunning architecture and the pristinely blue river Limmat which separates the old town from the shopping and banking.

Plus, while the crowds of overtourism flood London’s Buckingham Palace or Paris’s Eiffel Tower, you’ll feel as if you have Zurich to yourself.

Upon exiting the train station you’ll see that this European city has the best of both worlds – winding cobblestone streets mixed with flourishing businesses and modern design. Even if you only have 48 hours to spend in Zurich, you should visit this beautiful city.

Whether you decide to take the efficient train from the airport and walk to your lodging or hire a car to do so, you’ll witness the city transform from a hustling business center to the easily accessible, albeit booty working, walkable European town.

Getting to Zurich from the airport

Since Zurich airport is considered a hub airport, flights should be significantly cheaper flying into the city. And with Switzerland being internationally known for extravagance, their airport is part shopping mall, part airport and quite large inside.

Fret not though, it’s quite easy to navigate your way from your gate through customs and to a quick train ride to the city center of Zurich. There are a few ways you can travel from the Zurich Airport to its city center, the fastest of which is by train.

With only a ten-minute train ride, travelers can jump onto a train that departs every 5-10 minutes. Purchase your ticket from an SBB ticket booth in the center of the Arrivals hall in the airport for only 6.80 CHF.

As the train is the quickest way to travel from the airport to the city, if you only have 48 hours in Zurich to enjoy the sites, I would suggest the train as the best way to get to the Zurich city center.

You can read about the other ways to travel to/from the Zurich airport here.

Read More: the BEST Camera Gear for Travel Photography

With so much to explore, here are the

Top 10 things you need to see & do in 48 hours in Zurich, Switzerland

Wander the Aldstadt (Old Town)

Old Town is the most charming neighborhood in Zurich. It has that wonderful historical European charm that is expected from a Western European destination with many quaint and unique shops and restaurants (and bars!) all tucked away just waiting to be discovered.

Grossmunster Church

One of four major churches in Zurich, Grossmunster Church stands out with its neo-Gothic towers. It was the center for the Swiss-German Reformation during the 16th-century.
This church is free to enter and has a simplistic interior. You can pay to climb the tower for 5 CHF to see beautiful panoramic views of Zurich from above.

Don't Forget to Pack:

click image to find out more!

Fraumunster Church

With its iconic teal-blue spire and clock tower, Fraumunster Church is by far the most stand out church in Zurich. Mostly known for its Chagall stained glass windows, this site was originally home to an abbess. Go in the early morning to witness the morning light shine through the windows. However, keep in mind that there is a small 5 CHF fee to enter. (*there was a wedding the day of our visit so we weren’t able to get inside.

Lindenhof Hill

If you’re a fan of stunning vistas than take the trek up to Lindenhof Hill. With a bit of a steep climb, Lindenhof offers a great viewpoint of Zurich for breathtaking views of Aldstadt Zurich. Be sure to head there early in the day for early morning pictures or to claim your sunset spot as this viewpoint attracts many visitors. Luckily, we could see Lindenhoff from our Airbnb and noticed there were large crowds even at the end of the day.

Read More: The Best Carry-on Essentials for Sustainable Travelers

Bahnhofstrasse

When you walk down Bahnofstrasse you’re walking down one of the world’s most exclusive & expensive shopping streets. Best of luck not spending a paycheck’s worth on goodies here… if that’s not in your budget you can act as I did and long after an item or two while you window shop.

Have lunch at Hiltl

Let me do my celebratory dance for Hiltl because it is a veggie lovers dream come true! I’m quickly learning that Europe is transitioning to please a vegetarian & vegan palate and my fellow veggies could not be happier! While Hiltl is amazing for vegetarians, it’s also amazing even if you do eat meat.
Hiltl is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world! It did not disappoint in terms of quality or quantity of food. We chose to eat from the buffet. But, be warned that the buffet price is based on the weight of your plate. Regardless, there were so many options and everything was delicious. The atmosphere was great as well as the staff. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try a variety of foods you may have never heard of.
TIP: Going there for lunch instead of dinner will make your visit a bit cheaper.

Walk the Renweg & Augustinergasse Streets

Both Renweg and Augustinergasse streets are pedestrian-only streets in the Niederdorfstrasse area of Zurich. They are the picturesque type of cobblestone streets that you fantasize about walking through on any European vacation. And best yet, Renweg is the second-best shopping street after the famed Bahnhofstrasse.

Be sure to stop into the Schwarzenbach Kolonialwaren, the famed colonial good store that’s been family operated since the 1860’s. Shoppers can find great ideas for souvenier or presents to bring home like coffees, teas and Swiss chocoloates.

Enjoy Fondue at La Dezalay

One of THE most recognizable dishes for Switzerland, fondue has become a delicious staple for anyone visiting Zurich to try. La Dezalay is a Swiss restaurant known for its fondue… trust me, it’s worth it. Located in the Aldstadt neighborhood of Zurich and you can see the Grossmunster church from outside.

Fun fact: fondue is considered to be part of your meal, however, we chose to eat it as our meal. Sometimes living your best life means devouring a bowlful of bread dunked in warm cheese. (I would have placed a picture of our fondue here… but to be honest I was trying to live THE moment of cheese heaven and forgot to take one. Oh well, worth it!)

Lake Zurich

The city of Zurich is serenely draped around Lake Zurich, which the River Limmat feeds from.
Travelers can take a relaxing & scenic boat tour around the lake. There are multiple options for length of time, where the boats dock, etc. We chose to do the medium length trip which took about 4 hours; choose your tour based on your time available of course.
These boat tours are a stunning excursion that can make a hectic day of walking around end with a serene afternoon.

*TIP- buy drinks/snacks at a grocery or liquor store (Migros stores do NOT sell alcohol) to bring on the boat. Drinks on the boat are expensive… as is most everything in Switzerland.

Enjoy a night out on Langstrasse

Zurich is surging with gastro-pubs and nightclubs. And Langstrasse is a great place to experience more popular bars while visiting Zurich for only 48 hours. We went to Fat Tony’s based on a friend of a friend’s recommendation (with the assumption it would be a dive bar based on its name) and really enjoyed it. If you walk along this street you’ll be sure to find many places offering a variety of experimental cocktails to early morning electro-raves.

As a great hub location for Switzerland, you can embrace all that Zurich has to offer within a short period of time without feeling rushed. This city is one where a slow pace as a visitor will provide an exceptional day (or two!). Because short and sweet can leave you feeling ready to explore other places this stunning (and efficient) country have to offer.

If you visit Zurich and use this list of places let me know! And comment with any additions you feel were just as great. More importantly if you found that eating fondue multiple times made you happier than the free range cattle in Switzerland let me know so we can virtually high five each other.

Where to stay in Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its pricier lifestyle than many are accustomed to, but no matter your budget you can find great accommodations in Zurich. If I’m using Airbnb, then I almost exclusively use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals.

Booking.com

TIPS for visiting Zurich, Switzerland

  • As like most other European cities, not much will be open on Sunday, so plan accordingly
  • Switzerland is an expensive country, if you are on budget I would pack your own snacks/protein bars so you don’t need to stop at a restaurant for every meal (or hit up a grocery store)
  • Swiss people speak many different languages (german, italian, english), depending on the location and the person so you won’t insult anyone if you say ‘hello’ in german, and ‘thank you’ in italian

Read More: Towns to Visit Outside of Zurich

Hi! I’m Laura, a sustainable travel blogger, as well as freelancing online brand strategist. I share real & honest information about traveling, how to do so sustainably, and ways to earn an income while working remote.

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