Lausanne at a glance
Lausanne lies on the northern shore of the lake and is built on steep slopes. The historic quarter, La Cité, sits around the cathedral hill high above the water, while the lakefront district of Ouchy lies far below, with the harbour, the promenade and the Olympic Museum. Moving between the two means a long climb or a ride on the metro, so it helps to decide early which part of the city you want to spend your time in.
A first visit works well in two halves: the old town on foot in the morning, then the lakefront in the afternoon. If the weather is poor, the museums of the city give you a dry alternative, and our museums page explains the main ones.
Our picks: Lausanne walks and museum entry
Choose the Olympic Museum ticket for a visit by the lake. The two private walks both meet at your accommodation: one follows a set route, the other you can shape yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private Lausanne walk with a local guide
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Walking tour
A two-hour walk with a local guide who meets you at the hotel and brings you back. Museum entries and public transport are extra.
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Private Lausanne walk you can tailor
- Private walking tour
- Customization of the tour
- Help booking tickets
You shape the route with the guide, and entry tickets are extra. Check the transport details with the provider before booking.
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Olympic Museum entry ticket
- Entrance ticket
- Audio guide upon availability
Entry to the museum on the lakefront at Ouchy. The audio guide depends on availability.
Check availability →Lausanne tours and tickets
Private walks with a local guide and a ticket for the Olympic Museum, with live prices and availability.
Lausanne old town
La Cité is the historic quarter around the cathedral hill, and it is a natural place to start a walking tour of Lausanne. The pedestrian streets lead down to the Place de la Palud, where a market runs on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The streets are steep and partly cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time.
The cathedral is free to enter. You can climb the tower for CHF 6 from the age of 26, while visitors up to 25 enter free. Note that the rose window and the stained glass are closed to visitors until spring 2027 because of restoration work, so the interior looks different from older photos. Parts of the historic building are only partly accessible, which matters if you travel with a pushchair or a wheelchair.
If you want a guide, there are two private walks. One meets you at your hotel and the guide brings you back afterwards, and the other can be shaped around your interests and starts at your accommodation if it is in the centre. In both cases museum entry tickets and public transport are paid separately.
The Olympic Museum
The Olympic Museum stands at Quai d'Ouchy 1, right on the lake. Adults from 16 years pay CHF 20, seniors, students and visitors with a disability pay CHF 14, and children up to 15 enter free when an adult comes with them. The museum is generally closed on Mondays, with exceptions for public days off and special events, and it also closes around Christmas and New Year. Check the opening hours before your visit, because the published times differ between sources.
You can buy an entry ticket with an audio guide, which is subject to availability. The ticket is valid on the date you choose, and the "1 day" shown by some sellers describes the validity, not the length of the visit. Our museums page also covers the art museums of Plateforme 10 and a few more places around the lake.
Ouchy and the lake
Ouchy is the lakefront district, and from the old town you reach it by the metro line m2 to the stop Ouchy-Olympique. Walk along the quay for views of the water and the mountains on the French side. The harbour is also where the boats leave for France: the line N1 goes to Évian and the line N2 to Thonon.
You need a valid passport or identity card for the crossing. Read the details of tickets, day passes and the historic ships on our boat tours page. If you want to see more of the shore, our Lavaux page covers the vineyard terraces east of the city.
Plateforme 10 and football
Plateforme 10 is the cluster of art museums next to the station, with MCBA, mudac and Photo Elysée. It is a good choice for a rainy afternoon, and you can find prices and closing days on our museums page.
Sport fans may know the city as the home of FC Lausanne-Sport, who play at the Stade de la Tuilière on the Route de Romanel. Ticket prices and the league change from season to season, so check the club's site if you want to see a match.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the old town to Ouchy?
Take the metro line m2 to Ouchy-Olympique, or walk down the hill, which is steep and takes longer than it looks on the map.
Can I visit the cathedral interior in 2026?
You can enter the church for free, but the rose window and the stained glass are closed for restoration until spring 2027. The tower is open to visitors from 26 years for CHF 6.
Is the Olympic Museum open on Mondays?
It is generally closed on Mondays, with exceptions for public days off and special events. Check the opening hours before your visit.
Which tours cost extra for tickets?
On the private walks, the entry fees of museums and public transport are not included. Plan for them in your budget.