10 Best Museums in Lucerne

Featuring an eclectic mix of attractions at one vast site, the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz (Swiss Museum of Transport) is one of Switzerland’s most visited attractions. Easily accessible by train, road or a pleasant 30-minute lakeside walk from the town centre, learn the fascinating history of mobility at the transport museum – spanning rail to space to cable cars (this is the Swiss Alps after all). At the planetarium, lie back in the comfort of a reclining seat and gaze at the stars, then enjoy the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, which features a 1-of-a-kind chocolate rollercoaster, sweet treat samples and a Lindt shop.

Celebrated Swiss graphic designer, artist and craftsman Hans Erni has a dedicated hexagonal building showcasing his work on the grounds of the museum and for a final flourish, round off your visit with a simulated climb up the Matterhorn using next-generation virtual reality.

With a collection of 25 masters of Impressionist and Classical Modernist art under 1 roof, the neoclassical building in which the Rosengart Gallery displays its works is a masterpiece in itself. Located in a former Swiss bank in the heart of Lucerne just 3 minutes from the train station, immerse yourself in hundreds of paintings by Picasso, Klee, Kandinsky, Cezanne, Chagall and Matisse, to name just some of the important artists showcased at the gallery.

This world-class space hosts several special exhibitions throughout the year in addition to its permanent collection and, for those younger minds interested in art and being independent, the museum runs guided tours for children aged 7-11 with no adults allowed.

For kids and the young at heart, the Gameorama Spielmuseum offers fans of all things gaming an interactive (and competitive) experience. From retro gaming on arcade games like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to consoles from the Atari to the Nintendo Switch, the museum’s tech offerings range from the modern to the retro-futuristic delights of the past. And everything is meant to be played with.

Located south of the river in the centre of town, only 40 guests are allowed in the museum per time slot, so it is recommended to reserve tickets online ahead of your visit. There’s a cosy cafe where game fans can continue to play board games after they’ve racked up a high score on the pinball machine and of course, a shop to buy souvenirs.

An attraction over 150 years old, the Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) was founded by Josef Wilhelm Amrein-Troller who made the discovery of giant glacial potholes whilst excavating for his wine cellar. Preserving these relics from over 20,000 years ago took precedence over his wine collection and thanks to him, tourists today can expect a modern alpine-inspired park with a focus on nature and sustainability, with attractions including; ‘rock world’, a mirror maze and an excavated sandstone pavilion.

Located in north Lucerne, the museum is fully accessible, including the viewing area around the vast potholes themselves. The modern bistro serving hotdogs and glacier-garden-branded craft beer is worth a visit – most ingredients are sourced from the canton of Lucerne.

The former home of the great German composer, the Richard Wagner Museum, sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne in a country idyll of over 7 acres of parkland. Purchased by the city of Lucerne in 1931, the permanent exhibition has created an immersive experience, imagining what the home was like when Wagner and his family lived there. On display are letters and diary entries and the curators even re-tuned his Erard grand piano on which concerts of Wagner’s classical works are now played for visitors.

Easily accessed by car or train, the museum is a pleasant 25-minute walk from the train station along the shores of the lake. Daily tours start at 3pm and last 45 minutes, or an audio tour is available if you prefer to self-guide.

Housed in the city’s former armoury, the Historisches Museum Lucerne (Historical Museum), is a vast collection of over 3000 objects and documents with historical and cultural significance to the Lucerne canton and central area of Switzerland. A modern take on museum displays, instead of printed cards, QR codes are placed near items for visitors to scan using tablets provided to discover stories and information about the pieces.

Professional actors also appear throughout the warehouse giving guided tours, recreating scenes through history and bringing the collection to life in a theatrical way. Fully accessible, the museum is located on the bank of the Reuss, a ten-minute walk from the train station.

An important work of both history and art, the Bourbaki Panorama depicts the end of the Franco-Prussian war in the winter of 1871 where over 87,000 French soldiers crossed into Switzerland and were cared for by hundreds of Swiss communities. Painstakingly painted in Geneva by Edouard Castres over 150 years ago, it moved to a purpose-built rotunda building in Lucerne in 1889. A wonderful early example of the panoramic medium, the scene measures a colossal 10m high and 112m wide.

Located in the heart of Lucerne, the museum hosts exhibitions, films and guided tours – reservations are recommended. An English language guidebook can also be borrowed to fully appreciate all the elements of the intricate scene.

The Kunstmuseum Lucerne (Art Museum), is Central Switzerland’s most prestigious gallery, showcasing artists of both Swiss and international origin. Located on the 4th floor of the modern Culture and Congress Centre on the shores of Lake Lucene, the gallery is known for a changing programme of 5 to 8 exhibitions a year across all genres including contemporary art.

After appreciating the culture, the modern yet comfortable coffee shop is also worth a visit. With stunning views over the lake, it was designed by Swiss artist Urs Luthi. Insider tip for you – if you happen to be visiting Lucerne on the 1st Sunday of the month, entry to the museum is free.

With over 100 dollhouses intricately depicting tiny worlds, all the small things are on display at the Puppenhausmuseum. The private collection of Benno and Rita Allemann, the museum opened in 2009 to showcase the collection they had been building for over 20 years. Imagine tiny towns filled with churches, shops, markets and minuscule figures going about their business, the dollhouses are now highly collectable, having once been an educational tool for children to learn about ‘adulting’.

Slightly out of town, the museum is easily accessible with regular buses running from the train station. Note that the Puppenhausmuseum is only open on Saturdays between 2pm and 5pm.

Trek the beautiful yet hostile Swiss Alps without having to leave the city at the Alpineum Lucerne. An example of the trompe-de-oeil work of art favoured by the Swiss in the 19th century, the museum features a diorama or 3D representation of several Swiss mountains including the Jungfrau, Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

Elegantly painted by father and son team Ernst Hodel Sr and Ernst Hodel Jr, the pair made several trips to the alpine environments to study their subjects. Extensively refurbished in 2023, the museum is close to several other attractions including the Lion Monument and the Glacier Garden. The funky Alpineum Coffee House and ice cream shop next door is also worth a visit.