Lucerne
City in Switzerland
Lucerne is a city in Switzerland with a population of about 86,000. Located 66 km from the capital, Bern, it attracts visitors to its lakeside setting and historic landmarks.
What to see
The city is centered around Lake Lucerne and the Kapellbrücke, a historic bridge. Another site is the Lion Monument. Other locations of interest include the Swiss Museum of Transport, the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre, the Bourbaki Panorama, and the Richard Wagner Museum.
When to go
Temperatures are warmest from June through August, with daily highs ranging from 21 °C to 23 °C. These months also see the highest rainfall, with up to 174 mm of rain. The winter months of January, February, and December are the coldest, with daily lows dropping to -1 °C or -2 °C. Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures, though rain remains frequent throughout the year, occurring on at least 12 days each month.
Getting there
The closest airport is Zürich Airport, located 49 km away.
Top sights in Lucerne
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 23 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| Average low, °C | -2 | -2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 2 | -1 |
| Rainfall, mm | 93 | 91 | 112 | 113 | 157 | 167 | 173 | 174 | 133 | 103 | 104 | 114 |
| Rainy days | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Lucerne (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Bourbaki Panorama
- Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre
- Richard Wagner Museum, Lucerne