Where to stay in Lausanne — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Lausanne is a city built on steep hills beside Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It is a lively university city and the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), earning it the nickname "Olympic Capital." The old town has one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Switzerland, the lakeside Ouchy harbour quarter is lovely to stroll, and the UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards of Lavaux are nearby.
Why stay in Lausanne
Lausanne Cathedral
A 13th-century Gothic cathedral, the finest in Switzerland, where a watchman still calls out the hours at night by old tradition.
Olympic Museum
A lakeside Olympic museum at Ouchy telling the story of the Olympic Games, with a sculpture park.
Lavaux Vineyards
UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards by the lake — walk the scenic vineyard trails between the villages.
Ouchy Harbour
A lakeside quarter for strolling with views of the French Alps across the water, with boats to Montreux and Évian.
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Local dishes to try in Lausanne
- 1🥖
Saucisson vaudois
A smoked pork sausage of the Vaud canton, served with papet vaudois, a leek-and-potato stew.
📍 Local Dish - 2🥧
Malakoff
Crispy fried cheese balls unique to the Vaud canton, crunchy outside and soft within, enjoyed with local white wine.
📍 Local Dish - 3🍷
Chasselas Wine
A white wine from the lakeside Lavaux vineyards, fresh and crisp, the signature wine of the Vaud canton.
📍 Drink - 4🍮
Taillé aux greubons
A savoury Vaud-style pastry studded with pork crackling, rich and fragrant, snacked on with wine or coffee.
📍 Snack
- 1⛪
Lausanne Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral atop the old town — climb the tower for views of the city and lake, and the watchman tradition lives on at night.
📍 Old Town - 2🏅
Olympic Museum
A modern lakeside museum gathering stories and real artefacts from the Olympics, with an outdoor garden.
📍 Ouchy - 3🏞️
Ouchy
A lakeside quarter with a waterfront promenade, flower gardens and a harbour for boats around Lake Geneva.
📍 Lakeside - 4🎨
Collection de l'Art Brut
A museum of outsider art by untrained artists, the most important collection of art brut in the world.
📍 Above Town - 5🏘️
Place de la Palud
A medieval square with a fountain and town hall, a market, and a mechanical clock that depicts the town's history.
📍 Old Town - 6🍇
Lavaux Vineyards
The UNESCO World Heritage terraced vineyards by the lake — walk the scenic trails and taste the wine.
📍 Out of Town
Things to do in Lausanne
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Lausanne — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Lausanne hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2LuxuryBeau-Rivage Palace
#6 most luxurious in Lausanne · 5-star on Lake Geneva since 1861
★ 8.7Upper-mid
★ 8.5ValueLausanne Guesthouse & Backpacker
#5 hostel · #1-rated in Lausanne, 8.5 score
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในLausanne
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind
#1 for location · rooftop lake-view restaurant
Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
#9 4-star chain · 337 lake-side rooms
Hotel AlaGare
#4 Orient Express train theme · 200 m from the station
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🚆 Getting around Lausanne
Metro m2
Switzerland's only automated metro line, climbing from Ouchy harbour up to the old town with ease and making up for the steep hills.
Walking the Old Town
The old town is walkable but very steep — wear good shoes and use the metro to help with the climbs.
CGN Lake Boats
From Ouchy, belle époque boats run to Montreux, Vevey and Évian on the French side.
Lausanne Railway Station
A major hub in the west, connecting to Geneva in 35 minutes and Montreux in 25 minutes — very convenient.
Where to go next near Lausanne
ZurichSwitzerland's financial centre and largest city, blending a riverside old town with a clear lake and the Alps as a backdrop.
See this city's guide →
GenevaHome to the UN headquarters and the famous Jet d'Eau fountain, on the shore of Lake Geneva with views of the Alps and Mont Blanc.
See this city's guide →
BernThe capital many people forget — a UNESCO-listed medieval old town wrapped by the emerald Aare River and lined with covered arcades.
See this city's guide →
LucerneA classic lakeside town with the Chapel Bridge, the stone Lion Monument, and views of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Lausanne
How many days do you need in Lausanne?+
One to two days is ideal. On the first day walk the old town, the cathedral and the Olympic Museum at Ouchy; on another take the train to walk the Lavaux vineyards or cruise to Montreux.
Is Lausanne far from Geneva?+
Very close — just a 35-40 minute direct train. Many people use Lausanne as a base for the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, then visit Geneva and Montreux in a day.
Why is Lausanne called the Olympic Capital?+
Because it has been the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1915 and has the official Olympic Museum on the lakefront.
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