I am thinking of visiting Switzerland in late March. Ive had several friends suggest staying in Lucerne bc of its beauty instead of Zurich. Im interested in seeing nature, mountains, and greenery! Do yall agree that Lucerne is probably best for me?

Hi tahviln,

Zürich is a great city -- but it is a city. You won't see nature, greenery, & mountains in a city.

Luzern is closer to the big mountains, and you can get to them in about 90 minutes. You can also visit some of the pretty lakeside villages easily from Luzern. Luzern also has a prettier setting, imo, with the mountains dropping into the lakes.

Not sure that much will be green in March, though. The mountains will still be snowy, but the cities will be wet & overcast.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Lucerne is much better than Zurich, but "nature, mountains, and greenery" is something else than a city aneway.
For tons of blooming flowers, Canton of Ticino might be the better choice.

I can't begin to describe how much I dislike Zürich, which is unusual for me, as I tend to be quite happy traveling anywhere. Lucerne is nice for a day or two. But if it's nature and greenery you're looking for, I agree that Ticino might well be your spot.

Zurich does have its good points and most of them are beyond the interests of the people who routinely post here. I agree that for overall ambient scenery Luzern would be better.

But if you wanted both mountains and vistas then I would consider locations above Interlaken in the Berner Oberland.

Late March is still winter ski season in most of Switz - so while I agree that Lucerne is a much more charming town than Zurich (primarily a business city) neihter will have greenery or flowers - it's just too early in the year. You want early May - not march.

Agree that the Ticino get a much earlier spring.

I am a fan of Zurich -- I found MUCH to enjoy there! -- but if seeing nature is a goal, then even if you can't see greenery when you will be there, then I would give the nod to Lucerne -- which (IMO) also offers much to enjoy.

But where to go depends, I think, on how much time you plan to spend -- and I don't think I've seen you specify that.

Another vote for Lucerne

Ditto what Kja said about both cities.