Travel Guide: Things to do in Lausanne, Switzerland

My 2-Week Trip to Switzerland

My mom grew up in Switzerland and still has family there. Growing up, we went to visit my grandfather and uncle every year. However, as time passed and adult life happened, I had not been to Switzerland in many years before I knew it. Also, my kids had not been to Switzerland (my son went when he was 1 year old). My mom insisted on taking the kids to explore the beautiful French-speaking city of Lausanne and the surrounding area. The main reason for our visit is to visit my uncle and show my kids a bit of their cultural background. 

Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions

Stepping off the train at Lausanne's central station, I was immediately struck by the crisp, fresh air and the stunning views of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). The city, nestled between the shores of Lake Geneva and the mountains, has a unique charm that blends old-world elegance with modern vibrancy. We traveled to Switzerland separately from my mom. So the 4 of us easily took the train from Geneva airport to the Lausanne train station. Public transportation in Switzerland is a top-notch situation, including timely high-speed trains. Our hotel, Hotel Mirabeau Lausanne, was a short walk from the Lausanne train station. It was the perfect place, centrally located, to situate ourselves for our trip. In Europe, hotel rooms for a family of 4 can be hard to come by. Hotel Mirabeau Lausanne has a family suite, which is quite large. The family suite had 2 rooms, one with a double bed and a bedroom with two twin beds, perfectly laid out for our family of 4. We chose the option to include breakfast during our stay. The breakfast buffet was delicious, it included an array of breads, cheeses, meats, eggs, and cereals that were incredible. The location of the hotel was a great starting point for visiting the nearby towns and historic sites. 

Day 2: Ouchy and the Lakefront and Exploring the Old Town of Lausanne 

A stroll along the lakefront in the Ouchy promenade was the perfect way to start our trip. Starting at the Château d'Ouchy, we took a leisurely walk along the lake. The lake was dotted with sailboats, and the distant Alps provided a stunning backdrop. The kids were very excited to rent paddleboats and go for boat rides on the lake. We were able to rent a boat with a mini slide on the back, that the kids loved sliding off of into the lake. After the boat rental, we make our way to the playground and sprinklers. It was nice and peaceful for the adults to sit along the beautiful backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Alps. One of my favorite things about Lausanne, you almost always see the Alps in the background, no matter where you are. That alone makes every location in Lausanne appear like you are in a postcard. The Beau-Rivage Palace is also in this area, which is worth a walk-through as it is a gorgeous hotel. 

Lausanne's Old Town is a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings. In the heart of the old town is the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne. It is an impressive Gothic cathedral with spectacular views from its bell tower. The Lausanne Cathedral is free to enter, and a small fee to go to the top of the cathedral and view the bell tower. 

Day 3: Annecy, France

We made a 1.5-hour drive across the border from Switzerland to France to visit the medieval town of Old Town Annecy, France. Much to my kids' surprise, there was no need to even show a passport at the border.... we drove right through without showing any ID. Annecy old town is beautiful, with cobblestone winding streets, lined with small shops and restaurants. At the bottom on the town is the Lac D'Anncey and a picturesque marina. We enjoyed crepes and ice cream in this quaint town with many restaurant options. It is like stepping back in the past, with the cobblestone winding streets and old buildings. Note the old town doesn't allow cars. Several kids were putting their feet into the lake since it was a very hot August day when we visited Annecy. It was a great day trip from Lausanne. Coming from the U.S., we don't have towns quite like this, stepping back in time. 

Day 4:  Maison Cailler Museum - Chocolate Factory 

Maison Cailler is a chocolate dream for chocolate lovers. The museum is about 50 minutes by car from the Hotel Mirabeau, making it a must-see attraction for any chocolate lover. This was one of the best places to try lots of different types of chocolate. The tour of the chocolate factory was informative, teaching all about the history of Swiss chocolate making and the link to Nestlé. The tour ended in a room full of chocolate samples (the kids' favorite part). After the tour, we did the chocolate champions worship. During the workshop, we got to learn how to produce a chocolate bar. We were able to choose milk, dark, or white chocolate base and add tasty ingredients to personalize our own chocolate bar. We also got to observe and learn the art of crystallizing and tempering chocolate. At the end of the workshop, we got to take home our chocolate creations. Maison Cailler is a great place to spend the day and learn about the history of Swiss chocolate and try many different types of chocolate. I recommend booking the tour and any workshops in advance, as they do sell out for the day. 

Day 5: Day Trip to Montreux and Chateau de Chillon

Just a short car (or train) ride from Lausanne, Montreux is a picturesque town famous for its annual jazz festival. We walked along the flower-lined promenade and visited the statue of Freddie Mercury. The kids enjoyed jumping into the lake and we found a sprinkler play area which were both points for a great time. Montreux is a beautiful city and cultural hotspot that is worth a trip. On the car ride to Montreux, we drove through the Lavaux vineyards, which are beautiful to see, and really a unique experience. I would suggest getting out of the car and taking pictures.

Not far from Montreux is the Château de Chillon, a medieval castle that seems to float on the lake. Visiting the castle, we took a guided tour which gave so much information as to how people used to live in medieval times. The castle was a very memorable part of our trip, as we do not have castles like this in the U.S. 

