Welcome to Geneva!
Getting from the airport to the city
Taxis, public transportation and car rentals are easily available at the airport. Use the free digital transportation card provided by your hotel for public transportation (more information under the ‘Hotels’ tab).
Download printable PDFs with full directions to/from the hotels under the ‘Hotels’ tab.
Getting around in Geneva
Geneva has an excellent public transport system (buses, trams, boats) for getting around the City, Canton, and nearby France. See the City of Geneva website for more information.
Check out Geneva’s public transport (TPG) website or download their app (iOS, android) for precise schedules.
For trains, you can check the SBB website or download their app too (iOS, android).
Thanks to short distances and abundance of cycling lanes, exploring the city and countryside by bike is a good alternative to walking or public transport. Find all info to rent a bike in Geneva on Rent and loan – Genèveroule (geneveroule.ch).
Geneva’s International District
Geneva is home to many UN agencies, international organizations and international NGOs. Discover “International Geneva” through this 3D map and find out more about what each of these actors is doing towards peace and global governance.
Things to see and do
Situated at the foot of the Alps on the banks of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), Geneva is a vibrant city with a lot to offer.
Here are our suggestions on what to see and do in Geneva during your trip
Geneva’s more than 30 museums and galleries offer insight into the city’s history and major cultural influences. From the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO) to the medieval Maison Tavel, Geneva caters to every interest. Some museums of note include the Natural History Museum, the Ethnography Museum (MEG), the Art and History Museum and the Rath Museum.
Admission is free to most city sponsored museums (regular exhibitions) but we recommend consulting the museums’ websites for information on prices and current exhibitions.
One of the greenest cities in Europe, Geneva offers countless opportunities to wander in nature. Close to Geneva’s diplomatic district, the Botanical gardens offer a great way to catch your breath away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Follow up with a stroll along the lakeside and enjoy a great view of the Jet d’Eau, one of the world’s tallest fountains! Along the Quai du Mont Blanc, Bain des Pâquis is a cultural and social meeting place favored by locals for its beach (in summer and in winter!), wellness facilities such as sauna and hammam, restaurant, and cultural events such as concerts and poetry readings.
Cross the Mont-Blanc bridge and head into the Old Town for a cup of coffee – or mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, a Geneva fall tradition – and wander up and down the maze of cobblestone alleyways. A climb up the 157 steps of the St Peter’s Cathedral’s north tower will reward you with a breathtaking view of the city, the lake and the mountains. Head to Promenade de la Treille for an unobstructed view of Mount Salève and the Parc des Bastions below.
Just over the L’Arve River and about 15 minutes in tram from the Old Town, the neighboring town of Carouge is well-known for its many boutiques, artisan studios and charming cafes.
Where can I buy cheese?
Address: La Halle de Rive, Bd Helvétique 29, 1207 Genève
Address: Rue de Cornavin 1, 1201 Genève
Address: Av. du Mail 3, 1205 Genève
Address: Rue de Carouge 3, 1205 Genève
Where can I buy chocolate?
Renowned for its chocolate, Geneva boasts too many good chocolatiers to list them all but you can find a great selection on this webpage. A personal recommendation from the Local Planning Committee would be Rohr at Place du Molard 3 or in Carouge at Rue Vautier 7.
Where can I buy wine?
Address: Pl. du Bourg-de-Four 1, 1204 Genève
Address: Rue Eugène-Marziano 25, 1227 Genève
La cave des poètes
No website
Address: Rue de Carouge 23, 1205 Genève
Or in any grocery store such as Coop, Manor and Globus.
Around Geneva
Popular day trips from Geneva include the nearby towns of Montreux, Chamonix, Annecy, Gruyères, Lausanne and Yvoire, as well as the Château de Chillon. You can also enjoy a wine tasting experience or a cruise on the lake.
Built on the franco-swiss border, the CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) is home to the LHC (Large Hadron Collider), the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Birthplace of the World Wide Web, the CERN is open to the public for free visits.
For more ideas on what to see, do, and where to eat, see Visit Geneva | Your Official Local Guide to Geneva (geneve.com)