One Day in Lucerne Itinerary

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As one of the most interesting and scenic cities in Europe, Lucerne is a must-visit for so many visitors to Switzerland. 

If you have only one day in Lucerne, though, you need to make the most of every moment. Which is exactly where this itinerary for a day in Lucerne comes in. 

Lucerne is filled with fascinating and historic sights. You can swoon over the painted frescoes and oriel windows decorating the windows of the medieval Old Town, cross the river via ancient bridges, and discover charming old churches. 

Other things to do in Lucerne in one day include visiting the outstanding Swiss Museum of Transport, touring an art museum, or even taking a 10-minute train trip to Root so you can spend time at Aeschbach Chocolatier. 

I also recommend taking a midday cruise across Lake Lucerne. This two hour trip is a great way to unwind between seeing the sights, and includes a freshly prepared, three course gourmet lunch made from locally sourced ingredients. 

End your experience of Lucerne in a day by having dinner at one of the city’s finest fondue restaurants. 

Though this Lucerne in one day itinerary is of course flexible to suit exactly what you want to see and do, these are my recommended highlights. 

If you’re wondering what to do in Lucerne for a day, read on so you can plan your perfect day – or overnight stay. 

🇨🇭 Spending two full days in the city? Then check out my two day Lucerne itinerary.

What to do in Lucerne for one day

Morning

Start your day by taking in the city’s historic sites. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Lucerne’s Old Town, see the famous Chapel Bridge, and stop at the Jesuit Church. If you like, you could also take a 10-minute stroll to see the Dying Lion Monument.

Old Town

Should you need a morning pick-me-up, you’ll be pleased to find that the Old Town’s streets and squares are lined with appealing cafes and restaurants, and a range of attractive shops. 

If you want to do a spot of shopping while you’re in Lucerne, this area offers a good range of stores to browse, selling all sorts of covetable items from Swiss and international brands. 

The top floor restaurant at the Manor department store on Weggisgasse is also worth visiting, not least for the sweeping city views from the outdoor terrace. 

Be sure to look up while you’re wandering around Lucerne Old Town, or you might miss the lovely oriel windows and decorative frescoes adorning many of the buildings. 

Wine was formerly traded at picturesque Weinmarkt Square, hence the name. Many of the attractive old houses here are now home to smart boutiques and stylish hotels including Hotel des Balances.

Rathausquai is a pedestrianised stretch running parallel to the river, where you’ll find lots of outdoor dining options, and you can access Chapel Bridge from here. 

Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and Jesuit Church

The origins of medieval Chapel Bridge date back as far as 1333. Despite a 1993 fire, some of the 17th century pictorial panels can still be seen underneath the eaves. 

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, the bridge will be decorated with colourful flower boxes, whilst in winter, the roof is often dusted with snow.

The Water Tower by the bridge and near the Jesuit Church is 34 metres tall, and has a striking red octagonal roof. In the past, it has been used as a fortress, a prison, an archive, and a treasury. 

The light green onion domes, twin towers and white walls make it easy to recognise Jesuit Church. This was the first Baroque style church in Switzerland, dating back to 1673. If you want to explore further, step inside to discover marble altars and a stunning frescoed ceiling. 

Dying Lion Monument

A 10-minute walk from the Old Town will take you to the Dying Lion monument. This was sculpted from the cliff face to commemorate those Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. 

The lion effectively symbolises the bravery and strength of the soldiers who died for their cause, and can be an emotive sight to see. 

Lunch

Lake Lucerne cruise with 3 course meal 

Taking one of the lunchtime Lake Lucerne cruises with dining included is the perfect way to see more of the city in a short space of time. 

Cruising across the lake also gives you a couple of hours to rest and relax – which you might well need after walking around sightseeing. 

A three-course lunch is also served on board, so you can refuel after a busy morning. This is made from fresh local produce, with a vegetarian alternative available. 

While you dine and savour the scenery, you’ll be transported from Lucerne to Vitznau (in winter) or Küssnacht am Rigi (in summer) and back again.

As the cruise commences at midday and ends at 1.45pm, you’ll be back on dry land by 2pm. This leaves you with plenty of time to spend at other Lucerne attractions.

