These three options show Lausanne in very different ways: through food, through the old town on foot, or by heading out on a longer day trip from the city. Each one suits a different pace, group style, and interest level.
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This comparison is designed for travelers researching things to do in Lausanne. For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and Switzerland tours and experiences.
Quick comparison of things to do in Lausanne
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Old town food walk | travelers who want a guided meal-style experience with local specialties | ★ 5.0/5 | 23 reviews | Approx. 3 hr 30 min | Includes an English-speaking local guide. | View on Viator |
 Historic old town walk | travelers who want a shorter guided walk centered on Lausanne’s historic core | ★ 5.0/5 | 12 reviews | Approx. 2 hr | Shorter than the other two experiences. | View on Viator |
 Riviera day trip | travelers who want a longer, transport-included outing with admissions already covered | ★ 4.8/5 | 9 reviews | Approx. 6 hr | Includes transport by air-conditioned coach or van. | View on Viator |
What each Lausanne option includes
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
For travelers comparing the three, this is the best match for a culinary outing on foot.
Taste Lausanne – A Full Swiss Food Tour by Do Eat Better
Best for: travelers who want a guided meal-style experience with local specialties
This experience is built as a walking tour around Lausanne’s old town, with a local expert leading the way and explaining the restaurants, dishes, and related details along the route. It is the most food-focused of the three options, with several tastings that together add up to a full meal. The confirmed inclusions cover the food and drinks described, along with water and at least one alcoholic drink for guests over 18. Because it is a walking format, it suits travelers who want to combine sightseeing with a paced, sit-down-and-sample approach rather than a broad city overview.
Taste Lausanne through a guided food walk
- Includes an English-speaking local guide.
- Food and drinks described for the tour are included.
- The route is on foot through the old town with multiple tastings.
For travelers comparing the three, this is the best match for a classic walking overview of Lausanne.
Guided group walking tour of the old town of Lausanne
Best for: travelers who want a shorter guided walk centered on Lausanne’s historic core
This tour is a guided group walk through Lausanne’s old town, designed for travelers who want a straightforward introduction to the city’s historic core. The route begins at Place de la Palud and continues past several named sights, including the cathedral area, while also making brief stops in other districts and viewpoints listed in the itinerary. The confirmed inclusion is the guided group tour itself, so the experience is mainly about walking, listening, and observing rather than food or transport. Compared with the other two options, it offers the most compact city-focused format and the least logistical complexity.
See Lausanne’s old town on a guided group walk
- Shorter than the other two experiences.
- Guided group format with local residents as guides.
- Centers on Lausanne’s old town and historic landmarks.
For travelers comparing the three, this is the best match for a fuller day outside Lausanne with included admissions.
(KTL303) – Winter Tour Montreux and Chaplin's World from Lausanne
Best for: travelers who want a longer, transport-included outing with admissions already covered
This option is a coach or van day trip from Lausanne rather than a city walk. It combines several confirmed stops, including a photo stop in Lavaux, time in Vevey, Chaplin’s World, Montreux, and Chillon Castle, with transport, bottled water, guide service, and the listed entries included. Food and drinks are not included, so this is a better fit for travelers who want a structured sightseeing day and prefer to have the main logistics covered, while choosing their own meal separately. Among the three experiences, it is the most wide-ranging in geography and the most transport-oriented.
Take a longer day trip beyond Lausanne
- Includes transport by air-conditioned coach or van.
- Several admissions are included, including Chaplin’s World and Chillon Castle.
- Combines Lausanne departure with multiple stops beyond the city.
Choosing how to spend time in and from Lausanne
If you want to stay close to the city center, the two walking tours offer different styles: one leans toward food, the other toward history. If you prefer a bigger sightseeing day with transport already arranged, the excursion from Lausanne is the most expansive option.
Walking food tour
Old town route with at least four food stops and a guide-led tasting itinerary.
Old town group walk
A guided city walk with historic streets, squares, and cathedral-area highlights.
Lausanne day trip
Coach-based route with Riviera stops, included museum and castle entries, and free time in Montreux.
Before you book in Lausanne
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Lausanne booking checklist
- Check the confirmed inclusions carefully, especially for food, transport, and admissions, since the three tours cover those elements differently.
- The food tour and the city walk are both on foot, while the day trip uses coach or van transport.
- Treat ratings, review counts, and durations as changing snapshots when comparing options.
Questions travelers ask about things to do in Lausanne
Which option is best if I want to stay in Lausanne?
The two walking tours stay in Lausanne. Choose the food tour for tastings and a meal-style experience, or the old town walk for a more history-focused route.
Which option includes transport?
The day trip from Lausanne includes transport by air-conditioned coach or van. The two city tours are walking experiences.
Which tour includes admissions?
The day trip includes the listed admissions for Chaplin’s World and Chillon Castle. The two walking tours do not list separate admissions as included.