How to Spend 3 Days in Lucerne (Top Attractions + Day Trips)
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After exploring central Switzerland and coming up with an efficient extended week-end Switzerland getaway itinerary and a week-long Switzerland itinerary, I am not convinced that it is practical to spend three days in Lucerne — especially true if you’re planning to travel in Switzerland for less than a week or on a budget.
As far as ‘experiencing the essence of visiting Lucerne’ goes, a one-day trip to this city is simply the perfect length. Two days in Lucerne should be enough to see the highlights and experience the fun, adventure, learning, and breathtaking scenery the city offers.
While I believe three days in Lucerne to be more than enough, I’m not entirely dissuading anyone from spending that length of time in this beautiful city. Because, if you’re planning a relaxed exploration of the city, three days in Lucerne is ideal!
With three days, you’ll have ample time to visit all the stunning sights, landmarks that are free to visit, and partake in some of the unique experiences the city offers.
The duration of three days will also afford you the opportunity to engage in wellness activities following your outdoor adventures.
Not to mention, Lucerne could serve as your base for exploring Central Switzerland. Incredible mountain attractions are just a short distance from the city. After spending two days exploring the city and nearby attractions, any of these day trips can make your third day in Lucerne a fulfilling one.
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.
You might find these interesting!
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.
You might find this article helpful:
Mount Pilatus Day Trip from Lucerne (5 Reasons to Go + Tips)
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.
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
Plan Your Trip Now
Here are my recommended services
Actually, there’s another place you can visit on a day trip from Lucerne: Bern, the capital of Switzerland. If you’re into architecture and picturesque streets, you’ll enjoy spending a day in Bern during your 3-day stay in Lucerne. Bern and Lucerne are just an hour apart by train.
Alternatively, you can also spend half a day in Bern and complement it with a walking tour in the beautiful Old Town of Thun. Thun, a town south of Bern, is just 30 minutes away by train. Serving as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, Thun has a castle that offers a picture-perfect view of Lake Thun and the mountains of the Jungfrau Region. This could be an excellent day trip option during your stay in Lucerne.