11 of the best things to do in Lausanne, Switzerland

The French-speaking Swiss city of Lausanne is often overlooked by visitors in favor of its bigger, more famous neighbour, Geneva, but that’s a mistake.

Rich in art and culture, with a youthful vibe and a gorgeous lakeside location, Lausanne may be a small city, but it has a lot to say for itself. From beaches and boat rides to vineyards and pop-up bars, these top things to do in will make any trip here a real treat.

1. Walk through Lausanne from top to bottom – and take the metro back up

The first thing you’ll notice about Lausanne is that it’s hilly. The town dates from Roman times when Lousanna, as it was named, grew up on the shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). The Cité, a fortified camp on a hill some 500m (1640ft) above the lake, became the town’s main population center in the medieval era. These days, Lausanne occupies both areas and everything in between, and you can see it all by taking a leisurely downhill stroll.

Start in the Cité to explore the 13th century Gothic cathedral and the quiet cobbled streets that surround it. There’s a sweeping view of Lausanne from the terrace outside the cathedral (which you can super charge by climbing the 153 steps of the bell tower). From here, take the medieval wooden market steps down to the busy town center and Town Hall on Place de la Palud, before continuing your descent past the train station, through Grancy and beyond to the lakeshore at Ouchy. Reward yourself with an ice cream from Glaces Veneta before heading back to town on the leg-saving M2 metro line.

Local tip: Pick up a sandwich, panini or sweet treat at Ässbar on Rue du Petit Chêne (it sells yesterday’s bakery leftovers at a reduced price), and head to Parc de Milan for a picnic.

2. Shop local at the weekly market

Lausanne comes alive on Saturday mornings, when the market comes to town. Find fruit and veg, cheese, flowers, spices, bread and pastries, fresh ginger juice and much more on the stalls lining the streets of the Vielle Ville (Old Town). It’s a lovely way to spend a morning even if you’re not buying anything, but at least let yourself be tempted by a salée (a cheese tart) from the bakery stall in Place de la Riponne – there’s usually a line, so it’s easy to spot. A…