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    Central Switzerland

    Switzerland

    Central Switzerland

    Region

    Central Switzerland around Lake Lucerne is the historic heartland of the Swiss Confederation: Here, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden united in 1291, and the Rütli Meadow lies above Lake Uri.

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    Central Switzerland around Lake Lucerne is the historic heartland of the Swiss Confederation: Here, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden united in 1291, and the Rütli Meadow lies above Lake Uri. The main town for travelers is Lucerne, with its Old Town on the Reuss River.Around the lake rise panoramic mountains like Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis, which you reach by cogwheel and cable cars. Boats connect the towns along the shore.
    Central Switzerland, by Lake Lucerne, is the Confederacy's heartland. Lucerne is the travel hub; ships connect lakeside towns. Around the lake rise Pilatus, Rigi, Titlis, reachable by cogwheel and cable cars; Rigi is included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Above Lake Uri lies Rütli Meadow; Schwyz's Bundesbriefmuseum recounts the founding story.

    More places in Central Switzerland

    Luzern

    Luzern

    Lucerne lies in Central Switzerland at the outflow of the Reuss from Lake Lucerne, surrounded by Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis. The well-preserved Old Town with Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, and its location between lake and mountains, make the city a fixed point of every Switzerland trip.The approximately 200-meter-long Chapel Bridge from the 14th century is considered Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge. In a fire in August 1993, large parts, along with many of its gable paintings, were destroyed; by April 1994, it had been rebuilt. Next to it stands the octagonal Water Tower, which is older than the bridge and cannot be visited. The Lion Monument from 1821 commemorates the Swiss Guards who fell in Paris during the French Revolution; right next to it is the Glacier Garden. Steamboats are available for trips across the lake.

    Sights in Central Switzerland

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Titlis
    Attraction

    Titlis

    From Engelberg, you ride the Titlis Xpress to Stand and continue with the Rotair, the world's first revolving aerial cable car, up to around 3020 meters. At the top, the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe's highest suspension bridge, and a glacier cave lead into the eternal ice; both are included in the mountain railway ticket.
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    Rütli
    Attraction

    Rütli

    The mountain meadow on the shore of Lake Uri is, according to legend, the site of the Rütli Oath, the cradle of the Swiss Confederacy. Today, it is a peaceful viewpoint with lake views.
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    Bundesbrief Museum
    Museum

    Bundesbrief Museum

    The museum in Schwyz is dedicated to the Federal Charter of 1291, which serves as the founding document of the Swiss Confederacy, and the early alliances of the valley communities.
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    Food & Drink in Central Switzerland

    Lucerne Chügelipastete

    A puff pastry pie, filled with veal meatballs, mushrooms, and raisins in a cream sauce.

    Zuger Cherry Cake

    Sponge cake and nut meringue, soaked with cherry brandy and filled with buttercream.

    Älplermacaroni

    Pasta with potatoes, cheese and fried onions, served with apple sauce, a classic from the Alps.

    Culture in Central Switzerland

    The core land of the Swiss Confederacy lies around Lake Lucerne. According to tradition, representatives from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden are said to have sworn an oath of alliance on the Rütli Meadow by Lake Uri; the Federal Charter of 1291 is exhibited in the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz. The legend of William Tell also plays out here.Carnival and MusicThe Lucerne Carnival, with its Guggenmusigen brass bands, is one of the largest in Switzerland. In summer, the Lucerne Festival attracts world-class orchestras and soloists to the KKL.

    Exploring Central Switzerland

    Lucerne is the starting point: From here, scheduled boats, including historic paddle steamers, sail across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen. Mountain railways depart from the lakeshores, such as the cogwheel railways to Rigi from Vitznau and to Pilatus from Alpnachstad. Boat and rail can be easily combined for round trips; for several days, a regional pass is worthwhile.

    Round trips through this region

    Grand Rail Tour: Lakes, Passes, and Glaciers

    This round trip connects Switzerland's most famous destinations almost exclusively by train, bus, and boat. From Zurich, it's to Lake Lucerne and Lucerne, and through the Gotthard to Italian-speaking Lugano. With the Bernina Express Bus, you travel over Lake Como to Tirano, and from there on the Bernina Express over the Berninapass to Upper Engadine and St. Moritz. The Glacier Express takes you in approximately eight hours over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels to Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn. Via Valais, you reach the Bernese Oberland with Jungfraujoch and Lauterbrunnen Valley, before the journey ends in the federal city of Bern.

    14 Days
    7 stops

    Nearby

    Luzern

    Luzern

    Lucerne lies in Central Switzerland at the outflow of the Reuss from Lake Lucerne, surrounded by Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis. The well-preserved Old Town with Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, and its location between lake and mountains, make the city a fixed point of every Switzerland trip.The approximately 200-meter-long Chapel Bridge from the 14th century is considered Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge. In a fire in August 1993, large parts, along with many of its gable paintings, were destroyed; by April 1994, it had been rebuilt. Next to it stands the octagonal Water Tower, which is older than the bridge and cannot be visited. The Lion Monument from 1821 commemorates the Swiss Guards who fell in Paris during the French Revolution; right next to it is the Glacier Garden. Steamboats are available for trips across the lake.
    Old Town Lucerne

    Old Town Lucerne

    The car-free Old Town lies on the right bank of the Reuss, between Kapellbrücke and Museggmauer. Around Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and Hirschenplatz stand burgher houses with painted façades, with cafés and shops in between. Via the Kapellbrücke and the Spreuerbrücke, you reach the other side of the river.
    Seefeld

    Seefeld

    The residential district on the right bank of Lake Zurich stretches from Bellevue to Zürichhorn. Along the lakeside promenade are parks, lidos, and sunbathing lawns, which are well-visited on summer evenings. From the city center, you can reach Seefeld on foot or by tram.
    Zurich Oldtown

    Zurich Oldtown

    The Old Town lies on both sides of the Limmat, between Hauptbahnhof and Lake Zurich. Left of the river are Lindenhof, St. Peter and Fraumünster; on the right, Niederdorf with its narrow lanes, bars and guild houses around Grossmünster. The largest part is pedestrian zone and can be easily explored in one day.
    Zurich

    Zurich

    Zürich, Switzerland's largest city, lies at the northern end of Lake Zurich, where the Limmat flows from the lake. Its medieval Old Town on both sides of the river, lakeside promenades, and a wide array of museums make it a great starting point for any Swiss journey.On the right bank, you'll find the Grossmünster and the Rathaus; on the left, the Fraumünster with Marc Chagall's stained-glass windows, and St. Peter's Church with Europe's largest clock face. Bahnhofstrasse leads from the Hauptbahnhof, the country's largest railway station, to the lake. For a panorama of the city, lake, and, on clear days, the Alps, take the train from Hauptbahnhof up the 870-meter-high Uetliberg.