Lucerne and the Rhine Falls: What to See in Central Switzerland

Central Switzerland is where most Europe tours from India spend their Swiss nights, and two places stand out: Lucerne, a medieval town on a mountain lake, and the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. This guide covers what to see in each, how they fit together with Mt. Titlis and Zurich, and tips for your visit.

Lucerne (Luzern in German) sits where the River Reuss leaves Lake Lucerne, with Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Rigi on either side. Its old town is small enough to explore on foot in a couple of hours, and it is the gateway to Mt. Titlis in Engelberg, about 45 minutes away.

• Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke): a covered wooden bridge from the 14th century with painted panels and the stone Water Tower.
• Lion Monument: a dying lion carved into a rock face, honouring the Swiss Guards who died in Paris in 1792.
• Old Town squares: painted houses around the Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt.
• Lake Lucerne cruise: a relaxing boat ride with views of the Alps.
• Shopping: Swiss watches, army knives and chocolate along Schwanenplatz and Grendelstrasse.
• Mt. Titlis: from Engelberg, cable cars including the rotating Rotair climb to 3,020 metres for snow, the Cliff Walk and the Glacier Cave.

The Rhine Falls at Neuhausen, near Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland, are about 150 metres wide and 23 metres high. In early summer, after the snowmelt, around 600,000 litres of water a second thunder over the rocks. Paths and viewing platforms take you right beside the water, and from roughly April to October boats cross the basin and go out to the rock in the middle of the falls. The falls are about 45 minutes from Zurich, so tours usually combine them with Zurich or the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

At Kilchberg, on Lake Zurich, the Lindt Home of Chocolate tells the story of Swiss chocolate with an interactive tour, a 9-metre chocolate fountain and tastings, followed by a very large shop. It is included on several of our Swiss itineraries and is popular with children.

Lucerne is lovely all year: green and busy in summer, and quiet with Christmas lights in December. The Rhine Falls are most dramatic in June and July. Boat rides at the falls stop in winter, so winter tours view them from the platforms. See our best time to visit Switzerland guide.

Besides Titlis, Lucerne has two famous mountains of its own. Mt. Pilatus is reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad (in summer) and a cable car from Kriens, with views over the lake and the Alps. Mt. Rigi, the 'Queen of the Mountains', has Europe's oldest mountain railway. Both are good options on a free day, at extra cost.

• Morning: drive to Engelberg and ride the cable cars, including the rotating Rotair, to the top of Titlis.
• On the summit: Cliff Walk, Glacier Cave and the snow.
• Afternoon: back to Lucerne for the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and shopping.
• Late afternoon: a cruise on Lake Lucerne.

In December, Lucerne has Christmas markets in the old town and at the station, and the lake is often misty and calm. Titlis has deep snow and the Ice Flyer may close in strong winds. Lake cruises run on a reduced timetable, so tours plan them around the schedule.

Switzerland's largest city is about an hour from Lucerne. Highlights include Bahnhofstrasse for shopping, the old town around the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, the lakefront, and the Polybahn funicular to a viewpoint over the city. Several of our tours combine Zurich with the Rhine Falls and the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

Lucerne is one of the best places in Switzerland to buy watches, with large showrooms around Schwanenplatz, as well as Victorinox knives, cuckoo clocks and chocolate. For food, the old town has cafés and restaurants serving Swiss and international dishes, and there are Indian restaurants in the city. On our tours, lunch and dinner on the Lucerne day are Indian meals.

On most of our Europe tours you spend a day combining Lucerne's old town, a lake cruise and Mt. Titlis, and another stop for the Rhine Falls with a boat ride (in season) and the Lindt Home of Chocolate. Our Switzerland-only tour gives each of them more time. Read our Jungfraujoch guide for the other big mountain day.