Welcome to Geneva
Sightseeing
Jet d'Eau is one of the tallest fountain in the world. Originally, in 1886 they built the fountain to control and release the excess pressure of a hydraulic plant at La Coulouvrenière. Shortly it became remarkable symbol of the city and so it was amplified and relocated to the center of the Lake.
395 locals recommend
The Geneva Water Fountain
Quai Gustave-AdorJet d'Eau is one of the tallest fountain in the world. Originally, in 1886 they built the fountain to control and release the excess pressure of a hydraulic plant at La Coulouvrenière. Shortly it became remarkable symbol of the city and so it was amplified and relocated to the center of the Lake.
Saint Pierre Cathedral is over 850 years old Geneva's main church, famous for Jan Kalvin preaching here. St. Pierre's Cathedral is located in the center of Geneva's Old Town, slightly on the hill overseeing the city, combining various architectural styles from Gothic to Ancient, as it was being rebuilt over the centuries. Since 16th century Cathedral belongs the Reformed Church.
North and South Towers are available for visitors with outstanding views over Geneva.
260 locals recommend
St Pierre Cathedral
Cour de Saint-PierreSaint Pierre Cathedral is over 850 years old Geneva's main church, famous for Jan Kalvin preaching here. St. Pierre's Cathedral is located in the center of Geneva's Old Town, slightly on the hill overseeing the city, combining various architectural styles from Gothic to Ancient, as it was being rebuilt over the centuries. Since 16th century Cathedral belongs the Reformed Church.
North and South Towers are available for visitors with outstanding views over Geneva.
This is a the beautiful botanic gardens of Geneva, full of exotic flowers and plants, both outdoor and indoor.
80 locals recommend
Jardin Botanique station
This is a the beautiful botanic gardens of Geneva, full of exotic flowers and plants, both outdoor and indoor.
The United Nations Office is housed at the historic Palais des Nations, originally built for the League of Nations in the 1930s.
There is a nice walking trail around the area, with a couple of parks scattered around, filled with statues and monuments.
165 locals recommend
United Nations Office at Geneva
Palais des NationsThe United Nations Office is housed at the historic Palais des Nations, originally built for the League of Nations in the 1930s.
There is a nice walking trail around the area, with a couple of parks scattered around, filled with statues and monuments.
The Plainpalais retail and manufactured goods markets take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flea markets are held on Wednesdays, Saturdays and every first Sunday of the month.
Marché aux Puces de Plainpalais
27 Avenue du MailThe Plainpalais retail and manufactured goods markets take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flea markets are held on Wednesdays, Saturdays and every first Sunday of the month.
The 400 meter beach stretches along the lake, made up of small pebbles and sand. Directly on the beach, users benefit from showers, as well as an access ramp to the water for people with reduced mobility.
There is also a cafe/ snack bar at the end of the beach.
10 locals recommend
Plage des Eaux-Vives
The 400 meter beach stretches along the lake, made up of small pebbles and sand. Directly on the beach, users benefit from showers, as well as an access ramp to the water for people with reduced mobility.
There is also a cafe/ snack bar at the end of the beach.
The flower clock, was created in 1955 as a symbol of the city's watchmakers.
The last renovation of 2017 notably offers an integrated watering system and new hands manufactured and offered to the City by Patek Philippe . The elegant design is close to the original one. The second hand, with a length of 2.5 meters, is undoubtedly the largest in the world . The clock has electronic satellite time setting.
88 locals recommend
Flower Clock
28 Quai du Général-GuisanThe flower clock, was created in 1955 as a symbol of the city's watchmakers.
The last renovation of 2017 notably offers an integrated watering system and new hands manufactured and offered to the City by Patek Philippe . The elegant design is close to the original one. The second hand, with a length of 2.5 meters, is undoubtedly the largest in the world . The clock has electronic satellite time setting.
Food scene
One of the most popular spots in Geneva is the Bains des Pâquis, an artificial peninsula surrounded by a lively beach that jets into the lake near Pâquis district (Rive Droite). It’s scenery is unmistakable due to the lighthouse at the end.
The beach, which is very popular during hot summer days, has more than sufficient room to lie down and sunbathe, as well as easy access to the water. A magnificent view over the lake and the Jet d’Eau makes it a must place to visit.
Paquis baths (Bains des Pâquis) are essentially two saunas, hammam and turkish baths; together with restaurant providing great spot for rejuvenation, and a perfect fondue!
365 locals recommend
Bains des Paquis
30 Quai du Mont-BlancOne of the most popular spots in Geneva is the Bains des Pâquis, an artificial peninsula surrounded by a lively beach that jets into the lake near Pâquis district (Rive Droite). It’s scenery is unmistakable due to the lighthouse at the end.
