Things to do in Kriens
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Top 10 attractions in Kriens
Old Town
Old Town is situated along the banks of the Reuss. The cobblestone streets are lined with well-preserved medieval buildings, many of which feature colorful frescoes on their exterior walls depicting religious legends and scenes of daily life. These frescoed buildings can be found around the various squares throughout the Old Town. The Chapel Bridge, which spans the Reuss, is an iconic landmark of the Old Town. The interior beams of this wooden covered bridge are decorated with triangular painted panels depicting important scenes from Swiss history, and the octagonal water tower next to the bridge is equally striking. A large number of frescoed buildings are concentrated around the squares in the Old Town, and you can stroll through them to admire the wall paintings of different themes one by one. There are open-air cafes along both banks of the Reuss, and swans often swim leisurely on the river. Sitting by the river to watch the pedestrians on the bridge and the swans playing in the water is a common way to experience the atmosphere of the Old Town.Lucerne · 2.7 km from Kriens
Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge spans diagonally across the Reuss, connecting St. Peter's Chapel on the Old Town side to Theaterplatz on the other. The wooden bridge, roughly 200 meters long, was originally not just a pedestrian walkway between the two banks, but also part of the city's defense system, which is why the railing facing the lake was specially heightened. It remains a busy thoroughfare between the Old Town and the new city today, and together with the adjacent octagonal water tower, it forms an iconic image of Lucerne, frequently appearing in postcards and travel photos. Embedded between the beams under the bridge's roof are 17th-century triangular paintings depicting the lives of the patron saints of Lucerne, as well as the history of Switzerland and the old city. Originally, the entire collection consisted of over a hundred paintings; only a portion survived the fire and were restored, and they can still be viewed between the beams today. Every summer, geraniums bloom in succession, adding a bright ring of color to its dark wooden structure.Lucerne · 2.8 km from Kriens
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is located in central Switzerland. The German name Vierwaldstättersee means "four forest lakes" and is the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation. The winding shores of the lake connect Lucerne with the surrounding peaks, framing many beautiful landscapes. The city of Lucerne is located on the edge of Lake Lucerne. Every summer, tourists from all over the world will gather here to enjoy the cool feeling in summer. Beautiful lake scenery and shore scenery The dazzling lake water of Lake Lucerne is crystal-like and dazzling, with a poetic and picturesque scene, looking out from the shore of the pier, the steeple cathedral, uniquely shaped houses, renovated like a mushroom cloud The large, bare trees form a colorful picture. There are often swans and water birds circling and playing on the lake, and the color of the lake reflects the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains and the city in the distance. There are many beautiful buildings on the shore of Lake Lucerne. It was a typical European classical building, only five or six stories high, the walls were painted white, light yellow, blue, pink, and brown, and most of the roofs were bright red. The Capel Covered Bridge and the octagonal water tower walk along the lake, and not far away is a striking wooden bridge of more than 200 meters, which spans the lake diagonally. This is the old covered wooden bridge in Europe, the Capel Covered Bridge. There is an octagonal water tower in the middle of the bridge, which is also one of the most remarkable landmarks in Lucerne. There are colorful geranium flowers on the outside of the covered bridge, which looks like a beautiful ribbon from a distance. It is also called "Flower Bridge Water Tower" by many people, and it is a favorite place for couples to take pictures. The upright water tower and the recumbent wooden bridge imprint each other, forming a unique rhythm on Lake Lucerne. There is no hustle and bustle here, there is no back side by side, it is quiet and peaceful. Lake Lucerne Cruise If you want to fully appreciate Lake Lucerne, it is recommended to take a cruise on Lake Lucerne, so that you can have a panoramic view of the scenery on both sides. The boating lake is immersive, and it feels relaxed and happy. The little white sails are like white swans, and the blue lake is like a sapphire inlaid in the city. It is beautiful under the background of snow-capped mountains and white clouds. Very moving and enchanting. Lake Lucerne has a large fleet of ships from all over Switzerland, including antique steam paddlewheels and modern large cruise ships, with routes running all year round. The classic routes include "Lunch Cruise" and "Pilatus Golden Circle" cruise section. In summer, pedal boats can be rented at the confluence of the Reuss River and Lake Lucerne.Ennetburgen · 12 km from Kriens
Mount Pilatus
