How to Spend 3 Days in Lucerne (Top Attractions + Day Trips)
WanderInEurope is reader-supported. Affiliate links and ads help us keep creating useful content for you.
Allow me to share with you all the beautiful attractions I’ve discovered in Lucerne, as well as the amazing experiences you can easily enjoy from Lucerne. Choose between three to five of them, based on your interests, and your three-day trip to Lucerne is guaranteed to be unforgettable! Let’s get started.

1. Old Town Lucerne


Among all others, Old Town Lucerne is my favorite. From the iconic, picture-perfect Chapel Bridge to the towering, time-transporting Musegg Wall and the meaningful Lion Monument, I can’t emphasize enough how satisfying this part of Lucerne is for wanderlust. Not to mention, the beautiful churches like the Jesuit Church and Hofkirche, both of which are a feast for the eyes!
I’m 100% sure you’ll love exploring Old Town Lucerne! So, I strongly recommend this for your 3-day trip to Lucerne; a walking tour of Old Town Lucerne, whether DIY or guided, is a must. Here’s a map of Old Town Lucerne should you wish to create your own itinerary for this area:
2. Swiss Museum of Transport


If there’s a forecast for overcast skies or rain in Lucerne during your 3-day trip, the Swiss Transport Museum is the way to go. It’s one of the most fascinating museums not only in Lucerne but in all of Switzerland, as far as I know. Learn more about this museum and check ticket prices here.
3. Bourbaki Panorama


The Bourbaki Panorama is one of the most fascinating and impressive artworks I found in Lucerne, alongside the gable paintings on the Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge. I believe it’s as significant as the Tirol Panorama Museum in Innsbruck and more notable than the Thun Panorama in Thun.
4. Glacier Garden


Located in heart of Lucerne beside the Lion Monument, the Glacier Garden is undoubtedly an unusual natural attraction. Here you can find glacier pots, which interestingly give us a clue of what Lucerne looked like 20,000 years ago. Glaciers. The area where Lucerne stands now was covered with glaciers! The last time I checked, one can already see 16 glacier potholes right away when they enter Glacier Garden.
5. Meggenhorn Castle


As a wanderer, I define the perfect destination as quaint and scenic. An example of this would be castles perched on a hill or in an idyllic spot. For instance, in Lucerne, there’s Meggenhorn Castle. It is Lucerne’s version of Oberhofen Castle in Lake Thun. Perched on a hill overlooking Lake Lucerne, Meggenhorn Castle is a romantic castle that offers an unmissable experience — an experience straight out of a fairytale during your 3-day stay in Lucerne.
6. Mount Pilatus


For a 3-day trip to Lucerne, Mount Pilatus is definitely a must-include in your itinerary. Mount Pilatus is one of the top tourist destinations in Switzerland, and for several reasons. Primarily, when it comes to scenery and the overall experience, it’s one of the most enjoyable. It offers stunning scenery, adventure, and world-class facilities.
7. Mount Rigi


Mount Rigi is another mountain that can be visited on a day trip from Lucerne; it serves as an alternative to Mount Pilatus if you prefer engaging in relaxing activities. Perhaps, it’s the rejuvenating trip to Lucerne you might be looking for. Breathtaking wellness centers, such as Rigi Kaltbad, await you on Mount Rigi. For a sample itinerary of visiting Mount Rigi from Lucerne, please refer to the full description of the Classic Rigi Round Trip.
8. Mount Bürgenstock


If Mount Pilatus boasts the steepest cogwheel train and Mount Rigi the oldest, then Mount Bürgenstock is home to the Hammetschwand Elevator—the highest exterior elevator in Europe.
Honestly, there’s nothing particularly fancy about the elevator. However, it can offer a unique experience for a day trip from Lucerne. Most importantly, Mount Bürgenstock serves as an off-the-beaten-path mountain destination for a day trip in Lucerne; a luxury alternative to Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus, thanks to the hotels and resorts at its summit. Here is the round trip details to Mount Bürgenstock.
9. Ultimate Adventure


Summary: Tandem Paragliding is a once-in-a-lifetime activity that is also available in Lucerne. It’s exhilarating, breathtaking, fun, and memorable. It’s an experience that every adventurous traveler must consider during their 3-day stay in Lucerne. Learn about the details here.
10. Day Trip To Jungfrau Region

Visual summary of what you can see in the Jungfrau Region

Personally, I’d recommend spending at least 4 days in the Jungfrau Region. It’s packed with all the beautiful natural scenery and unforgettable adventures you’re looking for. However, there are cases where it’s okay to spend only one day here. One such case is a quick Switzerland getaway. Of course, another is a three-day stay in Lucerne.
Both located in central Switzerland, a day trip to the Jungfrau Region from Lucerne is totally viable. You can get to Interlaken (the main transport hub of the Jungfrau Region) from Lucerne with just an hour of driving. Alternatively, the travel time is no more than two hours if you ride on the fastest train. As soon as you arrive in Interlaken, Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, and Lauterbrunnen are just a stone’s throw away.
Planning a trip? From great hotel deals to skip-the-line tickets and affordable eSim to cheap rentals, check out the travel resources I recommend and use for a smooth and memorable trip.
Note: Booking through my links is like giving a free donation to WanderInEurope. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me create more helpful travel guides. Your support means a lot—thank you!
For a convenient, unique, or more enriching visit, check out these experiences and services:

More Information About Lucerne
If you’re looking for things to do in Lucerne or need inspiration for your trip, WanderInEurope has plenty of helpful resources. You’ll also find guides and tips on the city’s top attractions. Check them out at the link below.
Planning to visit Lucerne along with other parts of Switzerland? The itineraries below will help.
More Information
So, that’s all! That’s how I think you can spend three or more days in Lucerne. Below are some helpful links which have the information to help you visit different tourist attractions in Lucerne.
- Official website of Swiss Museum of Transport
- Official website of Bourbaki Panorama
- Official website of Meggenhorn Castle (German)
- FAQs Mount Rigi
- Lake Lucerne Ferry Schedule

Pin this to save it for later or bookmark it to read anytime.
