Cidade Turismo
Switzerland

Before you go

Your trip to Genebra.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Genebra – Genebra Capital

How to get there

  • Genève Aéroport (GVA) Le Grand-Saconnex · 5 km
  • Genève Cornavin 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Geneva airport (GVA) is about 5 km from the centre, with frequent trains to Genève Cornavin in around 7 minutes. Check before buying. From Genève Cornavin SBB trains run to Lausanne, Bern, Zurich and Valais.

How many days

Two days cover the old town, the lakeside with the Jet d'Eau, the Palais des Nations and a museum. With three days you can include CERN, Carouge, the Patek Philippe Museum and a boat trip. Add days if you want to use the city as a base for Lausanne and Montreux.

When to go

From May to September, with long days, lake swimming in the European summer and more boats. In the European winter, from December to February, it is cold, there is fog and the bise can cover the quays with ice. The Escalade, on the weekend closest to 12 December, fills the old town with parades.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Trams, buses, regional trains and the Mouettes on the lake use the same ticket, and the center is explored on foot. In the airport luggage area a machine usually issues a ticket to go to the center. Parking spaces in the center are limited.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Genebra
  1. Morning
    Old Town

    Go up to Place du Bourg-de-Four, visit the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and the towers, and pass by Maison Tavel.

  2. Afternoon
    Bastions and lakeside

    Descend to the Mur des Réformateurs in the Parc des Bastions, then continue to the Jardin Anglais and the flower clock.

  3. Late afternoon
    Jet d'Eau and Mouettes

    Walk to the Jet d'Eau and cross the bay on a yellow Mouettes boat to Pâquis.

  4. Evening
    Pâquis

    Have dinner at the Bains des Pâquis or at one of the restaurants in the Pâquis neighborhood.

2 days in Genebra

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Vieille-Ville

    Place du Bourg-de-Four, cathedral, archaeological site and Maison Tavel.

  2. Afternoon
    Reformers and MAH

    Mur des Réformateurs and the Musée d'art et d'histoire, with the altarpiece by Konrad Witz.

  3. Late afternoon
    Lakeshore

    Jardin Anglais, Jet d'Eau and a walk to the rose garden in Parc La Grange.

  4. Evening
    Carouge

    Take the tram and have dinner at a bistro in Carouge.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    ONU

    Guided visit to the Palais des Nations, with reservation and passport, and the Broken Chair.

  2. Afternoon
    Cruz Vermelha and Ariana

    Museu da Cruz Vermelha and Musée Ariana, next to the ONU; walk down through the Jardin botanique to the lake.

  3. Late afternoon
    Boat on the lake

    CGN cruise around the bay or a crossing on the Mouettes.

  4. Evening
    Bains des Pâquis

    Fondue or a simple dinner at the buvette of the Bains des Pâquis.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Genebra airport to the center?

By train, from the airport's own station to Genève Cornavin in about 7 minutes. Buses also serve the route.

Is Genebra very international?

Yes. The city hosts the European headquarters of the ONU, the International Committee of the Cruz Vermelha and dozens of organizations, and many residents come from other countries. This is reflected in the variety of restaurants, especially in Pâquis.

What are meal times in Genebra?

Lunch is usually between noon and 2 pm, and dinner from 7 pm. Outside those hours, many kitchens are closed.

Do museums in Genebra open on Mondays?

Generally no. The MAH, Maison Tavel, Musée Ariana, the Patek Philippe Museum and CERN – Science Gateway are closed on Mondays.

Can you go to France from Genebra?

Yes. The border is a few kilometers away, and regional buses and trains link the city to neighboring French towns. Bring your passport.

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