Visit Geneva

Geneva is home to a large number of restaurants of all kinds. Switzerland as a whole is very cosmopolitan. With 4 languages spoken in the country, cultures come together to offer a wide choice of restaurants with different flavours. If you’re looking for diversity, the Pâquis district will delight your palate. It’s a cosmopolitan district with many surprising restaurants. Rue des Alpes and Avenue de France are also great places to enjoy a good meal.

Geneva is a city where hotels are often fully booked. With the headquarters of the United Nations located there, many businessmen and politicians stay in hotels. So it’s important to plan ahead if you don’t want to find yourself without accommodation. If you want to be close to the must-see places, it’s best to stay in Old Geneva. Bear in mind that prices in this area are likely to be high. For a more reasonable budget, the Pâquis district is ideal. This is the city’s popular and multicultural district. You’ll be close to the station and a variety of restaurants. Lake Geneva is just a short walk away. It’s a popular area for visitors.

Geneva is a rather large city, but it’s quite possible to visit the must-see places in a day. First of all, you need to visit one of the city’s symbols, the jet d’eau on Lake Geneva. It can be seen from a distance and from several angles. The jet d’eau can also be visited at night. The lighting makes it look magnificent. Another of the city’s must-sees is Old Geneva. There are many things to do here, and it’s here that you’ll discover all about Geneva’s history. You can stroll around and admire the old 13th-century buildings, visit several museums such as the International Museum of the Reformation. Finally, you can take a tour of the emblematic Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. During your visit, we strongly recommend that you go up to the north tower for a breathtaking view of the whole of Geneva and Lake Geneva. And don’t forget to take the audio-guided tour on our Navaway app: you’ll discover the city’s must-sees, and Geneva will no longer hold any secrets for you!

Geneva is an important city in the European Union. It is regarded as a central city and is home to the headquarters of the United Nations. So it goes without saying that Geneva is well served, wherever you are. From Paris, and more specifically Gare de Lyon, the TGV Lyria takes you directly to Geneva in just 3 hours 15 minutes. Several trains make this journey every day. If you want to fly, every European capital offers you the chance to discover Geneva. Simply take the train from the airport to the city centre. If you’re not far from the Swiss border, you can take the car and enjoy the Alpine scenery. From Lyon, the journey takes less than two hours, and from Annecy just 50 minutes.

Getting around Geneva poses no particular problems. You can do everything on foot to take advantage of the city’s pleasant surroundings, such as Lake Geneva, which is a great place for a stroll. That said, Geneva has excellent public transport links. With 5 tram lines, 65 bus lines and 6 trolleybus lines, it’s very easy to get around without walking. Thanks to the 65 bus routes, you can visit Geneva’s surroundings and even make a diversion to France. Some buses cover the Ain and Haute-Savoie departments. For a longer stay, you can take the Geneva Pass, which gives you discounts or free access to certain activities, including public transport. A car is not essential for getting around Geneva.

Geneva’s climate is fairly mild. In winter, however, it is much cooler, with temperatures rarely exceeding 5 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, it’s a pleasant city to visit in winter, especially as winter sports (such as skiing) are close by, whether in the Alps or the Jura. If you’re not a big fan of sub-zero temperatures and prefer a more pleasant climate, then we advise you to book your stay in Geneva during the period from May to September. Temperatures will be milder and there will be less rain. On the other hand, this is the period when the concentration of tourists is at its peak, leading to higher accommodation prices.

Most activities in Geneva do not require prior booking. The Geneva City Pass, on the other hand, is a great way to save money. A 24-hour pass costs CHF 30, or CHF 35 including public transport. This pass entitles you to discounts on a range of activities. For example, the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain is free with the pass (CHF 15 without), and the Geneva Tour cruise is also free (CHF 19 without). You can even take a 30-minute pedalo ride on Lake Geneva free of charge (CHF 14 without a pass).

Geneva can be visited in one day, two days or three days. In one day, you’ll have time to visit the must-sees, such as Lake Geneva and its impressive jet d’eau, and St Peter’s Cathedral. If you’re a museum buff, then you’ll need to allow a few extra days. Geneva has a large number of very pleasant museums to visit.

The city of Geneva makes it easy for wheelchair users to enjoy their stay. The Museum of Art and History will be delighted to welcome you and help you discover Switzerland’s heritage. A number of other museums are also open to visitors, including the International Red Cross Museum and the Natural History Museum. Admission is free for accompanying persons. In the concert halls, there are special seats for wheelchair users so that they can enjoy a comfortable evening. You can also take a cruise on Lake Geneva in complete tranquillity, and enjoy the parks and gardens such as the Parc des Bastions. Of course, Geneva’s Old Town and St Peter’s Cathedral are accessible to wheelchair users.