Lake Geneva Region, Switzerland
Morning: Arrive in Lausanne, get your free Lausanne Transport Card. Take the M2 metro down to Ouchy. Walk along the picturesque lakeside promenade. Visit the Olympic Museum for a concise but engaging overview. Enjoy a lakeside lunch in Ouchy.
Afternoon: Explore the unique architecture and shops of Flon district. From Flon, walk up to La Cité (Old Town). Visit the magnificent Lausanne Cathedral, climbing its tower for panoramic views. Evening: Enjoy dinner in the charming Old Town or the lively Flon district. If time permits, experience some of Flon's nightlife. Book Lausanne experiences.
Make the most of a short visit with these curated suggestions.
Arrive in Lausanne, check in, and get your Lausanne Transport Card. Head to Ouchy. Explore the Olympic Museum and stroll along the picturesque lakeside promenade. Enjoy dinner in Ouchy.
Morning: Explore La Cité (Old Town): visit the Cathedral (climb the tower), wander through Place de la Palud and the historic Escaliers du Marché. Consider a visit to the unique Collection de l'Art Brut. Lunch in the Old Town area. Afternoon: Discover Plateforme 10, Lausanne's arts district (MCBA, Musée de l'Élysée).
Take a half-day trip to the Lavaux vineyards (an UNESCO World Heritage site). Take a train to Lutry, then enjoy a scenic hike through the vineyards to Cully, stopping for a wine tasting at a local cellar (Cave). Take a CGN boat back to Ouchy for a different perspective. Depart from Lausanne in the afternoon or evening.
Days 1-3 follow the Weekend Getaway itinerary, allowing more time for museums or longer walks. Day 4: Montreux & Chillon Castle. Day 5: Gruyères & Chocolate. Day 6: Lausanne Deep Dive or Jura Mountains. Day 7: Departure or Geneva.
For stays of a month or more, consider renting an apartment in a neighborhood like Epalinges for a more local experience and potentially better value. Focus on exploring different neighborhoods, taking French language classes, and undertaking extensive day trips.
Rent an apartment for local living.
Take French language classes.
Extensive day trips throughout Switzerland and nearby countries.
Tailor your itinerary to your specific interests.
Explore Lausanne Cathedral, Château Saint-Maire, and Musée Historique. Visit Palais de Rumine. Day trips to Gruyères Castle and Chillon Castle.
Lavaux vineyard tours and wine tasting. Indulge in cheese fondue and raclette dinners. Taste Malakoff in local Vaudois villages. Participate in a chocolate-making workshop.
Hiking in the Lavaux vineyards or the nearby Jura mountains. Cycling along the Lake Geneva promenade. Paddleboarding or kayaking on Lake Geneva. Day trip to a mountain peak like Rochers de Naye for panoramic views and hiking.
Olympic Museum (highly interactive for kids). Sauvabelin Forest and its tower (small animal park). Lake Geneva boat trip. Parc de Mon Repos for play. Piscine de Bellerive-Plage (outdoor pool complex) in summer. Chaplin's World in Vevey.
Plateforme 10 (MCBA, Musée de l'Élysée, mudac) for a modern art and design experience. Collection de l'Art Brut for unique outsider art. Lausanne Cathedral for impressive Gothic architecture. Explore the Flon district for its fascinating industrial architecture repurposed into modern spaces.
Peaceful walks in city parks (Mon Repos, Olympic Park). Quiet reflection at Lausanne Cathedral. Day trip to Lavey-les-Bains thermal baths for relaxation. Spend quiet moments by Lake Geneva.
Travelers can make Lausanne work for various budgets.
Stay in hostels or campsites. Maximize the free Lausanne Transport Card for all urban transport. Prepare your own meals from supermarkets (Coop, Migros). Focus on free attractions (Cathedral nave, parks, walking tours, Ouchy promenade). Use a Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass for cost-effective day trips by train.
Utilize a Swiss Travel Pass or Saver Day Pass for cost-effective day trips by train.
Focus on the Cathedral nave, city parks, walking tours, and the Ouchy promenade. Find budget activities on GetYourGuide.
Stay in comfortable 3-star hotels or mid-range Airbnb apartments. Enjoy a mix of casual restaurants and self-catered meals. Use public transport extensively. Visit a few paid attractions like the Olympic Museum. Indulge in a wine tasting in Lavaux.
Stay in 5-star hotels (Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne Palace). Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. Utilize private transfers or first-class train tickets for comfort. Indulge in spa treatments, private boat tours on Lake Geneva, and exclusive guided tours.
Travel during the shoulder season for better prices and fewer crowds. Book accommodation that includes the free Lausanne Transport Card. Look for "plat du jour" (lunch specials) at restaurants for more affordable meals. Use ATMs for currency exchange to get better rates.
Each season offers unique experiences.
More specific activities per season.
Experience the festive Christmas Markets in December. Enjoy nearby skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the Jura or Alps. Cozy up with fondue and raclette experiences. Consider ice skating in local rinks.
The Vendanges (grape harvest) in Lavaux is a highlight, presenting special events and wine tastings. Explore Lavaux tours.
Enjoy the blossoming landscapes and fewer crowds. This is a pleasant time for hiking, and the vineyards begin to come alive.
