Lucerne is a charming city in the heart of Switzerland, famous for the medieval squares, frescoed houses and excellent views of the mountains. Lucerne is also linked to the legend of William Tell.
The Chapel Bridge is definitely the landmark of the city. It is said to be the oldest wood bridge in Europe. The remarkably preserved Old Town is another important place to visit. The mazes of streets, charming squares and interesting murals painted on the houses make for a very interesting walk.
For the best views of the city, take the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Pilatus. You can also choose to hike to the top but it will take at least 4 hours.
Planning your budget: are vacation packages are good idea when visiting Lucerne?
The best time to travel to Lucerne is between April and October. During late autumn, there aren’t many tourists in the city and, as a result, you won’t find many European vacation packages to include Lucerne. It is possible, though, to find Lucerne as part of a Europe cruise .
The largest airport close to Lucerne is Zurich. Once you land in Zurich, either rent a car or take a train to Lucerne. Flights to Zurich are not hard to find, as the airport is served by plenty of airlines offering links to cities all over the world. It is a good idea, though, to also look into flying to London first and then catching a low-cost flight to Zurich.
When it comes to finding hotels in Lucerne , it’s probably best to stay a bit further from the city center if you plan to save on accommodation. The hotels in the city center tend to be quite expensive.
Things to do in Lucerne in late autumn
Late autumn is not a very busy period when it comes to festivals and events in Lucerne. But you won’t get bored either if you decide to visit the city now.
Lucerne Festival at the Piano takes place between Nov 23 and Nov 29 and is a festival dedicated to the art of playing the piano. The concerts and recitals take place in Lucerne’s KKL Luzern Concert Hall. You can listen to classical jazz and piano artists.
Where to stay in Lucerne
It’s always best to book accommodation in advance if you plan to travel to Lucerne during important festivals (or during the high season). Look for places which are located further from the city center.
Hotel-Restaurant Felmis is located close to the mountains. Lucerne city center is just 4 km away and can be easily reached by bus. There’s free wi-fi within the hotel. All rooms have bathroom ensuite, phone and TV. In winter, the room rates start at 160 CHF per night.
Hotel Alpha is located in the center of the city, just 5 min from the old town. It offers private rooms with both ensuite and shared facilities. All rooms have wi-fi access (for a fee). During winter, room rates start at 125 CHF (€86.20) per night for a twin room with bathroom ensuite.
Hotel Balm Meggen offers a relaxing atmosphere and great views of the area. Breakfast is included in the room rates. All rooms have TV, phone, wi-fi and a pull-out sofa. During winter, room rates start at 180 CHF per night for a double room standard.
Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann offers a very romantic setting for a vacation. All rooms have bathroom ensuite, minibar, radio, phone, TV, safe and wi-fi. Room rates range from 270 CHF (€169) to 360 CHF (€225) per night for a standard twin room. The rates include breakfast and taxes.
Continental Park Hotel is located in the city center. All rooms have AC, bathroom ensuite, minibar, safe, TV and wi-fi (for a fee). Breakfast is included in the room rates. Room rates range from 270 CHF to 380 CHF per night for a twin room.
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