A holiday in Geneva is in the second largest city of Switzerland, a cosmopolitan place known for its international institutions, banks and technology. Geneva is the birthplace of the worldwide web and a city where some 140 banks look after the savings of the world's millionaires and billionaires. It is home to the United Nations, the Red Cross, the World Health Organisation and countless other international organisations.
This is perhaps why Geneva has been called the 'most international city in Europe', as more than 40 per cent of its residents come from outside Switzerland. Geographically, too, French-speaking Geneva is not 100 per cent Swiss DNA. The city is tucked away in a southwestern bulge of the country.
To France you can walk, the Italian border is only 80 kilometres away. In its 4,000-year history, countless peoples have tussled over the city. In 1815, Geneva finally stood on its own two feet, upon which it decided to join Switzerland.
If you plan on discovering this wonderful city, do consider booking your accommodation through this website, which provides a variety of hotel options perfectly suited to enhance your Geneva experience.
So expect a place with metropolitan allure when you holiday in 'the world's smallest metropolis', with leading museums, luxury chocolatiers, excellent restaurants and beautiful parks. The main attraction is Lake Geneva, with a spectacular fountain and an elegant promenade to stroll along. You can take boat trips to Lausanne and Montreux, while action lovers don't have to travel far either. Geneva is tucked between the Alps and the Jura Mountains, where you can hike, ski or just enjoy the fresh air.
Geneva is a sparkling jewel on the shores of a lake where everything exudes luxury, quality, elegance and a worldly lifestyle. The downside is the price tag, as this peaceful place is joined by Zurich one of the most expensive cities in the world. Going on holiday to Geneva? Find handy tips on the best sights and activities here.
Places to visit in Geneva
Jet d'Eau
The Jet d' Eau in Lake Geneva is the city's most famous symbol, one of the tallest fountains in the world with a jet of water that jets as much as 140 metres into the sky. Two powerful pumps propel the water upwards at 500 litres per second, which explains its enormous height. The original Jet d'Eau was installed back in 1886 to relieve excess pressure from a hydropower plant.
Now it is one of the most popular attractions, visible far into the surrounding area (even across the border). A good place to enjoy the view is Bains des Pâquis, where locals gather to swim, enjoy the sauna or grab a bite at the café. During festivities, the fountain is illuminated in different colours. Address: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Geneva, Switzerland.
Place du Bourg-de-Four
Geneva's Old Town is a maze of sloping cobbled streets and alleys full of cafés, boutiques and historic buildings. In the heart of the centre you will find Place du Bourg-du-Four, the city's oldest square. It is a cosy and atmospheric square with an 18th-century fountain in the middle and terraces, cafés and bistros. This used to be a Roman market square. Nowadays, it is the ultimate place to meet and have a coffee or drink before shopping in one of the adjacent streets.
Palais des Nations
No Geneva holiday is complete without a visit to Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. This is the second most important UN office in the world, after the international headquarters in New York. This is where countries have been discussing human rights and refugees since 1966.
The palace is a large complex of marble buildings with 34 meeting rooms and 2,800 offices. The building dates from the 1930s and was first the headquarters of the League of Nations, the forerunner of the United Nations. On a guided tour, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look and can visit the huge 2,000-seat meeting room. Address: Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Website: www.unog.ch
St Peter's Cathedral
Towering high above the Old Town, St Peter's Cathedral is Geneva's most important historical monument. Construction of the Gothic church began in 1160 and it took more than 400 years to complete, with numerous restorations and fires over the years. It was the cathedral where John Calvin (1509-1564) preached, the Protestant French-Swiss theologian who became known for his strict rules.
You can climb the 157 steps of the north tower for a fantastic view of the city and Lake Geneva. The museum in the vaults below the church houses the largest archaeological site north of the Alps. Address: Place du Bourg-de-Four 24, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland. Website: www.saintpierre-geneve.ch
L'Horloge Fleurie
The L'Horloge Fleurie symbolises Switzerland's long tradition of making high-quality watches. It is a huge clock made from some 6,500 flowers. The flowers are adapted to the season, so this 'flower clock' is always in bloom. L'Horloge Fleurie is located on a slope, so you can get a good look at it. The flower clock has been around since 1955 and is one of Geneva's most famous tourist attractions. You can find the artwork on the west side of the Jardin Anglais park, near Lake Geneva. Address: Quai du Général-Guisan 28, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.
Jardin Botanique
The Jardin Botanique is Geneva's botanical garden, established back in 1817. You will find more than 16,000 different species of plants, trees and shrubs blooming at different times of the year, so there is always something beautiful to see. In the Alpine Garden, you'll see plants that grow high in the Alps and in the Winter Garden, all kinds of tropical plants grow.
