Luzern

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Luzern - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Sort by: 17 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
Loading...
  • 1. Jesuitenkirche

    Constructed in 1666--77, this Baroque church with a symmetrical entrance is flanked by two onion-dome towers, added in 1893. Inside, its vast interior, restored to...

    Constructed in 1666--77, this Baroque church with a symmetrical entrance is flanked by two onion-dome towers, added in 1893. Inside, its vast interior, restored to its original splendor, is a dramatic explosion of gilt, marble, and epic frescoes. Nearby is the Renaissance Regierungsgebäude (Government Building), seat of the cantonal government.

    Bahnhofstr. 11a, Luzern, Luzern, 6005, Switzerland
    041-2100756
  • 2. Kapellbrücke

    The oldest wooden bridge in Europe snakes diagonally across the Reuss. When it was constructed in the early 14th century, the bridge served as a...

    The oldest wooden bridge in Europe snakes diagonally across the Reuss. When it was constructed in the early 14th century, the bridge served as a rampart in case of attacks from the lake. Its shingle roof and grand stone water tower are to Luzern what the Matterhorn is to Zermatt, but considerably more vulnerable, as a 1993 fire proved. Almost 80% of this fragile monument was destroyed, including many of the 17th-century paintings inside. Nevertheless, a walk through this dark, creaky landmark will take you past polychrome copies of 110 gable panels, painted by Heinrich Wägmann in the 17th century and depicting Luzern and Swiss history; stories of St. Leodegar and St. Mauritius, Luzern's patron saints; and coats of arms of local patrician families.

    Luzern, Luzern, 6003, Switzerland
  • 3. Kultur- und Kongresszentrum

    Architect Jean Nouvel's stunning glass-and-steel building manages to stand out from---as well as to fuse with---its ancient milieu. The lakeside center's roof is an oversized,...

    Architect Jean Nouvel's stunning glass-and-steel building manages to stand out from---as well as to fuse with---its ancient milieu. The lakeside center's roof is an oversized, cantilevered, flat plane; shallow water channels thread inside, and immense glass plates mirror the surrounding views. The main draw is the concert hall, which opened in 1998. Although the lobbies are rich in blue, red, and stained wood, the hall itself is refreshingly pale, with brilliant acoustics. Among the annual music events is the renowned International Music Festival. A museum focuses on rotating exhibits of new international artists.

    Europapl. 1, Luzern, Luzern, 6005, Switzerland
    041-2267070
  • 4. Sammlung Rosengart

    A father-and-daughter team amassed this amazing group of works by major late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Now housed in a former bank building, the collection reveals...

    A father-and-daughter team amassed this amazing group of works by major late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Now housed in a former bank building, the collection reveals their intensely personal approach; the Rosengarts acquired according to their own tastes instead of investment potential. Here you can see Joan Miró's Dancer, Fernand Léger's Contraste de formes, and works by Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee, and Marc Chagall. There's an especially rich selection of works by Pablo Picasso; the artist painted the daughter, Angela Rosengart, five times.

    Pilatusstr. 10, Luzern, Luzern, 6003, Switzerland
    041-2201660

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: SF18
  • 5. Verkehrshaus

    Museum/Gallery

    Almost a world's fair in itself, the complex of buildings and exhibitions—both indoors and out—includes live demonstrations, dioramas, and a...

    Almost a world's fair in itself, the complex of buildings and exhibitions—both indoors and out—includes live demonstrations, dioramas, and a 1:20,000 scale photo of Switzerland that you can walk on in special slippers. Every mode of transit is discussed, from stagecoaches and bicycles to jumbo jets and space capsules. The museum also houses a planetarium and an IMAX theater. It's easily reached by steamer, car, train, or Bus 6, 8, or 24. If you're driving, head east on Haldenstrasse at the waterfront and make a right on Lidostrasse. Signs point the way.

    Lidostr. 5, Luzern, Luzern, 6006, Switzerland
    041-3704444

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 30 SF, Summer, daily 10–6; winter, daily 10–5
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Altes Rathaus

    Government Building

    In 1606 the town council held its first meeting in this late-Renaissance-style building, constructed between 1602 and 1606. It still meets here...

    In 1606 the town council held its first meeting in this late-Renaissance-style building, constructed between 1602 and 1606. It still meets here today.

    Kornmarkt 3, Luzern, Luzern, 6002, Switzerland
  • 7. Bourbaki-Panorama

    The panorama was the IMAX theater of the 19th century; its sweeping, wraparound paintings brought to life scenes of epic proportions. The Bourbaki is one...

    The panorama was the IMAX theater of the 19th century; its sweeping, wraparound paintings brought to life scenes of epic proportions. The Bourbaki is one of only 30 remaining in the world. Painted by Édouard Castres between 1876 and 1878 (he was aided by many uncredited artists, including Ferdinand Hodler), it depicts the French Army of the East retreating into Switzerland at Verrières, a famous episode in the Franco-Prussian War. As you walk around the circle, the imagery seems to pop into three dimensions; in fact, with the help of a few strategically placed models, it does. There's a recorded commentary in English. A modern glass cube filled with stores, movie theaters, and a restaurant surrounds its conical wooden structure.

    Löwenpl. 11, Luzern, 6004, Switzerland
    041-4123030

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: SF12
  • 8. Franziskanerkirche

    Since its construction in the 13th century, this church has been persistently remodeled. It still retains its 17th-century choir stalls and carved wooden pulpit. The...

