Welcome to a cosmopolitan and fairytale town that pops up between the Alps and the Jura. The exceptional parks, the medieval beauty on Lake Leman compose a beautiful “puzzle” of images. Geneva is the world center of diplomacy, the European seat of the UN and home to around 200 international organizations. It is a city that you have to walk through and explore every street and alley.
Currency: Swiss Franc
Calling Code: +41
Nearest airports from city center: Geneva Airport (6km), Lausanne Airport (66km), Lyon Airport (144km), Bern Airport (164km), Turin Airport (250km), Basel Airport (257km) and Zurich Airport (281km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** JET D’ EAU (Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève)
It is an emblematic jet that is the trademark of the city. It rises 140 meters above Lake Geneva.
*** PALAIS DES NATIONS (1211 Geneva)
It is the seat of the League of Nations and was built between 1929 and 1938. Since the 1950s it has served as the home of the UN and has a huge conference hall, 34 smaller boardrooms and 2,800 new offices. The view towards Lake Geneva and the French Alps is fantastic. You can also take a tour of the United Nations office.
*** PATEK PHILIPPE MUSEUM (Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205 Geneva)
Here you will find one of the most important horological collections in the world, with over 2,500 clocks, precious objects and portraits dating back as far as five centuries. Also visit the library.
*** MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY (Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206 Geneva)
It is one of the largest museums in the country. You will find a collection of weapons, Greek and Roman art treasures, Roman ceramics and collections of Middle Eastern, Egyptian, Paleolithic and Iron Age antiquities. Of course you will also see works of art from the 16th century.
*** INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUSEUM (Av. de la Paix 17, 1202 Geneva)
The Red Cross originates from Geneva and the museum was opened in 1988. It is worth a visit to see the humanitarian action.
*** CATHEDRAL OF SAINT-PIERRE (Cr de Saint-Pierre, 1204 Geneva)
It is a church of the 12th century and is of Gothic, Romanesque and neoclassical architecture. It is an approved church of one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation, John Calvin.
*** MUSEE ARIANA (Av. de la Paix 10, 1202 Geneva)
You can enjoy a large collection of ceramics, glass, stonework, clay and porcelain with more than 27 thousand exhibits. You will see, among other things, an important collection of oriental porcelain.
*** PLACE DU BOURG DE FOUR (Pl. du Bourg-de-Four, 1204 Geneva)
The beautiful square with shops and restaurants is a meeting point for the locals and is located in the heart of the old town.
*** THE FLOWER CLOCK (Quai du Général-Guisan 28, 1204 Geneva)
You’re in the land of clocks, but this floral clock is one of the most beautiful on the planet and rightly so in the top-10 attractions of the city!
*** NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (Rte de Malagnou 1, 1208 Geneva)
Visit the largest natural history museum in Switzerland and see the collections on four floors showcasing the world of animals and minerals.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** It is worth a boat ride on the Lake Geneva and to admire the Jet d’Eau.
*** You will be impressed on your visit to the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève.
*** Geneva is famous for its wonderful parks. So you must walk or relax in the Jardin Anglais, Parc de La Grange, Parc de La Perle du Lac and Mon Repos Park.
*** The International Museum of the Reformation, MEG and Musée d’histoire des Sciences de la Ville de Genève are also excellent choices for museums.
*** Visit Russian Orthodox Church and admire its architecture.
*** The Brunswick Memorial is also worth your attention.
*** Visit the Voltaire Museum housed in the house “Les Délices”, where the French writer and philosopher lived with his mistress Marie-Louise Mignon-Denis from 1755 to 1760.
FOOD AND DRINK
In Geneva you can find all cuisines (American, European, Asian). You must try cheese fondue, raclette served with potatoes and onions, alplermagronen (alpine macaroni), leeks with potatoes and sausage, rösti and tarts and quiches. You must not leave without eating the delicious chocolates. A wine or beer would be an ideal choice to accompany your meal.
WHERE TO STAY
You can find hotels both in the city center and more than a kilometer away. Most hotels are expensive and those with a low budget will have to search hard to get a good budget stay.Towards the center the hotels are more expensive.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** An excellent choice for your shopping is the shops at Place de la Fusterie.
*** In Place du Molard you can find everything you are looking for for your shopping.
*** Popular streets for shopping are Rue du Rhône, Rue du Marché, Rue du Mont Blanc.
*** The Old Town is a must-see not only to see its magnificent architecture, but also to do your shopping.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot, by bike or by tram.
CITIES NEAR GENEVA
Major cities close to Geneva are Lausanne (63km), Lyon (150km), Bern (159km), Basel (254km), Turin (257km), Lucerne (265km), Zurich (276km), Milan (318km), Freiburg im Breisgau (318km).
