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Lake Geneva

Belle Epoque boats have plied Central Europe's largest lake for 130 years, offering cruises between France and Switzerland and between Geneva and the upper end of the lake (known as the Haut Lac).

Description

Lake Geneva is a water body of superlatives: mildest climate, largest lake and lake with the largest amount of water in Central Europe.The Celts called it “Large Water” or “Lem an”, and to this day it is called Lac Léman in French. And it certainly is big. Scheduled boats, historic paddle steamers and small ferries ply this 582km2 body of water, breaking records as they go. The Compagnie Générale de Navigation (GGN) on Lake Geneva operates eight paddle steamers, the largest European fleet of its kind. Shipping on Lake Geneva also breaks records.Regularly scheduled lake boats connect the numerous villages and cities, and small ferries, called "Mouettes", carry passengers in Geneva rapidly from one shore of the lake to another. Visitors who want to enjoy a comfortable journey book a special culinary trip or a cruise to notable sights, such as the emblem of the city of Geneva, the "Jet d'eau", an up to 140 meter high water fountain that is illuminated at night. If you spend time around Chillon Castle and the Montreux promenade, sooner or later you'll be tempted to take a cruise on the “Haut Lac” between Vevey , Montreux, Chillon, Villeneuve and Le Bouveret .

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Lausanne, Canton of Vaud Lausanne Palace: Brasserie du Grand Chêne

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until 31 Mar Atlas - La flore vaudoise d’hier à aujourd’hui Lausanne, 12.05.2023 - 31.03.2024
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until 28 Apr Gustave Eiffel in Vevey Vevey
until 2 Jun Ella Maillart, sailor Morges

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Lake Geneva & Vaud

Western Europe’s largest lake, known by the francophones who people its shores as Lac Léman but the rest of the world as Lake Geneva, is anchored by the city that claims it, wrapping around her southern shore.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Château de Chillon

If ever a castle could fit the fairy-tale bill, the dashingly handsome Château de Chillon would be it, with its moat, double ramparts and riot of turrets…

Chaplin's World

This engaging museum celebrates the life and work of iconic London-born film star Charlie Chaplin. Split between the neoclassical Manoir de Ban – the…

Alimentarium

Nestlé’s headquarters have been in Vevey since 1814, hence its presence in the form of this museum dedicated to nutrition and all things edible, past and…

Peak Walk by Tissot

On clear days the views from this world-first peak-to-peak footbridge are heaven-sent; think legendary Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, plus Eiger, Mönch…

AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium

Not just another aquarium, AQUATIS has caused quite a stir since opening in late 2017, giving Lausanne a striking new landmark with a spherical facade…

Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts

To be housed in a contemporary new home at Plateforme10 as of October 2019, the Fine Arts Museum showcases works by Swiss and foreign artists, ranging…

Olympic Museum

Musée Olympique is easily Lausanne’s most lavish museum and an essential stop for sports buffs (and kids). State-of-the-art installations recount the…

Cathédrale de Notre Dame

Lausanne’s Gothic cathedral, Switzerland’s finest, stands proudly at the heart of the Old Town. Raised in the 12th and 13th centuries on the site of…

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The World Heritage–listed vineyards of Lavaux set against Lake Geneva © PixHound / Shutterstock

Feb 9, 2019 • 6 min read

If ever there was a town to make you want to crack open a bottle of something special, it would be Vevey, reclining smugly on Lake Geneva’s northern…

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Lake Geneva & Vaud and beyond

Panorama of autumn vineyards in the Lavaux-Oron District, with Lake Geneva in the distance.

10 Best Towns & Cities To Explore Around Lake Geneva

Planning to visit Lake Geneva but you’re not sure where to stay? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you about all the best towns and cities on the shores of Lake Geneva!

From the biggest cities in the region to the prettiest lakeside towns, we’ve included all the best places to stay and visit in the Lake Geneva region. Some are so full of content that you could explore them for a week straight and not discover everything, while others are much more laid back and perfect for day trips from the larger hubs on the lakeshore.

Table of Contents

If you’re a fan of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen, there’s no better place on the shore of Lake Geneva than Montreux. The famous singer lived here and he recorded six albums with the band in Montreux. It’s even possible to stay at the actual apartment where the iconic singer lived, but it will cost you a small fortune.

In addition to all the Queen landmarks and memorabilia, Montreux is also home to quite a few art galleries, museums, public parks, and more. The town is also a great base for further exploration of the region thanks to the excellent train connections to nearby towns.

See the Castle of Chillon at Veytaux, visit Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey , or just take a train ride to Rocher de Neyers, if you want to do some hiking and explore a fabulous mountain summit in the Swiss Alps.

The city is also home to the Montreux Jazz Festival , the second-largest jazz festival in the entire world. It’s an absolute must for all lovers of jazz music.

20 Famous Landmarks In Switzerland (All Worth Visiting)

Morges is a municipality situated at the Grand Lac/Large Lake basin, on Lake Geneva’s northern shore. It is a lovely little town with a beautiful castle, charming cobblestone street, gardens, and a variety of excellent restaurants.

This is truly one of the prettiest towns on the shore of Lake Geneva, and it’s absolutely worth visiting. It’s got a very rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age, and many of the landmarks and buildings in town were constructed during medieval times.

The Morges Castle is the most recognizable landmark in town, closely followed by the charming old town. There’s also the beautiful tulip garden that’s best experienced in late spring, as well as museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants that can keep you busy for days.

Gruyères is a medieval town in the Freiburg canton and a great place for travelers who want to explore the wider area around Lake Geneva. It’s not situated directly on the shore of Lake Geneva, but it’s an amazing place and it’s only a 30-minute drive away from the lake.

The lovely town of Gruyères is best known for the namesake cheese, which happens to be the most popular type of Swiss cheese in Switzerland and most of western Europe. But the lovely town isn’t only about the cheese – it’s home to some stunning medieval structures, including the impressive 13th-century Gruyères Castle .

The HR Giger Museum and bar are also famous attractions in town. The famous Swiss artist is best known for his work in the Alien franchise, which inspired the design of both the museum and the bar.

Situated immediately next to Nyon in the Small Lake/Petit Lac region of Lake Geneva, Prangins is a charming little town best known for its 18th-century castle. This is by far the most popular attraction in the town and it is worth visiting if you’re ever in the area.

Prangings is more of a suburb in the Nyon district, so it’s not exactly packed with features. The castle with the museum is absolutely the highlight of Prangings and apart from some beautiful stone houses in the old town, there is really not much else to do here.

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Lake Geneva, Nyon is a much better option than Prangins because it’s got more content to keep the visitors busy.

Évian-les-Bains

Évian-les-Bains is one of the French towns on the southern shore of Lake Geneva/Lac Leman. It’s pretty much an elite spa town popular for its many spa facilities and known around the world for Évian water.

Évian-les-Bains is an interesting town because it’s very charming at first glance, but the more you discover the less you are impressed. The buildings that line the main road in the town are quite impressive, but the further up the hills you go, the more run-down buildings and houses you see. There’s also a stark contrast between the old and brand-new buildings, and it’s certainly interesting to observe.

The highlights of the town include the Garibaldi House , Palais Lumière , Buvette Cachat , and many museums and art galleries.

Lutry is a small town in Lavaux-Oron, close to Lausanne. The area includes the Lavaux wine region, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . If you’re interested in tasting some delicious local wines, this is one of the best towns near Lake Geneva to visit.

It’s also an incredibly charming town with beautiful buildings that line its cobblestone alleys. Lutry even has a castle, which is one of the more popular tourist attractions in the town. However, the town isn’t exactly abundant with tourist attractions, so unless you’re actually fine sipping rosé all day, you might get bored quickly.

Sure, there are a few interesting landmarks and museums, but the majority of the cultural attractions can be explored in a single afternoon. It’s a great town to visit on a day trip, but not the best place to stay near Lake Geneva if you want to be in a town full of content.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Switzerland

Frequently asked questions, which french town is closest to geneva.

Annemasse is the closest large French town to Geneva. It is approximately 4km away from the city.

Which Swiss city is beside Lake Geneva?

The two Swiss cities that sit beside Lake Geneva are Lausanne and Geneva. There are also some well-known towns such as Nyon, Vevey, and Montreux.

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Solo travel lake geneva: the ultimate guide to switzerland’s most iconic lake.

FMTC Affiliate Disclosure: Blond Wayfarer contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This disclosure pertains to all affiliate links.

Lake Geneva is an absolute paradise that captures the imagination of travelers everywhere. As an English literature buff, I’ve always wanted to escape to Lake Geneva, because the lush mountains and deep waters reminded me of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , a horror novel in which most of the action takes place in Switzerland.

Lake Geneva exceeded all of my expectations.

All my expectations.

As a solo traveler, I think this is a wonderful region to explore alone, especially since all the sites are reasonably distanced from one another.

Not to mention, there’s something truly magical about sitting on the shores of Switzerland’s most famous lake, whether you’re sipping wine or coffee, and simply enjoying your surroundings.

Table of Contents

Solo Travel Lake Geneva: What to Expect

In Switzerland, most independent travelers immediately head for Lucerne or Zurich. However, I recommend coming to this corner of the country for solo travel in Switzerland .

After all, Lake Geneva region is filled with surprises that will delight any adventurous solo traveler.

First and foremost, Lake Geneva is huge and stretches 224 square miles across Switzerland and France. You’ll have choices on this trip. Even if you only have 5 days in Switzerland , you’ll feel good about the options available to you.

Of course, this also means that you can’t expect to see all of Lake Geneva in one weekend. For example, Geneva and Montreux are over an hour away by train.

As a solo traveler, you will need to research what towns and cities you want to see, as well as public transportation options in those areas.

Furthermore, don’t come to Lake Geneva and expect to see the same timber-style houses and chalets that are far more common in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland.

Instead this area gives you a taste of France, which is clear in the area’s cuisine, architecture, wines, language, and more.

the vineyards unesco site at lake geneva

Practical Tips for Solo Travel in Lake Geneva

Let’s dig deep into travel essentials and advice.

Are you nervous about navigating Lake Geneva all alone? Not sure what to pack for your solo adventure?

Don’t worry! I have all the practical tips for travel to Lake Geneva listed right here! Time to take notes.

swiss trains are everywhere - even lake geneva

How to Get Around Lake Geneva Alone

All in all, getting around Lake Geneva isn’t too stressful. I promise.

Like all of Switzerland, Lake Geneva is connected with frequent and comfortable trains that go to most of the towns and attractions that are popular with tourists.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, attractions, boats, and more, and is well worth the cost if you’re staying in the country for multiple days. Not having to fight with ticket machines was a huge blessing for me. For example, if you have 8 days in Switzerland and purchase the 8 day pass, then you have access to attractions and transportation every single day! Awesome, huh?

sailing on lake geneva on a summer's day

Arrival in Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is centrally located in Europe. Therefore, it’s not challenging to get to if you’re coming from overseas.

The closest international airport would be Geneva Airport . This airport has plenty of connections to North America and other parts of Europe. You will clear customs here too.

