You have come to the right place if you are eager to know about the Best Attractions in Geneva. The world-famous Geneva city is located in Switzerland, on the western shore of Lake Geneva, near the French border. Below are 05 things that will inspire you to visit this beautiful French-speaking Swiss city.
Why should you visit Geneva?
1) Beautiful natural scenery and outdoor activities.
2) Monuments.
3) Museums.
4) Communities and past heritage.
5) Scientific background
More About Geneva
Geneva is this cosmopolitan lake city with breathtaking mountain views surrounded by the Alps and the Jura Mountains. Most of the tourist attractions here are located along the banks of the lake, which are lined with beautiful promenades, parks, and gardens. Geneva is home to many outdoor activities, winter snow sports, and beautiful natural scenery that appeals to nature lovers. Alpine, lakes, and snow are the things that are common in Geneva. Day trips from Geneva are easy to organize and can include plenty of outdoor activities. Tip: Mont-Saleve is the most popular tourist destination. You can go paragliding, mountain biking, or skiing and enjoy the alpine views here.
Being among the 05 richest cities in the world, Geneva provides a cosmopolitan atmosphere as the headquarters of many multinational companies and world-renowned international organizations. More than 20 international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Bank, and the headquarters of the United Nations are located in Geneva. It is also a global hub for diplomacy and banking.
Geneva is a city with many museums. From toddlers/school students to people of any age group there is a lot to gain from exploring these museums to develop their knowledge.
Like many other cities in Switzerland, Geneva’s old town is well preserved. Perched on a hillside above the Rhone, which flows into Lake Geneva, the cathedral dominates its picturesque old streets and steps. The Old Town of Geneva is surrounded on three sides by a cluster of ancient fortified buildings and wide streets. It is a popular attraction among tourists.
Geneva is one of the world’s most important centers for science and innovation. Geneva can be introduced as a city of great importance among the cities of Switzerland and will feed you with knowledge, history, culture, and nature.
Let’s Go To The Attractions
So read this guide to discover the best attractions in Geneva and find the best places to visit.
01) Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Central Europe with an area of about 583 square kilometers spanning the border between Switzerland and France. The largest area of the lake, (approximately 363 square kilometers) is located in Geneva in western Switzerland. A crescent-shaped, Lake Geneva is framed by the Alps. The spa town and resort of luxurious Évian-les-Bains is located on the southern, French side of the lake. From Lausanne to Montreux, the chic, trendy Swiss Riviera stretches along the northern coast.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Lake Geneva
The primary attractions are swimming, fishing, and boating on the lake, but there are also water parks, movie theaters, and also winter-themed art installations that you can travel through.
01) Using a boat/Cruise – The variety of cruises available in Geneva is vast, and many itineraries allow you to discover Lake Geneva and its treasures. Rent a boat in Geneva for a fun day out. The destination offers many boat rental options, whether you’re your own pilot or a professional takes you on a getaway.
02) By Bike or Scooter or By Cycle – The Tour du Lac Léman is a 175-kilometer cycling route that allows cyclists to complete a full loop around beautiful Lake Geneva on a well-marked cycle path. The route provides breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains, as well as historical towns and villages.
03) By Foot – The Lakeshore Path. The 21-26 mile journey around Geneva Lake takes an average of 8 to 10 hours for someone in average physical condition. It is best to walk it in sections, with public access points available in Lake Geneva, Fontana, Williams Bay, and Big Foot Beach State Park.
The following are the top Lake Geneva attractions:
- Geneva Lake Shore Path.
- The Magic Theatre of Tristan Crist.
- The Geneva Lake.
- The estate of Black Point.
- The Geneva Lake Museum of History.
02) De Saint-Pierre Temple
The Romanesque church at the highest point of Geneva’s old town, dating back to 1150 as the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, features some Gothic elements. The name was changed to Temple de Saint-Pierre during the Protestant Reformation, and it became a protestant church.
From 1536 to 1564, John Calvin preached here, and his followers removed the altars, paintings, and statuary, leaving only the carved capitals and stained glass from its original decoration.
The two main towers, which date from the 13th century, were never completed. Climb to the top for stunning views of the lake and town, and a corridor connecting the two towers allows you to ascend both without returning to ground level.
03) Jet d’Eau
A 145-meter plume of water soars straight up from the lake surface beside the Jetée des Eaux-Vives, the breakwater enclosing Geneva’s harbor. This water jet has become the city of Geneva’s most recognizable landmark. A powerful pump propels the water at a rate of approximately 500 liters per second, accounting for the height reached.
04) English Garden
The English Garden holds a special place in the hearts of Geneva residents. Its paths are ideal for an idyllic stroll through the city center. The Flower Clock and the National Monument commemorating Geneva’s incorporation into the Swiss Confederation are both located in the park. A massive bronze fountain in the center provides cool water to both young and old. During the Geneva Festival, crowds gather for free concerts and food from around the world.
Parc de la Grange
The Parc La Grange is a city park in Geneva, Switzerland. The city park is located on the Quai Gustave-Ador in Geneva, south of Lake Geneva. It covers 200,000 square meters and features very old and tall trees, Geneva’s largest rose garden, orangeries, an alpine garden, and an 18th-century villa.
