Vierwaldstätter See (Lake Lucerne), Lucerne

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A relaxing cruise on the Luzern Lake is a must by fine weather.

I would recommend to board on one of the five following historic paddle steamers: Stadt Luzern (1928), Gallia (1913), Schiller (1906), Unterwalden (1902) or Uri (1901).

Enjoy your boat trip to Flüelen, Vitznau or Alpnachstad all steam up ;-)

NB: Paddle steamers run daily between April and October, as well as on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

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While visiting Lucerne, why not take a relaxing cruise around the lake? You'll get fabulous panoramic views of the lovely landscape, which includes Old Town Lucerne and the beautiful rolling hills of Switzerland adorned with charming homes and magnificent chateaus. It's a neat way to absorb this captivating region. Of particular treat to me was seeing the Jesus Christ statue by Josef Vetter, a sculpture resembling Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but on a much smaller scale.

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We wanted to see the city and surrounding area from the water, so took a lake cruise.

Spirit of Lucerne is a double-deck motor cruiser with comfortable deck seating at tables. Enjoy a glass of crisp white Swiss wine (SF4) or a coffee (SF3.50) - we did on a magical sunny warm afternoon, not a cloud in the sky. What a great way to see Lucerne.

Cost is SF15/Euro10 per person for the one hour cruise.

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The very best panorama-view of Vierwaldstaetter See / Lake of Lucerne is certainly from the large terrace of Chateau Gutsch. Chateau Guetsch used to be a well known luxury hotel for many decades before it was recently closed. Nowadays you may still walk uphill or take the small funicular in order to enjoy the perfect panorama-view of the Vierwaldstaetter See / Lake Lucerne and the city. You simply have to insert some coins and the funicular takes you up a few minutes later, maybe they go on a regular basis, or maybe they wait for a minimum number of passengers. I had to wait 5 minutes and we had been just 4 passengers. It is a pity to see that such a beautiful old hotel is not accepted anymore by modern tourists and it is even worse, as I have been there once in 1978, in its good times. I was there upon invitation of the chef of Chateau Gutsch,who was one of my regular guests in Axalp/Brienz each summer-season. When I came back in 2005 the hotel was closed...
Take a look at my 3rd picture and see the various bridges over the river Reuss : Spreuer-Bruecke is the first one on the left

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Merlischachenis a small village that is not listed in the VT-database, maybe because it is still quite close to Luzern. You will pass through this small village, when going by car from Luzern / Lucerne to Kuessnacht. The main attraction of that small village at the bank of Lake Lucerne / Vierwaldstaetter See is in personal opinion a series of lovely wooden buildings like the one on my main picture . This is "Swiss Chalet" , a restaurant that offers also a few hotel-rooms and it is part of the 4 buildings that offers hotelrooms under the name "Schloss Hotel Merlischachen" :
1)Chateau Golden Gate with appartments and a perfect view of the lake
2)Shlosshotel - directely at the lake with a big park & beach
3)Zollhaus - with a few appartments
4)Swiss Chalet - dating back to the 17th century

Lake Lucerne is also known as the Vierwaldstättersee or 'Lake of the Four Forest Cantons, may be the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. It is certainly amongst the most spectacular, with mountains on all sides and forests coming down to the shore in many places and certainly worth doing a cruise if you have the time. The lake is irregularly shaped and offers a new view with every change of direction.

Bahhofquai is where the steamers depart from, it is the pier which is right next to the railroad station.

If you take the Mt Pilatus tour, chances are that you will return to Luzern on a boat across the lake. It is a great way to spend 90 minutes relaxing in the afternoon. If the boat is crowded, it is very cheap to get into the first class area (less then 10 euros) for a little more comfort. We took the boat from the bottom of the cog wheel train back to Luzern. Our first trip, the boat was empty, but during the second it was packed, which is when we went down into the first class area and were the only ones there.

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Going for a cruise on Lake Luzern is a rather nice experience. You get to see the city from a different perspective, and all the little houses and green hills around the area. Take your jacket if you are there in September as it can get a little chilly up on deck!!