Geneva, Switzerland Travel Guide: The Best Things to See, Do & Eat

Geneva is one of those cities that feels effortlessly beautiful. Set beside the sparkling waters of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the Alps, it combines stunning scenery, elegant streets, historic landmarks and a fantastic food scene. Whether you're visiting Switzerland for a weekend getaway or using it as a base to explore Switzerland, there's plenty to see and experience.

I recently spent time exploring Geneva for a couple of days, as we flew into the main city from London before heading off to the main Alps as our starting point. Since there are some main attractions you can catch, like the famous Jet d'Eau and the charming Old Town, it quickly became one of those destinations where you can walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. If you're planning a trip to Geneva anytime soon, here's my guide to some of the best things to see, do and eat.

📍 Getting Around Geneva

One of the best things about Geneva is how easy it is to explore. The majority of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other, particularly around the Old Town, Lake Geneva and the city centre.

The city has an excellent public transport network, including trams, buses and boats. Top Tip: If you're staying in a hotel, check whether your accommodation provides a Geneva Transport Card, which can make getting around even easier. You can save yourself ££ for travelling within Geneva. However, we walked everywhere and only took the tram a few times. As you get to experience the viewpoints, streets and cafes around.

💦 See the Famous Jet d'Eau

No trip to Geneva is complete without seeing the Jet d'Eau. Standing around 140 metres high, this enormous water fountain has become one of Geneva's most recognisable landmarks. It sits on Lake Geneva and is particularly impressive when viewed from the lakeside promenade. For the best experience, walk along the waterfront and take your time enjoying the views across the lake. On a clear day, you can see the surrounding mountains in the distance, making it an excellent spot for photographs and videos.

Tip: Take a walk along the lake around sunset. The changing light over the water makes the area look completely different.

🏛️ Explore Geneva Old Town

Geneva's Old Town is a spot to explore, as historic streets are filled with beautiful buildings, small shops, cafés and hidden corners.

One of the highlights was St Pierre Cathedral, which dates back centuries and dominates the Old Town. One of the best things to do is climb the towers for panoramic views across Geneva. You need the leg power to climb, as it is tough, but the views are nice once you're at the top. From the top, you can see Lake Geneva, the Old Town and, on a clear day, the Alps.

If you enjoy photography, this is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Place du Bourg-de-Four is another lovely stop. It is one of the oldest squares in Geneva and is surrounded by restaurants, cafés and historic buildings.

🌸 Jardin Anglais

Another beautiful place to visit is the Jardin Anglais, or English Garden, known for its flower clock. As you walk around the lake, you will spot different areas and hidden gems like this. Located beside Lake Geneva, the park is home to walking paths, flower displays and one of the city's most photographed landmarks.

The clock combines Geneva's watchmaking heritage with beautiful seasonal flowers. It's a quick stop but definitely worth seeing while exploring the lakefront.

🪑 See the Famous Broken Chair Monument

One of Geneva's most unusual and recognisable landmarks is the Broken Chair sculpture at Place des Nations. Standing over 12 metres tall, the giant wooden chair has a broken leg and was created as a symbol of opposition to landmines and cluster bombs. The sculpture is located directly opposite the United Nations Office at Geneva, making it an easy stop to combine with the headquarters of the United Nations.

📸 Photo tip: Stand a little further back and include the entire chair in the frame to capture its impressive size.

🌿 Explore Geneva Botanical Garden

If you want to escape the busy city streets, from the Broken Chair monument head over to Geneva Botanical Garden, officially known as the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva. A 10-minute walk from the Palais des Nations down the same road.

The gardens cover a large area and feature an impressive collection of plants from around the world. There are beautifully landscaped gardens, greenhouses, trees and peaceful walking paths, making it a lovely place to slow down and enjoy some greenery. The garden also has a small zoo to see animals like deers and much more.

Tip: Allow at least an hour if you want to explore the gardens properly rather than simply passing through.

🌊 Where Two Rivers Meet: Rhône & Arve - La Jonction

One of the most fascinating natural sights in Geneva is La Jonction, where the Rhône and Arve rivers meet. This is something a little different from Geneva's famous landmarks and definitely worth visiting if you have extra time. When I visited, there were lots of people swimming and just lying down having a good time, as the weather was hot.

The two rivers have noticeably different colours, creating a striking contrast where they come together. The Rhône generally appears clearer and more blue-green, while the Arve can look much more milky or grey because it carries glacial sediment from the Alps. There are viewpoints around La Jonction where you can see the contrast clearly and take some great photographs.

📸 Photo tip: Visit during daylight when the difference between the two rivers is easiest to see.

🧱 Visit the Reformation Wall

The impressive monument was built to commemorate the Protestant Reformation and features large statues of key figures from the movement, including John Calvin, William Farel, Theodore Beza and John Knox.

Even if you're not particularly interested in religious history, the monument is worth visiting for its scale, architecture and historical importance. The Reformation Wall is also located in Parc des Bastions, a lovely green space in the heart of Geneva. It's a great place to take a relaxed walk after exploring the Old Town.

Final Thoughts

Geneva may not be the first Swiss destination that comes to mind when planning a trip to Switzerland, but it deserves a place on your itinerary.

The combination of Lake Geneva, the Alps, historic streets, Swiss food, chocolate and elegant city life makes it a really enjoyable destination for a short 1- or 2-day break. What I particularly liked about Geneva is that you don't necessarily need a packed itinerary. Some of the best moments come from simply walking around, stopping for food, taking in the lake views and exploring the city's different neighbourhoods. The city can be expensive, but if you budget smartly or don't eat at restaurants, then you can manage your way. Supermarkets truly become your go-to, as those are your reasonable options.

If you're planning a trip around Switzerland, I'd definitely consider adding Geneva, even if it's just for a couple of days.

Have you been to Geneva? Let me know your favourite place in the comments!