Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lucerne?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lucerne?

Many travelers spend one to three days in Lucerne during their visit. After all, the cultural city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.

Scenic Lucerne is famous for its beautiful Chapel Bridge and its tranquil lake. There are many restaurants along the water that offer great views and traditional food. A popular day trip out of town is to the stunning Mt. Titlis. Visitors can enjoy soaking up the Swiss beauty and delicious cuisine.

Do you have one or two days to visit Lucerne? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Lucerne?

Lucerne is a medium-sized city that is quite popular with tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the cultural city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have one to three days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Lucerne

Don't miss the Chapel Bridge during your trip to Lucerne, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Public transit in Lucerne is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Lucerne?

Many weekend travelers visit Lucerne, as 2 days is a good amount of time to see the major attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 2 days in Lucerne

With a weekend (two to three days) in Lucerne, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Lucerne a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Ghost Castle Spiez Photo Sightseeing Scary Action Tour Private ($50)

Lucerne is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. From the historic bridge to the lake's blue waters, the city offers impressive views and a rich history.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • 3 Hour Lucerne City Walking Tour with Local Guide ($65)
  • Lucerne Walking & Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience ($111)
  • Mt Pilatus from Lucerne Including Boat Trip, Gondola, Cable Car ($145)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Lucerne, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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