Excursion destinations around Lucerne – 15 tips for almost any weather

With the medieval Chapel Bridge as a photogenic landmark and the panoramic Mount Pilatus as its local mountain, Lucerne is rightly considered one of the most popular Swiss cities. Over the past few years, we have scouted out a wide variety of excursion destinations in and around Lucerne and discovered some beautiful places along the way. And since many of these tips haven’t made it onto the blog yet due to lack of time, it’s time for a “best of”. In this article, you can expect 15 promising, delicious, inspiring and relaxing ideas for a trip to Central Switzerland.

1. Walk along the Musegg Wall Lucerne

While the Chapel Bridge gets a lot of attention from Lucerne guests, the Musegg Wall often comes away empty-handed. With a length of 870 m, it is the longest city wall in Switzerland that has been preserved in one piece. The medieval city fortifications with their nine towers that have been preserved to this day (once there were around 30 towers) can not only be viewed from a distance, but can also be experienced up close as part of an entertaining walk.

In the summer months (usually from the beginning of April), a section of the wall, including three of the nine towers, can be visited free of charge. The walk along the Museggmauer Trail starts either at its western end at the Nölli Tower (at St. Karliquai) or at the Schirmer Tower above the Musegg Cantonal School. In addition to exciting insights into historic city walls, the impressive mountain panorama around Lucerne awaits you on this excursion. With a length of almost 500 m, the walk along the Musegg Wall can also be easily combined with a stroll through the old town.

2. Examine Lucerne’s art treasures

Is rainy weather announced? How about “hopping” through Lucerne’s art museums? The Kunstmuseum Luzern is located on the 4th floor of the Culture and Congress Centre built by Jean Nouvel and is therefore worth seeing for both art and architecture enthusiasts. Not far away, the Rosengart Collection, with its unique collection of works by important artists of the 19th and 20th centuries (including Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Monet and Chagall), knows how to delight fans of classical modernism. In addition to these two art hotspots in the city centre, which are close to each other, the Hans Erni Museum on the grounds of the Swiss Museum of Transport should not go unmentioned at this point.

3. Herbal cuisine in Rigi Kaltbad

A destination for the foodies among you is the restaurant Regina Montium in Rigi Kaltbad. The Kräuterhotel Edelweiss is located directly at the Rigi Staffelhöhe railway station (one station above Rigi Kaltbad-First). The name says it all. In front of the hotel building (which at first glance seems a bit unadorned) there is a large herb garden, where hundreds of different plants bloom in the summer months. Chef Benedikt Voss also uses many of them in his Michelin-starred natural cuisine. Both the bistro and the Goumet restaurant cook exclusively with Swiss raw materials – and what the kitchen crew conjures up from it is definitely worth a detour to the Rigi.

Meals are served here from Wednesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) and, depending on your mood, the culinary stopover can either be combined with a hike to the Rigi (with a stop at the bistro) or extended to a short break including an overnight stay in one of the cosy hotel rooms. For bad weather days, the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad is also just a stone’s throw away.

If an exotic component can be found in the dishes at the Regina Montium from time to time, then this is due to the fact that hotelier Gregor Vörös and the Regina kitchen team took over the operation of the Tropenhaus Wolhusen last year. His new project (Restaurant the Nucleus) has already been awarded a star in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide.

4. Just in case: Urmiberg/Timpel

An overnight stay at the Kräuterhotel Edelweiss can also be perfectly combined with my fourth tip in this series. The hike along the Rigi Panorama Trail from the Staffelhöhe via Rigi Scheidegg to the Urmiberg takes a good four hours. If you like it adventurous, you can head for the blue-white-blue marked trail variant over the Rigi Hochflue (about an hour longer). While there is a lot going on on the Rigi on nice days, things are more leisurely on the Urmiberg/Timpel side. The view from the sun terrace of the Timpelweid mountain restaurant is no less impressive. Be it for a leisurely half-day excursion with the small red Urmibergbahn (from Brunnen SZ), as a longitudinal hike over the Rigi or as a sporty tour on the Rigi Hochflue – this excursion destination can meet almost all requirements.