Now, you’re probably wondering, as a solo traveler, do you need to stay in Geneva itself before venturing onward to the prettier areas? Actually, no! And personally, I feel like other towns and cities offer more for solo travelers than Geneva itself.

Geneva Airport is actually the terminating stop on many of the railways. You can explore the rest of the region once you go through customs without any issues.

chillon castle is a joy to see alone in Geneva

Public Transportation in Lake Geneva

You will primarily travel by train and boat in Lake Geneva.

Swiss Federal Railways operate all of the trains around Lake Geneva. You may purchase your tickets at the station, or use the Swiss Travel Pass if you’re staying in the area for a few days.

Meanwhile, boat cruising is another delightful way to see Lake Geneva. Sure, ferries are much slower than the trains, but they are a lot more scenic. I highly recommend taking at least one boat ride in Lake Geneva.

Just make sure to check the schedules ahead of time and arrive early. In summer, the lines form fast, and you want to be near the front of the boat to get the best possible views!

Lake Geneva Packing Essentials

Lake Geneva is lovely to visit any time of the year. As a solo traveler, however, you need to make sure you properly pack everything, especially the essentials.

These are my suggested items for a solo trip to Lake Geneva.

quirky street art along the shores of geneva

What to Bring to Lake Geneva

A Sturdy Pair of Walking Shoes: In Lake Geneva, you want stylish shoes that are also great for hiking. These siren traveler shoes by Merrell checks all the boxes that you need for your walks!
Compact Mirrorless Camera: Lake Geneva is absolutely gorgeous. iPhone photos are great, but you also want a camera that will do a justice to the scenery. The Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless camera will snap some lovely photos for lifetime memories.
French Phrasebook: This part of Switzerland speaks French. Learn some French phrases ahead of time, especially for the smaller villages, to make new friends in Lake Geneva.
Lonely Planet Switzerland Guide: Always stay up to date on your solo trips with a good guidebook. Lonely Planet’s Switzerland Guidebook will offer great information on sites, food, accommodation, hikes, and more!
Stylish Day Pack: Whether you’re hopping between towns or hiking in the vineyards, bring a daypack with pickpocket protection to keep your belongings close and safe!
Sunblock, Sunblock, Sunblock!: In the summer months, especially, the sun is strong in Lake Geneva. It was much warmer here than other parts of Switzerland. Pack some sunblock to keep your skin protected, especially if you’re going to swim in the lake!
Travel Insurance: Like most of Switzerland, Lake Geneva is very safe, but you still want to buy travel insurance before you leave for your trip. I mean, think about it. If you hurt yourself paddling on the lake, you don’t want to pay through your nose to receive treatment.

Solo Travel Accommodation for Lake Geneva

Switzerland isn’t cheap. Ugh, I know I know. Totally bummer, right?

Switzerland’s high prices aren’t a secret, but rather a well-known fact in the travel world. A lot of solo travelers on a budget tend to skip Switzerland entirely in favor of France and Germany.

However, it’s not impossible to see Lake Geneva on a budget!

If you’re a solo traveler who wants to connect with other people and keep the price of your trip lower, you should check out one of the three hostels listed in this post.

Accommodation Ideas

Geneva Hostel: Centrally located in historic Geneva, this hostel is super close to the water, which is great! See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com .
Montreux Youth Hostel: This affordable youth hostel is located near Montreux-Territet Train and Funicular Station. You will also have easy access to Montreux’s famous promenade. See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com .
Nyon Hostel: This laid back and highly ranked hostel is located in the adorable town of Nyon. You have easy access to both Geneva and Lausanne. See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com .

freddy mercury statue posing on lake geneva

Why Take a Solo Trip to Lake Geneva

Whew! Now for the fun part!

I fell in love with Lake Geneva, you guys. Absolutely fell in love. I don’t ever remember seeing water that was so pristine and clear, and relaxing near the shores all day gave me a deep sense of peace.

If you’re nervous about traveling alone to Lake Geneva, please, please, please drop all your anxiety at the door, and just go for it. I promise you will have a delightful time.

Without further ado, here are all the wonderful things to do on a solo trip to Lake Geneva.

enjoying activities alone at lake geneva

Discover Peace at an Iconic Lake

Okay, I’m sure this first idea isn’t that surprising. You come to Lake Geneva to spend time at the … duh, lake!

Lake Geneva’s towns have beautiful waterfronts with public chairs perched directly on the rocks. If you are surefooted, then feel free to climb to these chairs with a book or refreshing drink, and simply enjoy the scenery.

For solo travelers who are more athletic, Lake Geneva has a ton of water sports available to summertime visitors, such as paddle boarding and kayaking. You can even dive into the lake for a swim!

All in all, it’s the lake itself that add magic to this region.

taking a walk among the vineyards in geneva

Loads of Scenic (and Easy) Walks

Lake Geneva is a wonderful place to do some basic hikes alone.

What’s especially great for solo travelers is that your phone is constantly linked to service unlike some of the more remote areas of Switzerland. You’re always able to reach someone in case of an emergency.

As for the hikes themselves, I especially loved walking through Lavaux Vineyard Terraces , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views of spectacular.

For “flat” walks, solo travelers will love Promenade de Montreux Rivera for its bright modern art, fun cafes, and street performers. You feel like part of the crowd here, which means any pesky loneliness will disappear!

Without a doubt, Lake Geneva is a walkers paradise that is easily explored alone.

Home to Famous Swiss Attractions

Did you know Lake Geneva is home to one of Switzerland’s most popular attractions?

Solo travelers will absolutely love Chillon Castle in Veytaux.

This stunning lakeside castle is the most visited historical building in all of Switzerland. I recommend hopping on the first ferry and seeing the castle grounds in the morning before the crowds are too hectic. You’ll want the peace and quiet, believe me.

In addition to being a medieval fortress, Chillon Castle was a huge inspiration for Romantic author Lord Byron. Roaming the castle dungeons definitely urged me to open a notebook and write something new and exciting.

If you’re traveling alone in Lake Geneva, take some quiet time on the shores near Chillon Castle to write in a small notebook.

who can say no to these grapes in lake geneva?

English is Widely Spoken

Are you nervous about potential language barriers in Lake Geneva? Don’t be!

Anyone who works in Lake Geneva’s tourism industry speaks excellent English.

Of course, you shouldn’t make assumptions or act demanding if someone doesn’t speak English, but more likely than not, you’ll able to find someone who speaks English fluently and is able to help you. This is especially true in bigger cities and towns, such as Geneva, Lausanne, and Montreux.

However, if you visit some of the smaller towns like Cully (which I highly highly recommend that you do), then you’ll probably encounter people who only speak French. Like I said, make sure to learn a couple of French phrases to make your life easier.

A few words of French will open many doors.

solo travel lake geneva: you will have the chance to see many towns

Fantastic Tourist Infrastructure

You don’t need to worry about tourist infrastructure at all in Lake Geneva. Like I said earlier, the trains and boats run on a regular schedule and stop at all the most interesting attractions on Lake Geneva.

Solo travelers don’t need to rent a car, which, honestly, would just be an expensive hassle, especially when it comes to parking in the smaller towns and villages.

Ultimately, this is a tourist region, and therefore, all the Lake’s prettiest areas are super accessible to all visitors.

delicious meals are everywhere on lake geneva

Solo Travel Friendly Dining Options

A lot of solo travelers are nervous eating alone for a variety of reasons. I completely understand the anxiety of asking for a table “for one” due to fear of judgement. Is it rational? Maybe not, but I get it.

However, Lake Geneva’s many cafes are perfect for a single diner looking for a place to savor local cuisine. I saw a ton of people go alone to cafes and sit for hours, reading a newspaper, sipping a coffee, and watching the ebb and flow of visitors.

Furthermore, Lake Geneva has many beautifully locally-run delis with meats, cheeses, and breads. Solo travelers will love packing a picnic lunch, especially during the vineyard strolls, and enjoying an affordable lunch with a million dollar view.

I hope you had a great time reading about solo travel in Lake Geneva. What would you like to do most in Lake Geneva? Feel free to reach out and share!

lake geneva solo travel | things to do alone in lake geneva | lake geneva solo female travel | traveling lake geneva alone

Rachel Elizabeth

At 22, I took my first overseas trip to Bermuda. Took a break to follow the "American Dream." Had my self-esteem broken. Embarked on my first solo trip to Scotland at 26. The travel bug dug its way under my skin. I now book multiple trips a year.

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13 best things to do in Geneva on the lake Geneva, Switzerland

In this post we will tell you about our adventure in Switzerland, that continues with the city of Geneva on the lake. We really liked the views of the city, the lake and the other attractions. It was a nice experience for us to discover such a beautiful city in a sunny day in April…

Our itinerary from switzerland written in separate articles from this one: zurich ; lucerne-lungern ; interlaken-lauterbrunnen-grindelwald ; iseltwald-spiez-sarnen; geneva ; lausanne ; bern ; basel . discover more of switzerland with us, stay with us to find out what budget you need to plan, where can you stay depending on your budget, where you can eat, shop and how to get here by car, bus or train. we also offer you some valuable advices about how can you save so money as well. we know switzerland is expensive but the true travel lovers that like to explore can always find ways to save money, even in switzerland, informations.

Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich ) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situated in the south west of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

When to travel: Peak tourist months are from May to July, but one can take a trip to Switzerland in any season, depending on their interests.

Language: The official languages are German, Italian, French.

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) 1$ =0,9 CHF 1€=1,1 CHF

Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=23 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=92 EUR

In addition, y ou can find more information about the visa here .

Things to do

Jet d'eau lake geneva.

The Jet d’ eau is a fountain in Geneva on the Lake Geneva with a jet of water up to 140 meters high. It is one of the symbols of the city of Geneva.

St. Peter's Cathedral

St. peter’s cathedral is the main reformed church of the city of geneva, named after the apostle peter, as well as the église protestante de genève. before the reformation it was the cathedral of the bishop of geneva..

League of Nations Palace

The Palais des Nations is a building complex built between 1929 and 1938 in Ariana Park in the Swiss city of Geneva, which was the headquarters of this institution from 1933 until the dissolution of the League of Nations in 1946. From the founding of the League of Nations in 1920 until the move to the Palais des Nations, the seat of the League of Nations was located in Geneva’s Palais Wilson, which continued to be used by the League of Nations after 1936 and currently serves as the seat of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Art and History Museum

The Art and History Museum is the largest art museum in Geneva and one of the most important in Switzerland.

Bains des Pâquis

The Bains des Pâquis are a public bathing establishment and a monument on the shores of Lake Geneva. They are named after the district of Les Pâquis in Geneva. An association of users, the “Association des users de Bains des Pâquis” is committed to the preservation of the system.

Musée Ariana

The musée ariana is dedicated to ceramic and glass art and includes around 20,000 objects from around seven centuries from around 1300 to the present, which represent the historical, geographical, artistic and technical breadth of glass and ceramic production in this period. since the view of the lake is clear of higher buildings..

