Lucerne Central
5
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Five days in Lucerne and Central Switzerland let you explore the full extraordinary range of the most beautiful lake region in Europe, from the medieval Chapel Bridge and the extraordinary Dying Lion Monument in Lucerne to the summit of Mount Pilatus and the legendary Queen of the Mountains on Rigi, the extraordinary glacial gorges of Engelberg and the Titlis glacier at 3,020 metres, and the hidden lake villages of the Vierwaldstattersee. This route covers the complete Central Switzerland. Lucerne's extraordinary old town and lakefront, Pilatus and Rigi from both cogwheel and cable car, the extraordinary Engelberg valley with the Titlis glacier and the oldest monastery in Switzerland, the cliff walk of the Burgenstock, the extraordinary Tell legend country at the southern end of the lake, and the finest undiscovered villages on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Fly into Zurich, train to Lucerne 50 minutes
Getting Around
Swiss Travel Pass covers all boats, trains and most mountain railways
Budget Per Day
Approx 130 to 220 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, walking and mountain railways
DAY 1
LUCERNE OLD TOWN
MORNING
LUCERNE OLD TOWN AND THE CHAPEL BRIDGE
The Chapel Bridge is the most extraordinary wooden covered bridge in Europe, built in 1333 across the Reuss with 17th-century painted panels depicting Lucerne's history inside. The octagonal Water Tower beside it dates from around 1300. The old town behind contains the finest painted medieval facades in Switzerland, particularly on the Hirschenplatz. The Spreuerbrücke downstream is the lesser-known sister bridge with an extraordinary Dance of Death painting cycle inside, entirely unvisited. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE LION MONUMENT AND GLACIER GARDEN
The Dying Lion of Lucerne, carved into a sandstone cliff in 1820 to commemorate the Swiss Guards massacred at the Tuileries in 1792, is the most moving outdoor sculpture in Switzerland. Mark Twain called it the saddest and most touching piece of stone in the world. The Glacier Garden beside it shows potholes carved by glacial meltwater 20,000 years ago. The extraordinary mirror maze at the Glacier Garden entrance is one of the finest in Europe. Entry approx 14 CHF. Travel: 30 min boat
AFTERNOON
LAKE LUCERNE BY PADDLE STEAMER
The Lake Lucerne paddle steamers are the finest historic boats in Switzerland, the extraordinary four-canton lake giving views of Pilatus, Rigi and the Burgenstock simultaneously from the deck. The afternoon boat to Vitznau or Weggis passes the extraordinary waterfront of Lucerne, then opens into the lake with the Alps rising on all sides. The Burgenstock cliff on the far shore is extraordinary. Covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Spreuerbrücke is Lucerne's second covered bridge, downstream from the Chapel Bridge and entirely unvisited by tourists. Built in 1408, it contains an extraordinary cycle of 67 Dance of Death paintings from 1626 depicting Death claiming people from every walk of life. The paintings are extraordinary in their detail and entirely free to view. The finest hidden cultural experience in Lucerne.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe des Arts, Lucerne Coffee on the Reuss riverside before the Chapel Bridge crowds arrive. | Lunch: Wirtshaus Galliker, Lucerne The finest traditional Lucerne restaurant since 1856. Local Kutteln and bread soup. | Dinner: Old Swiss House, Lucerne Classic Swiss restaurant. Fondue and local Riesling-Sylvaner wine in extraordinary decor.
DAY 2
MOUNT PILATUS
MORNING
MOUNT PILATUS BY COGWHEEL RAILWAY
The Pilatus Railway from Alpnachstad is the steepest cogwheel railway in the world at 48 percent gradient, climbing through extraordinary overhanging rock faces to the summit at 2,132 metres. The mountain is named from the Latin pileatus meaning cloud-capped, and the extraordinary panorama on a clear day takes in 73 Alpine peaks. The first train allows you to have the summit entirely alone before the day visitors arrive. One-way ticket approx 42 CHF. Travel: 30 min cable car and gondola descent
MIDDAY
THE PILATUS SUMMIT AND DRAGON RIDGE
The summit of Pilatus has two peaks connected by an extraordinary ridge trail with sheer drops on both sides. The Dragon Paths, named for the legendary dragons said to inhabit the mountain, give the finest ridge walking in Central Switzerland. The Esel peak at 2,118 metres gives views directly down to Lake Lucerne 1,600 metres below. The descent by Dragon Ride cable car and gondola to Kriens is the extraordinary Golden Round Trip. Travel: 40 min bus back to Lucerne
AFTERNOON
LUCERNE LAKEFRONT AND THE KKL
The Lucerne lakefront is the finest in Switzerland, its string of Belle Epoque grand hotels facing the Alps across the water. The KKL concert hall by Jean Nouvel, completed in 2000, is the finest contemporary building in Switzerland, its extraordinary cantilevered roof extending over the lake edge. The Schweizerhofquai promenade gives the finest evening walk in Lucerne with views of Pilatus and Rigi simultaneously from the waterfront.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Felsenweg cliff path on the Burgenstock above Lake Lucerne is the most extraordinary cliff walk in Central Switzerland, blasted into the vertical rock face at 800 metres above the lake with extraordinary views straight down to the water. Reached by boat from Lucerne to Kehrsiten, then funicular. Walk takes 45 minutes and is free with the funicular ticket. One of the finest hidden walks in Switzerland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bäckerei Heini, Lucerne Outstanding Swiss bakery. Coffee and Luzerner Lebkuchen before the Alpnachstad boat. | Lunch: Pilatus Kulm Restaurant Restaurant at 2,132m summit. Extraordinary panorama. Local rosti and cheese. | Dinner: Restaurant Schiff, Lucerne Outstanding lakefront restaurant. Local perch fillets and Lake Lucerne pike.
