Discover Vaud | A Visitor's Introduction to Vaud

Why is Vaud Worth a Visit?

Vaud is worth visiting because it offers an exceptionally varied travel experience — from glamorous lakeside cities and vineyard terraces, to alpine villages, mountain hikes, and tranquil rural landscapes. Whether you’re sipping a glass of local Chasselas wine overlooking Lake Geneva, exploring a Roman amphitheatre, or riding a cogwheel train into the Alps, Vaud provides a rich blend of culture, nature, and elegance.

The canton has a milder climate than much of Switzerland, especially around the lake, and boasts a vibrant calendar of festivals, culinary events, and open-air concerts. It’s ideal for slower travel, giving you space to soak in the scenery, flavours, and charm of French-Swiss life.

Plus, it’s very well-connected by rail and boat, making it easy to hop between lakeside towns, mountain villages, and vineyard trails.

Vaud Highlights: Things to See and Do in Vaud

Lausanne

The capital of Vaud, Lausanne is a lively, hilly, and youthful city on the northern shore of Lake Geneva.

• Visit the Olympic Museum, a must-see tribute to the history and spirit of the Olympic Games (headquarters of the IOC are here).

• Explore the Gothic Lausanne Cathedral, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful churches.

• Stroll the Ouchy lakeside district, where you can enjoy gardens, paddleboats, and al fresco dining.

• Discover the vibrant Flon District, filled with bars, cafés, art galleries, and nightclubs.

Lausanne is both a cultural capital and a lakeside playground — youthful, energetic, and full of character.

Montreux

Montreux is famous for its jazz festival, lakefront elegance, and its association with rock legends and royals.

• Walk the Montreux Riviera Promenade, lined with sculptures, tropical flowers, and Belle Époque architecture.

• Visit Freddie Mercury’s statue and the Queen Studio Experience in the former Mountain Studios.

• Take a short trip to the Rochers-de-Naye via cogwheel train for alpine views and marmot watching.

• Enjoy Montreux Jazz Festival every July — one of the world’s most respected music events.

Montreux exudes old-world glamour with a touch of rock ’n’ roll.

Lavaux Vineyards – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces stretch for about 30 km along the slopes between Lausanne and Montreux, offering some of Switzerland’s most iconic landscapes.

• Walk the vineyard trails from Lutry, Cully, or Epesses, with jaw-dropping views over the lake and Alps.

• Stop at local wine cellars (caves) for tastings of Chasselas, the region’s signature white wine.

• Ride the Lavaux Express mini-train through the vines, or join a guided wine tour.

Spring through autumn is the best time to visit, when the vineyards are green or golden.

Château de Chillon

Just outside Montreux, Chillon Castle is Switzerland’s most-visited historic monument — and it’s easy to see why.

• A fairy-tale fortress on a rock in the lake, with medieval halls, dungeons, towers, and courtyards.

• Immortalised by Lord Byron, who carved his name in the dungeon during a visit.

• Self-guided tours with excellent audio guides or family-friendly booklets.

The castle is incredibly photogenic and a must-see in any Vaud itinerary.

Vevey

Quieter than Montreux, Vevey has a strong artistic and culinary identity.

• Visit the Alimentarium, the world’s first food-themed museum, sponsored by Nestlé (headquartered here).

• Pose next to the giant fork sculpture in the lake.

• Discover Chaplin’s World, a museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin, who lived nearby for 25 years.

• Enjoy the Tuesday and Saturday markets, with local produce, cheese, and wine.

Vevey combines lakeside tranquillity with cultural surprises and creative energy.

Nyon and Roman Heritage

Located between Lausanne and Geneva, Nyon is a small lakeside town with big historical credentials.

• Explore Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre and mosaics.

• Visit Château de Nyon, home to the Porcelain Museum with beautiful views.

• Walk the lakeside promenade and enjoy a ferry ride to Yvoire, a medieval French village just across the lake.

Nyon is ideal for day trips and gives a more intimate feel of local Vaudois life.

Jura Vaudois Regional Park

Vaud isn’t all about the lake – head north to explore the Jura Mountains, with peaceful forests, rolling meadows, and rural traditions.

• Go hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing through quiet countryside and pine-scented trails.

• Visit traditional cheese dairies and sample Tête de Moine or Vacherin Mont-d’Or.

• Stay in rural guesthouses or enjoy farm visits, especially around Sainte-Croix and Le Sentier.

