Traveling to Vevey, Switzerland? Then you’re in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you all you need to know about the Swiss town!
Vevey is a beautiful town on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva. It’s known for its art galleries, Charlie Chaplin, and the incredible nature that surrounds it. Whether you want to spend your time on the Swiss Riviera exploring museums and art galleries or hiking to the tallest mountains and admiring scenic viewpoints, the lovely town of Vevey will not disappoint!
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How to Get to Vevey, Switzerland?
Vevey is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva and it is easily accessible by train. It doesn’t matter where in the country you’re traveling from – you will find a train connection to Vevey, but it might include a few train changes.
Airports Near Vevey
The closest airport to Vevey is Sion (SIR) Airport, but that’s a small airport that operates seasonal and charter flights. The closest international airport to Vevey is Geneva Airport, so if you’re traveling specifically to this Swiss town, it’s best to look for flights to Geneva. There’s a direct train connection from the airport to Vevey, and the train from Geneva to Vevey takes about an hour.
The largest airport in Switzerland is the one in Zurich, which is around two and a half hours away from Vevey. If you’re landing at Zurich Airport, you can still get to Vevey by train – the journey takes approximately three hours and it includes just one train change at Lausanne.
Driving to Vevey is also possible, and the most convenient option if you’re traveling through Switzerland in a car. Just be sure that your motorway vignette is up to date, so you don’t end up paying any fines.
Best Things to Do in Vevey, Switzerland
Not sure how to spend your time in Vevey? This list of the top attractions and best things to do in the town covers all the most popular tourist attractions in the lakeside town!
Swiss Camera Museum
The Swiss Camera Museum (also known as the Vevey Photography Museum) is one of the most popular museums in this lovely lakeside town. It is a huge area, covering more than 500 m², and boasts exhibitions on the history of photography and cameras, as well as workshops for anyone who wants to improve their photography skills.
The museum is an absolute must for anyone who is even remotely interested in photography. And if you are genuinely into photography and cameras, you will have the time of your life at this museum. The highlights of the museum’s collection include some very old cameras, including the first-ever cameras that were in use.
This Vevey museum is situated in the heart of the town, close to the lakeshore promenade.
- Address: Grande Place 99, 1800 Vevey (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm
- Ticket Prices: Adults – CHF 9, Students/Pensioners CHF 7, Children – Free
Vevey’s Promenade
Quai Perdonnet is Vevey’s lakeside promenade and the absolute best place in town for long walks. Enjoy picturesque lake views while strolling along the water, and discover the landmarks and monuments along the way.
The promenade stretches all the way from Vevey Beach to the large roundabout on the other side of the town. The entire promenade is less than a kilometer long and can be walked in some 10 minutes, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Another reason to go for a walk along Quai Perdonnet is to see the popular statues. The Charlie Chaplin statue and the huge silver fork sculpture are both along the promenade, as well as a variety of popular bars and restaurants with delicious international food. If you need ideas on where to grab dinner, a walk along Vevey’s promenade should make it obvious just how many different options you have!
Chaplin’s World
Chaplin’s World is easily the most famous museum in this lovely little town. It’s a bit outside Vevey – in Corsier sur Vevey to be precise – and you can easily reach it with public transport from the town center by bus. it takes at least 10 minutes, with the best connection..
It’s also just a 40-minute walk from the lake shore to the museum, so it’s even possible to just walk there.
Chaplin’s World is actually in the house where Charlie Chaplin once lived. And the land the house is on is a four-hectare park that contains hundreds of plant species. So that is worth checking out on its own.
The museum is not that old, having only been created in the year 2000 by Swiss architect Philippe Meylan. It is run by the Chaplin Foundation as a non-profit.
All the exhibits inside it honor Chaplin, so it’s truly a fascinating place if you admire his works. There are two main sections – The Manoir and The Studio. The Manoir Is focused on the private and public life of Charlie Chaplin, whereas The Studio is more about his cinematographic work
The museum collection includes all sorts of memorabilia, statues, and interactive exhibits, plus there is a nice cafe on the grounds where you can relax for a moment and take in the lovely views. Keep in mind that this is the only museum of its kind, so it’s definitely a must-visit if you’re a fan of Chaplin’s work.
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- Address: Route de Fenil 2, Corsier-sur-Vevey (Google Maps)
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 7 pm in July/Aug, 6 pm in shoulder season, and 5 pm in winter.
