Littau
Explore
Kapellbrücke
Medieval covered wooden bridge in Lucerne with paintings
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Pilatus (mountain)
Alpine mountain with steep ridges and panoramic views
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Swiss Museum of Transport
Extensive Swiss museum dedicated to transport and communications
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Lion Monument Lucerne
Rock relief in Lucerne commemorating Swiss Guards
Littau at a Glance
Costs: High Swiss prices, within Lucerne area - $140-230/day for comfortable travel with local transit.
Safety: Very safe and orderly - low crime, excellent emergency services and clean streets.
Best Time: May-September for lake and mountain activities - pleasant weather for hiking, boating and city sightseeing.
Why Visit Littau?
Now part of Lucerne, Littau appeals to travelers who want easy access to Lake Lucerne and Alpine excursions without the crowds of a city center. A short tram ride connects to Lucerne’s Old Town and the Chapel Bridge, while nearby trails and Mount Pilatus offer hiking and panoramic views. Local bakeries serve traditional Swiss pastries and cheese dishes, and small markets reflect canton traditions in a quieter neighborhood setting.
Best Things to Do in Littau
Building
Kapellbrücke
Medieval covered wooden bridge in Lucerne with paintings
Lake
Lake Lucerne
Scenic alpine lake surrounded by mountains
Mountains
Pilatus (mountain)
Alpine mountain with steep ridges and panoramic views
Museum
Swiss Museum of Transport
Extensive Swiss museum dedicated to transport and communications
Museum
Swiss National Museum
Zurich museum exhibiting Swiss cultural and historical artifacts
Museum
Kunsthaus Zürich
Zurich art museum with significant modern art collection
Museum
Rietberg Museum
Museum of non-European art in historic villa
Museum
Museum of Design
Museum dedicated to design, applied arts, and graphics
Littau Bucket List
Don't Miss
Littau village center - Stroll Littau village center to see local shops, churches, and daily Swiss rhythms.
Rotsee rowing lake - Visit the Rotsee for calm waters, walking paths, and rowing club activity.
Local parish church (St. Konrad) - See Littau’s parish church for its stained glass, community services, and architecture.
Hidden Gems
Allmend Lucerne green spaces - Explore Allmend green spaces for relaxed picnics, sports fields, and local events.
Small artisan bakeries - Try artisan bakeries in Littau for traditional Swiss breads, pastries, and café culture.
Village hiking trails - Follow nearby village trails up into surrounding hills for quiet forest walks and views.
Day Trips
Lucerne city center - Hop a short tram into Lucerne for Chapel Bridge, museums, and lake cruises.
Mount Pilatus or Rigi - Take excursions to Mount Pilatus or Rigi for hiking, viewpoints, and alpine rides.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Littau
Visit Littau from late spring to early autumn for lake activities and mountain hikes in pleasant weather. Winters are cold and snowy but charming if you enjoy quieter, festive scenes.
Winter
Cold, often snowy mornings with cozy cafés and festive markets; public transport runs well but dress warmly for frosty lakeside walks.
Summer
Warm, comfortable days great for boat trips on the lake, mountain excursions and outdoor dining - expect occasional tourists in peak months.
Autumn
Crisp air and colorful hills make hikes rewarding; rainfall increases toward November, bringing cooler temperatures and quieter spots for explorers.
Littau's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1392 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 4° | -2° | 89 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 5° | -1° | 99 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Acceptable | 0° - 10° | 3° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 13° | 7° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 18° | 13° | 122 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.9h |
| June | Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 152 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Good | 12° - 23° | 18° | 150 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 5° - 14° | 9° | 104 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 8° | 2° | 110 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 4° | -1° | 102 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
How to Get to Littau
Littau is effectively a suburb of Lucerne and is most easily accessed via Lucerne railway station (SBB) after arriving at Zurich Airport. Local buses and short taxi rides connect the station to Littau.
Zurich Airport (ZRH): Zurich is the nearest major international airport for Lucerne/Littau. Trains from Zurich Airport to Lucerne take about 50-70 minutes; a one-way SBB ticket usually costs around CHF 25-35. From Lucerne station, Littau is a short bus or taxi ride.
