Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
IN A NUTSHELL
Visit Lausanne with Kids
Visit Lausanne with your kids to experience a people-friendly city that combines everything you could want. It has character, and all the restaurants and shops you may need.
Checkout various insider tips for parents visiting Lausanne.
Summer activities:
- Go on a boat cruise or rent a pedal boat on lake Léman.
- Having a picnic in Mon Repos Park and enjoy a dessert at the ephemeral summer café ‘La Folie Voltaire’.
- Take part in ‘Lausanne sur Mer’, a 2-month long event with lots of sport introductions for free.
Winter activities:
- Markets ‘Bô Noël’ – visit the children’s area to see farm animals or listen to stories.
- Enjoy an ice hockey game and support the local team of LHC.
- Stroll through the projection artworks at the Lausanne Lights Festival.
LOCATION
Hotels in Lausanne
Lausanne is a small city where every main attraction is within walking distance or easily accessible by public transport. We would thus recommend families to stay in the city centre, close to the train station or in the Flon area, or by the lake during summer.
Hotel Recommendations in Lausanne
Top 3 family-friendly hotels:
Hôtel Best Western Mirabeau (close to the train station)
Angleterre & Résidence (by the lake and with a swimming pool)
Hôtel des Voyageurs (in the city centre)
PLAY
Activities for children ages 0-5
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
Top 3 family-friendly activities:
AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium – the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.
Sauvabelin Park – Visit the animal farm, lake, playground and wooden tower to climb.
The Cantonal Museum of Zoology – It has the biggest stuffed great white shark in the world.
Insider tip when travelling with a baby – Take a peaceful stroll by the lake Léman on a sunny afternoon, looking at swans dancing on the waters and Belle-Epoque boats navigating their way to other places around the lake.
PLAY
Activities for older kids
Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.
The Olympic Museum – The Olympic Museum is spread over three floors, the main exhibition presents the origin of the Games, the competitions and the athletic spirit through over 150 screens and 1500 objects: The Olympic torches and medals of all The Olympic games, as well as the equipment of the most famous athletes. Children love slipping into the skin of an athlete thanks to the many interactive activities.
Check out this free travel journal suitable for children 4+. Children discover Lausanne through games, drawings, collages… something to keep them busy while parents visit Lausanne’s highlights! Each spot has its own activity: the Cathedral, the AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium, the Place de la Palud, The Olympic Museum… and many others. Bonus: if you present the travel journal along the way, children will even get some nice surprises or gifts to take back home!
AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium – the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.
Sauvabelin Park – Visit the animal farm, lake, playground and wooden tower to climb.
The Cantonal Museum of Zoology – It has the biggest stuffed great white shark in the world.
PLAY
Parks & Playgrounds
Mon Repos Park – with its outdoor café ‘La Folie Voltaire’ and play area.
Sauvabelin Park – with its wooden tower, lake, animal farm and playground.
Parc Guillemin – with its deer enclosure, paddling pool and modern playground.
Insider tip – Playgrounds and swing sets are easily found in parks but you can also find a more urban one by the lake just outside the last metro stop of line M2 ‘Ouchy-Olympique’.
FOOD
Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in Lausanne
Our top family-friendly cafés and restaurants:
- La Folie Voltaire during summer (This is the place to be for families).
- TOM Café at The Olympic Museum
- Café des Avenues Little
- Royaume Mélazic (for cupcakes and biscuits to-go).
TRANSPORTATION
How to Get Around in Lausanne
One can get around the city with the efficient public transport system of metro (the only one of Switzerland!) and other buses.
The good news is that when you stay in a hotel, you get the Lausanne Transport Card upon check-in. This allows you to use public transport for free for the duration of your stay.
The closest train station is the Lausanne’s main train station.
TOY SHOPS
Toy Shops in Lausanne
Insider Tips
Parc Guillemin
The ideal place to visit for families. It has a modern playground, a deer enclosure and a paddling pool for summer days.
ZYMI The traditional bakery
If you feel like having a picnic, make sure to visit this local and 100% artisanal bakery from freshly baked bread.
Georgette Quarter
The Avenue des Alpes is one of the most beautiful streets in Lausanne with its lovely buildings and architecture. Make sure to take a stroll down this street.