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Flight price per month

Per person in euros: cheapest direct return flight for 2 to 4 nights. Select a month for flight times, hotels and things to do.

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Discover Geneva

Reformation Wall, Geneva
Reformation Wall
Palais des Nations, Geneva
Palais des Nations

City guide

About Geneva

Geneva is the cosmopolitan, diplomatic capital of peace, scenically situated where Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) flows into the Rhône River. Framed by the peaks of the French Alps and the Jura range, with breathtaking vistas of snow-capped Mont Blanc on clear days, the city seamlessly pairs French refinement with Swiss precision.

As the European home of the United Nations and the International Red Cross, Geneva breathes a uniquely international ambience. The city is world-renowned for its iconic Jet d'Eau soaring 140 meters above the lake, its historic cobblestone Old Town crowned by St. Peter's Cathedral, and a celebrated tradition of luxury watchmaking and artisan chocolate crafts.

Best time to go
May through September is the most pleasant travel window: generous sunshine, comfortable warmth between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius, and lively activity along the lakefront promenades. Midsummer offers sublime swimming in the lake at the historic Bains des Pâquis or the public Plage des Eaux-Vives.
From the airport
Geneva Cointrin Airport (GVA) is located just four kilometers northwest of the city center. SBB Swiss Railways trains depart every few minutes from the airport station, reaching central Geneva-Cornavin station in just seven minutes. Hotel guests receive the complimentary Geneva Transport Card upon check-in. Taxis cost approximately 35 to 45 Swiss francs.
Getting around
Geneva is compact and effortlessly navigated using the clean Unireso network of trams and buses. A delightful feature is the fleet of yellow public water buses (Mouettes Genevoises) that shuttle passengers across the lake between the left and right banks. The historic hillside Old Town is best discovered on foot.

What to see in Geneva

  • Jet d'EauGeneva's world-famous waterfront emblem: a dramatic water plume pumping 500 liters of lake water per second at 200 km/h to a height of 140 meters into the alpine air.
  • Old Town (Vieille-Ville) and St. Pierre CathedralThe historic hilltop district of cobblestone alleys, antique shops, charming Place du Bourg-de-Four, and the cathedral where John Calvin preached; climb the tower for sweeping vistas.
  • Palais des Nations and the Broken ChairThe European headquarters of the United Nations set in expansive Ariana Park, fronted on Place des Nations by the monumental Broken Chair sculpture advocating against landmines.
  • CERN Science GatewayThe world's leading particle physics laboratory just outside the city, where the World Wide Web and Large Hadron Collider were born, featuring interactive science pavilions.

Neighbourhoods

  • Vieille-Ville (Old Town)The elevated historic quarter of grand eighteenth-century mansions, historic cannons, quiet courtyards, and open-air cafes on historic Place du Bourg-de-Four.
  • CarougeA bohemian district designed in the eighteenth century by architects from Turin, known for Italianate pastel facades, artisan workshops, indie boutiques, and shaded courtyard bistros.
  • Les PâquisA vibrant, multicultural lakeside quarter celebrated for the Bains des Pâquis, an eclectic selection of international restaurants, and relaxed evening terraces.

Food and drink

Geneva's dining marries Swiss alpine staples with classic French culinary finesse. Savor traditional fondue moitié-moitié (prepared with equal parts aged Gruyère and creamy Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses). Order fresh filets de perche du Léman (lake perch fillets sautéed in butter with lemon and served with crispy frites). Taste traditional longeole pork sausage flavored with fennel seeds, and indulge in pralines from master chocolatiers like Favarger and Auer.

Questions about Geneva

Is public transport free for visitors in Geneva?

Yes, all visitors staying in official accommodation in the Canton of Geneva receive a complimentary digital Geneva Transport Card, valid on all city trams, buses, and Mouettes boats.

Can you swim at Bains des Pâquis?

Yes, the 1930s public bathhouse pier is open 365 days a year for lake swimming, featuring sunbathing docks in summer and traditional wood-fired saunas and fondue in winter.

Month by month breakdown

Fotocredits (3)
  • Jet d'Eau door Wikibusters, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Reformation Wall door Roland Zumbühl - www.picswiss.ch., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Palais des Nations door Credits to Mourad Ben Abdallah / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons