Staying in Lausanne is an opportunity to take a break and reconnect with nature. Capital of the canton of Vaud, the city lies on the shores of Lake Geneva and stretches between lakes and hills. The diversity of its landscapes is sure to give you a change of scenery, from the snow-capped peaks of the Savoy Alps to the 3 hills and the many sloping vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO world heritage site. Lausanne also boasts a rich architectural heritage that will appeal to history buffs with its many castles, religious buildings and fortifications overlooking the city.
If you’d like to visit a place on a human scale, full of charm and history, while being able to party and relax on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Olympic Capital should satisfy you! It’s also often a stopover on a Swiss road trip. But where to stay in Lausanne to enjoy all its facets? It’s not easy to choose where to stay in Lausanne, as it can quickly become very expensive. A number of areas are well located, offering different advantages and disadvantages.
To help you choose your accommodation, we’re going to introduce you to the main districts of Lausanne. For each one, we’ll talk about the budget you’ll need to set aside for accommodation, its geographical location, as well as the various points of interest and entertainment… With these details, we’ll be able to offer you our recommendations for your accommodation.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Lausanne, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Lausanne:
- $$ This hotel has a modern, urban style, with spacious rooms in the historic heart of the city,
- $$$ This luxury establishment on the shores of Lake Geneva features rooms in a renovated medieval château.
Map of Lausanne neighborhoods to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Lausanne, you’ll find on the map below all the Lausanne accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Lausanne
Where to stay in and around Lausanne
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Lausanne.
Stay in the Cité, in the historic heart of the city
La Cité is the oldest and best-preserved part of the city. It's located in the heart of Lausanne, from the Cathedral esplanade to the Place de la Palud. The medieval old town perched on a hill will charm you with its many historic buildings and cobbled, pedestrian streets. If you're staying in this area, you'll be able to wander through the alleys steeped in history on a signposted itinerary recognized as a "great cultural route". At the top of the cathedral, you'll discover an exceptional panorama of the surrounding area. Discover the many boutiques and cafés on Place de la Riponne, where you can sample local charcuterie and cheese.
Bus and metro lines run around the Cité, making it easy to get around other parts of Lausanne. Numerous typical bistros and craft stores can be found throughout the area. The most original shops and bars are concentrated particularly to the north of the Cité hill. As this is the most authentic part of the city, if you want to stay overnight, you'll mainly find high-end hotels with fairly high prices, as well as houses and apartments for rent. However, visitors looking to stay in the most luxurious "palaces" are more likely to head south to Lake Geneva.
We recommend you visit the following sites:
- Château Sainte-Marie: served as the seat of the bishops until 1536, then as the residence of the bailiffs who established the seat of Bernese power until 1798.
- Notre-Dame de Lausanne Cathedral: Switzerland's most imposing Gothic monument, and the first Gothic cathedral built outside France.
- Palais de Rumine: in neo-Florentine Renaissance style, it served as the University until the 1980s, when it was divided into several cantonal museums
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This very urban and modern accommodation is a very nice choice to stay in the center of Lausanne. It features a fitness center and on-site mini-market. For your accommodation, enjoy spacious rooms in a unique design setting that you won't find anywhere else.
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Located opposite the impressive Gothic cathedral, this sleek, modern accommodation features a gym and sauna. The panoramic roof offers stunning views of the old town. A bus stop is just across the street.
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This stylish, modern apartment is located close to the main railway and metro station. It comprises a bedroom with double bed and sofa bed, and a large living room. Public parking is available nearby.
Accommodation in Ouchy: close to Lake Geneva
Just south of Lausanne, Ouchy is the ideal place to stay right on Lake Geneva. Considered the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe, many artists have been inspired by this postcard landscape. Take a stroll along the water's edge from the quayside and snap a few photos, as a breathtaking view of the landscape awaits you. There are also a number of beaches where you can enjoy the lake and try your hand at a variety of water sports.
For your stay, you'll find mainly luxury hotels with impressive historic buildings, swimming pools and spas, and a host of luxurious amenities. Perfect for an unforgettable romantic getaway. Further inland, you'll find more affordable but still expensive apartments. In fact, as you'll have gathered, this is the most sought-after area for wealthy travellers, and the prices of accommodation here are accordingly high. In this area, take advantage of restaurants offering world cuisine, as well as lakeside eateries to enjoy this majestic setting. Metro stops serve Ouchy from La Cité in just 10 minutes.
We recommend you visit these places once you're there:
- Lausanne's three sumptuous gardens: along the quays you'll discover the Denautou, Elysée and Olympic parks, as well as the rose garden with its multitude of different rosebushes.
- Take a cruise on Lake Geneva: board a Compagnie Générale de Navigation steamboat for an unforgettable cruise.
- Port d'Ouchy: for a long time, this was a rather ordinary fishing port, before becoming the most popular summer tourist destination
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Located close to Lake Geneva, this classic accommodation comprises one bedroom and a kitchen equipped with fridge, dishwasher and coffee machine. You'll enjoy unobstructed lake views from the balcony. It's a compromise for more affordable accommodation close to the lake.
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This sumptuous 5-star luxury hotel is a 5-minute walk from Lake Geneva. You'll find an elegant Art Nouveau-style building for your accommodation. Guests enjoy access to 2 spas and a 24-hour fitness center , as well as an indoor and outdoor pool. The restaurant serves Swiss and local produce.
