“For four hours, our 18-month-old grandson was captivated by the trains and decorations. Your park is stunning. Thanks to everyone who helps keep this attraction running.”
André
on Ticket Swiss Vapeur Parc in Port Valais
4.6(11 Reviews)
Glacier Garden Lucerne
Tickets and experiences for Glacier Garden Lucerne
From travellers like you
Recommended based on recent reviews
“It was a very personal experience, we were involved and all four of us were thrilled. Many thanks.”
Katharina
on Ticket "Experience the Salt" at Saline Schweizerhalle“An amazing picture and sound experience!”
Bernhard
on Ticket for the Adventure World "Niklaus and Dorothee Flüe" at Lumeum“Funny quotes.”
Philippe
on "Night Watchman" Historical City Tour Zurich“Nice experience suitable for children, with the opportunity to taste Emmentaler at various maturations, which is highly appreciated.”
Maniscalco
on Ticket for the Royal Route at the Emmental Show Dairy“The city tour with city whisperer Martin was really exciting, entertaining, and informative. Our group got to discover Zurich from a fresh perspective. We definitely recommend it.”
Robin
on Private city tour in Zurich with the StadtflüsterernActivities near Glacier Garden Lucerne
- Façade painting and puns City tour in Lucerne
Façade painting and puns City tour in Lucerne
Lucerneper person
from $39
- Ticket Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne
Ticket Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne
4.7(266)Lucerneper person
from $48
- Night Watchman Tour Lucerne public (English)
Night Watchman Tour Lucerne public (English)
Lucerneper person
from $39
- Ticket Glasi Hergiswil Museum "Shaped by Fire"
Ticket Glasi Hergiswil Museum "Shaped by Fire"
5.0(2)Hergiswilper person
from $10
- Ticket for the Adventure World "Niklaus and Dorothee Flüe" at Lumeum
Ticket for the Adventure World "Niklaus and Dorothee Flüe" at Lumeum
5.0(5)Kernsper person
from $37
- Einsiedeln Abbey Church public guided tour
Einsiedeln Abbey Church public guided tour
4.5(24)Einsiedelnper person
from $26
- "Night Watchman" Historical City Tour Zurich
"Night Watchman" Historical City Tour Zurich
4.8(24)Zurichper person
from $20
- Ticket Kuhniversum Trauffer World of Experience
Ticket Kuhniversum Trauffer World of Experience
5.0(6)Hofstetten near Brienzper person
from $20
- Ticket Swiss National Museum Zurich
Ticket Swiss National Museum Zurich
5.0(5)Zurichper person
from $17
- Private city tour in Zurich with the Stadtflüsterern
Private city tour in Zurich with the Stadtflüsterern
5.0(6)Zurichper person
from $206
- "Let's inspire" team event at the Kunsthaus Zurich
"Let's inspire" team event at the Kunsthaus Zurich
Zurichper person
from $580
- "Night Watchman" Historical City Tour Winterthur
"Night Watchman" Historical City Tour Winterthur
5.0(6)Winterthurper person
from $33
- KoKoTé Manufaktur private guided tour in Schattdorf
KoKoTé Manufaktur private guided tour in Schattdorf
Schattdorfper person
from $33
- Private Stadium Tour SWISS Arena Kloten including Meet & Greet
Private Stadium Tour SWISS Arena Kloten including Meet & Greet
Klotenper person
from $850
- Spa and brine bath guided city tour Rheinfelden
Spa and brine bath guided city tour Rheinfelden
Rheinfeldenper person
from $322
- City tour Basel theatrical prison escapees
City tour Basel theatrical prison escapees
5.0(2)Baselper person
from $46
Good to know about Glacier Garden Lucerne
Travel Guide
7 highlights in the Glacier Garden
- In the Glacier Garden you will find the Alpine Park, which was created in a former quarry. + The tour of the alpine park takes you to rocks, a ravine and green meadows. A narrow path takes you to a beautiful panoramic view and you can also climb a viewing tower.
- You can discover more than 4000 plant species in the Alpine Park. These include a sequoia tree and magnolias, which grew here around 20,000 years ago.
- 16 glacial potholes were formed here in Lucerne when the ice of the last ice age melted.