Patek Philippe Museum

The guide spoke with passion towards antique watches and the culture around it . She made us understand why the watches were designed in the way they did . For example the salt box was to prevent girls from passing out in corsets and the touch watch was to know the time in the pocket in a boring meeting but still be polite. She also paid attention to the fonts on the watches . We were also lucky yo see an expensive Tulips temporary exhibition . one of them was said to be the value of half of the museum.

L'Horloge Fleurie Jardin Anglais

The garden is situated nearby the lake ,the old town also the great water fountain of geneva . after visiting this place you can go for shopping in the park..

Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique

A beautiful botanical garden with various plant from different parts of the continent. the greenhouse is breathtaking, full of life and it’s an eden’s garden on its own. you can troll around the park, rest at benches and sip on anything at a nearest restaurant with a kid’s playground nearby incase you are with your little ones. on a beautiful sunny day you can bring your picnic stuffs with and enjoy the park while seating looking at the view of the lake or chilling in the garden while having a cold one with snacks and reading your favorite books or whatever you feel like doing. trust me the are some peacocks and will make sure that you get the opportunity of seeing them..

Brunswick Monument

The Brunswick Monument is a tomb on the Quai du Mont Blanc in Geneva, built in 1879 by the city of Geneva for Duke Charles II of Brunswick. It is listed as an object of national importance in the Swiss inventory of cultural assets.

Place du Bourg-de-Four

Beautiful square, which was originally the place of cattle market since the 9th century. Two castles where near the square, which don’t exist anymore. The castle of count of Geneva was destroyed in 1320, but it’s main gate was standing bz the square until 1840. The Coudrée castle was standing at the place of today’s Lutheran Church and was demolished in the 18th century. Today an excellent place to stop for a drink.

Basilica Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame de Genève is the main Roman Catholic church in the Swiss city of Geneva in the canton of the same name. It was the city’s second post-Reformation Catholic church and the first new building. The parish church, which today belongs to the diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, was inaugurated in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. elevated to a minor basilica.

Russian Church

The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross is the cathedral of the Western European Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. The cathedral is located in Geneva on Rue Rodolphe-Toepffer.

Where to stay

A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Geneva offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.

Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Geneva’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.

We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com , Trip.com and Vrbo . We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation.

Luxury hotels : The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix , Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues , Mandarin Oriental , Beau-Rivage Genève .

Mid-range hotels : ibis Styles Genève Carouge , Hotel Cristal Design , Chez Maman Hotel & Restaurant .

Budget hotels : Geneva Hostel , ibis budget Genève Petit-Lancy , Hotel Carmen .

Where to eat

Traditional dishes: Alplermagronen is a dish made with pasta, cheese, potatoes, onion and sour cream.

Rosti is one of the most famous dishes of Swiss cuisine, along with raclette and fondue . Each city has its own variant. It is a potato cake that owes its name to the Bernese dialect that with rosti indicated any kind of roast recipe.

Perch fillets à la Muniére – The perch is one of the most popular specialties of Geneva. It is prepared in many versions, the only alla munière is the method for the miller which consists in flouring and browning in butter.

Alplermagronen Rosti raclette and fondue

Papet vaudois – The sausage is served with cabbage and a stew of leeks and potatoes.

Longeole is a recipe made with flavored pork sausage and is usually accompanied by gratin thistles, although tradition has it with boiled potatoes and lentils on the side. Many restaurants include it in their menu because it represents a real delicacy. The longeole is the biggest and tastiest sausage in Switzerland.

Perhaps best known as the Kirsh cake of Zug , this dessert is prepared by soaking a cookie in kirsh (cherry liqueur) arranged in two very crumbly disks.

Malakoff are crispy fried balls filled with cheese. Often served with a side of fried or boiled potatoes.

papet vaudois longeole zuger kirschtorte Malakoff

Café Papon- european cuisine

Right in the middle of the old town next to the town hall, this café-restaurant the menus draw on local, seasonal produce and change every couple of weeks. a well-priced set menu of the day draws in local office workers, as does the quiet and sunny outdoor terrace which leads on to the leafy promenade overlooking pretty bastions park. book ahead to get a seat outside., chez ma cousine.

Chez Ma Cousine takes one rather tasty thing – spit-roasted chicken – and serves you half the bird with Provençal potatoes, dressed salad and a delicious gravy, for one extremely reasonable price. Salads and other variations also feature on the limited menu, but it’s essentially all chicken-based.

Hamburger Foundation

There are just three options on the menu – hamburger, cheeseburger and bacon cheeseburger – and the focus is on the meat – juicy, succulent and cooked medium rare, unless you specify otherwise. A bit of ketchup, lettuce, tomato and pickles, with fries and coleslaw on the side, and that’s your lot – a burger, straight up.

Le Reservoir- italian cuisine

Attached to the Café de la Presse and under the same ownership, this smart brasserie and wine bar offers a menu of Mediterranean cuisine with an Italian bias. Tuck into melon and parma ham, tagliolini nero vongole and asparagus risotto, or fish and meat dishes with local flavour, such as fish from Lake Geneva and beef tartar. For dessert, dishes featuring local Gruyère cream crop up alongside Italian classics.

Café des Bains

That could mean a fish dish with ginger, pak choi and confit tomatoes, for example, or a Kashmiri chicken curry with mango chutney and raita. Pleasingly, there’s plenty of Swissness in the dessert menu, which includes a scrumptious meringue with raspberries and double cream, and rösti pops up from time to time on the mid-priced two-course daily set menu.

Brasserie Lipp- french cuisine

The vast menu focuses both on French brasserie classics and Swiss specialities, including choucroute, confit duck, cassoulet, steaks, moules frites and other seafood dishes. It’s consumed in a traditional Parisian setting – all chandeliers, brass fittings, ornate mirrors and ersatz foliage – while in summer the large outdoor terrace is an additional draw.

La Buvette des Bains- swiss cuisine

Open year round, it’s as popular in summer for breakfast on the spacious outdoor terrace as it is for a hearty fondue. The menu of salads, soups and charcuterie is simple and pretty cheap and there’s a set-price dish of the day.

The menu of burgers, steak tartar, club sandwiches and salads works for a quick lunch, but it’s best to come in the evenings when you’ve the time to sample the amusingly named cocktails. With L’Apothicaire Cocktail Club next door, you could easily while away a night out flitting between the two.

Le Chat Botté- luxury french cuisine

Les Armures-fondue, swiss cuisine

The main reason to visit this hotel restaurant is for fondue. Besides fondue, they also do raclette, dried meat platters and perch plucked from the lake.

Le Gruyérien – swiss cuisine, fondue

Saving tips.

Enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 41 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. In our opinion, this is the best way to save money on transport, if you do not visit Switzerland by car or decide not to rent a car. Just check the prices for train or bus ticket and you will see that buying them separately for every new destination it would be more expensive then the Swiss Travel Pass .

Free Ticket : On arrival to Geneva by the plane, at the airport you can claim a free Unireso ticket for 80 minutes for public transport in Zone 10 – Tout Geneve (central Geneva area, including Airport and most hotels). The ticket machine for free tickets is located at the baggage reclaim hall. You will need to provide a valid plane ticket in case of being controlled by the ticket inspection.

Free Transport Pass

By staying in hotel, youth hostel or at a campsite, you are entitled to receive a personal and non transferable Geneva Transport Card for free, which will allow you to use the whole public transportation system of Geneva for the length of your stay for free. This includes buses, trams, trains, and yellow taxi-boats – Mouettes. Just ask for it upon arrival on the reception.

Free ticket at the airport

To get from the Geneva Airport to your place of stay, use free 80 minute ticket given freely to any traveler at the airport.

Tips for low-cost travel

On Saturdays and Sundays, a “full price” day pass is valid for two people travelling together!

The CFF “Junior” pass (CHF 30 per year) or “accompanied child” pass enables a child aged between 6 and 16 to travel free of charge with one parent. This pass is also valid across the unireso network.

Free Sights

Many of Geneva’s major museums, including Maison Tavel and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire allow free entrance and charge only for temporary exhibits. Others offer free admission on a certain day of the month (check museum sites when planning your visit). Still others, like the Musée de Carouge and the Natural History Museum are free at all times.

Many of the city’s best-known attractions, like the iconic Jet d’ eau and the Catheédrale Saint-Pierre can be visited gratis. Also free are the city’s many gardens and public spaces, including the lush Jardin Anglais (home to the fragrant and famous floral clock) and the waterfront Quai du Mont-Blanc.

There’s also a Geneva City Pass that you can purchase for 1, 2 or 3 days. It includes free public transport and free or discounted attractions:

If you do not go by car and need to know more informations about the tours, things to see and do in Lausanne , we recommend this two companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!

Viator and Get Your Guide : the best activities in town!

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There’s no feeling in the world like connecting with new places, people and experiences through travel. From the iconic to the unexpected, get those “pinch me” moments through a series of Trafalgar highlights others may never know about, or have access to.

Most retail stores are open throughout the day, however many service shops close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00 during the week. Most stores, including grocery stores, do not stay open past 19:00 on weekdays, past 18:00 on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays, so plan wisely to avoid frustration.

Shops open on Sunday Open Monday-Sunday are Migros at the Airport and Migros at Gare Cornavin . Smaller selection of foods and groceries is to be found at Migrolino’s gas stations. If You want to do a serious shopping on Sunday, head to French towns across the borders such as Annemasse, Thoiry or Ferney-Voltaire, where supermarkets stay open on Sunday until 12h00.

Geneva’s watch industry dates back to mid 1600’s and Geneva remains a world leader with many top brand watchmakers located right in the city: Expace Temps, Bucherer, Franck Muller, Patek Phillippe, Swatch, Piaget, Gallopin, Orfeo by Christ, Zbinden.

Geneva is a chocolate lover’s paradise. You need only skip off to the local grocery store to find a delectable assortment of Swiss morsels. For the ultimate experience check out one of the many decorative specialty shops featuring everything from truffles to chocolate stuffed pastries and fruits: Auer- Famous for almond chocolate, Coop City, Christian Constant,Arn Chocolatierie, Cartier Patisserie Confiserie Chocolaterie, Rohr.

Souvenir Shops : Bucherer, Cadho,Badec S.A., Consul,Molard Souvenirs.

Clothing – Fashion is king in Geneva and there is no shortage of places to check out the latest threads from around the world. Stop into one of many the clothing boutiques in the city center for a one of a kind piece or head to Plainpalais or the Paquis for second hand retro wear. Bon Génie – 7 floors of fancy fashionable clothes of high aspiration.

Shopping Streets and Areas : City Center , Rue du Mont Blanc , The Old Town , Rue des Paquis .

Department Stores and Malls : Centre Balexert, Manor Department Store, Confederation Centre Shopping Mall, Globus Department Store, Planete Charmilles

Geneva Public Transport network is named UNIRESO. It is an interconnected system of trams, buses (TPG), mouettes (yello transport boats) and trains (CFF) in a city of Geneva. The whole system use the same tickets:

Léman express – ceva.

