Travel guide · Switzerland
Geneva travel guide
Lake Geneva's jet d'eau, a Calvinist old town and the world's diplomats
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Geneva sits at the south-western tip of Lake Geneva, where the Rhône flows out of the lake, with France wrapped around most of the canton. The 140-metre Jet d'Eau marks the harbour, the hilltop Old Town climbs around St. Pierre Cathedral where Calvin preached, and the right bank holds the European headquarters of the United Nations, the Red Cross and dozens of international organisations. Mont Blanc is visible on clear days, and Lausanne, the Lavaux vineyards, Annecy and Chamonix are all within reach for a day. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Switzerland
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- GVA
- Mid-range daily budget
- $280–$450 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Jet d'Eau, United Nations, Lake Geneva and Swiss watchmaking
Why visit Geneva
- The Jet d'Eau shoots a 140-metre plume over the harbour, and you can walk out along the jetty to its base.
- You can tour the Palace of Nations, the UN's European headquarters, and visit the Red Cross Museum across the road.
- In summer people swim from the lakeside Bains des Pâquis in the city centre; in winter the same jetty serves fondue beside a sauna.
- CERN's free Science Gateway, opened in 2023, is a 25-minute tram ride from the main station.
- Lausanne, the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces and Chillon Castle are all within about an hour by train.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
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Landmark · Eaux-Vives
Jet d'Eau
Geneva's symbol is a fountain that pumps about 500 litres of lake water a second to a height of around 140 metres from the end of the Jetée des Eaux-Vives.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
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Religious site · Old Town
St. Pierre Cathedral
Begun in the 12th century and later given a neoclassical portico, St.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours with towers and excavations
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Old Town
Old Town and Place du Bourg-de-Four
The Old Town's lanes lead to Place du Bourg-de-Four, the city's oldest square, on the site of a Roman forum.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Historic site · Nations
Palace of Nations
Built between 1929 and 1938 for the League of Nations, the Palais des Nations is now the United Nations Office at Geneva.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Landmark · Nations
Broken Chair
Daniel Berset's 12-metre wooden chair with one shattered leg stands on Place des Nations opposite the UN.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Art
- Photo spot
Landmark · Old Town
Reformation Wall and Parc des Bastions
Set into the old city ramparts in the Parc des Bastions, this 100-metre monument completed in the early 20th century shows the reformers Guillaume Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox as giant stone figures, flanked by smaller statues and inscriptions.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
Where to stay
Old Town (Vieille Ville) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for couples, culture, quiet stays and first-timers
Old Town (Vieille Ville)
Hilltop lanes around St. Pierre Cathedral, Place du Bourg-de-Four and antique galleries
$$ · Best for budget, food lovers, nightlife and first-timers
Pâquis
Multicultural streets between the station and the lake, with the city's best-value eating
$$$ · Best for families, couples and quiet stays
Eaux-Vives
Left-bank lakeside district of parks, the Jet d'Eau and neighbourhood restaurants
$$ · Best for solo travellers, budget and nightlife
Plainpalais
University district of the flea market, museums and student bars
What to eat
- Perch fillets — Small lake perch fillets pan-fried in butter, often with a lemon or herb-butter sauce and served with fries.
- Longeole — Geneva's raw pork sausage flavoured with fennel seeds, simmered slowly and served with potatoes or gratin.
- Lake whitefish — A delicate white fish from Lake Geneva, served grilled, pan-fried or smoked.
- Cardoon gratin — A thistle-like vegetable grown around Geneva with protected status, baked in a creamy cheese gratin.
- Half-and-half fondue — Cheese fondue made with equal parts Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois, melted with white wine and garlic and eaten with cubes of bread.
- Malakoff — A deep-fried cheese fritter on a bread base, a speciality of the villages on the Vaud shore near Nyon, eaten with pickles and a glass of local white wine.
When to go
The best time to visit Geneva is May to September, when the lake is warm enough to swim, boats run frequently and parks and terraces are full. June has roses and long evenings, while September is often settled and less crowded. December brings the Escalade festival and Christmas markets, and winter suits combining the city with skiing in the nearby Alps.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Blossom along the quays and changeable weather; quieter than summer, with boats returning to full timetables. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm, sunny days for swimming and lake cruises, with roses in June and fireworks on 1 August. |
| Autumn | September–November | Settled September, the grape harvest and autumn colour, then greyer days and the bise wind. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold and often cloudy in the city, but festive in December and close to sunny ski slopes. |
Getting there and around
Geneva Airport is about 5 km north-west of the centre. Trains reach Cornavin station in about 7 minutes, and a free public-transport ticket valid for about 80 minutes is available from a machine in the baggage reclaim hall. Buses also run to the city, and taxis take around 15–20 minutes.
Geneva is compact: the station, lakefront, Old Town and Plainpalais are all within about 20 minutes' walk. Trams, buses, the Mouettes water taxis and the Léman Express regional trains share one ticketing system, and hotel guests receive free public transport.
Plan your days
Two days covers the lakefront and Jet d'Eau, the Old Town, the Palace of Nations and a swim or fondue at the Bains des Pâquis. A third day adds CERN, Carouge or a lake cruise; with four or five you can visit Lausanne and Lavaux, Montreux, Annecy or Chamonix.
Practical information
- Currency
- CHF
- Language
- French
- Plugs
- Type J sockets (also fit two-pin Type C plugs), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is excellent, and public drinking fountains are found throughout the city.
- Emergency number
- 112 general emergency, 117 police, 144 ambulance, 118 fire
- Tipping
- Service is included.
Geneva is generally low-risk for visitors, but pickpocketing and bag snatching occur around Cornavin station, the Pâquis and the lakefront, so keep valuables close. Swim only at supervised lake beaches and baths.
Flights to Geneva
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Geneva?
Two days covers the lakefront and Jet d'Eau, the Old Town, the Palace of Nations and a swim or fondue at the Bains des Pâquis. A third day adds CERN, Carouge or a lake cruise; with four or five you can visit Lausanne and Lavaux, Montreux, Annecy or Chamonix. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Geneva?
The best time to visit Geneva is May to September, when the lake is warm enough to swim, boats run frequently and parks and terraces are full. June has roses and long evenings, while September is often settled and less crowded. December brings the Escalade festival and Christmas markets, and winter suits combining the city with skiing in the nearby Alps.
+What is Geneva known for?
Jet d'Eau, United Nations, Lake Geneva, Swiss watchmaking, Red Cross, CERN and Reformation history. The Jet d'Eau shoots a 140-metre plume over the harbour, and you can walk out along the jetty to its base.
+Is Geneva expensive?
Geneva is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $280–$450 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Geneva?
No. Public transport is free for hotel guests and covers the city. A car helps only for remote Alpine valleys and French villages; trains and buses reach Lausanne, Montreux, Annecy and Chamonix.