Europe’s ‘most beautiful’ city is like a mini Lake Como and nine million tourists flock to it every year. Lucerne in central Switzerland sits on the edge of a lake and between mountains with a population of 82,000 people.
It has been named among the country’s best cities by Conde Nast Traveller, which referred to it as a “microcosm of Switzerland itself”.
The magazine added: “On the shores of the sublime Lake Lucerne and overlooked by mountains, it exudes Swissness from every pore.
“Alpine excursions…art by Picasso and Klee…world-class classical music…the nine towers of the city’s medieval ramparts…and the Old Town.”
The medieval Chapel Bridge forms the centrepiece of Lucerne’s townscape and is considered to be one of the oldest, covered wooden bridges in Europe.
Lucerne is “a city of town squares and churches”. Historic houses decorated with frescoes line the picturesque town squares as they do the Weinmarkt square in the car-free old town.
It receives over nine million visitors a year, according to Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung. In 2018, tourists per inhabitant in Lucerne beat Venice.
Lake Lucerne is a highlight of visiting the city. During the summer, people can tour the body of water on historic paddle wheel steamers or saloon motor vessels.
Visitors can also explore along the River Reuss, which flows from the Gotthard region, through Lake Lucerne, towards Windisch.
The city is the ideal starting point for many excursions into the mountains. Mount Pilatus is family-friendly, being easily accessible via cable car and train.
There is also a cog train up Mount Rigi. It was the first mountain railway in Europe, opening in 1871. Passengers can look over the lake, grazing cows, traditional farms and wildflower meadows.
Nearby is Engelberg-Titlis, the largest holiday destination in central Switzerland. The mountain village has a well-known monastery and is popular among snow sports fans.
Those wishing to visit Lucerne can get there on non-stop flights to Zurich from London, Manchester, Edinburgh and more. From Zurich, there is a 40-minute train to Lucerne.