Geneva Travelers Recommend

Geneva is an ideal base from which to explore Switzerland’s mountain landscapes thanks to the extensive road and rail links leading from the city into the heart of the Swiss Alps. Here are a few ways to escape the city and discover the beauty of rural Switzerland.

Full-Day Tours

With a full day, travelers departing from Geneva have a wide range of tours and destinations from which to choose. Those with a head for heights can ride the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi peak in Chamonix for panoramic views over Mont Blanc and the surrounding valleys, or take the scenic cog railway to the glacier at Montenvers. Travel through beautiful Alpine scenery aboard the Golden Pass Panoramic Express train; take to the skies on a paragliding adventure; or master your skiing turns on the slopes of Chamonix in winter. Day trips often combine one or more of these experiences for a full day of exploring.

Multi-Day Tours

Travel further from Geneva on a multi-day tour, and explore the countryside of the Swiss Alps, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Spin through the foothills of the Alps to the lakeside towns of Lausanne and Montreux; take the cogwheel train from Tasch to the ski resort of Zermatt; cross the Nufenen Pass to the shores of Lake Como in Italy; and soak up the glitz and glamour of St. Moritz. Along the way, visit some of the region's most impressive natural and cultural landmarks, and gain insight into Europe’s culture and history.

Things to Know

• Full-day tours typically last eight to 10 hours, and usually include entry fees where applicable, a guide, rail or cable car tickets, and round-trip transport from Geneva.

• Guided multi-day tours usually include accommodations, some meals, cogwheel train tickets, and transport.

• The weather at high altitude in the Swiss Alps changes quickly, so warm layers are recommended throughout the year.

• Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, bring sturdy hiking boots to tackle the rocky or snowy terrain.

With three days in Geneva, sample the best of Swiss traditions, innovative culture, and dramatic scenery. The lakeside city is a great destination in its own right, but easy access to the surrounding Alps makes it a perfect jumping-off point for trips to snowy peaks and storybook villages. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Old Town to Melted Cheese

Geneva makes headlines with futuristic science, but start with the cobblestone streets and historic landmarks of the Old Town for a taste of the city’s heritage. There’s a maze of streets here, so stay oriented by joining a guided tour—you’ll get the stories behind each of the historic landmarks along the way. Highlights include Bourg-de-Four Square, Cathédrale de St. Pierre (St. Peter’s Cathedral), and old-world architecture; when choosing a tour, consider options such as walking tours, Segway tours, and hop-on hop-off tickets that offer extra flexibility. Round off the day with a very Swiss feast of traditional fondue in an Old Town restaurant.

Day 2: From Human History to the Cutting Edge

A long list of institutions keep Geneva at the forefront of art, science, and global policy, so pick out one or two that catch your interest. Science-buffs shouldn’t miss CERN, a physics research center that’s just out of town, while culture hounds can head to the Geneva Ethnological Museum. Browse the gleaming, precise watches at the Patek Philippe Museum; take a tour of the UN at the Palais des Nations; or visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. After a day inside, take in the sunset on Lake Geneva, whether you hop a local ferry or book an elegant dinner cruise.

Day 3: Alpine Explorer

As a major gateway to the Alps, Geneva is a great home base for visiting the high mountains, with top destinations just a day trip away, such as Gruyères in Switzerland and Chamonix, Mont Blanc, and Annecy in France. Options range from adventurous trips up snowy peaks to tasting tours through traditional villages. If you’re looking for history, consider Neuchâtel in Switzerland or Annecy in France, medieval destinations with perfectly preserved architecture. Cheese lovers can take a deep dive into Switzerland’s most famous wedges at Gruyères, while the French town of Chamonix is the undisputed hub of hiking, climbing, and mountaineering in the surrounding peaks, including Mont Blanc.

Perched on the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) against a backdrop of the Swiss and French Alps, Montreux is one of the many highlights of the Swiss Riviera. Here are your options for tours to the magical lakeside town from nearby Geneva. 

Highlights

• Stroll along Montreux’s picturesque lakeside promenade, then set sail on a scenic cruise around Lake Geneva.

• Visit Montreux landmarks such as Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon), Chaplin’s World, and the Montreux Casino.

• Combine a Montreux tour with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Lavaux Vineyards, the lakeside town of Vevey, or a cheese-tasting tour of Gruyères.

• Ride the Glacier 3000 cable car to the Les Diablerets ski resort and enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the Alps.

• Time your visit for the famous Montreux Christmas Market or the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival.

Things to Know

• Montreux is about 56 miles (90 kilometers) northeast of Geneva, just over an hour by road.

• Day tours from Geneva typically last between seven and 12 hours, and often stop at destinations like Lausanne or Vevey along the way.

• Some tours include hotel pickup and entrance fees to top attractions such as Chillon Castle.

With two days in Geneva, go beyond Old Town landmarks, chocolate shops, and shopping to explore the institutions that power the lakeside city. Stroll the halls of the United Nations at the Palais des Nations, visit groundbreaking scientific labs, and pick out a few of Geneva’s world-class museums. Here’s where to start.

