Framed by glacial peaks and the sapphire waters of Lake Lucerne, this Swiss city feels like a painting brought to life. Lucerne’s bridges and cobblestones whisper stories of centuries past, while its lakeside promenades and mountain trails invite modern travellers to slow down, breathe the alpine air, and fall in love with Switzerland all over again.
Whether you’re here for a day, a weekend escape, or a longer holiday through Central Europe, you’ll find endless things to do in Lucerne. From mountain summits and museum halls to hidden cafés and sunset cruises, every corner promises new memories—and photo moments you’ll want to keep forever.
Soak in the Lake Lucerne Magic
If you ask locals what to do in Lucerne for a day, most will point you straight toward the lake. Lake Lucerne is the city’s beating heart and the most unforgettable of all Lucerne Valley experiences.
Proposal photoshoot by Priscilla, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Start with a boat cruise—either a quick round trip or a longer voyage to Vitznau or Flüelen. The mirrored water reflects the Alps and medieval rooftops, giving a serene perspective on the city. In summer, choose an open-deck steamer for sunshine and sparkling photos; in winter, sit inside a warm salon and watch snowflakes drift past the window.
Proposal photoshoot by Angelica, Localgrapher in Lucerne
After docking, walk the lakeside promenade that runs from the railway station to the Verkehrshaus museum. Elegant hotels line one side, while swans glide along the other. Stop for a drink at Hotel Schweizerhof’s terrace or the Art Deco Montana, where cappuccinos come with panoramic views of the Pilatus ridge. Few places in Switzerland combine romance and relaxation so effortlessly.
Discover Lucerne’s Old Town & Iconic Landmarks
Crossing the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is like stepping into a storybook. Dating back to the 14th century, it’s Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge and the symbol of Lucerne itself. Each triangular panel beneath its roof tells a scene from local history, while geraniums spill from window boxes in bright reds and pinks.
Beside it rises the Water Tower, once part of the city’s fortifications. Together they’re among the top things to do in Lucerne Switzerland for first-time visitors and photographers alike.
Couple photoshoot by Carolina, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Continue into the Old Town (Altstadt), a maze of pastel façades painted with medieval frescoes. You’ll find quiet courtyards, boutique shops, and chocolate ateliers on every corner. Don’t miss the Jesuit Church, built in 1666—the first large Baroque church in Switzerland. Its twin onion domes reflect beautifully in the Reuss River, especially at sunset.
Couple photoshoot by Priscilla, Localgrapher in Lucerne
A few minutes’ walk away lies the Lion Monument, carved into a sandstone cliff in 1821 to honour Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. The lion’s expression of sorrow makes it one of the most moving sights in Europe and an essential stop on any list of the best things to do in Lucerne.
Take in the Views from the Mountains
When you picture the most breathtaking things to do in Lucerne Switzerland, the mountains always come to mind first. Standing at the edge of Lake Lucerne, surrounded by peaks that seem to rise straight out of the water, you realise why this city is so often called the gateway to the Alps.
The view itself feels like a promise — of fresh mountain air, crisp silence, and horizons that stretch far beyond the valley. Whether you’re here in summer with wildflowers painting the meadows or in winter when everything is cloaked in white, venturing into the surrounding mountains is one of the best things to do in Lucerne for pure awe and adventure.
Mount Pilatus
Rising over Lucerne, Mount Pilatus is more than a mountain — it’s a place of legends and breathtaking views. Reach the summit by the world’s steepest cogwheel railway or glide up by cable car for a ride that feels like floating through the clouds.
Proposal photoshoot by Kejia, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Once at the top, you’ll be surrounded by panoramic vistas stretching across lakes, valleys, and snow-capped peaks. It’s the perfect spot to pause, breathe in the Alpine air, and capture a few photos that truly feel otherworldly.