> Click here to book this two hour lunch cruise on Lake Lucerne

Alternatively, take a shorter, one hour catamaran cruise departing around 12pm if you want to set off on the Cargo eBike Loop Tour at 2pm (details below). If you like, lunch is available to purchase on board. 

Despite the tighter timings, you’ll still get to see Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and Bürgenstock from the water, as well as the city itself. 

> Click here to book this one hour Lake Lucerne cruise

Afternoon

In the afternoon, choose between visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport, Aeschbach Chocolatier, or an art museum. Alternatively, you could join a Cargo eBike tour, commencing at 2pm.

Swiss Museum of Transport

Located on Lidostrasse and by the lake, the Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) is the most popular museum in all of Switzerland. Though you could spend a whole day here, it’s open until 6pm, giving you up to four or five hours following a one or two hour cruise.

The museum is ideal for adults and kids alike, with interactive displays, rides, simulators, an IMAX theatre, and a planetarium. You can also find the Swiss Chocolate Adventure here. 

You can reach the Swiss Museum of Transport by taking a bus from Stop B at the bus terminal beside the boat pier and train station. (Journey time is 5 minutes.)

> Click here to buy your Swiss Transport Museum tickets

Aeschbach Chocolatier

Hop on a train at Lucerne’s main station and you can take a 10-minute ride to Root, where Aeschbach Chocolatier is located right by the station. Spending time here is one of the top wet weather activities in Lucerne but it’s lots of fun regardless of the weather.

Visit to see chocolate being manufactured right in front of your eyes, as well as sampling some of the sweet stuff. You can also find out where cocoa beans come from, and see artworks made from chocolate. 

You can make your own 200 gram bar to take home if you like, or purchase a newly minted chocolate coin stamped with your choice of motif.

Art museum

The Rosengart Collection, or Sammlung Rosengart, can be found on Pilatusstrasse. You can see artworks by Picasso, Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, and Klee here. 

In fact the entire ground floor is dedicated to Picasso, with around 200 photos of him on display, in addition to many of the artist’s works. 

The museum also has about 125 Klee drawings and paintings, plus over 300 19th and 20th century Impressionist and Classic Modernist works by a range of artists. 

If you want to discover more about the artworks and their creators, you can book a guided tour led by an expert. 

Loop Tour

Spend the afternoon travelling by electric cargo bike for a different perspective on this popular Swiss city. 

Your guide will share lots of insights into Switzerland and her people en route, making five stops themed around architecture, food, the mountains, local legends, and a Swiss migration test. 

The services of a guide, fresh spring water and a snack, transport, and even a rain cover for wet weather are supplied. 

> Click here to book your cargo bike tour of Lucerne

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Dinner 

Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern 

Offering a choice of about 100 fondues, Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern might just be the best place on the planet to sample this traditional Swiss food. 

But it’s not all about oozing, melted deliciousness. The position of Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern simply cannot be beaten. When it comes to making memories, what could be better than an historic building dating back to 1578, located in central Lucerne, with views over the iconic Chapel Bridge?

If you’re not into the idea of fondue or have already had your fill, Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern also serves raclette – another firm Swiss favourite – and a range of contemporary dishes made using local, seasonal ingredients. 

Menus include a la carte, Cordon Bleu, children’s, and dessert menus. Gluten-free alternatives are also available. 

🇨🇭 Staying over after dinner? Then take a look at our guide to the best hotels in Lucerne.

Podcast episodes about Lucerne

Listen to our podcast episodes about visiting Lucerne by clicking on the green buttons below. 👇

One day in Lucerne itinerary – Final thoughts

Though one day in Lucerne may not seem like long enough, you can pack plenty into your short time here as long as you plan carefully. 

From the historic sights of the Old Town to cruising on Lake Lucerne, touring some of the finest museums in Switzerland, sampling chocolate, and tucking into fondue for dinner, spending time in Lucerne guarantees a day you’ll never forget. 

Whether you’d rather take a tour by Cargo e-bike or dine on board while skimming across the lake, it’s easy to have a break from spending all day on your feet, too. 

What will you do when you visit Lucerne?

🇨🇭 Need more ideas for what to see and do in Lucerne?  Browse all our Lucerne travel guides.