If you're planning a trip to Switzerland but don't want to spend your entire holiday racing between tourist attractions, the Canton of Vaud might be exactly what you're looking for. Tucked along the northern shores of Lake Geneva, this beautiful corner of Switzerland is made for slower travel – where mornings can begin with a stroll through a lakeside town, afternoons are spent kayaking or wine tasting and evenings end with long dinners or dancing beneath the stars.
I was travelling with two friends and while we all love an adventure and fast-paced trip – this time we wanted nothing more than to slow down and soak up every last second of each others' company. None of those girls' trips where you're constantly fighting the clock for catch-up time, instead we built an itinerary around creating lasting memories with the simple aim of doing less but experiencing more.
We based ourselves in Morges and Lausanne for a four-day girls trip and decided to travel by plane and train rather than hiring a car. This simple decision to take the train was one of our best during this trip – not only were the journeys scenic and relaxing, but we arrived refreshed and ready to explore.
This wasn't a Switzerland trip about ticking off every famous mountain and attraction. This was a Swiss celebration of authentic local culture through delicious wine and gastronomy, spectacular nature and world class art. But we didn't stop there, we also managed to squeeze in a visit to one of Europe's biggest open air music events, Paléo Festival, in nearby Nyon.
If you're new here, I'm Lucy and I'm here to show you how to travel slower, deeper and more thoughtfully. I'm an adventure girl at heart, but somewhere along the way I realised my craving for authentic local connection was what drove me to travel. So now, I'm showing you how to embrace the slow travel lifestyle, going beyond tourist checklists, without scrimping on adventure.
In this 4-day Vaud itinerary, I'll share exactly how we spent four days exploring Morges and Lausanne, from kayaking on Lake Geneva and wine tasting at a château to visiting museums, eating incredible food and spending an unforgettable evening at Switzerland's largest open-air music festival. I've also included my tips on where to stay, how to get to Vaud and how to get around without a car.
This blog post is a press trip partnership with Switzerland Tourism and Vaud Promotion, Lausanne Tourism and Morges Tourism [AD], but I only ever share my honest reviews & travel experiences.
Planning a visit to Vaud, Switzerland? Here's where you'll find:
- Why visit Vaud, Switzerland?
- How to get to Vaud from the UK
- Can you explore Vaud without a car?
- Where to stay in Vaud: Morges or Lausanne?
- My 4 day Vaud Switzerland itinerary
- Day 1: Slow down in Morges, explore the vineyards and kayak on Lake Geneva
- Day 2: Gardens, local wine and an evening at Paléo Festival
- Experience Paléo Festival, Switzerland's Largest Open-Air Music Festival
- Day 3: From Morges to Lausanne
- Day 4: Discover Lausanne's creative side at Plateforme 10
- Is four days enough for Vaud, Switzerland?
- Is Vaud, Switzerland, worth visiting? My honest thoughts
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Why visit Vaud, Switzerland?
Before visiting Vaud, I'll admit that most of my Switzerland travel experiences have revolved around dramatic mountain scenery, hiking trails and adrenaline-fuelled adventures. And while the Canton of Vaud certainly has plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, what surprised me most about this beautiful part of Vaud, Switzerland, was the quality of life.
Vaud is a canton in western Switzerland, stretching along the northern shores of Lake Geneva. Its capital and largest city is Lausanne, a vibrant city known for its food, culture, art and beautiful lakeside setting. Just along the lake, you'll find Morges, a much smaller town with a slower pace of life, vineyard-covered hills and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes you immediately want to unpack your bags and stay a little longer.
For me, that's exactly what makes Vaud Switzerland such a special destination. You can spend the morning kayaking on Lake Geneva, wander through vineyards in the afternoon and sit down for a long lunch with a glass of local wine without ever feeling like you're rushing to tick off the next attraction. One day we were exploring château gardens and tasting wine, the next we were pedalling across the lake in Lausanne before heading out for dinner. Then, just when I thought I'd settled into the slower pace of the region, we found ourselves dancing beneath the stars at one of Switzerland's biggest music festivals.