5. Thrills on the Bürgenstock rock trail

Are you looking for an easy hike or an entertaining walk without significant climbs, but which still promises maximum views and an adrenaline rush? Then I recommend a detour to the five-kilometre-long Bürgenstock rock trail. This starts at the level of the Bürgenstock, Zentrum bus stop and leads from there along the “Felsenweg”, built at the beginning of the 20th century, to the spectacular Hammetschwand lift. The ride with the highest outdoor lift in Europe to Hammetschwand, which is about 150 m higher, requires nerves. If you get weak knees here, you can of course also walk the same way back to the Bürgenstock Resort without any problems – for great panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the Rigi opposite, the lift ride is definitely not necessary.

Note: the Hammetschwand lift will be put back into operation from 12 June 2021.
The lift operates daily from 09:30 to 18:00. For adults, a one-way ticket costs 15 CHF (18 CHF return). GA/Half-Fare travelcard are not valid.

6. Infinity Room & Pool Views

I have already listed the Bürgenstock Resort in my 21 tips for a great weekend trip in Switzerland. Nevertheless, I would like to mention it at this point. We treated ourselves to two nights in one of the fantastic lake view rooms at the Bürgenstock Hotel last autumn and were thrilled with both the view and the Alpine Spa. The wellness offer, including the infinity pool in the Alpine Spa, can also be experienced as part of day spa arrangements (no overnight stay in the resort necessary).

Only in terms of food, the Bürgenstock Resort did not knock our socks off (especially with regard to the price-performance issue). Thanks to the shuttle ship to Lucerne, this excursion can also be combined with tip no. 14 (we have tested it especially for you).

7. Varied bike ride to Weggis

Three years ago, we cycled around Lake Lucerne. If you don’t have four days in a row and still feel like going on a scenic bike tour, I can recommend a day tour on the Lucerne – Brunnen route (39 kilometres, 520 metres of ascent). This stage starts in the middle of the city of Lucerne and leads from there via the Museum of Transport up to the secluded Meggenwald. An area that is not so well known, but scores with beautiful views towards Lake Lucerne. After the strenuous ascent, a rapid descent to the former “port city” of Küssnacht follows. Is your stomach slowly growling now? That’s a good thing – in Weggis, the bike route leads directly past the casual restaurant Hyg. The young hyg team knows exactly which ingredients to make guests happy: fresh, seasonal products, a cosy ambience and a good mood.

8. City stroll through Willisau

If you only know the “Willisauer Ringli” from Willisau so far, then it’s high time for a detour to the charming town. From May to October, every first Sunday of the month, there is a two-hour public guided tour (cost 19 CHF for adults), during which you not only learn exciting background information about the sights of the historic old town, but also enjoy an exclusive view. The highlight of the city tours is the ascent of the striking church tower of the parish church of St. Peter and Paul.

With children, you can also follow in the footsteps of the Willisauer-Ringli on the Detective Trail. The trail can be completed all year round, and thanks to the app solution, we are not bound to opening hours (cost: 9 CHF per person incl. immediate price).

You can find even more tips about Willisau here: our visit to the town of Willisau

9th Tent Night on Mount Pilatus – Fräkmüntegg

When it comes to recommended excursion destinations in and around Lucerne, the local mountain should not be missing, right? In the following linked article, I have already compiled five tips for Pilatus. At this point, I would like to pick out a special experience: the Tree Tents on the Fräkmüntegg. For five years now, it has been possible to spend the night in tree tents during the summer months (June to August) on the Fräkmüntegg, right next to the rope park. In addition to the night in the tree tent, the overnight offer includes the Kriens-Fräkmüntegg-Kriens train ride, exclusive access to the rope park (outside the regular opening hours), a barbecue buffet in the evening and breakfast in the Fräkmüntegg restaurant. In my opinion, a perfect microadventure during the summer holidays.