- More than 50 mirrors were put together in 1896 to form a labyrinth of mirrors modeled on the Alhambra in Granada in southern Spain.
- The Schweizerhaus is the former home of the founding family of the Glacier Garden (late 19th century).
- An underground world of rocks takes you on a journey through time, from a fossilized seashore to the present day.
When a wine cellar was to be built here in 1872, workers discovered 16 glacial pots that were formed during the Ice Age 20,000 years ago. Accordingly, the planned wine cellar was quickly transformed into a glacier garden.
What to expect at the Glacier Garden Lucerne
At the Glacier Garden, you can look forward to diverse experiences and information. You can borrow an audio guide that will take you through the Glacier Garden for about an hour.
Specifically, you can discover the following here:
- underground rock world
- Alpine Park
- 16 glacial pots
- sandstone pavilion
- mirror maze
- Swiss House
- shop and bistro
Additionally, there is a treasure hunt game for families with children for a deposit of 2 CHF.
Underground rock world at the Glacier Garden Lucerne
This rock world takes you on a journey through time and shows you the history of Lucerne sandstone. Elaborate animations and projections bring the fascinating moods of the different epochs to life. From the fossilized marine beaches to the folding of the Alps to the present day. Each room tells a unique story.
In the rock chambers, the stone narrates the geological development of the sandstone, which used to lie at a subtropical beach before the Ice Age. The elaborate animation is complemented by lighting, sound, and tactile elements.
At the end of the experience path, you will find an elevator that takes you up to the Summer Meadow. From here, you have an excellent view of the Alps. However, you can also take the stairs. 🙂
Alpine Park in the Lucerne Glacier Garden
The Alpine Park was created towards the end of the 19th century when the Glacier Garden was laid out. The Sommerau is the perfect complement to the historic park of the Alpenpark. There is an 11 m high wooden observation tower, the oldest in Switzerland. It is a listed building.
The Alpine Park itself can be accessed via a narrow path. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk it completely. Along the way, you will find information boards that tell you more about the alpine plants and the ecological importance of this habitat. You will find many fern species in the Alpine Park. The fern is a plant that was already found here in Lucerne in prehistoric times.
There is also a reconstructed rock landscape that is typical of the Swiss Alps. Here you can admire the rock formations and plants found at higher altitudes. You will find a variety of alpine plants along the way. You will see edelweiss, gentian and many other flowers.
Built in 1896, the diorama was set up for tourists in the city to give them an ersatz mountain experience. In a "fake" SAC hut, you have a view of a "fake" glacier. Your gaze falls on a painting of the Breithorn and a model of the Gorner Glacier near Zermatt.
The 16 glacier pots in the Lucerne Glacier Garden
The glacier potholes were the reason for the creation of the Glacier Garden in the middle of Lucerne at the end of the 19th century. They are very impressive, as they bear witness to the immense power of the ice. In order to protect the natural monument from air pollution and weathering, it has been protected by a tent roof since 1980.
The whole of Lucerne lay under a thick layer of ice 20,000 years ago. It is generally assumed that the inland ice in this region was around 2000 to 3000 m thick.
But it's not just the glacier pots that are exciting, the fossilized shells and palm leaves also shed light on a bygone era when the Lucerne region was lined with subtropical seashores.
Sandstone pavilion in the glacier garden
The sandstone pavilion is not a building in the true sense of the word. It is an inverted rock and was built half from Lucerne sandstone. Most of the material was obtained as demolition material from the rock world.
Every 20 minutes, a 13-minute film about the history of Central Switzerland's climate, geology and tourism is shown in the pavilion. there are 20 seats available. An exhibition room shows changing special exhibitions.
The confusing mirror maze in the Glacier Garden
An absolute highlight of the Glacier Garden is the famous mirror labyrinth. With more than 50 mirrors, it causes absolute confusion and makes the paths seem endless. You slowly feel your way through the corridors and encounter your own reflection again and again.
The labyrinth was built in 1896 for the Swiss National Exhibition in Geneva and is a replica of the fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada in southern Spain. You can play with mirror experiments and distorting mirrors and be amazed by the illusions.
Swiss House in the Glacier Garden
There are many interesting things to see and experience in the Swiss House in the Lucerne Glacier Garden. Everything was collected by the Amrein family. Most of the objects date from the 19th century, although some are older. The numerous historical landscape reliefs are a particular specialty.
