Lucerne

Tradition and modernity coexist with consummate ease in the central Swiss city of Lucerne. Known for its enviable lakeside location, medieval old town and world famous concert hall, charming, picturesque Lucerne might just be the perfect city break destination.

Located at Switzerland’s geographic heart and easily accessible by road and rail from the major airports, Lucerne offers the abundance of historic and cultural attractions synonymous with much larger cities, whilst being compact enough to explore on foot. Known as the City of Light on account of a folktale telling of its origin, Lucerne is also the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful lake and surrounding mountains.

As with all Swiss cities there is no shortage of high quality accommodation here. Four and five star hotels are plentiful, from the converted 19th Century castle of Château Gütsch to the unique design of Jean Nouvel’s The Hotel and the breathtaking views and clean aesthetic of Art Deco Hotel Montana. Overnight guests at all city hotels are issued with the Lucerne Visitor Card which affords them free travel on trains and buses within zone 10 of the regional network, free wi-fi and discounts on various museums and excursions within the Lake Lucerne area.

Notable for its variety, Lucerne’s food and wine scene sits alongside Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and Confiserie Bachmann as one of the city’s main attractions. From traditional Swiss specialties to creative international cuisine, Lucerne’s chefs deliver quality and choice across all price points. Among the many restaurants here, Michelin starred Lucide, located on the first floor of the Culture and Congress Centre (KKL), is particularly renowned for its fresh, seasonal cuisine served in a contemporary setting, as well as for its exquisite wine list. Other venues to note include Scala at the aforementioned Art Deco Hotel Montana and Restaurant Balances (Hotel des Balances) on the river Reuss; both serve a gourmet menu enjoyed with superb views, a relaxed ambiance and refined wines. Nine miles south-east of the city, and less than one hour by boat, Restaurant focus ATELIER at Vitznau’s famous Park Hotel also deserves a mention for its two Michelin stars, 18 Gault Millau points and 30,000+ bottles of wine!

As the evening ebbs away into night, the cosy caverns and rooftop wine bars of Lucerne come to life. The wine scene here is booming, with plenty of stellar spots to sample fine local varietals and first-rate labels from abroad. So whether you want a simple glass of house red on the banks of the Reuss or a bottle of Champagne with a panoramic view of the lake, Lucerne has it all.