Lausanne travel guide: What to do in the scenic city located on Lake Geneva

What to do 

Olympic museum 

While it might not be widely known, Lausanne is the Olympic capital and visitors can find out all about the historical games at the museum. 

Walk through with a guided audio tour and discover the history of the games, see the iconic torches and trophies and even try out some sporting games for yourself. 

Tickets from 20CHF (around £17).

Dip in Lake Geneva

Cool off on a warm day, or even brave a dip in the colder months. Those in Lausanne can immerse themselves in the world-famous Lake Geneva and enjoy a swim with stunning views of the mountains. If swimming isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy a boat ride along the lake with lots of stops, or even hire a pedalo.

Visit the Cathedral 

The Cathedral can be found at the top of Lausanne town and is open for the public to enter. Gaze upon the glass windows and learn the history, or climb up the stairs for an extra 5CHF (around £4.50) and enjoy panoramic views of the city, lake and mountains. 

Wine tasting at Domaine Croix Duplex

A short train trip to Grandvaux and you will find the Domaine Croix Duplex vineyard. The family-run vineyard was established in 1929 and offers a range of delicious local wines. 

Opt for a wine tasting and you can enjoy a range of local tipples while gazing upon spectacular views of the area. If visiting, make sure to try the delicious white wine, Calamin Grand Cru. Finish the afternoon with a stroll through the vineyards down to the lake. 

Wine tastings from 15CHF (around £13).

Visit platforme 10 

The newly opened platforme 10 is home to three museums, featuring traditional art, changing exhibitions and photographs.

 All located in the same area and in two modern buildings, you can visit Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts (MCBA), museum of  Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac), and Photo Elysée.

Entry to one museum from CHF 15 (around £13). Discount available if visiting all three.

Where to eat

Lacustre

Down at the waterfront, the Lacustre restaurant and bar has a lively buzz with affordable food and drinks. Order bar snacks or opt for a delicious freshly made pizza while taking in the 360 degree views with a seat on the terrace.  

Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Sardine

Located in town near the historic cathedral, guests can sit in the private courtyard and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat from the extensive menu. It offers a range of unique dishes with generous portion sizes. 

Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Nabi

If looking for a light bite, Nabi is the perfect spot located in MCBA at Platforme 10. The menu is ever-changing, following the seasons with the harvests of local producers in mind.

This is not just for museum visitors, however, and it is also conveniently located just minutes from the main train station.  

Open Tuesday-Sunday.

Where to stay

Hôtel Best Western Mirabeau

The Best Western Hotel has traditional decor and is incredibly well connected to the sites of the city.

It is near the main train station, metro and with a bus route directly outside that leads to lake Geneva in less than 10 minutes.

It is also within walking distance of the shops and the main train station.