10. Brätliplausch at the Risleten Gorge

An excursion destination that guarantees cooling even in midsummer is the Risleten Gorge not far from Beckenried. Right next to the gorge – at the climbing rock – there is a beautifully situated fire pit with wood. The perfect spot to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon with friends. You can reach the Brätliplatz from Beckenried on foot in just under an hour via the hiking trail of the Waldstätterweg/Trans-Swiss-Trail. Alternatively, you can drive up to the Beckenried-Rütenen bathing area and park there. From here it is just under 30 minutes on foot. As far as I can remember, the path has steps in places and is therefore not suitable for strollers throughout.

By the way, this map from Nidwalden Tourism offers a practical overview of all public fireplaces in the canton of Nidwalden – maybe you will also find one or two ideas for a trip into the countryside here. And by the way: the hike through the Risleten Gorge up to Emmetten can also be done in drizzling rain

11. Sunset spot No: 1 Meggenhorn

One of my favourite spots on Lake Lucerne is located at Meggenhorn Castle on a headland between Lake Lucerne and Lake Küssnacht. Meggenhorn Castle and the associated park can be reached by bus (line 24 from Lucerne train station to the Lerchenbühl stop), by boat (Meggenhorn boat landing stage) or on foot via the Waldstätterweg. From the castle, a narrow path leads to a beautifully situated viewpoint. Here, where the former lady of the castle, Marie Amélie Heine-Kohn, had an imposing statue of Christ erected in gratitude for her recovery from a serious illness, is one of the most beautiful sunset spots on Lake Lucerne.

12. Sunset Spot No. 2: Fronalpstock

While the Meggenhorn can be reached from Lucerne in just over 30 minutes, the second sunset spot in this series requires a little more travel time. From mid-May to the end of October, the Stoos cable cars offer evening trips to the Fronalpstock – ideal for admiring fabulous sunsets from the panoramic summit. If you want to combine this excursion with one of the most beautiful ridge hikes in Switzerland between Fronalpstock and Klingenstock, I recommend spending the night in one of the cozy hotel rooms on the Fronalpstock and starting the hike early the next one. Thus, the chances of encountering more chamois than other people along the way are intact.

13. Evening Steamboat Cruise

On a boat trip on Lake Lucerne, you can marvel at the impressive mountain panorama around Lucerne from all angles. In addition to the regular scheduled boat trips, the Lake Lucerne Shipping Company also offers various special cruises. Last summer, we tried the candlelight steamer and experienced a wonderful summer evening – including a fantastic sunset – on the “high” sea. This year, the candlelight steamer will be on the road once a month from July to November.

14. Fine Dining at Boots

If you prefer to feel solid ground under your feet while eating, you might find your happy place at Stiefels. We paid a visit to the up-and-coming restaurant in Lucerne’s city centre last autumn and were very impressed: casual ambience, family atmosphere and creative dishes. It’s no wonder that the Stiefels has entered the GaultMillau list with 15 points. We are curious to see how the Stiefels will develop – the current seasonal tasting menu makes me “happy” for another culinary detour to Lucerne.

15. All-weather tip: Ornithological Institute Sempach

Mixed weather forecasts are no reason for lazy sofa days (although of course they are absolutely welcome and okay from time to time). In addition to the art museums and the Lucerne Museum of Transport, the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach is also an absolutely all-weather excursion destination for young and old. The Ornithological Observatory’s visitor centre is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and offers interactive and multimedia access to the colourful bird world in three exhibition rooms. Right next to the visitor centre is the seaside resort of Sempach. In addition, a beautiful riverside path leads from the Ornithological Observatory’s visitor centre to the historic town, which was awarded the Wakker Prize by the Swiss Heritage Society in 2017.

The best sights in Lucerne can be found in my post on the bucket list.

And finally, I’m wondering which is your favorite excursion destination around Lucerne? I’m looking forward to additional tips in the comments.