From 15 December 2019, the Léman Express will operate on the new CEVA line (Cornavin–Eaux-Vives–Annemasse line) connecting 45 stations across a distance of 230 km. UNIRESO tickets and passes are valid, except to and from Bellegarde.

The regional express network (RER) serves the surrounding municipalities, in particular on the northern shore, from Versoix to la Plaine, with a “Tout Genève” unireso travel ticket.

Outside the regional network, the train offers a quick means of travel between Geneva and other Swiss cities. The City of Geneva provides its inhabitants with CFF day passes at reduced rates.

Buses and trams

A large number of bus and tram lines managed by Transports publics genevois (TPG) allow users to travel around the entire territory.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Noctambus service operates between the city centre and the surrounding areas from midnight to 5 a.m.

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Getting here

Geneva airport, located 4 kilometers from the city is easily reachable by public transport: train and bus; taxi or shuttle. Train journey between the Airport and central railway station in the city (Gare Cornavin) takes 6 minutes, bus to downtown takes about 20 minutes. Gare Cornavin is then a hub for public transport, from where you can catch a tram or train anywhere.

Regular Ticket: You can use single UNIRESO Zone 10 ticket to get to/from the Airport, valid also for a train! Ticket costs for 60 minute journey is CHF 3.00, as Geneva Airport still belongs to Zone 10.

Train : Train departures every 12 to 20 minutes from the Geneva Airport to Gare Cornavin Central Railway Station (and vice versa). One way takes 6 minutes. From Gare Cornavin You can catch a bus/tram practically anywhere. First train from Geneva to GVA Airport goes at 4:43 am and the last one at 0:07. First train from GVA Airport to Geneva goes at 5:07 and last train goes at 0:51.

Bus : City buses connecting Airport with Geneva stop at the Geneva Airport every 9 to 15 minutes. Buses are good option is you cannot take a train. Buses 5 and 10 will drive you to Gare Routiere train station or Bel-Air in 12 – 18 minutes .

Zurich Airport (ZRH) also offers relatively easy access to the city as well. For most passengers arriving at Zürich, taking the train or driving will probably be a faster and cheaper option than catching a connecting flight to Geneva Airport. Zurich You can also fly to Basel or Bern.

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If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the flight to a wonderful destination!

Getting to Geneva by train

It’s easy to get to Geneva from major Swiss and European cities thanks to the high-speed rail infrastructure in central and Western Europe. Below you’ll find some of the most popular routes to Geneva, including journey times and train operating companies.

London to Geneva 6h 34m Eurostar, TGV Lyria

Paris to Geneva 3h 11m TGV Lyria

Zurich to Geneva 2h 44m SBB

Milan to Geneva 4h 01m Eurocity

Lyon to Geneva 1h 57 m SNCF, TGV Lyria

Lausanne to Geneva 36 m SBB

Annecy to Geneva 1h 28m SNCF

Geneva is located at the intersection of major highways allowing for fast traveling times to other parts of Switzerland and nearby France. Autoroute A1 runs from Genève past Geneva Airport, Nyon, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, and beyond. Bus companies offer bus trips to Zurich. With Busbud you travel cheaply from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Turin, Rome, Vie nna, Paris, Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and other cities to Geneva.

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Best 5 Boat Tours In Lake Geneva, Switzerland (A Complete Guide For 2023)

Lake Geneva is a beautiful destination in Switzerland and a boat tour is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of the lake and the surrounding areas. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your Lake Geneva boat tour:

Types of Boat Tours In Lake Geneva:

There are various types of boat tours available in Lake Geneva , catering to different interests and budgets. Some of the popular boat tours include:

Classic Lake Geneva Cruise: This is a classic 1-hour sightseeing tour that takes you around the lake, passing by famous landmarks and picturesque villages.
Private Boat Tour: If you want a more personalized experience, you can opt for a private boat tour where you can customize your itinerary and duration.
Fondue Cruise: This is a unique dining experience on a boat where you can enjoy Swiss cheese fondue while admiring the views of the lake.
Wine Tasting Cruise: If you are a wine enthusiast, you can go for a wine-tasting cruise where you can sample local Swiss wines while cruising the lake.
Sunset Cruise: A sunset cruise is a popular option for couples and families looking for a romantic and scenic experience.

Duration and Availability Of Boat Tours In Lake Geneva :

Most of the boat tours on Lake Geneva are available from April to October, and the duration can range from 1 hour to a full day. The availability of boat tours may vary depending on the season, weather conditions, and demand. It is advisable to book your boat tour in advance to avoid disappointment, especially during peak tourist season.

Boarding Points Of Boat Tours In Lake Geneva :

There are several boarding points for boat tours in Lake Geneva , including:

Lausanne-Ouchy
Geneva-Mt. Blanc
Chillon Castle

You can choose the boarding point that is most convenient for you based on your location and itinerary.

Top 5 Boat Tours In Lake Geneva , Switzerland:

5 most popular Lake Geneva boat tours that can be booked on getyourguide .com:

1. From Geneva: Swiss Riviera Tour

Best 5 Boat Tours In Lake Geneva, Switzerland (A Complete Guide For 2023) 1

Take part in a tour that lets you experience the Swiss Riviera along Lake Geneva , while customizing the trip according to your preferences.

Start by boarding a coach in Geneva, then travel through Vaud’s countryside, passing Lausanne and making a stop at Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its wine production. In the spring and summer, there’s an option to visit a local vineyard.

After Lavaux, head to Vevey for a city tour that includes the Nestlé headquarters and the covered market. Free time is available for lunch.

You can also explore Chaplin’s World, a site dedicated to Charlie Chaplin and cinema history.

Next, if you’ve chosen the lake cruise option, take an old steamer boat to the Castle of Chillon, a historical site on Lake Geneva’s bank.

Your last stop is Montreux, a glamorous tourist resort known for its artistic history and the famous jazz festival.

About Swiss Riviera Tour

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 8 – 10 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide: English

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

2. From Montreux: 2-Hour Riviera Cruise

Best 5 Boat Tours In Lake Geneva, Switzerland (A Complete Guide For 2023) 3

Explore the picturesque Swiss Riviera during a 2-hour cruise on a paddle steamer boat. Take in the stunning sights of Lake Geneva , the Swiss and French Alps, and Chillon Castle.

Set off from Montreux’s pier aboard a historic paddle steamer, embarking on a voyage along Lake Geneva toward Chillon Castle – Switzerland’s most frequented historical landmark.

Your journey continues, taking you past the delightful towns of Villeneuve, Le Bouveret, and St Gingolph. As you sail beside Vevey, marvel at the vistas of the renowned Lavaux vineyards. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking backdrop of the French and Swiss Alps before circling back to Montreux.

Access your tour app, a comprehensive source of information. It provides audio commentary, delivering insights about each landmark you encounter, and enriching your understanding of their significance.

About Montreux: 2-Hour Riviera Cruise

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Valid 1 day
Check availability to see starting times.

Board the boat at the pier situated 50 meters from the Montreux Tourist Office (45 Grand Rue).

3. Fondue Cruise:

The Fondue Cruise is a unique dining experience on a boat where you can enjoy Swiss cheese fondue while admiring the views of the lake. You can savor the delicious flavors of the Swiss cuisine and enjoy a romantic atmosphere with your loved ones. This tour is perfect for foodies and couples looking for a special and memorable evening.

4. Wine Tasting Cruise:

If you are a wine enthusiast, you can go for a Wine Tasting Cruise where you can sample local Swiss wines while cruising the lake. You can learn about the history and production of Swiss wines and taste different varieties while enjoying the stunning scenery of the lake. This tour is perfect for wine lovers and anyone who wants to learn more about Swiss culture and traditions.

5. Montreux Riviera Tour:

The Montreux Riviera Tour is a 2-hour boat tour that takes you to the most picturesque spots of the Lake Geneva region. You can visit the charming towns of Vevey and Montreux, admire the views of the Alps and the vineyards, and learn about the cultural and historical heritage of the region. This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to explore the hidden gems of the Lake Geneva area and get a taste of the Swiss lifestyle.

Overall, these five Lake Geneva boat tours offer a diverse range of experiences and cater to different interests and budgets. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, there is a tour for you to enjoy the beauty and charm of Lake Geneva .

What to Expect On A Boat Tour In Lake Geneva :

A typical Lake Geneva boat tour will take you around the lake, passing by famous landmarks such as the Chillon Castle, Montreux, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lavaux Vineyards. You can admire the stunning views of the lake, the surrounding mountains, and the charming villages along the shore. Depending on the type of boat tour you choose, you can enjoy a meal, wine tasting, or other activities on board.

Tips for a Great Boat Tour Experience In Lake Geneva :

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be on the boat for some time.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
Check the weather forecast before booking your tour to ensure good weather conditions.
Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery and memories of your trip.
Be respectful of the other passengers and follow the rules and guidelines of the boat tour operator.

GetYourGuide .com is a popular and reliable platform to book a boat tour of Lake Geneva for several reasons:

Variety of Options: GetYourGuide .com offers a wide range of boat tour options on Lake Geneva , including classic sightseeing tours, private tours, wine tasting cruises, and fondue cruises. This means that you can choose a tour that best suits your interests, budget, and schedule.
Verified Reviews: GetYourGuide .com has a robust review system that allows customers to leave feedback about their experience. This helps prospective customers to make informed decisions based on the experiences of previous customers. The reviews are verified, ensuring that you get genuine and honest feedback.
Easy Booking Process: The booking process on GetYourGuide .com is simple and user-friendly. You can easily browse the available tours, select the one you want, and book it with a few clicks. The website is easy to navigate, and the payment process is secure and reliable.
24/7 Customer Support: GetYourGuide .com offers round-the-clock customer support via phone, email, and chat. If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after your tour, you can contact their customer service team for assistance.
Best Price Guarantee: GetYourGuide .com offers a best-price guarantee, meaning that if you find the same tour at a lower price on another website, they will refund the difference. This ensures that you get the best deal possible for your Lake Geneva boat tour.

Overall, GetYourGuide .com is a trustworthy and reliable platform to book a boat tour of Lake Geneva . With its wide range of options, verified reviews, easy booking process, 24/7 customer support, and best-price guarantee, you can be confident that you will have a great experience on your Lake Geneva boat tour.

Here are some other highlights and tourist activities to enjoy in Lake Geneva besides boat tours:

1. chillon castle:.

Chillon Castle is a stunning medieval castle located on the banks of Lake Geneva near Montreux. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of Switzerland’s most visited attractions. You can explore the castle’s numerous rooms and halls, admire the architecture, and learn about its history and significance.

2. Jet d’Eau:

The Jet d’Eau is a famous landmark and symbol of Geneva. It is a huge fountain that shoots water up to 140 meters in the air, creating a spectacular display of water and light. You can enjoy a close-up view of the fountain from the Jetée des Eaux-Vives or take a boat tour to see it from a distance.

3. Geneva Old Town:

Geneva Old Town is a charming and historic neighborhood that is worth exploring. You can wander through the narrow streets, admire the old buildings and architecture, and visit the St. Pierre Cathedral, which offers stunning views of the city and lake.

