From mouthwatering national dishes to traditional Art Deco stays, Outlook Recommends the best places to visit in Lucerne.
Eat:
FOR A MOUTHWATERING ADVENTURE…
Often considered the national dish of Switzerland, fondue and raclette have a tasty history dating back centuries.
Long established as one of the most important staple foods for farmers and herdsmen, raclette has been traced back as early as the 12th century to the shepherds of the original cantons of the country who would warm the spicy cheese over the fire during the winter months.
Meanwhile, fondue was first described in a 1699 Zurich manuscript and became promoted by the Swiss Cheese Union in the early 20th century.
Today, the warm and mouthwatering cheeses are an iconic part of everyday life, particularly revered during the chilly winter season, with one such restaurant – Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern – offering not only the most rich and decadent menus but cheese-themed experiences that will leave you wanting more.
Located in a beautiful, frescoed building on the riverbank of Lake Lucerne, Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern hosts the yearly winter forest event, Unter der Egg, an enchanting outdoor fairytale that offers over 100 different fondue variations to be tasted, either individually or as a three-course meal.
Additionally, during the winter months, Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern offers fondue carriage rides for those looking to explore the city in style and with warm, full stomachs.
In parallel to the winter forest and carriage ride, the Fondue and Raclette Ship, which runs from October to December each year, provides cheese lovers with the opportunity to take in the city skyline at night while enjoying all-you-can-eat fondue and raclette.
Do:
FOR AN AFTERNOON OF TREASURES…
Stroll, feast, and discover Lucerne’s many enticing local markets and stalls.
Find yourself drifting between stands as you are drawn in by the tantalising scent of freshly baked bread, hand-picked flowers, and newly hauled-in fish. Treat yourself to vintage jewellery pieces you can’t find anywhere else, porcelain dolls dressed in traditional clothing, and so much more at Lucerne’s markets.
Wochenmarkt, open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, is known for its bread, tangy mountain cheese, vibrant flowers, crisp vegetables, homegrown food, and local delicacies for you to try.
Elsewhere, at Monatsmarkt, you can expect to find an eclectic mix of stalls selling textiles, accessories, toys, food, and decorative items for you to bring home as an authentic and well-crafted memory.
For those who are more craft-oriented and have an eye for more out-of-the-ordinary trinkets, the craft market located inside Old Town’s Weinmarkt is the perfect place to talk to local artists and find unique pieces of jewellery, ceramics, leatherware, pictures, and more.
Finally, one of the most popular and extensive marketplaces is Markthalle Lucerne, open 365 days a year with fresh, regional, and seasonal shopping options. Located centrally at the city’s railway station, everything purchased comes exclusively from Switzerland and is produced as locally as possible. The never-ending range of products offers everything from breakfast and takeaway to lunch and aperitifs to recipe inspirations and desserts. One of the most enchanting concepts is that each product is labelled with how many kilometres it has travelled to reach the marketplace.
FOR A DAY OF TIME TRAVELLING…
From the technological wonders of transportation to artistic treasures from the likes of Picasso and Klee, archaeological finds from the Stone Age, and a plethora of amazing and unique exhibitions, Lucerne is a museum lover’s paradise.
With its extensive range of museums and galleries, making the most of the city’s historical and cultural offerings is best achieved through the Lucerne Museum Pass.
With the pass, which can be purchased from Tourist Information Lucerne via the Lucerne Tourism online shop and all participating locations, museum connoisseurs are able to visit 10 museums for two consecutive days at the price of just CHF39.
The pass is valid at the Swiss Museum of Transport, Museum of Art Lucerne, Rosengart Collection, Glacier Garden, Richard Wagner Museum, Bourbaki Panorama, Museum Luzern (consisting of History and Natural History Museum), and Gameorama.
The former has been welcoming visitors since 1959 and provides a comprehensive overview of the history of transportation and communication alongside a planetarium and space travel hall.
Glacier Garden, meanwhile, was first opened in 1873 and is a unique combination of a natural monument, a park, and a museum. The main attraction is the Million Years Show, an immersive experience that transports visitors to an era where the land was covered by massive glaciers.
Bourbaki Panorama, a panoramic circular painting recognised as a European monument, a powerful denunciation of war, and a testament to the first humanitarian actions of the Red Cross, is also not to be missed as part of the Lucerne Museum Pass. The painting is not only historical but a museum and cultural centre that is significant to the city’s natural heritage.
Sleep:
FOR A TRADITIONAL ART DECO STAY…
More than just a hotel, Montana Art Deco Hotel Lucerne is the epitome of outstanding hospitality, individuality, and lifestyle.
With the aim to create a feel-good atmosphere where people are happy, the hotel is committed daily to being the best possible host for every guest, the optimal colleague for each employee, and to generate sustainable success that enables it to create flexible and attractive employment conditions.
Art Deco Hotel Montana does everything with innovation, intuition, authenticity, dynamism, and enthusiasm, putting cost-effective business management and the well-being of staff centre stage.
Switzerland’s Hotel of the Year 2018/2019 – the first 4-star hotel in the country to have earned this honour – boasts a long history of being a premier location for visitors across the world to experience and a shining example of traditional art deco decor and architecture.
With panoramic views over the rooftops of the city centre extending to the sparkling lake and snow-capped mountains beyond, the hotel is located on the hillside above the bustling Old Town. It offers a private lift, allowing guests to access both the city and the waterfront to explore at their heart’s desire – that is if they can tear themselves away from the hotel’s enviable luxury first.
This beautiful city retreat has also recently won Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award, a further testament to its dedication to quality and guest satisfaction.
EXCURSIONS:
Lucerne is the perfect hub to explore the region. From the city it‘s only a short hop to some of the highlights of Switzerland. The Lucerne-Lake Lucerne region combines
captivating landscapes with rich culture and offers a variety of unforgettable excursions. From majestic mountains to sparkling lakes, discover a wealth of activities and sights to delight every visitor.
FOR AN ALPINE ADVENTURE…
The mountains of Central Switzerland are famous for record-breaking feats of engineering designed to provide wonderful visitor experiences, including the world‘s
steepest cogwheel railway (Mount Pilatus), Europe‘s first mountain railway (Mount Rigi),
the world‘s first double-deck open-top aerial cableway (Mount Stanserhorn), the world‘s steepest funicular railway (Mount Stoos), and the world‘s first revolving cable car (Mount Titlis).
FOR AN AQUATIC PANORAMA…
Like a fjord, Lake Lucerne stretches out its arms in all directions. The impressive mountain backdrop makes a cruise a unique experience. A trip aboard one of the five historic paddle steamers or 15 elegant saloon motor vessels is one of the highlights of the region. Dating from the Jugendstil period, the paddle steamers sail between Lucerne and Flüelen through some fabulous scenery, and the Panorama Yacht Saphir a particular highlight. With its unique water terrace and panoramic windows, it is ideal for enjoying the sunset from the boat.
