Secret Staircases for Discovering Lausanne Hidden Gems

For current hours, prices, and announcements, start with Lausanne travel info.

You can find the latest updates on Lausanne travel info.

Walking these stone steps provides a great workout for your legs and your heart during your trip. You will discover many hidden courtyards and charming old buildings along the way during your morning walk. These special spots are often missed by tourists who travel on the local buses or the metro.

The Escaliers du Marché is the most famous wooden staircase in the entire city of Lausanne. It connects the main town square to the stunning Lausanne Cathedral located at the very top. You should visit early in the morning to take the best quiet photos of the wooden roof.

Many smaller steps hide between private gardens and large, historic apartment blocks throughout the old town. Use a secret staircases of Lausanne walking guide to find these amazing and quiet routes. These paths offer the most incredible views of the blue lake and the mountains beyond.

Hidden Garden Paths and Green Spaces

Green spaces are very vital for the happy people living in the city of Lausanne today. The city maintains many public parks with incredible floral displays and large, lush green lawns for everyone. These gardens offer a quiet break from the busy noise of the urban streets and traffic.

Parc de Mon Repos is a favorite spot for many local residents and families with young children. It features a tall neo-Gothic tower and a very large, colorful bird aviary for visitors to enjoy. You can walk through these beautiful grounds for free every day of the week in 2026.

You can find many hidden garden paths in Lausanne city with just a little bit of extra effort. These routes connect the different parks across the steep and hilly terrain of the Swiss city. They are perfect for a relaxing afternoon stroll with your friends or your entire family.

The Botanical Garden is another hidden gem located very close to the shores of the lake. It houses thousands of unique plant species from many different parts of the world in its greenhouses. Entry is completely free for all visitors during the entire year of 2026 for your enjoyment.

The Flon Valley and Industrial History

The Flon district shows the modern and creative side of Lausanne's very long and interesting history. This area was once a deep valley used for large industrial storage warehouses near the train tracks. Now it serves as the vibrant heart of the city's modern nightlife and shopping scene.

You can see how clever architects transformed the old stone and brick buildings into modern spaces. They added colorful glass and modern steel to the historic structures for a completely new look. The area feels very different from the medieval streets found in the nearby Old Town district.

Try the exploring the Flon valley walking route to see all the best sites in this area. This path takes you through trendy local shops and many small art galleries for a fun afternoon. It is a great place to stop for a warm cup of coffee and some people watching.

Look for the hidden public elevators that connect the Flon district to the Bel-Air shopping district. These convenient lifts save you from climbing the very steep walls of the valley on your own. They are a helpful part of the public transport system for all walkers in the city.

Quiet Residential Walks in East Lausanne

The eastern side of Lausanne is well known for its quiet atmosphere and its architectural elegance. You will see many grand villas that were built in the nineteenth century for wealthy local families. The wide streets are lined with very tall and ancient leafy green trees for shade.

These lovely neighborhoods are much quieter than the central shopping areas located in the city center. You can hear the birds singing as you walk along these peaceful and very clean roads. It is the perfect place for a slow and relaxing weekend walk during your Swiss holiday.

We recommend the quiet residential walks in Lausanne east for some true peace and quiet. These paths lead toward the beautiful and thick woods of the Sauvabelin forest on the hill. The air feels very fresh and cool in this elevated part of the city of Lausanne.

Most of these residential routes are very accessible for families traveling with small children or strollers. You will find small fountains with clean and cold drinking water on almost every street corner. This is a very safe and pleasant part of the city for every visitor to explore.