4. Montreux:

Montreux is a picturesque town located on the shores of Lake Geneva . It is known for its mild climate, stunning scenery, and cultural attractions. You can visit the Freddie Mercury statue, explore the town’s museums and art galleries, or take a stroll along the lakeside promenade.

5. Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux:

The Vineyard Terraces of Lavaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site located between Lausanne and Montreux. The terraced vineyards offer stunning views of the lake and the Alps and are a popular destination for wine tasting and scenic walks.

6. Chocolate and Cheese Tasting:

Switzerland is famous for its chocolate and cheese, and Lake Geneva offers several opportunities to taste and learn about these culinary delights. You can visit chocolate and cheese factories, participate in tasting tours, or simply enjoy the local specialties at restaurants and markets.

Overall, Lake Geneva offers a diverse range of activities and attractions for tourists, from cultural landmarks and historic sites to natural beauty and culinary experiences. Whether you prefer sightseeing, outdoor activities, or indulging in local cuisine, there is something for everyone in Lake Geneva .

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Best Places To Visit Around Lake Geneva In Switzerland & France

Lake Geneva… What a spectacular place! During our 7-week stay in Thonon-Les-Bains , we were lucky to live really close to its shores and enjoy it every day from our terrace. To this day we remember waking up to the spectacular views and admiring lovely sunsets in the evenings. Lake Geneva’s surroundings are full of amazing places. You’ll find countless breathtaking landscapes and many charming small towns. Stay with us, we’ll show you our subjective ranking of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva in Switzerland and France .

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About Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva, or Lac Leman in French, is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, shared between Switzerland (60%) and France (40%). It’s 73km long, 15km wide, 310m at the deepest point, and has 156 kilometers of shoreline.

Lake is also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts – sailing, kayaking, kayak-rafting, paddleboarding, canoeing, water skiing, or just swimming – it’s all there. Even without a license, there’s a possibility to rent a small boat if you would like to try that.

Lake Geneva is located in a really captivating place, offering really spectacular views on both sides. It’s really hard to say which part is the best – both are amazing! We were delighted by both sides, but can’t deny that we find views from Vevey or Lausanne the best.

That’s a really hard question, and the answer definitely will depend on personal preferences. We can only say for ourselves – Vevey, Evian-Les-Bains , and Lausanne are our favorites.

What could be better than taking a scenic ride around Lake Geneva and stopping wherever you feel like? The whole loop is about 180km long, and you can drive it by car or bike (Tour du Lac Leman). The journey by car without stopping should take about 3 hours, and 6-8h by bike. You can learn more about Tour du Lac Leman on bikemap.net website.

Ok, it’s finally time for us to share with you our ranking of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva in Switzerland & France. Let’s go!

You can’t help but visit Geneva while spending time around Lake Geneva. This Swiss city is best known for its wealth, banking, diplomacy, watchmaking, CERN, luxury shops, pretty landscapes, and spectacular water jet. Geneva is recognized as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in as well as one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The city has a lot to offer to its visitors so you can be sure that you won’t get bored there.

Best Places To Visit Around Lake Geneva In Switzerland - Geneva

Best places on the southern shore of Lake Geneva in France

Evian-les bains.

Evian-Les-Bains, or simply Evian, is a small and elegant spa town. The town undeniably is most famous for its Evian mineral water, which can be bought in stores in most countries around the world. A scenic location, close proximity to the Alps, thermal baths, many water sports opportunities, a long lakeside promenade, and a lovely colorful old town – all of that will guarantee that you’ll have an amazing, relaxing time there. Without a doubt, Evian is one of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva in France.

Best places around Lake Geneva in Switzerland & France – Summing up

Amazing landscapes, crystal clear waters, charming towns, and medieval villages… Lake Geneva and its surroundings are truly beautiful, with many amazing places worth visiting. Hopefully, this area also looks interesting to you and you’ll appreciate its beauty as much as we did. Have a wonderful time!

Our opinion about places around Lake Geneva & our TOP3

So far we’ve spent 6 few weeks (May to mid-June) living in Thonon-les-Bains , right on Lake Geneva shores. We quickly felt for the charm of this area and have nice memories! Until today, it’s our second favorite region in France, after Cote d’Azur . We really enjoyed our time there and already know that we’ll come back one day. Nothing beats those amazing views and chilled vibes. Our TOP3 places? Evian-les-Bains, Lausanne and Vevey!

One more tip for the end: traveling by car, without a doubt, is the best and the fastest way of getting to all places around Lake Geneva. So if you’re not traveling by car, we recommend you rent one.

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The quiet luxury of Lake Geneva

Why the alpine region should be next on your travel bucket list

Nestled in the body of the Alps, between France and Switzerland, is a crescent-shaped lake – one of the largest in Western Europe. Wide, deep and breathtakingly beautiful, it is a nonetheless overlooked holiday destination; too frequently passed over for the nearby ski resorts in the winter or the smaller lakes resort of Annecy in France in the summer.

I thought just as much when I landed in Geneva this September, and saw the lake dart past the window of my cab, and the Alps perilously loom over me. This region boasts myriad untrodden delights just waiting to be explored. There is the unsung beauty of a city break in Geneva, endless outdoor pursuits and charming lakeside towns, with a Belle Epoque feel, from French Évian-les-Bains – where I was headed – to other impossibly chic spots along the northern shores, affectionately known as the Swiss Riviera.

How to get there...

The simple answer is: why not? This region has so much to offer, starting in Geneva. The city is frequently downplayed as merely a scrupulously clean financial centre (or a great place to buy a watch ). While both things are, of course, true, Geneva is much more than spotless streets and timepieces. Catch a boat from the quay at Genève-Mt-Blanc and take in the wonders of the shore (and Geneva's 'Jet D'Eau' fountain) the tree-lined promenades with turn-of-the-century townhouses. Stroll through Geneva's gorgeous parks, Eaux-Vives, Jardin Anglais, Perle du Lac or Mon Repos, visit the iconic UN Palais des Nations or take in the treasures of the historic city centre, which includes St Pierre's Cathedral, and is best enjoyed for its narrow, winding streets littered with charming cafes and restaurants.

aerial view of the rhone river that flow in the heart of geneva, switzerland

There is also the natural beauty of the lake, which is hugged by the Swiss and French Alps. From tourist boat trips to more active pursuits like water skiing and kayaking, the natural splendour of the region is begging to be explored. Hiking, biking and paragliding are the most popular summer sports, while skiing still dominates these mountains once the snow falls.

Stick close to the shoreline, and you can spend an engaging trip taking in the charms of the region's riviera. Évian-les-Bains is brimming with history and Belle Epoque resort atmosphere, or there are the culturally rich towns of Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux, or the fascinating small medieval town of Yvoire. At every turn there is a new, beautiful village, made all the more quietly luxurious by just how un-touristy it is.

Where to stay

If you decide to base yourself, or at least start your adventure, in Geneva, you can do no better than the luxurious lakeside hotel The Woodward , which feels as it it exists on its own island within the city, and even has a Guerlain spa. The so-called riviera towns are also overflowing with great hotel options. In Vevey, a gorgeous lake resort by Lausanne, you have to opt for the historic and opulent Grand Hotel du Lac which is brimming with old-world luxury, or choose nearby Montreux's quaint but supremely elegant L'Ermitage .

We opted for one of the region's oldest, and most famous – Hôtel Royal , part of the Evian Resort on the French side of the lake – in Évian-les-Bains. The hotel's history is linked directly to the Evian natural mineral water spring (yes, where the water comes from) which transformed the local area into a thermal spa town, hosting holidaymakers who, in the early twentieth-century, would come to 'take the waters'. The grand palace hotel was designed as the luxury base for these visitors, and its 'royal' title was affixed as it was built in honour of the British monarch Edward VII. The king, whose old royal suite has now been turned into the hotel's exemplary spa, was intended to be one of the resort's first ever guests, after it opened in 1909. Sadly, he would never stay, dying in 1910. The promise of luxury and high-profile clientele was, however, met, and the hotel has hosted everyone from Proust to Ray Charles and Greta Garbo as well as, in 2003, the G8 and, just a week before we visited, the President of France.

If its history is its unique calling card, the location is its true asset. While the rooms are magnificent and the infinity pool outdoes itself, appearing to trickle right over into the lake, it is the view which never stops impressing. Set in a wooded area up in the hills, the hotel is not only peaceful, it offers an unparalleled vantage point. Open your windows in the morning and an unfettered view of Lake Geneva greets you, right before the alps, which teasingly hover majestically to your right. You never really adjust to how simple and breathtaking this vista is.

Where to eat

The region is famous for great cheese and cheese dishes (hello Raclette) but besides aprés ski treats, there are innumerable great restaurants in the area. Lausanne, one of the premier resorts on the northern shores of the lake, has a roster of amazing eateries, including the historic and atmospheric Café Beau-Rivage or Pinte Besson , one of the oldest restaurants in Switzerland. In Montreux, head to the Montreux Jazz Café , named for the town's famous jazz festival, for some great food but even better atmosphere.

We dined at the Michelin-starred Les Fresques at the Hôtel Royal Evian. A narrow gallery with long windows and lake views, it is also home to a stunning ceiling fresco (which gives the restaurant its name) and which you can view from mirrors in your menu. The food here is predictably sublime, with an array of locally sourced ingredients, from lake and river-caught fish, to foraged mushrooms and regional goat's cheese. The sommelier selected some of best wine that I have ever had – including one from the Haute Savoie (the French department which abuts the lake) – and you can even choose your steak knife from the Knife Menu.

From the distractions of Geneva to the bucolic beauty of the lakeside towns, you are spoilt for choice. Highlights should certainly include a trip to the French medieval own of Yvoire, which is full of cobbled streets, historic buildings and stunning landscaped gardens. There is also Montreux, famous for its jazz festival (in July), grand turn-of-the-century promenades and captivating island castle Château de Chillon .

We chose to spend one day exploring the French Évian-les-Bains, reaching it via a rackety and charming 1900s funicular, down the mountain slope. It is well worth a visit – a beautiful small Belle Epoque town wrapped around the history of Evian's natural water source; from its grand pump rooms to its museums and spa buildings. Besides grabbing a glass of water from the natural spring (it really does taste better) make sure to check out the sumptuous town hall, former home of the Lumière brothers, famously credited as being among the world's first ever filmmakers.

There are many great organisations to help you explore the region, like Inspiring Travel Company , which can shape individual packages taking in its various centres and activities. In winter, they can align ski and spa trips, along the area's Les Portes du Soleil (12 ski resorts connecting France and Switzerland), with days of skiing and snowshoeing alongside afternoons of well-deserved massages.

swiss riviera of lake geneva, leman in montreux, switzerland

Indeed, making the most of the end of summer offerings, perhaps by far the greatest thing we did on our trip to Lake Geneva was a hike up the mountains. Our guide, Virgile, who works at the hotel, took us through forests and valleys riddled with bell-adorned cows up to spectacular heights where the lake lay beneath us, dappled with the shadows of the clouds we were above. For all the bustle and often grandeur of its nearby towns, that day long hike reminded us why Lake Geneva itself is the greatest draw.

