After almost a year living in Switzerland I love every part of the country.

But Lucerne absolutely took my breath away. So, I highly recommend to add it to your bucket list if you’re planning to come to visit Switzerland.

While Lucerne (or Luzern) could easily be visited on a day-trip from Zurich, it is so much better to spend two days in Lucerne and live in the middle of this fairy-tale land, if just for a short time.

So, if you are now planning a day in this beautiful city, here I tried to summarise the top places to visit! Absolutely!

The Chapel Bridge

Lucerne is a city built on water and has several bridges crossing the Reuss.
By far the most iconic is the Chapel bridge which has become a symbol of the city.

It is a covered wooden footbridge and leads from one side of the river directly to St. Peter’s Chapel.

It was built at the beginning of the 14th century but it burned down in 1993 – an emotional shock for Lucerners – and was reopened in 1994. It has a distinctive red-tile roof and its interior is lined with gable paintings glorifying the martyrs and heroes of the region.

The Town Hall

Built between 1602 and 1606 in the Italian Renaissance style the Lucerne Town hall has been used for many different purposes in the past.

But the arches towards the river are still today a market place for fresh fruit, veg, breads and Swiss cheese.

The tower itself already existed over 100 years before the main town hall was built.

And it’s also where’s the oldest clock in Lucerne that chimes 1 minute before the others!

The Old Town

Ok, you could think it’s everywhere. And it’s true.
But, on the right bank is the heart of medieval Lucerne.

And now? Just walk around the city! And remember to raise your head as much as possible.

Most of the buildings here – old guild houses, boutiques and patrician homes – have preserved their elaborately painted facades.

The Musegg Wall

It’s right up on the hill above the town Lucerne’s historic ramparts with nine towers.

You can walk along the wall for a breathtaking panoramic view of Lucerne from all angles.

The start of the walk  is near Spreuer Bridge at Nolli Tower.

This round tower was built in 1513, but an archway for traffic was added in 1901.

The Church of St. Leonard

Mostly know from Lucernes as the Hofkirche, is the most important church and a landmark in the city of Lucerne.

Look at the main facade. You feel not everything fits together? You are not far off.

The church here burned down in 1633 and was totally rebuilt in Renaissance style, but the two towers remained from the older Romanesque church, and the new nave was just planted in-between them.

The Monument of the Dying Lion

Never heard about it? I see. It’s because it’s still famous today, but not as it used to be in 19th century.

The stone is carved into the sheer cliff face in a quiet and peaceful area of the city.

It dates from 1821 and was created by Lukas Ahorn to a design by the Danish Berthel Thowaldsen.

It shows a dying lion, in an allegory for over eight hundred Swiss mercenaries who died in service in 1792.
The park in which the monument sits is also a lovely place to sit back and relax.

The Mill Bridge

Though overshadowed by its larger counterpart, the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuerbrücke is just as worthy of a visit.

It has the same triangular gable paintings as the Chapel Bridge but it has been built after two centuries.

The name comes from the German spreu meaning chaff (the husk around wheat grains), as this was the only bridge from which one was allowed to throw chaff into the river (being the furthest downstream).

The Lake

I don’t think it is necessary to use many words to describe this beauty.

What I can highly recommend you is to stroll along the lake and take a half a hour of pure relax admiring the beauty of the sunset on the lake.

Traveling: it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.  –  cit. Ibn Battuta  (& me)