Day 1: Old Town to Lake Geneva

**Morning:**While Geneva can seem downright futuristic, there’s plenty of history here—start in the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, whose highlights include St. Peter’s Cathedral (Cathédrale de St.-Pierre), the Reformation Wall, and picturesque squares. Choose between walking tours, Segway tours, and hop-on hop-off buses.

**Afternoon:**Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, satisfy a hunger for Swiss flavors with one of Geneva’s richest and most beloved treats: fondue. You can find a bubbling pot of cheese at almost any traditional Swiss restaurant. Ask the waitstaff for tips on eating fondue like a Swiss person, from what to drink to optimal dipping technique.  

**Night:**Take advantage of sunset light to join a cruise on Lake Geneva; you’ll see the evening sun light up the lakeshore, the surrounding mountains, and the powerful Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d’Eau), which sends water rocketing high into the air.

Day 2: Museums, Chocolate, and Lakeside Strolling

**Morning:**Whether you’re talking supercolliders or nongovernmental institutions, Geneva is a history maker—choose one of the key spots to explore in-depth. Learn about the groundbreaking nuclear research at CERN, tour the UN Palais des Nations, visit the Geneva Ethnography Museum, or see the precise workings of Swiss watches at the Patek Philippe Museum.

**Afternoon:**There’s more than fondue on the menu in Geneva—don’t forget about chocolate. Duck into one of the jewel-box chocolate shops in the town, or go all out on a chocolate tour that features the city’s best chocolatiers.

**Night:**Even if you’ve spotted the Jet d’Eau from the water, spend at least part of your last night in Geneva taking a leisurely stroll past the iconic landmark. On warm evenings, brave the spray on the walkway to the base, and catch the light shows that illuminate the jet in summer.

A tidy sprawl of chocolate shops, gleaming boutiques, and global landmarks tucked between high peaks and Switzerland’s biggest lake, Geneva is far more than the gateway to the Alps. With one day in Geneva you can explore the historic center, sample Swiss flavors, and board a boat for a trip across Lake Geneva. Here’s where to start.

Morning: Tour the Old Town

Many of Geneva’s key sites are packed into a compact Old Town, so you can cover some of the essentials in a morning of exploring. Choosing a guided tour ensures a focus on the city’s most interesting places—and unlocks the stories behind the places you’ll see—with excursions that range from walking tours to Segway tours and flexible hop-on hop-off options. Highlights of the Old Town include St. Peter’s Cathedral (Cathédrale de St.-Pierre), the Reformation Wall, and the Bergues Bridge (Pont de Bergues); by the time you’re ready for lunch you’ll know the basics of Geneva’s long history and unique culture.

Afternoon: Cruise Lake Geneva

Whether you’re watching sunlight play on the water or bundling up against a chilly breeze, getting out on Lake Geneva is a must in any season. Choose from sightseeing cruises, fondue cruises, passenger ferries, and budget-friendly water buses (mouettes). Enjoy unobstructed views from the boat as you snap photos of the mermaid statue and the Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d’Eau), which sends water 459 feet (140 meters) into the air. If you’d prefer not to make a separate booking, consider the time-saving option of a city tour that also features a Lake Geneva cruise.

Night: Discover Geneva Flavors

Locals might not live on fondue and chocolate, but leaving the city without a taste of the two treats is missing out on Geneva’s favorite indulgences. With limited time in Geneva, go straight to the highlights: Sample Swiss chocolates, locally produced wines, Alpine cheeses, and other treats on a food tour that’s tailored to the flavors that interest you most. When you’ve satisfied a hunger for Swiss specialties, head back to the lakeshore for an evening stroll by the water that’s a perfect ending to a day in Geneva.

Known as the “Venice of the Alps” thanks to the River Thiou and numerous canals winding through, the romantic French town of Annecy sits in the shadow of the Swiss Alps. Annecy’s storybook charm is only 45 minutes from the Swiss border—and, thus, makes a popular day trip from Geneva.

Half-Day Tours

Book a morning or afternoon Annecy half-day tour from Geneva and enjoy a guided walk through the cobbled streets of Annecy’s Old Town, visit the hilltop Chateau d’Annecy, and snap photos of the 12th-century island fortress, Palais de l’Isle.

Full-Day Tours

To enjoy plenty of free time to take in the highlights of Annecy, join a private full-day tour from Geneva. Start your day with an exploration of the historic Old Town with your personal tour guide. Visit the Palais de l’Isle and the Chateau d’Annecy, and wind up with a boat ride around Lake Annecy. If you want to squeeze in even more sightseeing, combine your visit to Annecy with a stop in Chamonix by booking a tour that includes prearranged train travel, a guide in Chamonix, and an audio guide in Annecy. Alternatively, opt for a Geneva and Annecy full-day tour to combine a Geneva sightseeing tour with a cruise around Lake Geneva before heading across the Switzerland-France border to Annecy, where you can cycle around Lake Annecy and explore the medieval town.

Things to Know

• Half-day tours run about five hours; full-day tours may last up to 11 hours.

• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

• Cruises on Lake Geneva are not available in the winter.

• Entrance fees to the Chateau d’Annecy and other attractions are not included in all tours.