Here are just some of the rooms and areas you can visit:
| area or room | contents / places of interest |
|---|---|
| Entrance area | Information about the history of the Glacier Garden and the Schweizerhaus itself |
| Mineral room | impressive collection of minerals and rocks from the surrounding area |
| Crystal cellar | giant rock crystals and other crystal formations with special lighting |
| Fossil gallery | fossilized remains of creatures that existed in the region millions of years ago |
| Säntis Room | an impressive panoramic picture of the Säntis and the surrounding mountains |
| Glacier Salon | Glacier relief by the famous alpine geologist Albert Heim, a friend of the family |
The Schweizerhaus also has a viewing terrace from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city of Lucerne and the surrounding mountains.
Bistro and store in the Glacier Garden Lucerne
Regional snacks are available in the Bistro Salwideli. It was rebuilt in 2020. The overall architectural concept of the listed building was respected.
In the museum's souvenir store, you will find a variety of memorabilia and gifts to take home with you.
Getting to the Glacier Garden
The Glacier Garden is located in the center of Lucerne, near the famous Lion Monument.
By Train
From Zurich, it takes about 40 to 50 minutes by train to reach Lucerne station. There, you can take bus line 1 to Wesemlinrain (4 stops). Alternatively, you can walk via the Chapel Bridge, which takes about 20 minutes.
By Car
If you drive from Zurich, it takes around 40 minutes. You can park in one of the nearby parking garages, City-Parking or Löwen Center, which are only a 3-5 minute walk away.
Opening Hours of the Glacier Garden Lucerne
The Glacier Garden in Lucerne is open daily throughout the year. The alpine park within the Glacier Garden is not only very educational but also a great place to relax. You can enjoy the alpine nature right in the city and learn more about the formation and changes of the Alps.
7 highlights in the Glacier Garden
- In the Glacier Garden you will find the Alpine Park, which was created in a former quarry. + The tour of the alpine park takes you to rocks, a ravine and green meadows. A narrow path takes you to a beautiful panoramic view and you can also climb a viewing tower.
- You can discover more than 4000 plant species in the Alpine Park. These include a sequoia tree and magnolias, which grew here around 20,000 years ago.
- 16 glacial potholes were formed here in Lucerne when the ice of the last ice age melted.
- More than 50 mirrors were put together in 1896 to form a labyrinth of mirrors modeled on the Alhambra in Granada in southern Spain.
- The Schweizerhaus is the former home of the founding family of the Glacier Garden (late 19th century).
- An underground world of rocks takes you on a journey through time, from a fossilized seashore to the present day.
When a wine cellar was to be built here in 1872, workers discovered 16 glacial pots that were formed during the Ice Age 20,000 years ago. Accordingly, the planned wine cellar was quickly transformed into a glacier garden.
What to expect at the Glacier Garden Lucerne
At the Glacier Garden, you can look forward to diverse experiences and information. You can borrow an audio guide that will take you through the Glacier Garden for about an hour.
Specifically, you can discover the following here:
- underground rock world
- Alpine Park
- 16 glacial pots
- sandstone pavilion
- mirror maze
- Swiss House
- shop and bistro
Additionally, there is a treasure hunt game for families with children for a deposit of 2 CHF.
Underground rock world at the Glacier Garden Lucerne
This rock world takes you on a journey through time and shows you the history of Lucerne sandstone. Elaborate animations and projections bring the fascinating moods of the different epochs to life. From the fossilized marine beaches to the folding of the Alps to the present day. Each room tells a unique story.
In the rock chambers, the stone narrates the geological development of the sandstone, which used to lie at a subtropical beach before the Ice Age. The elaborate animation is complemented by lighting, sound, and tactile elements.
At the end of the experience path, you will find an elevator that takes you up to the Summer Meadow. From here, you have an excellent view of the Alps. However, you can also take the stairs. 🙂
Alpine Park in the Lucerne Glacier Garden
The Alpine Park was created towards the end of the 19th century when the Glacier Garden was laid out. The Sommerau is the perfect complement to the historic park of the Alpenpark. There is an 11 m high wooden observation tower, the oldest in Switzerland. It is a listed building.