05) The Palais des Nations
The Palais des Nations, a large complex of marble buildings, is the European headquarters of the United Nations. As a result, it has become a center of global diplomacy, the second largest UN center after New York, with up to 25,000 delegates passing through each year. On a guided tour, you can learn about the work that is being done here and see the artworks and interiors that have been donated by countries all over the world.
The Assembly Hall, which seats over 2,000 people, is used for meetings of the United Nations and its affiliated organizations. The lobby offers a stunning view of the Alps. Napoleon brought back from Italy the two heavily gilded bronze doors at the ends, which Clemenceau presented to the League of Nations.
J. M. Sert’s sepia on gold wall and ceiling painting in the smaller Council Chamber was a gift from Spain, completed in 1936, and depicted themes of technological, social, and medical progress, as well as world peace. Three bas-reliefs by Eric Gill inspired by Michelangelo can be found in the ante-chamber. More than a million print items, as well as electronic journals and books, are housed in the library.
06) Museums in Geneva
More than thirty five museums and galleries in Geneva offer a diverse range of cultural and historical offerings. Museums in the city of Geneva can be classified in different ways, from ancient, ultra-modern and contemporary art museums. These capture the full spectrum of the city’s history as well as major cultural influences and advances in modern science. Few such important museums are mentioned below.
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
- Geneva’s Ethnography Museum
- International Museum of the Reformation
- Patek Philippe Museum
- Museum of Natural History
- The Musée Ariana
- Science History Museum
- Museum of Art and History
- Barbier-Mueller Museum
- Maison Tavel
- MAMCO
- A Globe of Science and Innovation (CERN)
- Bodmer Foundation
Art and History Museum
The Museum of Art and History is a massive museum with over 1 million exhibit pieces capturing the history of western culture and civilization from ancient times to the present. The museum is modern and spacious, and visitors can easily spend several hours there. There is a reception area with audio guides, a restaurant, a children’s playground, lockers, and free toilets on the ground floor. The Art and History Museum will be rebuilt and completely renovated in the near future.
Everyone is welcome to enter the museum.
07) Monuments & Fountains
Over 220 monuments and works of art are installed throughout the City of Geneva’s territory. They are installed and maintained by the municipal administration. The National Monument is a one of Geneva’s most popular tourist destinations. It was built to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of this alliance, which was celebrated in September 1864 and 1869. Some such important monuments.
- National Monument.
- Sculpture of a Broken Chair. (In Nations Square, a 12-meter-high wooden chair with a ripped foot stands next to the United Nations headquarters.)
- The Reformation Wall.
- Brunswick Memorial.
- Frankenstein’s statue.
- Sissi’s statue in Geneva.
- Quai du Mont-Blanc
The City of Geneva is reopening the drinking fountains earlier than usual. The re-opening of drinking-water fountains has been pushed back this year after the winter break in order to provide citizens with additional services during this period of epidemic.
Only emergency work to ensure the safety of people and property will be performed. Since March 18, 200 drinking fountains have been in operation to help people comply with government health recommendations and wash their hands on a regular basis.
08) Old Town & Highlights
Geneva Old Town, Switzerland’s largest historic center, is home to some of the most iconic sights to see during your visit to Geneva. It’s very easy to get around on foot!. Here are some of the highlights of the old town:
- Geneva’s Saint Peter’s Cathedral and the Maccabee Chapel
- Calvin College (“Collège Calvin” in French) is the city’s oldest institution, dating back to the 16th century.
- Bastion Park.
- The Wall of the Reformation.
- Place du Bourg-de-Four, a fountained square with numerous cafes and restaurants.
- The Museum of Art and History has a beautiful facade.
- The famous secret passage “Degrés de poules” leads to the cathedral from there.
- Promenade de Treille.
- The Tavel House (Maison Tavel), Geneva’s oldest private residence, has been converted into a museum.
- The Molard Tower is located not in the old town, but rather near the exit, on Molard Square. It was constructed in 1591, has a clock, and is adorned with arms associated with the history of the Reformation and Geneva.
- You should pay attention to the street names when visiting Old Town: rue du Purgatoire (Purgatory) and rue d’Enfer (Hell) are right next to rue de la Croix d’Or (Golden Cross) and rue de Toutes Mes (Every Souls)!
Note : Some of the highlights related to the old city mentioned above may be described separately in this guide.
09) The Treille Promenade (Promenade de la Treille)
The Treille Promenade (“Promenade de la Treille”) is located near the town hall on the outskirts of the old town. In addition to being the oldest building in Geneva, it is notable for two oddities:
On this promenade, you can find the world’s longest wooden bench: 120m!. The world’s longest wooden bench runs the length of the Promenade de la Treille at the end of the Grand’Rue, just below the Town Hall. Visit this charming promenade on the Old Town’s ramparts for a panoramic view of the parks and monuments below the Old Town.
It is shaded by a row of chestnut trees. This is the location of La Treille’s official chestnut tree (Geneva official chestnut tree). Since 1818, a city official has been tasked with documenting the first bud to appear on this particular tree’s first leaf marks the arrival of spring in Geneva each year.