Château Gütsch, Lucerne

Château Gütsch is one of those places everyone in Lucerne knows but rarely makes the most of photographically. Most tourists ride the funicular up, take a selfie and are gone again. Those who stay a little longer and wait for the right light are rewarded with images almost no one else has.

The spot

The castle itself is a neo-Gothic hotel from the 19th century – architecturally interesting, but the real subject is the panorama behind it: Lucerne’s old town, the Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, and on a clear day the snow-capped Alps in the background. All in a single frame.

Light and timing

The golden hour before sunset is clearly the best time. The light comes from the west and hits the façades of the old town head-on. In summer that means around 8–9 pm, in winter from as early as 4 pm.

For long exposures of the city at night, the blue hour just after sunset is also worth it – the city lights come on while the sky still holds some colour.

Getting there

The Gütschbahn runs from Weinmarkt (old town) straight up. Alternatively there’s a footpath through the forest – about 20 minutes, but the atmosphere in the woods is worth the detour on its own.