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Vevey is a charming town on the northeastern shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Vevey boasts several notable cultural institutions and events that contribute to its rich heritage such as the Alimentarium, Chaplin’s World, the Vevey Historical Museum, the Vevey International Award, Vevey International Photography Award, and the Fête des Vignerons. Together with Montreux, Vevey-Montreux has an estimated population of 85,000.
Vevey’s scenic waterfront promenade offers breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. One of the most iconic landmarks along the promenade is the large fork sculpture called Le Fourchette, a tall, stainless steel fork created by Jean-Pierre Zaugg for the Alimentarium. The large fork sculpture has since been an emblematic symbol of the town.
Vevey has a relaxed, touristy feel, likely even more so than Montreux. It offers a tranquil and laid-back atmosphere and picturesque setting. You will find a lot of people hanging out near the lake on a bright and sunny day.
Whether you’re looking for a 1-day itinerary or a list of things to do in Vevey, this article is for you. Here are a few ideas for how you can spend one day in Vevey, Switzerland.
Vevey One Day Itinerary: What can you do?
1. Start Your Day With a Cozy Breakfast
In case your hotel doesn’t offer a breakfast option, you can walk around Vevey to find a cafe. There are a number of cafes and restaurants that serve hot coffee with delicious pastries. Some options are the following:
- Celeste Vevey (Rue Louis-Meyer 3, 1800 Vevey) – Adjacent to the tranquil Jardin du Rivage park, this cozy café awaits, inviting you to savor its mouthwatering food and aromatic coffee.
- Le Café littéraire (Quai Perdonnet 33, 1800 Vevey) – With a picturesque lakeside location, this charming café provides a delightful assortment of meals, pies, and pastries to satisfy your cravings.
- VeveyBien Sandwich & take-away (Rue du Simplon 16, 1800 Vevey) – Fresh, homemade sandwiches, salads, and desserts prepared on the stop
After breakfast, I suggest that you head over to Alimentarium nearby. The walk should take no longer than 8 minutes if you choose one of the cafes above.
2. Head Over to Nearby Alimentarium
An internationally renowned museum in Vevey, Alimentarium is supported by Nestlé Foundation and located right on Lake Geneva’s shores. Visitors of all ages can explore the cultural, social, and scientific aspects of food. In other words, it isn’t a walking advertisement for Nestlé. Instead, it discusses food in our daily lives and how we should handle it, exploring topics we don’t really think about.
Alimentarium displays a wide range of exhibitions and artifacts related to food and nutrition. Throughout the exhibit, you will learn more about machines used in the food industry, the human body, how food affects your health, and the human diet. A number of important questions are discussed here, such as how food is produced, transported, and consumed. Children will enjoy interactive stations and even those about gaming.
Additionally, Alimentarium offers workshops for groups and a small play area for younger children. Near the entrance, there is a shop selling souvenirs.
After visiting Alimentarium, I suggest taking a steamboat ride at 12:10 PM and eating lunch on board.
3. Cruise on Board the Steamboat on Lake Geneva
Enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Geneva, the surrounding mountains, and Chillon Castle on a 2-hour paddle steamer boat cruise. The cruise is a fantastic opportunity to explore the breathtaking scenery of the region. From Vevey-Marché, you will sail along Lake Geneva towards the city of Montreux, and see the famous Chillon Castle.
The boat also sails by the towns of Villeneuve, Le Bouveret, and St. Gingolph before heading back to Vevey. On the way, you will enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage site Lauvaux Vineyards.
Taking a 2-hour Riviera Cruise from Vevey is a great way to see the sights of Lake Geneva. The tour can be booked easily through GetYourGuide.
After you come back, you can make your way to Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey. The bus ride from Vevey train station to Chaplin’s World takes just 13 minutes. By public transport, take Bus 212 to Corsier-sur-Vevey, Chaplin.
4. Explore Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey
There is a fascinating museum called Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey, not far from Vevey. It honors the legendary silent film actor Charlie Chaplin’s life and work, who lived here until the end of his life. He left a wealth of works and his life behind in his manor, which is preserved for visitors to see.
An adjoining studio sits opposite his former residence. The visit will begin with a short film that shows snippets from his films and works. Following the film, you will walk to a studio setting where you can view interactive displays, props, costumes, and sets designed to recreate scenes from Charlie Chaplin’s movies. In particular, those who are creative and enjoy movies will find this to be really interesting.
Picturesque gardens surround these two buildings. It is a well-maintained and serene location close to Vevey that is well worth a visit if you are already in the area. There is also a restaurant should you wish to grab something to eat. Visit Chaplin’s World if you’re a Charlie Chaplin fan, a film enthusiast, or simply interested in cultural history.
After visiting Chaplin’s World, I suggest heading over to Mont Pèlerin to cap off your day. By public transport, take Bus 212 to Vevey, funiculaire. From the valley station, simply take the funicular up to Mont-Pélerin. It will take you 11 minutes to get from the valley station up to Mont Pèlerin.
5. Enjoy the Panoramic Views from Mont Pélerin
On the way up to Mont Pélerin, you will get a glimpse of this UNESCO World Heritage Site via Chardonne. These are the Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces. Up in Mont-Pèlerin, the view of the Savoy Alps and Lac Leman is excellent. You will see Moléson, Rochers de Naye, and Diablerets, among others.
