10 Notable Landmarks in Lucerne (Free to Visit Attractions)
This post might contain affiliate links.
Nestled in the foothills of the Swiss Alps and adjacent to a lake, Lucerne had my expectations soaring. And you know what? It didn’t disappoint. It even went above and beyond my expectations!
Lucerne offers more than just stunning natural scenery. It’s filled with beautiful things and unique experiences. From the historical triangular gable paintings to a museum that houses all sorts of transportation vehicles, there’s plenty to see and visit.
Especially if you’re a bit of a wanderer, Lucerne should have you doing cartwheels of excitement! This city boasts beautiful, picturesque landmarks that you can visit for free — the perfect destinations for explorers!
Surely, the ones you’ll find in Old Town Lucerne are not to be missed on a walking tour of the city. There are historical sites dating back to the medieval ages, world-renowned monuments, and simple houses all adorned with murals.
Here’s what’s exciting: I also discovered a ‘fairytale-like’ landmark outside the city but still in Lucerne (canton) that I think you’d love to visit. It’s a romantic castle with sweeping views of the lake.
Architecturally, I find this castle more charming than (but not as picture-perfect as) Oberhofen Castle and Thun Castle in Lake Thun. Are you curious already? Alright, let’s start introducing you to the beautiful landmarks in Lucerne!
Good to know: I’ve added some tips for each landmark — helpful whether you’re planning a 1-day visit, a 2-day stay, or a 3-day getaway in Lucerne.
1. Lucerne Station
Did you know that upon arriving by train, you can already see a beautiful landmark in Lucerne? This landmark is called Torbogen Luzern.
It should be visible immediately after you emerge from the train station via the escalator. However, its beauty only becomes obvious after you walk across it and view its northern facade.
You might find these interesting!
2. Chapel Bridge
Why do I like Lucerne as a tourist destination? Its famous landmarks and the city’s points of interest are all within walking distance of each other.
Want an example? Suppose you’re at Lucerne Archway (the train station). From there, the Chapel Bridge, Lucerne’s most famous landmark, is less than a 5-minute walk away. In fact, you can spot the Chapel Bridge just a few steps from Lucerne Archway!
You might find this article helpful:
3. Rathaus
Once you reach the Chapel Bridge, I bet you’d agree that the view of the houses along the Reuss River is an architectural feast for the eyes. Beautiful buildings stand on both of its banks.
I suggest going to Seebrücke for the most panoramic views of the old city and the Reuss River.
Once you’re in Seebrücke and start marveling at the skyline of old town Lucerne, a building that will capture your attention is Lucerne’s Town Hall or Rathaus. Its clock tower dominates the view when looking at the right side of the river.
4. Jesuit Church
Let’s say you are currently in Rathaussteg, and you are having one of the loveliest strolls in Lucerne, taking photos of Rathaus.
If you turn around, you’ll see another beautiful landmark—it’s called the Jesuit Church.
If you’re also an architecture enthusiast like me, your quest for the most intricate architectural masterpiece in Lucerne ends there. It’s not pretty much apparent from its facade and exteriors, but once you enter, you’ll agree!
You might find this article helpful:
5. Spreuer Bridge
If you walk west from the Jesuit Church through Reusssteg, you’ll arrive at the Spreuer Bridge in approximately 5 minutes.
Like the Chapel Bridge, Spreuer Bridge is a covered wooden bridge unique to Lucerne.
Spreuer, or the Chaff bridge, is the shorter version of the Chapel Bridge; one of the three bridges that connect the two parts of the old city divided by the Reuss River. (The third bridge is called the Court Bridge, dismantled in the 19th century).
Aside from the water tower and length, the main difference between the Spreuer Bridge and the Chapel Bridge is the artworks under their roof.
The paintings on the Spreuer Bridge form a Danse Macabre cycle, while the ones on the Chapel Bridge mainly depict the history of Lucerne and Switzerland. According to my sources, the cycle of painting in the Spreuer Bridge is the largest known example of its kind.
But wait, what’s Danse Macabre?
Dance Macabre, also known as the Dance of Death, is a medieval allegory represented in art, literature, and music. It is typically depicted as a skeleton or a personification of death leading a procession of people from all walks of life, including kings, popes, and peasants, to their graves.
