Four best day trips from the Lake Geneva region

Between the palm trees, the glittering lake and its very own castle, it’s easy to see why so many artists—from Freddy Mercury to Prince—made Lake Geneva their home.

You can have some epic, off-the-beaten path adventures, discover the Lake Geneva region through Freddie Mercury’s eyes with a Freddie Tour, or eat at some of the best new restaurants in the region—Japanese-Peruvian cuisine at Coco Mama included. But thanks to an unrivalled train service, the region is also perfectly poised for some next-level day trips.

Visit the terraced vineyards of Lavaux

Disappear amongst 830 hectares of terraced vineyards that stretch for 30 km along the shores of Lake Geneva—a sight you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

Follow the meandering hiking trail from Saint-Saphorin to Lutry through the vines planted by monks in the 12th century. More drinking and less walking? Plan an afternoon of wine tasting at Les 11 Terres, a wine bar in the village of Epesses that showcases the best winemakers in the region (and boasts at least 50 Lavaux crus) and makes killer charcuterie boards.

Want the best of both worlds? Grab an apéro backpack filled with a bottle cooler, glasses, wines, sausages and pastries from Les 11 Terres and head off into the vineyards.

Most of the excellent wines produced in this region accorded a UNESCO World-Heritage listing are never exported, so make sure to taste the Chasselas, Pinot Noir and other grape varieties certified by three AOC labels: Lavaux, Dézaley and Calamin. Pair these wines with L’épicurienne’s refined, seasonal fare flavoured with herbs from the garden (and don’t miss the glass wine cellar).

Take the scenic route back via Belle Epoque boat from Vevey-Marché. Picture a paddle boat with diesel-electric propulsion equipped with a first-class lounge decked out in chestnut marquetry and bronze trimmings.

Ride the GoldenPass Express train

Get ready for the best train ride of your life.

As this luxury train pulls out of Montreux, wait for the first of many epic views: sparkling Lake Geneva. Next up? Practically cinematic landscapes featuring cows grazing on impossibly green meadows; classic alpine chalets and the Alps poking through the background.

For an exclusive experience, opt for the front section of the train where the Prestige Class seats are located. This allows you to sense the feeling of being at the helm of the train. Seating is limited. Travellers between Montreux and Zweisimmen can also opt for the GoldenPass Belle Epoque featuring meticulously restored vintage Orient Express cars.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, your first glass of wine and cheese board arrives, and suddenly it’s clear why the cheese tastes so good—you’re looking at just over 3 hours (3 hours and 15 minutes to be exact) of uninterrupted views of the happiest cows in the world.

One of the most beautiful train journeys in Switzerland, the GoldenPass Panoramic train is not to be missed and you want to get the seating right. Time Out Tip: When travelling from Montreux to Interlaken, make sure to sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel.

Spend the day in Lausanne’s new arts district

For a triple-dose of culture, this small city with a big heart is it.

Plateforme 10, Lausanne’s new arts district, is home to three museums: Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts (MCBA), the museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac), Photo Elysée, as well as the collections of two foundations, Toms Pauli and Félix Vallotton.

Fine art, photography and modern art in one single spot near the Lausanne train station? Sign us up.

Wander through one of the most important museums devoted solely to the medium of photography, then hop over to a unique institution entirely dedicated to design in French-speaking Switzerland with a stop at an iconic architectural building that’s home to old, modern and contemporary art featuring international and local artists.

Built on three hills, Lausanne’s small size makes it one of the most walkable (and possibly steepest) cities. From the imposing cathedral in the old town—one of the country’s most impressive examples of gothic architecture—to the incredible parks and grand hotels, a post-museum up and down the cobblestone streets is worth it.

Before heading back, pop into Street Cellar for local wines on tap and an extensive menu of elevated street food (deluxe hot dogs and grilled cheese for starters) or swing by L’Esquisse for seasonal dishes like deer with spaetzle or their famous eggs benedict.

Eat your way through Geneva from top to bottom

Hop in an electric Tuk Tuk from Welo with a life-changing hot chocolate from La Bonbonniére and head up to Mont-Salève, where a cable car will take you 1,379 metres above the elegant Swiss city in just 5 minutes. After taking in the views all the way to Mont Blanc and the recently renovated museum that feels perched in the sky, hit the well-marked hiking trails to work up an appetite for later.

Back in Geneva, satisfy your hunger at La Micheline in the new Gare des Eaux-Vives district, where Chef Andres Arocena will blow your mind with hyper focused dishes like the perfectly cooked octopus with butternut, sweet and sour carrot, tangy cabbage and crispy panko—or Le Kiosque Des Bastions, a modern brasserie set in a picturesque park that’s home to one of the most gorgeous bars we’ve ever seen.

Save room for dinner: L’atelier Robuchon in the Woodward hotel, possibly the sexiest restaurant in the city, could never disappoint thanks to Chef Olivier Jean’s dishes like line-caught yellow pollack roasted with broccoli and an impossibly silky hazelnut butter sabayon. Or snag a table at Sachi, helmed by Chef Mitsu who trained with Master Nobu Matsuhisa, for an Omakase Modern Japanese experience of your dreams (think: tuna tataki spiked in a velvety green jalapeño sauce).