Aerial view of a city located directly on a green-blue lake, in which there is a harbour with many small boats and a water fountain. Flat mountains can be seen in the background. A road lined with trees runs along the shore.

Geneva -
Glamorous Atmosphere
on Lake Geneva

Published: 15 August 2024, 09:30

Geneva is often referred to as the smallest metropolis in the world. The city on Lake Geneva is international and cosmopolitan. It is chic and casual at the same time. It is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and the headquarters of the Red Cross. At the same time, Geneva is deeply rooted in Swiss tradition as the cradle of watchmaking and the home of many chocolate manufacturers.

Whether a visit to the international district, a stroll through the old town with its impressive cathedral or a walk through the spa district with its modern galleries and museums – everything can be easily reached on foot. The waterfront promenade with its many well-maintained gardens and parks is also perfect for a stroll.

The charm of the city in the far west of Switzerland lies in the magnificent combination of culture and nature, urban atmosphere and relaxation, Geneva’s wine culture and French charm. And: the Alps are within close reach.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: none
Population: 205,000
Official language: French
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

A stroll through Geneva

View of an illuminated, car-free street in an old town with four-storey, light brown buildings, some of which contain shop windows. A few people are standing in the street. Other people can be seen standing in street cafés on the right of the picture.

Geneva has the largest old town in Switzerland. You can still sense a hint of the Middle Ages in the many small cobbled streets and historic buildings. © babados/stock.adobe.com

View of a square surrounded by four-storey residential buildings with a street café at its centre. The café is surrounded by planted boxes. Parasols cover the tables and chairs.

Place du Bourg-de-Four is the central meeting point and oldest square in Geneva. It’s a great place to have a coffee and chat to the locals. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

View over the mostly reddish-brown roofs of the city. There is a snow-covered mountain range in the background. The pointed, reddish-brown roof and the steeple of a cathedral can be seen in the centre of the picture.

The impressive St Peter’s Cathedral attracts visitors because of the view of the old town and the Alpine panorama alone. It’s 157 steps to the top. © diegograndi/stock.adobe.com

Aerial view and view from above of a green-blue river running through a city and flowing into a lake. Several bridges cross the river. In between there are green island areas. Streets run along both shores of the river and next to them are multi-storey buildings. A mountain panorama can be seen in the background of the picture.

The Arve flows into the Rhône in Geneva. The different colours of the rivers are clear to see at the confluence (La Jonction). © Samuel B./stock.adobe.com

View of a water fountain rising into the air with a rainbow in the lake; in the background is a lakeside promenade with buildings. A small white boat with a Swiss flag, a white cross on a red background, is moored at the front left edge of the picture.

140 metres high and 500 litres of water per second at 200 km/h: the Jet d’eau! The fountain is a popular landmark in Geneva. © bennymarty/stock.adobe.com

View of a park with a clock in the middle. The clock face consists of planted purple and yellow flowers. The hands of the clock are fixed and are located above the flower face. There are more flower islands on the grass around the clock. Various trees can be seen in the background.

Geneva is the cradle of the art of watchmaking. The first Swiss watchmakers appeared as early as the 16th century. The flower clock can be admired in the English Garden. © bennymarty/stock.adobe.com

Central view of a white, two-storey building in a well-maintained park with trees to the left and right of the building, a lawn in front and colourful flowerbeds. A light-coloured path with benches along the side meanders towards the building.

Geneva has many impressive gardens and parks along the lakeshore. One of the most beautiful gardens is the Jardin Botanique. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

View of four sandstone sculptures showing men in long robes on a pedestal in front of a wall. Three large coats of arms are set into a stone floor in front of the statues. The wall is lined with trees.

In the centre of Bastion Park, the statues of the reformers Jean Calvin, Guillaume Farel, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox commemorate the Calvinist Reformation. © olrat/stock.adobe.com

View of a modern building with a towering pointed roof, made of glass and metal; it stands out thanks to the elegant aesthetics of its striking geometric pattern. The picture was taken at dusk during the blue hour. A deserted footpath can be seen in front of the building, with trees and shrubs planted along the edge.

A real eye-catcher: The MEG is architecturally interesting and is considered the best ethnological museum in Switzerland. © Bodgan Lazar/stock.adobe.com

Image of a beige, dimly lit building with the inscription “United Nations – Nations Unies”. Many flagpoles with colourful national flags are closely lined up in front of the building.

The world meets in Geneva: the UN buildings are located in the north of the city. In the centre is the Palais des Nations, the UN’s second headquarters after New York. © Bodgan Lazar/stock.adobe.com

The most beautiful places around Lake Geneva

Alpine panoramas, wine-growing areas, art attractions, beautiful places on the shore – Lake Geneva boasts all of this and much more. Known as Lac Léman in French, the crescent-shaped lake lies at the foot of the Alps between France and Switzerland. With beautiful cities such as Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux, the region offers an excellent combination of culture and nature.

The second largest lake in Central Europe is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts, swimmers and hikers. The Lavaux wine region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is perfect for hiking and wine tasting. The best way to experience Lake Geneva is on a boat trip on a historic paddle steamer – a magnificent view of the mountains, castles and vineyards is guaranteed.

Excursion destinations on Lake Geneva

View of an old castle standing directly on the shore of a lake surrounded by high mountains in the background and green, dense forest to the right of the picture. Glaciers can be seen in the mountains.

Rocky island with a panoramic view of the Alps: the House of Savoy once resided in the Château de Chillon. Today it houses a museum. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

View over green vineyards located directly by a calm lake. There is a mountain range is in the background. There is a deserted footpath at the foot of the vineyards in front of the lake.

There are a number of wine-growing areas around the lake. Lavaux, with its terraced steep slopes is one of the most popular wine and hiking areas. © Michael Ludwiczak/stock.adobe.com

Aerial view of a sprawling city with multi-storey buildings and trees in between. In the foreground of the picture is a green-blue lake with green overgrown headlands and a small harbour.

Lausanne, a pretty city with narrow streets, small shops and a Gothic cathedral, is just a 45-minute train ride away from Geneva. © JackF/stock.adobe.com

View from a forest across the silhouettes of the treetops to a lake and the snow-covered mountains of a high mountain range at sunrise.

The Jura Nature Park is a natural paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Views of the lake, the Alps and Mont Blanc can be seen from the forest every now and then. © Fabrice/stock.adobe.com

View from a distance from a tree-covered mountain to a far-away city on a lake. The mountains, and the clouds above them, can be seen in the background.

Magnificent view of the lake: Geneva’s local mountain, Mont Salève, can be reached in just a few minutes by cable car from Le Pas de l’Echelle (Veyrier). © jasckal/stock.adobe.com