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Sightseeing in Geneva

The International Monument to the Reformation is a wall that was built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Protestant Bishop John Calvin and the men who contributed to the religious Reformation. Along the Reformation Wall, located within the verdant Parc des Bastions, are representations of 450 religious and political figures who, through their work, aided and established the new ideas that made Geneva a bastion of Protestantism.
Address: 1 Prom. des Bastions

To discover more about the Reformation, you can visit the International Museum of the Reformation.
Address: 4 Rue du Cloître. Other museums that are worth visiting in Geneva are the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum which details the activities of the organisation around the world, as well as the museum of the famous watchmaker Patek Philippe.
Address: 17 Avenue de la Paix & Address: 7 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers.
The Museum of Art and History contains a splendid presentation of the history of European civilisation, through a number of impressive works.
Address: 2 Rue Charles-Galland

In the historic city centre, visit St Pierre Cathedral. Climb the 157 steps to the top of the tower for a panoramic view over the city and Lake Geneva, then lose yourselves in the narrow lanes of the Old Town.
Address: 24 Place du Bourg-de-Four

Visit the Office of the United Nations in the Palace of Nations, located inside the beautiful Ariana Park, with a view over Lake Geneva and the Alps. This is the second-largest office of the United Nations, after the headquarters in New York. The imposing Assembly Hall, the Room of Human Rights and the Alliance of Civilisations as well as the unique collection of art from all over the world will certainly take your breath away! Opposite the United Nations building is the Broken Chair, a huge wooden chair weighing 5.5 tons with one leg broken – a protest against the ravages of drugs.

The city’s squares, such as the Place Neuve, near the city’s opera house and conservatory, and the Place de Bourg-de-Four, a meeting point for all the residents of Geneva, are particularly charming.

Walk up the sunny Promenade de la Treille to see the longest bench in the world! This is an ideal spot to take a rest after a tour of the Old Town, with a view over Mt Salève. To “climb up” this far you must take the bus or cable car.
Address: 4 Rue de la Croix-Rouge

Things to do in Geneva

Take a ride over Lake Geneva on a sea bike so that you can pass by the emblematic Jet d' Eau, with a powerful jet that appears to reach the sky! The famous fountain, which ejects 500 litres of water a minute to a height of 140 metres, was created by chance when in 1886 the hydraulic pumping station that supplied the water power of the Rhone to the artisans of Geneva requested that a release valve be made to relieve the water pressure. The view in the evening, with the lights falling on the jet, is spectacular. Address: Quai Gustave-Ador.

At the Bains des Pâquis on the banks of Lake Geneva you can sunbathe or simply admire the view of the lake and relax with a meal or a drink. Here you will find the public baths. The green banks of Lake Geneva are excellent for long walks. Address: 30 Quai du Mont-Blanc.

Visit the place that has been identified like no other with modern science, the famous Centre Européenne pour le Researche Nucleaire (European Organisation for Nuclear Research), known as CERN. In the most advanced centre for particle physics research in the world you can admire an impressive exhibition covering 500 square metres, including the famous particle accelerator! This is where the World Wide Web was born! Address: 385 Route de Meyrin, Geneva).

Many galleries and art exhibitions are grouped in the Quartier des Bains. Here you will find the Mamco Genève (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) and the Centre d’Art Contemporain (Centre of Contemporary Art). This has led to the Quartier des Bains being described as a platform for contemporary Swiss – and not only – art! Address: 10 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers.

Sit at one of the cafes in the Old Town to enjoy a cup of Swiss hot chocolate.

Excursions near Geneva

Take a visit to Carouge, the picturesque bohemian canton very close to Geneva, which is distinguished for its elegant boutiques, small restaurants and bistros that invite you to sample the local specialities. With an atmosphere and an architecture that are strongly reminiscent of an Italian village, narrow lanes and pretty cafés, the images of Carouge will stay with you. If you like old things, there are many antique shops around here.

If you would like to cross the French-Swiss border, the best place to go in France is Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps”. The town is built around water and is literally drowning in trees and flowers. If you are traveling with your other half, then a stop on the Lovers Bridge, over the town lake, is a must. As legend has it, couples who kiss in the middle of the bridge will stay together forever. From the town’s picturesque castle, you will have a panoramic view over Annecy and can photograph it from above.

Shopping

Tick tock, it’s time to buy either a classic Swiss clock or the latest word in horological fashion. It’s simply a matter of taste and… budget. If you love watches and jewellery, Geneva will be like heaven for you. Make sure you have a large enough budget for shopping, otherwise you will feel as though you’re in a forest full of forbidden fruit!

Individual shops, shopping malls and the luxury boutiques of the famous brands (concentrated along Rue du Rhône) can cater for any taste and budget as far as shopping is concerned.

Food and Entertainment

In Geneva you will find restaurants for literally all tastes and wallets… From Michelin-starred gourmet establishments to more traditional restaurants where you can enjoy classic dishes such as fondue and rösti (a traditional dish of fried potatoes, onions and bacon). Most places to eat can be found in the Old Town.

For your evening’s entertainment, the road along which the Medical School is situated, the Place de l'Ile right in the middle of the Rhône, the Quartier des Bains and Carouge (especially around Rue Vartier and Place du Marche) are the places where the heart of the city’s nightlife beats. This is a relatively low-key nightlife – the bars close at 2 am and the clubs at 5 am, and this not on every day of the week but only on Thursdays and Fridays.

Useful information / Travelling from Geneva Airport

Geneva Airport is just 7 minutes by train from the city centre. Whichever line you take, disembark at Cornavin station in the city centre. The journey by bus takes on average the same length of time although at peak hours it can take up to 15 minutes. The #10 bus terminates in the centre of Geneva. If you prefer not to travel by public transport, then you can take a taxi.

At Geneva Airport you will be given a free ticket with a duration of 80 minutes so that you can travel to your destination by public transport. These tickets can be picked up in the arrivals lounge, the baggage hall and from special dispensers. In collaboration with all the city’s hotels, the city’s public transport service offers every visitor the Geneva Transport Card, a personalised card that allows you to travel for free by public transport throughout your stay. Ask for it at your hotel reception.