Lake Lucerne is at the heart of Switzerland, but also at the heart of Swiss history.
Lake Lucerne, set in the heart of Switzerland, is a mirror of water and legend, reflecting the Alpine peaks and the founding stories of the Swiss nation. This lake, with its arms extending in several directions, surrounds landscapes that have witnessed the dawn of Swiss history, providing a spectacular backdrop to the epic tale of the Confederation. It is a place where nature unfolds majestically, where crystal-clear waters nestle between imposing mountains, dense forests and verdant meadows, inviting endless exploration.
Cities around Lake Lucerne
À Lucerne, a picturesque city that hugs the lake, history and culture are experienced on every street corner. The famous Chapel Bridge, with its water tower, is a gateway to the past, while the Lion of Lucerne monument tells the story of bravery and sacrifice of the Swiss Guards who paid with their lives in 1792 to protect the King of France. A must-see excursion from Lucerne is the climb to the pilates, accessible by the world's steepest cog railway or cable car, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps.
Schwyz, the canton that gave its name to Switzerland, is a place steeped in history. The Museum of Federal Charters in Schwyz houses the Federal Pact of 1291, the founding document of the Swiss Confederation, a testament to the spirit of independence and democracy that characterizes the country. The canton of Schwyz gave its name and flag to the entire country, because it was its inhabitants who fought on the front lines against the Austrians several centuries ago.
A hike in the surrounding mountains, like the mythical myths, offers an immersion in a striking alpine landscape, where history seems to come to life amidst powerful nature.
Altdorf, in the canton of Uri, is inseparable from the legend of William Tell, a hero of Swiss independence. The town's central square, with its iconic statue of Tell, is a reminder of the courage and determination that led to the birth of Switzerland. To learn more about William Tell, your curiosity will take you all the way to Bürglen. From Altdorf, the ascent to the Klausenpass or a cruise on the lake offer breathtaking alpine panoramas, views that nourish the soul and recall the grandeur of Swiss history.
Towards the east, Vitznau serves as the gateway to Mount Rigi, a place where the blue of the lake meets the green of the alpine meadows, while Weggis, nicknamed the "Riviera of Central Switzerland", seduces with its mild climate and its flower gardens, a haven of peace at the foot of the mountains. Further on, the village of Fountains, with its lakeside promenade, offers a breathtaking view of the legendary Axenstrasse, a road carved into the rock that runs along the lake, offering breathtaking perspectives.

The best views of Lake Lucerne
On the opposite bank, the Bürgenstock, accessible by a historic funicular, attracts those in search of luxury and panoramas, a summit where history, well-being and a breathtaking view of the lake below combine.
Above the serene waters of Lake Lucerne, peaks and platforms elevate visitors to breathtakingly beautiful panoramas, offering breathtaking views of this mirror of water framed by the Swiss Alps. Riga, nicknamed the “Queen of the Mountains”, stands proudly, offering from its summit accessible by rack railway or cable car, a panoramic canvas where dawn and dusk paint living pictures of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Not far away, the mountain pilates towers over Lucerne, revealing itself as a giant among the clouds. Its ascent, possible via the steepest cog railway in the world or by cable car, is an adventure that ends with a spectacular view, embracing the lake in a setting of Alpine peaks. The Bürgenstock, meanwhile, attracts attention not only for its luxury hotel and historic funicular but also for its hiking trails that wind up to high vantage points, including the Hammetschwand Lift, Europe's highest outdoor elevator, from which the lake seems like a waking dream.
Le stanserhorn, with its open-top cable car, invites you to fully immerse yourself in the Alpine beauty, offering a 360-degree view of Lake Lucerne and beyond, an experience where wind and panorama mingle in a memorable dance. More discreet, the Fronalpstock near Stoos turns out to be a balcony on the mountains, its terrace offering a sublime view of the lake, where the deep blue of the water contrasts with the green and white of the alpine landscapes, a harmony of colors and textures that enchants the eye.
Each site, each town along Lake Lucerne is a chapter in a captivating tale, a story that unfolds along the water and the mountains, inviting the visitor on a memorable journey through beauty, history and culture, in a landscape where nature and humanity have combined forces to create a setting of unparalleled beauty. It is an invitation to explore, to feel and to marvel at the treasures that lie along the shores of this lake, in the heart of Switzerland, in order to understand what makes this country, and this lake in particular, a unique place in the world.
Activities not to be missed around Lake Lucerne
- Visiting the old town of Lucerne
- The cruise on the lake in Lucerne
- Mount Pilatus, and its panoramic view on the lake and the Alps
- Go up by funicular to Rigi Kulm: magnificent landscape, winter and summer
- Walk along the lake at Weggis
- Understand theHistory of Switzerland in Schwyz
- Discover the legend of William Tell in Altdorf
- Cultural excursion to Zurich
- Go skiing by train to Engelberg
- Explore every corner of the Swiss Museum of Transport
- Borrow the funicular the steepest in the world at Fronalpstock!
Discovering Lake Lucerne on video
The best webcams on Lake Lucerne
(click on the name of the village)
- Lucerne : a view of the old town of Lucerne.
- Lake Lucerne: a view of the lake from Weggis.
- Pilate: the panorama from the summit of Mount Pilatus, overlooking Lucerne.
- Riga: the 360 degree view of the lake and the mountains from the heights of the Rigi
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