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Lausanne travel guide

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

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Lausanne tends to inspire hyperbole. Often referred to as Switzerland’s San Francisco , it's a stunning place of steep hills tiered above a lake on south-facing terraces. Plan your trip to Lausanne with our guide to Lausanne — based on The Rough Guide to Switzerland , your travel guide for Switzerland .

What to expect when visiting Lausanne — your Lausanne travel guide

Top attractions and things to do in lausanne, which areas should i visit in lausanne, best places to stay in lausanne, eating and drinking in lausanne - best restaurants, cafés and bars, nightlife and entertainment in lausanne, how to get around lausanne, excursions and day-trips from lausanne, tailor-made travel itineraries for switzerland, created by local experts.

8 days / from 2700 USD

Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)

Stay active on Switzerland's mountains with hikes and cable cars before indulging in delicious Swiss cheese and wines around Lausanne and Geneva. Is there a better way to get a taste of Switzerland than to actually taste it? Pricing is based on a small group tour, enquire for a private tour!

11 days / from 3564 USD

Unforgettable Switzerland

Discover Switzerland's real natural paradise. Enjoy 11 relaxed days of picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, romantic towns, eternal ice and snow, rural villages and historic buildings. Visit Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and many other highlights.

7 days / from 2700 USD

Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland

Spend your first 3 nights at Lake Como in Italy, discovering the area by boat or foot, before heading to Zermatt in Switzerland. Zermatt with its peaceful nature is the ideal backdrop for strolls, hikes and other activities with the whole family.

10 days / from 3510 USD

Grand Circle of Switzerland

Switzerland may be small but is full of unique experiences. Take the scenic Glacier Express, visit the beautiful car-free village of Zermatt, visit the Matterhorn, the famous St Moritz and more on this Swiss highlight trip.

12 days / from 5778 USD

Scenic Trains, Mountains, Lakes and Chocolate

A Swiss adventure, exploring the panoramic trains, majestic mountains, and serene lakes. Savor chocolate delights and immerse yourself in the charm of Zermatt, St. Moritz, Grindelwald, and Montreux, discovering the diverse beauty of Switzerland at every stop.

14 days / from 8586 USD

Medieval Towns & Outdoor Fun - Switzerland and Italy Combo

Paraglide over Switzerland's landscape, join a night watchman on a mythical tour through Lucerne, explore Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, as well as cosmopolitan Zurich and Milan. This trip leaves nothing to be desired!

10 days / from 5616 USD

Taste of Three - Belgium, France and Switzerland

Start your journey in Belgium and explore Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. A high-speed train will then take you to Strasbourg, from where you'll discover the Alsace. Proceed to Basel as your base, from where you'll see plenty of Switzerland: Zermatt, Matterhorn, Mount Pilatus and much more.

Much of Lausanne is still wooded, and the lakefront promenades spill over with beds of vibrant flowers. Vistas of blue water, glittering sunlight and the white-capped Savoy Alps peep through between gaps in buildings, or at the ends of steeply dropping alleys.

Attractive, interesting, worldly, and well aware of how to have a good time, it’s Switzerland’s sexiest city. In fact, Lausanne was one of the reasons you voted Switzerland one of the most beautiful countries in the world .

The comparisons with San Francisco don’t stop at the gorgeous setting. If Switzerland has a counterculture, it lives in the clubs and cafés of Lausanne that uphold the city’s long tradition of fostering intellectual and cultural innovation.

For decades the municipality has subsidized all kinds of art and culture, resulting in a range of festivals, live music, clubs, theatre, opera and dance to rival a metropolis ten times bigger.

Lausanne scenic cityscape with Bessieres bridge and old town panorama © Keitma/Shutterstock

Place de la Palud

At the heart of the Old Town, the cobbled Place de la Palud is the perfect place for people-watching.

With shopping streets cascading through the square, plenty of pavement cafés, and the Fontaine de la Justice ringed with people, it’s a tempting spot, especially when the Wednesday and Saturday morning markets are in full swing.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame

On a par with the greatest of French Gothic architecture, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame is Switzerland’s finest Gothic building.

The foundations of the current building were probably laid in the mid-twelfth century. Despite extensive renovations and alterations just before the Reformation, the cathedral has lost none of its grace and poise.

Notre-Dame Cathedral - Lausanne © Vasin Lee/Shutterstock

Musée Historique

Across from the cathedral is the Ancien Évêché, the old Bishop’s Palace, which has been converted into the Musée Historique .

Completely renovated in 2018, it's crammed with displays illustrating the history of Lausanne. A highlight is the giant scale model of the city, with an excellent commentary detailing its history since medieval times.

Collection de l’Art Brut

This unique collection is devoted to what’s been called “outsider art” — the creative output of people with no artistic training who create, according to the gallery, an “enigmatic universe, designed for their own purposes”.

What results is art entirely free from any conception of formal artistic rules or conventions, challenging our expectations of what art should be about.

If you're into art, you might want to take an expert-guided tour of Lausanne that's focussed on architecture , or a tour exploring Lausanne's art and culture .

Ouchy waterfront

As if Lausanne wasn't already relaxed enough, it has Ouchy as a lakeside terrace on which to stroll, chill out and enjoy the mountain views and fresh breezes.

Officially – and proudly – a separate commune from Lausanne, Ouchy survived as a fishing port for years. These days, it’s one of the most chic Swiss lakeside resorts, with lots of classy hotels and waterfront cafés.

Ouchy Waterfront in Lausanne © shyshak roman/Shutterstock

Musée Olympique

Situated on a terrace overlooking the lake, Lausanne’s Musée Olympique is administered by the International Olympic Committee, whose headquarters is further along the lakeshore.

To go for gold and beat the crowds, book your tickets to the Olympic Museum in advance .

If you want to learn about Lausanne from a local, take a guided walking tour . And, if you're travelling with kids, booking a self-guided scavenger hunt city tour might go down well.

Something that comes as a surprise to most first-time visitors is that Lausanne’s city centre does not front the lake. Instead, it's situated well back from the water’s edge, and above it too, spread over hilltops linked by bridges spanning deep, riverless gorges.

Place St-François is the focus of the city centre — it's the hub of bus routes and heart of the shopping district known as the Bourg.

Gilt-edged Rue de Bourg entices shoppers uphill from St-François, while beside it Rue St-François drops down into the valley and up the other side to the cobbled Place de la Palud, an ancient, fountained square in the heart of the Old Town.

The elegant Gothic turrets of the cathedral rise loftily above, while the château stands even further up, at the most northerly tip of the Old Town.

Northwest of Place St-François, the Grand-Pont soars over the warehouse district of Le Flon, hotbed of Lausanne’s burgeoning club culture.

The steep slope south of St-François ends at the main train station, south of which residential districts trickle down to Place de la Navigation on the Ouchy waterfront.

Lakeside promenades lead in both directions from Ouchy, east to the villages of Pully and Lutry, and west to the parkland of Vidy — home to a small museum and archeological site that bear witness to Lausanne’s Roman past.

Lausanne Town Hall in Place de la Palud © Mihai-Bogdan Lazar/Shutterstock

Lausanne has accommodation to suit all budgets and aspirations. There are only a couple of hotels within the Old Town, plus a few more in the heart of the city centre.

Those on the Ouchy lakefront have a more gracious ambience, although the lakefront road sees plenty of traffic.

Any number of luxury establishments capitalize on Lausanne’s topography to offer romantic lake views, but the best-value deals come at the business hotels, where you’ll find weekend discounts and special offers.

Best hotels in Lausanne

Best for couples: Angleterre & Residence . This classy hotel occupies four eighteenth-century mansions on the Ouchy waterfront, including the one in which Byron is reputed to have written The Prisoner of Chillon .
Best for luxury-lovers : Beau-Rivage Palace. Lausanne’s top hotel and one of Switzerland’s finest, set in ten-acre waterside gardens and sparklingly restored to its original 1861 grandeur. Think sumptuous decor, huge, balconied rooms, a grand spa, and award-winning food.
Best for families: Elite . Extremely pleasant and well-run, this is situated on a quiet, centrally located street. Top-floor balconied rooms perch you above the roofs for views over the lake, making this Lausanne's best mid-price hotel.

Best hostels and camping in Lausanne

Best for nature-lovers: Camping Vidy . Right beside the lake, and close to the Roman museum, this good-value site also offers bungalows.
Best for budget travellers: Lausanne Jeunotel . A huge place right beside the Vidy campsite and Roman museum, with good four-bed dorms plus a range of private rooms.

Discover more of the best places to stay in Lausanne .

If all you want is a reviving drink and somewhere to take the weight off your feet, the city centre and Old Town has dozens of cafés and café-bars — almost every corner has a local haunt serving affordable food.

Lausanne also isn't short of world-class restaurants, some of which have an international flavour, while others focus on regional Vaudois specialities.

Look out for tommes — a round soft cheese baked to melting point within its white Brie-like rind, and often served on a bed of leafy salad.

Saucisson vaudois is another local speciality — smoked pork and beef sausage usually accompanied with papet vaudois , a purée of leek and potato — along with Malakoffs, little gastronomic curiosities consisting of a rich, fried cheese-and-egg mixture served hot on a round bread base.

All that considered, gourmands might want to book a self-guided food tour of Lausanne .

Swiss traditional cheese dish fondue © Shulevskyy Volodymyr/Shutterstock

Best restaurants in Lausanne

Hôtel de Ville : this three-star Michelin restaurant once topped La Liste, the French Foreign Ministry sanctioned ranking of the best restaurants in the world. Reserve two months ahead for dinner, two weeks ahead for lunch.
Laxmi : an excellent north Indian restaurant, with well-prepared meat, fish and veg. The all-you-can-eat buffet lunches are highly recommended.
Manora : a lovely cafeteria near the atmospheric Place de la Palud in the Old Town offering fresh sandwiches, delicatessen meats, and pastries.

Best cafés in Lausanne

À La Bossette : a friendly local café on a patch of green beneath the château serving a range of speciality beers and excellent food.
Café de l’Évêché : this atmospheric haunt of talkative students and local old-timers is perfect for morning coffee, or beer and dominoes.
Café Roman : a much-loved city-centre retreat with a sociable atmosphere and good range of heavy Swiss fare — meat and cheese are a feature.

Best bars in Lausanne

Captain Cook : a crammed pub in the heart of the action, where the focus is on screening sports on the big TV – especially English football.
White Horse : this popular spot in Ouchy has the atmosphere of an English pub, and serves good beer, regional wines, cocktails, burgers and artisanal fries.
Bleu Lézard : this trendy cellar venue beneath the lively bar of the same name stages DJ nights, live music, jam sessions, and dance nights.

Nightlife abounds in Lausanne, and the first place to look is Le Flon, a low-lying warehouse district bounded by Bel-Air, Grand-Pont and the metro station, where following your ears after dark will lead you to the best hangouts.

Otherwise, there’s a good concentration of bars around Rue Enning, Le Tunnel, Place du Tunnel, and, on a more sedate note, the streets immediately behind the château.

