Due to its location along the base of Mount Pilatus, many who visit Lucerne, Switzerland, use their time in town to hop aboard the world's steepest cogwheel railway—which takes riders up to the mountain's panoramic summit.
Others forget to check their weather app before planning a day trip, and the views at the top are shielded by clouds when they arrive.
Never fear! Yes, ascending nearly 7,000 feet to the peak is certainly a bucket list item; but, if you're like me and only had a short amount of time to explore Lucerne, your trip doesn't have to be a waste just because the fog rolled in.
Here are two laid-back things you can add to your itinerary to ensure your visit to Lucerne is as breathtaking as the scenery. The first is random, the second, a classic.
Purchase a panini at Bachmann Schwanenplatz. I wandered into the store searching for Swiss chocolates, and I certainly found an abundance of them; however, I also had the best lunch of my life. (No, really, I wrote those exact words in my travel journal.) A bag of chocolates and a meal to-go may sound like a silly item to add to your list of must-do's, but I promise you, the Hot Ham and Cheese Panini turned my morning around when my plans went awry, kept hunger at bay, and prepared me to take on the chilly day. For only CHF 7.90, you too can bite into gooey goodness.
Pay a visit to the Lion of Lucerne. If you're an art-history buff like me, the trek to the Lion of Lucerne is one you shouldn't pass up. Although I was young and goofy during my visit—I hadn't studied art at a University level yet—I could still appreciate how magnificent he truly is. Carved into a rock face, the Lion cries out in agony as the water shimmers beneath his perch. If you're not one to admire the making of the massive sculpture, you may be interested in the history behind the Lion's concept. While visiting the beast, read aloud what Mark Twain had to say about the relief in A Tramp Abroad.
In my opinion, adding these things to your Lucerne itinerary will ensure you get a taste of the area while also giving you time to enjoy the day as the city bustles around you. From delicious meals to amazing art, you never know what'll you stumble upon during your laid-back day.
And don't worry if you can't fit these suggestions into your schedule. After all, my time in Lucerne stands out because plans didn't pan out.
📍 Lucerne, Switzerland
Disclaimer: I have wonderful photos from this trip. (Well, as wonderful as photos taken on a phone from 2013 can be.) However, they're trapped on said phone, which freezes every time I try and get them off. This article has been sitting in my drafts for years for that reason. So, I downloaded what I could, and posted. Hopefully my words can bring these memories to life instead—just as a travel journal does for its author upon their return. 🦁