DAY 3
RIGI AND LAKE LUCERNE
MORNING
RIGI, THE QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAINS
Mount Rigi at 1,797 metres is the most famous viewpoint in Switzerland, its extraordinary isolated position giving a panorama over six lakes simultaneously: Lucerne, Zug, Lauerz, Ageri, Hallwil and Baldegg. The Vitznau-Rigi-Bahn, opened in 1871, was the first mountain railway in Europe. The sunrise from Rigi Kulm, with the entire Alpine chain from the Säntis to Mont Blanc lit in extraordinary dawn light, is the most celebrated sunrise in Switzerland. Covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Travel: 1 hour railway and boat
MIDDAY
LAKE LUCERNE BOAT TO TELL'S CHAPEL
The boat from Lucerne to Flüelen passes the extraordinary Tellsplatte, the rock where William Tell leaped to freedom from the tyrant Gessler's boat in 1307. The Tell's Chapel on the rock is frescoed with scenes from the legend. The Urnersee gorge at the southern end of the lake is the most dramatic section of the entire route, the water narrow between vertical cliffs. The boat is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and takes 3.5 hours each way. Travel: 2 hour boat back to Lucerne
AFTERNOON
WEGGIS, THE HIDDEN LAKESIDE VILLAGE
The village of Weggis on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne is the most extraordinary undiscovered lakeside village in Central Switzerland, its microclimate allowing palm trees and fig trees to grow at 440 metres. The Belle Epoque villas along the lake promenade are extraordinary. Weggis is the starting point for the cable car to Rigi Kaltbad, giving a different approach to Rigi from the lake side. The lakefront walk is entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hohle Gasse near Küssnacht above Lake Lucerne is the exact spot where William Tell is said to have shot the tyrant Gessler with his crossbow in 1307, the act that sparked the Swiss Confederation. A small sunken lane through the forest is marked with a chapel and an extraordinary carved stone cross. Reached by bus from Küssnacht in 15 minutes. Entirely free and entirely unvisited.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at Vitznau or Rigi Kulm Coffee at the lakeside station or at the mountain summit before sunrise. | Lunch: Restaurant Rigi Kulm Outstanding mountain restaurant at 1,797m. Six-lake panorama. Local food and Swiss wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Fritschi, Lucerne Classic Lucerne cuisine. Local pike and the finest Swiss Riesling-Sylvaner wine.