There are so many different things to do in Vaud, whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, wine tourism, incredible food, museums and art or simply somewhere beautiful to slow down for a few days. And because the region is so easy to explore by public transport, you can experience all of these different sides of the Canton of Vaud without spending your holiday behind the wheel.
Vaud is Switzerland for travellers who want to do less… and experience more. Whether you're planning a girls' trip to Switzerland, a romantic getaway or simply want to experience a slower, more intentional side of the country, I think Vaud, Switzerland, is one of those destinations that rewards you for leaving a little space in your itinerary.
If you're more of a winter adventure seeker, you might prefer to read my Ski & Adventure 3 Day Itinerary for Grindelwald and 11 Best Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland (and if you're new to skiing, check out my First Time Skiing Women's Packing Guide
How to get to Vaud from the UK
One of the things that makes travelling to Vaud, Switzerland so easy from the UK is its proximity to Geneva Airport. For this trip, I flew from London Heathrow to Geneva, then continued directly to Morges by train.
If you're travelling from London or elsewhere in the UK, I'd recommend searching for flights to Geneva for exploring the Canton of Vaud, and from there you can easily connect to destinations including Morges and Lausanne using Switzerland's excellent rail network. As someone who is a regular victim of the UK train system, it was an absolute breeze to travel across Switzerland by train.
After arriving at Geneva Airport, we headed straight to the train station and travelled onwards to Morges. The journey was incredibly easy and set the tone for the rest of our trip – no waiting around for a hire car, no navigating unfamiliar roads and no stress about driving on mountain routes. We simply hopped on the train, sat back and enjoyed the journey.
If you're planning a similar Vaud Switzerland itinerary, I'd recommend flying into Geneva and building your trip around the region's public transport. It's a particularly good option if you'd rather spend your time looking out of the window at the scenery than concentrating on the road. I love a road trip, but when you're travelling with your girls it can be nice to just sit back, relax and spend the train journey catching up!
Geneva Airport also makes it easy to split your trip between different destinations. We started with two nights in Morges before taking the train onwards to Lausanne, which gave us the chance to experience both the slower lakeside charm of Morges and the culture, food and energy of Vaud's largest city.
Book your trip to Vaud
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I'll also be sharing a complete guide to using the Swiss Travel Pass and getting around Switzerland, which I'll link here once it's live.
Can you explore Vaud without a car?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, one of the things I loved most about visiting Vaud without a car was how easy it was to get around. If you're planning a trip to the Canton of Vaud and wondering whether you need to hire a car, our four-day itinerary is proof that you really don't. We travelled from Geneva Airport to Morges by train, used public transport to explore the surrounding area, travelled onwards from Morges to Lausanne by train and even used the train to get to Paléo Festival.
Switzerland is well known for its efficient public transport, and that made getting around Vaud incredibly straightforward. Morges was easy to explore on foot, from our lakeside hotel to the town centre and waterfront. For our visit to Château de Vullierens, we took a public bus from Morges, and when it was time to move on, we simply walked to the station and caught the train to Lausanne. The same was true once we arrived in Lausanne. Much of the city can be explored on foot, while public transport makes it easy to move between the city centre, the lake and neighbourhoods further afield.
For me, travelling around Vaud, Switzerland without a car actually added to the slow travel experience. If you're planning to explore several destinations across the country, it's also worth looking into whether the Swiss Travel Pass could work for your itinerary. I'll be sharing a complete guide to the Swiss Travel Pass soon, including how it works and whether it's worth the money for your trip, so I'll link that here when it's live.
Where to stay in Vaud: Morges or Lausanne?
One of the best things about planning a trip to Vaud, Switzerland, is that you don't have to choose between city life and a slower escape. During our four-day trip, we stayed in both Morges and Lausanne, and I honestly think splitting your time between the two is one of the best ways to experience the Canton of Vaud. Although they're both set along Lake Geneva and are easily connected by train, they offer completely different experiences.