Mount Pilatus (Lucerne) Main peakPilatus Kulm at an elevation of 2,132m, also known as Dragon Mountain, a landmark of Lucerne; key highlights:The world's steepest cog railway (maximum gradient of 48%), golden/silver circular tour route, 360° Alpine panorama. Official route diagram (golden & silver tour) Map legend - Blue: Lucerne cruise Luzern ↔ Alpnachstad (Golden circle usage) - Black: Ground train Luzern ↔ Alpnachstad (Silver circle replacement cruise usage) - Red: The world's steepest cogwheel railway Alpnachstad ↔ Pilatus Kulm - Green: Cable car system Dragon Ride aerial cable car + panorama gondola Pilatus Kulm ↔ Fräkmüntegg ↔ Kriens - Yellow: bus Kriens ↔ Lucerne city center Basic operation info 1. Alpnachstad (base of cogwheel train): Cogwheel railway operates from 5.11 to 11.29, closed in winter. Uphill trip takes 30 mins. For better views, sit on the right side when taking the cogwheel train uphill. 2. Kriens (cable car station): The cable car operates year-round, with only short-term maintenance suspensions; Lucerne city bus takes 15 minutes to reach the cable car station. 3. The temperature at the mountaintop is 8–12°C lower than in Lucerne, with strong winds and rapidly changing fog. Even in summer, a jacket is recommended. 4. Official website: pilatus.ch Pilatus Kulm summit attraction 1. 360° panoramic view: On clear days, gaze at 73 Alpine peaks and overlook Lake Lucerne and the old town. 2. Drachenweg Dragon cliff trail: Easy short hike with dragon legend theme. 3. Mountain-top restaurant and hotel with sunrise and sunset views. 4. Fräkmüntegg midway station: Alpine coaster, family-friendly rope park, suitable for families. Three travel routes Route 1 | Golden round trip golden round trip [Classic loop | Summer limited] Official website introduction:Golden round trip Operating condition: Rack railway and cruise services are both available (May–October). The golden round trip is unavailable when the cruise service is suspended.Includes: Lucerne lake cruise + world's steepest cogwheel train ascent + two cable car rides down + bus return to Lucerne, no backtracking, 4 types of transportation ✅Recommended route Cruise from Lucerne pier 2→Alpnachstad →Cogwheel train uphill→Pilatus Kulm summit →Dragon Ride cable car→Fräkmüntegg →Panorama gondola→Kriens →Bus back to Lucerne city center Duration: 5-6h | Adult ticket CHF119.8 ✅ Reverse route (avoid cruise morning rush, prioritize mountain ascent for sea of clouds) Lucerne bus → Kriens → two cable car rides up to Pilatus Kulm → cogwheel train down → Alpnachstad → cruise back to Lucerne pier Pros: Complete lake view experience, signature product; cons: fixed cruise schedule, poor visibility on rainy days. Route 2 | Silver round trip silver round trip [Golden tour alternative | Summer limited] Official website introduction:Silver round trip All routes are consistent with the golden tour, withChanges: Lucerne-Alpnachstad, cruise replaced with a short ground train ride (21 mins), cog railway, cable car, bus all retained ✅Recommended route Ground train from Lucerne station→Alpnachstad →Cogwheel train uphill→Pilatus Kulm →Two cable car rides down to Kriens →Bus back to Lucerne Duration: 4-5h | Adult ticket CHF94.2 ✅Reverse route Bus from Lucerne→Kriens cable car to summit →Cogwheel train down to Alpnachstad →Ground train back to Lucerne Features: Not bound by cruise schedules, with shorter duration and lower fares; suitable for tight schedules or rainy days;Missing Lake Lucerne cruise experience. Route 3 | Kriens cable car round-trip (available year-round, no loop) The only option when the cogwheel is closed in winter, golden/silver round trips unavailable. Bus from Lucerne→Kriens →Panorama gondola→Fräkmüntegg →Dragon Ride cable car directly to Pilatus Kulm; return via cable car back to Kriens. Important business notice 1. Swiss Travel PassExcluding the mountain rack railway and cable carFree boat, bus and ground train at the mountain foot; 50% discount for the mountain climbing section only. You can buy the mountain climbing discount ticket separately without purchasing the full combo ticket. 2.7-8 peak season, cogwheel trainStrongly recommend online seat reservation, the venue is extremely prone to being full with long queues. 3. Golden and silver tours,Rack railway tickets not available during suspension, only selling Kriens cable car round-trip.Alpnach · 6.4 km from Kriens
Rigi
Rigi is renowned as the "queen of the mountains" and serves as the Alpine foothills extending into Switzerland's central plateau. On clear days, standing at the Rigi Kulm viewing platform and gazing northeast, one's view stretches across the Swiss plateau dotted with lakes, all the way to Germany's Black Forest and France's Vosges Mountains. Turning around reveals the continuous Alpine peaks and the azure Lake Lucerne at the foot. On sunny mornings, the summit often gathers travelers who come specifically to witness the Alpine sunrise, a quintessential experience of this mountain. As early as the 19th century, this was a favored holiday destination for European high society, with cultural figures like Victor Hugo having reached the summit. In 1868, Queen Victoria of England also ascended by sedan chair. Today, the ascent remains distinctive: the cogwheel railway from Vitznau, built in 1871, is one of Europe's earliest mountain railways; from Goldau, a cogwheel railway also leads directly to the summit. If starting from Weggis, you can take a cable car to enjoy aerial views of the lake and mountains before arriving at Kaltbad midway up the mountain. This mountain features gentle slopes, with over a hundred km of walking trails extending layer by layer along one side. The area boasts a rich variety of alpine flowers, including a dedicated mountain flower path that offers a particularly pleasant stroll during blooming seasons. A scenic, gradual slope trail from the summit takes approx. 