Bern / EuroAirport: Bern-Belp (BRN) and EuroAirport (BSL/MLH) are alternative regional airports but are farther; travel to Littau usually requires a connecting train or car journey of 1.5-2.5 hours.
Train: Lucerne railway station is the main hub for Littau. Swiss Federal Railways and regional services connect Lucerne to Zurich, Basel and other cities; from Lucerne station local buses or short taxi rides take you to Littau (5-15 minutes).
Bus / Local transit: VBL (Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern) operates frequent bus routes between Lucerne and Littau. Tickets are sold by zone (Libero/VBL) and purchased via machines or apps; single fares are modest depending on zones.
How to Get Around Littau
Use SBB trains to Lucerne, then local VBL buses or a short taxi to reach Littau. Public transport is punctual and usually the easiest option; cycling and walking work well for short trips.
- SBB Trains (to Lucerne) (CHF 10-35) - Fast, frequent trains serve Lucerne from Zurich and other Swiss cities; use SBB for tickets and connections. From Lucerne station it’s a short onward bus/taxi trip to Littau.
- VBL local buses (CHF 2.60-6) - Local buses link Lucerne station with Littau neighbourhoods; reliable and frequent during the day. Buy tickets via machines, app or on board where allowed.
- Taxi / Ride-hailing (CHF 10-30) - Taxis are plentiful in Lucerne for door-to-door service to Littau, handy with luggage or off-peak arrivals. More expensive than public transit but convenient.
- Car hire (CHF 50-120/day) - Renting a car is useful for exploring central Switzerland and rural areas; parking in Lucerne and Littau may be paid. Book in advance for best rates.
- Cycling (CHF 10-30/day) - Littau and Lucerne are cycle-friendly with dedicated paths; short distances make cycling a pleasant option for daily trips. Rent a bike in Lucerne for flexible local travel.
- Walking - Littau’s residential areas and nearby Lucerne attractions are walkable. Ideal for short errands and enjoying lakeside promenades in Lucerne.
Where to Stay in Littau
Budget
Littau / Lucerne outskirts - CHF 30-90/night
Littau is essentially a Lucerne suburb; budget stays are mostly hostels and simple guesthouses in nearby Lucerne. Expect shared rooms or small private rooms, limited standalone options in Littau.
Youth Hostel Lucerne - Basic dorms near transport hub.
Backpackers Luzern - Affordable private rooms and dorms.
Mid-Range
Lucerne city centre (near Littau) - CHF 120-220/night
Mid-range choices are in central Lucerne a short tram or bus ride away. Comfortable hotels with good access to Old Town and transport, few mid-range options inside Littau itself.
Hotel des Balances (Lucerne) - Central, riverside boutique hotel.
Hotel Astoria Lucerne - Comfortable rooms near the station.
Luxury
Lucerne lakeside (short transfer) - CHF 250-600+/night
Luxury options are concentrated in central Lucerne. Expect full-service five-star hotels on the lakefront; none of Lucerne’s high-end hotels are located inside Littau itself.
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern - Classic lakeside luxury, top amenities.
Grand Hotel National Luzern - Historic lakeside hotel and fine dining.
Where to Eat in Littau
Local Swiss & Café Scene
Littau’s eating scene is quiet and local - bakeries, cosy cafés and small restaurants serving Swiss comfort food and regional specialties.
- Littau cafés & small restaurants - Casual spots serving Swiss classics
- Local Bakeries in Littau - Fresh breads and pastries each morning
- Cafés near Littau church area - Comfortable cafés for coffee and cakes
Lucerne Nearby Options
Many visitors base in Littau but cross to Lucerne for larger restaurants, lakeside cafés and seasonal markets - a short ride expands dining choices.
- Lucerne restaurants (short trip) - Wider choices just a short ride away
- Lucerne cafés and lunch spots - Great for lakeside dining and brunch
- Lucerne markets & food stalls - Seasonal produce and street bites
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Littau’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Littau
Littau itself is quiet after dark; most nightlife and live‑music options are found in nearby Lucerne, which offers bars, clubs and concert venues.
Shopping in Littau
Shopping in Littau is mainly everyday retail: local supermarkets, shops and service outlets. For a bigger shopping selection, markets and specialist stores in central Lucerne are a short bus or train ride away.