In 1977, a Tibetan Center opened in Mont Pèlerin. It is open to all visitors who find Tibetan culture interesting. The center – Rabten Choeling – provides information about Buddhism and Meditation.
There is also a 123-meter-high television tower on Mont-Pèlerin. It has a lift going up to its 64-meter-high viewing platform. You have gorgeous views of Western Switzerland, the Savoy Alps, and the Jura Mountains from the upper deck. To name a few, you will see Moléson, Rochers de Naye, Diablerets, Dents de Morcles, Mont Velan, Grammot, La Dôle, Chasseron, and Chasseral.
Just beside the funicular is a great restaurant with fantastic panoramic views. Enjoy your dinner on Mont Pélerin or you can head back to Vevey to finish the day.
6. Visit Vevey’s Most Interesting and Historical Sites
Besides strolling through the old town of Vevey and its shops, this town has a number of interesting sights and museums.
Here are some of the places to visit in and around Vevey:
- Musée Jenisch: The museum showcases a diverse collection of fine arts and prints.
- Vevey Photography Museum: At the heart of Vevey, this Swiss Camera museum is dedicated to the art of photography featuring inspiring exhibitions featuring cameras and movie projectors.
- Swiss Museum of Games: Located in La Tour-de-Peilz between Vevey and Montreux, this museum features board games from ancient times to modern ones. You can try out a number of games yourself if you wish.
- Vevey History Museum: The historical museum features interesting exhibitions about life in the region as well as the famous winegrowers’ festival Fête des Vignerons.
- Place du Marché: The marketplace is a huge open space in front of Lake Geneva with more than 10,000 m2. It is one of the largest open spaces in Europe. Although it houses a car park, the space does allow various events such as markets, circus, Saint-Martin fair, and other one-off events.
- Fête des Vignerons: You are unlikely to catch it because it only takes place 4 times per century but this traditional festival of winegrowers is a huge festival. The performances take place in Place du Marché. Since 2016, Fête des Vignerons has been included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.
- Vevey’s Churches: Among the churches in Vevey are the Eastern Orthodox Church, Swiss Reformed Church of Saint-Martin
- Saint-Jean Tower and Fountain: An ancient clock tower whose roots can be traced to the medieval era. It was named after St. John the Baptist (Saint Jean Baptiste). At its foot, you can see a fountain built in the 18th century.
Montreux is also nearby and has lots to offer. You can easily get to Montreux from Vevey on foot or bike, by bus, train, or car.
Montreux’s Most Interesting and Historical Sites
- Queen – The Studio Experience: The world-famous rock band Queen recorded six of their albums here in Montreux between 1978 and 1995. It’s been converted into an exhibition space dedicated to Queen since 2013.
- Freddie Mercury’s Statue: The statue of Freddie Mercury can be found along the Montreux Promenade. Tourists and fans alike love taking pictures of the bronze statue of Freddie Mercury, and they even leave flowers in front of it as a tribute. Music was recorded here during the 80s by the band.
- Montreux’s Promenade: Flowers and sculptures decorate this 7-kilometer promenade along Lake Geneva.
- Casino Barrière Montreux: Try your luck at slot machines, table games, poker, and more at the casino on Lake Geneva’s shoreline. In the past, this site played host to symphony orchestras and conductors, as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Hotels in Vevey
Should you need some assistance choosing a hotel in Vevey, here are some suggestions:
- Hôtel Des Trois Couronnes & Spa – The Leading Hotels of the World (5-star) – This Belle Époque hotel founded in 1842 is located in the heart of Vevey. With tastefully decorated rooms, it also has an indoor pool, views of Lake Geneva, and friendly staff.
- Grand Hotel du Lac Vevey (5-star) – Featuring elegant rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa center, and excellent service, this hotel is directly on Lake Geneva.
- Le Mirador Resort & Spa (5-star) – A luxury hotel in Mont-Pèlerin, this world-class hotel offers panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps. They have an exclusive Givenchy spa, a heated indoor pool, and gourmet cuisine.
- Base Vevey (4-star) – Located in a central location, this hotel offers sleek, modern design and impeccable service.
Summary: 1 Day in Vevey, Switzerland
Before ending your day in Vevey, you have several choices for a sumptuous dinner. Restaurants like Stéphane Décotterd, Le Bistro by Décotterd, and L’Ermitage are just some of the highly-rated choices for you.
My favorite places in this region are Chaplin’s World (for its entertainment value) and Mont Pélerin (for the fantastic views). I also really like visiting the neighboring town of Montreux and Chillon Castle.
As you can see, you will not run out of options on what to do in Vevey in one day. In fact, you can stretch the Vevey One Day Itinerary offered here easily to another 1 or 2 more days.
If you’ve already enjoyed your 1 day in Vevey and are interested in discovering more ideas for your next adventure in the Lake Geneva region or beyond, we invite you to browse through our related articles below:
What I would personally recommend after exploring Vevey is also visiting Lausanne, Montreux, or Geneva. I highly recommend spending at least a day, if not a week there. We have been to Montreux several times and we still haven’t seen everything. Enjoy your stay.