- Ticket Prices: Adult CHF 29, Child (6-15) CHF 19, Senior CHF 27, Student 25.00
Musée Jenisch
Musée Jenisch is a fine arts museum situated near the main train station in Vevey. This museum opened on the 10th of March 1897, in a beautiful neoclassical building. It is dedicated to fine arts and prints, so it’s a must-see for all art lovers staying in Vevey.
The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century thanks to Fanny Henriette Jenisch, who made a generous donation that made it possible to establish this museum. It is notably one of the five most important print collections in Switzerland and is focused on Swiss and international artists who spent part of their lives in the Vevey area.
The collection of Musée Jenisch includes a large number of international artists, most notably the largest-ever collection of works by Oskar Kokoschka. Additionally, this museum often hosts temporary exhibits, so there’s always a chance to see something new and interesting on display.
- Address: Avenue de la Gare 2, Vevey (Google Maps)
- Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm (Thursday to 8 pm)
- Ticket Prices: Adults CHF 12, Retired CHF 10, Students · CHF 5, Under 18 – Free
Aile Castle
Aile Castle is situated on the shore of Lake Geneva in the heart of Vevey’s old town. It’s an attraction you can’t miss even if you tried because it is so centrally located, so you can visit it whenever you want during your stay in Vevey. The castle was built between 1840 and 1846, and replaced a 17th-century castle in the same location.
It costs nothing to walk to the castle and see it, but you can’t go inside. This is a rental property that’s not open for public tours – the only way to see the interior of the castle is to rent it for a private occasion or holiday. It’s truly a special place so consider renting it for an event, but keep in mind that it won’t be cheap.
- Address: Grande Place 1, 1800 Vevey (Google Maps)
- Opening Hours: Closed to the public
Mont Pélerin
Mont Pélerin is a mountain peak northwest of Vevey, that sits 1,080 meters (3,540 ft) above Lake Geneva. It’s one of the best places to visit in the area if you want to get out of town and spend some time enjoying the wonderful nature of Switzerland. The mountain, which is also close to Geneva, is part of the Swiss Plateau and it is linked to Vevey with a funicular.
However, the funicular will only get you to a certain point – if you want to visit the observation deck at the top of the mountain, you will need to walk for about two hours. It’s absolutely worth it if you enjoy hiking – the nature around you is surreal and the view from the top of the TV Tower is simply out of this world.
Additionally, it’s possible to drive almost all the way to the mountaintop, so you can travel much quicker if you have a car in Vevey. The TV tower is just some 20 minutes away from the parking lot, so an easy uphill walk. There’s also a self-service shop with drinks and food nearby – great if you forgot to bring snacks on the hike, but it is a bit overpriced and doesn’t offer much variety.
Where to Stay in Vevey, Switzerland?
Vevey is a very small town, so it doesn’t matter too much where you stay – all the attractions will still be within walking distance. If you want to be closer to Chaplin’s World, look for accommodation in Corsier sur Vevey.
You could also stay in Montreux and travel to Vevey during the day – the two towns are just five minutes away by train, so it’s very easy to travel back and forth.
Grand Hotel du Lac is one of the most popular hotels in Vevey, and a great option if you’re looking for upscale lodging. With spacious rooms, outdoor pools, and excellent dining opportunities, staying at this hotel will easily allow you to make the most of your stay in Vevey.
If you don’t like Grand Hôtel du Lac, consider also Hotel des Trois Couronnes. This waterfront hotel boasts beautiful lake views from its rooms, excellent spa services, and some seriously comfortable beds. It’s an upscale 5-star hotel, so a good place to stay if you want to be a little spoiled during your travels in Vevey.
If you want something more affordable but still very close to town, Base Vevey is right near the train station and has some great facilities, so you want be found wanting anything during your stay!
Is Vevey worth visiting?
Vevey is absolutely worth visiting because it’s a charming little town with unique attractions for its visitors, including the one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin and a beautiful lakefront castle.
Vevey is a town of arts and culture, so it’s absolutely perfect for people who want to tour museums and do some fine dining. The town is home to many art museums and art galleries, making it a great place for people who want to expand their existing art collection.
On the other hand, if you haven’t explored much of Switzerland and you’re expecting a Swiss town full of content and tourist attractions, you might be disappointed with Vevey. In that case, it’s better to travel to Montreux – it’s immediately next to Vevey, but it’s a bigger town with more activities for visitors.