Lausanne also has a rich and diverse cultural scene, with a vast range of music and performance to check out, as well as numerous festivals.

Best nightlife venues in Lausanne

D! : a highly respected Flon basement club playing house and jungle, and pulling in some international DJs.
MAD (Moulin à Danse) : this infamous and hugely popular club hosts local and international DJs playing anything from trance to retro crowd-pleasers.

Best entertainment venues in Lausanne

Opéra de Lausanne : Lausanne’s world-renowned opera house presents classic operas, ballet, contemporary work, and events for children.
Salle Métropole : Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne stages concerts at this stunning space, which is also the venue for Ballet Béjart productions, plays and recitals, plus occasional children’s shows, comedy and magic.
Sévelin 36 Théâtre : the home of contemporary dance, with year-round productions showcasing up-and-coming dancers and choreographers.
Théâtre de Beaulieu : Lausanne's main venue for classical music — the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande performs here when not in Geneva.

Lausanne city, view over the roofs of Old town to St Francis church, Lake Geneva and the Alps © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

Although the Old Town is compact, maps can only give half the story — you’ll soon find that negotiating Lausanne’s mountainous gradients and cat’s cradle of valleys and bridges can be wearying.

Travel passes

You can travel free on Lausanne’s excellent public transport after purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass , or a transport card, which is given free when you check in to any of the city’s hotels or hostels. This remains valid for the duration of your stay.

Getting around Lausanne by metro

The easiest way to move around is on the smart, modern metro. Most useful for visitors is the steep M2 line (known as la Ficelle, “the string”), which runs from the Ouchy waterfront north to the train station (Gare CFF) and city centre, terminating at Croisettes in the suburbs.

Getting around Lausanne by boat

Rowing boats, pedalos and motorboats are available to rent from opposite the Hôtel d’Angleterre on the Ouchy waterfront. You could also soak up the scenery on a cruise that explores the stunning Riviera region .

Getting around Lausanne by bike

Bikes can be rented at the station, or via the Publibike bike-sharing scheme.

Visiting ths magical, medieval castle-village in the heart of cheese-, chocolate- and wine-making country is sure to be a highlight of your Lausanne vacation.

Some 50km northeast of Lausanne, the walls and turrets of Gruyères’ fairy-tale castle bristle atop a single crag rising above the rolling lowlands of Canton Fribourg, framed by the toothy peaks rising to the south.

Gourmands would to well to visit Gruyère on a food tour with tastings of the famous cheese and world-class chocolate .

Another option is to experience Gruyères' breathaking beauty aboard the Golden Express train before visiting a chocolate and cheese factory, and a medieval village .

Aerial view of the medieval Gruyere castle, Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland © lsantek/Shutterstock

With an ambience of tasteful, restrained gentility, Vevey is enchanting. In fact, it could be said to be the most refined and alluring of lakeside towns.

Vevey also has a number of literary connections, with the novelists Henry James and Anita Brookner choosing the town as the setting for, respectively, Daisy Miller and Hotel du Lac .

It also has a museum devoted to former resident Charlie Chaplin. Beat the crowds by booking your Chaplin's World ticket in advance .

Meanwhile, wine-lovers might want to visit Vevey as part of a cruise along the Lavaux vineyards .

Lake Geneva’s most upmarket destination, Montreux is spectacularly located, bathed in afternoon sunshine and protected by a wall of mountains.

Aside from window-shopping and strolling beneath the palm trees, you'll want to absorb the panorama of the Dents du Midi peaks across the lake. Music-lovers might also want to check-out the exhibition that recalls the days Queen recorded their albums here.

While in town, keen photographers could consider taking a private walking tour of Montreux's many Insta-worthy highlights .

Château de Chillon

Visiting the thirteenth-century Château de Chillon is a top Lausanne travel experience. It's located in Veytaux, about 3km south of Montreux, and most memorably approached via a 45-minute shoreline walk.

Your first glimpse of it is unforgettable – an elegant, turreted pile jutting out into the water, framed by trees and craggy mountains. It also happens to be one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, and provided inspiration for Byron.

Save time by booking your ticket to Château de Chillon in advance .

One of the showcase journeys of Swiss railways, this superbly scenic train route from Montreux will whisk you into the surrounding mountains. Get your golden ticket in advance , or else ride it for free with your Swiss Pass .

Beyond Chamby, jumping-off place for the Chemin de Fer-Musée, trains continue on a spectacular route to Montbovon, junction point for trains into the countryside around Gruyères.

If the sound of that has left you longing to take to the tracks, read up on the best scenic train rides in Europe — it'll come as no surprise that Switzlerand gets a few mentions.

Glacier Express passing Oberalp Pass © Swiss Tourism

If you're into exhilarating activities, you might to to discover the best outdoor experiences in Switzerland .

Intrepid female travellers might also want to explore women only outdoor activities in Switzerland — all created by and for women.

If you feel inspired by this Lausanne travel guide, The Rough Guide to Switzerland and our run-down of things not to miss in Switzerland will help you plan. Think of them as your personal travel guide to Switzerland, whatever kind of trip you're looking for.

Not a fan of planning? You could book a hassle-free tailor-made trip to Switzerland, with customisable itineraries curated by local experts covering everything from unforgettable highlights of Switzerland , to touring the Grand Circle .

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

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Visit Geneva, Switzerland

The headquarters for the UN and the Red Cross, a soaring water fountain, a flower clock and the namesake lake, all in Geneva.

Geneva is a cosmopolitan city that reveals the ritzier side of Switzerland. Sprawling around the western banks of Lake Geneva where the Rhône emerges to spill into France, the city is just a short drive from the French border and shares that country’s primary language — and some of its high-end style.

Amid the stately buildings that house the United Nations and Red Cross, you’ll find haute couture, luxury chocolates and some of the world’s finest timepieces.

Geneva’s garden-edged waterfront features the Flower Clock, or L'horloge fleurie , a large clock made from flowers along the side of a hill. The lake view is dominated by the Jet d’Eau, a fountain consisting of a single spray of water shooting 140 m (459 ft) in the air.

Further up the hill, the old town forms the city’s crown, with its medieval cobblestone streets, the forbidding Saint Peter’s Cathedral and the Reformation Wall.

Things to see and do in Geneva

Jet d’eau.

The first of its kind, the jet was created in 1886 as a release valve for a hydraulic power network. Once its esthetic value was recognized in 1891, it was moved to its present location and strengthened to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Swiss confederation. The present fountain was completed in 1951.

The UN and the Red Cross

Geneva is a major site of international relations, and we can arrange a city tour that immerses you in the city’s statecraft. You'll visit the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations, with its neoclassical columns and long boulevard of flags. You’ll also see the site of the Red Cross’s founding, and a museum dedicated to its ongoing work.

The large park that houses these buildings also contains various well-known works of art. One of the most notable is the Broken Chair sculpture, a gigantic wooden chair with one torn-off leg, originally created in support of a treaty to ban landmines and cluster bombs.

Timepiece tour

Switzerland is known for its watches, and some of the finest timepieces have been made in Geneva since the 16th century. Many of the great watchmakers are here, including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Frederique Constant, Alpina and Vacheron Constantin. The so-called Watch Valley, where the world’s most renowned watchmakers first developed and continue to complicate their creations, begins in Geneva and stretches to Basel.

You can shop the rows of Swiss timekeeping shops in the shopping district along the Rhône. We can also arrange a private tour of one of the manufacturers, should you wish to learn more.

The stern sandstone Saint Peter’s Cathedral forms the old town’s heart, and traces the city’s transformation from French Roman Catholic to Swiss Reformation. The 12th-century Gothic spires were much later joined by neoclassical façade, once the cathedral had become John Calvin’s adopted home church. You can climb the tower for panoramic city views.

At the old town’s edge, visit the Reformation Wall, commemorating the leaders of the Protestant Reformation.

Best time to visit Geneva

Geneva shines brightest between July and October, when summer temperatures encourage people to be out in the fountain-lined streets. The city often gets snow between December and February, while November and May both tend to be rainy.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit Geneva

March: The Geneva Motor Show runs for ten days. The city gets busy with enthusiasts visiting what’s said to be the world’s largest motor show.
Late November through late December: Christmas markets fill the squares with wooden chalets selling handmade trinkets, food and festive treats.

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Suggested itineraries featuring Geneva

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Geneva, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

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Map of Geneva

Places & hotels on the map, places near geneva.

Lake Geneva 25 miles away
Montreux 41 miles away
Zermatt 79 miles away
Bern 81 miles away
Bernese Oberland 87 miles away
Interlaken 89 miles away
Wengen 90 miles away
Grindelwald 96 miles away
The Swiss Alps 119 miles away
Lucerne 119 miles away
Lugano 136 miles away
Zürich 140 miles away
St. Moritz 178 miles away

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Rail route of the month: cheese, chocolate and a magical ride to the Swiss town of Gruyères

The scenery – and delicacies – get better and better for our slow travel expert as she takes a local train through Canton Fribourg to a beautiful medieval village

I t was a handpainted sign on a wooden barn that piqued my interest in Gruyères. I was travelling from Emmental to Montreux last year, following the wonderful Golden Pass rail route. Our train paused at Montbovon, the start of a steep climb up to the line’s final dramatic mountain pass. There was the prospect of stunning views of Lake Geneva ahead. To the right of the railway, I spotted the bold sign: “La Gruyère vous salue” (the region, like the cheese, lacks the village’s final “s”).

With time to spare earlier this month, I returned to Montbovon to explore the branch railway that runs from there down the Sarine valley to Gruyères and beyond. This time I arrive on one of the new Golden Pass trains which now run through from Montreux to Interlaken , relying on some technical magic to slip from narrow-gauge to standard-gauge tracks along the way. The tourists in the posh prestige class are tucking into platters of charcuterie accompanied by Swiss wine. The climb up from Montreux is as magical as ever, twisting and turning up into the hills with Lake Geneva far below. Forty minutes out from Montreux, the train makes its first scheduled stop. This is Montbovon, a village that my old Baedeker guide advises is “noted for good cherry brandy”. I am the sole passenger alighting from the train, which after a brief stop is on its way again, now following the Sarine valley upstream towards Gstaad.

The lakeshore towns of the Montreux Riviera

Valley of La Sarine

On a side platform, another train awaits. It is a humble local service, with none of the flair of the Golden Pass train, which can be heard tooting its horn as it climbs up the ravine carved by the Sarine River. The local train is signed for Palézieux via Gruyères. Soon we are on our way and within a minute rattling right down the main street of Montbovon, passing the dairy and the baker to our left.

