Lausanne is a Swiss city located on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) in the Vaud region. The city is home to a charming historic center and several interesting attractions.
In this article, you will find information to help you plan an exceptional trip, covering itinerary ideas, hotel recommendations, dining options, and shopping spots.
3-Day Itinerary in Lausanne
Day 1 in Lausanne
On the first day in Lausanne, start by exploring the historic center.
Lausanne Cathedral is the city’s postcard and the first stop in the historic center. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Europe, attracting many visitors every year.
Next to the cathedral is the Musée Historique Lausanne, which showcases the history and culture of the city.
A short distance from the Musée Historique Lausanne is the Château St-Maire, a former castle dating back to the 1400s that serves as a government building.
Head to the Palais de Rumine, a Renaissance-style palace that houses, both temporary and permanent exhibitions. Close to the Palais de Rumine is the famous Place de la Palud square.
In the afternoon, visit the Olympic Museum and walk along the lakeside Quai d’Ouchy to the elegant Château d’Ouchy (a castle hotel in Switzerland that you can stay at).
Summary of Day 1 in Lausanne
- Lausanne Cathedral
- Musée Historique Lausanne
- Château St-Maire
- Palais de Rumine
- Place de la Palud
- Escaliers du Marche
- Olympic Museum
- Château d’Ouchy
Day 2 in Lausanne
On the second day in Lausanne, start the day by taking a boat trip to Vevey.
In the afternoon head to Sauvabelin Tower for panoramic views of the city.
End the day by visiting AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, a contemporary aquarium that houses the main freshwater ecosystems of the 5 continents (Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America). The aquarium also has a hotel with modern facilities.
Summary of Day 2 in Lausanne
- Boat trip to Vevey
- Sauvabelin Tower
- AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium
Day 3 in Lausanne
On the third day in Lausanne, take a day trip to Montreux, pass by the Lavaux vineyards, and end the day visiting the Château de Chillon, a beautiful lakeside castle, that houses exhibitions and around 300 items. The items on display were found during the archaeological excavations in the castle from 1896 to 1903 (except for furniture, weapons, and armor).
Summary of Day 3 in Lausanne
+ Attractions in Lausanne for you to include in your Itinerary
Find below a list of other attractions in Lausanne that you can include in your itinerary according to your profile.
- MUDAC – Musée cantonal de design et d’arts appliqués contemporains – museum of contemporary art;
- Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA) – fine arts museum;
- Photo Elysée – photography museum;
- Collection de l’Art Brut – art museum;
- Hand museum – science museum;
- Jardin Botanique de Lausanne – small botanical garden.
Tours from Lausanne
- Boat Ride on Lake Geneva
- Gruyères Tour
- Évian-les-Bains Boat Tour
- Boat Trip to Vevey
- Interlaken and Schilthorn Day Trip
- Jungfrau Trip
- Montreux Tour
Where to Stay in Lausanne – Best Hotels in Lausanne
1. ibis Lausanne Centre
Photo Credit: ibis Lausanne Centre
The ibis Lausanne Center is a budget hotel option just 15 minutes from the cathedral.
The rooms are comfortable and have a flat-screen TV.
The hotel has a snack bar and a bar.
Rue du Maupas 20, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
2. Swiss Wine by Fassbind
Photo Credit: Swiss Wine by Fassbind
The Swiss Wine by Fassbind is a hotel located a short distance from the cathedral and Place de la Palud at a great price.
Rooms are equipped with a TV, work desk and minibar.
The hotel has a breakfast room that offers spectacular views of the cathedral and the historic center.
Rue Caroline 5, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
3. Aquatis Hotel
Photo Credit: Aquatis Hotel
The Aquatis Hotel offers modern facilities located next to the AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a work desk.
The hotel has a sauna, a gym, and a games room.
Rte de Berne 148, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland
4. Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind
Photo Credit: Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind
Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind is a great value hotel near the train station and the city’s main attractions.
The cozy rooms have a flat-screen TV, kettle, coffee maker, and minibar.
The hotel has a gym.
Av. Av. du Rond-Point 9, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
5. Carlton Lausanne Boutique Hôtel
Photo Credit: Carlton Lausanne Boutique Hôtel
The Carlton Lausanne Boutique Hôtel is another great value hotel option close to the lake shores and the Olympic Museum.
The rooms have a TV and minibar.
Av. de Cour 4, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland
6. Continental Hotel Lausanne
Photo Credit: Continental Hotel Lausanne
The Continental Hotel Lausanne is a newly renovated hotel built for the 1964 Swiss National Exhibition, next to the train station.
All rooms have a TV and a work desk.
The hotel has a gym.
Pl. de la Gare 2, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
7. Château d’Ouchy
Photo Credit: Château d’Ouchy
Château d’Ouchy is an elegant hotel on the shores of the lake in a medieval castle.
Rooms are equipped with a TV and minibar.
The hotel has an outdoor pool and a gym.
Pl. du Port, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
8. Beau-Rivage Palace
Photo Credit: Beau-Rivage Palace
The Beau-Rivage Palace is a luxury hotel close to the shores of the lake.
Rooms are elegantly decorated with modern touches.
