Geneva

Geneva thrives between the Swiss Alps and the hilly region of the Jura and lies in the bay where the Rhone separates Lake Geneva. The French-speaking city’s altruistic tradition and cosmopolitan elegance ascended it to home the European seat of the UNO, headquarters of the Red Cross and nearly 180 international organisations; hence the title of Geneva as the Capital of Peace.

The city is divided between the lake. The left-hand shore, the old town of Geneva, holds the busy shopping and business quarters, while a substantial number of hotels and restaurants occupy the right-hand shore. The Place du Bourg-de-Four is the original old town and is recognised as the oldest square in the city. However, St. Peter’s Cathedral holds vast dominance over the city.

Surprisingly, Geneva is also the world’s smallest metropolis, and to symbolise this unique position, they built ‘Jet d’eau’ – a 140-metre-high water fountain jet at the edge of Lake Geneva.

State-of-the-art quays, peaceful lakeside promenades, large parks, cheerful side streets in the old town and world-class shops invite guests to stroll. The mouettes, a kind of water taxi, easily make lakeshore crossing accessible. You can also enjoy the cruise on larger vessels in Lake Geneva.

More >>

Weather Today

Highlights

International City

Geneva is also claimed as Switzerland’s most international city because it's home to the European seat of the UNO, and more so, the primary centre of the International Red Cross to propagate its humanitarian campaigns. Apart from being a congress city, Geneva fancies the status as a hub for culture and history for foreign trade fairs and exhibitions. The Horloge Fleuri, the massive clock made of flowers, in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden), is a globally-recognised symbol of Geneva’s watch industry.

Culture

Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and Geneva Opera House, and an extremely diverse range of museums such as the “Musée international de l'horlogerie”, a watch museum with a collection of jewellery watches and musical clocks, and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which provides an insight into the work of these humanitarian organisations, invite city guests to visit them.

Attractions

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Central Europe, gives you a magnificent splendor of Alps. Get on to a boat from the quay at Geneva-Mont Blanc to explore the enchanting beauty of this natural grandeur. You pass through a host of places on the shores of the lake where you can get lost in the mesmerizing surroundings of the lake.

Jet d’Eau

In the city centre, at the end of a long jetty, you come across Jet d’Eau – a large fountain in Geneva, which is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This fountain propels 500 litres of water per second upto a height of 140 metres. The presence of the fountain gives such a power to the place that everytime you look at its solemnity, you know that you are in the powerful and well-organized country. This fountain became the strength, aspiration and energy of Geneva and Switzerland.

Cern

Cern – European Organization for Nuclear Research is a place for Science lovers. Being the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, this is where the scientific historic experiments are conducted. The visitor centre offers tours of certain parts of the facility where science is explained along with two exhibitions putting light on the works of the facility and its research.

Mountains

One of the many reasasons why Geneva is loved by ski lovers is its proximity to the ski resorts of Switzerland and France. The attractive French resorts of Samoëns, La Clusaz, and Chamonix are just an hour away, while St Cergue, in the Swiss Jura, is even closer. These mountains are not just for winter lovers, you can also head off in summer for hiking, paragliding, summer tobogganing and mountain biking.

Museums

Geneva is a city for museum lovers, there are various museums in the city like the Patek Philippe Museum showcasing wonders of watchmaking, Art and History museum, Natural History Museum, Ariana Museum – everything about ceramics and glassware, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and many more.

Old Town

Geneva’s old town is clustered on a hill around the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and the pretty pedestrian Place du Bourg-de-Four. It is the most traditionally scenic part of the city with multiple boutiques, pretty architecture and its numerous cafés and restaurants. Wander along the promenade while enjoying a serene view of the Bastions Park below and the Jura Mountain range ahead.

Escalade

Escalade is the annual festival which is held in winter on the second weekend in December, a pre-Christmas party in honour of a failed siege of the city in the early 17th century. Be a part of the crowd to watch costumed revellers parade through the old town and don’t forget to warm yourself up with some mulled wine – Vin Chaud and some melted cheese. In summer, the huge fireworks display on the second weekend of August which marks the end of Geneva’s summer festival is a must see.

Check out Hotels at the best rates