Trip info
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On foot, by public transport
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2-8 hours
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English, French, Spanish, German -
Easy
Overview
Your expert local city guide will show you the city’s best parts, including hidden secrets you can’t find easily on your own. On this walking tour, you will be able to see a lot of sightseeing points within a short timeframe. Apart from explaining the sightseeing points your guide can provide insight into the history and culture of the city and the country in general. The focus of this tour is to see the city like a local. However, this private tour can be customised according to your wishes. Sightseeing points to visit can be agreed upon in advance or discussed when meeting up.
Highlights
- Explore plenty of hidden secrets and feel like a local
- See the main sightseeing places such as the cathedral of Lausanne
- Explore hidden secrets such as the Sauvabelin Tower
- Tour run by legal tour operator from Switzerland
Itinerary
Lausanne Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne, is a majestic Gothic cathedral that overlooks the city and is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in Europe. Its stunning stained-glass windows, intricate facade, and panoramic views from its tower make it a must-visit landmark.
Admission: Free
The Olympic Museum in Ouchy is dedicated to sports and the Olympic movement. It is home to permanent and temporary exhibitions, interactive displays, and a park with sculptures, offering a fascinating journey through the history and values of the Olympic Games. It’s a modern and engaging experience for all ages.
Admission: 15-25 HCF for adults
Palud Square (Place de la Palud) is one of Lausanne’s most charming and historic public squares. At its centre is the town’s oldest fountain, representing justice, with a statue of a soldier. The square is surrounded by typical cafes, boutiques, and large elegant shops, making it a vibrant spot for people-watching and soaking in the city’s atmosphere. It also features a charming animated clock.
Admission: Free
The Flon is the modern, lively heart of the city of Lausanne, a former warehouse district that has been transformed into a vibrant urban quarter. Served directly by metro lines, Le Flon is famously known for its 7-screen cinema complex, numerous bars, restaurants, clubs, and various shops. It’s a dynamic area for entertainment, shopping, and nightlife.
Admission: Free
Ouchy is the picturesque lakeside district of Lausanne, located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It features three sumptuous gardens and richly flowered and tree-lined quays, a beautiful waterfront promenade, and many parks that are popular for sports and relaxation. It offers stunning views of the lake and the French Alps, and is a popular spot for leisurely walks and boat trips.
Admission: Free
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe, shared between Switzerland and France. Its shores are lined with picturesque towns, vineyards, and elegant villas, and many famous people have lived along its beautiful banks. It offers opportunities for boat cruises, swimming, and various water sports, with stunning views of the Alps.
Time to visit: Variable (can be admired from the shore, or a boat trip can take 1-3 hours)
Admission: public access to the lake is free; boat trips have fees
The Rolex Learning Center is the iconic campus hub and main library for the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). It is renowned for its innovative architecture and is open to both students and the public as a laboratory for learning, a library with over 500,000 books, and an international cultural hub for EPFL. Its unique rolling roof and open spaces are impressive.
Admission: Free
Plateforme 10 is Lausanne’s unique venue dedicated to culture, located next to the main train station. It brings together several major museums in one accessible district, allowing visitors to walk from one museum to another as they explore different disciplines of design, photography, and fine arts. It is home to the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA), Photo Elysée, and the mudac (Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts).
Admission: individual museums have entry fees
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts – MCBA) is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most prominent museums. Now housed in a modern building at Plateforme 10, it features extensive collections of contemporary and modern art, as well as a significant collection of Vaudois art from the 18th century to the present day.
Admission: 15 CHF for adults
Musée de l’Elysée, now known as Photo Elysée and located within Plateforme 10, is a museum entirely devoted to photography. It houses an impressive collection of over 100,000 photographs, covering the history and technology of photography from its origins to the present day, along with compelling temporary exhibitions.
Admission: 15 CHF for adults
Collection de l’Art Brut is a unique and intriguing museum housed in a magnificent mansion. It features the distinctive collection of artworks gathered by French artist Jean Dubuffet, showcasing “Art Brut” or “Outsider Art” – works created by self-taught individuals outside the mainstream art world, often in mental institutions or prisons. This museum is full of surprises with its raw and unconventional pieces.
Admission: 12 CHF for adults
The Sauvabelin Tower is a unique wooden observation tower located in the Sauvabelin Forest, just above Lausanne. This impressive structure allows you to enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the city of Lausanne, Lake Geneva, the surrounding countryside, and the majestic Alps in the distance. It’s a great spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Admission: Free
Église réformée Saint-François is a historic Protestant church located in the heart of Lausanne. It is full of history, originally a Franciscan monastery church, and is notable for its beautiful architecture and significant stained-glass windows, some of which were donated by wealthy families. It serves as an active place of worship and a cultural venue.
Admission: Free
The Hermitage Foundation (Fondation de l’Hermitage) is a distinguished art museum located in a beautiful 19th-century mansion surrounded by a serene park. It is renowned for hosting high-quality temporary exhibitions of fine art, often featuring works from impressionism to modern art, drawing from internationally recognized collections.
Admission: 22 CHF for adults
The Lavaux vineyard terraces are a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site, comprising Switzerland’s largest terraced vineyard region. Stretching along 30 km of Lake Geneva’s northern shore, these ancient terraces offer marked walking trails and stunning, uninterrupted views of the lake and the towering Alps. Visitors can explore charming wine-producing villages and enjoy local wine tastings.
Admission: public access is free; wine tasting tours have fees
AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne is Switzerland’s largest freshwater aquarium-vivarium, offering a unique journey through the aquatic ecosystems of five continents. It features a diverse range of fascinating animal and plant species, presented in immersive and engaging exhibits. It’s an educational and entertaining experience for families and nature enthusiasts.
Admission: 32 CHF for adults
Cost
Inclusions
- Local tour guide (Swiss or expat)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Walking tour
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Tickets for public transport or taxi (not necessary as it is a walking tour)
- Tickets for attractions with entry fee such as museums
- Tips
Important information
- Please note that this is a tour with a local person or expat, not with a tour guide that has detailed historical knowledge.
- This tour will take place rain or shine.
- Please note that for very late bookings (1 day before the tour) we can’t always guarantee a tour guide that speaks your chosen language. If a guide in your language is not available we will give you an English-speaking guide instead. If you can’t accept an English speaking guide, please ask us first if a guide that speaks your language is available before you make the payment.
FAQs
Your guide can meet you wherever you need to be picked up. You can request a pickup point during the booking process. We may not be able to meet you at some locations which are far from the sightseeing points. In such a case, we will suggest you a more suitable meeting point.
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