SwitzerlandLausanne tumbles down a series of steep hills to the shore of Lake Geneva, and getting to grips with its gradients is the key to enjoying it. The city stacks up in tiers: the medieval upper town around the Gothic cathedral, the lively Flon district of converted warehouses, and the waterfront resort quarter of Ouchy with its palm-lined promenade and lake steamers. A tiny metro, the m2, does the hard climbing for you, linking the lakeshore to the station and the old town in minutes, so use it and save your legs for wandering. This is the Olympic Capital, home to the International Olympic Committee and a superb museum, and a proper university town with a young, French-speaking energy. The rhythm is relaxed: linger over coffee on a terrace, take a paddle steamer across to the vineyards or the French shore, and end the day watching the sun set behind the Alps over the water. Many museums cluster at Plateforme 10 by the station, shops close on Sundays, and the best evenings are spent lakeside in Ouchy. Give the hills their due and Lausanne unfolds as one of Switzerland's most characterful cities.
Day plans
Pick your trip length. The full 1-day plan is free, members unlock the 3 and 7-day plans.
Start in the commercial hub; Fleur de Pain is handy for a quick bakery breakfast before the climb into the old town.
The covered wooden stairway is the prettiest way up; pause at Place de la Palud on the way to catch the animated clock on the hour.
See the rose window inside, then tackle the 224 steps for the best city and lake panorama; tower hours are limited, so check first.
