Lucerne
You haven’t really been to Lucerne until you have strolled the creaky 14th-century Kapellbrücke, spanning the Reuss River in the Old Town. The octagonal…
Must-see attractions in Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland
Follow the crowds flowing towards this baroque edifice, the 18th-century handiwork of Caspar Moosbrugger. The interior dances with colourful frescoes,…
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Lucerne
Lucerne’s blockbuster cultural attraction is the Sammlung Rosengart, occupying a graceful neoclassical pile in the heart of town. It showcases the…
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Lucerne
By far the most touching of the 19th-century sights that lured so many British to Lucerne is the Lion Monument. Lukas Ahorn carved this 10m-long sculpture…
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Lucerne
For a bird’s-eye view over Lucerne’s rooftops to the glittering lake and mountains beyond, wander along the top of the old city walls that date back to…
Central Switzerland
Central Switzerland's tallest mountain, Mt Titlis, is known for the world's first revolving cable car. This was completed in 1992 and is still one of the…
Lucerne
French architect Jean Nouvel’s waterfront arts and convention centre is a postmodern jaw-dropper in an otherwise historic city. Inside, the tall, narrow…
Central Switzerland
This teensy museum displays historical knives from prehistoric, Roman and medieval times, including folding precursors to the Victorinox classic. Touch…
Lake Lucerne
This impressive double-decker cable car lets you head up top out into the open air for spectacular views as it whisks you over 1100 vertical metres from…
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Lucerne
A great kid-pleaser, the fascinating interactive Verkehrshaus is deservedly Switzerland’s most popular museum. Alongside rockets, steam locomotives,…
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Lucerne
The medieval Old Town, with its ancient rampart walls and towers, 15th-century buildings with painted facades and two covered bridges, is fascinating…
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Central Switzerland
This museum is worth a visit just to eyeball the original 1291 charter of federation signed by Nidwalden, Schwyz and Uri cantons. It’s accompanied by some…
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Central Switzerland
Zug's Old Town is a medieval time capsule. It starts at the town’s emblem, the Zytturm, whose distinctive roof is tiled in blue-and-white cantonal colours.
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Central Switzerland
These 200km labyrinthine caves, 13km from Schwyz in Muotatal, are Europe's longest and the world's fourth-biggest. Think about it – it's 52km from Zürich…
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Central Switzerland
Perched on hillside above Lake Uri's western shore, this meadow is the legendary cradle of Swiss democracy. It was here that the Oath of Eternal…
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Lake Lucerne
From 1893 to 1974, Stanserhorn was accessed from Stans in three sections by funicular trains. In 1974 the top two sections were replaced by an aerial…
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Central Switzerland
The Engelberg valley was once ecclesiastically governed and the Benedictine abbey was the seat of power. Now the resident monks teach instead of rule, but…
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Lucerne
Downriver from Kapellbrücke, this 1408 structure is dark and small but entirely original. Lore has it that this was the only bridge where Lucerne's…
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Lucerne
Just a stone’s throw from the train station, Inseli is a leafy lakefront park where locals congregate in sunny weather to lounge on the grass, play ping…
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Central Switzerland
This 2961m mountain, reached by cable car, attracts hikers in summer and skiers coming for the snow-sure slopes in winter. The region is also beloved of…
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Lucerne
Near the western end of the old city walls' walkway, you both ascend or descend here at Zytturm, with its legendary clock. Since the late Middle Ages the…
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Central Switzerland
West across Lake Uri from Brunnen, you’ll glimpse a near 30m-high natural obelisk, the Schillerstein, protruding from the water. Its gold inscription pays…
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Lucerne
West along the old city walls and not connected to the ramparts walkway, climb Männliturm for unobstructed views out over Lucerne and marvellous photo…
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Central Switzerland
On Lake Uri's eastern shore, this chapel is covered in murals depicting four episodes in the Tell legend, including the one that’s supposed to have…
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Central Switzerland
Bürglen is believed to be William Tell’s birthplace. Here you can visit the Tell Museum, a collection of Tell-related objects, documents and artistic…
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Central Switzerland
Most action in Schwyz spirals around the gurgling fountain on cobbled Hauptplatz (main square), dominated by the Rathaus (town hall), complete with…
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Central Switzerland
This popular waterfront square, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, is historically significant as People's Assemblies took place here from the 14th…
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Central Switzerland
Once at the top of the St Gotthard Pass, visit the Museo Nazionale San Gottardo, which covers the commercial, political and cultural significance of the…
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Lucerne
Edouard Castres’ painstakingly detailed 1100-sq-metre circular painting depicting the internment of French troops in Switzerland after the Franco–Prussian…
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Lake Lucerne
Looming above the lake, 1898m Stanserhorn (13km south of Lucerne) boasts 360-degree vistas of Lake Lucerne, Mt Titlis, Mt Pilatus and the Bernese Alps,…
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Central Switzerland
Zug's town museum, housed in an 11th-century castle, displays paintings, costumes and a 3D model of the town, plus special themed exhibitions. It’s an…
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Central Switzerland
Set in baroque gardens, this turreted mansion was once the home of mercenary soldiers. Roam the 17th-century manor’s wood-panelled rooms and vaulted…
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Lucerne
At the western end of the old city walls walkway, the Wachturm is where you have to turn around and retrace your steps, either to descend at Zytturm or…
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Lucerne
Your entrance point for a walk along the top of the old city walls, don't forget to climb to the top of the Schirmerturm tower before you get started. It…
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Central Switzerland
Located on the grounds of Engelberg Monastery is a state-of-the-art cheesemaking operation, where you can watch the cheesemakers, savour dairy goodies in…
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Forum der Schweizer Geschichte
Central Switzerland
This cultural hub of the Swiss National Museum offers splendid, engaging multilingual exhibits focused on the foundation of the Swiss Confederation and…
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Lucerne
Lucerne's history museum is cleverly organised into a series of attention-grabbing themed sections, each interpreted in German or English with the help of…
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Central Switzerland
The local art museum holds a superb collection of Viennese modernist works by Klimt, Kokoschka and Schiele. There are also regular high-profile temporary…
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Lucerne
At this art museum inside the Kultur und Kongresszentrum, the permanent collection garners mixed reviews, but keep an eye out for great temporary…
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Central Switzerland
For a fine view over the abbey complex to the surrounding hills, wander through the monastery stables and continue uphill for 15 minutes to this statue.
