Things to do in Lausanne

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Lausanne showing street scenes
Lausanne which includes street scenes and an administrative buidling
Lausanne which includes a park and flowers
Lausanne featuring street scenes as well as a large group of people
Lausanne showing a square or plaza and a pond as well as a large group of people

Lausanne Attractions

Do you live for fine dining or shopping? Or perhaps you prefer to get acquainted with a new travel destination like a local. While staying in Lausanne, it doesn't really matter which category you fall in — this dynamic metropolis offers all the experiences and sights you could ever hope for.

Learn what makes Lausanne tick with the most popular tours & day trips. Scroll through our {51 fun activities in Lausanne fun activities in Lausanne}, and book with ease knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.

Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.

One Key members save 10% or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.

Recommended things to do in Lausanne

Number of things to do
51
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Lausanne Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $10
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Lausanne

Free Things to Do in Lausanne

Some say the best things in life are free. Be sure to explore the following around Lausanne:

Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts - Crammed with artifacts and displays, this place is a paradise for minds that burn with curiosity.

Hôtel de Ville - Stop at this historic landmark and discover a few things about the region's cultural heritage.

Place of Riponne - This is a lively place where you can absorb the ambiance and feel the rhythm of local life.

University Hospital of Lausanne - Well known among local residents, this place is worth visiting.

Lausanne Cathedral - Do some soul searching or just take in the peaceful ambiance at this sacred place.

Esplanade de Montbenon - Nurture your green thumb and enjoy admiring the glorious plants on display.

Things to Do in Lausanne with Kids

Lausanne is a fantastic destination for a family getaway. Bring the youngsters along and enjoy these fun family friendly experiences together:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Lausanne? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Lausanne

Ouchy Port

Ouchy Port

Explore the waterfront in Lausanne with a trip to Ouchy Port. Amble around this family-friendly area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Ouchy Port
Olympic Museum which includes a garden

Olympic Museum

4.5/5(41 reviews)

You may never stand on the winner’s podium at the Olympic Games, but exploring this beautiful museum in Lausanne is the next best thing.

Olympic Museum
Lausanne‘s new aquarium. The building exterior itself is also interesting for photography. Easy access from the metro #urbanjungle #details #bvsblue

AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium

Take the kids to visit the sea life you'll find at AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium during your visit to Lausanne.

AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium
The tower of the Sauvabelin park is overlooking the city of Lausanne. A little 5 minutes stroll in the forest brings you to the tower. Going up to the top brings you at 700m above sea level

Sauvabelin Tower

You can learn about the history of Lausanne with a trip to Sauvabelin Tower. Stroll along the lakeside in this family-friendly area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Sauvabelin Tower
Part of the Musee de l'Élysée is this garden with view over Lake Geneva and towards the French Alps. It's particularly impressive in spring during the cherry blossom season ! #ontheroad

Musée de l’Elysée

You can browse the exhibits at Musée de l’Elysée, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Lausanne. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Musée de l’Elysée
I say this Swiss Sky deserves an award 🏆 !

MUDAC

You can browse the exhibits at MUDAC, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to Lausanne. While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

MUDAC

Palais de Beaulieu

Palais de Beaulieu is just one of the places to see in Lausanne, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While you're in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Palais de Beaulieu

University Hospital of Lausanne

5/5(1 review)

Though University Hospital of Lausanne might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Lausanne while you are here.

University Hospital of Lausanne

École hôtelière de Lausanne

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of École hôtelière de Lausanne, during your trip to Lausanne. Wander the lakeside in this trendy area.

École hôtelière de Lausanne

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Lausanne

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

Lausanne Center

Lausanne Center is known for its fantastic lake views, and you can make a stop by Lausanne Cathedral and Place of Riponne while in the area.

Lausanne Center
Olympic Museum which includes outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

Ouchy

Visitors often come to Ouchy for its lake views, but many stay to explore sights like Ouchy Port and Alpine Panorama Path. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Ouchy-Olympique Station.

Ouchy
Aula des Cèdres, Jean Tschumi, 1961-1962. The rectangular building has a huge concrete roof that raises at both ends like a veil in order to allow these high windows offering a beautiful view on the trees and the lake. Perfect both for architecture enthusiasts and sunset lovers !

Montriond-Cour

While visiting Montriond-Cour, you might make a stop by sights like Theatre de Vidy and Jardin Botanique Lausanne.

Montriond-Cour
Vidy beach, on Lake Geneva, is located just minutes from downtown Lausanne. All services are nearby, from BBQ spots to beach volleyball, basketball etc. There’s also an adjacent campground and a youth hostel is about a 5min walk. Very relaxing atmosphere. #beachtips #LikeALocal

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
Design: Barozzi/Veiga The museum opened in October 2019 and you can visit the inaugural exhibition for free.

Sébeillon-Malley

While Sébeillon-Malley might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Place de la Palud and Palais de Beaulieu.

Sébeillon-Malley
Olympic Museum which includes outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

Montchoisi

While visiting Montchoisi, you might make a stop by sights like Olympic Museum and Musée de l’Elysée.

Montchoisi
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Lausanne

Photo by Shui Ling Chu

Renens

Photo by Dominik Gehl

Saint-Sulpice

Photo by FromSwitzerlandToWorld

Crissier

Photo by Dominik Gehl

Epalinges

Photo by Dominik Gehl

Ecublens

Photo by James Wilkinson

Belmont-sur-Lausanne

Photo by Dominik Gehl

Prilly

Photo by Shui Ling Chu

Chavannes-près-Renens

Frequently asked questions

Is Lausanne worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor pursuits, there are plenty of fun things to do in Lausanne. Remember to experience the area's blend of awesome attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Lausanne?
Olympic Museum and AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium are two good places to kick-start your adventures. Remember to explore the dining and shopping options in Lausanne while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lausanne?
The top tourist attraction in Lausanne is Olympic Museum, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Lausanne?
Three days in Lausanne is enough to enjoy the city's major attractions. Many travelers spend three days on average. Olympic Museum, AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium and Lausanne Cathedral are among the top-rated sights. Want to discover more? Stick around a bit longer to explore nearby hotspots like Montreux.
Is Lausanne a walkable city?
That depends on what you'd like to do and see in Lausanne. Several sights, like Olympic Museum and AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Lausanne's best neighborhoods, Lausanne Center is 0.1 miles away from downtown, while Le Flon is 0.2 miles away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Lausanne with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all the family, check out these fantastic ideas for what to do in Lausanne with kids.

What to do in Lausanne for adults?
Hôtel de Ville and Bois de Vaux Cemetery are just a couple of the things to do in Lausanne. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Lausanne?
In Lausanne, Lausanne Cathedral is a popular spot for anyone wishing to experience the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the parks and other neighborhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a simple way to discover the best free things to do in Lausanne.