8 boutique towns near Lake Lucerne that are a great alternative base to Lucerne
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When visiting the area around Lake Lucerne, many travellers choose to stay in the city. This makes sense as you can walk everywhere, and there are plenty of attractions, restaurants, and shops to spend your time (and money) in.
However, basing yourself in Lucerne isn’t the only option. Cities aren’t for everyone. As Switzerland is compact and has one of the world’s finest public transport systems, it’s easy to stay outside the city centre if you’d prefer to.
So why consider a smaller town for your Lake Lucerne base? Well, it’s ideal if you’re seeking an authentic Swiss experience and like to get off the well-trodden tourist path.
Staying just outside the city means you can enjoy lovely, family-run hotels, often with a very personal touch. The importance of Swiss hospitality is clearly evident in all these smaller towns and villages.
Prices may also play a part, as hotels outside Lucerne can be more affordable, even in high season. If you do want to visit the city, a quick train trip, a short drive, or a slightly longer boat ride can get you there, depending on where you choose to stay.
Moving in an anti-clockwise direction, this article introduces you to eight of the best boutique towns near Lake Lucerne.
Read on to take a trip around Lake Lucerne – and so you can decide where to base yourself while visiting one of the loveliest parts of glorious Switzerland.
🇨🇭Prefer to listen to this information? Click here to listen to episode 157 of our podcast: 8 lesser-known Swiss villages and towns near Lake Lucerne to include in your trip to Switzerland.
Hergiswil
Best for: a convenient location by the lake and traditional Swiss craftsmanship
Population (approx.): 6,000
A very short train ride from Lucerne will take you to Hergiswil, a serene and picturesque spot by the lake with a Mount Pilatus backdrop. Despite a modest population of around 6,000, it’s one of the largest villages in the region.
Best thing to do in Hergiswil
Glasi Hergiswil
Hergiswil’s unique drawcard is the Glasi Hergiswil. This is a museum with exhibits telling the fascinating tales of Swiss glass artisans and their craft. It’s now the only place in Switzerland that produces glass by using traditional glass blowers.
How to get to Hergiswil
- By train – Hergiswil is only 10 minutes by train from Lucerne, and the cost of the journey is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
- By boat – Alternatively, a boat trip of between 40 and 90 minutes can also get you to Hergiswil from Lucerne.
- By car – Hergiswil is also conveniently located for those travelling by car, as the village is situated close to the highway exit.
Recommended hotels in Hergiswil
Hotel Roggerli
The Roggerli is our first recommendation for a place to stay in Hergiswil. The hotel’s elevated position means guests can savor spectacular views over the village and Lake Lucerne. It’s around a 15-minute walk from the train station, or you could take a 10-minute bus ride to reach it.
Seehotel Pilatus
The other top option is lakeside Seehotel Pilatus. During summer you can make the most of having direct lake access, while the spa and a wellness area – including an indoor pool – is ideal for winter. Parking is available here for those travelling by car.
Stans
Best for: proximity to Lucerne, history, Mount Stanserhorn, and cheesy Älplermagronen
Population (approx.): 8,500
Stans is around 12 miles, or 20 kilometres, from Lucerne. It’s the capital of Nidwalden canton, and was one of the founding cantons of Switzerland.
Best things to do in Stans
St. Peter and Paul Church
This beautiful, historic Catholic church is a fine example of Baroque architecture, and dates back to the 1640s. It’s also impressive in stature, being big enough to hold up to 600 people at once.
Mount Stanserhorn
A must-do in Stans is taking an excursion to Mount Stanserhorn, and if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass, then transport to the top is actually included. The journey is all part of the fun, too, via an historic funicular and the world’s very first open-air cable car.
Visit Stanserhorn for 360 degree views over the lake, mountains, and Lucerne. If you like, you can take an evening trip between June and October for spectacular sunset views on the descent.
There’s also lots of flora and fauna to see on Stanserhorn, under the expert guidance of the award-winning Stanserhorn Rangers.
Älplermagronen
The restaurant on Stanserhorn is famous for a dish called Älplermagronen, a cheese macaroni.
