Littau Travel Guide

City City in Lucerne, Switzerland

A suburban district of Lucerne, Littau’s quiet streets and farm plots give access to Lake Lucerne and city trams. Visitors base here for short hikes, local inns serving cheese and rösti, and easy rail links into the Alps.

Main image
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.
Time
Weather
Population
16,121
Infrastructure & Convenience
Frequent trams/buses, clear signage and plentiful convenience stores.
Popularity
Mostly visited as part of Lucerne excursions rather than standalone tourism.
Known For
Proximity to Lucerne, Reuss river, local parks, Swiss residential neighborhoods, easy lake access, outdoor activities, commuter links, regional festivals
Littau merged into the city of Lucerne in 2010 and ceased to be an independent municipality.

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.

Top Things to Do in Littau

All Attractions ›
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.

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
December - February · -1°C to 5°C (30°F to 41°F)
Cold, often snowy mornings with cozy cafés and festive markets; public transport runs well but dress warmly for frosty lakeside walks.
Summer
June - August · 14°C to 28°C (57°F to 82°F)
Warm, comfortable days great for boat trips on the lake, mountain excursions and outdoor dining - expect occasional tourists in peak months.
Autumn
September - November · 6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F)
Crisp air and colorful hills make hikes rewarding; rainfall increases toward November, bringing cooler temperatures and quieter spots for explorers.

Best Time to Visit Littau #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (158 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

158 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

152 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
12° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

150 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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 #

Littau is a suburban area now incorporated into the city of Lucerne; it’s walkable within neighbourhoods and well connected to central Lucerne by frequent buses. From Lucerne you get excellent rail connections across Switzerland. Using Lucerne’s public transport network (buses, trains and bike lanes) is the easiest way to get around; expect Swiss fares and punctual schedules for regional travel.

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.
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.
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.

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.

Italian
Regional
Pizza
Kebab
Burger
Thai
Asian
Indian
Chinese
International
French
Mexican
Turkish
Mediterranean
Japanese
Sandwich
Sushi
Breakfast
Italian Pizza
Local

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.

Nearby Cities #