7 exciting experiences in Lucerne, Switzerland

Visit Mount Rigi

Mount Rigi, rising 1,797 meters above Lake Lucerne, is considered a symbol of the city of Lucerne. Europe's first mountain railway, built here in 1871, has attracted many visitors who come to admire the spectacular and sacred scenery of Mount Rigi. There are many different ways to access and experience this mountain. The most enjoyable is a classic rowboat journey from Lucerne to Vitznau, then a train ride to Rigi Kulm – the highest peak of the Rigi range. Visitors can enjoy unforgettable moments on the trails, visit cafes, and admire the panoramic views from the summit. Afterwards, visitors take a train back to Rigi Kaltbad, transfer to a taxi to Weggis, and finally board a boat back to Lucerne.

a unique culinary journey

A culinary journey in Lucerne combines an elegant evening cruise around the lake by steamboat with the enjoyment of two of Switzerland's finest dishes: the classic gooey fondue and raciddle milk with grilled cheese topped with potatoes, bread, meats, and more. You can eat to your heart's content on the boat, but don't get so caught up in the food that you forget to enjoy the magical scenery!

Conquering Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus is located west of Lake Lucerne. The mountain, with an altitude of 2,132 meters, is home to the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Opened in 1889, this fascinating tourist railway has an average gradient of 35%, with some sections even inclining as much as 48%.

From Lucerne, take a boat or train to Alpnachstad, then a 30-minute cogwheel train ride, enjoying the scenery as you ascend to the summit of Pilatus. You can stay at a hotel on the mountaintop or follow the "Dragon Trail" with your family to learn about some of the legends surrounding this famous mountain.

Visit the Engelberg resort.

The Engelberg resort in the Alps is just a 43-minute train ride from Lucerne. Engelberg is home to the famous Angel Mountain, with its dramatic slopes, considered a winter paradise for skiers. It also boasts a cheese factory and a beautiful Benedictine monastery, where you can tour the milk production process behind ancient walls.

In 2019, local authorities inaugurated the Engelberg "Cheese Trail," a 45-kilometer hiking and cycling route that allows visitors to delve deeper into the famous valley. Visitors can also meet dairy producers at their farms, stay in cozy Alpine lodges, and sample a wide variety of excellent cheeses.

Admiring Lake Lucerne

The vast, beautiful, and bustling Lake Lucerne is part of a nature reserve with many rare bird species and plant life growing near its shores. Surrounded by hills, Lake Lucerne has gentle currents and relatively calm winds, making it an ideal place for boating. The site has been chosen numerous times to host international sailing races.

Immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of Lake Lucerne or stroll along the trails – these are just some of the activities visitors can choose to experience the tranquility of this place.

Enjoy the lake view from the boat.

On Lake Lucerne, there are 5 steamships, 13 larger boats, and several sightseeing cruises to serve tourists. Visitors can enjoy the scenery along the Waldstätterweg walking trail, starting in Brunnen and ending in Rütli, before taking a boat tour of Lake Lucerne.

The sightseeing journey on the train is long but can be divided into several stages: visitors can take a boat trip from Lucerne to Brunnen and hike through the Mediterranean-like forest to Vitznau (15 km), or start with a boat trip to Alpnachstad and hike to beautiful Bürgenstock (16 km) before returning to Lucerne.

Take the train to Ticino.

A train journey from Lucerne to Bellinzona, the cantonal capital, is also a wonderful experience for travelers. Through the wide windows of the train carriages, passengers can admire the picturesque countryside, a series of lakes, and stunning mountain peaks. The train will also pass along the Rütli meadows and the William Tell Chapel, where the Swiss folk hero jumped into Lake Uri. Finally, the train will pass by Wassen Cathedral, not just once, but three times, thanks to its complex spiral tunnel system. Afterward, the train will wind through the mountains before reaching the Ticino canton, which offers an Italian atmosphere with swaying palm trees and delicious traditional gelato.

The Phong