The Jardin Botanique also has the largest herbarium in the world, with 6 million dried plants and fungi. There is a small animal area with deer, peacocks and flamingos. The botanical garden has a café and is a lovely place to escape the city bustle. Address: Chemin de L'Imperatrice 1, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Switzerland.
Patek Philippe Museum
Geneva also has a few watchmakers within its city limits, but the most famous is Patek Philippe. Here you are talking about the cream of the crop in the watchmaking world, which has been marketing the most exclusive watches since 1839. Old watches fetch many millions of euros at auctions. At the Patek Philippe Museum, you can see the most prestigious creations that have rolled out of the expert hands of this watchmaker since its inception. Antique watches from other European countries and a collection of 16th-century timepieces are also on display. Address: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. Website: www.patek.com
International Red Cross Museum
Geneva is the birthplace of the International Red Cross, founded in 1863 by Swiss banker Henri Dunant. Today, it is the world's largest humanitarian organisation assisting victims of wars, natural disasters and political violence. Interactive exhibitions at the International Red Cross Museum(Musée international de la Croix-Rouge) highlight the activities and history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the relief organisation operating mainly in Muslim countries.
You can listen to eyewitness accounts of aid workers and victims and use a video game to save villagers from a natural disaster. On the roof terrace is a restaurant with views of the Alps. The museum is located opposite the United Nations office. Address: Avenue de la Paix 17, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland. Website: www.redcrossmuseum.ch
Maison Tavel
While on holiday, you can walk right into Maison Tavel, as admission is free. This is Geneva's oldest surviving house, having been built back in the 12th century. The mansion was destroyed by fire in 1334, after which the noble Tavel family rebuilt the house and turned it into a city palace. Later, other influential families lived there until the city council bought the property in 1963.
This is now Geneva's municipal museum, where on six floors you can learn all about the history of the city and its inhabitants. Maison Tavel can be found in the Old Town, near the cathedral. Only temporary exhibitions require an entrance fee. Address: Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre 6, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.
Wall of the Reformation
In a pretty park you'll find the Wall of the Reformation(Mur des Réformateurs), with sculptures of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation that took place in the 16th century. Geneva was the breeding ground of this schism in the Christian church, with Protestants separating from Catholics.
At the centre of the monument are statues John Calvin, Guillaume Farel, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox. The Reformation monument was inaugurated in 1909 to mark the 400th birthday of Calvin, one of Geneva's most famous citizens. The monument is located in front of an old city wall in Parc des Bastions. Address: Prom. des Bastions 1, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.
Practical tips for a holiday in Geneva
Travelling to Geneva
Geneva is easy to reach from the Netherlands for a holiday. KLM flies several times a day directly from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Geneva, a one-and-a-half-hour flight. You can fly to Geneva from as little as €99. ► Book a flight ticket to Geneva with KLM here
All flights arrive at Geneva Aéroport (GVA), one of Switzerland's five international airports. The airport is about 5 kilometres north of Geneva city centre, against the French-Swiss border. From the airport, you can take a train, bus or taxi to the city centre.
The train to Geneva-Cornavin station in the city centre is the fastest, taking just 7 minutes. During peak times, trains depart 7 times an hour. Arriving passengers can pull a ticket from a machine in the arrivals hall (by the baggage carousels) that allows them to use Geneva's public transport for free for the first 80 minutes. You can then also use the train.
Staying overnight in Geneva
Geneva has the largest concentration of hotels in all of Switzerland due to the presence of many international institutions. During important conferences and major events, hotels are therefore quickly fully booked. It is also advisable to make reservations if you are holidaying in Geneva during the summer months and public holidays. The city has relatively many luxury hotels, but you can also stay in some hostels. Here you will also pay more than in a hostel in another European city.
Looking for charming accommodation for your holiday in Geneva?
► Book a hotel or flat in Geneva here, at the lowest prices
Most of Geneva's luxury hotels are located near the Quai du Mont Blanc, on the western side of Lake Geneva. Here you will find, among others, the famous Beau-Rivage Hotel, Geneva's oldest hotel with a glorious history. The luxurious 5-star hotel opened in 1865 and is still owned by the same family. Numerous dignitaries and celebrities have spent the night in one of Beau-Rivage's 90 spacious rooms, including the Austrian Empress Sisi. In 1898, she was stabbed to death by an anarchist as she was leaving the hotel. ► Book a night at the Beau-Rivage Hotel from €434
Eating and drinking in Geneva
With its many international visitors, there is no shortage of places to eat in the city. Geneva has more than a thousand restaurants, including several with Michelin stars. Some of the most decadent restaurants are located around Lake Geneva, where you can enjoy beautiful views and expect first-class service. Local specialities include cheese fondue, raclette, stews, smoked sausages and dishes with fish from the lake. In more expensive and luxurious restaurants, neat and formal dress is required.