Weekend in Lausanne
Trip Overview
This two-day Lausanne itinerary balances postcard views with lived-in neighbourhoods. Day one follows the cobblestone stairways of the Old Town before gliding across the lake on a vintage paddle steamer. Day two swaps the water for terraced Lavaux vineyards, ending with sunset drinks above the twinkling city lights. Expect early starts, leisurely lunches and evenings that stretch into the warm buzz of lakeside bars. Lausanne rewards walkers: every climb reveals a new angle of the Alps.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$180-220 per day
Best Seasons
May through September for open-air dining and vine leaves. Crisp October weekends for harvest colours
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Wine lovers, Couples, Photography enthusiasts
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Old Town Ascent & Lake Escape
Lausanne Old Town & Lac Léman
Morning in the pedestrian maze above the cathedral, afternoon on the water, evening among the twinkling boats at Ouchy.
Morning
Cathedral & Escaliers du Marché
Climb the 153 stone steps beside Café de l'Évêché. Inside the 13th-century cathedral, morning light filters through rose windows onto carved choir stalls. The belfry still rings the hour by hand. Watch the keeper pull ropes the medieval way.
Lunch
Café du Grütli
Afternoon
CGN Paddle Steamer to Évian
Board the 1904 steamer Belle Époque at Ouchy pier. Polished brass rails shine against turquoise water. The engine thrums underfoot. Stay on deck as French Alps slide past, Mont Blanc appears like a shark fin on the horizon. Return sailing with a glass of Fendant in hand.
Buy the day pass at the pier kiosk. No advance reservation needed
Evening
Aperitif at Miyako Bar, Ouchy
Order a yuzu-infused gin tonic while yachts bob beneath fairy lights. Share a platter of local charcuterie as the sky fades from apricot to indigo.
Where to Stay Tonight
Ouchy or Flon (Hôtel Angleterre & Résidence)
Steps from the steamer pier and metro line M2 for hill climbs tomorrow
See all Lausanne accommodation options →Pick up a 9 CHF Lausanne Transport Card at your hotel, it covers metro, buses and even the funicular to the vineyards.
Day 1 Budget: $190
2
Vineyard Terraces & Rooftop Sunset
Lavaux & Lausanne centre
Morning hike through UNESCO-listed vines, long lunch in a wine cellar, twilight drinks above the city.
Morning
Lavaux Vineyard Walk: Grandvaux to Cully
Ride the train 12 minutes to Grandvaux. Stone walls criss-cross steep terraces. The scent of wild rosemary drifts uphill. Follow the Sentier des Vignes for 4 km, gravel crunches underfoot and Lake Geneva glitters 300 metres below. Pause at Domaine Croix Duplex for a splash of Chasselas straight from the barrel.
Lunch
Domaine du Daley
Afternoon
Olympic Museum & Parc Olympique
Back in Lausanne, descend via the Sauvabelin funicular. Inside the museum, cool air carries a faint chlorine scent from the interactive pool exhibit. Handle torches from every Summer Games since 1936 and watch 3-D footage of record-breaking sprints. The park outside offers hammocks under plane trees.
Buy tickets online to skip the queue on Sundays
Evening
Rooftop Spritz at Lausanne Palace
Take the glass elevator to the 9th-floor terrace. Sip an Aperol spritz while the city lights mirror constellations over the lake. The alpine peaks glow pink one last time before night falls.
Where to Stay Tonight
Stay in Ouchy/Flon (Hotel already booked)
Late checkout lets you stash bags before the train home
See all Lausanne accommodation options →Pack a light jacket. The lake breeze turns cool at sunset even in summer.
Day 2 Budget: $200
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Book Ahead
Reserve your Lausanne hotel ( lake-view rooms at Hôtel Angleterre), Olympic Museum timed ticket for Sunday, and lunch table at Domaine du Daley if visiting on a weekend.
Packing Essentials
Comfortable walking shoes with grip for vineyard trails, light layers for lake breezes, portable charger for photo-heavy days, swimsuit for an optional plunge at Bellerive beach.
Total Budget
$390-420 for the weekend excluding flights
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Sleep at Lausanne Guesthouse near the station, picnic on baguettes and Gruyère from Manor supermarket, hike Lavaux with tap water instead of wine tastings, weekend total drops to around $150.
Luxury Upgrade
Book a lake-view suite at Beau-Rivage Palace, charter a private CGN yacht to Montreux, reserve the chef's table at Anne-Sophie Pic for a five-course wine-paired dinner, expect $600-700 per day.
Family-Friendly
Swap the steamer for a shorter 45-minute CGN round-trip, visit Espace des Inventions science centre instead of Olympic Museum, end with gelato at Gelatomania while kids chase ducks along Ouchy promenade.
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