Lausanne

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Olympic Park
Selected for Best Things to Do in Switzerland

Olympic Park

6.2
4.9/5
46 reviews
Olympic Parkis located in the Ouchy district on the shores of the lake in Lausanne. It is the front garden of The Olympic Museum, with green space spreading out in layers along the slope and extending all the way to the shores of Lake Geneva. Lausanne is known as the Olympic Capital, and the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee is located in this city. This lakeside green space, covering over 8,000 square meters, is the perfect prelude to visiting The Olympic Museum—it is less of an ordinary park and more of an open-air sports sculpture museum. The park is dotted with over 40 sports-themed sculptures, most of which are gifts to the International Olympic Committee from various national Olympic committees and international sports organizations: the "Cyclists" group sculpture, gifted by Hungary, cleverly uses wheels to form the image of the Olympic rings; the bronze "Athlete Tying His Hair," gifted by Greece, has a prototype that can be traced back to ancient Greek sculptures from the 5th century BC; in addition, there is the rounded "Girl with Ball" by Colombian artist Botero, the "Relay Runner" from Monaco, and a memorial statue of the famous Finnish long-distance runner Nurmi. Artistic styles from different countries converge in this same green space; walking through and viewing them is like flipping through a three-dimensional history of the Olympics.Lausanne · 1.4 km from downtown
Lavaux Vinorama
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Canton of Vaud

Lavaux Vinorama

5.2
4.7/5
70 reviews
Lavaux Vinorama is situated on the lakeside slopes between Lausanne and Vevey, right in the heart of the Lavaux vineyard terraces. Since the Middle Ages, winemakers have cultivated these slopes into terraced vineyards, which are dotted with villages, old-fashioned taverns, and wine cellars. Ample sunshine, light reflected from the lake, and heat stored by stone walls all nourish the vines, making Lavaux a renowned wine region in Switzerland, where Chasselas white wine is the signature. This is not a traditional museum displaying ancient artifacts, but a tasting center dedicated to Lavaux wines. The interior features nearly 300 wines selected by local winemakers, resembling a wine library where you can find everything from Chasselas white wines from different estates and red wines made from the ancient Lavaux variety Plant Robert, to Grand Cru vintages. The tasting experience is also layered. You can start with a horizontal comparison of several Chasselas wines, followed by an in-depth tasting that includes Grand Cru white wines paired with cheese. With a glass in hand, you can sit in the indoor tasting area to savor the wines slowly, or step out onto the terrace to take in the view of Lake Geneva and the shadows of the mountains on the opposite shore. You can also join a guided walking tour of the terraces organized by the venue, ranging from short tours of 1 or 2 hours to half-day tours that include a wine cellar visit, which can be followed by a tasting.Puidoux · 12.1 km from Lausanne
Chillon Castle
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Switzerland

Chillon Castle

7.6
4.6/5
262 reviews
Chillon Castle stands on a small rocky island jutting into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, facing the lakeside town of Montreux and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. The entire castle follows the contours of the oval island rock, surrounded by water on all sides. From the shore, it appears to float on the lake, with its gray-white stone walls and reddish-brown conical towers reflecting the lake and mountain scenery like a painting. The land-facing side is studded with arrow slits and shooting ports, forming a heavily fortified defense structure, while the lakeside features elegant Gothic arched windows, once the residence of the House of Savoy—a harmonious blend of strength and grace in this ancient waterborne fortress. The earliest written records of the castle date back to the mid-12th century, though its central keep was built in the 11th century, predating documented history. Strategically located on a vital north-south European trade route, merchants traveling to Rome via the Great St. Bernard Pass would pass by its gates. The House of Savoy leveraged this position to collect tolls and expanded the castle into their summer palace in the 13th century. After Bernese forces captured it in 1536, it successively became a bailiff's residence, armory, and prison. The castle's fame stems partly from its dungeon: François Bonivard, abbot of Geneva's St. Victor Abbey, was chained to a pillar here for years after opposing the Duke of Savoy's control of Geneva, until his rescue by the Bernese. In 1816, Lord Byron visited, immortalized the story in his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon," and carved his name on the pillar. Rousseau featured it in "Julie, or the New Heloise," while Hugo and other literati also wrote about it. Crossing the wooden bridge into the castle reveals courtyards, halls, bedrooms, the keep, and dungeons—like stepping through a three-dimensional medieval history book. The underground prison is particularly noteworthy: its walls are built from the island's natural rock, topped with Gothic vaulting typically reserved for cathedrals, with Byron's inscribed pillar still standing. Several grand halls once hosted Savoyard feasts, their windows framing Lake Geneva's vistas. The Bernese bedroom displays an elaborate four-poster bed with heating, a bathroom, and running water—remarkably advanced for its time. The Chapel of St. George preserves 14th-century religious murals, rare survivors of Reformation iconoclasm. The armory exhibits medieval to 17th-century weapons—swords, halberds, arquebuses, crossbows, and armor—offering insights into period warfare. Visitors should linger: beyond interior artifacts, the lakeside path offers classic panoramic views of this aquatic fortress.Veytaux · 25.4 km from Lausanne

