Lausanne, Switzerland: travel guide
A hilly lakeside city, home of the Olympic movement
A hilly city on Lake Geneva facing Évian across the water, and the Olympic capital — the IOC is based here, the Notre-Dame cathedral dates to the 12th century, and the Lavaux vineyards begin immediately east.
About Lausanne
Lausanne climbs a hillside above Lake Geneva, facing the French shore across the water. It is the Olympic capital, and has a university-city energy and a good deal of art and design.
The Olympic Museum sits on the lakefront, while up the hill the Gothic cathedral dominates the old town and Place de la Palud has its own fountain. The Hermitage Foundation and MUDAC offer art and design. The terraced Lavaux vineyards begin just east of the city, and are a lovely place to walk.
Lausanne suits culture lovers, walkers and wine fans. Late spring to early autumn is the best time to visit Lausanne, with the vineyards at their best in early autumn.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- Switzerland
- Currency
- CHF
- Time zone
- Europe/Zurich
- Nearest airport
- GVA
Last updated
Top places to visit in Lausanne
Lausanne Cathedral (Notre-Dame)
Gothic Cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · free entry
One of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Switzerland, built from 1170–1275 and consecrated by Pope Gregory X in 1275 — the only papal consecration of a cathedral north of the Alps. The rose window is considered the finest medieval stained…
Olympic Museum Lausanne
Sports Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CHF 20 (≈ ₹2,290)
The world's leading sports museum, nestled in beautiful parkland on the shores of Lake Geneva. Three floors of interactive exhibits, thousands of Olympic objects including torches, medals, and athlete uniforms trace 130 years of Olympic…
Ouchy Lakefront Promenade
Lakefront · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Lausanne's beautiful lakeside harbour district with a 19th-century château, palm-lined promenade, lakeside parks, and the departure point for lake cruises to Montreux, Évian, and Geneva. The peaceful gardens and Belle Époque hotels make…
Lausanne Ouchy Lakefront
lakefront · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Ouchy waterfront — Lausanne's spectacular Lake Geneva harbour district, with the famous Château d'Ouchy hotel, the lakeside promenade, the famous Tour Haldimand, and the iconic alpine views.
Lausanne Chillon Castle
water-castle · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · entry CHF 15 (≈ ₹1,720)
A day trip from Lausanne to Chillon Castle — the spectacular 12th-century medieval water castle on Lake Geneva, with the historic dungeons (immortalized by Lord Byron), and the iconic Swiss heritage.
Lausanne Olympic Park
olympic-gardens · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Olympic Park — the spectacular gardens surrounding the Olympic Museum, with the iconic Olympic torch, the Olympic medals statue, and the panoramic views over Lake Geneva.
Lausanne Lavaux Vineyards
unesco-vineyards · 4.9 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland's UNESCO World Heritage vineyards along Lake Geneva, with the spectacular terraced vineyards (since the 11th century), the famous Chasselas white wine, and the iconic Vaud landscape.
Lausanne Vevey Chaplin Day
chaplin-museum · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Lausanne to Vevey — the picturesque lakeside town with the spectacular Chaplin's World museum (Charlie Chaplin lived here for 25 years), the giant fork in the lake, and the iconic Belle Époque atmosphere.
Lausanne Flon District
creative-quarter · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The Flon district — Lausanne's spectacular former industrial area transformed into a vibrant creative quarter with bars, clubs, restaurants, the famous escalators, and the iconic Lausanne nightlife.
Lausanne Old Town Walking
old-town-walk · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Lausanne Old Town walking tour — exploring the spectacular medieval centre with the famous Place de la Palud, the historic Town Hall, the rooftop terraces, and the unique Swiss-French heritage.
Lausanne Montreux Day Trip
jazz-town · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Lausanne to Montreux — the spectacular "Pearl of the Riviera" with the famous Freddie Mercury statue, the Jazz Festival heritage, and the iconic Lake Geneva atmosphere.
Lausanne Lake Geneva Cruise
paddle-steamer · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) cruise from Lausanne — the spectacular paddle steamer cruise on the iconic Belle Époque CGN steamers, with views of the Vaud Riviera, the French Alps, and the historic Vevey-Montreux lakeside.
Things to do
- Lavaux Vineyard Terraces Walking Tour Cultural · 4 h · from CHF 110 per person
Where to stay in Lausanne
- Ouchy Lakefront about CHF 500 per night
Lausanne's premium lakeside quarter — Beau-Rivage Palace is here, with private lakeshore, the CGN boat pier to Geneva and Montreux, and the Olympic Museum in Parc du Denantou. The most beautiful Lausanne neighbourhood…
- Lausanne City Centre & Flon about CHF 240 per night
Lausanne's vibrant city centre between the M2 metro hub and the trendy Flon entertainment district — best for younger travellers who want nightlife, easy transit connections, and access to the old town, all at mid-range…
Hotels
- Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne 5-star · CHF 700 to CHF 3,000 per night
- Hotel Alpha-Palmiers Lausanne 4-star · CHF 200 to CHF 380 per night
Where to eat
- Café Romand Lausanne Swiss, French, Traditional · about CHF 40 per person
- La Brasserie de l'Ouchy Swiss, French, Seafood · about CHF 70 per person
- Restaurant Anne-Sophie Pic at Beau-Rivage Palace French, Contemporary, Fine-Dining · about CHF 380 per person
Getting to Lausanne
Nearest airport: Geneva (GVA), about 51 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Metro
- Transit Pass
- Walking
More in Switzerland
Frequently asked questions about Lausanne
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Lausanne?
- The highest-rated places in our Lausanne guide are Lausanne Chillon Castle, Lausanne Lavaux Vineyards, Lausanne Ouchy Lakefront, Lausanne Montreux Day Trip, Lausanne Lake Geneva Cruise.
- Where should I stay in Lausanne?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Lausanne: Ouchy Lakefront, Lausanne City Centre & Flon.
- How do I get around Lausanne?
- Ways to get around Lausanne covered in our guide: Metro, Transit pass, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Lausanne?
- The nearest airport to Lausanne has the code GVA.