The local train to Palézieux waits to depart from Montbovon

So perhaps this isn’t a train at all! Is it really a tram that masquerades as a train while waiting by platform 3 at Montbovon station? It is in fact a hybrid, sometimes running alongside roads, but elsewhere looping through forests and skirting chasms and gorges. These hills are the Prealps, a series of folded ranges that give real character to Switzerland’s Fribourg Canton. Not quite the real deal, you may think, but very special in their own way. The journey of 27 miles from Montbovon to Palézieux skirts the eastern, northern and then the western flank of Le Moléson, one of the most prominent peaks of the Fribourg Prealps. For Baedeker, Le Moléson was “the Rigi of western Switzerland,” an allusion to the mountain by Lake Lucerne that achieves no great height but affords stunning views of many Alpine ranges. You don’t need to climb to the summit of Le Moléson to appreciate the scenery. Even from the train there are remarkable views of distant, snow-covered peaks.

“People come for the landscape, but also for the cheese,” says a woman on the train who tells me she is travelling to visit a friend in hospital in Riaz. “But not on days like this,” she adds, alluding to the vagaries of weather on this early March day that has seen threatening clouds and hail showers.

Dams control the river flow down the Sarine valley and we cruise along the edge of a reservoir with turquoise-blue waters. We pass the hydroelectric dam at Lessoc then pause at Albeuve where the pink station building has bright green shutters. Our train slips by meadows with plenty of cows and beehives. Then comes the announcement: “ Prochain arrêt: Gruyères ”.

Cheese and chocolate

I take the cue and alight from the train to discover that we are actually not in Gruyères at all, but in a community called Pringy. But the station name Gruyères pulls the crowds, even though very few of the cheese lovers who flock to Pringy ever visit Gruyères village itself, which is on a hilltop about a 20-minute walk away to the east.

La maison du Gruyère , just by the station in Pringy, has plastic cows on the roof while inside there are cheese-themed tours and tastings. For real devotees of all things Swiss, it’s even possible to buy a special Gruyère edition of Toblerone chocolate.

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Back on the train towards Palézieux, the scenery gets better and better as we skirt the northern flank of Le Moléson, its steep, forested slopes rising up to the left of the railway. Now there are snow fences alongside more exposed sections of the track as the train traverses high pastures with old farmsteads dotted here and there across the landscape. The heavy clouds are clearing to give late afternoon sun, so I break my journey at the highest station on the line in the village of Semsales where a sign on the wooden station building proclaims that we are now at 858.1 metres above sea level.

With a couple of hours in Semsales, I hike up into the hills, gaining sufficient altitude to gaze across to the distant French Alps on the far side of Lac Léman away to the south. Closer to hand is the craggy summit of Le Moléson, its northern slopes still holding the last of the winter snow. I am chased down by gathering dusk, making haste back to the village to catch a train before night falls. From Semsales, it is just 20 minutes down to Palézieux, where our train arrives not in the main railway station but on a platform by the street outside. This being Switzerland, there is a fleet of waiting buses offering connections to surrounding villages. But I walk to the station and catch the local train down to Lausanne.

I loved this journey, and I would happily do the same again. It makes a perfect round trip for anyone staying in Lausanne or along the Montreux Riviera, travelling out from Montreux via Montbovon and then returning via Palézieux. Serene, pastoral landscapes with superb views of mountains make a winning combination.

The journey from Montbovon to Palézieux takes just 80 minutes . The full circuit from Lausanne or Montreux, out via Montbovon and back via Palézieux, takes three hours, but do allow time to stop off once or twice along the way. Trains run at least hourly on the entire circuit, with a half-hourly service on weekdays between Gruyères and Palézieux . The cheapest one-way fare from Montbovon to Palézieux is 17.40 Swiss francs (£15.75) . Buy tickets at Montbovon before boarding. This ticket is valid for three hours, giving time for a short stopover along the way. A return ticket is 34.80 francs (£31.50) , and is valid an entire day with unlimited stopovers, not merely on this route but on most public transport in Canton Fribourg . When exploring this line as part of a wider itinerary, an Interrail pass is often the best deal. Adult passes valid only in Switzerland are €165 for three days’ travel within a month , while a pass valid for 33 countries is €283 for four travel days within a month .

Nicky Gardner lives in Berlin. She is co-author of Europe by Rail: the Definitive Guide (Hidden Europe, £18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy of the 17th edition from guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may apply.

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Wanderlust Guide - Switzerland

Want to make your trip to switzerland easy and memorable.

This full Switzerland Itinerary is for YOU!

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And 40+ more pages of schedules, maps, links, and information!

Which locations does this itinerary cover?

This guide covers as much of Switzerland as is physically possible to see in 10-11 days . If it’s too much for you, feel free to cut 1 or more of the days out of your schedule. Nothing is set in stone, and I’m not the boss of you ha! Ultimately, your trip schedule is up to you , but this itinerary gives you the best opportunity to see as much of Switzerland as you can in a short amount of time. Here are the locations it covers:

Lake Brienz
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Why do I need this guide?

“Many people like to go on guided tours of Switzerland costing thousands of dollars, but you don’t need to! You can ‘virtually’ take me with you by using this detailed itinerary. This is exactly what I’d do if I was taking you through Switzerland myself. With me as your guide, you can see the best of Switzerland with confidence! “

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Want to make your trip to Switzerland easy and memorable? This full Switzerland Itinerary is for YOU! How long does it normally take you to plan a vacation? If you’re like me, it takes weeks or even months to decide where to go, what to do, where to stay, and how to get there! Don’t [...]

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COMMENTS

Lake Geneva, Switzerland: visitors' guide with tips for towns
Lake Geneva is Switzerland's largest lake. It's located in south-west Switzerland. Its local French name is "Lac Léman". The overall climate is mild and sunny. The western part of Lake Geneva is dominated by the city of Geneva. There are plains and hills. The eastern part of Lake Geneva is closer to the mountains.
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Here's a list of things you can do: Boat Cruises: Take a leisurely boat cruise to enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and surrounding Alps. Water Sports: Engage in water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing. Swimming: There are several beaches and lidos where you can take a refreshing swim.
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Gruyères. Gruyères. Gruyères is a medieval town in the Freiburg canton and a great place for travelers who want to explore the wider area around Lake Geneva. It's not situated directly on the shore of Lake Geneva, but it's an amazing place and it's only a 30-minute drive away from the lake.
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In Switzerland, most independent travelers immediately head for Lucerne or Zurich. However, I recommend coming to this corner of the country for solo travel in Switzerland. After all, Lake Geneva region is filled with surprises that will delight any adventurous solo traveler. First and foremost, Lake Geneva is huge and stretches 224 square ...
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2. See the Jet d'Eau at Lake Geneva. The famous water jet of Geneva has such a fascinating story behind it. The jet is not just a tourist attraction, but is actually significant to how the city was founded and explains why Geneva (and thus, Switzerland) became famous for peace, watches and chocolate.
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The picturesque Lake Geneva, locally known as Lac Léman, is the biggest lake in Switzerland, as well as one of the biggest across Europe.The crescent-shaped body of water is actually shared by two countries: Switzerland and France. Travelers visit the areas around the lake for their natural beauty, particularly the eastern section, which resembles the Alpine scenery featured in postcards.
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After we visited Switzerland completely in 4 days, we want to present you a full travel guide with the 13 best things to do in Geneva on the lake. ... 13 best things to do in Geneva on the lake Geneva, Switzerland. July 9, 2022 July 9, 2022 0 Comment OanaAlexandra OanaAlexandra. Spread the love 39 . 39. Shares.
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Lake Geneva, in the southwest and French-speaking corner of the country, is the Swiss Riviera. Separating France and Switzerland, the lake is surrounded by Alps and lined with a collage of castles, museums, spas, resort towns, and vineyards. Explore the romantic Château de Chillon, fun, breezy Lausanne, and stylishly syncopated Montreux. Delve into the nearby French Swiss countryside, which ...
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Medieval towns, lakeside castles and the rare vintage of the Lavaux around Lake Geneva. The largest lake in Western Europe, Lake Geneva shimmers along the border of Switzerland and France between the Jura Mountains in the north and the Alps in the south. The deep-blue waters invite swimming and boating, and the shore is dotted with medieval ...
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What to expect when visiting Geneva — your Geneva travel guide. Centred at the point the River Rhône flows from Lake Geneva, Geneva is only nominally within Switzerland's borders.It's squeezed into a bulge of land that shares just 4km of internal border with its neighbouring Swiss canton, but 108km with France.
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Here are some other highlights and tourist activities to enjoy in Lake Geneva besides boat tours: 1. Chillon Castle: Chillon Castle is a stunning medieval castle located on the banks of Lake Geneva near Montreux. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of Switzerland's most visited attractions.
Best Places To Visit On Lake Geneva In Switzerland & France
Best Places To Visit Around Lake Geneva In Switzerland & France About Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva, or Lac Leman in French, is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, shared between Switzerland (60%) and France (40%). It's 73km long, 15km wide, 310m at the deepest point, and has 156 kilometers of shoreline.
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You'll leave from Saleve mountain in France and make your way over Lake Geneva, the Alps, and more. Flights take off daily and each one takes about 45-60 minutes. It will cost you 150 CHF ($150 USD) per person. ... The Ultimate Switzerland Travel Guide. Switzerland oozes fairytale charm. With the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, emerald valleys ...
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Discover International Geneva on an open bus tour and see the best of these sites — like UN building and Broken Chair — learning the history behind them along the way. The tour also includes the famous Jet d'Eau on Lake Geneva! Read more: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Lake Brienz, Switzerland . Take a Day Trip to Yvoire
7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary: Complete Guide for First-Timers
DAY 1: Geneva. DAY 2: Bern. DAY 3: Zermatt. DAY 4: Jungfraujoch & Interlaken. Day 5: Lucerne. DAY 6: Mt Pilatus. DAY 7: Zurich. Buy the ad-free PDF version of this Switzerland itinerary for offline use →. Planning a Switzerland itinerary: Things to know.
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slide 3 of 8. Geneva. Speak to a certified Switzerland specialist to start planning your. Call one of our experts or arrange a video appointment for ideas and advice. 617-223-4505. Make an inquiry. Samantha.
Visit Geneva
The Geneva Tourist Office is moving! Come visit us at our new tourist information centre at Cornavin Station and meet our team of experts who will give you the best advice for your stay in Geneva. From Monday to Saturday from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM except Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM. On Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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The climb up from Montreux is as magical as ever, twisting and turning up into the hills with Lake Geneva far below. Forty minutes out from Montreux, the train makes its first scheduled stop.
Wanderlust Guide
This guide covers as much of Switzerland as is physically possible to see in 10-11 days. If it's too much for you, feel free to cut 1 or more of the days out of your schedule. Nothing is set in ...

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13 best things to do in Geneva on the lake Geneva, Switzerland

In this post we will tell you about our adventure in Switzerland, that continues with the city of Geneva on the lake. We really liked the views of the city, the lake and the other attractions. It was a nice experience for us to discover such a beautiful city in a sunny day in April…

Table of Contents

Things to do

St. Peter's Cathedral

League of Nations Palace

Art and History Museum

Bains des Pâquis

Musée Ariana

Patek Philippe Museum

L'Horloge Fleurie Jardin Anglais

Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique

Brunswick Monument

Place du Bourg-de-Four

Basilica Notre-Dame

Russian Church

Where to stay

Where to eat

Café Papon- european cuisine