Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lausanne?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lausanne?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Lausanne during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, the shops and boutiques, and the historic old town.

Lausanne is a beautiful city that sits on the banks of Lake Geneva. It's in the French speaking part of Switzerland and it has a nice historical section that is filled with shops and a cathedral. The city is also home to the International Olympic Committee.

Do you have one or two days to visit Lausanne? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Lausanne?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, Lausanne is a nice city that isn't very crowded with tourists since it only has a few sights and attractions. To fully embrace Lausanne, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to two days to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, browse the shops, and admire the historic sights. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Lausanne

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Lausanne, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

A few tour suggestions include:

The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne ($23)
Lausanne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

A few tour suggestions include:

Swiss cheese and charcuterie wine tasting ($51)

The public transit in Lausanne is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Lausanne?

A weekend offers a good amount of time to enjoy much of what Lausanne has for visitors. In addition to the museums and landmarks and food, visitors can enjoy the charming old town, nightlife, and beautiful scenery. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here.

Lausanne, Switzerland

How to spend 2 days in Lausanne

With a weekend (two to three days) in Lausanne, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Lausanne is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Lausanne, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.