The hotel has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, and a spa.
Chem. de Beau-Rivage 21, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
9. Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
Photo Credit: Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
The Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa is another luxury hotel option located close to the shores of the lake.
The rooms are spacious and have a TV, minibar, and coffee maker.
The hotel has an outdoor pool and spa.
Av. d’Ouchy 40, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
10. Lausanne Palace
Photo Credit: Lausanne Palace
The Lausanne Palace is an elegant hotel built in 1915 close to the main attractions of the historic city center.
The rooms are cozy and have a TV, desk, and minibar.
The hotel has an indoor pool and spa.
Rue du Grand-Chêne 7-9, 1002 Lausanne, Switzerland
Where to Eat in Lausanne – Restaurants in Lausanne
Vieil Ouchy – Swiss restaurant near the lakeside serving fondue and other traditional dishes. Pl. du Port 3, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.vieilouchy.ch. Price: $$.
L’Evêché – charming restaurant near the cathedral serving local specialties and fondue. Rue Louis-Auguste Curtat 4, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.leveche.ch. Price: $$.
Café de Grancy – a restaurant with a terrace serving international cuisine and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Av. du Rond-Point 1, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.cafedegrancy.ch. Price: $$.
Le Grütli – a cozy restaurant in the heart of the historic center serving traditional Swiss dishes since 1849. Rue Mercerie 4, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.cafedugruetli.ch. Price: $$.
Glaces Veneta Ouchy – ice cream parlor located on the shores of the lake that also serves crepes. Quai d’Ouchy, Place du Vieux Port, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Price: $$.
La Crêperie d’Ouchy – a creperie located a short distance from the shores of the lake. Pl. du Port 7, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.ouchycrep.ch. Price: $$.
Zooburger – artisanal burger joint located near the Olympic Museum. Av. de Mon-Loisir 16, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.zooburger.ch. Price: $$.
Le Ticino – Restaurant Lausanne – Italian restaurant located near the Train Station. Pl. de la Gare 12, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: leticino.ch. Price: $$.
Café Saint Pierre – restaurant serving salads, soups, burgers, cocktails, and craft beers. Pl. Benjamin-Constant 1, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.cafesaintpierre.ch. Price: $$.
Vieux-Lausanne Restaurant & Giraf Bar – restaurant with 4 rooms in a historic building from 1795. Rue Pierre-Viret 6, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.vieux-lausanne.ch. Price: $$.
Shopping in Lausanne
Métropole Lausanne – mall located within walking distance of Place de la Palud. Rue des Terreaux 25, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.mymetropole.ch.
Läderach – Swiss chocolate shop located in the Métropole Lausanneshopping center. Rue des Terreaux 25, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: laderach.com.
Bongénie Lausanne – Swiss department store featuring luxury brands Pl. Saint-François 10, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: magasins.bongenie-grieder.ch.
Globus – a premium department store. Rue du Pont 5, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.globus.ch.
Manor – a Swiss department store offering clothes, accessories, and beauty products. Rue Pichard 3, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.manor.ch.
L’Espace Chocolat – chocolate shop with locally produced chocolates. Av. Frédéric-César-de-la-Harpe 27, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.espace-chocolat.ch.
Blondel – small chocolate boutique. Rue de Bourg 5, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: blondel.ch.
Heidi-Shop – souvenir shop located within walking distance of Place de la Palud. Rue du Petit-Chêne 22, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Bazar Ouchy – shop with several souvenir options near the shores of the lake. Av. d’Ouchy 76, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.bazarouchy.com.
Coop City Lausanne St. François – Swiss retailer and wholesaler. Av. du Théâtre 4, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland. Site: www.coop.ch.
How is the Weather in Lausanne
Lausanne has a moderate continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers.
December, January, February in Lausanne – Winter Months
Photo Credit: Remi Moebs
Winter in Lausanne has average minimum temperatures between -1ºC and -3ºC and maximum temperatures of 4ºC, with snow possibility.
March, April, May in Lausanne – Spring Months
Photo Credit: Ivan
The end of March marks the beginning of spring in Lausanne and as the days advance, the temperature rises. The minimum average temperatures are 1ºC and 8ºC and maximum of 11ºC and 19ºC.
June, July, August in Lausanne – Summer Months
Photo Credit: Alin Andersen
Summer in Lausanne starts in June with an average maximum temperature of 22ºC and a minimum of 12ºC.
July and August are the hottest in Lausanne with an average maximum temperature of 25ºC and an average minimum temperature of 13ºC.
September, October, November in Lausanne – Autumn Months
Photo Credit: Nolan Krattinger
September has an average minimum temperature of 10ºC and a maximum of 21ºC.
From October the temperatures begin to drop with an average minimum temperature of 7ºC and a maximum of 15ºC. November has an average minimum temperature of 3ºC and a maximum of 9ºC.
How to Get to Lausanne
The closest airport to Lausanne is Geneva Airport. Lausanne is easily accessible by train from many cities in Switzerland.
Lausanne Map
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See also
Winter in Switzerland: Things to do, Weather and Travel Info
Old Town Zurich: A Complete Travel Guide
Swiss Cheese: Main Types and Where to Buy in Zurich