Best Things To Do in Lausanne, Switzerland

Are you looking for what to do in Lausanne?

PLACES TO SEE

  • Lausanne Cathedral: One of Switzerland’s finest Gothic Cathedrals is right in the centre of the Old Town. The Lausanne Cathedral is often referred to as the place from where you should begin your tour of Lausanne. From July to September, free guided tours are conducted.
  • Musee de l'Elysee: True to its name, the Musee de l’Elysee is a plethora of photographs and montages. With over 100,000 photographs on display, the most popular exhibition is some 10,000 photos dedicated to the life of beloved comedy actor, Charlie Chaplin.
  • Brut Art Collection: What’s unique about the art collection here is the kind of people who created the works of art here. Brut, meaning rough or crude, here means that people who were considered to be misfits amongst the conventional society decided to create an artistic space for themselves by way of the exhibits on display here.

Below we have a list of things to do in Lausanne and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Lausanne getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Lausanne with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Lausanne

Here is the list of things to do in Lausanne and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Olympic Museum Lausanne

    4.6 (2253 Votes)
    Olympic Museum Lausanne

    Art And Culture, Landmark, Historical Site, Memorial

    The only place in the world to geek out on the Olympic Games. A quarter million annual visitors, a location right next to the OIC HQ, 10000 items on exhibit (making it the largest Olympic exhibit, not to mention the 87000 items in total) spread out over 3000 square metres, and spanning 2000+ years of Olympic history –this is the real deal. The museum makes fantastic use of multimedia that...Read more
  2. Brut Art Collection

    4.5 (1160 Votes)
    Brut Art Collection

    Art And Culture, Art Gallery

    First off, “Brut Art” is art “created outside not only the boundaries of conventional culture, but by those outside mainstream society.” People on the fringes of society (schizophrenics, loners, lost souls, and the criminally insane) suddenly decide they want to be expressive y’know? This is art free of any moral value, traditional guidance, or creative convention....Read more
  3. Ouchy Port

    4.4 (959 Votes)
    Ouchy Port

    Picnic Spot, Harbour, Port

    South of Lausanne, north of the Swiss-French border on Lake Geneva, and in actual view of France land, Ouchy is a highly popular port and resort. It was once only a fishing village/port, and the atractions today create a strk contrast from those days. You get: The quays that are so popular with skaters. The gardens Elysium and Dapples and the Olympic Park, with beautiful sculptures and rose-be...Read more
  4. Sauvabelin Tower

    4.6 (953 Votes)
    Sauvabelin Tower

    View Point, Tower, Picnic Spot, Skyscrapper

    Brilliant panoramic views over Lausanne, the surrounding woods and lake, and encircling mountains – that’s the USP here. It’s looks like a fairy-tale, rural skyscraper - and yes, it’s all wooden, the 302 steps to the top included. The tower hasn’t any historical significance; it was built to mark the celebrations of entering the third millennium. However, at 35 met...Read more
  5. Musee De L'elysee

    4.5 (698 Votes)
    Musee De L'elysee

    Museum, Photo Gallery

    This is a museum for photographs, and only photographs – about 100,000 of them. Housed in a charming house between Ouchy and the train station, the collections include historical, modern and contemporary works. Its crowning glory, however, is “The 100 Years of Tramp” exhibition, about 10,000 pictures collected from across Charlie Chaplin’s entire career.
  6. Musee Et Jardin Botanique Lausanne

    Botanical Garden, Nature

    Jardin Botanique is an out of the world botanical garden and museum that is situated to the south of Lausanne. The garden studies in detail the protection measures of local flora and promotes the awareness pertaining to biodiversity and nature essentials. The museum enlists rare plants and endangered species contributing to the protection of flora in the district. The beautiful botanical garden...Read more
  7. La Suisse Steam Paddle Boat

    Lake, Boating

    Enjoy a pleasant steam paddle boat ride that offers picturesque views of the city of Lausanne. The ride usually sails you to Chateau Chillon which is a magnificent castle on the banks of Lake Geneva, and back. The boat ride is an ideal trip with family and can prove to be very romantic with your spouse. Don’t miss it.
  8. Vivarium

    4.3 (146 Votes)
    Vivarium

    Zoo, Educational Site

    Lausanne claims to have the largest collection of reptiles open to common people which is located close to the Sauvabelin wood. The varied variety comprises of snakes, lizards, scorpions, Komodo dragon, tarantulas and their predators: fennecs, iguana, birds of prey, crocodiles, tortoises, amphibians and more. The zoo/ museum have taken special care to create an atmosphere with living conditions...Read more
  9. Rolex Learning Center Epfl

    4.4 (180 Votes)
    Rolex Learning Center Epfl

    Library, Educational Site, Architecture

    Designed in Japanese Architecture, the Rolex Learning Center EPFL is home to work space and a library. The world perceives this centre as a laboratory for learning. The library is more like an international cultural hub for EPFL and welcomes both students as well as public. If you are looking for some good reads of have something to study about the Rolex Learning Center EPFL should definitely b...Read more
  10. Bejart Ballet Lausanne

    4.8 (162 Votes)
    Bejart Ballet Lausanne

    Entertainment, Performance, Theatre, Concert

    The Bejart Ballet is a private foundation that was established in 1987. The performances at the theatre are indeed commendable. The theatre also hosts a couple of musical events each year.
  11. Blonay-chamby Railroad

    Outdoors, Entertainment

    The Blonay-Chamby Railroad is replete with continental collections of railway stock manufactured by the Swiss companies as well as other functional companies way back in history. In the yard of the museum you will see about 60 vehicles on display. The museum also features an exhibition hall, a workshop, a panoramic museum café, a coal and steam engine servicing yard and a water tower.
  12. Esplanade De Montbenon

    4.4 (383 Votes)
    Esplanade De Montbenon

    Outdoors, Garden, Park, Adventure

    Esplanade de Montbenon is a sumptuous park offering a breathtaking Lausanne panorama. The park is beautifully spread on the banks of Lake Lausanne. The park is also an ideal place for an evening stroll. The highlights of the park include the lush green lawns, a pond with aquatic plants and water jets and an open air theatre.
  13. Chateau Saint-maire

    4.1 (214 Votes)
    Chateau Saint-maire

    Educational Site, Historical Site, Heritage Building

    The Chateau Saint-Maire was built by the Bishops of Lausanne between 1400 and 1430. The Chateau Saint-Maire is located up a hill near the cathedral. The walk may get tiring but is completely worth the time and energy. At the top of the hill you get a commendable view of the city which is enough to ease out the chaos and stress on your mind.
  14. Theatre De Vidy

    4.4 (112 Votes)
    Theatre De Vidy

    Entertainment, Performance, Theatre, Concert

    Theatre de Vidy presents remarkable and distinctive pieces and concerts that hosts over three shows in a day during peak season. The theatre is located by the lake which makes for a picturesque surrounding encompassing this entertaining building.
  15. Musee Historique De Lausanne

    Art And Culture, Art Gallery, Museum, Cathedral

    The highlight of the MuseeHistorique de Lausanne is a 250 square foot model of what Lausanne looked like in the 17th century. Situated right across from the cathedral, until the turn of the 15th century, the bishops of the cathedral used to live in this splendid manor. Changing many administrations- after the bishops’ residence, it subsequently became a jailhouse, a court and a hospital- ...Read more