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I Planned the Perfect 3 Days in Lausanne (Itinerary + Map)
👉 Jump to: Where to Stay | Itinerary | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Map | How to Get Around | Tips | FAQ | Get Printable Version
Looking for the perfect itinerary for a stay in Lausanne? I have travelled to and stayed in this small but beautiful city in Switzerland nearly 20 times. This has given me ample time to explore Lausanne and discover its best spots when it comes to food, drinks, culture, and sights.
Lausanne’s selling point is its unforgettable views that will nearly fool you for being a green screen, with the amount of beauty they bestow. I’ve planned the perfect 3-day whistle stop tour of the city so you don’t miss anything, incorporating all of the gems I’ve discovered so far.
Let’s dive in!
Where to Stay for 3 Days in Lausanne
🖨️ Get a printable version of this itinerary
For a 3 day visit to Lausanne, these are my top picks for where to stay:
- 🛏️ Budget – Moxy Lausanne City
- 🏨 Mid-Range – Hotel Victoria
- 💎 Luxury – Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa
- 🗺️ Best Location – Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne
- 👨👩👦 Best Hotel for Families – Aquatis Hotel
- 🏢 Apartments – Browse Rentals in Ouchy
Now that you’ve got your accommodation sorted, let’s get into the fun stuff!
3 Day Lausanne Itinerary
Day 1: Museums & Culture
Welcome to Lausanne! I’m excited for you to explore what this very special city has to offer. For starters, it’s located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries. My parents and I like to refer to it as “unspoilt.” You’ll be hard-pressed to find a piece of litter on the ground or a day with unclear skies.
As you enjoy your visit, I encourage you to take in the sights, sounds, and fresh alpine air in Lausanne. Walking or running by the lake at least once is a must while you’re here, but if you’re an outdoorsy person, I’m sure you’ll manage much more than that.
Now, let’s get into our first day’s activities.
Morning
Your first day in Lausanne is about to begin! You’ll probably want to kickstart the day with some refreshments that will give you the energy to explore. Moxy Lausanne City, Hotel Victoria, and Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa, along with the other hotels I mentioned above all have great breakfast buffets available. If you fancy venturing out, I highly recommend exploring some of the local cafes and coffee shops.
One of my favourite cafes in Lausanne is Le Pointu. It’s a great place to sit in and have a coffee, breakfast, or lunch. It is open bright and early at 7 am during the week, at 9 am on Saturday, and at 9:30 am on Sunday. Another fun fact about this spot is that it turns into a bar in the evenings. It is a two-minute walk from Riponne M. Béjart metro stop.
For those keen to take in the outdoors as soon as possible, I would recommend grabbing a takeaway coffee from L’Impression Cafe near the train station and walking down to the waterfront. There’s a great walking path along Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman, where you can take in the mountains while sipping your coffee. What a backdrop to start off your trip!
Afternoon
Next up you’re going to walk down to The Olympic Museum. This is conveniently located along the lake in the Ouchy region of Lausanne, so you’re already perfectly set up to stop in. The museum is a permanent exhibition that’s great for sports fans keen to expand their knowledge on the world famous Olympic Games.
The Olympic Museum opened in 1993 but was completely refurbished in 2013, providing fun facts on the history behind the Olympics, alongside interactive screens, objects, and equipment used by real Olympians. This is one of the most famous attractions in Lausanne, and definitely worth checking out. Entry is around 20 Swiss Francs for adults and free for children under 16.
You may be feeling peckish by now. I recommend stopping at The Lacustre for a pizza and a view of the lake before you carry on.
👉 Pro Tip: The Lacustre is a great place to go for a mid-day snack and drink, or to watch the sunset, because it has some of the best views overlooking Lausanne.
After you’ve gotten your fill of sports, it’s time to walk or metro back up to downtown Lausanne to check out some fine contemporary art at the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts Lausanne.
Here, you’ll awaken your artistic side as you explore various prints, paintings, and sensory rooms. You can take your time as you explore the collection of 10,000 works. A bonus? The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts is free for all!
Evening
After a day of taking in the culture, it’s time to treat yourself to a nice dinner at Michelin Star haunt La Grappe D’Or. This restaurant boasts both traditional Italian and Swiss dishes, alongside an extensive wine list.