Best place to stay in Morges
Morges is the place I would choose if you want to wake up slowly, stroll along the lake with a coffee and feel like you have nowhere particularly urgent to be. It's smaller, quieter and surrounded by vineyards and beautiful countryside, making it a perfect base for exploring the slower side of Vaud.We spent the first half of our trip in Morges at the Romantik Hôtel Mont-Blanc au Lac which dates back to 1857, and it was exactly the kind of place that made me want to slow down. Set right beside Lake Geneva, it was the perfect base for exploring Morges on foot.
>> Book your stay at Romantik Hôtel Mont-Blanc au Lac
Best place to stay in Lausanne
Lausanne, on the other hand, has much more of a buzz. Lausanne is the capital of the Canton of Vaud and its largest city, and there's a real energy to the place. This is where I found some of my favourite food experiences of the trip, explored art museums, wandered through beautiful streets, discovered nature spots within walking distance of the city and spent another afternoon out on Lake Geneva. There's a brilliant food scene, museums, galleries, shopping and plenty happening after dark, while the beautiful Ouchy district means you can still escape to the shores of Lake Geneva whenever you need a break from the city.
We stayed at the Hotel Carlton Lausanne, a charming little four star boutique hotel with the sweetest little balconies and the comfiest beds. The hotel was such a convenient base for exploring the city and travelling onwards to Geneva Airport at the end of our trip. It's located right next to the Délices Metro Stop whilst also being just a short walk away from the lake and town.
>> Book your stay at Hotel Carlton Lausanne
For this Vaud Switzerland itinerary, I spent two nights in each – and I'd recommend doing exactly the same if you have four days. For me, staying in both was one of the highlights of this four-day Vaud itinerary. You get to see two completely different sides of the region without spending hours travelling between destinations.
My 4 day Vaud Switzerland itinerary
If you're wondering how to spend four days in the Canton of Vaud, this itinerary gave me a brilliant introduction to the region.We based ourselves in Morges for the first two nights before moving on to Lausanne, mixing food, wine, culture, outdoor adventures and one very unforgettable night at Switzerland's largest open-air music festival.
At a glance:
- Day 1: Arrive in Morges, explore the vineyards and kayak on Lake Geneva
- Day 2: Château de Vullierens, wine tasting and Paléo Festival
- Day 3: Travel to Lausanne, explore the city and Lake Geneva
- Day 4: Discover Lausanne's creative side at Plateforme 10
Day 1: Slow down in Morges, explore the vineyards and kayak on Lake Geneva
We arrived in Switzerland after a morning flight from London Heathrow and headed straight from Geneva Airport to Morges by train. The early-morning flight meant I had stayed near the airport the night before, I always book a room at Holiday Inn London Heathrow which is always my go-to when I need a more relaxing and slow start to a trip.
Flying from London Heathrow to Geneva is always a breeze with FlySwiss – although hot tip: expect your arrival in Geneva to take some time due to new passport checks. Previously when I flew into Geneva for my summer adventure trip to Crans-Montana, I was stuck at passport control for an hour! Luckily this time it was just 15 minutes but it's impossible to predict.
I loved that the rest of the journey was a breeze, we caught the train from Geneva Airport to Morges using our Swiss Travel Pass, and even when we arrived in Morges, it was just a short walk to our hotel, Romantik Hôtel Mont-Blanc au Lac which was right on the banks of Lake Geneva.
Exploring Morges, seasonal dining and wine tourism
One of the things I loved most about Morges was that it encouraged us to slow down. We had plenty of options for how to spend our first few hours. The Saturday market was taking place in town, there was the Château de Morges to explore, cafés to discover and the beautiful lakeside to wander along. One of my favourite things was just people-watching along the main street which was lined with cafés.
