Things to do in Vitznau? Tips for Rigi, Lucerne & where to stay

Vitznau is one of those places you might not immediately plan an entire holiday around, but where you eventually wish you had stayed much longer. We stayed here for a few days on Lake Lucerne, also known as the Vierwaldstättersee, and found it an ideal base for this region of Switzerland.

The village itself is small and peaceful. So don’t expect a buzzing boulevard full of shops or a large centre where you can wander around for hours. But that was exactly what we liked about it. You are right by the lake, the Rigi Bahn departs from the middle of the village, the boat to Lucerne stops at the quay and by car you can quickly reach other beautiful places such as Stoos.

In this blog, I’ll tell you what there is to do in Vitznau, where you can stay conveniently, which campsite is located here and which day trips we made ourselves. I’ll also mention a few things we didn’t do, but that are definitely interesting if you have more time.

Where is Vitznau located?

Vitznau is located in Central Switzerland, on the shore of Lake Lucerne and at the foot of Mount Rigi. That immediately makes its location special. On one side you have the blue lake, while on the other side the green mountain slopes rise quite steeply.

The village lies between Weggis and Gersau, about half an hour’s drive from Lucerne. You can also reach Vitznau beautifully by boat from Lucerne. In fact: that might be the most beautiful way to arrive here. The boat docks directly at the small centre and the Rigi Bahn departs practically opposite.

What stood out to us is that Vitznau has a milder climate than you might expect in Switzerland. Thanks to its sheltered location by the lake, even palm trees, chestnut trees, grapevines and fig trees grow here. That sometimes gives the village a slightly Mediterranean feel, but with Swiss mountains in the background.

A short history of Vitznau

Vitznau used to be mainly a fishing and farming village. That changed significantly with the arrival of shipping on Lake Lucerne and especially with the construction of the Rigi Bahn. This cogwheel railway opened in 1871 and was the first mountain railway in Europe.

From that moment on, Vitznau suddenly became much more important for tourists. Travellers arrived by boat from Lucerne, changed to the train in Vitznau and travelled up towards Mount Rigi. Basically, that still happens today, only with more modern trains, better cameras and probably more expensive coffees along the way.

During the Belle Époque, wealthy travellers came to this region for fresh mountain air, views and luxury hotels by the water. You can still see that today. Vitznau has a few beautiful hotels on the lake, including some very luxurious options that you probably mainly look at if your budget is a little more generous.

What to do in Vitznau?

Vitznau itself is not large, but the strength of the village lies in its location. From here, you can easily get out on the lake, head into the mountains or take a day trip to Lucerne or Stoos. These are, in our opinion, the best things to do in and around Vitznau.

1. Take the train from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm

If you do one thing from Vitznau, it will probably be taking the train to Rigi Kulm. During our stay, we honestly couldn’t ignore it. You see Mount Rigi everywhere: from the lake, from the village and even from the boat towards Lucerne.

What worked perfectly for us was that the train departs practically opposite the Vitznau boat pier. There is paid parking in the village and from the parking area you can walk straight to the station. Bringing a stroller or less mobile? That also worked perfectly fine for us. The train is well equipped for it.

The ride up is already an experience in itself. The Rigi Bahn has been running up this mountain since 1871 and that makes it not just a mountain train, but also a piece of Swiss history. In practice, we did travel on a modern train. We saw the old train, but it does not run as standard at every moment.

Small tip from experience: sit on the left side when going up. That really is the most beautiful side for the views. At first, you still pass houses and green slopes, but after that the landscape opens up more and more.

At the top of Rigi Kulm, you look out over Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and all kinds of mountain peaks behind them. We visited at the end of April and could still see many white peaks in the distance. The view is truly beautiful because you don’t just look in one direction, but all around you.

It’s not cheap. Normally, we would have paid around €160 for two people, but we received a 20% discount through our accommodation. So always ask whether your hotel, apartment or campsite offers a visitor card or discount pass.

