Lausanne is one of Switzerland’s most underrated cities — a compact, hilly city on the northern shore of Lake Geneva with a stunning Gothic cathedral, a vibrant Olympic Museum, and some of the best views of the Alps across the water that Switzerland has to offer. The things to do in Lausanne are the perfect mix of culture, lakeside life, and Swiss charm, and the city makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Lavaux wine terraces and the wider Lake Geneva region.
HOW TO GET TO LAUSANNE
Lausanne is extremely well connected by train — about 45 minutes from Geneva, 1.5 hours from Zurich, and 1.5 hours from Bern. The train station (Lausanne-Gare) is in the city centre and the metro connects it directly to the lakeside neighbourhood of Ouchy in about 6 minutes. Lausanne is also on the main TGV route from Paris, arriving in about 3.5 hours.
Pro Tip: Get an eSIM before you travel. Saily is our go-to — code THEJETLAGJOURNEY25 for 25% off. Airalo is a great alternative (code JLJ10 for 10% off).
WHERE TO STAY IN LAUSANNE
Lausanne spreads across three distinct levels — the upper city around the cathedral, the city centre around the train station, and the lakeside neighbourhood of Ouchy. Ouchy is our recommendation for first-time visitors — direct lake views, the Olympic Museum on your doorstep, and easy metro access to the upper city. The city centre is good for convenience and nightlife access.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN LAUSANNE
Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale de Lausanne) — one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Switzerland, sitting on the highest point of the upper city. The climb up through the medieval streets is part of the experience. The view from the top of the tower over the city and Lake Geneva below is outstanding. Free to enter; small fee for the tower.
Olympic Museum — Lausanne is the home of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum in Ouchy is one of the best sports museums in the world. Interactive, beautifully designed, and covering the full history of the Games. Allow two to three hours. Book tickets in advance.
Ouchy Lakefront — the lakeside promenade at Ouchy is one of the most pleasant waterfront walks in Switzerland. The Alps across the lake to the south are spectacular on a clear day. Rent a bike and cycle along the lake toward Vevey, or take the CGN lake boat across to Évian-les-Bains in France for a day trip.
Lavaux Wine Terraces — a UNESCO-listed wine growing region stretching east from Lausanne along the lake shore. The terraced vineyards climbing the hillside above the water with Lake Geneva and the Alps as the backdrop are extraordinary. Walk the Lavaux trail between Lutry and Rivaz for the best views. Wine tasting at local producers is excellent and very reasonably priced by Swiss standards.
Place de la Palud and the Old Town — the medieval heart of Lausanne around the market square, with its 16th century fountain and Renaissance town hall. The covered stairways connecting the different levels of the city are one of Lausanne’s most distinctive architectural features.
Day Trip to Montreux and Chillon Castle — about 30 minutes by train east along the lake, Montreux is famous for its jazz festival and the stunning Château de Chillon sitting directly on the water at the lake’s edge. One of the most picturesque castles in Switzerland. Easy half-day trip from Lausanne.
ETIAS — WHAT AMERICAN TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW
Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, so ETIAS will apply to American travelers from late 2026. It takes about 10 minutes to apply and costs €20. Read our complete ETIAS guide for everything you need to know.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN LAUSANNE
How many days do you need in Lausanne?
Two days is ideal — one for the cathedral, old town, and Olympic Museum, and one for the Lavaux wine terraces and a day trip to Montreux and Chillon Castle. Lausanne is also a great base for day trips to Geneva and Bern.
Is Lausanne worth visiting?
Yes — it is consistently overlooked in favour of Geneva and Zurich but has a character and setting that both cities lack. The combination of the Gothic cathedral, the Olympic Museum, the lakefront, and the Lavaux vineyards makes it genuinely excellent for two days.
What are the Lavaux wine terraces?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site stretching east of Lausanne — vineyards terraced up the hillside above Lake Geneva with the Alps as the backdrop. The walking trail between Lutry and Rivaz is about 6km and one of the most beautiful walks in Switzerland. Wine tasting at producers along the route is excellent.
How do I get from Lausanne to Thun?
About 1.5 hours by train via Bern. The two cities make a natural pairing — Lake Geneva and the Bernese Oberland in one Switzerland trip. Read our complete Thun guide for everything you need.
MORE FROM THE JET LAG JOURNEY
Read our Thun city guide — our favourite place in Switzerland. For the full country, our 10 day Switzerland itinerary covers everything. For keeping costs down, read our Switzerland budget travel tips. And for planning your wider European trip, our Europe trip planning guide covers all the logistics.
