Lausanne rises steeply above Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), a city of medieval lanes, Belle Époque elegance, and cutting-edge museums. Once a Roman settlement, it later became the Olympic Capital, hosting the International Olympic Committee and one of the world’s most engaging sports museums. Its hillside neighborhoods are tethered by Switzerland’s only metro, making this compact city easy to explore.

Just east of town, the Lavaux terraced vineyards ripple toward the water—stone-walled slopes shaped over a millennium and now protected by UNESCO. Tiny wine villages like Lutry, Cully, and Epesses invite tastings of Chasselas, the region’s crisp, lake-kissed white wine. On the lake, historic paddle steamers connect Lausanne with Montreux and Chillon Castle, an itinerary-friendly way to cruise past Alps and vines.

Expect French as the local language, friendly service, and Swiss precision. Sundays are quieter and some shops close, so plan museum and shopping time accordingly. Taste Vaud classics like papet vaudois (leeks and potatoes with sausage), fondue moitié-moitié, and filets de perche, then finish with artisan chocolate—because in Lausanne, culture and cuisine share top billing.

Lausanne

Lausanne blends a lively university vibe with centuries of history. The Gothic Cathedral crowns the Old Town, its watchman still calling the hours from the belfry at night—a tradition since 1405. Down by the water in Ouchy, palms sway along promenades, sailboats bob in the breeze, and sunsets paint the Alps pink.

• Top sights: Lausanne Cathedral, Escaliers du Marché, Ouchy promenade, The Olympic Museum, Plateforme 10 (MCBA, Photo Elysée, mudac), and the Lavaux vineyards.
• Local flavor: Bistro culture at Café de Grancy and Brasserie de Montbenon; rustic fondue at La Pinte Besson (1780); lakeside fish at Le Vieil Ouchy and Restaurant du Port.
• Fun facts: Lausanne’s M2 is Switzerland’s only metro; Lavaux terraces date back over 1,000 years; and the city’s nightly cathedral watch is one of Europe’s last.

Where to stay

• Beau-Rivage Palace (splurge, lakeside Ouchy): A grand Belle Époque icon with parkland and spa—ideal for romantic stays. Book via Hotels.com.
• Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne (upper-mid, by the marina): Steps from the lake and boats, great for runners and families. Book via Hotels.com.
• Hotel du Marché (budget, near Old Town): Simple and central; good value for walkers. Book via Hotels.com.
• Prefer an apartment? Browse vetted stays on VRBO Lausanne or compare hotels on Hotels.com Lausanne.

Getting there

• Flights: The closest hub is Geneva Airport (GVA). Search international fares on Trip.com (great for long-haul) or Europe routes on Omio Flights.
• Trains: From GVA to Lausanne: 45–55 minutes direct, ~CHF 27 in 2nd class. From Zurich Airport (ZRH): about 2 h 30–2 h 45 with one change, ~CHF 60–80. Check times and prices on Omio Trains.
• On arrival: Lausanne’s M2 metro links the station to the lake and Old Town. Consider a Swiss Travel Pass if you’ll ride trains, boats, and museums often.

Day 1: Ouchy Welcome, Olympic Spirit, and Old Town Sunset

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and fuel up with pour-overs and cinnamon rolls at Blackbird Downtown Diner & Bakery near the station, or grab a flat white at The Lausanne Coffee Project by Riponne. Stroll the Esplanade de Montbenon for your first big Lake Geneva panorama and an orientation to the city’s hills.

Afternoon: Head to lakeside Ouchy. Walk the flower-lined promenade past the marina, sculptures, and swans. Then dive into sport and culture at The Olympic Museum—interactive exhibits, athlete stories, and torches through the ages make it compelling even for non-sports fans.

Cap the visit with coffee on the museum terrace overlooking the Alps. If legs need a break, ride metro M2 (Ouchy–Olympique ↔ Lausanne-Gare ↔ Flon) instead of tackling the hills.

