100 Travel Stories
Postcards from Geneva
Welcome to Geneva, Switzerland! Geneva is a beautiful and culturally rich city located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is known for its international organizations, stunning scenery, and vibrant cultural scene.
Also, Geneva is the most expensive city in Europe and the 5th most expensive city in the world*.
Spending four days in Geneva was enough to visit the city and to take one day trip to the nearby Chamonix resort, in France, for a touch of Mont Blanc, at Aiguille du Midi. Here’s a short travel guide accompanied by photos.
Lake Geneva
Any journey starts by visiting the iconic Alps surrounded Lake Geneva. One of the attractions is Jet d’Eau fountain that sprays water up to 140 meters (459 feet) into the air. People are strolling along the promenades or taking a boat cruise, enjoying the scenic beauty. In the evenings the terraces are full, or just bring your own drink and have a romantic picnic right on the shores of the lake.
Lake Geneva
Jet d’Eau
Lighthouse
Old buildings overlooking the lake display the Swiss luxury watch companies’ logos, such as Cartier, Patek Philippe, Chopard, Breguet, Tudor, Tissot, TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin.
Old Town (Vieille Ville)
Explore the charming cobblestone streets of the Old Town, filled with historic buildings, churches, and shops. A visit to St. Pierre Cathedral is a must.
St. Pierre Cathedral
St. Pierre Cathedral
St. Pierre Cathedral ceiling
Old Town alley
Rue de la Fontaine
Hotel Longemalle
Palais des Nations (United Nations)
It is impressive to see the Palais des Nations – the European headquarters of the United Nations, with all the flags of the 193 member countries.
Palais des Nations, Geneva
The Broken Chair
The Broken Chair sculpture symbolises opposition to land mines and cluster bombs and acts as a reminder to politicians and diplomats visiting Geneva (Wikipedia).
Museums
Geneva has a wealth of museums to satisfy various interests. Some notable ones include the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (Museum of Art and History), Patek Philippe Museum, and the International Museum of the Reformation.
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
Parks and Gardens
Enjoy some leisure time in Geneva’s beautiful parks and gardens. Parc des Bastions, Parc La Bâtie, and Parc La Perle du Lac are excellent spots for relaxing or having a picnic.
Promenade de la Treille, Geneva
The Flower Clock from the Jardin Anglais is made from over 6,000 flowers!
CERN
If you’re interested in science and technology, consider visiting the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to learn about groundbreaking research in particle physics.
Shopping
Geneva is a shopping paradise, offering high-end boutiques, luxury brands, and traditional Swiss watchmakers. The main shopping district is around Rue du Rhône.
Versace store
Swiss Cuisine
Treat yourself to delicious Swiss cuisine. Try fondue, raclette, rösti, and, of course, Swiss chocolate!
Restaurant l’Entrecôte Couronnée
The city has excellent public transportation, including trams, buses, and boats, making it easy to get around.
* Geneva can be quite expensive, so plan your budget accordingly.
Map
Related
- High up in the clouds: Aiguille du Midi
- geneve.com – the official guide