The atmosphere is very cosy and feels old-school European. I had the ravioli (pictured above), which was fantastic. The portion sizes are generous, the service is great, and the prices are a good value, especially for a Michelin Star restaurant.
After you’ve finished your meal and indulged in the inviting atmosphere of La Grappe D’Or, I recommend heading to The Great Escape for a nightcap. This spot is buzzing year-round, but is a particularly great place to go on a warm summer evening so you can take in the fresh Swiss air.
Day 2: Exploring Nearby Towns
Morning
Start your day by grabbing a coffee and a croissant from a bakery near your hotel or at Lausanne Gare (train station). Then, you’ll hop on a quick 14-minute train to the town of Vevey. You’ll be able to take in the stunning views of the Swiss countryside on this short journey. One of the biggest perks of Switzerland is that there is no bad view!
Take a stroll along the waterfront, or even go for a lakeside run if you’re feeling ambitious. While you take in the views of the scenic lakeside promenade, you’ll stumble across the iconic Giant Fork sculpture and the Charlie Chaplin statue.
If you’re a fan of Charlie Chaplin films, or generally just interested in his life, I would then recommend checking out Chaplin’s World. This is the only museum in the world that’s dedicated to Charlie Chaplin.
If you’d prefer to continue basking in the views, you can ride the funicular up to Mont-Pèlerin. This ride will take you through the vineyards of Lavaux, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the drop-off point, you can go on a scenic 45-minute walk to the Plein Ciel radio tower, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view.
Afternoon
After finishing your activity of choice, it’s time to hop back on the train to Montreux. This will only take about 5 minutes. Once you’ve arrived in Montreux, you’ll probably be hungry for a bite.
If you’re visiting during Christmas time, I highly recommend going to the Montreux Christmas Market. This is one of the best Christmas markets in Switzerland, and it has tons of great stalls, food, and drink options to browse.
You can indulge in a traditional sausage or one of two Swiss classic dishes: raclette or fondue. This market usually runs for just over a month from the end of November to the end of December.
If you’re visiting Montreux in the summertime, head to Le Coucou for lunch. This highly rated spot is right by the lake, where you can bask in the beauty of the Swiss Riviera over an Aperol and a gourmet meal made with local ingredients.
Evening
After a day of exploring, it’s time to head back to Lausanne for the evening. You may want to head back to your hotel and freshen up or squeeze in a quick nap so you can make the most of your evening. You’ve done a lot today!
Once you’re ready, head down to Sushizen Grancy for a hearty Japanese dinner. This spot is great because it offers both sushi and ramen, in addition to other Japanese appetizers. So you’ll be spoilt for choice. I’ve been here many times. It is my favourite comfort spot in Lausanne and some of the best ramen I’ve ever had. I highly recommend the Tantanmen.
After dinner, it’s time to enjoy some live jazz music at Jumeaux Jazz Club. The jazz club is open Wednesday to Saturday. This is less than a 20-minute walk from the restaurant, or a short 8-minute journey on the metro.
Day 3 – Lake Cruise & Shopping or Skiing (Season Dependent)
Morning
After the jam packed day you had yesterday, I would recommend having a bit more of a slow morning on day three. Personally when I go to Switzerland I love to spend as much time by the lake as possible. If you’re visiting in the summertime, you’ll see lots of people go down by the lake with friends.
I recommend going to a local grocery store, Migros or Coop are the most common ones, and picking up some picnic items to have a late breakfast / early lunch by the lake. Another great spot on the water is Jetée De La Compagnie, a trendy dock area with stalls that serve food and drinks. Jetée is typically open between spring and autumn, and reopens in April.
If you’re visiting in the cooler months, I think it’s worth cosying up at Café de Grancy for brunch. This is a great local spot that offers worldwide cuisine, so you’re bound to find something on the menu that you like!
Afternoon: Summer Option
Once you’re well-fed, it’s time to head out for an excursion. This next activity will be the bulk of your day, so make sure you have everything you need for the day with you before setting off.
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you’re going to Lutry, which is just a 5-minute train ride from Lausanne. When you get there, walk down to the marina, otherwise known as the Port de Lutry. I recommend booking a half-day guided sailing tour in advance. There’s a place by the marina that sells beverages, but you can also pack these before you go.
