Swiss Excursion Part 1: Exploring Lucerne
There’s something exciting about planning a trip somewhere you’ve long wanted to visit. Switzerland was that place for me, and my birthday felt like the perfect occasion to finally go. I began the journey in Lucerne.
Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland and is a hub for various ways of life in the region including media, transportation, and culture. For the first leg of our Switzerland trip, We decided to stay in Lucerne as it’s a great home base while traveling in the region whether you’re here for a day or five. With gorgeous views of Mount Pilatus and Rigi as well as Lake Lucerne itself, there’s a lot to explore.
An exploration of timeless style, travel, and the art of living.
TRAVEL · SWISS EXCURSION · PART 1
Exploring Lucerne
By Maurice Jackson
Things to Do:
Explore the Old Town of Lucerne.
I always enjoy wandering the streets of old towns in cities that look like they popped right out of a postcard. Lucerne is definitely one of the prettiest I’ve seen. Medieval buildings, cobblestoned streets, and small shops and restaurants make the old town a pleasure to explore. The River Reuss runs through it, giving the town a serene atmosphere that stayed with me. If you love Swiss exports such as watches and chocolate, then this is the perfect place to spend money to your heart’s content.
The Jesuit Church
Walk the Famed Chapel Bridge.
Serving as the centerpiece of the city of Lucerne, Chapel Bridge cannot be missed. The bridge proudly holds the title of being Europe’s oldest covered bridge, and what a beautiful bridge it is. Much of the bridge was destroyed by fire in 1993 and subsequently rebuilt. The story goes that a carelessly discarded cigarette started the blaze, though the cause remains uncertain. Today, the bridge remains one of Lucerne’s most recognizable landmarks. Fun Fact: The tower was once a prison as well as a torture chamber. Oh, how times have changed.
Visit the Lion Statue.
Located in a small park not far from Löwenplatz, the statue was created to commemorate the deaths of Swiss mercenaries during the French Revolution in 1792. Mark Twain once described the Lion of Lucerne as the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world, and I’d attest to that. Fun fact: In defiance of not being paid for his work, the artist that was commissioned for the piece carved out a pig around the lion. If you look closely you can’t unsee it. The park tends to be highly populated but if you wait long enough you’ll be able to get a good shot of the statue.
Lake-Side Strolls
The tranquil shores of Lake Lucerne are a lovely place to slow down or take a quiet walk. Sailboats, divers, and passing ships give you plenty to watch. If you’d rather stay on dry land, settle in for some people-watching. A few swans may be watching you in return.
Where to Eat:
Wirtshaus Taube was the first stop for lunch after dropping bags at the hotel. The rösti special and the curry stew were both memorable dishes I’d recommend.
Dr. Oetker Café Gugelhupf — past visit
This was a great café for breakfast on our trip. I remember the rösti, fluffy pancakes, eggs and bacon, and some of the largest cups of cappuccino I’ve ever seen.
Unfortunately, the café has since closed but I’m keeping these photographs as memories of our visit.
List of Additional Restaurants in Lucerne
Where to Stay:
Hotel Drei Könige - This was a nice and cozy boutique hotel right in the heart of Lucerne. The location is very quiet which is a plus when you’ve come back from spending a long day outside exploring. There’s also a cafe right below the hotel if you‘d like to hop outside for a stroll and some coffee