The beach, which is very popular during hot summer days, has more than sufficient room to lie down and sunbathe, as well as easy access to the water. A magnificent view over the lake and the Jet d’Eau makes it a must place to visit.
Paquis baths (Bains des Pâquis) are essentially two saunas, hammam and turkish baths; together with restaurant providing great spot for rejuvenation, and a perfect fondue!
Cinecittà
17 Rue de MontchoisyMy favorite Italian
Tucked in the side streets of the Paquis area, this little gem of a restaurant is not to be missed.
I would highly recommend the duck salad and the steak!
25 locals recommend
Restaurant Les 5 Portes
8 Rue de ZurichTucked in the side streets of the Paquis area, this little gem of a restaurant is not to be missed.
I would highly recommend the duck salad and the steak!
Saj Eat
18 Rue des AlpesFor a quick bite for the road, this little place is delicious, serving syrian wraps.
On top of this department store there is an big self-service restaurant, with a lot of choice of freshly cooked dishes and salads of different cuisines. There is also the view over Geneva and the lake.
140 locals recommend
Manor Genève
6 Rue de CornavinOn top of this department store there is an big self-service restaurant, with a lot of choice of freshly cooked dishes and salads of different cuisines. There is also the view over Geneva and the lake.
Jeck's Place
14 Rue de NeuchâtelA great singaporean restaurant
A cool and trendy peruvian restaurant, with a bar. The food is delicious, setting is beautiful, and the service is great. A booking is recommended.
35 locals recommend
ALMA Restaurant
6 Rue Henri-BlanvaletA cool and trendy peruvian restaurant, with a bar. The food is delicious, setting is beautiful, and the service is great. A booking is recommended.
For a great brasserie head to Lipp! This restaurant has great food, perfect service and great choice!
60 locals recommend
Brasserie Lipp
8 Rue de la ConfédérationFor a great brasserie head to Lipp! This restaurant has great food, perfect service and great choice!
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte
6 Rue Pierre-FatioA great place for steak and fries, with a divine sauce!
Black Tap
6 Cr de RiveAmazing milkshakes!
Sawerdō
Boulevard James-FazyA perfect brunch place, serving everything you need for a great start to the day!
On any given Saturday (or Wednesday) morning, locals convene at the Marché de Rive, a friendly neighborhood green market in the center of town that will inspire you to cook for days. The canton of Geneva may be small, but its produce packs a punch, and Genevans love eating local.
19 locals recommend
Halle de Rive
29 Bd HelvétiqueOn any given Saturday (or Wednesday) morning, locals convene at the Marché de Rive, a friendly neighborhood green market in the center of town that will inspire you to cook for days. The canton of Geneva may be small, but its produce packs a punch, and Genevans love eating local.
Qafé Guidoline
24 Rue des PâquisA cool cafe/ bar with a nice vibe in the Paquis area
Very nice place with good food and great atmosphere, free wifi and cool people
Voisins de Saint-Gervais - Coworking café
8 Boulevard James-FazyVery nice place with good food and great atmosphere, free wifi and cool people
If you love eating tartare, this restaurant is the place to be. So many options to choose from! You can even compose your own tartare, choosing the ingredients that you prefer. They even have a vegetarian tartare! Also very good: their ceviche an their octopus carpaccio
8 locals recommend
Tartares & Co Cornavin
10 Bd James-FazyIf you love eating tartare, this restaurant is the place to be. So many options to choose from! You can even compose your own tartare, choosing the ingredients that you prefer. They even have a vegetarian tartare! Also very good: their ceviche an their octopus carpaccio
Wellness
This is an excellent spa, spacious, and clean, with a heated outdoor pool with views over the lake. Not to be missed!
56 locals recommend
Bain Bleu Hammam & Spa
5 Quai de ColognyThis is an excellent spa, spacious, and clean, with a heated outdoor pool with views over the lake. Not to be missed!
Traveler advice
Ways to save
Free museums
There are many wonderful museums in Geneva that you can visit for free, including the Maison Tavel, the Natural History Museum, the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, St Peter’s Cathedral, the Art and History Museum, the Universe of Particles at CERN, and the Cité du Temps. In addition, the impressive International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is free on the first Saturday of the month from November to March.
Ways to save
Free WiFi
It is easy to stay connected while in Geneva because of the considerable number of free WiFi hotspots in town!
Currently – and the number is constantly growing – there are 635 WiFi access points supplied by the City of Geneva in 78 different locations, including along Geneva’s lakefront, the La Perle du Lac, in the Botanical Gardens, and in many public parks such as the Parc de la Grange, Parc des Eaux-Vives, and Plaine de Plainpalais.