Lake Lucerne, with its gorgeous scenery and crystal-clear water, is a favorite destination among Swiss residents and tourists. It is a popular locale for weekend escapes or day trips because of its beauty, history, and convenient proximity to urban areas.
This article contains information on how best to visit Lake Lucerne, including boat tours, hiking routes, restaurants & cafes, and more.
So, what makes Lake Lucerne so beautiful and popular?
The Lake is known for its pristine waters, scenic natural surroundings, and the charming town it is named after, making it a favorite tourist spot.
Lake Lucerne is situated in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. The lake itself is a water-filled valley formed by ancient glaciers.
The lake is near the ancient city of Lucerne which is a fascinating old town filled with stunning architecture. Aside from the city, Lake Lucerne’s natural surroundings of green wooded hills and snow-capped mountains are especially pretty. There are many walking trails overlooking Lake Lucerne, great for hikers, bikers, and anyone trying to snap the perfect pic of the lake.
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Where to Stay Near Lake Lucerne
There are many great places to stay near Lake Lucerne to make your visit a memorable one. You can rent a cabin or stay in a hotel that will be close enough to allow you to spend the day(s) exploring the area without string far from a comfy base camp.
The Engadin is one of the most famous regions in Switzerland, not just for its views but also its hotels. It is located in West-Eastern Switzerland and is home to some of the best ski resorts in Europe.
Another nice destination when looking for accommodations near Lake Lucerne is Ticino, which is located on the south side of Italy’s Alpine Mountain Range.
This region offers everything from insane views of Lake Lucerne, walking paths with stunning natural features, excellent restaurants & cafés, and picturesque villages that are perfect for romantic strolls.
As a brief-ish side note, the Rhaetian Railway winds through the valley in the Alps, offering spectacular views for passengers.
For those who are interested in visiting Lake Lucerne by rail, they can take the Glacier Express train which starts in Zermatt and ends in St. Moritz. The trip takes approximately eight hours and offers unrivaled views of glaciers throughout the trip.
The Pilatus mountain range is home to some amazing hikes and several natural landmarks that make Central Switzerland famous. The same can be said for the Titlis mountain and the Uri Alps.
If you’re the more active sort, climb one of the many mountains around Lake Lucerne for a heavenly view of the lake, city, and surrounding countryside. Some mountains require advanced hiking skills while others can be conquered by novice hikers or children looking for an adventure.
For those who would like to take a shorter hike in the Lake Lucerne region, there are many trails and paths that offer equally scenic views of the area. We’ll talk more about mountaineering and hiking this stunning region later on.
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Budget hotels near Lake Lucerne
If you want to see some of the sights of the town, the Verkehrshaus Museum and Lido are 1610 feet from the conveniently located Richemont Hotel. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel for free,
Hotel restaurant Platten has a restaurant, a summertime outdoor pool bar, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the property if you’re looking for bang for your buck. Hotel Sternen is a mere 848 meters from Lake Lucerne and Port Sisikon and includes a ski pass for retail skiing and beautiful summer terraces.
The Lucerne main railway station, Old Town, and Lake Lucerne are about 15 minutes’ walk away from the Ibis Budget Hotel Luzern City. Wireless internet is also available free of charge.
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Lake Lucerne’s best hotels with breakfast
The Restaurant Alpenrose in Weggis on the shore of Lake Lucerne serves decadent dishes such as salmon carpaccio with sour cream, red onions, fresh dill, and apples.
The 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern is right on the lake. This quintessentially Swiss hotel is housed in a historic structure built in the year 1820. From our stay, we found the personnel manning the front desk were exceptionally kind, the service was outstanding, and the location ideal for access to the lake.
In addition, the hotel has a lakebar with a free WiFi connection, and free parking, not to mention incredible views of the lake.
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Best Things to do Around Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Let’s get into some of our favorite things to see and do around Lake Lucerne in Switzerland!
Hike the Swiss path in Morschach
The Seven Section Trail was created for the 700th anniversary of the formation of the Swiss Republic and built along Lucerne Lake’s southern shore.
The tale of William Tell shooting crossbows at apples on his son’s head has become entwined in the region’s history, as well as the myth that there is an abandoned gold mine in this area.
In Morschach, Fronalpstock Open Sky Lift can be accessed, although I will add the views are vertiginous and this trek is less suitable for travelers with vertigo.
Despite the steep mountain range that makes up this portion of Switzerland, the surface isn’t too difficult. If you travel with children, note there are three separate areas that are safe for children.
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Ascend Mount Pilatus
The plateau of Piz Cengalo lies between the towns of St. Gallen and Altdorf, and is known as the “Kingdom on the Edge.” It’s also home to many a Swiss myth and legend.
The name comes from an ancient legend regarding a black wolf that ate three maidens, whose corpses dug themselves up again to take their vengeance!
During ancient Roman times, it was believed that the mountain was home to a god of vegetation.
This ancient legend lives on in part because Pilatus is famous for its geological formations, some dating back two hundred million years, which are eerily similar to those found at Stonehenge.
If you want to go even further, visit Alpnachastad and ride the steepest cog railway on the world’s most famous mountain railway. Alpnachastad was once known as the mythical home of dragons that possessed mystical healing powers, but more famously it’s claimed as the burial site of Saint Pontius Pilatus.
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Relax in Weggis
The village of Weggis is the second most popular tourist destination in the Lucerne region. Mark Twain is among the most famous visitors to the community, enjoying part of his Swiss vacation here in 1897. The town is perhaps most well known for hosting its famous alpine wrestling events, its cattle exhibitions, as well as delightful Fall Market in September.
