Lucerne — Travelrags

Condé Nast TravelerOct 15, 2026

15 European Cities That Are at Their Most Magical in Winter

Trade your winter blues for mulled wine and snow-dusted canal houses.

25 things in this story

Mount PilatusSighttake the world's steepest cogwheel railway up
Mount RigiSightknown as the “Queen of the Mountains,” for snowy hiking trails
Rigi KaltbadNeighborhoodmineral baths offer a wonderfully cozy contrast to the crisp mountain air
Renaissance Lucerne HotelHotelBest grand dame in the heart of the city
Mandarin Oriental PalaceHotelBest for a Belle Epoque palace fit for a king
Hotel Schweizerhof LuzernHotelBest for a wellness-centric stay
Elsewhere
Toompea HillSightTallinn, Estoniaclimb up for sweeping views of church spires and red-roofed buildings
Park Hyatt ViennaHotelVienna, AustriaBest for a buzzy winter location
Winterlights festivalFestivalLuxembourg City, LuxembourgThe Winterlights festival transforms Luxembourg City into a winter wonderland with Christmas markets all across the…
Le Place D'ArmesHotelLuxembourg City, LuxembourgBest for staying right in the town's main square
Le Royal Hotel LuxembourgHotelLuxembourg City, LuxembourgBest for warming up in the spa
Hotel SimonciniHotelLuxembourg City, LuxembourgBest for a cozy art-focused base
Winter GlowFestivalBruges, Belgiumcity’s seasonal festival running from November 20, 2026, through February 14, 2027
Craenenburg CafePubBruges, Belgiumwarm up with mugs of Belgian hot chocolate
Hotel Jan BritoHotelBruges, BelgiumBest for first-timers looking to stay in the historic city center
La Clé BruggeHotelBruges, BelgiumBest for a less touristy base
Dukes' Academie BruggHotelBruges, BelgiumBest for a romantic and central stay
Schönbrunn PalaceSightVienna, Austriamarket outside
St. Charles ChurchSightVienna, Austriaadmire the illuminated façade
Vienna State OperaTheatreVienna, Austriaexperience one of the world’s great opera houses
Hotel ImperialHotelVienna, AustriaBest for an ultra-luxury stay
The Hoxton, ViennaHotelVienna, AustriaBest for festive family vacations
Town Hall SquareNeighborhoodTallinn, Estoniasetting for a beloved Christmas market
Hotel Telegraaf, Autograph CollectionHotelTallinn, EstoniaBest for a five-star resort near Town Hall Square
Radisson Collection Hotel, TallinnHotelTallinn, EstoniaBest for a grand city center stay

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Lonely PlanetOct 7

The 12 Best Things to Do in Lucerne

Historic buildings, art museums, lakeside dining and cultural venues number among the highlights of the lakeside Swiss city of Lucerne.

15 things in this story

KapellbrückeSightCity's most famous landmark, a picturesque wooden footbridge
SpreuerbrückeTrailMini version of Kapellbrücke, oldest original bridge in the city
MuseggmauerSightMedieval ramparts with nine towers, some climbable for city views
AltstadtTrain stationPacked with beautifully decorated buildings with colorful frescoes
Sammlung RosengartMuseumExhibits private art collection, with a floor dedicated to Picasso
Château GütschHotelFairy-tale castle hotel reached by funicular, offers city and lake views
UfschöttiParkPark on the lakeshore with a sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming
Lion MonumentPublic artworkLarge stone relief carving of a dying lion, a poignant memorial
Richard Wagner MuseumMuseumMuseum in a villa on the lakeshore considering the composer's time
Inseli ParkParkStrip of grass on the lakeshore with cafe-bars
Verkehrshaus der SchweizMuseumHands-on museum paying homage to all ways of getting around
Sunset BarBarGreat place for a drink as the sun goes down
Sonnenberg Civil Protection FacilityPlaceNuclear fallout shelter with a command center for 20,000 people
Kultur und Kongresszentrum LuzernArts centreStriking arts center and concert venue with world-class acoustics
Le PiafRestaurantCafe at the KKL, great for lunch or coffee

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Condé Nast TravelerOct 6

The Best Cities in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

These are the best cities in the world, as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

