Lausanne climbs from the lakeside promenades of Ouchy, home to the Olympic Museum, up a steep hill to a Gothic cathedral and medieval lanes, with a small metro linking the two. The tours below cover both levels, plus day trips into the Alps.
Related: Lausanne Travel Guide: Best Tours, Sights and How to Plan Your Trip
Top-Rated Lausanne Switzerland Tours & Experiences
The Mysteries of Lausanne
A story-led walk that mixes the old town’s legends and corners with the city’s history, so it rewards curious travelers more than box-tickers. Expect steep streets and stairs, so wear shoes with grip and allow time for the climb.
Riviera Col Du Pillon and Glacier 3000 High Level Experience Swiss Alps from Lausanne
This high-altitude day trip heads from Lausanne into the Alps toward the Col du Pillon and the Glacier 3000 area, where snow is possible even in summer. Pack warm layers and sunglasses, and check the departure time and transport.
Lausanne Food Tour Do Eat Better Experience
A guided tasting walk through the city’s food scene, built around local producers and bakeries. Check how many tastings and stops the listing names, tell the organizer about allergies in advance, and come hungry.
Gruyere from Lausanne
A day trip to the Gruyères region, known for its cheese and a hilltop medieval village, suits food lovers and families. Check whether a cheese tasting, a dairy stop and any entrance fees are part of the listing.
Day Trip to Zermatt Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise from Lausann
This is a very long day from Lausanne toward the Matterhorn and the glacier area near Zermatt, so expect a lot of travel time. Check the transport, schedule and any lift tickets listed, and dress for cold mountain weather.
As with most in-demand destinations, the best tours in Lausanne Switzerland tend to sell out first, so booking a few days ahead is generally a good idea.
Browse more Lausanne Switzerland tours on Viator →
What Makes These Tours Worth Booking
Lausanne works as a base because the lake, the Lavaux vineyards and the Alps are all within a day’s reach. The 6 priced tours reflect that: a museum ticket, a food walk, a cruise and mountain and village trips. The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne has the most reviews at 231, and Taste Lausanne – A Full Swiss Food Tour by Do Eat Better rates highest at 4.9 stars from 28 reviews.
What Lausanne Tours Cost
What you pay depends mostly on whether you stay in the city or leave it. Museum entry starts the range with The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne at $25, while the Alpine and village excursions sit well above it, and the full food tour tops the range at $219. Check what each listing includes.
Where to Sleep in Lausanne
Ouchy suits lakeside walks, with views of the French Alps across the water. The Flon and city-center area has the best restaurants and nightlife, and the upper old town around the cathedral is atmospheric but steep. The M2 metro runs between Ouchy and the center, and Lausanne station has fast trains to Geneva, Montreux and Bern.
Timing Your Lausanne Trip
May to September is best for lake cruises and terraces, and autumn brings the grape harvest to the Lavaux terraces east of the city. Snow arrives at higher elevations from about December, which helps Alpine trips but can also disrupt them. City winters are gray but quiet.
Practical Tips Before You Book
Ask your guide about the cathedral’s night watchman, who still calls the hours from the tower in the late evening. Save the Olympic Museum for a wet morning and allow a couple of hours. Use the metro for the climb between lake and old town.
How the Top Tours Compare
Choose the museum ticket if the Olympics interest you, a food or story walk for a half day in town, and a mountain excursion only in clear weather. The cruise listing is the lowest-rated here at 3.4 from 20 reviews, so read it closely.
Lausanne Tours: Quick Answers
How much does a Lausanne tour cost?
The 6 priced listings range from $25, for The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne, to $219, with a median of $111. The museum ticket is the cheapest, and the full food tour is the priciest.
Which Lausanne tour has the highest rating?
Taste Lausanne – A Full Swiss Food Tour by Do Eat Better leads among listings with at least 20 reviews, with 4.9 stars from 28 reviews. The most reviewed is The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne, with 231 reviews.
Can I see the Matterhorn on a day trip from Lausanne?
A listing here offers it, but it is a very long day with plenty of travel. If you want more time in Zermatt, consider staying overnight there instead.
What is Ouchy in Lausanne?
Ouchy is the lakeside district at the foot of the city, with promenades, cafes and the Olympic Museum. A short metro ride connects it to the center and the old town above.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!