2 hrs to complete, presenting lovely views with minimal physical demand. The mid-mountain resort of Kaltbad is ideal year-round: winter activities include skiing, sledding, ice skating, and cross-country skiing, with beginners able to enroll in ski school courses. Scattered across the slopes are restaurants, hotels, and holiday apartments featuring terraces and viewpoints—perfect for resting tired legs while dining with panoramic lake and mountain views.Arth · 15.6 km from Kriens
Schwanenplatz
Schwanenplatz is located on the lakeshore north of the Chapel Bridge and serves as the gateway from the lakeshore area into the Old Town of Lucerne. There are many benches under the shade of trees on the lakeside. Sitting here and watching swans glide on the lake and people coming and going on the bridge is a common Lucerne scene captured in many tourists' photos. When the weather is nice, you can often encounter street performers here. The surrounding area is dense with restaurants, cafes, and pubs, making it very convenient to take a break here if you are tired from walking. The small streets connected to it are famous shopping areas in Lucerne, where Swiss watch and jewelry shops are clustered.Lucerne · 3 km from Kriens
Musegg Wall Lucerne
The Mussegger Wall is one of the better-preserved and longer defensive walls in Switzerland, built in 1386. The city wall is more than 900 meters long, and there are 9 watch towers of different styles on it. Now only four of Schirmerturm, Zeitturm, Wachtturm and Männliturm are open to tourists during the season other than winter. The great clock built by Hans Luter on the Zyt tower in 1535 is a very old clock in Lucerne and enjoys the privilege of striking one minute ahead of the other great clocks in the city. Standing on the city wall, you can overlook the entire Lucerne, and the lake and mountain peaks in the distance come into view, which is intoxicating.Lucerne · 3 km from Kriens
Stanserhorn
Stanserhorn is located near Ennetmoos, Switzerland,and is part of the Urner Alps, making it a popular tourist destination in Central Switzerland. Visitors can depart from Stans and take a vintage funicular railway to the intermediate station, Kälti. Then, take the famous local "CabriO" double-decker open-top cable car directly to the summit. The summit features the "Rondorama" revolving restaurant, which offers 360-degree panoramic views where visitors can enjoy traditional Swiss cuisine, such as "Älplermagronen" (Swiss alpine macaroni). In addition, the summit has a plant reserve and habitats for wildlife such as squirrels and marmots, making it suitable for short hikes. Whether you are looking for relaxation, hiking, paragliding, or simply want to enjoy delicious food and natural views, this is an ideal choice.Ennetmoos · 12.4 km from Kriens
Glacier Garden of Lucerne
Glacier Park is located on the north side of the Lion Monument, displaying sea shells and fossil palm leaves from 20 million years ago. There is also a museum in the park that shows visitors the history of the Ice Age. The interior of the Glacier Museum is lively and interesting, with complete audience interaction and multimedia display equipment, and there will be movies regularly introducing the geological evolution history of the Lucerne region, and also telling how the Swiss railway was built through the mountains. Mirror Labyrinth The Alhambra Mirror Labyrinth with 90 mirrors is also located in Glacier Park and was specially built for the Swiss National Exposition held in Geneva in 1896. Walking into this maze, you will see yourself in many mirrors, not to be missed. Climbing the view from the mirror labyrinth, you can climb to a high observation tower, from which you can overlook the old city of Lucerne, which is unique.Lucerne · 3.5 km from Kriens
Buergenstock
Bürgenstock is more than 1,000 meters above sea level. There is a lake nearby. There are trails, elevators and a hotel on the mountain. Here, people can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Lake Lucerne and taste local food. It is very pleasant.Lucerne · 9.6 km from Kriens
Experiences you can't miss in Kriens
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Featured Cultural experiences in Kriens
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Featured Day tours in Kriens
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More ways to travel from Kriens
Free things to do in Kriens
Old Town
Lucerne · 2.7 km from KriensChapel Bridge
Lucerne · 2.8 km from KriensLake Lucerne
Ennetburgen · 12 km from KriensMount Pilatus
Alpnach · 6.4 km from KriensRigi
Arth · 15.6 km from KriensSchwanenplatz
Lucerne · 3 km from KriensMusegg Wall Lucerne
Lucerne · 3 km from KriensStanserhorn
Ennetmoos · 12.4 km from KriensGlacier Garden of Lucerne
Lucerne · 3.5 km from KriensBuergenstock
Lucerne · 9.6 km from Kriens
What travelers say about Kriens
旅の径September 25, 2022
4.0
The Lion Monument is a must-see when traveling in Lucerne, Switzerland.
