Bucket List: Magic of Lucerne

Switzerland, Lucerne, Magic of Lucerne

This article was originally published in this blog in December 2016. While this article was not generally written in the style of the first-person narrative, it nevertheless reflects my experiences and thoughts during my visit way back in 2009.

Excerpt from this blog post: "Stroll around the city and take in the sights and sounds. Be awed by this beautiful city. I took a relaxed walking tour of the city on my own and the walk "connected" me to the heartbeat that is Lucerne."

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The city of Lucerne is located in central Switzerland and is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne. The people in Lucerne speaks mostly German since it is located in the German speaking part of Switzerland.

History and Geography

Sometime in the year AD 1290, Lucerne became self-sufficient as a functioning city with a sustainable population size. Together with three other neighbouring cantons, Lucerne formed the Swiss Confederacy in the year AD 1332. When other areas including Zurich and Berne also became members of this alliance, Austrian rule over the area came to its conclusion.

Much of the Lucerne of today consist of forested areas as well as land used for agriculture. Mountains and rivers are relatively common in Lucerne and the city itself is situated at the shores of Lake Lucerne and its associated River Reuss. The wooden Chapel Bridge is probably one of the most famous and most photographed landmarks in Lucerne. This famous bridge straddles the River Reuss and dates back to the 14th century. It is also known as the Kapellbrucke in German.

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

The population of Lucerne is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Climate

The warmest months in Lucerne are between June to August where mean daytime temperatures can range between 14 deg C to 19 deg C. The cooler months are during winter between November to February where mean daytime temperatures usually range between 0 deg C to 5 deg C.

Getting There

Travel to and from Lucerne from other parts of Switzerland is easily accomplished via the Lucerne Railway Station. This station is situated near the picturesque Lake Lucerne. 

What To Expect

Lucerne is an extremely photogenic city. There are many bridges over the River Reuss and each and every one of these are a marvel to behold for the eye. Learn more about the history of each landmark before your visit and you will find it more meaningful as you stand before these landmarks to behold their history, beauty and grace.

View along the bank of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Have a leisurely stroll along the banks of Lake Lucerne or sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee at one of the cafes located by the lake. Being a coffee person, I naturally enjoyed my cuppa while sitting at a cafe in-between admiring the views of the lake, people watching and reading my book. And that was how I spent a good part of an afternoon while I was at Lucerne.

Cafes along the banks of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Better still, embark on a relaxed cruise around the lake and take in the wonderful sceneries of Lucerne with its old-fashioned styled buildings featuring European architecture of past eras with the peaks of the Swiss Alps in the background peering back at you. I took the cruise and I truly enjoyed it. Life is truly beautiful when you are in Lucerne. 

A cruise boat on Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Houses by the shore of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

View of the shore of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Houses by the shore of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

By the shore of Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Stroll around the city and take in the sights and sounds. Be awed by this beautiful city. I took a relaxed walking tour of the city on my own and the walk "connected" me to the heartbeat that is Lucerne.

During the day, busloads of tourists can be seen arriving at this city. With its beautiful fairytale-like ambience, this is a popular tourist stop for many visitors to Switzerland.

Picturesque view of the city, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

The city and its buildings, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

The city and its buildings, Lucerne, Switzerland (2009)

Advices and Tips

Respect the local culture and customs. Lucerne is a beautiful and clean city and we should all keep it that way. Do not litter. Be considerate to the residents and other visitors when taking that awesome photograph for your Instagram or Facebook post.

It is advisable to carry small change with you when shopping for those little souvenirs as mementos of your visit. The local legal tender is the Swiss Franc.

If time and budget permit, try traveling to the peak of Mount Stanserhorn (1898 metres, 6227 ft) when you are visiting Lucerne and its neighbouring areas. Stanserhorn is located in Nidwalden near to Obwalden. From the town of Stans, take the cable car to the top. Or if you are game for it, you may also ascend to the peak via walking routes from Stans. I took the cable car. ;-)

View of the Swiss Alps from the peak of Mount Stanserhorn (1898 metres, 6227 ft), Nidwalden, Switzerland (2009)