Mount Rigi
Known as the Queen of the Mountains, Rigi is a gentler counterpart to Pilatus and reachable by a boat-and-train combination from the city centre. Early risers love the sunrise panorama, where golden light spills over Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.
Proposal photoshoot by Priscilla, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Together, these peaks frame the city like protective giants and offer a perspective that changes how you see Lucerne. Looking down, the lake gleams like a mirror; the bridges and spires of Old Town look tiny yet timeless.
Few destinations in the world allow you to start your morning with coffee by the water and end your afternoon above the clouds — and that’s what makes exploring the mountains one of the best things to do in Lucerne Switzerland. Whether you seek adventure, reflection, or simply the joy of watching mist roll through the Lucerne Valley, the mountains here remind you that nature and peace are never far apart.
Romantic Engagement Photoshoot in Lucerne
Central Switzerland’s charm of mountains, rivers, and blue skies are a perfect romantic place to celebrate an engagement with some romantic couple photos. Grace and Joe enjoy seeing the sights and making memories together with their family in Grace’s favorite city in the world, Lucerne.
It All Started As a Family Trip to Lucerne, Switzerland
After a two week trip through two other countries, Joe and Grace had lots of new experiences under their belt. One of those first-time experiences was also a milestone for their lives together and their relationship: engagement. Joe proposed during their time through Slovenia and Croatia and had planned a surprise detour through the city of Lucerne, knowing it was Grace’s favorite. A beautiful city with gorgeous nature, they found a perfect place to celebrate their love.
Their local photographer in Lucerne, Kejia, framed their love with the bridges and water features near Jesuit Church of Lucerne. The history here matches the history that has been made in this new couple’s adventure. The Jesuit Church was constructed in 1666 and was the first large sacral Baroque church in Switzerland. The iconic structures of the Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Europe and its Water Tower are also prevalent in the scenery that serves as the backdrop to the love story of Grace and Joe.
Engagement photoshoot by Kejia, Localgrapher in Lucerne
To show all the diverse, beautiful sides of the city and to allow Grace and Joe to interact candidly in each environment, Kejia also took the couple to green spaces where they walked through the gardens as an echo to their walks along the water and past the church.
Couple Photos that Scream Love!
To capture the importance of such a momentous occasion, Kejia uses a mixture of candid and portrait photography. In the candid photos, the nature of their relationship and their special bond ring through very clearly. A great amount of trust is required between photographer, a relative stranger until the photo shoot, and the couple, whose relationship comes naturally to them but perhaps not when others are present.
The sincere and heartfelt expressions of Grace and Joe that shine through the photographs show a palpable comfort and confidence in Kejia. From the knowing smiles exchanged, to the kisses, hugs, and handholds, it is the small things that speak volumes. Their certainty in Kejia pays off and can be seen in the professional and exquisite use of light to highlight, contrast, and focus on the couple in their sweet couple photos.
Engagement photoshoot by Kejia, Localgrapher in Lucerne
The portrait photography also plays an important role, because it is what may be shared on family mantels for years to come. Grace and Joe have the wonderful pleasure of sharing these memories and these photographs with their families, and Kejia gets beautiful variations of family members with each one of the couple.
These portraits also tell stories, and the care and love between family members are seen in the laughs and looks. The growth of two families together, and becoming a new family, is a special development and its evolution is precisely and professionally cataloged in these couple pictures that include parents and in-laws and loved ones.
Engagement photoshoot by Kejia, Localgrapher in Lucerne
The partnership that Grace and Joe have, will only continue to grow, which is why it is all the more important to capture each moment. Keija has joined them in a part of their story and added to the illustration of their road trip and of their new life together. Every special moment can be captured by one of our vacation photographers and supplying our clients with high-quality and professional pictures no matter the occasion and setting.
Lucerne in Every Season
Lucerne is one of those rare cities that feels alive in every month of the year. Its rhythm shifts with the seasons, yet its beauty never fades — only transforms. From the first golden rays of spring sunlight glinting on Lake Lucerne to the hush of falling snow over the Old Town rooftops, each chapter of the year brings its own magic.
