Hi!
Travelling to Switzerland with my husband and young daughter at the end of July.
So far, we are staying in Wengen for 4 nights and 1 night in Basel (due to our flight's departure). We have an extra 2 nights and would like to stay in either Bern or Lucerne. Which do you recommend? They both sound so lovely!
We will be arriving from Lyon (France), so Bern is closer. Then, we are heading over to Wengen.
For the purpose of these two nights in Bern or Lucerne, we are not interested in shopping, eating out or hiking (since we'll be doing quite a bit in Wengen) . We enjoy culture, architecture, picnics in parks, meandering about.
Bern or Lucerne: which do you recommend?
Thank you!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
Bern is a nice enough city, but it is not in the mountains. Luzern is much more picturesque, being on a lake, among mountains.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Luzern combines well with Wengen. It is a larger, pretty town on a lake. There are lake excursions you can go on. The rail line from Berrn to Wengen (via Interlaken) is scenic.
This 360° panorama of Luzern may help: http://tour.luzern.com/360/en/
If you like architecture, Basel is a good city to explore on foot with narrow lanes and old buildings.
This is the Münsterplatz (cathedral Square): https://v8a-moving-pictures.com/basel_tourismus/index.html?nav_id=3311-30721
Posted by
New York, NY
1586 posts
Stay in Lucerne and take a day trip to Bern. It's not far of a commute by rail. It's about an hour.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6462 posts
I like Bern quite a lot, but Lucerne is pretty incredible. It's on a lovely river with interesting bridges, a huge lake and right in the mountains. Both Bern and Basel would be great visits, but for me, Lucerne would be the highest priority.