Lucerne is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Switzerland. Between its location on the shores of Lake Lucerne and on the banks of the Reuss River, it couldn’t be more picturesque.
When you add in its two local mountains, historical old town, museums, art galleries, and monuments to name a few, it really is a magical place to visit.
But, when you visit Lucerne, how many days should your Lucerne itinerary last? Is Lucerne worth visiting on a day trip, or do you need more time? That is what we are here to work out.
Join me as I run through everything you need to know about visiting Lucerne and how many days your Lucerne itinerary should be.
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How Many Days Should You Spend in Lucerne?
The number of days you should spend in Lucerne depends on a lot of things, and the main one is how long you are visiting Switzerland for and what you want to get out of your visit.
A day trip is enough to see the main attractions such as the Old Town and Chapel Bridge, but it will be a busy day, and you won’t get to explore the surroundings or spend much time in nature.
Four days on the other hand is enough to see it all and get a sense of the city, and the surrounding area, and take it slow. So, how many days in Lucerne is right for you?
One Day in Lucerne
A lot of people spend one day in Lucerne as it is just a 40-minute direct train ride from Zurich HB train station to Lucerne train station. 1 day in Lucerne is certainly enough to enjoy the city and it will certainly leave you wanting more.
A great one-day Lucerne itinerary is arriving early so you have the whole day to explore. Start off by hopping on a half-day tour around Old Town Lucerne, strolling across Chapel Bridge, and along the banks of the Reuss River and Lake Lucerne.
You can then have a delicious lunch in the old town or with stunning views across Lake Lucerne. On day trips during the summer, you can also enjoy the beaches and even have a refreshing swim in the lake.
In a single day, you could also squeeze in seeing the Lion Monument and the Glacier Garden. It will be a long full day, but you will have made the most of it.
The trouble is, a one-day Lucerne itinerary will have you rushing around the city. It will be a fleeting visit, and you will miss out on the mountains, and a cruise on Lake Lucerne, and you won’t really get a feel for the city.
If you don’t have more days to spend in Lucerne, then it is still worth seeing, as it is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland.
Two Days in Lucerne
Two days in Lucerne is the ideal amount of time to spend in the city if you only have a weekend or need a short Lucerne itinerary so you can visit other parts of Switzerland.
With two days you have enough time to enjoy almost everything this picturesque city has to offer and you can see some of the surrounding areas too.
Old Town Lucerne and Chapel Bridge will likely be at the top of your list but you can also see the Jesuit Church, Swiss Transport Museum, and more but, at a leisurely pace over day one.
In the evening, you can enjoy a lakeside walk over sunset, have dinner in the Old Town or with a view of the lake, and get involved in Lucerne’s great nightlife if you want to.
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The morning of day two is perfect for a boat tour around Lake Lucerne, or you can go hiking on Mount Rigi, or head to Mount Pilatus to see some of the best views you can find in Lucerne.
It would, of course, be nice to do all three of these activities but you will only have time for one on day two. If being in nature is more important than seeing the cultural sights of this scenic city, then you could use the afternoon of day one to squeeze an extra one in.
The best thing about a two-day Lucerne travel itinerary is that you won’t be in a rush. You can truly enjoy your time in this wonderful city and really take it in.
Pro tip: if you are spending more than a few days in the Lucerne region, check out the Tell Pass, which allows you to travel freely in the area.
Three Days in Lucerne
Three days in Lucerne is a great Lucerne Itinerary as you can get to know the city well. You will have the time to explore little nooks in the Old Town you would otherwise miss, try out various restaurants, and more.
Start your first day by seeing Chapel Bridge, the Old Town, and the Jesuit Church, and spend some time in the museums.
If you are visiting in the warmer months, then a stroll along the lake, a swim, and a cocktail at one of the many beach bars is a great way to spend the afternoon. You could even hire a boat or a paddleboard and explore the lake further.
On the morning of day two, a hike on Mount Rigi is a great way to start your day. It takes about an hour to get up the mountain from Lucerne via the world’s steepest cog railway, or you can use a cable car.
Once up there, the hiking is excellent, the views are incredible and you can have lunch at one of the restaurants up there too.
Spend the afternoon seeing the Lion Monument, Glacier Garden, and the Spreuer Bridge before heading back to the lake for a dip and a sunset drink. In the evening, find a traditional restaurant serving up a fondue or the excellent steak that the city is known for.
On day three, you can start your day with a boat ride around Lake Lucerne where you can see some of the beautiful lakeside villages and more. Or you can take the train and cable car up to Mt Pilatus for some of the best views of the incredible mountain ranges in the area, and either hike back down or take the cable car.
Spend your final afternoon as you wish. The Swiss Museum Of Transport is excellent but I always find myself going back to the beaches along the lake in the warmer months.
Four Days in Lucerne
If you have the time, I would highly recommend spending 4 days in Lucerne as this way you can honestly see everything, do all the activities, and leave no stone unturned.
You will have time to go up Mt Rigi, enjoy boat rides on the lake, go up Mt Pilatus, and you could even squeeze in some paragliding too. That pretty much takes care of all the great things to do close to Lucerne, but you will have plenty of time to see the city too.
Spend day one exploring the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Jesuit Church, Spreuer Bridge, and the Sammlung Rosengart Museum. This pretty much ticks everything off in the Old Town area plus you will have time to find a good restaurant for lunch, walk along the river, and enjoy the lake too.
Day two, head up Mt Rigi in the morning. Hike, have lunch, see the magical views and more. Spend the rest of your day seeing the Swiss Museum of Transport and follow this up by heading to the beaches in the park just next to it, so long as you are there during the summer months.
Day three, hop on a cruise around Lake Lucerne for the morning and come back for lunch. Then take a stroll to the Lion Monument, Glacier Garden, and to the Musegg Walk & Clock Tower, after which you can find a nice bar with a view or a restaurant for dinner.
End your stay in Lucerne by heading up Mt Pilatus, seeing the views, exploring the peak, and then paragliding back down. This will only take half a day, which leaves you a whole afternoon to do whatever you like.
You can return to your favorite bar, restaurant, or site, enjoy the lake again, or squeeze in another museum. The choice is yours.
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
You missed my favorite thing to do which was walking the entire length of the city wall. In fact you didn’t even mention that the city has a wall. It also has two Foxtails in English.