Things to do in Lake Geneva by place
The lake is long, so it helps to sort the sights by town. Geneva at the western end has the Jet d'Eau, an old town and the United Nations district, covered in our guide to things to do in Geneva. Lausanne has a hillside old town and the Olympic Museum on the shore, described on the Lausanne page.
Going east, Lavaux is the vineyard landscape above the lake, and Montreux has its promenade and old town. Next to it stands Chillon Castle. Mountain trains start from Montreux on the Golden Pass Express page, museums are gathered on the museums page, and sweets are on the chocolate page.
Our picks: things to do around the lake
The Lausanne cruise gives you the lake from the water, while the bus day from Lausanne adds Chaplin's World and Lavaux. The food and wine walk in Lavaux is the pick if you would rather spend an afternoon among the vines.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. 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.
Lavaux tasting walk with lunch in the vines
- Various wine tastings
- Snacks
- Two-course lunch in the vineyards
Several tastings along the route and a lunch among the vines. Cully is a short train ride from Lausanne and Montreux.
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Bus day from Lausanne: Chaplin's World, Lavaux and Montreux
- Chaplin's World visit
- Lavaux with local products tasting
- First-class cruise on an old steamer
A guided bus day with time in Montreux. Entry to Chillon Castle is not listed among the inclusions.
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Three-hour cruise from Lausanne to Chillon, Montreux and Vevey
- 3-hour boat trip
- Chillon, Montreux and Vevey
- Audioguide to download
The upper deck is only open with the first-class option. The boat passes Chillon, so there is no castle visit.
Check availability →Things to do around Lake Geneva
A cruise from Lausanne, a day out with Chaplin's World and Lavaux, and a food and wine walk in the vineyards, with live prices and availability.
Vevey and Chaplin's World
A lakeside town between Lausanne and Montreux.
Chaplin's World shows the manor, the studio and a park. The combined ticket for adults aged 16 to 59 starts at CHF 24 when bought online and costs CHF 30 at the site. Children aged 6 to 15 pay from CHF 18 online and CHF 22 on the spot, and under 6 is free. The park itself is free outside special events. Bus 212 leaves Vevey for the stop called Chaplin in about 15 minutes. If you drive, parking costs CHF 5 per day with an entrance ticket.
The market in Vevey is held on Tuesday and Saturday. It is currently organised around works on the Grande Place, so check the arrangement on the day. The three-hour cruise from Lausanne runs past Vevey, Montreux and Chillon. A separate trip from Lausanne combines Chaplin's World with Lavaux, Montreux and a first-class ride on an old steamer. It does not include an entrance to Chillon, so add the ticket yourself if you want to go inside.
Wine and walks in Lavaux
Time among the vines.
One walk starts at Cully station, which is 8 minutes by train from Lausanne and 20 minutes from Montreux. It includes several wine tastings, snacks and a two-course lunch among the vineyards. Coffee or tea can be ordered with lunch. Read more about wine, terraces and the Lavaux Express on the Lavaux page.
The French shore: Évian and Yvoire
Two towns reached by boat.
Évian is the French end of the CGN line from Lausanne, and Yvoire is the French end of the line from Nyon. The thermal spa in Évian offers day access to its fitness area for EUR 30 per person from the age of 16. It is closed on Sundays, and the season runs from 6 January to 19 December 2026. This is day access for the fitness area, not a medical cure.
The garden of Yvoire, the Jardin des Cinq Sens, shows a reopening on 9 April 2027, so it is not an option this year. Remember a valid passport or identity card for the crossing. All lines and fares are explained on the boat tours page.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need around the lake?
Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux each fill a day if you visit museums and the castle. A boat day or a vineyard walk adds another.
Is Chillon suitable for families?
Children aged 6 to 15 pay CHF 7 in 2026, and a family ticket costs CHF 35 for two adults with one to five children. Pushchairs are not possible on the tour.
Can I visit Évian and Yvoire in one day?
Both are on separate boat lines, N1 from Lausanne and N3 from Nyon. Check the timetable before you plan to combine them.