Before cable cars and cog-wheels existed and could be built in the village, sedan-chair carriers carried people to the top of Rigi Mountains. Lord knows they must have been pretty fit!
The church in Weggis is surrounded by an impressive columned portico. The interior includes a carved high altar and the crypt of the parishioners and the late members of the House von Rechburg.
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Be Awed by Mount Rigi
The Rigi is Switzerland’s most famous mountain, located on the border with Germany. Rigi is encircled by three lakes: Zürichsee, Lucerle and Lauerz. There is a viewpoint at the top of Rigi that overlooks Lake Lucerne with Mount Titlis in the background.
The fun has already begun if you take the cable car or cog train there. Once high up, enjoy an amazing panorama of Switzerland while skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and soaking in the sun all year long.
A legendary cave is located near Rigi Kaltbad station. An interesting rock formation was once believed to be the petrified body of a giant. On the flip side, according to local myth, the legendary dwarf King Laurin lives there with his men, mining for gold.
So yeah, aside from otherworldly views, there’s apparently the chance you’ll run into giants and dwarfs. What’s not to like?
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Take a boat trip
Taking a boat tour around Lake Lucerne is one of the most exciting and romantic ways to see it and can be accomplished on one of five historic art deco paddle boats.
These sightseeing boats travel around Lake Lucerne, between Alpnachstad and Flüelen, stopping at the most charming spots on the lakeshore, including Weggis departures of various lengths, where you can even enjoy a candlelight supper.
Trips take about 1-2 hours, including travel between Lucerne and Vitznau, where you can board the boat, then return. As well as romantic meals, some boats provide entertainment during the voyage, like organ performances for you to hum along to.
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Enjoy the Restaurants & Cafes
Make certain to try the local cuisine at one of the nearby restaurants or cafés while you are touring the Lake Lucerne region.
The area is known for its cheese and cheese-centric specialties, which may be found in a variety of eateries around the lake. Keep an eye out for cheese stores with stalls outside if you’re looking for something special.
You can also sample regional wines at many of the cafés which are the perfect accompaniment while admiring the stunning lake vistas or the view of Pilatus in the distance.
The most common variety of Swiss cheese here is Emmentaler, popular around the Lake Lucerne region because of its quality and strong, salty flavor.
Fondue cheese where one dips meat, bread, veggies, and fruit into molten cheese is also very popular here (along with Swiss chocolate fondue!) as is raclette, where raclette cheese is slowly melted cheese in an oven and then cut into pieces to eat with potatoes, onions, and gherkins. It can also be melted into almost a sauce to be enjoyed with meat, greens and potatoes.
You can find this at the best restaurant in Switzerland: The Best in Pfistern-Zunfthaus in Lucerne.
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Hiking trails
Lake Lucerne is an ideal destination for people of all interests. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the scenery, hike, or ski in wintertime, there’s something waiting for you at Lake Lucerne.
With its pristine waters and scenic views, it’s no wonder that this Swiss gem is so popular among locals and visitors alike!
The Lake Lucerne region is a haven for hikers with scenic views of the Swiss landscape, cheese farms with cattle roaming the fields, and many other attractions around it.
The Vitznau-Rigi cable car is located near Lake Lucerne. This famous landmark has been operational since 1890. The view from this spot offers stunning views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps.
Lake Lucerne is also a popular destination for winter sports and activities such as skiing and toboggan runs.
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Final Thoughts: Exploring Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is one of the best, cleanest, pristine-est lakes in Switzerland! With its crystal clear waters, scenic surroundings, the scope for outdoor recreational activities, and the nearby town of Lucerne, it is no wonder why this is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Switzerland.
If you’re traveling Europe and looking for a stunning destination with plenty for all to enjoy on your next vacation or weekend getaway, Lake Lucerne should be at the top of your list.
From boat tours to hiking trails, there are activities available year-round to experience all aspects of life by Lake Lucerne. Make sure not to miss out on trying some local cuisine while exploring the area as well!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Lake Lucerne Switzerland worth visiting?
It’s 100% worth visiting; I’ve gotta say it might be my favorite part of Switzerland. For one, Lake Lucerne is situated on a mountainside, at an altitude of 1,494 metres making for great views over the city and Lake Luzern.
At one end of this stunning lake stands Pilatus Mountain, immortalized by Herman Hesse in his book The Artist As he Appears In His Works. No finer depiction there ever was Herman, but the real thing is infinitely prettier.
Then there are the paddleboats. I mean, they are just fantastic, with their grand, whimsical decor alone. Plus, according to ancient folklore, if you make a wish before setting foot on the ferry boat, your dream will come true (promised to me by one of the crew!).
There are also plenty of activities like hiking and cycling around the area which make it worth exploring for all ages, as well as opportunities for real mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing for those interested in extreme and winter sports.
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What to do in Lake Lucerne Switzerland?
Lake Lucerne is a gorgeous spot in Switzerland that should not be missed. Though there are lots of things to do in Lake Lucerne, visitors should consider these five attractions and activities:
– The boat tour is where you’ll get the best views of the mountains and lake. You’ll depart from either suburbs of Lucerne or Interlaken and cruise up close to Mythen Castle towering above the surface of the water.
– Hike up Mount Pilatus, which will provide spectacular views and give you bragging rights with your friends and family back home. Don’t forget the camera!
– Take a ride on the Kleinamerk Glacier Railway, one of Europe’s few rack railway lines with continuous operation all year round.
– Admire the world’s largest rotating statue of Jesus Christ in Lucerne.
– Explore the towns that border Lake Lucerne after your boat tour.
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