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Jan
10
Geneva Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Switzerland
A trip to Geneva
With a pretty location at the southeast shore of Lake Geneva, Geneva is ideal for nature fans and those looking for solitude. A myriad of exquisite buildings are scattered around in the city, while a trip along Lake Geneva will leave you awestruck. The old town of Geneva has an array of captivating spots that are so picture-perfect you won’t be able to resist taking a snapshot. The town is surrounded by cobbled streets, lovely on the eyes but hard to negotiate in high heels. The city’s marketplaces are good places to look for collectible finds, while designer label freaks can shop for this season’s bags in the city’s many brand-name boutiques.
Flights to Geneva
Geneva International Airport has an organised, single terminal serving destinations worldwide. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Geneva try lastminute.com. There are buses that run into the city regularly, while taxis are also available to take you to your hotel.
Getting around Geneva is easy. Most tourists opt to take the bus, which are easy to find and run frequently. Taxis are also efficient but can be expensive. The cheapest and the most popular way to get around the city is on foot. The old town is quite compact and easy to navigate. If you are not familiar with the city’s one-way system, it’s better not to drive in Geneva.
Geneva
Sightseeing in Geneva
No tourist can visit Geneva without making their way to the world famous lake. Lake Geneva boasts wondrous scenes, while the lakeside parks are very pretty and ideal for a walk in the afternoon. A boat cruise around the lake is a must for any loved-up couple, while there are many cafés offering scenic views of the lake.
Not to be missed is the old town with its winding cobbled streets and fascinating architectural marvels. Visit the Gothic church, Temple de la Madeleine, and the small 13th century chapel of Auditoire de Calvin. For magnificent views of the city, head to Cathedral de St Pierre, built in the Romanesque and Baroque styles. The bird’s eye views of Geneva from the top of the cathedral are very worthwhile.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Geneva is home to numerous Swiss restaurants offering local Swiss dishes. If you have tried cheesy fondue before opt for another culinary delight or an Italian dish. Italian food is widely available in Geneva.
Not for hardcore party-goers, nightlife in Geneva is not really a spine-tingling, rip-roaring experience. There are plenty of relaxing café-bars to sit around and have a drink, but don’t expect loud head-bopping, boogie-shaking music. However, the city is packed with drinking holes, so at least you can entertain yourself with endless drinking sessions. Les Brassuers is a favourite haunt for beer lovers, featuring many home brews.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Don’t be surprised to find a brigade of ladies flooding the Rive Gauche around the area of rue du Rhone and rue du Marche. Here’s where the artery of shopping is located, boasting big stores, boutiques and jewellery shops on side streets. Fashion freaks can also find big brand name stores in this area including names like Dior, Armani, and Gucci.
Apart from shopping, there are also other activities on offer in Geneva. The city is dotted with several pristine parks and bathing areas, ideal for family picnics. Strolling along the waterfront makes for good exercise and also allows you to gasp at the Jet d’ Eau, which is a jet fountain in the middle of the bay. Another good idea is to take a boat trip around the Alps to admire the beautiful surroundings.
Daytrips
Geneva is conveniently located very close to the Alps and therefore there are some excellent opportunities for daytrips into the beautiful natural surroundings. The best way to see the surrounding areas is to hire a car and explore for yourself. There are great drives through the mountains and excellent places to stop for lunch.
The main reason people come to Geneva in the winter is for skiing. There are a number of ski resorts on both the Swiss and French sides of the Alps, including the resorts in the Upper Savoy (Haute Savoie) region. Chamonix ski resort is just one hour by car from Geneva and boasts the longest slope in the world (which lasts for 13 miles).
As well the Alps, there are also some charming cities and quaint towns within easy driving distance. Thonon Les Bains is well worth the journey as it renowned for its healing spas and beautiful scenery.
Must-see attractions
Geneva is split into two parts; the Old Town on the left bank and the newer part of the city on the right bank. The Old Town is where most of the city’s cultural attractions can be found. Here you will find the Cathédrale St Pierre and the Monument de la Réformation. These are both beautiful buildings with historical and cultural significance. The newer part of the city is where you will find the United Nations, Red Cross and main transport hubs. There are also many bars, restaurants and parks.
Natural attractions play a large part in Geneva’s popularity. There are a number of parks and gardens which include Jardin Anglais (English Garden) and of course, the famous Lake Geneva. The lake is home to the stunning Jet d’Eau; an enormous fountain which attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Best time to go
Depending on your reasons for visiting Geneva, the best time of year to visit will change. If you want to enjoy some sunshine while taking in all of the sights, the summer months will be the best option. However, if winter sports is your thing, the snow of December, January and February sees the skiing slopes come alive with skiers and snowboarders. The shoulder months of spring and autumn see lower prices and less crowds; perfect for a romantic getaway.
Rainy day suggestions
As with most cities in western Europe, Geneva experiences a lot of rain throughout the year. The weather is often unpredictable so you could find yourself caught short and looking for indoor alternatives. The city boasts many museums that detail the history of the city as well as of Switzerland. There are art galleries, a natural history museum and grand palaces.
The Town Hall and Saint Peter’s Cathedral are also great places to visit when it’s raining as the interior of both are impressive. The other alternative is shopping. Geneva is home to a number of shopping centres where some great bargains can be found as well as designer goods and souvenirs.
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