Want to arrange your ticket in advance? Then you can easily buy your Rigi day pass online. Staying in Lucerne? Then this combination is especially convenient: combine a boat trip from Lucerne with the train to Rigi Kulm.

2. Take a boat trip across Lake Lucerne to Lucerne

Some cities simply have a perfect way to arrive. For Lucerne, we think that is definitely by water.

We took the boat from Vitznau to Lucerne. The journey takes about an hour, but it doesn’t feel like ordinary transport at all. You sail past villages by the water, green mountain slopes, luxury hotels and rocky cliffs. Meanwhile, you slowly see Lucerne getting closer.

Honestly, it’s not cheap. For the two of us, travelling from Vitznau to Lucerne and back cost 106 CHF. That stings a little. But it did feel like an excursion and not just a simple crossing.

With a baby, this was also very relaxed. We had our 6-month-old daughter with us in the stroller and it went perfectly fine. There was plenty of space on deck and enough room to place the stroller next to the table.

Do pay attention to the last boat back. For us, it left a little after 4:00 PM. So if you want to have dinner in Lucerne in the evening, you’ll need to arrange different transport or stay overnight in Lucerne.

Staying in Lucerne itself? Then you can also take a separate boat trip from Lucerne, book a catamaran cruise or choose the popular combination with Mount Pilatus.

3. Visit Lucerne as a day trip from Vitznau

Lucerne is a lovely day trip from Vitznau. The boat arrives next to the station and from there you can walk straight into the city. Everything is nicely close together. We found that ideal, especially with a stroller.

The famous Chapel Bridge is of course touristy, but still fun to have seen. Especially the old paintings beneath the wooden roof make the bridge special. We also found the Lion Monument more impressive than expected. You won’t spend hours there, but it’s definitely worth walking past.

Our biggest surprise in Lucerne was the Musegg Wall. You can partly climb this old city wall and from the top you have views over the city, the river, the lake and the mountains. And it’s free too. That’s something you don’t come across very often in Switzerland.

We were there on a Sunday at the end of April. Many shops were closed, but restaurants, cafés and tourist spots were simply open. Because of that, it still felt pleasantly lively. Want more tips for the city itself? Then also read my blog about visiting Lucerne by boat from Vitznau.

4. Stoos and the Stoosbahn as a day trip from Vitznau

Another fun trip from Vitznau is Stoos. We did this by car. From Vitznau, we drove to the valley station of the Stoosbahn near Schwyz. There is a large parking garage directly underneath the station. By Swiss standards, parking here was surprisingly affordable: for around 3 to 4 hours, we paid less than five euros.

The reason almost everyone goes to Stoos is the Stoosbahn. This is the steepest funicular railway in the world. At its steepest section, it climbs 110%, or around 47 degrees. That sounds more intense than it feels, because the cabins automatically move with the slope. So you simply remain upright.

This also worked perfectly with a stroller. Boarding is level, the cabins are spacious and at the top you can walk straight into the car-free village. Stoos itself is peaceful, typically Swiss and mainly focused on skiing and hiking. We took it easy: a walk through the village, past a small lake, towards the chapel and then lunch in the sun.

Unfortunately, we skipped Fronalpstock. That is one of the most famous viewpoints near Stoos. The hike from Fronalpstock to Klingenstock is also said to be beautiful, but that’s more suitable for hikers who really want to do a solid ridge walk.

Want to visit Stoos without figuring everything out yourself? Then you can book a day trip to Stoos. Also read my detailed blog about Stoos and the famous Stoosbahn.

5. Swimming, kayaking or walking along the lake

Vitznau is located right on the water, so on a warm day you probably won’t want to plan only mountains and trains. You can walk along the lake, take a look at the harbour or sit somewhere quiet by the water.

At Camping Vitznau, you can also rent kayaks. We didn’t do this ourselves, but it seems like a really beautiful way to experience the lake from the water. Lake Lucerne is large and in many places surrounded by steep slopes, which gives you a completely different perspective from the water.

Do keep in mind that the water can still be quite cold in spring. At the end of April, we mainly found it beautiful to look at. In summer, I would definitely bring swimwear.

