Luzern is ideally situated in the centre of Switzerland. It reflects the 'true' image of Switzerland, with its picturesque mountains, lakes, cowbells and alpine villages.
Luzern is famous for its covered bridge called Kapellbrücke, which stretches over the Reuss River. If the rains force one to remain indoors, there are ten museums in town. Among them is the Swiss Transport Museum and the Picasso Museum. A steamboat ride may be taken around the Vierwaldstattersee (Lake Lucerne) or one can take a ride on the mountain railways that lift up high, to one of the surrounding pre-alpine summits. But sightseeing is not the only thing one can do. The people of Luzern love to party and this spirit has kept alive many different customs and traditions, that together with more recent events, shape the local cultural scene. The new Kultur und Kongresszentrum (Culture and Congress Centre) is more than a welcome addition to this abundant cultural variety.
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With the culture and Congress Centre and the Picasso museum, Luzern is a highlight for every cultural interested in culture. |
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The Lake of Lucerne is a great place to take a walk, have a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy a glass of wine or simply bask in the sun. |
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Luzern is a great place to shop ; it doesn’t matter if you want to buy a watch, jewellery or clothing, the best of everything is available here. |
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From the pre-alpine summits like Pilatus, Bürgenstock, Stanserhorn and Rigi surrounding Luzern , there are plenty of breath-taking views all around. |
How to Get There
Every hour, there are trains running from Zürich and Zürich-Airport directly to Luzern; the journey to Luzern takes approximately 1 hour.
Sightseeing
Old City
Luzern can be easily explored on foot; everything is within easy walking distance. You can start at the Kappellbrucke (Chapel Bridge), and walk through the Old City Squares; one can stroll through a lot of nice little boutiques around. Luzern still has remains of the old city walls like the Water Tower and the Musegg Wall. If you are interested in visiting churches, we recommend visiting the Jesuit Church, the Franciscan Church and the Hof Church. A visit to the Culture and Congress Centre, which is just next to the train station, is a must. The Centre was build by the Parisian architect Jean Nouvel. If possible one should attend a concert in the hall (1800 seats), as it is known as one of the finest concert halls in the world.
The Lion Monument
It was carved out of natural rock in memory of the heroic deaths of the Swiss mercenaries at the Tuileries in 1792. Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.
Mt. Pilatus, Luzern's landmark
Mount Pilatus is a famous mountain overlooking the city of Lucerne. Since time immemorial, the rugged cliffs above Lucerne have been enveloped in mysterious myths and legends in the Middle Ages, people believed that a dragon with healing powers and spirits inhabited the rocky crevices. It was said that the restless ghost of Roman governor once found lasting peace in Lake Pilatus. A long time it was forbidden to climb the mountain – for woe betide any one who disturbed Pontius Pilate. Two cable cars make the north side of the mountain accessible and on the south flank the world's steepest cogwheel railway climbs gradients of 48% on its way to the peak. Warm clothes and good shoes should be carried along.
Mt. Rigi, Panoramic Views
Take the steamboat from Luzern to Vitznau and then the cogwheel train up to "Rigi-Kulm" from where you have a marvelous panoramic view. Take a ride back to Rigi-Kaltbad and from there the cable car to Weggis where you back to Luzern by boat. Or you go down to Goldau with the cable car and take the train back to Luzern.
Swiss Museum of Transport
The Swiss Museum of Transport and Communication consists of the Museum of Transport, Switzerland's only IMAX Theatre and large planetarium, the Hans Erni Museum and numerous other attractions. There is also a conference centre, and hungry guests and visitors are well catered for by a range of restaurants. The Swiss Museum of Transport is the country's most visited museum and a favourite destination for excursions. The Swiss Museum of Transport is operated by the Association Swiss Museum of Transport and Communication SMT, which owns the Museum's infrastructure. The collections (i.e. all archives and historical exhibits and artefacts) are the property of the Museum's foundation, Stiftung Verkehrshaus der Schweiz.
Insider Tip
Take one of the steamboats to the Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock station, in Luzern the boat station is just opposite the train station. It takes you little more than 30 minutes. Afterwards you take the cable railway to the Bürgenstock. From up there you have a wonderful view and you even see the Alps. Then you can go for a walk or you can take the panorama elevator.
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