Day 6: Olympic Museum and Visiting the City Centre

As the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Capital, Lausanne is home to the Olympic Museum. This world-class museum offered a fascinating look at the history of the Olympic Games with interactive exhibits and inspiring stories of athletes from around the world. 

We then made our way to the Lausanne city center, the heart of Lausanne. The city center is typical European winding streets lined by shops and restaurants. This is where you find clothing, Swiss watches, Chocolatiers, etc. There are many small shops as well as large department stores in the center of town. Wandering through the Place de la Palud and the Fountain of Justice, I enjoyed the bustling market and admired the ornate 16th-century fountain. The center of town is also car-free, making it a nice place to walk around. There are several parking garages surrounding the pedestrian areas, making it easy to get to. Place de la Riponne comes alive every Wednesday and Saturday mornings with one of Lausanne’s most vibrant markets offering fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, and flowers. I would highly recommend visiting during the market times. 

Day 7: Day Trip to Gruyères

Another short trip took us to the charming town of Gruyères, famous for its cheese. We toured the Maison du Gruyère cheese factory and visited the Gruyères Castle. Mason Du Gruyere is the cheese factory where they make Gruyeres cheese. The factory offers a tour that takes about 15-30 min and is performed by audioguide available in many languages. This castle is smaller than  Chateau de Chillon but worth a visit. A desert specialty of this small town is the merangues. I would highly recommend purchasing some at one of the many small shops around town. The town's medieval atmosphere and the delicious fondue we enjoyed for lunch made this a memorable day. I have vivid memories from my childhood of visiting this old fashion town with panoramic views. As with many of the small towns, this unique area was walking only. Gruyeres is a must-visit destination if you like cheese and quaint mideval towns. 

Day 8 Repeat Lausanne Centre Town

We We wanted a leasurely day to wonder around the centre town in Lausanne again. We enjoyed shopping, stopping at a cafe for lunch, and some more shopping on our last full day in Lausanne. Luckily, my mom group up here and knows her way around because you can get lost wondering around the winding streets of the centre town. I didn't realize how much I missed this quaint city in the years since I visited last. 

Days 9-12: Zermatt 

The final few days of our trip, we drove to the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Zermatt. While Zermatt is known for its world-famous ski slopes, it is also beautiful to visit in the summer. One thing we were not aware of is to make sure you make reservations for dinner. Restaurants fill up quickly around dinner time. This town is again pedestrian-only, no cars allowed. The main street is filled with shops, restaurants, and beautiful views of the Alps. One of the best things about this town is the fresh air and splendid view of the Matterhorn. You are so high up, you are in line with the clouds. We were traveling in August, and Lausanne was having a heat wave. So Zermatt offered a nice reprieve from the heat. In fact, it snowed while we were in Zermatt... in August. My kids were so excited to see snow on our summer vacation. Our hotel, the Alpen Resort Zermatt, had a spa and outdoor hot tub. My son loved going from the indoor pool and sauna to the outdoor hot tub in the snow. He still talks about being in the hot tub in the snow year after our trip. To him, this experience was a highlight of the trip. The rest of us enjoyed the views of the snow from the indoor pool and spa.

The Alpen Resort Zermatt was beautiful and had a lot of things to do: spa, pool, billiards, ping pong, and a playroom for little kids. The indoor pool had lots of neat jets and there were different temperature saunas in the spa. The food was delicious at the buffet breakfast. We had a family suite, which included 2 bedrooms, a living room area, and 2 bathrooms. There was plenty of space for the 2 of us to stay. 

 I have memories of visiting Zermatt as a kid in the wintertime, with the town being snow-covered. I am glad it snowed during our summer visit so I got to experience the magical experience of Zermatt in the snow with my kids. A trip up to the Gornegrat and Matterhorn is with it while at Zermatt for studding views.

While in Zermatt, I would highly recommend having fondue... it was our daily large meal. There are many different varieties of fondue, such as cheese, meat, or fondue for dessert. The train does go to Zermatt, but we opted to drive up. We enjoyed the opportunity to drive through the Swiss countryside on our way up to the Alps. 

Day 13: Farewell Lausanne

On my final day, I took one last walk along the lake, soaking in the beautiful scenery and reflecting on my wonderful two weeks in Lausanne. The city's blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality made it a truly unforgettable destination.

Travel Tips

There is a Swiss travel pass, which offers admission to many of the places we visited including Maison du Gruyère, Gruyères Castle, Château de Chillon, and the Olympic Museum. We did not purchase a Swiss travel pass, as we had a rental car and we were driving to all of these locations. However, if you are taking the high-speed trains offered in and around Switzerland, you may want to consider the Swiss travel pass. There is a long list of over 500 renowned museums and attractions that have free admission included with the pass. If you are looking to book airfare on points, check which airlines fly from your hometown to Geneva airport (approximately 30 minutes from Lausanne). You can either get a co-branded credit card with that airlines or a general travel rewards credit card to earn the points needed for your airfare. We used Hertz for our car rental and had no issues. I used my usual packing methods (compression bags, carry-on suitcases, airtags, etc) to make for a smooth travel experience. To learn more about travel hacking check out Travel Hacking 101: Ultimate Guide to Getting Started

My two-week trip to Lausanne was an incredible experience filled with diverse activities and breathtaking sights. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, a foodie, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Lausanne has something to offer. I left with a heart full of memories and a promise to return to this enchanting Swiss gem soon.