16 things in this story

KapellbrückeSightOldest covered bridge in Europe
Rathaus BrauereiRestaurantHome - Die Rathausbrauerei am Reussufer in Luzern.
Mandarin Oriental Palace, LuzernHotelArt Nouveau hotel with lake views
Elsewhere
Amalfi CoastSightAmalfi, ItalyRomantic coastline with cliffs, beaches, and towns
Old TownHostelDubrovnik, CroatiaArea that feels like stepping back into time
Playa de la ConchaSightSan Sebastián, SpainBeach to lounge on or watch surfers
Parte ViejaNeighborhoodSan Sebastián, SpainCentral area for pintxo bar hopping
GrosNeighborhoodSan Sebastián, SpainArea for watching surfer culture
Monte IgueldoViewpointSan Sebastián, SpainOffers breathtaking views from its summit
DouroSightPorto, PortugalRiver offering views of Porto's houses and towers
Fábrica La AuroraGallerySan Miguel de Allende, MexicoFormer textile factory with artisan shops
Rosewood San Miguel de AllendeHotelSan Miguel de Allende, MexicoOasis with rooftop tapas bar and skyline views
AperiRestaurantSan Miguel de Allende, MexicoChef's table for dining with fresh regional flavors
Aquaflor FirenzePlaceFlorence, ItalyWorkshop on history of perfume-making
Gucci GardenMuseumFlorence, ItalyMuseum charting fashion juggernaut's evolution
La StrozzinaMuseumFlorence, ItalyCenter for contemporary culture

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Smithsonian MagazineSep 25

Seven Places in Europe That Legends Say Were Built by Giants, Devils or Dragons

Bridges, mountains, caves and rock formations that seem impossible to explain become magnets for folklore

9 sights in this story

Mount PilatusSightAssociated with dragons said to possess healing powers.
Luzerner DrachensteinSightSaid to have been dropped by a dragon flying from Mount Rigi.
Elsewhere
Devil's BridgeSightAberystwyth, United KingdomSpans the Mynach Gorge with three bridges, one above another.
Strata Florida AbbeySightAberystwyth, United KingdomMonks from here may have built the oldest bridge.
Giant's CausewayTrain stationBushmills, United Kingdom40,000 interlocking dark basalt columns form a natural pavement.
Fingal's CaveSightFionnphort, United KingdomFormed from tall basalt columns, with waves carving out the cavern.
LoreleiSightSankt Goarshausen, GermanyA steep slate outcrop rising 410 feet above the Rhine.
Pont del DiableSightTarragona, SpainA Roman aqueduct carrying water to the ancient city of Tarraco.
St. Michael's MountSightPenzance, United KingdomA tidal island with an ancient cobbled causeway.

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Lonely PlanetAug 1

16 things to know before visiting Switzerland

Get a true taste of the Swiss good life using these top planning, etiquette and transportation tips.

8 things in this story

VierwaldstätterseeSightproper name for Lake Lucerne
Elsewhere
BachseeSightGrindelwald, Switzerlandnear Grindelwald
RegaPlaceSwitzerlandSwitzerland's air rescue service
SBB CFF FFSPlaceSwitzerlandSwitzerland's rail service
Lac LémanSightLausanne, Switzerlandproper name for Lake Geneva
BodenseeSightConstance, Germanyproper name for Lake Constance
fondueRestaurantSwitzerlanddrink only wine with this dish
ChasselasRestaurantSwitzerlanddry Swiss white wine for fondue

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The GuardianAug 15, 2024

How an ebike gave me the legs to tackle Switzerland’s contours

A new 240-mile cycle route from Lucerne includes spectacular alpine views and pastoral backcountry – with delicious local cheese and wine With relatively few cars and roads as smooth as a Federer serve, Switzerland seems engineered for a low-carbon cycling holiday. Indeed, the Swiss government has launched a number of new cycle routes in recent years – including cycle route 1291 . Named after S…

20 things in this story

cycle route 1291TrailThe name of this route speaks for itself: its seven stages take you through the cradle of Switzerland.
EntlebuchNeighborhoodUnesco biosphere of moorlands and peaks
Marbach Alpine dairyRestaurantServes platter of local cheeses
Lucerne TourismPlaceSpend your holidays in the city of Lucerne and discover the diversity of the Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region.
SchüpfheimSightTown where author caught a train
SörenbergSightThe village lies in the municipality of Flühli in the Entlebuch region, near the upper end of the Waldemme valley.
Route 1291Trail240-mile cycle route around founding cantons
SchrattenfluhSightCelestial karst ridge flocked with conifers
Entlebuch villageNeighborhoodApartments for overnight stay
Napf regionNeighborhoodLow, green hills visited after mountains
Willisauer RingliRestaurantSweet treat created in 1850
Café AmreinCaféCreated Willisauer Ringli in 1850
Hotel SurseeHotelFinal destination after cycling
Heidegg CastleSight800-year-old castle with vineyard
Chapel BridgeSightMedieval bridge with vaulted wooden roof
Switzerland TourismPlaceDiscover Switzerland and get tips where to go and what to do.
EurotrekPlaceDesigned the itinerary
Rent a BikePlaceHires bikes for independent travelers
Route 1291 websitePlaceDownloads maps for independent travelers
Bruno Renggli’s farmSight

Read the full piece at The Guardian →