Lausanne Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Lausanne showing an administrative building and street scenes
This Olympic city along Lake Geneva is the perfect destination for a short trip with its alpine panorama, the historical old town as well as exciting nightlife.

The heart of the old town, called the Cité, is home to a number of buildings from the Middle Ages. The most famous monument is definitely the cathedral Notre-Dame in Lausanne. It sits high above the city and is considered the most significant Gothic structure in Switzerland. The window rose from the 13th century has become world-famous. And the organ is worth a visit as well. Not only because it contains 7,000 different organ pipes but also because it has a fascinating American-Italian story. Be sure to climb the tower of the cathedral, so as not to miss a beautiful view across Lausanne and Lake Geneva while on your city trip to Lausanne.

The nightlife of the city primarily takes place in the districts of Le Flon and Ouchy. Modern entertainment centres as well as a number of clubs and bars invite visitors to party. For transport across the city while on your mini-break in Lausanne, simply take the underground which is remote controlled. It was expanded by a second line in 2008 and connects the different districts in Lausanne. The metro’s rail network covers a change in altitude of 336 metres with inclines of 12%.

After 20 months of renovations, the Olympic Museum, located in the district Montchoisi, finally opened its doors again. Visitors are invited to marvel at an interactive exhibition about the history and successes of the Olympic Games. Another attraction is the Olympic Park which offers expansive views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. One highlight of the park is the virtual competitive track on which visitors can compete with the current Olympic champions in the 100 yard dash.

The Bois-de-Vaux is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Switzerland and a must for Visitors on a city trip to Lausanne. When the architect Laverrière designed the cemetery, he attempted to provide the atmosphere of a generous park. Famous people like Coco Chanel and Pierre de Coubertin are buried here. Sports enthusiasts are invited to visit the ice-skating stadium Malley in the district Sébillon/Malley. Ice hockey games as well as figure skating events take place here. The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 spectators and houses not only sporting events but also cultural spectacles during which the tracks can be transformed into a stage.

Where to stay in Lausanne

Lausanne featuring a square or plaza and a pond as well as a large group of people

Lausanne Center

4/5(40 area reviews)

Lausanne Center is known for its fantastic lake views, and you can make a stop by Lausanne Cathedral and Hôtel de Ville while in the area.

Lausanne Center
Olympic Museum showing outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

Ouchy

If you're spending time in Ouchy, you might enjoy attractions like Ouchy Port and Olympic Museum. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's fantastic lake views before hopping on the metro at Lausanne Ouchy Station to see more of the city.

Ouchy
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Montoie-Bourdonnette

Montoie-Bourdonnette is noteworthy for its lake views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like International Olympic Committee and Espace des Inventions.

Montoie-Bourdonnette
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Montriond-Cour

Visitors to Montriond-Cour enjoy its lake views, and if you want to do some exploring, Theatre de Vidy is worth a stop.

Montriond-Cour
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Le Flon

Le Flon might not have many top sights, but Lausanne Cathedral and Palais de Beaulieu are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Le Flon
Hotel Continental
Hotel Continental
4 out of 5
Place de la Gare 2, Lausanne
The price is £119 per night from 19 May to 20 May
£119
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lausanne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (544 reviews)
"If arriving by car, beware. Two lanes of taxi rank in front of hotel. No where for us to park. Had to find a public car park, then walk to hotel to check in. Staff advised us to park just off footpath then unload bags from car. Then given instructions of hotel accredited car park which is a 8 minute ..."

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2024

Hotel Continental
Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Avenue d'Ouchy 40, Lausanne, VD
The price is £270 per night from 19 May to 20 May
£270
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this luxury hotel in Lausanne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (427 reviews)
"Outstanding service and beautiful property !"

Reviewed on 15 Apr 2024

Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
Hotel Mirabeau, BW Signature Collection
Hotel Mirabeau, BW Signature Collection
4 out of 5
Avenue de la Gare 31, Lausanne, VD
The price is £148 per night from 12 May to 13 May
£148
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lausanne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (368 reviews)
"Great location, less than 10min walk from the train station. Staff were very friendly. Great buffet breakfast with hard boiled eggs, breads, meats and cheeses, cereals, espresso. Walking distance down to the lake or up to the castle area. Transit card included which I didn't not use."

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2024

Hotel Mirabeau, BW Signature Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Garden & City Evian Lugrin
Garden & City Evian Lugrin
3 out of 5
Chemin de chez Tupin, Lugrin, Haute-Savoie
Stay at this 3-star residence in Lugrin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Parc des Jardins de Haute-Savoie and Plage De ...
7.6/10 Good! (468 reviews)
"Loved the view from this property overlooking the lake. Would have like air conditioning. A warning to anyone washing their clothes in the on-site laundry. It automatically dispenses soap and even after washing out clothes a few times after it stank of the soap smell very strongly. It gave my wife ..."

Reviewed on 19 Sep 2023

Garden & City Evian Lugrin
Zenitude Hôtel - Résidences Les Terrasses du Lac
Zenitude Hôtel - Résidences Les Terrasses du Lac
3 out of 5
Route de l'Horloge, Evian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Evian-les-Bains. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (680 reviews)
Hotel Sympa avec une belle vue
"Hotel propre dans l'ensemble, la laiterie était très confortable et accueil très sympa. Je recommande"

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2024

Zenitude Hôtel - Résidences Les Terrasses du Lac
Auberge des Grands Bois
Auberge des Grands Bois
3.5 out of 5
10 Route des Grands-Bois, Buchillon
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Buchillon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Alpine Panorama Path and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (127 reviews)
"Endroit un peu en retrait mais près des services, studio très propre et beaucoup d'espace. Le petit déjeuner à la porte et très délicieux."

Reviewed on 6 Dec 2023

Auberge des Grands Bois
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lausanne

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
22
" "5 - Excellent 45.833333333333336%
4 - Good
24
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 4.166666666666667%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 Mar 2020

Very hilly town if wanting to walk anywhere but excellent public transport, with free ticket from hotel for duration of stay.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
11 Oct 2019

Beautiful Lac Leman with mountains in background. Good to visit in summer

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Aug 2019

Take the train to Montreux and walk along the beautiful promenade. Take the boat back to Lausanne.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Aug 2019

Find parking locations which is cheaper and try to negotiate charges for total number of days rather paying each trip. Lausanne is lovely place to visit with lots of attractions

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
11 Aug 2019

Close to London so only short journey. Train journey efficient from airport to resort

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Jul 2019

Nice compact town - very hilly but excellent metro system, free to visitors (pass given by the hotel).

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