Afternoon: Winter Option
If it’s wintertime, Villars-sur-Ollon is a wonderful family-friendly ski resort. It is about an hour on the train from Lausanne. There are three ski shops in the village that rent equipment: Villars Ski Rental, McBoard, and Sport’s House Ski Rental.
If skiing isn’t your thing but you’re still keen to try another sport, you could rent snowshoes and go for a snowshoe hike. I’ve done both activities there, and you can’t go wrong with either.
Evening
After a sporty day, you likely will have worked up an appetite. There’s really no better cuisine when you’re hungry than Italian, so once you head back to Lausanne and change, it’s time to head to Perbacco! for dinner.
Take the metro down to the Bessières stop, which is closest to the restaurant. The friendly neighbourhood bistro has a wonderful and intimate atmosphere, and owner Andrea will certainly make you feel welcome as soon as you enter the door.
The pastas at Perbacco! are delicious, and I also love the burrata and prosciutto appetizer, pictured above. This is my favourite Italian restaurant in Lausanne, and a great place to cap off your holiday.
Lausanne Itinerary Map
Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.
How to Get Around in Lausanne
One of the perks of Lausanne being a small city is how simple and fast it is to get around! The transportation system in Lausanne is great, and you can get from one end of the city to the other on the metro in about 25 minutes.
The best ways to get around Lausanne are by metro or by bus if you’re going to an area that doesn’t have a metro stop. Within Switzerland, train travel is very accessible and the best way to get to other towns and cities.
Most hotels provide a city transit card included in your stay, which is an incredible perk. This grants you access to free transportation on the metro, buses, and even some local trains and boats.
If you plan on visiting other places in Switzerland from Lausanne that are further away and want more flexibility, I recommend renting a car.
Itinerary Planning Tips
Tip #1 – Plan the Timing of Your Trip Based on Desired Activities
Lausanne and Switzerland in general have fantastic activities year-round, particularly if you’re outdoorsy! To make the most out of your adventure to the Alps, I recommend timing your trip based on your priority activities and preferred seasons.
Tip #2 – Wait Before Purchasing A Transit Pass
Most hotels in Lausanne will include a free city transit pass in your stay. This is a great way to save on transportation during your visit. Every hotel I’ve stayed at in Lausanne, including three mentioned in this guide: Hotel Victoria, Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne, and Aquatis Hotel have provided this.
Wait to see if this is offered at your chosen accommodation before purchasing a transit pass.
Tip #3 – Download City Mapper to Get Around
City Mapper has truly been my north star for getting around in many cities I’ve visited, and better yet, its maps are available in Lausanne! This free app will provide you with all of the best transit options for your journey, with real-time transit updates. I highly recommend downloading it before your trip to steer you in the right direction.
FAQ About Itinerary Planning for Lausanne
How many days is enough for Lausanne?
Three days is enough time to do a whistle-stop tour of Lausanne. Given it’s a small city, that quantity of time is enough to see and do the main attractions. If you want to explore at a slower pace or visit other nearby destinations in Switzerland, I would recommend visiting for 5-10 days.
How can I plan a 5 day itinerary for Lausanne?
For a longer trip to Lausanne I would start by looking at which spots you’d like to hit within the city, and then branching out further into nearby towns and cities. For instance, there are no ski resorts directly in Lausanne, but there are other towns like Villars-sur-Ollon that are just a short train journey away.
When is the best time of year to visit Lausanne?
Figuring out when to visit Lausanne is very dependent on what your priorities are. If you’re more of a warm-weather person and want to maximize enjoying the lake, visit in summer. If you love skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports, go in the winter.
Is Lausanne expensive?
I won’t sugarcoat it, Switzerland is known for being an expensive country. That being said, if you do your research and have a solid plan for your trip, you can find many ways to see the city on a budget. Taking advantage of the free transit pass, going to free museums, or doing outdoor activities to take in the scenery are great ways to cut costs but still have a great time.
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I hope this guide made your trip planning a little bit easier. I can almost guarantee that after you visit this charming city, you’ll quickly fall in love with its beauty and character.
Warning: After travelling to Lausanne, you’ll likely be booking your next trip to see what else Switzerland has to offer! And if you’re planning to visit France next, be sure to read Rachel’s guide to the most charming places to visit in France.