After checking in and dropping off our bags, we headed out for lunch at Casino de Morges, taking our time over delicious seasonal dishes and enjoying the views. I particularly recommend the Tartare de Langoustines, Fleurs de courgettes and L’Aubergine.
If you time your lunch right, you can catch the Little Tourist Train from Morges, close by the restaurant, to explore the surrounding vineyards – that's right, Switzerland is more than just lakes and mountains. As you roll through the countryside between the vineyards, it's a great reminder that wine tourism in Vaud is as much part of the region as enjoying the lake.
Kayaking on Lake Geneva
After our vineyard adventure, we headed down to the water for one of my favourite experiences of the entire trip. We met John from Following John at Passion Nautique and headed out onto the water, paddling along the shoreline and seeing Morges from a completely different perspective. Kayaking on Lake Geneva is a must-do activity when visiting Canton of Vaud, it automatically makes you slow down and be present.
John was the perfect guide and encouraged us to soak up the sound of paddles dipping into the water, the views around us, the wildlife and the freedom to simply enjoy being there. The lake was crystal clear with flocks of birds lining the shores, including a heron. We even took a little paddle into a hidden creek that went away from the lake and into a little inlet where you were suddenly enveloped in the silence. It was magical, but more than that, it was exactly the kind of adventure I want more of when I travel.
I'm never going to turn down a hike, an adrenaline rush or an epic outdoor challenge, but adventure doesn't always have to mean pushing yourself to the limit. Sometimes it's about experiencing somewhere differently. Getting out onto Lake Geneva gave me a completely new perspective on Morges and reminded me why I love building outdoor experiences into my trips.
By the time we paddled back to shore, I was tired in the best possible way. We headed back to the hotel to shower, change and get ready for a delicious seafood dinner at our hotel, and after a day that had included vineyards, kayaking and some very good food, I was already wondering how we were only on day one.
Day 2: Gardens, local wine and an evening at Paléo Festival
If our first day in Vaud was all about getting out onto the water, the second took us further into the countryside. We caught the bus from Morges towards Vullierens, then took a five minute walk to Château de Vullierens. Home to beautiful gardens, sculptures and vineyards, these gardens are best known for their annual tulip displays but there are plenty of reasons to visit all year round. It was such a peaceful few hours of exploring and wandering through the vineyard overlooking the rolling hills of Canton of Vaud.
How better to follow that than with a wine tasting and a picnic basket overflowing with fresh local produce including bread, meat, cheese, tomatoes and much more. I've said it before, but I really think food and wine are one of the best ways to understand a destination. You learn about the landscape through what grows there. You learn about traditions through what people choose to cook and share. And when you're sitting down with someone who has a real connection to the place, every glass and every meal becomes part of the story. After our picnic, we headed back to Morges for a few hours to relax, change and prepare for a very different kind of evening – we were heading to Paléo Festival.
Experience Paléo Festival, Switzerland's largest open-air music festival
Just one hour later, we were travelling by train towards Paléo Festival, ready to spend the evening surrounded by thousands of people dancing beneath the Swiss summer sky. If you're visiting Vaud, Switzerland in summer, this is exactly the kind of experience that can take a trip to another level.
Paléo Festival is Switzerland's largest open-air music festival, held near Nyon, and attracts huge international and Swiss artists every year. But I'll save the full practical details for my dedicated Paléo Festival Guide, because there is a lot to know about tickets, transport, the lineup, food and what to expect.
What I will say is that it was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. I loved the contrast between festival travel and slow travel. On paper, they shouldn't necessarily work together, but in Vaud, they worked perfectly. We spent the day wandering through gardens and tasting wine, then ended the evening dancing beneath the stars to the likes of Timmy Trumpet and Trollska Polska, we even watched an operatic choir performance - the variety of music was so impressive and I loved exploring the festival grounds.