6. Festung Vitznau: special if you like history

Something we didn’t do ourselves, but that is interesting: Festung Vitznau. This is an artillery fort from 1942, hidden inside Mount Rigi. You can visit the fort on a guided tour. I think this is especially interesting if you like history, bunkers and places you normally wouldn’t just walk into.

The guided tours do not run all day, so check the current times carefully in advance. This is not a place where you can just casually walk in without planning.

7. Regional Museum Vitznau-Rigi

We also skipped the Regional Museum ourselves. Still, it fits well with a stay in Vitznau, especially because here you learn more about Mount Rigi, Europe’s first mountain railway, shipping on Lake Lucerne and the development of tourism in the region.

The museum is located in Vitznau’s old school and town hall, just a short walk from the boat, bus and Rigi Bahn. Handy for a less sunny afternoon or if you want a little more context about the place where you are staying.

8. The small cable cars to Hinterbergen and Wissifluh

Something we only discovered properly afterwards: besides the famous Rigi Bahn, Vitznau also has smaller cable cars. For example, to Hinterbergen and Wissifluh. They are much less well known and partly operate on request.

Especially if you enjoy hiking and want to see a quieter part of Mount Rigi, these are fun options to look into further. Hinterbergen is located at around 1100 metres and is a starting point for walks towards Rigi Kaltbad or Wissifluh. Wissifluh is lower than Rigi Kulm, but offers beautiful views over the lake and the Bürgenstock.

These are exactly the kind of places you easily miss if you only spend one day in Vitznau. If you have three or four days, I would definitely include them in your planning.

Where to stay in Vitznau?

We stayed in Vitznau ourselves and found it a truly perfect base. During the day, you can easily make trips to Rigi, Lucerne or Stoos and in the evening you return to a peaceful spot by the water. Especially if you don’t necessarily want to sleep in a city, Vitznau is a lovely choice.

Why Vitznau is convenient:

• the Rigi Bahn departs from the middle of the village
• the boat to Lucerne stops at the quay
• you are right on Lake Lucerne
• it is quieter than Lucerne
• you can easily make trips by car, boat or train

We personally stayed in an apartment in Vitznau. We found that ideal with a baby, because you have a little more space and don’t have to eat every meal out.

Hotels in Vitznau

Vitznau is not a budget destination, but there are different types of accommodation available.

• More affordable: Hotel Rigi Vitznau is simple but neat, includes breakfast and is conveniently located in the village. Still expect to pay around €200 per night for two people.
• Modern and central: Neuro Campus Hotel is sleekly designed and conveniently located near the boat and train connections.
• Beautiful by the water: FloraAlpina is located slightly more quietly outside the centre, with a terrace and views over the lake.
• Luxury: Hotel Vitznauerhof is a beautiful hotel right on the water, with a wellness atmosphere and views over Lake Lucerne. Definitely in a higher price range though.

Camping Vitznau

Travelling with a tent, caravan or motorhome? Then Camping Vitznau is a very logical option. The campsite is located on terraces against the slope, with views of the lake and the mountains. You can walk to the water in about five minutes.

The campsite has 139 pitches, modern showers and toilets, a lounge with a kitchen and microwave, laundry facilities, a baby room, playground, table tennis, Wi-Fi, café-shop and a heated swimming pool from early April. There is also a children’s pool and you can rent kayaks. That makes this campsite not only convenient for campers, but also for families.

Good to know: because of the terraced location, some pitches may be higher up or steeper. That gives you views, but with a large caravan or motorhome I would carefully check in advance which pitch you book.

Staying in Lucerne or Stoos as an alternative

Not sure whether to choose Vitznau or Lucerne? Choose Lucerne if you like having restaurants, shops and city life right around you. Nice options include Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel, Hotel Monopol Luzern, Hotel Des Alpes or the luxurious Château Gütsch.