Evening: For dinner, book Brasserie de Montbenon, a Belle Époque hall with lake views; try the papet vaudois or lake-fish meunière. Craving rustic Swiss? La Pinte Besson serves classic fondue moitié-moitié in a centuries-old tavern. Nightcap at Ta Cave (by-the-glass Swiss wines, charcuterie) or The Great Escape (craft beers, animated terrace). For a twilight view, return to the Esplanade de Montbenon.

Day 2: UNESCO Lavaux Wine Terraces and a Belle Époque Lake Cruise

Morning: Coffee and flaky pastries at Sleepy Bear Coffee, then take a 7–12 minute regional train from Lausanne to Lutry or Cully (~CHF 3–6; check Omio Trains). Join the guided Vine Stories: Lavaux & Lutry Wine Walk to learn how monks carved these terraces and why Chasselas pairs so well with lake fish. Easy walking, big views, generous stories—and a tasting or two.

For lunch, linger at Auberge de la Gare in Grandvaux (beloved terrace; order the perch fillets in brown butter) or Auberge du Raisin in Cully (wood beams, seasonal Vaud plates).

Afternoon: Return to Ouchy for a classic cruise: the Round-Trip Cruise from Lausanne to Chillon. Board a historic paddle steamer, glide past the Lavaux slopes and Montreux, and arrive by water at Chillon Castle—the most photogenic approach. Even if you don’t disembark, the lake-and-Alps scenery alone is worth the ride.

Evening: Back in Ouchy, dine at Le Vieil Ouchy (raclette, rösti, and perch in a cozy chalet setting) or Restaurant du Port (fresh lake fish, sunny terrace). Sweet tooth? Labo Gelateria churns excellent gelato by the marina. If you fancy a splurge, the two-Michelin-star restaurant at the Beau-Rivage Palace makes for a memorable tasting-menu finale—reserve well ahead.

Day 3: Old Town Stories, Cathedral Views, and Plateforme 10 Art

Morning: Join a storyteller-led Guided Walking Tour in Lausanne through the Old Town. Climb the Escaliers du Marché to the Cathedral for stained glass and sweeping city-lake views; hear how the night watch tradition persists; and pass centuries-old guild houses that most visitors miss.

Warm up with the city’s most indulgent hot chocolate at Le Barbare beside the wooden stairway, or grab a light brunch at Café Saint Pierre on Place de la Riponne.

Afternoon: Before departure, dip into Plateforme 10, Lausanne’s cultural hub beside the station. Choose one: MCBA (fine arts from Hodler to contemporary), Photo Elysée (photography), or mudac (design and applied arts). For a quick, tasty lunch on-site, Le Nabi does seasonal plates and Swiss wines by the glass. Pick up edible souvenirs—Gruyère, tomme vaudoise, and local honey—at La Ferme Vaudoise near Place de la Palud.

When it’s time to go, trains to Geneva Airport run about every 15 minutes (45–55 minutes; book or check schedules on Omio Trains), while Zurich Airport is about 2.5 hours with a simple connection. For flights, compare options on Omio Flights for intra-Europe or Trip.com for long-haul.

Alternative/seasonal ideas: If skies are crystal-clear and you want bigger mountains, swap part of Day 2 for the Glacier 3000 high-alpine experience or keep it ultra-local with a self-guided tasting in Cully’s village wine cellars. On Saturdays, browse Lausanne’s open-air market around Place de la Palud for cheese, breads, and flowers.

Bonus for fans of photography: Consider a quick 90-minute shoot with a local to find the best angles around Château Saint-Maire, Place de la Cathédrale, and Montbenon’s terrace—your images will thank you.

Booked activities referenced in this itinerary

• The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne

  

• Vine Stories: Lavaux & Lutry wine walk

  

• Round-trip cruise from Lausanne to Chillon

  

• Guided Walking Tour in Lausanne

  

In three days, Lausanne reveals itself as a lakefront beauty with substance: art and design at Plateforme 10, living traditions in the Old Town, and UNESCO vineyards at its doorstep. With easy trains, delightful food, and world-class scenery, it’s a city that invites both slow mornings and adventurous afternoons—and rewards every step up its storied hills.