Geneva
Overview
Wander around serene Lake Geneva and stroll along the winding streets of Geneva's Old Town. Make a return visit for constantly changing modern art at the industrial MAMCO complex and the lively vibe of Geneva's traditional cafes.
Background
Geneva nestles at the western tip of crescent-shaped Lake Geneva with most of its attractions clustering in the Old Town. People-watch on medieval Place du Bourg-de-Four square and admire 12th-century Saint Peter's Cathedral, once the home church of Protestant Reformation leader John Calvin. You can trace this 16th-century religious movement at the nearby statue-lined Reformation Wall. Head west out of the Old Town to trendy Plainpalais or north to the once seedy, but now increasingly hip Las Paquis district. Drift south of the Old Town to Carouge for its pretty shaded squares and antiques galleries.
First-time visit
When you first arrive in Geneva you'll want to head straight to the water's edge for views over Lake Geneva. Take a picture of the city's distinctive 459-foot-high Jet d'Eau water fountain or get a better idea of its size 137 steps up Saint Peter's Cathedral. If you don't like heights explore the cathedral's ancient crypt mosaics instead. For a lazy afternoon, wander around Geneva's Old Town of medieval squares and Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Or walk through Bastions Park, a beautifully landscaped botanical garden. See Monet and Van Gogh paintings at the Art and History Museum and spend an evening over a bubbling pot of cheese fondue in a romantic Old Town restaurant.
Return visit
Head back to Geneva to see cutting-edge art at MAMCO, housed in a former factory building. You can go behind the scenes of famous international organisations, from the United Nations Building to the International Red Cross Museum. Wander around rosebushes in La Grange Park, or along the 16th-century Treille Promenade, a romantic, narrow pathway, lined with chestnut trees. At night, find an intimate bistro tucked away in leafy, suburban Carouge. If science is your thing, visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research, based north of Geneva.
airports
Geneva International Airport
Essentials
Straddling the border with France, Switzerland's second-busiest airport flies ten million passengers a year from its single terminal. Geneva International Airport is four kilometres northwest of the city centre, a six-minute trip by train.
Airport Facts
- Airport code
- GVA
- Airport website
- Geneva International Airport website
- Airport tel
- +41 (0) 22 717 7111
- No. of terminals
- One
- Distance from city centre
- 4km (2.5 miles) northwest of Geneva.
- Airport parking
- Underground and above-ground car parks offer long-term and short-term parking. Space is at a premium in P1, the main car park, because of building renovation works (until 2009), and car parks cannot be booked. A valet parking service guarantees a space.
- Time Zone
- GMT +1 (+2 in summer).
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