Hofkirche Tours and Tickets

There are many different ways to experience Lucerne's Hofkirche. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours and trips available right now:

• City Tour Plus Lucerne by Etuktuk

• The heart of Lucerne with the Etuktuk

• 3-Hour Lucerne City Walking Tour with Local Guide

• Lucerne small group walking tour and Lake Cruise from Basel

• Lucerne Scavenger Hunt and Sights: Self-Guided Tour

The Hofkirche in Lucerne is a church and is free to enter, although donations are welcome. Several walking tours pass by and offer insight into the church’s history; expect to pay around US$18 for a self-guided tour or from US$75 for group city tours.

Besides the Hofkirche’s twin pointy towers and its medley of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the church’s showpiece interior feature is the Hoforgel—a grand 17th-century organ boasting nearly 6,000 pipes, which is one of Europe’s largest. Another interesting feature is the church’s treasury with its huge vestibule crucifix.

To pop in, admire the surroundings, and say a prayer, you can visit the Hofkirche any day. Visit on a Sunday morning or Saturday evening to catch a Catholic Mass (in German). There are also regular organ concerts; check times and dates on the official Hofkirche website or with the Lucerne tourist board.

The original church was built around AD 735, but was destroyed in a fire in 1633. While it was rebuilt relatively quickly afterwards, the only salvageable original features were the towers, the St. Mary’s altar, and some religious artifacts—all of which can still be seen today at the church.

The Hofkirche is near the Lake Lucerne promenade and close to the old town. If you're sightseeing on foot, you can easily reach landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument within a 10-minute stroll. The 17th-century Jesuit Church is another interesting religious monument that’s within walking distance.