Theirs is regarded as one of the best in Switzerland, and arrives in a fondue caquelon, with a dish suspended over a small fire. The dish contains macaroni topped with oozing, melted cheese, with crunchy onions providing the perfect contrast.
How to get to Stans
- By train – Stans is only slightly further from Lucerne than Hergiswil, and the train ride takes about 15 minutes from the city.
- By car – If you’re driving, you can get to Stans from Lucerne in around 20 minutes via the A2.
Recommended hotels in Stans
Culinarium Alpinum
Culinarium Alpinum was formerly a monastery, and was reopened following renovation in 2020. The owners of this 14-bedroom property care very much about the natural surroundings, sustainability, and local produce.
Some of the food served in the restaurant is sourced from the kitchen garden, where some unusual fruits and vegetables are grown, alongside regional favourites.
Tailormade Hotel Stans Süd
This three star hotel is more conventional, and is conveniently sited right by the motorway exit. With free on-site parking and soundproofed rooms, it’s ideal for those travelling by car.
Beckenried
Best for: a lakeside position, a lesser-known mountain, and a rural feel
Population (approx.): 3,600
The little settlement of Beckenried also belongs to Canton Nidwalden. It’s a typical, traditional Swiss village, positioned by the lake and with a mountainous backdrop.
Best things to do in Beckenried
Klewenalp
Family-friendly Klewenalp is among the lesser known Swiss mountain excursions, and is reachable via central Switzerland’s longest cable car. Outdoor activities such as hiking or biking are very popular here, plus skiing and snowboarding in winter.
Klewenalp to Stockhütte hike
One of the most accessible yet rewarding walks is the Klewenalp to Stockhütte hike. It takes around one-and-a-half hours. is mostly flat, and offers jaw-dropping views over the lake, villages, and Swiss peaks including Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi.
Bike boards
For a memorable ending to your mountain adventure, take a bike board (Trotii bike) ride down from Stockhütte to Emmetten. The latter is a small village with a bus service to Beckenried.
How to get to Beckenried
- By train and bus – To get to Beckenried from Lucerne you need to take a 15-minute train ride to Stans followed by a 15-minute bus journey.
- By boat – You can also take a boat from Lucerne to reach Beckenried. This typically takes between an hour and 15 minutes and one hour and 45 minutes, depending on the route.
Recommended hotels in Beckenried
Hotel Schlüssel
10-room Hotel Schlüssel is a boutique property housed in a renovated early 19th century building. Accommodation options include two rooftop suites. The hosts here are Kozia, a chef who loves to use very fresh local ingredients, and Connie, who can suggest the perfect wine pairing for your meal.
Hotel Nidwaldnerhof
Hotel Nidwalderhof is situated right by the lake. The food here is exceptional, while accommodation choices include family and spa rooms. Dining out on the lakeside terrace is a real highlight.
Brunnen
Best for: a historic and more lively lakefront location
Population (approx.): 9,000
Lakeside Brunnen is in Schwyz, another of Switzerland’s original cantons. This better-known and historic spot boasts views over the very place where Switzerland was founded in 1291 – Rütli Meadow.
Best things to do in Brunnen
Victorinox factory and store
Everyone’s heard of the Swiss Army knife, and in Ibach, next to Brunnen, you can visit the Victorinox factory. There’s also a store in Brunnen where you can assemble your very own pocket knife.
Book this unique, off-the-radar experience by email or phone, or even in person if you’re passing by.
Shoppers can pick between three different types of knives, as well as a range of colours. Each one built here is also engraved with a message proving that it was indeed assembled by hand.
Mount Stoos
Transport to the village level at Mount Stoos is also included with the Swiss Travel Pass and getting there involves taking a funicular ride.
If you want to go higher, you can also take the chair lift to Fronalpstock for stunning views over Lake Uri, which somewhat resembles a Norwegian fjord. There’s also a wonderful restaurant on Mount Stoos.
Klingenstock to Fronalpstock trail
Hikers will love following a famous ridge trail running between Klingenstock and Fronalpstock. This takes between an hour and 90 minutes, and offers the best views when you hike from Klingenstock to Fronalpstock.
How to get to Brunnen
- By train – The direct train from Lucerne takes around 45 minutes to reach Brunnen.
