Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, stands on the lake of the same name, embedded in the magical panorama of the surrounding mountains. With its attractions, souvenir and watch stores, picturesque lakeside location and easy access to the mountains – to the summits of Pilatus, Rigi and Stanserhorn – the city attracts both solo travelers and groups of tourists traveling to Central Switzerland.
Medieval Chapel Bridge under the gable roof, with picturesque paintings under the arch – the main attraction and the most photographed object in Lucerne, in addition, it is recognized as one of the oldest wooden covered bridges in Europe. Another city landmark is the Museggmauer: a wall which, with the exception of one tower alone, has been preserved in its original form when it still had fortification value.
Historic buildings decorated with frescoes surround the picturesque town squares, making up the Weinmarkt quarter in the city center closed to vehicles. Lucerne is a city of churches and squares. The Jesuit church dates back to the 17th century and is recognized as Switzerland’s first baroque religious building, while the twin towers of the Hofkirche are an integral part of the cityscape. The Dying Lion, carved in rock to commemorate the heroic death of the Swiss Guard who defended the Tuileries Palace in 1792, is one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland. Also worth mentioning is the 122-meter panorama of Bourbaki – Lucerne has one of the few surviving scenic panoramas in the world.
Tradition and modernity go hand in hand in Lucerne, a city that has also gained fame thanks to its modern architecture. The futuristic Center of Culture and Congress, designed by the leading French architect Jean Nouvel, is one of the architectural landmarks of the city. It symbolizes that “Lucerne is a city of festivals”: many different cultural events take place here throughout the year.
Lucerne is an ideal starting point for a tour of the Central Swiss region. A must-see is the climb to Lucerne’s “home” mountains: the Pilatus and Riga, the queens of the mountains. But the Stanserhorn and Bürgenstock are not to be missed, nor is a steamboat cruise on Lake Lucerne with its many bends and coves. The Wilhelm Tell Express departs from Lucerne and takes passengers to the foot of the Gottard Pass across Lake Lucerne and then moves on to the canton of Ticino, in the southern Alps. The “Cherry Road” leads from Lucerne through hills covered with cherry trees, from the fruit of which the well-known kirsch is produced.
Conferences and congresses
With first-class infrastructure and a diverse range of hotels, Lucerne in the very heart of Switzerland leaves nothing to be desired. The city boasts multifunctional event centers such as the world-famous KKL Luzern (Lucerne Culture and Convention Center) designed by star architect Jean Nouvel and a large number of hotels with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Lucerne offers the ideal setting for your event. With its magnificent lakeside location and Alpine peaks almost close enough to touch, the city is the ideal starting point for supporting programs and team events. It is beautifully laid out and offers a wide variety of sights, cultural attractions and unique shops.
