Hotels in Canton of Lucerne

Canton of Lucerne: Alps, Lake, and Medieval Timber Bridges

The Canton of Lucerne sits in central Switzerland, bordered by the Lake of Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) to the south and rolling pre-Alpine hills to the north. The cantonal capital, Lucerne city, anchors the region with the 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), one of Europe's oldest surviving covered wooden bridges at 204 metres long. Mount Pilatus, rising to 2,132 m, is accessible by the world's steepest rack railway from Alpnachstad, just 20 km south of Lucerne.

Where to Stay

Hotels concentrate along the Reuss River waterfront and the Haldenstrasse lakeside promenade. The Old Town (Altstadt) district offers boutique properties within walking distance of the Lion Monument (carved 1820–1821) and the Rosengart Collection of Picasso works. Families and hikers tend to base in Kriens or Horw, quieter suburbs at the foot of Pilatus with direct bus links into the city centre.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The Tell-Pass covers boats, mountain railways, and buses across central Switzerland for multi-day trips.
• Best months: May–September for lake swimming and alpine hikes; December–February for Christmas markets on Franziskanerplatz.
• Airport access: Zurich Airport connects to Lucerne by direct train in approximately 50 minutes.
• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF); card payments accepted widely, but carry cash for smaller mountain huts.