About

Welcome to Barabas Luzern, Switzerland’s first jailhouse hostel. You don’t have to book an expensive flight to San Francisco to take a look at an ancient prison. Just come to Lucerne! To begin with it’s much cheaper and second you’ll have the unique opportunity of staying overnight, plunging into the ancient times of bad boys. But with a restful sleep.
Unlike earlier, our guests will find a completely renovated building with a lot of conveniences and most importantly: comfortable beds. We take care of your physical well-being, put away bread and water and replaced them with various delicacies. Well, that’s self-evident, isn’t it? Get locked up right now!

The Barabas Luzern hostel is located in the old town of Lucerne, not even 10 minutes walking distance from Lucerne main station. You can reach all important sightseeing spots within a few steps: Chapel bridge, old town, city centre, lion monument, city wall, the Reuss river and the bay of lake Lucerne. Shops as well as bars and restaurants are located nearby.

The Barabas provides 60 different prison cells. We have multibed rooms with a shared bathroom; but also single, double and family rooms with a private bathroom. The library, offering a large amount of crime novels, is also bookable as a bedroom.

Barabas Luzern Policies & Conditions:

Cancellation policy: 48 hours before arrival.

Check in from 15:00 to 23:00 .
Check out before 11:00 .

Payment upon arrival by cash (CHF or EUR), credit cards, debit cards (EC Maestro, V-Pay, Postcard).
This property may pre-authorize your card before arrival.

Taxes not included - occupancy tax 4.00 CHF (Kurtaxe) per person per night
Breakfast available for CHF 13.00 per person/day.

General:
Reception is open from 08:00 - 11:30 and 15:00 - 21:00, night shift from 21:00 - 8:00
No curfew.
Pet friendly.
Non smoking.
The maximum period of stay is of 14 days.

House Rules

Check In

15:00 - 19:00

Check Out

until 11:00

  • Taxes Not Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free WiFi
  • Luggage Storage
  • Card Phones
  • Reception (limited hours)
  • Internet access
  • Restaurant
  • Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
  • Towels Included
View all facilities

Reviews

9.2Superb(305)
  • Value for Money
    9.0
  • Security
    9.7
  • Atmosphere
    7.6
  • Cleanliness
    9.5
  • Staff
    9.7
  • Location
    9.8
  • Facilities
    8.8
Stayed in Oct 2025
7.4
S
Siloé
Female, 18-24, France
Very close to old town which meant we could walk to the entire city from the hostel. The garden is a major plus but the common area inside is very small + kitchen as well. Bathroom floor was constantly wet from the showers too. Other than that the beds are great and made every morning by the cleaning staff.
Stayed in Sept 2025
9.1
P
Patrick
Male, 31-40, USA
Great location with an easy walk to everything. There are not good hangout places in the lobby/restaurant, but there is a chill garden area on the second floor no one seemed to know about. Is not a social hostel, but the people there for hiking can be more interesting.
Stayed in Aug 2025
9.1
G
Geri
Female, 31-40, England
Great location, clean, staff were helpful
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Location

Löwengraben 16, Lucerne, Switzerland
0.1km from city centre