Alternative Sights to See
The following sights are some of the more unique or off the beaten track sights to see in Lucerne.
Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge)
Located around 500 metres down the river from the famous Chapel Bridge you’ll find Lucerne’s less famous, but equally impressive, covered wooden bridge. Originally built in 1406 to connect the Mühlenplatz (Mill Place) with the flour mills in the centre of the river, the Spreuer Bridge was where the mills were allowed to dump spreu, or chaff, into the river, leading to its more common name, the Chaff Bridge. The bridge is 81 metres long, and like its sister bridge, is famed for its impressive triangular paintings hanging under the rafters. The paintings were created between 1616 and 1637 by Caspar Meglinger and depict the Dance Macabre or Dance of Death. Much quieter than the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge is a lovely bridge to stroll across while you take in the history of your surroundings. If you would like to know more about the bridge the History Museum of Lucerne has created a free audio guide, which you can download, that explains much of the history and significance of the bridge and artworks.
Musegg Wall and Towers
For a brilliant view over the city of Lucerne, Lake Lucerne and River Reuss climb up the historic town walls and towers. The Musegg Wall and its towers were built as part of Lucerne’s fortifications in the 14th and 15th centuries. Today 870 metres of well-preserved wall remain, along with nine towers, four (Männli, Zyt, Eacht and Schirmer Towers) of which you can climb and explore. The walls stand nine metres high while the towers rise to up to 52 metres high, imposing themselves on the historical footprint of the city. Within the Zyt Tower you can find a collection of historic clocks from Lucerne and the local canton, dating from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century. The Zyt Tower is also home to Lucerne’s oldest clock, dating from 1535, with its huge dials and face that are visible from the lake. The Zyt Tower clock chimes each hour, one minute before the other church clocks in the city.
Visiting walls and towers is free, however you can pay for various guided tours.
Inseli Park
On the banks of Lake Lucerne just a few minutes walk from the train station you’ll find the delightful Inseli Park. One of the few green places in the heart of the city, the park offers a respite from the crowds and is the perfect spot to sit, relax and recharge before heading out for more sightseeing. Take a seat at one of the benches, on the sea wall or simply flop down on the manicured lawn and watch the swans and ducks paddle across the lake. There are shady trees to shelter under and in the warmer months there are a couple of lovely pop up bars and food trucks where you can buy a drink or snack. The views across the lake and up towards the Alps are some of the best in Lucerne!
Museum Sammlung Rosengart
Pilatusstrasse 10, 6003 Luzern
Founded in 2002 by the Lucerne local, art dealer Angela Rosengart, the Rosengart Collection is home to one of Switzerland’s best collections of classic modernist and impressionist artworks. Rosengart was an art dealer her whole life, following on from her father, and acquired a large collection of masterpieces. Since 2002, she has exhibited them in a museum housed in a former Swiss bank, just a few minutes walk from the train station. The collection includes works by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse, as well as extensive collections of Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso. In fact, Rosengart was a friend of Picasso and was painted by him five times! The collection is world class and if you’re lucky you might be able to get a tour from Angela Rosengart herself.
Tickets are CHF 18.
Mount Pilatus
For an unforgettable day trip from Lucerne head to Mount Pilatus, 2132 metres above sea level. From the summit you will enjoy magnificent views of the mountains, Lake Lucerne and the city of Lucerne. Once there you can also go hiking, paragliding, tobogganing, sledding and bobsledding. One of the most special things about travelling to Mount Pilatus is the journey itself. There are two ways in which to reach the Pilatus Kulm summit: via the Panorama Gondolas and Dragon Ride cable car; or via boat and then the steepest cogwheel railway in the world!
The first option involves taking bus number 1 from Lucerne (direction Kriens) to stop “Kriens Zentrum Pilatus” which takes about 15 minutes. You then hop on the Panorama Gondola which will take you up into the sky to Fräkmuntegg, taking about 18 minutes. From Fräkmuntegg take the Dragon Ride cable car up to the summit (about 3.5 minutes). Along the way from Kriens you will enjoy spectacular views in all directions as you climb up the mountain.
The second option involves taking a boat from dock 2 in Lucerne across the lake to Alpnachstad, taking between 50-90 minutes. From Alpnachstad take the historic cogwheel railway up to the summit. The journey takes about 30 minutes and takes you past green meadows, through tunnels and past remarkable rock formations, climbing at up to 48% gradient! Note: the cogwheel railway only operates between May and November.
Both of these options will cost CHF 72, or half price (CHF 36) for those with the Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail or Eurail.
Alternatively, you can take the popular Golden Round Trip which combines the two previous options. Take the boat to Alpnachstad, then the cogwheel railway to the summit. When you are ready to leave take the aerial cableway, Panorama Gondolas and bus back to Lucerne. This option will cost CHF 102.60, or half price (CHF 51.70) for those with the Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail or Eurail.