Would you rather sleep at altitude for once? Then Stoos also seems like a fun option to us. We visited as a day trip, but afterwards we actually would have liked to spend a night in the car-free mountain village. For example, take a look at Stoos Lodge, Wellness Hotel Stoos, Caschu Alp Boutique Design Hotel Stoos or, truly special, Fronalpstock Hotel & Restaurant.

Practical tips for Vitznau

How many days do you need?

You don’t need three days just for Vitznau itself. But for the surrounding area, you actually do. With one day, you can visit Rigi Kulm and walk along the lake for a bit. With two days, you can combine Rigi with Lucerne. With three or four days, you also have time for Stoos, a boat trip, swimming, the fortress or one of the smaller cable cars.

We found a few days in Vitznau just right. You don’t have to drive far every day and still each day feels different: lake, city, mountain train, funicular, village.

Best time to visit Vitznau

We visited at the end of April and found it a lovely time of year. It wasn’t overly busy yet, the boats were already running well again and there was still some snow on the mountains in the distance. The weather in spring can be changeable though and at the top of Rigi or Stoos it can easily be 5 to 8 degrees colder than down by the lake.

In summer, Vitznau is probably livelier and nicer if you want to swim or kayak. The boat, campsite and Rigi Bahn will also be busier then. In winter, the region is more about snow, winter walks and quieter days by the lake.

Vitznau with children or a baby

We travelled with a 6-month-old baby and found Vitznau surprisingly practical. The boat to Lucerne was very relaxed with a stroller, the Rigi Bahn went smoothly and the Stoosbahn was also easily accessible.

You just shouldn’t expect everything to be flat. Vitznau is built against a slope and Stoos is, of course, a mountain village. So sometimes you’ll have to push, lift or take a small detour. But overall, we found this region very doable with a baby.

Rent a car or travel by public transport?

Vitznau is perfectly doable without a car if you mainly want to visit Lucerne, take the boat and go up Mount Rigi. In fact: that is exactly the charm of this place. Boat, train and mountain railway connect beautifully here.

Do you also want to visit Stoos, see several villages around the lake or use Vitznau as a stop during a road trip through Switzerland? Then a car is useful. We especially liked that for Stoos we could simply drive ourselves and didn’t have to depend on transfers.

Is Vitznau a good base on Lake Lucerne?

Yes, as far as we’re concerned. Not because Vitznau itself is packed with major highlights, but because it is such a pleasant place to combine everything. You have the lake, the boat to Lucerne, the train to Rigi, quiet evenings by the water and plenty of trips nearby.

Are you looking for lots of shops, nightlife or an affordable city trip? Then I would look at Lucerne instead. Do you want peace, views and a practical base between lake and mountains? Then Vitznau is a really lovely choice.

For us, it was exactly right: heading into the mountains or onto the boat in the morning, doing something beautiful during the day and returning to a quiet village by the water at the end of the day. Sometimes a destination doesn’t need to be spectacularly busy to work really well.

Frequently asked questions about Vitznau

What is there to do in Vitznau?

The best-known activity is taking the train to Rigi Kulm. You can also take a boat trip across Lake Lucerne, visit Lucerne, swim or kayak, go hiking, visit Festung Vitznau or take the smaller cable cars to Hinterbergen and Wissifluh.

Can you camp in Vitznau?

Yes, Camping Vitznau is located a short walk from the lake and has pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. There are also extra facilities such as a swimming pool, children’s pool, playground, café-shop and kayak rental.

Is Vitznau better than Lucerne?

That depends on your travel style. Lucerne is better if you want to stay right in the city. Vitznau is nicer if you are looking for peace, views and nature, but still want easy access to Lucerne and Mount Rigi.

How do you get from Vitznau to Rigi Kulm?

From the station in Vitznau, you take the cogwheel railway up to Rigi Kulm. The train departs close to the boat pier. Along the way, you can also get off at various intermediate stations, for example for hikes.

Is Vitznau suitable with children?

Yes, especially if you like peaceful places and easy day trips. The boat, Rigi Bahn and Stoosbahn were all very doable for us with a stroller. Do take height differences in the village and on some walking paths into account.