Day 3: From Morges to Lausanne
After two nights in Morges, it was time to pack our bags and head onwards to Lausanne and after checking into our hotel, Hotel Carlton Lausanne, we headed out for lunch at Café du Grütli for an incredible fondue experience. One of my favourite moments of the trip wasn't rushing around or sightseeing, but sitting with friends and watching the world go by as we enjoyed the finest Swiss cheese.
Follow the panoramic walk through Lausanne
After lunch, we set out to explore Lausanne on foot. The Panoramic Walk gave us a chance to see more of the city at a slower pace, taking in beautiful views and making our way towards Lake Geneva. Along the route, we discovered some of the city's most beautiful viewpoints. We also explored the grounds around the Olympic Museum and spotted the Thai Pavilion before eventually making our way down towards Ouchy.
If you're visiting Lausanne for the first time, I'd definitely recommend giving yourself time to walk. The city is built on hills, so your legs will know about it by the end of the day, but taking your time gives you the chance to see how dramatically the city changes as you move between different neighbourhoods.
Pedal boats on Lake Geneva
Apparently, one trip out onto Lake Geneva wasn't enough for us. After kayaking in Morges, we decided to experience the lake again from Lausanne – this time by hiring a pedal boat at Ouchy. There is something so simple and joyful about being out on the water with your friends, pedalling in absolutely no particular direction and laughing when someone inevitably forgets to pedal. The scenery was spectacular and the water temperature was just right – perfectly refreshing on a hot summer's day.
Dinner at Brasserie de Montbenon
We ended our first evening in Lausanne with dinner at Brasserie de Montbenon, which would be the perfect date night spot, or for dinner with the girls. Panoramic city views at sunset combned with delicious food and wine – this was the perfect way to end our first day in Lausanne.
Day 4: Discover Lausanne's creative side at Plateforme 10
For our final morning in Vaud, we couldn't resist popping down to Ouchy again for one last morning swim. It was the best decision and we spent a relaxing hour diving into the lake and paddling at a popular swim spot. Then, after freshening up and packing our bags, it was time to explore another side of Lausanne.
Explore Plateforme 10 and MCBA
Our final stop was Plateforme 10, Lausanne's arts district. Located close to Lausanne's train station, Plateforme 10 brings together some of the city's major cultural institutions in one creative district. We visited the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne (MCBA), spending our final hours exploring the collection after a delicious lunch at Le Nabi, before starting the journey home.
Is four days enough for Vaud, Switzerland?
Yes – four days is enough to experience two very different sides of Vaud, especially if you split your time between Morges and Lausanne.
During our four-day Vaud Switzerland itinerary, we were able to explore a lakeside town, travel through vineyards, kayak and pedal boat on Lake Geneva, visit château gardens, taste local wine, enjoy some brilliant food, explore Lausanne's art scene and spend an evening at one of Switzerland's biggest music festivals.
That's a lot to fit into four days, but the key was not trying to see everything. Of course, there is much more to explore in the Canton of Vaud. You could easily spend longer visiting more vineyards, hiking in the surrounding countryside or exploring other destinations along Lake Geneva. But if you only have four days, I wouldn't recommend trying to squeeze Geneva, Montreux, Gruyères and every famous Swiss attraction into this trip as well.
For me, that's the whole point of this itinerary. You don't need to see every single thing, sometimes travelling deeper is far more rewarding than travelling further.
Is Vaud, Switzerland, worth visiting? My honest thoughts
Absolutely. If you're looking for a Swiss escape that balances beautiful scenery, food, wine, culture and outdoor adventure without feeling like you have to rush from one attraction to the next, Vaud is 100% worth visiting. It completely changed the way I think about a trip to Switzerland, the country is about so much more than just fast-paced adventure trips and skiing.
A trip to Canton of Vaud, and particularly to Morges and Lausanne, is about celebrating local and seasonal produce through fine dining experiences (but ones that are lacking any pretension). It's about tasting the landscape through a sip of locally produced wine, or experiencing Switzerland's lakes from a new perspective.
