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[title]Perched high above shimmering Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Olympic Museum isn’t just a must-see for sports-lovers. Home to the world’s largest collection of Olympic treasures, it brings together history, art and culture under one spectacular roof. And who can forget those views? Here, we round up the reasons why you need to add it to your bucket list – proof that it’s so much more than just a museum.
1. Travel back in time
If you caught The Odyssey at your local cinema recently, you’ll love the fact that the museum transports you to ancient Greece and back again to the global celebration of sport the Olympics are today. The permanent display features more than 1,000 objects curated from a collection of over 90,000 pieces across a whopping 3,000-square-metres of exhibition space. In fact, there’s more than you can see during any single visit – the perfect excuse for a return trip.
2. Get closer to your heroes
We challenge you to name another museum that brings you closer to your sporting heroes. Think Usain Bolt’s running vest, Simone Biles’ leotard and Roger Federer’s racquet, plus flags, equipment, torches and medals with timelines and storytelling guiding you every step of the way. Security is tight, though – so don’t even think about it.
3. Experience the drama
An immersive film revisits the most memorable moments from the most spectacular opening ceremonies where music, costume, performance and technology come together in a visual feast for the senses. Beyond the competition itself, the museum explores the Games through posters, artworks and ceremonial objects, too.
4. Explore an open-air gallery
Overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps, the 8,000-square-metre Olympic park is home to no less than 42 sculptures by some of the world’s most prestigious artists including Niki de Saint Phalle, Fernando Botero and Antoni Tàpies. Why not take a picnic to soak up the views once you’ve had your fix of culture?
5. Discover a secret or two
Tell only who you must, but the outdoor staircase linking the lakeside to the museum hides a secret: each of its 97 steps is engraved with the name of a final Olympic torchbearer. A physical – and hush-hush – tribute to Olympic history, if ever we saw one.
6. Open a time capsule
Open until February 2027, the exhibition Ahead of the Curve: A Century of Innovation explores how technological and cultural advances have transformed sport and the Olympic Games. Four time capsules connect past breakthroughs with questions about the future of sport, media and society. It’s truly awe-inspiring stuff.
7. Tuck in to seriously good food
For foodies, the Olympic Museum Restaurant is a destination in its own right. On weekdays, it serves up seasonal lunches – think veal tartare, black trumpet risotto and a signature Olympic salad – that come with a generous side of views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Visit at the weekend? Then it’s all about the build-it-yourself buffet brunch.
8. Bag yourself some merch
Found near the main entrance, the museum shop is the only place outside the host countries of the Games where you can bag official Olympic merch. You know, vintage finds, artworks and prints, plus exhibition-related souvenirs. Talk about bragging rights!
9. Bring the kids
Families can keep little ones entertained at the free Let’s Move: Get Active Space, designed for children aged four to 10. Games, challenges and workshops encourage movement and offer kids a playful introduction to sport and Olympic values they can take into everyday life. Just take it easy on the little one when you play table tennis with frying pans!
10. Continue the journey
The museum is an ideal starting point for discovering the Olympic Capital. Stroll along the lake, explore Lausanne’s old town and hillside terraces, or continue to the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Lavaux. Why not book a boutique hotel and make a whole trip of it?