The 14th century Chapel Bridge dips its toes into the serene waters of Lake Lucerne

Set on the shores of a glacial lake, medieval Lucerne is Switzerland´s prettiest city.

Located in central Switzerland, Lucerne is less than an hour´s hyper-efficient train ride from Zurich.

The azure Lake Lucerne is the city´s big blue heart; in the summer swimmers dive from public baths, lidos and the lakeside promenade into its Evian-fresh waters, while revellers soak up the view from paddle boats, yachts, lilos and small cruisers. 

Craggy mountains rise from the lake and disappear like hastily-stacked cards into the hazy distance. Ritzy hotels and casinos glimmer from the promenade beside the quaint Old Town - with its rampart walls, medieval towers and double-spired churches. The Old Town´s most recognisable landmark is the Chapel Bridge, a 14th century marvel that stretches out into the lake. 

Although its population is just 60,000, Lucerne parties like any big city. In the summer, the waterfront bars, cafes, floating restaurants and nightclubs are loaded with people. Others browse the lakeside market stalls or clutch a beer and tap their feet at outdoor music festivals. Lucerne´s largest annual music festival is the nine-day Blues Ball, which lures around 100,000 punters and international stars to the city in late July. 

Lucerne also makes an ideal base for exploring Mount Rigi and the adventure sports heartland of Engelberg.

Mount Pilatus - the most formidable mountain lording it over Lucerne - is also worth a half-day trip. The most scenic route to the peak involves taking a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad and then transferring to a small train that chugs slowly up the world´s steepest railway track.