The best places to shop in Lucerne
Pilatusstrasse in the newer part of Lucerne is the place to start your shopping spree. Then cross the bridge to the old town to visit the smaller shops between the Hotel Schweizerhof and Schwanenplatz. The old town offers clothing boutiques, shoe shops and antique shops. Cool-shopping is a great website that has a very useful and interactive shopping map with photos.
Out of town shopping centres include Pilatusmarkt (DE) in Kriens and the Länderpark (DE) in Stans. These have a selection of familiar stores selling, among other things, electronics, glasses, gardening supplies, pharmaceuticals, clothing and shoes. These large shopping centres also have ample parking facilities.
Discover new places to shop in Lucerne in the Hello Switzerland Directory or with the Around Me feature on the Hello Switzerland App!
Shopping for essentials
Manor (DE/FR/IT) and Globus are the main department stores in Lucerne and they are both located opposite to the train station. The main supermarkets are Coop and Migros. Deindeal (DE/FR) is a Swiss group buying site that also offers local bargains.
Markets in Lucerne
Several Lucerne markets sell fresh produce. Every Tuesday there is a small farmers market and on Saturday mornings a larger one selling a selection of local produce including fruits and vegetables, flowers, meat, cheese, fresh pasta and sauces. Find it around the Rathausquai, Unter der Egg and Bahnhofstrasse. Helvetiaplatz in the new town hosts its own smaller version of the market on Saturday morning.
There is a handicrafts market every first Saturday of the month from April to December at the Weinmarkt. In December there is a Christmas market at Hirschenplatz and the lower ground floor of the main train station.
Every Saturday from May to October there is a flea market on Burgerstrasse and Reuss-Steg. The Bahnhofstrasse also hosts a monthly market, selling anything from clothes and toys to spices and sweets on the first Wednesday of the month from March to December.
Shop opening hours in Lucerne
Shops in Lucerne are generally open Monday to Friday from 09.00 - 18.30, Thursday until 21.00, and Saturday from 08.00 – 16:00/17:00. As in the rest of Switzerland, shops are closed on Sunday, except at the main train station. Shops in the suburbs may close for lunch from 12.00–13.30.
Online Shopping
For flexible hours and to avoid crowds, try shopping online for groceries at LeShop or Coop@Home. Zalando (DE/FR), Laredoute (DE/FR) and Koala are a few good options for clothes and shoes. For gift ideas, try visiting Galaxus or Geschenk Idee (DE) and sort through their wide collection based on the person you are shopping for.
Useful information on shopping in Switzerland
- Most shops are closed on Sundays in Switzerland. The only shops open on a Sunday are at train stations, airports, and at petrol stations in and around urban areas.
- In most occasions, grocery carry bags must be purchased at the store or brought from home.
- Customers pack their own bags at the grocery store.
- Shopping trolleys require a CHF 1-2 coin deposit.
- Fruit and vegetables are available pre-packaged and priced or loose to be weighed. For non-priced items, place them on the scale, enter the item's corresponding code and print the price tag.
- Sales are held twice annually in January and July.
- Many shops offer loyalty programmes and regular discounts. For tips on living cost effectively in Lucerne, read the article Discounts and saving money in Lucerne.
Photo: © Switzerland Tourism: swiss-image.ch/Jan Geerk
