Luzern (Lucerne) is a lakeside city in central Switzerland, known for the Kapellbrücke, its medieval Old Town and views of Pilatus and Rigi across Lake Lucerne.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Swiss chocolate
Pralines and slabs from Läderach, Sprüngli and Bachmann.
Price: CHF 4-50 (~$5-62.5 USD)
Where: Weggisgasse, Hertensteinstrasse and Schwanenplatz
Luzerner Lebkuchen
Local gingerbread from Confiserie Bachmann.
Price: CHF 5-25 (~$6.25-31.25 USD)
Where: Confiserie Bachmann, Schwanenplatz 7
Swiss Army knife
Victorinox knives, with engraving on request.
Price: CHF 20-300 (~$25-375 USD)
Where: Victorinox Store, Hirschenplatz 12
Swiss watch
Rolex, Tudor and other Swiss brands.
Price: From CHF 500 (~$625 USD)
Where: Bucherer, Schwanenplatz 5; Gübelin, Schweizerhofquai 1
Regional cheese
Alpine cheese from the Reuss market.
Price: CHF 8-40 (~$10-50 USD)
Where: Wochenmarkt Luzern (Tue/Sat), Globus food hall
Cowbells and wood carvings
Traditional Swiss decorations.
Price: CHF 10-150 (~$12.5-187.5 USD)
Where: Altstadt souvenir shops on Kapellgasse and Weggisgasse
Swiss spirits
Fruit brandy such as Kirsch from the Zug region.
Price: CHF 25-60 (~$31.25-75 USD)
Where: Globus food hall, local delicatessens
Fasnacht masks
Luzern carnival crafts.
Price: CHF 15-100 (~$18.75-125 USD)
Where: Altstadt craft shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Wochenmarkt Luzern (Reuss riverbank market)
The weekly market runs on Tuesday and Saturday along the Reuss with farm produce and flowers.
Where: Along both banks of the Reuss, Seebrücke to Jesuitenkirche
Hours: Tue and Sat 6 AM-1 PM (stall times vary slightly)
Luzerner Weihnachtsmarkt (Franziskanerplatz)
Seasonal Christmas market in the Altstadt.
Where: Altstadt
Hours: Late November to late December (dates vary yearly; confirm at luzern.com)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Altstadt (Kapellgasse and Weggisgasse)
Pedestrian lanes between Kapellbrücke and Weggisgasse with souvenir shops, boutiques and cafés.
Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz
Historic square beside Hirschenplatz with the Victorinox store, restaurants and Swiss gift shops.
Hertensteinstrasse
Main pedestrian shopping street of the Altstadt, running from Löwenplatz toward the Reuss.
Schwanenplatz and Schweizerhofquai
Lakeside square with Bucherer and Bachmann, close to boat piers and bus hub.
Pilatusstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse
The main street linking the station to the city, with Globus at Pilatusstrasse 4 and other chain stores.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Globus Luzern
Globus department store a few minutes from the station with a food hall.
Hours: Mon-Sat; closed Sundays (confirm hours with the store)
Bahnhof Luzern Shopping
Shopping centre in the station, useful on Sundays and holidays.
Hours: Open 365 days a year from early morning until late evening
Mall of Switzerland
Large mall in Ebikon, outside the centre, reached by S1 and buses.
Hours: Closed Sundays; weekday and Saturday hours vary by shop (see mallofswitzerland.ch)
Emmen Center
Regional shopping centre north of Luzern, reached by S-Bahn and bus.
Hours: Mon-Sat (confirm hours at emmencenter.ch)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in Swiss shops are fixed; bargaining is not customary except at flea markets.
Ask politely about 'Ausverkauf' (sale) periods in January and July.
Compare prices at Globus and the station shops, which are open on Sundays.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Greet with 'Grüezi' on entering and 'Auf Wiedersehen' on leaving., Most Altstadt shops close on Sundays; the station shopping centre stays open., Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, but small market stalls prefer cash.