The allegory serves to remind people of the inevitability of death and the futility of earthly pursuits and social distinctions in the face of mortality.
It will also feel like you’re visiting a gallery as you stroll on the Spreuer Bridge because of these paintings, for sure!
There’s a twist, though.
You can also find a cute chapel in the middle of the Spreuer Bridge.
The small chapel, flanked by beautiful woodcraft, has a stained glass window with an artwork of Mary and figurines of some biblical characters. Perhaps, if you’re Catholic like me, you can spend a moment in prayer for a wish (more travels!).
If you are looking for a spot to photograph the Spreuer Bridge, head to the northern entrance of the bridge.
Capture the bridge with the Hotel Château Gütschin the background—it should look even more beautiful at night when the buildings are illuminated.
6. Musegg Wall
From the Spreuer Bridge, you can spot another landmark in Lucerne looking west. This landmark is called the Musegg Wall.
It’s Lucerne’s medieval city fortification, dating back to the 14th century.
For some, Musegg Wall is the hidden gem tourist attraction in Lucerne. No wonder why, because of its location in the northernmost part of the old city.
7. Lion Monument
For history lovers, the Lion Monument is the landmark you should prioritize.
As a memorial, it holds immense historical value that one can discover in Lucerne.
Also known as the Lion of Lucerne, it is a massive sculpture carved out of sandstone rock in the early 19th century. It depicts a lion lying on its side with a solemn expression on its face.
The Lion of Lucerne is also a memorial to the Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution. It offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers. With the appearance of the lion and the message it holds, many consider it one of the most moving and powerful monuments in Switzerland.
Even Mark Twain agrees with it in his book, “A Tramp Abroad.”
You might find this article helpful:
8. Church of Saint Leodegar
With its pointed twin spires dominating the skyline of Lucerne over the lake, it’s the Church of Saint Leodegar that you’ll surely notice when sightseeing around Lake Lucerne.
I believe the Church of Saint Leodegar is also one of the most picturesque landmarks in Lucerne due to its imposing facade. This church’s facade combines Gothic and German Renaissance styles, making it uniquely elegant.
You might find this article helpful:
9. Houses in Old Town Lucerne
At this point, I have mentioned all the major landmarks in Lucerne’s old town. However, there are more buildings that you need to see!
These are the houses in the old town Lucerne, and I consider them the gems we can discover during a trip to Lucerne.
What makes the houses in Lucerne’s old town special? It’s their elaborate facades, adorned with murals and paintings. I believe these murals are called Lüftlmalerei, an alpine tradition of painting house facades with pictures depicting the owner’s occupation or favorite saints.
10. Meggenhorn Castle
I’ll complete this list of beautiful landmarks in Lucerne with Meggenhorn Castle. It’s a castle located in Meggen, a municipality within the district of Lucerne.
Based on its fairytale appearance, I consider it the most “magical landmark” you can visit during your trip to Lucerne. Meggenhorn Castle is also the most idyllic among the places and landmarks in Lucerne that I previously enumerated.
Situated almost on the tip of a peninsula on Lake Lucerne, its idyllic setting will undoubtedly make you feel calm and relaxed.
Resources
For the precise location of these landmarks in Lucerne, you can refer to my map of Old Town Lucerne or use the links to Google Maps and official websites provided below.
- Bridges in Lucerne
- Spreuer Bridge (Wikipedia)
- Kanzeli Meggenhorn (Google Map)
- Schloss Meggenhorn (official website)
- Weinmarkt (Google Maps)
- Hirschenplatz (Google Maps)
- Sternenplatz (Google Maps)
Plan Your Trip Now
Here are my recommended services
If you’re interested in beautiful landmarks in Switzerland, aside from Lucerne, you also have to visit Bern. It’s home to eye-catching landmarks like the Bundeshaus, Bern Cathedral, and Zytglogge.
Actually, the capital of Switzerland is an architectural marvel — the entirety of its old city! Here’s a 4-day Switzerland itinerary, focused on exploring Bern and Lucerne. On the other hand, my 6-day Switzerland itinerary focuses on all the unforgettable experiences and destinations in Bern and Bernese Oberland.