The Alpine Park itself can be accessed via a narrow path. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk it completely. Along the way, you will find information boards that tell you more about the alpine plants and the ecological importance of this habitat. You will find many fern species in the Alpine Park. The fern is a plant that was already found here in Lucerne in prehistoric times.
There is also a reconstructed rock landscape that is typical of the Swiss Alps. Here you can admire the rock formations and plants found at higher altitudes. You will find a variety of alpine plants along the way. You will see edelweiss, gentian and many other flowers.
Built in 1896, the diorama was set up for tourists in the city to give them an ersatz mountain experience. In a "fake" SAC hut, you have a view of a "fake" glacier. Your gaze falls on a painting of the Breithorn and a model of the Gorner Glacier near Zermatt.
The 16 glacier pots in the Lucerne Glacier Garden
The glacier potholes were the reason for the creation of the Glacier Garden in the middle of Lucerne at the end of the 19th century. They are very impressive, as they bear witness to the immense power of the ice. In order to protect the natural monument from air pollution and weathering, it has been protected by a tent roof since 1980.
The whole of Lucerne lay under a thick layer of ice 20,000 years ago. It is generally assumed that the inland ice in this region was around 2000 to 3000 m thick.
But it's not just the glacier pots that are exciting, the fossilized shells and palm leaves also shed light on a bygone era when the Lucerne region was lined with subtropical seashores.
Sandstone pavilion in the glacier garden
The sandstone pavilion is not a building in the true sense of the word. It is an inverted rock and was built half from Lucerne sandstone. Most of the material was obtained as demolition material from the rock world.
Every 20 minutes, a 13-minute film about the history of Central Switzerland's climate, geology and tourism is shown in the pavilion. there are 20 seats available. An exhibition room shows changing special exhibitions.
The confusing mirror maze in the Glacier Garden
An absolute highlight of the Glacier Garden is the famous mirror labyrinth. With more than 50 mirrors, it causes absolute confusion and makes the paths seem endless. You slowly feel your way through the corridors and encounter your own reflection again and again.
The labyrinth was built in 1896 for the Swiss National Exhibition in Geneva and is a replica of the fabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada in southern Spain. You can play with mirror experiments and distorting mirrors and be amazed by the illusions.
Swiss House in the Glacier Garden
There are many interesting things to see and experience in the Swiss House in the Lucerne Glacier Garden. Everything was collected by the Amrein family. Most of the objects date from the 19th century, although some are older. The numerous historical landscape reliefs are a particular specialty.
Here are just some of the rooms and areas you can visit:
| area or room | contents / places of interest |
|---|---|
| Entrance area | Information about the history of the Glacier Garden and the Schweizerhaus itself |
| Mineral room | impressive collection of minerals and rocks from the surrounding area |
| Crystal cellar | giant rock crystals and other crystal formations with special lighting |
| Fossil gallery | fossilized remains of creatures that existed in the region millions of years ago |
| Säntis Room | an impressive panoramic picture of the Säntis and the surrounding mountains |
| Glacier Salon | Glacier relief by the famous alpine geologist Albert Heim, a friend of the family |
The Schweizerhaus also has a viewing terrace from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city of Lucerne and the surrounding mountains.
Bistro and store in the Glacier Garden Lucerne
Regional snacks are available in the Bistro Salwideli. It was rebuilt in 2020. The overall architectural concept of the listed building was respected.
In the museum's souvenir store, you will find a variety of memorabilia and gifts to take home with you.
Getting to the Glacier Garden
The Glacier Garden is located in the center of Lucerne, near the famous Lion Monument.
By Train
From Zurich, it takes about 40 to 50 minutes by train to reach Lucerne station. There, you can take bus line 1 to Wesemlinrain (4 stops). Alternatively, you can walk via the Chapel Bridge, which takes about 20 minutes.
By Car
If you drive from Zurich, it takes around 40 minutes. You can park in one of the nearby parking garages, City-Parking or Löwen Center, which are only a 3-5 minute walk away.
Opening Hours of the Glacier Garden Lucerne
The Glacier Garden in Lucerne is open daily throughout the year. The alpine park within the Glacier Garden is not only very educational but also a great place to relax. You can enjoy the alpine nature right in the city and learn more about the formation and changes of the Alps.