A Day in Geneva: Sights and Activities 2024

Activities in Geneva

Why travel far away when good things are so close? In Geneva, there are activities that are perfect for a weekend city trip or an extended stay in your home country. Arguably Switzerland's most international city, it's not for nothing that it is considered a tourist metropolis, as the sights in Geneva inspire people from all over the world. Whether you are a die-hard connoisseur of the city or a newcomer, the canton of Geneva is constantly reinventing itself and offers an unmistakable blend of nature, history, and culture. Time to pack your bags, invite family and friends, and create wonderful memories together!  

Geneva old town

Charming cafés and restaurants, traditional watchmakers, and medieval architecture: Geneva's old town is considered the largest historical center in Switzerland. If the weather is good, you should definitely take a few hours to stroll through the alleyways, as many of the most important sights are within walking distance. Just below Old Town, located on the grounds of the university, history buffs will find the Reformation Monument. The massive wall with larger-than-life figures of the most important reformers commemorates the Reformation in Geneva and is closely linked to the city's history. Afterwards, you can relax in the adjacent Parc des Bastions.  

Don't miss the Promenade de la Treille, the longest wooden bench in the world. After a short break, it's worth visiting the Place du Bourg-de-Four to admire the fountain. Numerous cafés and restaurants in the center of Old Town offer culinary delights. After a little refreshment, you should definitely explore the famous secret passage Degrés de poules, which leads to one of the best sights in Geneva: The famous St. Peter's Cathedral.  

St. Peter's Cathedral

Located in the heart of Geneva in the middle of Old Town, there is a historical landmark of the city of Geneva that every visitor must see: St. Peter's Cathedral (Cathedrale St. Pierre), named after the Apostle Peter, was a stronghold of the Reformation. If you're up for a challenge, you can climb the 157 steps up to the church tower and be rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of the city. Once you come back down, you should not miss the archaeological treasures under the cathedral: Numerous finds from ancient times make visitors want to find out more about the history of the city.

Jardin anglais

Are you looking for one of the most beautiful lakeside walks? Then you absolutely must visit the English Garden. Not only does the national monument here commemorate the city of Geneva's entry into the Swiss Confederation. Fans of watchmaking will also get their money's worth here, as the Jardin anglais is home to the famous flower clock, one of the top 10 sights in Geneva. If you visit the city in the summer, you also have the opportunity to experience the Geneva Festival live. Wonderful concerts with renowned artists invite you to dance and have fun. 

Lake Geneva

Relaxing on the shores of Lake Geneva is something you should definitely not miss out on during your city trip. As the second largest lake in Central Europe, it stretches out in a crescent shape in France and Switzerland. In the middle of the lake, the Jet d'eau fountain is an impressive sight with water jetted up to 140 meters high. It shoots the water upwards at a speed of 200 km/h, which corresponds to an incredible 500 liters of water per second. If you are interested in learning more about its machinery, you can book a guided tour that explains exactly how the Jet d'eau went from a simple water jet to an international landmark. 

Bains des pâquis

Located a few meters away from the water jet, with a view of Lake Geneva, the bains des pâquis are a must for every Geneva tourist. More than just a simple bathing establishment, it offers seasonal activities for those seeking relaxation. While you can warm up with a relaxing sauna session in winter, you can enjoy extensive sunbathing in summer. Wellness enthusiasts can treat themselves to deep relaxation for body and soul in the Turkish bath or hammam, while gourmets can enjoy the fresh dishes of the day at the bar. 

Parc La Grange und Parc des Eaux Vives

Have you ever marveled at over 200 varieties of roses? Flower lovers will love the La Grange Park, which boasts an impressive flower garden that is worth a visit, particularly in summer. This is also when you have the opportunity to enjoy free concerts by the Théâtre de Verdure. Good to know: La Grange is connected to the neighboring Parc des Eaux Vives via a door, so nature lovers can stroll across extensive lawns and marvel at several hundred-year-old trees. 

Palais des Nations: seat of the United Nations

Once you're in the beautiful Ariana Park, you should add another symbol of the city to your list: The Palace of Nations amazes architecture buffs and at the same time consolidates the city's position as an important diplomatic center in Europe. Every day, you can take part in a guided tour that takes over 100,000 visitors a year through the European headquarters of the United Nations. Adults currently pay around CHF 16 for the tour. Please note: For security reasons, you should not carry large items of luggage when entering the Palais des Nations. 

CERN: Organization for Nuclear Research

Particle accelerators and detectors: If you are interested in physics, a visit to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), or CERN for short, is a must. Located on the French border, the center for fundamental physics research is one of the most renowned in the world. Witness how researchers try to decipher the fundamental laws of the universe and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of physics! 

Patek Philippe: Fascinating art of watchmaking

Are you passionate about watches? Then you must visit the Patek Philippe Museum and see one of the most precious watch collections in the world. Born out of the passion of Philippe Stern, Honorary President of the manufactory, the museum houses a magnificent collection of around 2,500 watches and valuable objects. But it's not just watchmaking enthusiasts who will be amazed here: art lovers will also love the international museum, as it exhibits decorative crafts such as engraving, enameling, and gem-setting, which are traditionally closely linked to watchmaking. 

Mont Blanc

Are you staying in Geneva for several days? Then a day trip from Geneva to Chamomix is well worthwhile. The typical Alpine village at the foot of Mont Blanc is a day trip away from Geneva and offers numerous highlights for mountain lovers: After arriving in the mountain village, you can take the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi and enjoy spectacular views over the surrounding mountains and the valley at an altitude of 3842 m. Afterwards, it's worth taking the cog railroad to the Mer de Glace, one of the most famous glaciers in Europe.