- By boat – You can get to Brunnen by boat from Lucerne, which takes between two and two-and-a-half hours.
Recommended hotel in Brunnen
Hotel Waldstätterhof Brunnen
Four star Hotel Waldstätterhof is a highly recommended property in Brunnen, and is sited right by the lake with its own small private beach. There’s also a lovely spa, and the Sunday brunch available here is popular with locals as well as hotel guests.
Gersau
Best for: a relaxed atmosphere and perfect peace plus natural attractions
Population (approx.): 2,500
Gersau is a small, sleepy, and secluded village by the shores of Lake Lucerne. It’s not a particularly well-known place, even among the Swiss.
This pretty village is a worthy member of the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland association.
Interestingly, Gersau was once a republic, with its own government and laws. Swiss German-speakers even sometimes say “stop being such a gersau,” which roughly translates as “stop being so complicated.”
Best things to do in Gersau
Mountain excursions
There are several mountains you can access from Gersau. Mount Rigi is the most famous mountain, but not necessarily for the impressive hiking trail network snaking across the southern section.
You can also go from Gersau up to Rigi Burggeist, Rigi Scheidegg, or the summit, before heading back down to Gersau by bus or boat via Vitznau.
Lakeside activities
There are plenty of barbecue spots and picnic areas by the lake in Gersau. There’s also a mini golf course, or you can simply jump into the lake for a swim during summer.
How to get to Gersau
- By train – It takes about an hour and 10 minutes to get from Lucerne to Gersau by train, with a change in Brunnen.
- By boat – Boats take around an hour-and-a-half to travel from Lucerne to Gersau.
- By car – The journey time by car from Lucerne to Gersau is around 45 minutes.
Recommended hotels in Gersau
Hostel Rotschuo
Hostel Rotschuo is a simple, affordable place to stay in Gersau offering traditional, cosy, chalet-style accommodation.
Seehotel Riviera
Seehotel Riviera is right by the lake, and offers a spa, a great gin bar, and beautiful rooms with a terrace and lake views.
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Weggis
Best for: Exploring a charming Swiss town and Mount Rigi excursions
Population (approx.): 4,500
Along with Vitznau, Weggis is among the bigger and better known villages around Lake Lucerne. The simplest and most scenic way to get to Weggis is by boat, which makes getting there an adventure in itself.
Best things to do in Weggis
Mount Rigi
Mount Rigi is the star attraction in this area. It’s easy to reach the summit from Weggis or from Vitznau. From there, expect superlative, sweeping views over the lake and surrounding mountains. Even peaks in France and Germany can be seen on the clearest days.
Once more, this mountain excursion is included with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Urban Golf
Playing Urban Golf in Weggis is a great way to explore the village. Collect the equipment from the tourist information office, and you can discover Weggis in a really fun, family-friendly way.
Lido Bus
The little ‘Lido’ bus can also take you on a tour of the town, and is a pleasant way to pass the time.
How to get to Weggis
- By train – A train journey between Lucerne and Weggis takes about 40 minutes, usually involving a change of trains en route.
- By boat – Regular boat services transport passengers to Weggis from Lucerne. It takes around 50 minutes to get to Weggis via the water.
- By car – The drive from Lucerne to Weggis takes about half an hour.
Recommended hotel in Weggis
Campus Hotel Hertenstein
Campus Hotel Hertenstein is a four star hotel on the Hertenstein peninsula, positioned right by the boat stop. The property offers private beach access, bike rental, two different restaurants, and a lovely lakeside ambience.
Vitznau
Best for: a Mediterranean, riviera vibe with a Swiss mountain setting
Population (approx.): 1,400
Vitznau is among Lake Lucerne’s best known towns. As with Weggis, the easiest way to reach Vitznau is by taking a scenic boat ride across the lake. These two towns have a more Mediterranean feel than others in the area, and are sometimes known as the Lucerne Riviera.
Best thing to do in Vitznau
Mount Rigi
You can get to Mount Rigi from the train station right by the boat stop in Vitznau, and the two are almost joined. Transport is included if you have a Swiss Travel Pass.
Visit Mount Rigi for panoramic lake and mountain views of Switzerland and even, if you’re lucky, the bordering countries of France and Germany.
