Episode 157: 8 Lesser-Known Swiss Villages and Towns near Lake Lucerne to Include in Your Trip to Switzerland
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Big cities grab the spotlight, but Switzerland’s heart beats in its quiet lakeside towns and mountain villages. Just beyond the city limits, there’s a richness of culture, scenery, and tradition waiting to be explored.
In this episode, I’m joined once again by Celine Deplazes from Lucerne Tourism to take you on a journey through some of the most beautiful boutique towns surrounding Lake Lucerne.
We explore hidden gems like Brunnen, Beckenried, and Sörenberg, where you’ll find everything from lakeside serenity to immersive outdoor activities. Celine shares local tips, accommodation recommendations, and authentic experiences that offer something a little different from the well-trodden tourist path.
You’ll also learn how easy it is to visit these towns thanks to excellent public transport in Switzerland and of course, the Swiss Travel Pass makes getting around even simpler.
We’ll touch on incredible excursions to Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, and dive into some truly unique cultural experiences like glass-blowing in Hergiswil and exploring traditional craftsmanship in Stans, Switzerland.
If you’re dreaming of scenic boat rides, mountain hikes, and postcard-worthy villages, this episode will give you plenty of inspiration for your Swiss itinerary.
Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- The charming boutique towns and villages that surround Lake Lucerne and what makes each one unique
- How easy it is to access these towns from Lucerne using public transport or by boat
- Recommendations for places to stay and where to eat in each boutique village
- Special activities, local attractions, and mountain excursions you can experience from each location
- Insider tips for finding quiet, authentic Swiss experiences away from the main tourist areas
- Why staying in a smaller village might suit your travel style and budget better than basing yourself in Lucerne
Our Guest
Céline Deplazes grew up in the country side by Lake Lucerne. After spending time in New York and Zurich, she moved to Lucerne five years ago.
She loves living in Lucerne as it offers the best of both worlds – the city and the mountains.
Céline is a Market Manager for Lucerne Tourism.
Boutique towns mentioned in this episode
>> Hergiswil – a lakeside village at the foot of Mt. Pilatus with a unique glassblowing attraction.
>> Stans – the capital of Nidwalden canton, Stans is a traditional Swiss village and is home to Mt. Stanserhorn.
>> Beckenried – a small lakeside village with easy access to mountains including the Klewenalp which is popular amongst the Swiss but lesser-known to international tourists.
>> Brunnen – this lively lakeside town, near the historical Rutli meadow, is the home of Victorinox, makers of the Swiss Army knife.
>> Gersau – a secluded, quiet lakeside village with a unique history – from 1390 until 1817 it was a separate republic!
>> Weggis – a lakeside village at the foot of Mt. Rigi, known for its Mediterranean vibes.
>> Vitznau – not far from Weggis, Vitznau is a great base for Mount Rigi excursions. The Mt. Rigi cogwheel train station is right beside the lake.
>> Sörenberg – this mountain village, which is part of the UNESCO biosphere region of Entlebuch, is a great base for nature lovers.
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Useful resources
Celine recommends the following hotels:
- Hergiswil – Hotel Roggerli and Seehotel Pilatus
- Stans – Culinarium Alpinum and Tailormade Hotel Stans Süd
- Beckenried – Hotel Nidwaldnerhof and Hotel Schlüssel
- Brunnen – Hotel Waldstätterhof Brunnen
- Gersau – Hostel Rotschuo and Seehotel Riviera
- Weggis – Campus Hotel Hertenstein
- Vitznau – Neuro Campus Hotel Das Morgen and Parkhotel Vitznau
- Sörenberg – Hotel Rischli, Flühli Kurhaus and Hotel Sörenberg
💻 Visit the Lucerne Tourism website for further information about the towns discussed today. You can also read all our Lucerne destination guides.
🎙️Listen to more episodes about the Lake Lucerne region:
- Episode 57: Things to do in Lucerne
- Episode 105: The best day trips from Lucerne
- Episode 132: What to see and do in Lucerne (VIDEO)
- Episode 153: Local experiences to enjoy in and around Lucerne
✅ Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass and browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.
👉 Free Switzerland Travel Planning Kit and Guide
> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
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