We have been blessed to travel to many incredible places in the world and it’s not easy to rank excellent vs great. However, my wife and I both agree that Switzerland is easily one of our top five favorite countries to visit. We visited Zurich, and Jungfraujoch and drove through many areas in Switzerland on our honeymoon. The entire country has the look of something that belongs on a postcard.

In recent years, I had an opportunity to visit Lucerne over a weekend while on work-related travel. Lucerne is in central Switzerland and is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Lucerne and within viewing distance from mount Pilatus and Rigi in the swiss alps. The proximity to the lake and mountains is what makes Lucerne a popular tourist destination. The medieval architecture of Old Town along with shopping and food are other major attractions.

We have not had an opportunity to bring the kids to Switzerland but given our travel experiences with and without kids, we have a strong understanding of what destinations and activities are suitable for family and Switzerland is definitely a country we plan to go back to with our kids. Lucerne in particular would be a top destination to visit again.

#1 Mount Pilatus (Dragon Mountain)

Mount Pilatus was easily my favorite attraction/activity while visiting Lucerne. This mountain towers over Lucerne and has several peaks with the highest being nearly 7000 ft high. This mountain is also referred to as Dragon Mountain because of a medieval legendary tale that stated dragons with healing power once occupied this mountain range.

What makes Mount Pilatus such a family-friendly attraction is that there are activities for people of all ages around the mountain including hiking, gliding, and my personal favorite, the Frakigaudi; the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. This toboggan ride has steep curves and incredible, beautiful views to enjoy the 1350-meter ride down. Pilu Land is a great option for families with young children as it has many fun activities for kids including a very nice playground.

It’s important to note that activities vary depending on the season so be sure to check and plan accordingly. I went during the summer when most activities were available to do. To ride up to the mountain, there are multiple ways to do so including the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, hiking, or cableway. I did the cable ride and it offered some incredible views on the route.

The summit at the top of the mountain has magnificent 360 panoramic views of the many lakes and mountains in the area. Aside from picturesque views, there is also an observation deck, restaurants, and gift shops to buy souvenirs. Mount Pilatus is a must-see/do while in Lucerne.

Mount Pilatus Tour & Lake Lucerne Cruise: This tour(link at the end) is highly ranked/reputable and an excellent option at a reasonable cost to tour Mount Pilatus and get a cruise on Lake Lucerne in an organized and structured manner. Lake Lucerne & Mount Pilatus tour.

#2 Chapel Bridge

While Mout Pilatus is the biggest natural attraction around Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge is the most distinct and beautiful structure in Lucerne. The Chapel Bridge is the made-for-Instagram symbol of the town, it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world. There are 17th-century paintings on the inside of the covered bridge but a fire in 1993 destroyed most of the bridge but was later restored.

There is also a water tower tied to the bridge and that tower has been used as a prison among other things in the past. Today it is a tourist attraction mainly because the Chapel Bridge is linked to it to create a picturesque setting. The roses and other flowers decorated around the bridge add to what is already a marvelous setting.

#3 Explore Old Town

Many of the top attractions in Lucerne are on or around the right side of the river Reuss. This is where you will find historic cobblestone streets that lead to all types of shops, restaurants, and beautifully painted houses. I highly recommend having a meal or dessert at the cafes around the river as the setting is scenic and bustling with people. After the hours spent exploring Mount Pilatus, I spent most of my time in Lucerne walking around and enjoying everything Old Town had to offer.

#4 Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne is the cornerstone lake of central Switzerland and it sits between Mount Pilatus to the west and Mount Rigi to the east. The Reuss River actually intersects and enters Lake Lucerne on the southeast side (Flüelen) and exits in Lucerne. I did not have time to explore all the different activities in and around Lake Lucerne but boat trips on original paddle steamers, hiking, and many other activities are all good options around the lake.

#5 Swiss Chocolates

No trip to Switzerland is complete without consuming and taking back some of the world-class(arguably the best) chocolates this country produces. There is no shortage of good options in Lucerne but Lindt Chocolate Shop, Max Chocolatier, and Läderach are three of the very best. I highly recommend eating some fresh swiss chocolates from the shop(s) and taking some back for family and friends etc, they will definitely appreciate it!