Best known for Lake Lucerne and the mighty mountains of Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis, Central Switzerland boasts some big attractions. These natural beauties provide a bounty of things to do in Central Switzerland, from lower-elevation hikes around the lakes to high-altitude sightseeing at the Titlis Cliff Walk and the Titlis Rotair revolving cable car. Esteemed ski areas such as Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Engelberg offer winter sports fun, while Lucerne entices city lovers with its Old Town and historic sites like the Chapel Bridge.
Winter sports lovers should come between December and March when most of Central Switzerland’s ski resorts are open. You have a bit more flexibility if you’re headed to Engelberg, as the high-altitude slopes on Mount Titlis are typically open as early as October and close down in May. At all other times of year, there are great opportunities for hiking. Lucerne visitors should put a note in their calendar for February when the city parties during the annual Fasnacht carnival.
International visitors can fly into Zurich, roughly an hour from Lucerne by train. From here, access to towns like Zug is simple by train or bus, while cable cars and cog-wheel railways handle any mountain trips. For stays between three and 15 days, the Swiss Travel Pass covers unlimited travel by public train, bus, and boat. If you stay in Lucerne, the Visitor Card covers transport in Zone 10, where the main tourist attractions are found.
Central Switzerland is officially German-speaking, although many locals speak Swiss German. Depending on where you stay in Central Switzerland, you’ll hear other languages, too. For example, if you’re near Andermatt, which is close to both the Italian-speaking Ticino canton and the Romansch-speaking Graubünden canton, you’ll hear a mix of languages. While English is spoken widely, learning how to say some Swiss German basics—grüezi (hello), merci (thanks), and bitte (please)— will give you bonus points with locals.
Attractions 22 | Tours 214 |
In Central Switzerland, the top attractions are natural sites such as Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, Mount Rigi, and Mount Titlis, along with pretty alpine towns like Schwyz and Engelberg. If you’re staying in a tourist town, including Lucerne, day trips to the mountains or lakes are easy to organize.
...MoreGuided tours can be booked online, via the town’s tourist board, or through your hotel. Look for day trips or tours that include transport or options that offer a guide to ride with you on the trains. Bike tours are a great option to consider for exploring cities like Lucerne.
...MoreIn the winter, snow sports provide most of the fun, with skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing around Central Switzerland's resorts ready to enjoy. When the snow melts, outdoor enthusiasts turn to hiking, climbing, mountain biking, water sports, and summer swimming in Lucerne and Zug lakes.
...MoreYes, the Gotthard Panorama Express is a scenic ride in Central Switzerland that uses two modes of transit: boat (Lucerne to Flüelen) and train (Flüelen to Bellinzona in Ticino). Better-known routes like the Bernina Express and Glacier Express both cut into Central Switzerland, too, featuring highlights like Andermatt and the Oberalp Pass.
...MoreIt’s easy to get around Central Switzerland without a car: Cities, towns, and many tourist villages are well connected by trains. If you plan to explore the region or beyond for at least three consecutive days, it's worth getting a Swiss Travel Pass. These passes cover the entirety of Switzerland’s train, bus, and standard boat transport network.
...MoreThemed trails are a great way to introduce kids to hiking. Check out Engelberg’s Brunni Barefoot Tickle Trail—which features extra attractions like alpine slides—or the Klewenalp Stöckhutte mountain scooter trail near Lucerne. Mount Pilatus is also geared toward family-friendly fun with toboggan rides, a high ropes park, and more.
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