Kriens City Guide
Image by KiYoung Chung via unsplash

Switzerland

Kriens City Guide

Lucerne

Kriens sits at the foot of Mount Pilatus near Lucerne. It offers quiet Swiss charm with easy access to city life and outdoor adventures. The Alps surround the area, giving great views and hiking options.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Food includes traditional Swiss dishes like fondue and raclette, with international options nearby. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night dining is limited.

Local Dishes:
Swiss cheese fondue, Raclette, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Mediterranean
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Kriens has a quiet nightlife. For bars and clubs, head to nearby Lucerne.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Good coffee culture with specialty cafes mainly in Lucerne.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is optional but appreciated. Rounding up or 5-10% is common for good service.

Top Attractions
Mount Pilatus
nature
Famous mountain with the world's steepest cogwheel railway and hiking trails.
Sonnenberg Mountain
nature
Great for hiking and panoramic views.
Bellpark
culture
Historic park with a museum and green spaces.
Wolfsschlucht Gorge
nature
Scenic gorge with walking paths.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at provider shops, supermarkets, and electronics stores. Main providers are Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. eSIMs are also available. ID is required for activation.

Available at:
Swisscom store
Sunrise store
Salt store
Supermarkets
Electronics stores
Recommended Apps
SBB Mobile(transport)
Fairtiq(transport)
Komoot(navigation)
SwitzerlandMobility(navigation)
Too Good To Go(food)
MeteoSwiss(weather)
Airalo(connectivity)
Google Maps(navigation)
DeepL Translator(communication)
TWINT(payment)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
10

Kriens is very clean with efficient waste management.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Limited 24/7 services in Kriens; emergency rooms are open all night. Pharmacies have emergency coverage.

Groceries
Coop Supermarkt Kriens Pilatusmarkt
Migros-supermarkt Kriens Hofmatt

Supermarkets like Coop and Migros have a wide range of products including international foods. They open around 8-9 AM and close by 7-9 PM on weekdays. Most are closed Sundays and holidays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Cards are widely accepted for most payments in Kriens and Switzerland overall.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find in Kriens. International cards often work but expect some fees, so check with your bank.

Schools
International

Local schools mainly teach in German. Nearby Lucerne has international schools offering English and other languages. Early applications are recommended.

Available Schools:
Kriens Local Schools
International School of Lucerne

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
5
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

Kriens has a small nomad community. More meetups and co-working are found in Lucerne.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Parks and river paths provide good access to green spaces.

Running
Excellent
9

Safe and scenic running routes along rivers, mountains, and Lake Lucerne.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms offer modern equipment and classes. PureGym is open 24/7.

Available Gyms:
FS. Fit Styles & Moves
Infrashape-Swiss
Semdaji FiT
ACTIV FITNESS Kriens
PureGym Kriens
Tennis
Good
7

Tennis courts are available locally with some clubs offering coaching.

Padel
Poor
2

Padel is not common but slowly growing in popularity.

Yoga
Good
7

Yoga studios and wellness centers offer various classes, often with English instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Gyms offer boxing, BJJ, Muay Thai, and more. English instructors can be found.

Skiing
Excellent
8

Ski resorts are within 1-2 hours' drive with good snow and slopes for all levels.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular on Lake Lucerne during warm months.

Surfing
Poor
1

No ocean surfing, and lake surfing is rare here.

Diving
Good
6

Lake Lucerne offers freshwater diving with visibility varying by season.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
10

Healthcare is top quality in Kriens and Lucerne with universal coverage. Major hospitals nearby have English-speaking staff. Both public and private care options are excellent.

Hospitals:
Lucerne Cantonal Hospital
Kantonsspital Luzern
Pharmacies:
Apotheke Kriens
Coop Vital Kriens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water in Kriens and Switzerland overall is safe to drink and clean.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in busy areas, Fake petitions, Inflated tourist prices

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Kriens has parks and playgrounds like Bellpark and Pilu Land perfect for kids. Many cafes welcome families and baby supplies are easy to find.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

LGBTQ+ friendly with legal protections and events in nearby cities.

Pet Friendly
Excellent
8

Pet-friendly with parks and vet services. Strict pet import rules apply.

Communities
Kriens Community (social)
Lucerne Expats (social)
Digital Nomads Lucerne (professional)

Quick Facts

Population
26,997
Power Reliability
Excellent
10/10

Power supply is very reliable thanks to strong infrastructure.

Mountains
Available

Mount Pilatus and Sonnenberg are close with easy access to trails.

Languages
German(84.2%)
English(40%)
Emergency
117
Police
118
Fire Service
144
Medical Service
112
Europe-wide Emergency

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
4

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Flooding
Spring
Minor flood risk from Unterer Krienbach stream, controlled by infrastructure.
Summer Heat
July, August
Summers can be warm but rarely very hot.

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