    Since its construction in the 13th century, this church has been persistently remodeled. It still retains its 17th-century choir stalls and carved wooden pulpit. The barefoot Franciscans once held a prominent social and cultural position in Luzern, which took a firm stance against the Reformation and today remains approximately 70% Roman Catholic.

    Franziskanerpl. 1, Luzern, Luzern, 6000, Switzerland
    041-2299600
  • 9. Gletschergarten

    This tourist attraction, excavated between 1872 and 1875, uses light effects to illuminate stones that have been dramatically pocked and polished by Ice Age glaciers....

    This tourist attraction, excavated between 1872 and 1875, uses light effects to illuminate stones that have been dramatically pocked and polished by Ice Age glaciers. A private museum on the site, the Alpineum, contains impressive relief maps of Switzerland, and there’s an elaborate 19th-century hall of mirrors that seems oddly out of place but is delightfully fun. A panoramic expansion affords views across Luzern and Central Switzerland’s mountainscape.

    Denkmalstr. 4, Luzern, Luzern, 6006, Switzerland
    041-4104340

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: SF20
  • 10. Grand Casino Luzern

    Some of the most elegant nightlife in Luzern is found in the Grand Casino Luzern, an early-20th-century building on the lake's northern shore near the...

    Some of the most elegant nightlife in Luzern is found in the Grand Casino Luzern, an early-20th-century building on the lake's northern shore near the grand hotels. You can play boule (a type of roulette) in the Gambling Room; dance in the Club; watch the cabaret in the Casineum; or have a meal in Olivo, a Mediterranean restaurant with views of the mountains and the lake. In summer, sit outside under the palm trees at the loungelike Seecafe.

    Haldenstr. 6, Luzern, Luzern, 6006, Switzerland
    041-4185656
  • 11. Historisches Museum

    Museum/Gallery

    Housed in the late-Gothic armory dating from 1567, this stylish institution exhibits numerous city icons, including the original Gothic fountain...

    Housed in the late-Gothic armory dating from 1567, this stylish institution exhibits numerous city icons, including the original Gothic fountain that stood in the Weinmarkt. In the permanent exhibit, guests can use a handheld scanner to learn about the thousands of barcoded items on display.

    Pfisterg. 24, Luzern, Luzern, 6003, Switzerland
    041-2285424

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 10 SF, Tues.–Sun. and most holidays 10–5, Closed Mon., except some holidays
  • 12. Hofkirche

    Religious Building/Site/Shrine

    This sanctuary of St. Leodegar was first part of a monastery founded in 750. Its Gothic structure was mostly destroyed by fire in 1633 and rebuilt...

    This sanctuary of St. Leodegar was first part of a monastery founded in 750. Its Gothic structure was mostly destroyed by fire in 1633 and rebuilt in late-Renaissance style, so only the towers of its predecessor were preserved. The carved pulpit and choir stalls date from the 17th century, and the 80-rank organ (1650) is one of Switzerland's finest. Outside, Italianate loggias shelter a cemetery for patrician families of Old Luzern.

    St. Leodegarstr. 6, Luzern, Luzern, 6006, Switzerland
    041-2299500

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Call for hrs, Call for hrs
  • 13. Löwendenkmal

    The Swiss guards who died defending Louis XVI of France at the Tuileries in Paris in 1792 are commemorated here. Designed by Danish sculptor Berthel...

    The Swiss guards who died defending Louis XVI of France at the Tuileries in Paris in 1792 are commemorated here. Designed by Danish sculptor Berthel Thorwaldsen and carved out of a sheer sandstone face by Lucas Ahorn of Konstanz, this 19th-century wonder is a simple, stirring image of a dying lion. The Latin inscription translates "To the bravery and fidelity of the Swiss." 

    Denkmalstr. 4, Luzern, Luzern, 6002, Switzerland
  • 14. Natur-Museum

    Museum/Gallery

    Unusually modern display techniques bring nature lessons to life here. The museum focuses on local natural history, with panoramas of early...

    Unusually modern display techniques bring nature lessons to life here. The museum focuses on local natural history, with panoramas of early Luzern settlers and live animals for children to meet.

    Kasernenpl. 6, Luzern, Luzern, 6003, Switzerland
    041-2285411

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 8 SF, Tues.–Sun. 10–5, Closed Mon.
  • 15. Spreuerbrücke

    This narrow covered bridge dates from 1408. The weathered wood structure's interior gables hold a series of eerie, well-preserved 17th-century paintings of the Dance of...

    This narrow covered bridge dates from 1408. The weathered wood structure's interior gables hold a series of eerie, well-preserved 17th-century paintings of the Dance of Death by Kaspar Meglinger. Medieval in style and inspiration, they chronicle the plague that devastated all of Europe in the 14th century.

    Luzern, Luzern, 6003, Switzerland
  • 16. Weinmarkt

    What is now the loveliest of Luzern's several fountain squares was famous across Europe for the passion plays staged here in the 15th to 17th...

    What is now the loveliest of Luzern's several fountain squares was famous across Europe for the passion plays staged here in the 15th to 17th centuries. Its Gothic central fountain depicts St. Mauritius (patron saint of soldiers), and its surrounding buildings are flamboyantly frescoed in 16th-century style.

    West of Kornmarkt, Luzern, Luzern, 6004, Switzerland
  • 17. Zytturm

    The clock in this watchtower was made in Basel in 1535 and still keeps time....

    The clock in this watchtower was made in Basel in 1535 and still keeps time.

    Luzern, Luzern, 6004, Switzerland

No sights Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Around the Web