All citiesGeneva Things to do and walking itinerary
Switzerland Geneva travel guide
30 things to do in Geneva, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Geneva
- Jet d'Eau — fountain in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St. Pierre Cathedral — protestant cathedral in Geneva (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museum of Art and History Geneva — museum in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Reformation Wall — monument in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Natural History Museum of Geneva — museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Broken Chair — monumental sculpture in Geneva (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ariana Museum — Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass in the city of Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Grand Théâtre de Genève — opera house in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Bodmer Foundation — library and museum in Cologny (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum — historical museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Geneva Ethnography Museum — museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Brunswick Monument — Mausoleum built in 1879 in Geneva, for Charles II, Duke of Brunswick (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Geneva Mosque — mosque in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Parc de La Grange — lakeside manor on the outskirts of Geneva (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Russian Orthodox Church of Geneva — Russian Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Geneva Botanic Garden — botanical garden in Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Beth Yaakov Synagogue — church building in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica Notre-Dame of Geneva — the main Roman Catholic church in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palais Wilson — international headquarters (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Hekhal Haness Synagogue — synagogue in Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- MAMCO — museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Jardin Anglais — urban park in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Île Rousseau — island on the Rhône river in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Parc des Bastions — park in Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Holy Trinity Church — church building in the city of Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Barbier-Mueller Museum — museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bâtiment des Forces motrices — building in Geneva (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Place du Bourg-de-Four — street of Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Reformed Fusterie Church — church building in the city of Geneva, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Patek Philippe Museum — museum in Geneva (Switzerland) (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Geneva walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Vieille Ville). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.1 km · 12,290 steps · 2 h 2 min on the way): Museum of Art and History Geneva → Natural History Museum of Geneva → Jet d'Eau → Ariana Museum → Broken Chair
- Day 2 (≈ 1.5 km · 1,980 steps · 20 min on the way): Grand Théâtre de Genève → Reformation Wall → St. Pierre Cathedral
Where to stay in Geneva
- Old Town (Vieille Ville): Cobbled lanes and cafés around the cathedral.
- Pâquis: A lively, multicultural area near the lake and the station.
- Eaux-Vives: A relaxed local area close to the lakeside parks.
- Cornavin Station: Seven minutes by train to the airport; handy for day trips.
- Carouge: Italian-style squares, workshops and bistros; a short tram ride to the centre.
Getting from the airport to Geneva
- Geneva Airport (GVA): Direct train ≈ 7 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable; trams and buses run often. The Geneva Transport Card from your hotel makes public transport free.
Classic places to eat
- Café du Soleil: One of the city's best-known places for fondue.
- Les Armures: Swiss dishes in an armour-decorated room in the old town.
- Café du Centre: Open since 1871, famous for seafood and oysters.
- La Buvette des Bains: Simple food at the lake baths, with fondue in winter.
- Chocolaterie Auer: Family-run since 1939, famous for its pralines.
- La Clémence: A café-bar known for its terrace on the old town square.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Domaine de Châteauvieux — 2 MICHELIN stars, Classic French
- Il Lago — 1 MICHELIN star, Italian
- Le Chat-Botté — 1 MICHELIN star, Classic French
- Le Flacon — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Bains des Pâquis Jetty (Sunset): The jetty juts into the lake with views of the Jet d’Eau and mountains.
- Jet d’Eau (Evening): A walk along the pier out to the giant fountain.
- Promenade de la Treille (Afternoon): A tree-lined terrace with what is said to be the world’s longest wooden bench.
- Parc La Grange Rose Garden (June evenings): A rose garden with thousands of roses in a park above the lake.
- Pont du Mont-Blanc (Evening): The flag-lined bridge where the lake flows into the Rhône.
Football stadiums in Geneva
- Stade de Genève: Home of Servette FC
Good to know before visiting Geneva
- Fine: Buy tickets before boarding; they aren't sold on trains and fare dodgers are fined.
- Fine: A motorway vignette is mandatory.
- Fine: Speeding fines are very high and can be income-based for serious cases.
- Fine: Since 2025 face coverings are banned in public places.
- Warning: Mountain weather changes fast and rescue is costly; check your insurance.
- Quiet is expected on Sundays and at night; recycling rules are strict.
- Emergency: 112 (police 117, ambulance 144, fire 118)
- Plugs: C/J, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water and most street fountains are drinkable.
- Tipping: Service is included; rounding up is enough.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Switzerland, Wikivoyage — Switzerland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Geneva travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Geneva?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Geneva?
- Highlights: Jet d'Eau, St. Pierre Cathedral, Museum of Art and History Geneva, Reformation Wall and Natural History Museum of Geneva. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Geneva?
- Old Town (Vieille Ville): Cobbled lanes and cafés around the cathedral. Other options: Pâquis, Eaux-Vives, Cornavin Station and Carouge.
- How do you get from the airport to Geneva city centre?
- Geneva Airport (GVA): Direct train ≈ 7 min
- How do you get around Geneva?
- The centre is walkable; trams and buses run often. The Geneva Transport Card from your hotel makes public transport free.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Geneva?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: Domaine de Châteauvieux (2 stars), Il Lago (1 star), Le Chat-Botté (1 star), Le Flacon (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Geneva?
- Emergency: 112 (police 117, ambulance 144, fire 118).
- Do you tip in Geneva?
- Service is included; rounding up is enough.
Nearby cities
Lyon · Bern · Turin · Lucerne · Zurich · Milan · Vaduz · Strasbourg
Switzerland travel guide: all cities · All cities