DAY 4
ENGELBERG AND TITLIS
MORNING
ENGELBERG, THE OLDEST MONASTERY IN SWITZERLAND
Engelberg is the most extraordinary valley in Central Switzerland, a long alpine valley dominated by the monastery of Engelberg founded in 1120, the oldest active Benedictine monastery in Switzerland. The monastery church contains the finest baroque organ in Switzerland and the monks still produce the extraordinary Engelberg cheese and Monk's cheese liqueur. The monastery is open for guided tours and the extraordinary library contains illuminated manuscripts from the 12th century. Travel: 20 min cable car to Titlis
MIDDAY
TITLIS, THE GLACIER AT 3,020 METRES
The Titlis cable car above Engelberg rises to 3,020 metres on the rotating ROTAIR gondola, the world's first revolving cable car, giving a 360-degree view of the glacier on the ascent. The Ice Flyer chairlift above the summit gives extraordinary views over the Titlis glacier. The glacier ice grotto, tunnelled directly into the permanent ice, is extraordinary and free with the cable car ticket. The Cliff Walk suspension bridge at 3,041 metres is the highest suspension bridge in Europe. Return ticket approx 92 CHF. Travel: 1 hour cable car down and train to Lucerne
AFTERNOON
ENGELBERG VILLAGE AND DEPARTURE
The village of Engelberg below the monastery is the most charming resort village in Central Switzerland, its extraordinary position at the head of the valley giving views directly up to the Titlis glacier from the main street. The local cheese dairy beside the monastery produces the finest monastery cheese in Switzerland and is open for visits and tastings. The train back to Lucerne takes approximately 45 minutes through the extraordinary Engelberg valley.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Trübsee lake at 1,796 metres above Engelberg is the most extraordinary alpine lake in Central Switzerland, a perfect turquoise lake enclosed by snow-covered peaks on three sides with the Titlis glacier directly above. In winter the lake freezes completely and is used as a natural skating rink. The cable car from Engelberg to Trübsee is included in the Titlis ticket and gives an extraordinary intermediate stop.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Monastery cafe, Engelberg Coffee served by the Benedictine monks before the monastery tour. Extraordinary setting. | Lunch: Restaurant Trübsee, Titlis Outstanding mountain restaurant at 1,796m on the way to the summit. Local cheese and rosti. | Dinner: Restaurant Hess, Lucerne Classic Central Swiss cuisine on return to Lucerne. Local river trout and Fendant wine.
DAY 5
STANSERHORN AND BUOCHS
MORNING
STANSERHORN, THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN
The Stanserhorn at 1,898 metres above Stans is the most overlooked viewpoint in Central Switzerland, its extraordinary panorama over Lake Lucerne and the entire chain of Alps entirely unknown to most visitors. The ascent combines a historic funicular from 1893 with the world's first open-top double-decker cable car, the CabriO, giving extraordinary open-air views from the upper deck on the ascent. Return ticket approx 72 CHF. The summit restaurant is outstanding. Travel: 30 min train back to Lucerne
MIDDAY
BUOCHS AND THE LAKE VILLAGES
The village of Buochs on the southern shore of Lake Lucerne is the finest undiscovered village in the region, its extraordinary lakefront with views across to the Rigi and the Burgenstock entirely free of tourists. The boat from Buochs back to Lucerne gives the finest lake perspective of the entire route, passing below the Burgenstock cliff and through the extraordinary narrowing of the lake at Hertenstein. Covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Travel: 1 hour boat back to Lucerne
AFTERNOON
THE ROSENGART COLLECTION AND DEPARTURE
The Rosengart Collection in Lucerne is the finest small art museum in Switzerland, containing 200 works by Picasso assembled by Siegfried Rosengart, a personal friend of the artist for 30 years. An extraordinary collection of photographs by David Douglas Duncan documents Picasso's daily life in extraordinary intimacy. The museum also holds an outstanding collection of works by Paul Klee. Entry approx 18 CHF. The building itself is an extraordinary Belle Epoque bank.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Nidwalden Museum in Stans contains the most extraordinary collection of Swiss folk art in Central Switzerland, including an outstanding collection of painted furniture, traditional costumes and the finest collection of Nidwalden silverwork in the country. Entry approx 8 CHF. The museum is in an extraordinary 16th-century building on the main square of Stans, one of the finest medieval squares in Switzerland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Stans Coffee in the extraordinary medieval main square before the Stanserhorn funicular. | Lunch: Restaurant Stanserhorn Outstanding summit restaurant at 1,898m. Panoramic views. Local rosti and cheese. | Dinner: Restaurant des Balances, Lucerne The finest hotel restaurant in Lucerne on the final evening. Lake perch and local wine.
Where To Stay
Lucerne, All 4 Nights Hotel des Balances or Palace Hotel on the lakefront. Best base for all excursions. Approx 150 to 400 CHF. Budget Option Hotel Ibis Lucerne or Backpackers. Close to station and all boats. Approx 80 to 130 CHF per night. Engelberg Option Hotel Terrace or Ramada. Stay in valley for sunrise on Titlis. Approx 110 to 200 CHF.
Top Tips
1. Walk the Chapel Bridge at 7am before the tour groups arrive. The painted interior panels are extraordinary in morning light.
2. Take Pilatus up by cogwheel from Alpnachstad and down by cable car to Kriens. Two completely different experiences.
3. Stay on Rigi the night before your sunrise visit. The Hotel Rigi Kulm gives the finest sunrise view in Switzerland.
4. The Titlis glacier ice grotto is free with your cable car ticket. The underground blue ice tunnel is extraordinary.
5. The Lake Lucerne boat to Flüelen covers Tell's Chapel and the Urnersee gorge. Covered by Swiss Pass.
6. Lucerne's Museggmauer wall towers are free to climb and give the finest panorama over the old town roofline.
Total Budget
130 to 220 CHF/day