In the old town of Lucerne, walk through the bustling streets and enter the simple iron gate. There is a clear lake and a huge cliff. In the center of the cliff, the Lion Monument built in 1821 is clearly visible.
In the stone cave carved out in the middle of the 6-meter-high and 10-meter-wide monument, a dying lion lies weakly on the ground, with unyielding resentment in his eyes, sharp arrows piercing his back, and Swiss cross shields scattered around him.
Above the lion statue is engraved Latin: Dedicated to the loyal and brave Switzerland; the text below records the moving history commemorated...
At that time, Switzerland was a poor small country. Men forced to make a living went to various European countries as mercenaries, and they were loyal to their duties and brave. During the French Revolution in 1792, when the mob attacked the Tuileries Palace in Paris on August 10, all 786 Swiss mercenary officers and soldiers in the guard were killed in order to protect King Louis XVI and the Queen.
Old Town
tracy.dggMarch 10, 2025
5.0
Chapel Bridge in the Rain: A Different Kind of Beauty 🌧️🌉Visiting Chapel Bridge in Lucerne on a rainy day wasn’t the fairytale scene I had imagined, but it had its own charm. The mist over the river, the soft raindrops on the wooden bridge, and the glow of the city lights reflecting on the wet cobblestones made it feel almost dreamlike. Even in the rain, this historic landmark had a quiet, timeless beauty—just with fewer tourists and a more peaceful vibe.#Lucerne #ChapelBridge #RainyDayAdv
Chapel Bridge
横竖是二温小迪November 1, 2024
4.0
Lake Lucerne is really nice. When the weather is good, you can see the snow-capped mountains. Unfortunately, we stayed there for three days, and the weather was good only when we arrived in the evening of the first day, so we didn't take advantage of it.
The buildings by the lake, the Ferris wheel, and the Flower Bridge Water Tower are simply too beautiful to take in. The boat ride to Weggis is even more beautiful.
Lake Lucerne
我不是李亚鹏September 13, 2020
5.0
Mt. Pilatus is an Alpine peak overlooking the famous city of Lucerne in central Switzerland. The Mt. Pilatus Golden Tour is the only tour route in Switzerland that combines lake tours and mountain climbing in a circle using different means of transportation. Mt. Pilatus is 2,132 meters above sea level, 15 kilometers southwest of Lucerne, and is the highest Alpine peak on the shoreline around Lake Lucerne (Lake Lucerne).
Mount Pilatus
LawrenzoNovember 17, 2023
4.0
Amazing view from the top. A 360° view of the snowcapped mountains in the distance and lakes below. The view from the train up was also amazing with the view of the lake and mountain at a really steep angle. Get the ferry from Lucerne and you've got a spectacular view all the way. There's another older train from the top that goes on route b through the valley round the back but there's not much to see as it's mostly through the forest.
Rigi
檀Z游December 9, 2020
5.0
If you say that there is no place in Switzerland that is not expensive, then it is also true that there is no place in Switzerland that is not beautiful. Lucerne is the most beautiful of all the beautiful places. It is located in the middle of the country and sits on a beautiful lake. Mark Twain even praised it highly. Lake Lucerne may not be as emerald as the alpine icy lakes, but the old town and the beautiful towns around it can always surround her beauty, which makes it even more beautiful.
Schwanenplatz
猫猫在旅行July 16, 2023
5.0
The Musegg City Wall has a long history. There are nine watchtowers on the wall, three of which can be climbed. Google Maps can accurately guide you to the watchtowers that can be visited. After climbing up, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire city.
Musegg Wall Lucerne
DS2022January 13, 2020
5.0
Lucerne Glacier Park, with traces left over from glaciers 20,000 years ago, and whirlpools formed by the violent water when the glaciers melted, which turned the rocks into small balls. The power of nature is great, and humans seem so small in front of it.
Glacier Garden of Lucerne
gloria棠July 11, 2025
5.0
Empty mountain after the rain
Rather than hiking, it's better to say it's a walk🚶♀️
There are no worries there, only snow-capped mountains🏔️, grasslands, cows and horses
And old money and old stories
Buergenstock