For travellers planning when to visit, the truth is simple: there’s no wrong time. Whether you prefer mountain hikes and lake swims or Christmas markets and cozy cafés, you’ll always find unforgettable things to do in Lucerne Switzerland no matter the season.
Things to Do in Lucerne Switzerland in Summer
When the sun glitters on the water and flower boxes explode with colour, Lucerne is pure magic. Take a sunset cruise on the lake, swim at Lido Lucerne or Ufschötti Beach, and join the Blue Balls Festival for art and live music along the shore.
Engagement photoshoot by Kejia, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Cyclists can follow trails through Lucerne Valley’s orchards, while evening light turns the Chapel Bridge into a golden ribbon. Summer brings long days, cool breezes, and endless photo opportunities.
Things to Do in Lucerne in Winter
Snow transforms the city into a fairy tale. The Lucerne Christmas Market at Franziskanerplatz glows with candles and cinnamon scents, and lakeside cafés serve steaming hot chocolate beneath strings of lights. Take a winter cruise across the still lake or ride cable cars up Pilatus and Rigi for snowshoeing and panoramic sled runs. Afterwards, warm up in the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad—the perfect ending to a chilly alpine day.
Couple photoshoot by Carolina, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Each season in Lucerne feels like a world of its own. Summer fills your camera roll; winter fills your heart. The contrast is part of what makes the city so enchanting — it invites you to come back, again and again, to see how the lake mirrors a changing sky. Whether you’re wandering through blooming gardens or snowy alleys, Lucerne reminds every traveller why it remains one of the best things to do in Switzerland itself: to slow down, breathe deep, and let beauty do the rest.
How to Spend 1 or 2 Days in Lucerne
Lucerne invites you to slow down and savor every view — from its medieval bridges to its mountain peaks. Whether it’s your first visit or part of a larger journey through Switzerland, two days here are all you need to fall in love with its charm. Here’s how to make the most of your stay, one picture-perfect moment at a time.
Old Town & Lakeside
Start your Lucerne escape by immersing yourself in the city’s storybook charm. From its cobbled old town streets to the calm lakefront, this day blends culture, history, and romance in perfect harmony — a gentle introduction to Switzerland’s soul.
- Morning: Begin with breakfast overlooking Lake Lucerne, then stroll across the Chapel Bridge toward the Jesuit Church. Explore the Old Town streets and browse boutiques or the Saturday market if it’s open.
- Afternoon: Visit the Lion Monument and Glacier Garden, then relax with coffee on the promenade. End the day with a sunset boat cruise or dinner at Hotel Montana for panoramic views.
Couple photoshoot by Priscilla, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Markets & Hidden Corners
After exploring Lucerne’s famous landmarks, day two invites you to slow down and experience the city’s quieter, more local side — art, flavors, and little corners that capture everyday Swiss beauty.
- Morning: Start at the Richard Wagner Museum or the Swiss Museum of Transport — both are fun for all ages and full of interactive exhibits. Stroll back along the lake and stop for coffee and croissants at a lakeside café.
- Afternoon: Wander the Hofkirche gardens, then shop for local crafts and Swiss chocolate in the Old Town. End your day with a lakeside picnic or dinner by candlelight at a cozy riverside restaurant.
Proposal photoshoot by Claude, Localgrapher in Lucerne
Lucerne is more than postcard-pretty; it’s a feeling. Morning light on the lake, echoes of footsteps on the Chapel Bridge, laughter from café terraces, and alpine peaks reflected in calm blue water—it all lingers long after you’ve left.
From romantic stories like Grace and Joe’s to spontaneous day trips and family holidays, the things to do in Lucerne Switzerland are as endless as the reflections on its lake. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll understand why travellers keep coming back to this enchanting corner of Central Europe—and why every visit feels like the first time.