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Located in a picturesque area on the shores of Lake Geneva, you'll be accommodated in a splendid renovated medieval château with its original keep. The rooms will seduce you with their chic, uncluttered decor. There's a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, as well as an outdoor pool and spa. A shuttle service is also available.
Staying in Flon: between history and innovation
Flon is located in the center of Lausanne, south of the Cité. Once considered an industrial zone, it has now undergone a genuine transformation and a burst of modernity. It's a great place to stay in Lausanne, in a lively area.
You'll find plenty oftrendy places to eat, cafés and boutiques for shopping. A veritable sanctuary for artists, Flon has become a place of artistic expression, characterized by its contemporary architecture and design. Indeed, you'll find a large number of art galleries, studios and workshops. The atmosphere is reflected in the many frescoes on the walls of certain buildings. Truly, this is Lausanne's trendy, forward-looking district.
For party-goers and those looking to immerse themselves in the nightlife, there's no doubt: you've come to the right place. As night falls, you'll find plenty of nightclubs and bars. However, as you'll have gathered, this lively district isn 't necessarily ideal for a peaceful night's stay. So avoid staying here if you don't plan to enjoy the nightlife, or opt for quieter parts of Lausanne.
The Flon train station is nearby. If you're looking for accommodation, there'sa limited choice in this area, so book well in advance. Where to stay is generally reasonable, even if the cost of living is high.
We recommend the following places to discover in this district:
- Esplanade du Flon: considered the epicenter of the district, this public square was inaugurated in 2003.
- Maison Mercier: a magnificent neo-Gothic building housing administrative and commercial services, meeting rooms, accommodation and a sports hall.
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This hotel from the famous French chain is a 10-minute walk from the main railway station . Enjoy panoramic views from the roof terrace. For your accommodation, you'll appreciate the hotel's trendy, modern decor and uniquely styled rooms.
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Set in an Art Deco building, this attractive accommodation is located in a quiet pedestrian zone next to the Flon metro station. You'll love the contemporary-style rooms with their simple, refined decor.
Living in Rôtillon: where memory meets contemporary life
Located in the south-east of the city, Rôtillon transports you to a place that's both historic and contemporary. Surely the oldest part of Lausanne, you'll be charmed by its many colorful houses and buildings, bohemian stalls and sculptures on every corner. With its narrow streets and passageways, it's a really pleasant place to stroll.
When it comes to restaurants, there's plenty to choose from, ranging from refined to exotic to "on the go". You' ll also find a wide range of trendy bars.
You can reach most parts of Lausanne by public transport. As far as accommodation is concerned, it has to be said that the offer is limited and not necessarily more affordable than elsewhere. You'll find mainly 3 and 4-star accommodation. Don't hesitate to book your accommodation early to have more choice and better control your budget if you want to stay there.
Here are a few points of interest to discover in this district:
- Bessières Bridge: offers a unique view of the district
- Musée historique Lausanne: discover the history and culture of an 11th-century bishopric.
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This hotel, with its modern, colorful decor, will seduce you with its proximity to many of the area's points of interest. Some rooms have balconies. A very reasonable price to stay in Lausanne.
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This 4-star luxury hotel overlooks Lake Geneva and offers a beautiful view of the Alps. For your accommodation, you'll appreciate the recently renovated and tastefully decorated rooms. An added bonus is the well-equipped gym.
Staying at Plateforme 10: the new arts district
Located to the south of the Cité and close to the train station, it's a vast esplanade of over 20,000 square meters, the only one of its kind dedicated to culture. Here you'll discover the new sanctuary for the arts, featuring three museums and 2 foundations. Three restaurants with terraces, bookshops, boutiques and arcades surround this space. As you can see, Plateforme 10 was born to arouse everyone's curiosity with a space for living, discovering, exchanging and learning.
The Lausanne train station and bus stops are within easy reach. For accommodation, you'll find a range of more affordable hotels, as well as apartments for rent for those on a tighter budget. However, you'll need to head more towards the train station for accommodation. So this is the area to target for more affordable accommodation.
We recommend that you visit the following sites once you're here:
- Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts: probably the city's finest museum, with a collection of 10,000 highly varied works.
- Musée Cantonal de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains : you'll find a collection of contemporary design, glass art and jewelry, graphic arts and ceramics.
- Musée Photo Elysée: discover all facets of national and international photography in a historic manor house
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This apartment complex offers accommodation with a pleasant view. You'll love the modern decor and spacious, well-appointed rooms where to stay. Kitchenette with dishwasher and access to a fitness area. Excellent value for money.
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This accommodation features a modern spa and gym. You'll appreciate the bright rooms overlooking the garden and the hotel's futuristic-style decor for your accommodation. Enjoy panoramic lake views from the dining room.
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Recently renovated, modernized and extended, this superb hotel is located just opposite the main railway station. You'll be seduced by its spacious rooms, both modern and classy. There's also a large sports hall and a bakery serving fresh bread and organic dishes.
Summary
As you can see, Lausanne is quite concentrated, but offers many different areas where to stay, depending on your desired experience. To choose where to stay in Lausanne, you need to determine your priorities:
- For anarchitecture-oriented stay, you’ll need to favor accommodations in the Cité and Rôtillon areas to stay.
- Those who prefer an idyllic setting with panoramic views of Lake Geneva should head for Ouchy. Staying here will allow you to discover Lausanne from a more natural angle .
- Finally, for those who want to enjoy thecity’s history and culture, look more towards the Fion and Plateforme 10 areas where to stay.