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Featured Culture & history in Lausanne

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1-day tour in Lausanne | Lausanne History Museum + Esplanade de Montbenon※customize
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FromPLN 4,015.51
Lausanne Highlights Audio Tour: Old Town Heritage
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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20% off
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FromPLN 28.15PLN 35.19

Featured Food & drink in Lausanne

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Wine tour in the canton of Vaud - Lavaux vineyards
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromPLN 1,133.54PLN 1,193.2
From Lausanne: Gruyères Tour with Chocolate & Cheese Tasting
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 8.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromPLN 657.42PLN 692.03
Geneva chocolate tasting and old town walking half-day tour
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Duration: 1.2 hrs
English
Instant confirmation
FromPLN 828.12
Private Bern Old Town & Emmental Cheese Tour from Zurich with Tastings
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Duration: 8 hrs
English
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FromPLN 2,848.35
From Zurich: Swiss Cheese, Chocolate & Wine Private Tour
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Duration: 9 hrs
English
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FromPLN 7,123.26
From Zurich: Swiss Alpine Vineyard & Wine Tasting Private Tour
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Duration: 3 hrs
English
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FromPLN 7,420.06

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What travelers say about Lausanne

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yankeJuly 17, 2025
5.0
Lake Geneva, which shares the same name as the city, is very vast, with a sapphire-like color and sparkling in the sun. From Geneva Airport, you can take a train to Nyon, a small town on the shore of Lake Geneva. The hotel rooms there are large, and the lake view rooms also have terraces to enjoy the lake view. The breakfast is very rich and cost-effective. From the dock in Nyon, you can take a boat to the French flower town opposite and experience the fun of crossing two countries in half an hour. The price of the flower town is lower than that of Switzerland, and it is very pleasant to enjoy authentic French food there.

Lake Geneva

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110***36July 17, 2026
5.0
Excellent, definitely worth a visit. This is the most worthwhile place to visit in Lausanne. There are many things to see on the first four floors, especially the basement with its many video game exhibits – definitely worth checking out. The building faces Lake Geneva, making it a great spot for taking photos.

The Olympic Museum

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小思文April 30, 2021
4.0
The Olympic Park is also a very beautiful place. The whole park is very large and the environment is quite elegant. There are many exhibits in the park, and you can enjoy many Olympic sports here. The visit to the park is also quite unique.

Olympic Park

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Munliga PandontongApril 9, 2023
5.0
Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale de Lausanne) or the full name Notre-Dame Cathedral of Lausanne (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne) is a Protestant cathedral in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. The cathedral was begun in the 12th century in 1170 and completed in 1235. Later, the cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary by a proclamation of Pope Gregory X in 1275. It is also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral. Lausanne Cathedral was the largest cathedral in Switzerland at that time. It was built in the Gothic style. The entrance arch is beautifully carved. Inside, there are stained glass windows that can be reached by climbing 160 steps to the top of the cathedral.

Lausanne Cathedral

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GullyFebruary 2, 2025
5.0
It is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. In summer time, you’re almost guaranteed to have great weather. There are multiple paths to hike for more and less experiences trekkers.

Golden Pass Railway

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NachtischNovember 9, 2025
5.0
The museum is located in the small town of Rütri in the Swiss canton of Vaud, nestled on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva, at the heart of the Lavaux vineyard terraces. This museum is not a traditional exhibit displaying antiques, but rather a window into the soul of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Converted from an old farmhouse, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding vineyard landscape and is itself part of the heritage.

Lavaux Vinorama

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莲子99April 5, 2021
5.0
The pier is very beautiful and quiet. Sitting by the water, you can feel the passage of time. It is very comfortable. The boats are small and delicate without being luxurious. The sculptures are modern but very impressive.

Lausanne-Ouchy

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草凡人April 19, 2025
5.0
Take the train to Montreux and stroll along the shore of Lake Geneva. Beyond the water are the snow-capped mountains, stretching quietly. Chillon Castle is on a small stone island near the water. It is not big, but it takes you back to medieval Europe. It is worth a visit.

Chillon Castle

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Venus111November 6, 2021
4.0
Fork Lake📍 Must-visit attractions when coming to Vevey Choose a location you like💺 Sit down and stare at the beautiful scenery in front of you in a daze Feel the sun and sea🌞🌊 Very comfortable😍🌅

The Fork - Alimentarium

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Herman_travellerSeptember 8, 2019
5.0
Lausanne is the Olympics capital, so visiting to Lausanne without stopping at the Olympics museum isn't complete. We learned a lot about the history of the Olympics here.

International Olympic Committee

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Lausanne?

Don't miss these attractions in Lausanne: Lake Geneva, The Olympic Museum, and Olympic Park. If you like Culture & history, try Custom trip in Lausanne | The Olympic Museum + Lavaux Vineyard Terraces + Vevey + Chillon Castle※. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Wine tour in the canton of Vaud - Lavaux vineyards.

You can give Wine tour in the canton of Vaud - Lavaux vineyards and From Lausanne: Gruyères Tour with Chocolate & Cheese Tasting a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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