The German-speaking city is the gateway to central Switzerland, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps. The Canton of Lucerne's capital is set in an impressive location, offering spectacular mountainous views overlooking the surrounding landscape with Mount Pilatus, Rigi and the Alps in the distance. With its ornate churches, cobbled streets, Kapellbrücke and charming Old Town, Lucerne offers traditional culture in the heart of Switzerland.
In the Middle Ages Lucerne was a small fishing village that developed and flourished due to international cultural trade. It remained a small medieval town until the end of the 18th century when Switzerland began to attract tourists, boosting Lucerne's economy.
Lucerne's Old Town is situated north of the River Reuss and is rich in history. Its decorated houses with frescoes line the picturesque town squares in the car-free old town, with several half-timber structures and painted buildings as well as remnants of the old town walls. The Jesuit church dating from the 17th century is regarded as Switzerland's first baroque building and the twin towers of the Hofkirche form an integral part of the townscape.
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Discoveries
(61 reviews)Travel to the heart of the Swiss Alps to a winter wonderland of spectacular mountains and serene lakes, and enjoy a breathtaking rail journey up to the highest station in Europe.
Classic
Enjoy having your head in the clouds this winter as we stay in some of Switzerland's best mountaintop hotels. Located on beautiful Lake Brienz, the Belle Époque Grandhotel Giessbach is perched above the waters and surrounded by nature, while Pilatus Kulm lies at the top of a mountain accessed by cable car. These spectacular hotels allow you to...
Classic
(9 reviews)Snow-bound views and seasonal scenery have made the Glacier Express famous at this time of year as the Swiss Alps' glistening peaks and sugar-frosted forests provide picture-postcard backdrops. Journey through the Swiss Grand Canyon and over the Oberalp Pass on the world-renowned Glacier Express. Spend New Year's Day in historic Chur on this...
River Cruise
Join us as we explore the wonders of Lucerne in the Swiss Alps along with the stunning Moselle and Rhine rivers. Begin with a two-night stay in the charming atmosphere of Lucerne, then set sail on a luxurious seven-night cruise where each bend of the river reveals beauty and each destination offers a new adventure. Experience the awe-inspiring...
Classic
(15 reviews)Snow-bound views and seasonal scenery have made the Glacier Express famous at this time of year as the Swiss Alps' glistening peaks and sugar-frosted forests provide picture-postcard backdrops. Visit Strasbourg's Christmas market enroute to Switzerland, and journey through the Swiss Grand Canyon and over the Oberalp Pass on the world-renowned...
Luxury
Experience the beauty of Switzerland by train aboard the historic Bernina Express, the classic Glacier Express, and the majestic GoldenPass Express. As you travel through stunning alpine scenery, viewing mountains, lakes, meadows and valleys, you'll travel in style and sophistication to some of Switzerland's most glamourous, picturesque, and...
Luxury
Discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland while you travel in style aboard the Golden Pass from Lakeside Montreux, to Interlaken at the foot of the mighty Jungfrau. Travel onto beautiful Lake Lucerne, crossing three passes in total, and visit eight lakes, including Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva, on this relaxing journey through...
River Cruise
Every bend of the river and every ascent into the mountains unveils new treasures waiting to be discovered on this nine-day holiday. Enjoy a blend of luxurious relaxation and captivating exploration, from the historic streets of Cologne to the serene shores of Lake Lucerne. Step aboard the opulent Amadeus Imperial, our floating hotel on the...
Chapel Bridge
Lucerne's famous landmark is the Kapellbrücke (Chapel)
Bridge, separating Lucerne's Old and New Town. The oldest wooden
bridge in Europe, built in the 14th century, it was constructed to
help protect the city of Lucerne against attacks. Inside, a series
of paintings from the 17th century display the city's history. Many
of these were destroyed in the 1993 fire; although the bridge was
quickly reconstructed in 1994 some of the damage remains today.
Adjoining the bridge is the water tower, which has served as a prison, torture chamber, watchtower and treasury. The Tourist Information Centre is only minutes' walk from Chapel Bridge.
The Lion Monument
In 1821 Bertel Thorvaldsen designed this impressive
monument carved out of natural rock to commemorate the death of the
Swiss heroes during the attack on Tuileriers Palace in Paris 1792,
during the French Revolution.
11/08/2023 · By Sam Priestley
There’s nothing more Christmassy than snowy mountains, frosted fir trees, and twinkling fairy lights, and in the Swiss Alps all of this comes with some very festive traditions. Some of these Christmas customs are similar to those enjoyed in the rest of Europe, while others are a little more unusual. We take a closer look at the culture of Christmas in the Swiss Alps.
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10/08/2023 · By Sam Priestley
Champagne amid snowy scenery, travelling through frosty landscapes, and having your Christmas lunch served to you in luxury, there’s no Christmas and New Year quite like the one you’ll experience when on a festive trip. But some places do the celebrations better than others and some destinations just seem to embody the season. Here’s our pick of where to spend Christmas and New Year.
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21/05/2020 · By Sukie Chapman
Discover the world in winter and step into a snow-globe world of seasonal beauty.
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08/01/2020 · By Rashmi Guha Ray
Discover Europe one train at a time on our blog. Great Rail Journeys shares insights, tips, and tales. Join the journey and explore Europe by rail.
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