Lucerne Activities: Lake, Museums, Towers
Lucerne sits where the Reuss leaves Lake Lucerne, and most of its paid and free activities are within walking distance of the station. Prices are in Swiss francs (CHF). Several attractions run on seasons, so check the dates below against the month you travel.
On the water
Lake Lucerne boats are run by the SGV shipping company. The fleet includes five historic paddle steamers (Uri, Unterwalden, Schiller, Gallia and Stadt Luzern) alongside motor ships. Steamers sail mainly in summer, and one of them has been in a long rebuild, so book a route rather than a particular boat. Lucerne to Flüelen takes about 2 hours 40 minutes one way and costs around CHF 26.50, rising to CHF 28.50 from 13 December 2026. Regular lake services are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and the Lucerne Travel Pass. The winter timetable starts on 19 October and changes again on 13 December, so check the SGV timetable before you plan a sailing.
Strandbad Lido on Lidostrasse is the city’s lakeside baths with a beach. The 2026 season ran from 9 May to 20 September, weather permitting, so it is closed in the colder months. Swim only at designated bathing areas. Harbours, boat landing stages and the Reuss in town are not for swimming, and the lake is cold even in summer.
Museums and culture
The Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, Lidostrasse 5) is open daily, 10:00 to 18:00 in summer and 10:00 to 17:00 in winter. Adult entry is about CHF 37, students CHF 27 and children 6 to 15 CHF 16, with under 6s free. Swiss Travel Pass holders pay half at the museum desk (CHF 18.50 for adults). A day pass adds the Planetarium, the Filmtheater, the Media World and the Swiss Chocolate Adventure.
The Gletschergarten on Denkmalstrasse shows glacial potholes, a rock world called the Felsenwelt and a mirror maze built in 1896. Adults pay CHF 24, students and seniors CHF 18, and under 16s CHF 12. From March to November it is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Details are on the Gletschergarten admission page .
The KKL Luzern, Jean Nouvel’s concert and congress building on the lakefront, is home to the Lucerne Festival. The summer season ran from 13 August to 13 September in 2026, and the 2027 season is planned for 12 August to 12 September. A shorter spring weekend is planned for 19 to 21 March 2027.
Towers and walls
The Musegg Wall runs about 870 metres along the northern edge of the Old Town and has nine towers. Four can be climbed: Männliturm, Zytturm, Wachtturm and Schirmerturm. Entry is free, hours are 08:00 to 19:00, and the wall is open from 1 April to 1 November only. The Zytturm clock dates from 1535.
Passes worth knowing
Guests who stay one night or more in a participating hotel or rental receive the free Lucerne Visitor Card, with free buses and trains in city zone 10 and discounts at partner sites. Boats and free museum entry are not part of it. For several mountains in a few days, compare the Swiss Travel Pass with the regional Lucerne Travel Pass; the second covers Pilatus, Rigi and Titlis at no extra cost.
Read more: Sightseeing in Lucerne and Day trips from Lucerne .
Guided experiences can be compared on GetYourGuide before you travel.