Private Classic Lucerne City Walk

Private Classic Lucerne City Walk. See the must-see sights and less-known gems of Lucerne in just a couple of hours. This classic Lucerne city walk covers everything you need to know about the city, which is the ideal tour if you’re short on time. Explore the Lion Monument, Musegg Wall, and even the inside of Ritter Palace with your own private guide, and ask as many questions as you like while you go.

Private Classic Lucerne City Walk

• During a private tour, find out more about Lucerne, just for your group.
• With transportation direct from your hotel, you can avoid finding difficult-to-find meeting points.
• With a prebooked admission ticket, save time on a visit to Ritter Palace.
• Discover the highlights of Lucerne’s Old Town, including the medieval Hirschenplatz.

Itinerary

The Panorama of Bourbaki

Your Local Guide will greet you in the lobby of your Lucerne hotel. You can either walk or take the public bus (which is free for Lucerne overnight guests) to the Lion Square after a brief introduction and explanation of the route on a city map. From the outside, you see the Bourbaki Museum and you get a brief overview of the story behind it.

Lion Monument

A few steps further, you’ll find the Lion Monument, which honors the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. Many rulers throughout Europe, including the Pope, had a personal Swiss Guard at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era. Then came the enlightenment that led to the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. Three years later, an enraged mob in Paris attacked the French Kings Palace, killing approximately 800 Swiss Guardians.

Museggmauer

A leisurely ten-minute walk uphill will take you to Musegg Hill, where you will visit two of the Towers and Musegg Wall. The ancient fortification wall, which dates back to the early 15th century, is discussed. You ascend Schirmertower, walk along the defense walk, and then ascend to the top of the Clock Tower. You feel transported back to the Middle Ages and enjoy the city, the alps, and the midland with a beautiful view. (The Musegg Wall and Towers are closed from November through March and can only be visited from the outside)

Hirschenplatz

Continue to the Stag Square in the heart of the Old Town, where you can see medieval houses with their façade paintings (Hirschenplatz).

Kornmarkt

You can see the town hall and the tower dating back to the early 17th century a few steps further on the Town Hall Square (Kornmarkt). You will learn about the magnificent clock that is devoid of a minute hand. You reach the Wine Market (Weinmarkt) a stone throw further away, which was once called the Fish Market. You will learn why the old city fountains carry the best spring water in Lucerne and will be able to taste it for yourself at the city’s oldest fountain.

Reussbrücke

You pass through the lower Wine Market, which once housed a pillory, and cross the river on the Reuss Bridge (Reussbruecke). You can see the river Reuss, the needle dam, the bridge of the mill (Spreuerbruecke) and two of the towers of the Musegg.

Ritterscher Palast

The Ritter Palace (Ritterscher Palast) is just a few steps away for an inside visit. The history of this Florentine Palazzo, which dates back to the 16th century, is explained. You are guided by Jakob von Wyl through the “Danse Macabre” gallery of seven paintings (except on Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays and Special Events when the Ritter Palace is closed and can be visited from the outside only).

Jesuitenkirche

Then there’s the Jesuit Church, Switzerland’s first Baroque church, built in the 17th century. Before you have the opportunity to enter the church and see it from the inside, your Guide will explain the history behind it. (During mass services, access to the inside is restricted.)

Chapel Bridge

You’ll cross the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbruecke) with its Water Tower a few steps upriver. You’ll learn fascinating facts about this former city fortification bridge, which has paintings on it, and the Water Tower, which was once a prison.

Peter’s Chapel

Your tour comes to a close at Rosengart Platz, right next to St. Peters Chapel, the town’s first church, built in the 12th century. You can see the Zur Gilgen House, Lucerne’s first private stone house, which dates from the early sixteenth century. Eventually, you will understand why the Chapel Bridge is called the Chapel Bridge. Your guide can provide you with additional information about Lucerne and will return you to your hotel via public transportation or on foot.