Lucerne City Walk: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument & Palace

Medieval towers, a 16th-century palazzo and the bridge that names itself

A private two-hour walking tour of Lucerne with a local guide, starting and ending at your hotel. You climb the Musegg Wall and towers, see the Lion Monument, walk the Chapel Bridge, and step inside the Ritter Palace to view the Danse Macabre paintings. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The guide speaks English or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lion Monument5m
2. Lucerne Jesuit Church5m
3. Chapel Bridge10m

Lucerne city sightseeing walk

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Walk or bus to Lion Square
• See Bourbaki Museum exterior
• Visit Lion Monument
• Walk uphill to Musegg Wall and Towers
• Climb Schirmertower and Clock Tower
• Explore Old Town at Stag Square
• Visit Town Hall Square and Wine Market
• Cross Reuss Bridge and view river sights
• Visit Ritter Palace inside
• See Jesuit Church exterior and inside
• Cross Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
• End tour at Rosengart Platz near St. Peters Chapel
• Return to hotel by foot or public transport

The experience

The tour starts in your hotel lobby and moves through Lucerne's layers on foot. You'll climb a ten-minute uphill walk to the Musegg Wall, where you ascend two of the towers (the Schirmertower and the Clock Tower), and walk the defense wall that dates back to the early 15th century. From the top you see the city, the Alps and the midland spread below. The guide explains the medieval fortification and the clock tower that runs without a minute hand.

From there you move into the Old Town, where you see medieval houses with their façade paintings at the Stag Square and the Town Hall dating to the early 17th century. You'll taste spring water from the oldest fountain in the city at the Wine Market, then cross the Reuss Bridge to reach the Ritter Palace. Inside, you're guided through the Danse Macabre: seven paintings by Jakob von Wyl that line the palazzo's interior. The guide walks you through the 17th-century Jesuit Church, the first Baroque church in Switzerland, before you cross the Chapel Bridge with its Water Tower, a former city fortification that once held a prison.

The tour ends at Rosengart Platz next to St. Peters Chapel, the oldest church in town. Your guide explains why the Chapel Bridge carries its name and is available for further questions about Lucerne before taking you back to your hotel by public transport or on foot.

What’s included

• Private walking tour with a professional local guide speaking English or German.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within Lucerne city limits.
• three exclusive postcards of Old Lucerne.
• inside visits to the Ritter Palace and Jesuit Church (when open).
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Citytrip AG

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or German, so book this if you're comfortable following commentary in one of those languages. The two-hour pace suits anyone with general fitness. Uneven surfaces and stairs mean it's not suitable for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

What is the Danse Macabre at the Ritter Palace?

The Danse Macabre is a gallery of seven paintings by Jakob von Wyl inside the 16th-century Ritter Palace. You see them on the inside visit during the tour, learning about the palazzo's history and the artwork's significance.

Can I climb the Musegg Wall and towers in winter?

From November to March the Musegg Wall and Towers are closed and can be visited from the outside only. During the rest of the year you climb two of the towers and walk the defense wall.

Is the Ritter Palace open every day?

On Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and special events the Ritter Palace is closed and can be visited from the outside only. On other days you have an inside visit to see the Danse Macabre paintings.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs two hours and covers all the major attractions in the Old Town, from your hotel to the Chapel Bridge and back.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a professional local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within Lucerne city limits, and three exclusive postcards featuring Old Lucerne. All taxes and fees are covered.

What is the Chapel Bridge and why does it have that name?

The Chapel Bridge is a 17th-century fortification bridge with a Water Tower that once served as a prison. Your guide explains the history and the reason behind its name at the end of the tour.