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Lake Lucerne, also known as the Vierwaldstättersee or "Lake of the Four Forest Cantons," may be the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. It's certainly among the most spectacular, with mountains on all sides and forests coming down to the shore in many places. If you pick only one lake for cruising by boat, make it Lake Lucerne, on the lake steamer.

The city of Lucerne is as beautiful as the postcards promise. The wooden bridges, the water tower, the defence constructions and the lion monument are world-famous. Whilst old town Lucerne and the spacious riverbank promenades are ideal for strolling, the Pilatus local mountain is enticing with a breathtaking view, and Lake Lucerne invites you to swim or take a trip on t he lake steamer.

Historical buildings dominate downtown Lucerne on the right bank of river Reuss, many of them decorated with frescos. The Weinmarkt (wine market) square is particularly attractive. This charming Old Square, former site of Lucerne city’s 17th century wine market, is today noted by tourists for its lovely Renaissance fountain and the Mullersche Apotheke - a drugstore that dates from 1530.

The Lucerne tourist office is located at Zentralstrasse 5, CH-6002 Luzern
Phone +41 (0)41 227 17 17.

Lucerne has long been one of Europe’s most heavily visited towns. When Queen Victoria came for a long holiday in August 1868 (checking in under a pseudonym), Lucerne was already renowned, and a century of steady growth has resulted these days in five million admirers passing through each year. Tourism is the leading source of income, and yet Luccerne has adeptly managed to retain all of its charm.

Try visiting Lucerne in time for Fasnacht. The entire town goes crazy in a celebration, which dates back to the 15th century. There is a lantern-lit parade and impromptu Commedia del Arte performances, musical groups perform in the narrow streets of Lucerne old town and hundreds of people dress in masks and costumes. This takes place on 3 February.

Lucerne was a fishing village in the Middle Ages but the modest settlement soon
became an important trading centre after the St. Gotthard pass was opened and goods
were transferred from ship to land transportation. Lucerne city was founded in 1178.

Lucerne’s nightlife scene is active, with plenty of arts centres and music venues around the Old Town and the rest of the city. If you like Swiss folkloric presentations, head for the Stadtkeller, Sternenplatz (tel. 041/410-47-33) in Lucerne, which has good food and presents a program of traditional Swiss entertainment, complete with alphorns, cowbells, national costumes, throwing and yodelling. Presentations are from March to October, daily from 8 to 10:30pm.

Shopping in Lucerne is smooth and alluring. The two major shopping districts are located in Lucerne’s charming Old Town and along the recently developed Pilatusstrasse - the modern thoroughfare just outside Lucerne's Central Station.

Kappellbruke / Spreuerbruke are two medieval wooden bridges that cut across Lake Lucerne, smack in the middle of the city, that have become enduring twin symbols of Lucerne. Within it's creaking gables are paintings that reflect Lucerne's turbulent history.