Tourism in Lausanne has risen over the past few years, with this paradisiacal city popping up on the ‘must visit’ radars of more and more people. Recently awarded “Best Small City in the World” by Monocle, Lausanne secured the top spot for its natural setting, diverse population, global outlook, and quality of public transport as well as rail and air connections. The international appeal for visitors and businesses alike also played a role, with Lausanne being home to many international companies and federations. One of which is the International Olympic Committee – giving Lausanne the title of the Olympic Capital since 1994.

With a population of just over 140,000 inhabitants, the fourth largest city in Switzerland has something to offer for every stage of life and for all interests, from great food, natural vistas and adventure opportunities to a thrilling cultural offering with leading museums, such as the recently opened multimillion-pound cultural hub Plateforme 10. Lausanne's dynamism, cultural and sporting heritage, culinary wealth and quality hotel infrastructure attracts visitors from around the world, and lends itself to the perfect city break escape.

Walter Loser, Representative of Lausanne Tourism for the GCC market, commented, “We are incredibly honored to be ranked at the top of this list and to see our city’s rich and diverse offering rewarded. This result is the joint effort of all our partners, who work continuously to make Lausanne the perfect city to live in and visit, focusing on offering an exceptional quality of life. We see an exciting opportunity to further grow Lausanne’s visibility in the GCC market, offering unique experiences created and driven by our strong appetite for innovation and distinction.”

There is no dearth of activities for sports enthusiasts. Earning itself the moniker “Olympic Capital of the World”, Lausanne has been home to the International Olympic Committee for more than a century, inspiring dozens of federations to settle too. Fancy a visit to The Olympic Museum, or simply indulge a stroll along the Olympic walk by the lake. After the organization of the Youth Olympic Games in January, 2020 will bring more exciting sporting events in Lausanne with the Ice Hockey World Championships in May, Pétanque World Championship in July and an international triathlon in august.

Recognized worldwide for its beautiful architecture and pedestrian friendly streets, Lausanne sets an idyllic scenery for tourists seeking a taste of European quintessence. Adding to its natural charm, the city offers some exiting surrounding excursions, such as romantic boat rides on Lake Geneva, a stroll in the Unesco world heritage site of the Lavaux vineyards or an exciting walk between two peaks at Glacier 3000. With all its remarkable qualities, the “Best Small City in the World” is looking forward to welcoming you soon!