Geneva

Travel Guide

Geneva
Saint-Pierre Cathedral which includes a lake or waterhole and city views
Geneva
Chateau de Chillon featuring a castle, heritage architecture and a lake or waterhole
Morges showing bird life, boating and a lake or waterhole
Admire the picturesque Lake Geneva and walk sophisticated streets lined with international headquarters, excellent museums, and art galleries.

Geneva is Switzerland’s second largest city and home to the headquarters of UN organizations, the Red Cross, and dozens of other international bodies. The city is built around the mouth of the Rhone at the south-western end of Lake Geneva.

Grab your camera and head to the Old Town. You’ll see buildings from throughout the centuries including the birthplace of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Cathédrale St. Pierre. Climb the tower to get great views of the city. Back down on ground level, check out the Musée International de la Reforme to learn about the reformation in France and Switzerland.

For more history, drop by Maison Tavel. The old manor has been modified and renovated several times over the centuries, and today houses a museum documenting the history of Geneva. For a look at the work of the Red Cross around the world, explore the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum.

Art lovers will want to move on to some of the city’s excellent art museums. Start at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire to admire paintings from as far back as the Renaissance and artifacts from the ancient world. For more recent works, check out the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain. Visit the Musée des Arts d’Extrême Orient to examine items from the Far East. Fans of pottery and ceramics should take a look at the Musée Ariana.

Take a break and head down to Lake Geneva. Enjoy the view of the French Alps or sit down in a café and watch the Jet d’Eau spurt water over 450 feet (140 meters) into the air. In the evenings, head out to Victoria Hall or the Grand Théâtre de Genève for a show.

Where to stay in Geneva

Geneva showing heritage architecture

Geneva City Centre

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Geneva City Centre. Check out top attractions like Mont Blanc Bridge and Paquis Baths, and jump on the metro at Cornavin Tram Stop or Mole Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Geneva City Centre
Geneva showing heritage architecture

Downtown Geneva

4/5(194 area reviews)

Known for its panoramic lake views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Geneva. Check out top attractions like Flower Clock and Rue du Rhône, and jump on the metro at Coutance Tram Stop or Cornavin Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown Geneva
Saint-Pierre Cathedral featuring street scenes and heritage architecture

Geneva Old Town

4.5/5(42 area reviews)

Historic sites, lake views, and shopping are just a few things travelers like about Geneva Old Town. Sights like Saint-Pierre Cathedral and Place du Bourg-de-Four are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Geneva area at Molard Tram Stop.

Geneva Old Town
Default Image

Cornavin

4/5(20 area reviews)

While you're in Cornavin, take in top sights like St. James Way and jump on the metro at Cornavin Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Cornavin
Geneva which includes a park and a monument

Les Pâquis

Noted for its lake views and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Les Pâquis. Top attractions like Paquis Baths and Sisi Monument are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Butini Tram Stop or Mole Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Les Pâquis
Jet d\'Eau Fountain which includes a lake or waterhole, a fountain and night scenes

Les Eaux-Vives

4/5(66 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and lake views, there's plenty to explore in Les Eaux-Vives. Top attractions like Baby Beach and City Center Shopping Area are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Amandolier Tram Stop or Roches Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Les Eaux-Vives
Ruby Claire Hotel Geneva

Ruby Claire Hotel Geneva

4 out of 5
Rue du Rhône 46, Geneva
The price is ¥17,577 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
¥17,577
¥19,630 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"Staff was very friendly and helpful. Hotel is somewhat of a different concept for us - check-in at top floor combined with roof top bar area. Dark, modern decor hallways were different as well. Room was clean and quiet. Check-in process was somewhat cumbersome due to need to fill in information on ..."

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025

Ruby Claire Hotel Geneva
Hotel Suisse

Hotel Suisse

3 out of 5
10 Place Cornavin, Geneva, GE
The price is ¥32,666 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
¥32,666
¥35,292 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Near the train station and close to town"

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

Hotel Suisse
citizenM Geneva

citizenM Geneva

4 out of 5
31-33 Rue de la Rotisserie, Geneva
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥28,447 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥28,447
¥30,921 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (871 reviews)
"great"

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

citizenM Geneva
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Geneva

Adina Apartment Hotel Geneva

4 out of 5
Route de Meyrin 125, 1219, Chatelaine, Vernier
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Vernier. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (202 reviews)
"Fantastic accommodation and really helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Geneva
Aparthotel Adagio Geneve Mont Blanc

Aparthotel Adagio Geneve Mont Blanc

3 out of 5
Rue Thalberg 4, Geneva, GE
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (584 reviews)
"The room was perfect for our family of five and the front desk was very helpful our entire stay. Our luggage was lost on the way and they were able to supply us with toothbrushes and pointed us in the right direction to get necessities until it arrived."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Geneve Mont Blanc
Base Geneva

Base Geneva

4 out of 5
Rue du Jura 13, Geneva, Geneva
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Geneva. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Jet d'Eau Fountain ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
Superb hotel
"This new hotel has everything you could ask for. Very friendly and helpful staff, brand new apartments with quality fixtures and fittings. Kitchen accessories first class. New laundry facilities. Roof top lounge area. Location is close to trains and trams. Very quiet street. Don’t walk from station ..."

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2025

Base Geneva
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Geneva

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
234
5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
255
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
67
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Bruce

Bring lots of money. It’s expensive

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I like Geneva, I’ve been visiting since 1996

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Beautiful but expensive.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Geneva was very fun, and beautiful. We loved the Christmas market, Old Town, and the fireworks on New Years Eve. It is extremely expensive (reataurants especially), but we really enjoyed it!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We will go back and explore more 殺

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Friendly and great public transportation. Sites are good for about 3-4 days at most.

Cities near Geneva