TRAVEL GUIDE: WHAT TO DO, EAT AND DRINK IN LUCERNE

Have you ever been to Lucerne? I spent one weekend in the central Swiss city recently and was immediately in love with the medieval architecture! I summarized the best things to do in Lucerne here to seize your time in the cute little town!

Lucerne is located next to lake Lucerne and can be reached only in around 45 minutes by car from Zurich making it a perfect getaway destination. We went there by car but you can also take the train from Zurich for example and get to Lucerne in only one hour!

Walking around the small alleys you sometimes feel like in a historic movie as the houses are very well maintained. Also, the city feels like a Swiss cliche with the cute window shutters (which are apparently very common in Switzerland though), Swiss flags waving in the wind and glowing mountain peaks around the city.

When we visited Lucerne, the weather was really really good and so everybody was sitting outside and enjoyed the sun, which made me feel almost like in an Italian Citta - just a bit more expensive ;) I was amazed by the wide selection of nice coffee and food places (more details below), so definitely a foodie heaven!

We spent two days and one night in Lucerne, but we could have definitely stayed longer! Also, in summer Lucerne is an ideal starting point for panoramic hikes, breathtaking boat tours or refreshing swim rounds in the lake.

I hope you enjoy the tips and would love to hear if you have ever been to Lucerne or what your favourite city in Switzerland is?

Lots of love,
Magda

Tips for your perfect time in Lucerne

Food:

• Veganitas Pitas

  Food truck with delicious vegan pitas and other specialities in the center of Lucerne. Perfect for a snack which can then be enjoyed on the river or lakeside.

• Kim’s Kitchen

  We were craving summer rolls and so made a quick stop at this Vietnamese restaurant and took them to go. A bit hard to find as the sign is not saying the name of the restaurant though.

• La Bestia

  Neapolitan pizza place next to a cute park. We decided against pizza for dinner but if we would have stayed another night we would have definitely checked out this place - next time then!

• Khoua Vientiane

  Super authentic Thai place with specialities each day. We enjoyed a really delicious Tom Yam and basil rice and were not disappointed. Try to reserve as the place is rather small!

• Karls Kraut

  Located directly next to the river Reuss the cute vegan restaurant is ideal for a snack, cake with coffee or dinner in the sun. They also offer brunch once per month.

• Wild Bowls
  Vegan restaurant offering (you guessed it right) bowls such as acai, porridge or smoothie breakfast bowls as well as lunch bowls packed with delicious ingredients.

Coffee places/ Apero/ Drinks:

• Pura plant-based food & cafe 

  Small cozy cafe with a really nice atmosphere offering a wide selection of vegan meals as well as specialities each day and delicious breakfast on Saturdays.

• Mill’Feuille 
  Find this place directly on the Mühlenplatz with some spots also overlooking the river. Ideal for catching the last sun rays and enjoying an apero before dinner.

• Kaspar Luzern  
  Cute and small bar in the hip area of Lucerne with a nice atmosphere offering excellent cocktails and drinks.

• L’arbre Luzern
  Great place to enjoy a coffee, a cocktail or a small snack with a really nice interior and a super pretty bar!

• Filou & Bengel
  Really welcoming hosts offering a cute coffee place next to a nice park and drinks as well as food during the night. The place was packed with locals when we went, always a good sign!

Sights:

• Chapel Bridge

  Iconic wooden bridge with art from the 17th century in the center of Lucerne. I guess we took like 30 min to walk across the bridge as the view on both sides and the bridge itself are simply stunning!

• Unter der Egg Promenade

  Perfect place to catch the sun and watch the river while maybe enjoying some takeaway food or drinks. There are stairs next to the river where you can just sit and relax.

• Seebrücke and lake Lucerne

  Nice view on the lakeside, the chapel bridge, the whole city Lucerne and the mountain panorama around the lake. Also, boat tours start from here!

• Alleys around the city hall

  Just get lost in the small cute alleys of the Old Town/ Altstadt and enjoy the historic houses and cute little local shops.