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Stretching between Lake Geneva in Switzerland and the foothills of the Jura Mountains, Geneva is as much an Alpine village as it is an international metropolis: the European headquarters of the UN, the world capital of watchmaking, the birthplace of the Red Cross, and a giant scientific laboratory thanks to CERN. Within a four-kilometer radius, you can go from a medieval old town with cobbled streets to a lakefront dotted with public baths, bohemian neighborhoods like the Sardinian-inspired Carouge, and glass-enclosed terraces where you can enjoy a fondue overlooking the Jet d’Eau. Add to that an airport just seven minutes from the train station, free public transport for visitors, abundant nature, and a cultural scene that ranges from major diplomatic conferences to raves in abandoned factories: Calvin’s city proves to be much more than just a transit point. Here’s what to do in Geneva during your visit.
🗒️ Time of year, hotels: what you need to know before visiting Geneva
Before we get into things to do in Geneva, here are some useful tips.
Where is Geneva?
Geneva occupies the southwestern end of Lake Geneva, where the Rhône River resumes its course towards France, at an altitude of 375 m. The city is nestled against the foothills of the Jura Mountains, with Mont Salève on the Franco-Swiss horizon and Mont Blanc visible on a clear day, giving it a unique cross-border catchment area.
What is the best time to visit?
The climate is temperate continental: cool winters (0°C at night) and mild summers (average 25°C). Locals recommend May-June and September: long days, gardens in bloom or the grape harvest underway, and moderate hotel prices. Between June and August, the lake reaches 24°C for swimming and the city comes alive with festivals (Fête de la Musique, Lake Parade), but prices rise. Winter remains very photogenic: ice rinks on the shores of Lake Geneva, snowy panoramas, and mulled wine under the chalets of the Christmas market.
How to get to Geneva?
Geneva Airport (GVA) is a seven-minute train ride from Cornavin station; every airline ticket includes a free second-class travel pass (ticket distributed in the baggage claim area). Guests staying in hotels, hostels, or campsites then receive the Geneva Transport Card , providing free access to buses, trams, SBB trains in zone 10, and even the Mouettes (river shuttles) for the duration of their stay. TGV Lyria connections from Paris (3 hours), ICE/IC trains from Zurich and Berlin, and FlixBus services to Lyon and Milan round out the transport options.
What events should not be missed?
- Escalade Festival : first weekend of December, historical parades, Escalade Race and a broken chocolate cauldron in every family.
- Bol d’Or Mirabaud : in June, the largest lake regatta in Europe.
- Summer Music and Cinema Festival – Geneva Festivals in early July-August, punctuated by a giant fireworks display launched from barges on the lake.
How to get around?
The TPG network serves the entire metropolitan area; a one-hour ticket costs CHF 3, and a day ticket costs CHF 8 if you don’t have the free travel pass. Cycle paths run along both banks of the Rhône; self-service bicycles and scooters complete the offering. To cross the lake, take the M1-M4 shuttle buses (on foot or by bicycle) which connect the two banks in three minutes – included with the transport pass.
How many days should I plan for?
Two days are enough for the historic center, the Jet d’Eau, and the international institutions. Allow four to five days to explore Mont Salève, Carouge, the Satigny vineyards, and take a boat trip to Yvoire or Montreux.
Where to sleep?
The legendary Hôtel d’Angleterre, opposite the Jet d’Eau, embodies Belle Époque elegance. Travelers seeking urban design and good value opt for the citizenM Geneva City Centre, while those on a tight budget appreciate the MEININGER Genève Charmilles, just two tram stops from the city centre, offering both dormitories and private rooms.
🛎️ Right on the water. If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, here’s a selection of hotels on the shores of Lake Geneva.
🔝 What are the must-see things to do in Geneva?
Now let’s get to the heart of the matter and see what there is to do in Geneva. Only the must-sees, of course.
Stroll through the Old Town and climb the 157 steps of St. Peter’s Cathedral
Begin at Place du Bourg-de-Four, a former Roman forum and later a coaching inn, lined with terraces and pastel-colored facades. Wander up the narrow streets to Saint-Pierre Cathedral : built in the 12th century and transformed by the Reformation, it houses a simple Protestant interior, the Gothic Chapel of the Maccabees, and an archaeological site tracing fifteen centuries of worship. The more adventurous can climb the 157 steps of the north tower; at 64 meters, a gallery encircles the building, offering a 360° panorama of the Jet d’Eau, Mont Blanc, and the pink-tiled rooftops.
On your way back down, stroll along Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre, where Calvin founded his Academy, now the International Museum of the Reformation.