How to get to Vitznau
- By train – Trains travelling between Lucerne and Vitznau take around 50 minutes, depending on the route.
- By boat – Boat services also operate regularly from the city of Lucerne to Vitznau, and the journey time is about 45 minutes.
- By car – The car journey from Lucerne to Vitznau takes around 35 minutes.
Recommended hotels in Vitznau
Neuro Campus Hotel Das Morgen
Hotel Das Morgen is right next to the Mount Rigi station in Vitznau. The 55-room property is also the first hotel in the world to combine neuroscience with hospitality.
The Gestern Heute Morgen restaurant here is also unique, and the name means yesterday, today, tomorrow. This concept includes everything from traditional Swiss chalet style to robot waiters.
Parkhotel Vitznau
If you don’t mind splashing out, there’s also the five star Park Hotel Vitznau, housed in a lovely old Swiss castle. You can’t fail to spot this local landmark, perched by the lake, when arriving in Vitznau by boat.
There are 48 rooms and suites, plus a spa, direct lake access, three restaurants, and a large wine cellar.
Sörenberg
Best for: An off-the-beaten path Swiss mountain vibe, cheese, and the great outdoors
Population (approx.): 2,000
The last boutique town we highly recommend is a little further away from the lake. Sörenberg, among the mountains, forms part of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, an area where sustainability, nature, and agriculture are very important.
If you want to encapsulate that Swiss mountain vibe without being too high up in the mountains, Sörenberg could be the ideal place to stay. It’s also perfect for getting off the beaten tourist track.
Best things to do in Sörenberg
Bergkäserei Marbach
Visit Entlebucher Bergkäserei Marbach and you can learn about the entire process of turning milk into cheese. You can also find out why Swiss cheese is so very tasty!
Brienzer Rothorn
One of the best mountain excursions in the Lake Lucerne area is the Brienzer Rothorn. At around 2,300 metres above sea level, it’s the highest mountain in Lucerne canton.
A new gondola system will transport you up to the summit. From the summit you can enjoy sweeping views over Lake Brienz, and here you’ll also find a classic steam train travelling to and from Brienz on the other side of the mountain.
Round-trips combining both the Brienzer Rothorn steam train from Brienz and the Sörenberg cable car are possible.
Outdoor activities
Spending time in the Sörenberg area is often all about outdoor activities. It’s also a very family-friendly place, with plenty of playgrounds and easy hikes for kids. During winter, the village also doubles up as a small ski resort.
How to get to Sörenberg
- By train – Getting from Lucerne to Sörenberg by train takes between an hour and one hour and 45 minutes, depending on the route. You’ll need to change at least once, typically in Schupfheim.
- By car – The journey time from Lucerne to Sörenberg by car is around one hour.
Recommended hotels in Sörenberg
Hotel Rischli
Four star Hotel Rischli is conveniently sited right by the bus stop. It has a small but lovely spa, serves delicious local food, and has only 25 rooms. Like other properties in this area, you can expect a non-chain hotel with a personal touch.
Flühli Kurhaus
The historic Kurhaus in Flühli is actually located in the village just before Sörenberg, and dates from 1899. This recently refreshed 29-room property seamlessly blends traditional Swiss hospitality with modern comfort.
Hotel Sörenberg
The final recommended option can be found in Sörenberg itself, and offers apartments for up to seven guests as well as rooms. Hotel Sörenberg serves breakfast, and you can also cook your own meals in the shared kitchen. The hotel is right opposite the valley station so you can head up into the mountains.
Final thoughts
As you can see, staying outside of Lucerne is a great idea. With so many charming towns and villages in which to base yourself, you can enjoy a quieter (and perhaps, cheaper) stay with less hustle and bustle.
All of these towns are well connected to Lucerne by public transport which means you can still see all the highlights of the city, if you wish.
But with the unique attractions and ambiance these towns offer, you may not actually want to leave!
🇨🇭Start planning your visit to Lucerne and the Lake Lucerne region with our Lucerne travel guide.
Swiss Villages and Towns near Lake Lucerne in Switzerland Podcast Episode
SWITZERLAND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
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