Location: Lausanne
Top Things to do in Lausanne
10 Things to do in Lausanne That You Shouldn't Miss
Lausanne was once an intellectual capital, attracting great thinkers such as Rousseau and Voltaire. Today it is a haven for those who love water skiing, swimming and sailing. The International Olympic Committee is even headquartered here. The town's history is evident, though, in its medieval cathedral, the museums of the Palais de Rumine, and Ouchy, the port where Lord Byron wrote "The Prisoner of Chillon" and the Treaty of Lausanne was ratified. For great views, hike up to the Signal de Sauvabelin.
Restaurants in Lausanne
1. Collection de l'Art Brut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
Reviewed By JudeG139
The unexpected, the unusual, a home for outsider art before there was even such a category. Naive, regional and outsider artists convene in one outstanding collection of truly rarified art. Don't miss the tattoo collection (yes actual skin) dating from the 19th century. If you like strange exotic and esoteric art, this is the place for you!
2. The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,591 reviews
Would you like to relive great Olympic moments? Feel the pulse of the champions? The world of the Games with its many facets will open up to you! The Museum has 3000 m2 of exhibition space, over 1500 exhibits, 150 screens and our passion, combining to create the ultimate experience and give you some great stories to tell.
Reviewed By LunaNina-P - Athens, Greece
There is not a single corner of this museum that will make you feel bored! Amazing exhibits from all over the world, the guests can find interactive activities in every room, video walls, an amazing archive of all the history of the Olympic Games. A great choice for visitors of all ages!
3. Cathedrale de Lausanne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,845 reviews
Reviewed By Crvan - Weston, United States
After our tour of the Parc de Mon Repos, we hiked our way uphill to the cathedral; it is quite the workout the way we came as it was all uphill and we had to take a couple breathers before we made it to the top by the cathedral. The cathedral was dedicated in 1275 and is situated in the higher portions of Lausanne; from different vantage points around the cathedral, you have splendid views of Old Town Lausanne and of Lake Geneva. The architecture and the detailed carvings by the main entryway are outstanding and gorgeous. This is definitely one of the more beautiful churches inside and out in Switzerland. The interior is also well appointed and well worth a tour inside to see it and learn more of its history. This is one of the top three must see destinations in Lausanne.
4. Fondation de l'Hermitage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Top-notch art museum with impressive exhibitions from master painters from the Renaissance to the 21th century.
Reviewed By dlhutchison - Kentville, Canada
Amazing exhibition of Canadian Impressionism in this jewel of a gallery. The city is so fortunate to have such an amazing home to display heritage work in a heritage parlour environment. The staff and director are top notch!
5. Sauvabelin Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Reviewed By 532ramar - London, United Kingdom
This place was 10 min drive away from where we were staying so we decided to visit. It was the first place we visited in the day and it's built in a cute little wooded park. It's a tall tower built entirely in wood - not ticketed but only about 50 odd people can go at a time. It wasn't crowded at all first thing in the morning so it was very pleasant. The stairs are built like a double helix and there are 2 such stairways. The kids took one way and we took the other. There are 151 steps one way and it's a pretty easy climb for an average family. The views from the top are great - Lausanne town and green areas on one side and the mighty Alps on the other with Lake Geneva in the foreground. Not unmissable, but surely worth a visit if you are in the area.
6. Le Port d'Ouchy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,175 reviews
Reviewed By Bird880
Our first visit to Lausanne, loved it! Stayed just up the hill from Ouchy, at the Royal Savoy, an excellent hotel. The port was our playground for four days, the scenic host to the run course and blue carpet finish for our world champs races, plus a great place to eat and socialise throughout the event. We hopped on a very clean and efficient ferry to Evian on the French side of Lake Geneva which was a superb day out, and loved the fabulous old buildings and character of Ouchy....a memorable break and would love to return!
7. La Suisse - Belle Epoque - paddle steamboat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By IsaDesOsiers - Lausanne, Switzerland
I cannot tell you how lovely and fun these collections of old boats are that are affiliated with the Swiss Rail System and take lovely short and long tours on the exquisite mountain lakes of Switzerland. Obviously, Lake Geneva, which is surrounded by both the Swiss Alps and the French Alps, has breathtaking panoramas and marvelous little and big villages clinging on the the steep cliffs filled with vineyards. There are restaurants on board with really really good French cuisine and wine. I like to take lunch on the boats if I take a longer trip. Lunch in Switzerland is the main meal of the day. I recommend the "Carte" or full menu for a fixed price. Then you get an entrée, main dish, and desert with drinks charged extra. The dining rooms are really pretty and you look out on the landscape as you share a meal and float along. You can also go sit on the decks outside and have a glass of wine or a good expresso and take in the clean air and sunshine. Go down and have a look at the engines in these old boats, full of polished brass fittings and cogs, they are in themselves works of art. There are short trips just going across the lake from Switzerland to France or the reverse and getting out in a quaint village to walk around, and that is a nice one with younger children, who get restless on long boat rides and start wanting to hang over the side and other terrifying normal kid antics. Evian is a lovely village, (yes! where the water comes from, they have a thermal source or something if you like taking the waters), or Yvoire, both in France, as is Montreux very lovely on the Swiss side, for a little walk about. Montreux has a nice little playground right on the lake on the esplanade where people stroll, full of cafés and shops. You buy a ticket for the round trip, get off where you like, and then catch the next boat that you wish to. Just look when you get off to know how much you have, just to make sure you don't miss the last boat or something. Sometimes they have events at night, like a concert with supper, or sophisticated jazz. The local tourist bureau or train station will have all the info, either on the websites or in person.
8. Place de la Palud
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By muzique1960 - Woodridge, United States
This charming plaza with the fountain and the town hall, is here in central Lausanne! The chimes and story that can be heard (through some kind of speaker!) is quite wonderful, as you watch the figures move on the clock in the plaza. (We heard the chimes from the cathedral, and followed the sound, down the Escalier du Marche, until we found the Place de la Palud!). A small and historical plaza!
9. Thai Pavilion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By BELINDABitola - Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia
The City of Lausanne has the privilege of being the home of a royal Thai pavilion in Denantou Park, one of its loveliest green spaces on the shores of Lake Geneva.
10. AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium Lausanne
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 596 reviews
AQUATIS invites visitors to immerse themselves in a journey on the five continents to discover the main freshwater ecosystems. Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America... an exceptional journey!
Reviewed By Unfairytale - London, United Kingdom
I've been there alone and it was a good place to see. I didn't expect anything special, but I was still really surprised (in a good way). I've booked an happy hour ticket on the website (you can have a ticket for 10 CHF instead of 29.-), and even if it's only from 5 PM and it closes at 6 PM, it was enough to see everything. I've really liked the fact you can see many informations about local fishes, fishes around the world, snakes, other animals...and you can also put it in different languages. I didn't like too much to see some spiders (big ones !) but only because I didn't expect that. Otherwise, I recommend this place, it really worth it ! Check on the website to book your tickets, you can have 30% off the price, or as said before, happy hour tickets. Enjoy !