Photographing the Jet d’Eau and strolling along the quays
An absolute symbol of the city since 1891, the Jet d’Eau propels 500 liters of water per second to a height of 150 meters; the plume reaches speeds of 200 km/h, visible up to 20 km away on a clear day. From the Quai Gustave-Ador, walk to the footbridge where you can feel the refreshing mist – bring a raincoat.
Continue towards the English Garden, the National Monument, and the Flower Clock, composed of 12,000 plants that are changed each season. At dusk, the Belle Époque lampposts are reflected in Lake Geneva as the seagulls return to the quays: the perfect time for an aperitif on an Art Deco terrace.
Discover the Palais des Nations and the “Broken Chair”
In Ariana Park, the Palais des Nations houses the United Nations Office at Geneva, the second largest international headquarters after New York. Multilingual guided tours (45-60 minutes) reveal the Human Rights Room decorated by Miquel Barceló, Room XVII adorned with marquetry, and the park’s pathways populated by wild peacocks. In the Place des Nations stands the sculpture “Broken Chair“: a 12-meter-high chair missing a leg, it commemorates the fight against anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions. A powerful stop to appreciate the city’s diplomatic significance.
Playing physicist at CERN and its Science Gateway
A 20-minute tram ride away, CERN offers free access to its new Science Gateway: interactive exhibits on dark matter, a 1:1 scale replica of the Large Hadron Collider, and family workshops on particle accelerators. Reservations are required, but admission is free. Next door, the Globe of Science and Innovation (27 meters high, made of Jura spruce) offers immersive projections and a shop selling geeky gadgets (atom-shaped lollipops, E=mc² t-shirts). A must-see to understand why Geneva is also synonymous with the Nobel Prize.
Relax at the Bains des Pâquis and enjoy a traditional fondue
Established in 1872, the Bains des Pâquis offer a fine pebble beach, diving boards, saunas, a hammam, and a cooperative restaurant. In summer, sunbathing costs 2 CHF for entry until 8 pm; in winter, visitors can alternate between Turkish baths and cheese fondue served at wooden tables, facing the Jet d’Eau, under colourful lanterns. From 7 am, a coffee and croissant for 3 CHF brings together workers and cold-water swimmers; at midday, the daily special (often vegetarian) costs 14 CHF. A place where Genevan luxury gives way to lakeside conviviality.
Explore Carouge, the bohemian “little Sardinia”
On the other side of the Arve River, the independent municipality of Carouge was founded in the 18th century by the King of Sardinia to rival Protestant Geneva. Its grid-patterned streets, pastel-colored houses with hidden patios, and Mediterranean arcades are reminiscent of Turin. Stroll along Rue Saint-Joseph, browsing ceramics workshops, vintage clothing stores, and coffee roasters, then stop by the organic market on Saturdays in the Place du Marché. In the evening, tapas bars, microbreweries, and jazz venues transform this Latin enclave into a festive haven.
Treat yourself to a watchmaking journey at the Patek Philippe Museum
Housed in a former Art Nouveau workshop in the Plainpalais district, the Patek Philippe Museum displays 2,500 watches and automata from the 16th century to the present day, including the Calibre 89 (33 complications) and enameled clocks made for the Ottoman Empire. On Saturdays at 2 pm, a guided tour (CHF 10 / €8) recounts the epic story of Geneva’s master watchmakers and the origins of the Geneva Seal. This immersion in high precision will surely inspire you to buy… at least a miniature Swiss watch as a souvenir.
Sailing on Lake Geneva in a paddle steamer
Step aboard a Belle Époque steamer operated by CGN: departing from Mont-Blanc, regular cruises reach Yvoire (a flower-filled medieval village) in 1 hour 15 minutes or Montreux in 2 hours 45 minutes, passing by the UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards of Lavaux. On board, enjoy a fondue or the daily special while the paddle wheels churn the turquoise waters. During the warmer months, a “Belle Époque” ticket allows you to hop on and off as you please to explore the French and Vaudois shores.
Take the cable car up Mont Salève to see the city from above
Although located in French territory, Mont Salève towers over Geneva at 1,379 meters. A 20-minute bus ride (number 8) from Veyrier-Douane, followed by a five-minute cable car ride (renovated in 2023), takes you to the panoramic terrace at 1,100 meters; guaranteed views of the Jet d’Eau, the Jura Mountains, and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc. With marked trails, via ferrata, paragliding, or simply a stroll to the inn for a blueberry tart, this “balcony overlooking Geneva” is well worth a half-day in the countryside.
There you have it! We hope this selection of things to do in Geneva has helped you plan your stay. Have a great trip!