In the 19th century, it became a popular destination for tourism, especially from England; the imposing Park Hotel Vitznau west of the town dates from the 1900s.

The village occupies a narrow strip between the lake and the Rigi looming behind; one of the mountain railways to the summit starts in Vitznau.

Of the rest of the land, 7.5% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (4%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).

Of the agricultural land, 30.38% is used for farming or pastures, while 1.79% is used for orchards or vine crops.

Of the settled areas, 4.71% is covered with buildings, 0.11% is industrial, 0.22% is classed as special developments, 0.56% is parks or greenbelts and 1.91% is transportation infrastructure.

In the 2000 census[update] the religious membership of Vitznau was; 771 (74.2%) were Roman Catholic, and 132 (12.7%) were Protestant, with an additional 8 (0.77%) that were of some other Christian faith.

[4] The municipality has four railway stations: Vitznau, Freibergen, Grubisbalm, and Mittlerschwanden.