Lucerne: Overview

Swiss Alpine splendour is real, not a fairy tale.

'Lucerna' in Italian, 'Luzern' in Swiss-German, 'Lucerne' in French and English. 'Alpine splendour' in all languages. Lapped by scenic Lake Lucerne and surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains - a picture of this one-time fishing village and its striking skyline epitomises Switzerland.

Charming Lucerne has an Old Town of 15th-century buildings, towers, a 17th-century Renaissance town hall, old squares and bridges. When tour guides in medieval costume appear, Lucerne becomes vaguely reminiscent of Venice, but it's rarely packed with tourists. Northeast is the poignant Lion Monument.

Fast Facts

Population

57,817

Currency

Name: Swiss Franc
Code: CHF
Symbol: CHF

Electrical Plugs

European plug with two circular metal pins
230V 50Hz

Languages Spoken

Official: German, French, Italian

Time Zones

GMT/UTC +1 

Country Dialing Code

+41

Weights & Measures

Metric

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Traveller Tips & Discussion

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