Lucerne

Name: European Trail
Brand: Contiki
Price: 4665 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (546 reviews)

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Travel In Lucerne

Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, is embedded on the lake lucerne and surrounded by an amazing mountainous panorama.

FAST FACTS

Airport: Zurich – Lucerne
By car/train from Zurich to Lucerne: 50/45 minutes
Zurich airport to Lucerne: approx 67 kms
Direct train: from Zurich airport to Lucerne per hour
Transport type: Railways, boats, bus, bicycle and cars
One day pass for: zone 10- 90Sfr
Average taxi rate: 3.00 Fr/km

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Things to do in Lucerne

Walk through The Chapel Bridge

If you want the best panoramic view of the river and the old town, head towards the Chapel Bridge. It is the oldest surviving medieval wooden bridge in Europe. If you count, there are around 120 paintings on the rafters of the bridge, painted in the 17th century. At the end of the bridge is the water tower, which was once a prison and torture chamber. Creepy isn't it? But you haven't been to Lucerne if you miss this spot.

Enjoy the panaromic view at Mount Pilatus

The best way to enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree view of the scenery of Lucerne is Mount Pilatus. They have an outside observation deck. You can gaze at the Swiss alps, lake Lucerne, the hiking and alpine trails and forests and even some other lake towns. You can click some of the best scenically beautiful pictures from this spot. The journey to reach Mount Pilatus is quite fun as well. There are cable cars that feel like helicopter cockpit.

Laze by Lake Lucerne

If you're not that enthusiastic about the breathtaking mountain scenery, maybe a glimpse of gleaming water won't disappoint you. Beautified with the majestic steep peaks of limestone hooked over the coastline, forests coming down to the shore filled with deer, chamois, foxes, and Alpine-native marmots, this place is worth taking a stroll. When you feel like taking a break from all the cultural stories, this is the place you should be.

The Old Quarter

Lucerne's Old Quarter is located to the north of the Reuss River. This part of the city is includes four main squares: Mühlenplatz, Weinmarkt, Hirschenplatz and Kornmarkt. These areas are full of beautiful old cobbled streets which lead you past cascading fountains and vibrant medieval architecture.

Scenic mountain hiking at Rigi

If you are up for a mountain hiking, Rigi Mountain is the best you can ever experience. The hike is so peaceful that you can hear the cow bells from a distance. Mountains on one side and Lake on another, the views from Rigi are great and give a different perspective to Swiss beauty. Rigi has easy hike down option to hop on cog every 30-40 minutes. We assure that this hike will be scenic, easy and beautiful.

Top 5 Museums and Galleries in Lucerne

Lucerne offers an excellent spread of fascinating museums and galleries, with something to cater for all tastes. Read on for our rundown of the top 5.

Carved Lion Monument

If you are a Narnia fan, this Lion monument will look like Aslan at the stone table to you. This is the most touching sight you will experience in Lucerne. 10m long sculpture of a giant dying lion carved out of a wall of sandstone rock above a pond at the east end of the medieval town. Mark Twain once called it the 'saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world'.

Get Amazed at the Picasso Gallery

Picasso fan? This gallery will give you a rare and personal insight into a brilliant life. The top floor of the building is dedicated to the impressive collection of over 200 hundred intimate pictures. Fall in love with art in this beautiful old building of Lucerne.

Musical Richard Wagner Museum

This Museum is easily accessible by bus, train or even by boat as the home is located right on the shores of the lake. The Museum houses an exhibition that explores the life of the famous composer, as well as an impressive collection of historic musical instruments. If you feel over dose of art, there is a Sommer café with a magnificent view of Alps and lake.

Fun at Verkehrhaus

Space rockets, steam locomotives, dugout canoes, flight simulators and broadcasting studios make the most exciting and interactive Museum. It also has a planetarium and Switzerland's largest 3D cinema. And if you think that's all, there is a 20-minute ride which showcases origins, history, production and distribution of chocolate.

Heaven for artistic souls at Sammlung Rosengart Museum

Lucerne's blockbuster cultural attraction is the Sammlung Rosengart, occupying an elegant neoclassical pile. The collection showcases over 300 works of art by 23 different artists of the so-called Classical Modernist Period, including 125 works by Paul Klee and about 180 works by Pablo Picasso. A 'must-see' place if you are into arts.