This area is ideal for travellers who enjoy slower travel, wildlife, and authenticity.

Glacier 3000 and Les Diablerets

In the far east of the canton lies Les Diablerets, a charming alpine village with access to Glacier 3000 — a year-round snowy wonderland.

• Ride the cable car to the glacier, then walk across the Peak Walk by Tissot, a suspension bridge between two summits.

• Enjoy sledding, skiing, or snow hikes — even in summer.

• The views stretch as far as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn on clear days.

It’s one of the few places in Switzerland where you can touch snow in July.

Yverdon-les-Bains

North of Lausanne, Yverdon-les-Bains is a thermal spa town with Roman roots.

• Relax in the natural hot springs and wellness centres.

• Visit the Maison d’Ailleurs, a unique museum of science fiction and fantasy.

• Explore Neolithic and Roman sites, including the Menhirs of Clendy on the lake shore.

This is a quieter destination for wellness and heritage in one.

Practical Advice for Visitors

Getting There

• By train: The entire canton is well-served by SBB trains, with frequent connections from:

  • Geneva (Lausanne in 35 mins)

  • Zurich (Lausanne in 2.5 hrs)

  • Bern (1 hr)

• By car: Vaud is easy to explore by car, especially if visiting the Jura or mountain villages. Just note that parking in city centres can be limited.

• By boat: CGN boats offer scenic connections across Lake Geneva, particularly between Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, and Nyon.

Getting Around

• Use the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, buses, boats, and even some mountain transport.

• In Lausanne, Montreux, and Vevey, public transport is excellent.

• Ferries are a lovely way to get between lakeside towns.

• For vineyard walks, local buses and trains stop in villages like Cully and Epesses.

Parking

• In major towns, look for underground or park-and-ride options.

• Street parking is metered and often limited.

• In rural areas and mountain resorts, designated car parks are usually free or low-cost.

Dining

Vaud is a paradise for foodies and wine lovers.

Don’t miss:

• Malakoff: A crispy cheese doughnut, often found near Nyon.

• Papet Vaudois: Leek and potato stew with saucisse aux choux (cabbage sausage).

• Tomme Vaudoise: Soft cheese, great with crusty bread.

• Chasselas wine: Delicate, dry white grown on the Lavaux terraces.

• Perch fillets from the lake, served with lemon butter and frites.

Shopping

• Lausanne and Montreux offer designer shops, Swiss watches, and local food markets.

• Vevey and Nyon are ideal for small art galleries, local crafts, and gourmet souvenirs.

• Pick up local wines, cheese, honey, herbal teas, and artisanal chocolate from village shops or markets.

When to Visit

• Spring (April–June): Vineyards bloom, lakeside towns come alive, and the weather is mild.

• Summer (July–August): Ideal for festivals, lake swimming, and mountain excursions.

• Autumn (Sept–Oct): Vineyards turn golden, harvest festivals are in full swing, and crowds thin out.

• Winter (Nov–March): Best for thermal spas, snowy mountain villages, and fewer tourists.

The Lavaux vineyards are especially magical in October when the vines blaze with autumn colour.

Local Events

• Montreux Jazz Festival (July): A world-class music festival on the lake.

• Fête des Vignerons (next in 2029): A once-in-a-generation winegrowers’ festival recognised by UNESCO.

• Cully Jazz Festival (April): An intimate and creative jazz experience in Lavaux wine cellars.

• Paléo Festival Nyon (July): One of Switzerland’s biggest open-air music events.

• Fête de la Tulipe in Morges (April–May): Tulip gardens and floral displays on the lakefront.

Exploring Beyond Vaud

• Geneva: Just west of the canton, for international flair, museums, and diplomacy.

• Gruyères: Visit the medieval cheese town, with a castle and chocolate factory, about an hour away.

• Chamonix (France): Just over the border — perfect for a high-Alpine day trip to Mont Blanc.

• Bern: Switzerland’s charming capital city is a short and scenic train ride.

Vaud is a canton that captures the essence of French-speaking Switzerland — elegant yet relaxed, scenic yet sophisticated. Whether you’re hiking through vineyard trails, riding a boat across Lake Geneva, enjoying a jazz concert, or sipping wine on a sunny terrace, the region offers a lifestyle and landscape you’ll want to return to. It’s romantic, cultural, active, and deeply satisfying — a place where every season brings new flavours and views.