Geneva
Geneva is situated in the heart of Europe and is one of the world’s best known destinations. The city is at the tip of Lake Geneva which is Europe’s biggest lake, and nestled between rolling hills, vineyards, and snowcapped mountains. This smallest of the world’s metropolises is a paradise for luxury shopping and high-end accommodation, and is among the top three cities in the world in terms of quality of life. It is also referred to as peace capital of the world and hosts more than 3500 events per year.
Geneva is cosmopolitan, cultured, immaculate, and among Europe's most interesting cities to visit offering a wide variety of attractions and activities.
Discover Geneva
Due to Geneva’s small size it is easy to get around this beautiful and historical city. Visitors will leave with a multitude of unforgettable memories and will long to come back soon. The charm of Geneva is hard to resist!
Tourist Office Geneva
Rue du Mont-Blanc 18, 1201 Geneva, Tel. 022 909 7000, www.geneve-tourisme.ch/
Geneva Transportation Card
Upon arrival at the Geneva Airport, visitors can pick up a ticket that allows them 80 minutes of free public transport in Geneva. Ask your hotel upon check-in for the free Geneva Transportation Card for the duration of your stay.
Geneva Card (http://www.geneva-pass.com/index.php)
The Geneva Pass entitles its holders to free transportation, entries, gifts and up to 50% off insome locations. It is one of the best value city cards in Europe for 1, 2 or 3 days. You may ask your hotel to assist you with getting the Geneva Card. Cost approx. US $25 per person.
Highlights
Take a peaceful walk along the spectacular waterfront through a few of Geneva’s beautiful parks. Then head to Geneva’s Old Town, which is home to the St. Peters Cathedral, the Reformation Wall, and the Museum of the Reformation. The many boutiques and cafés make for a lively atmosphere. Carouge, Geneva’s Mediterranean style “Greenwich Village”, is located on the other side of the river. During the summer months, tourists should not miss local culture by taking a refreshing swim at The Paquis Bath, Geneva’s own city beach, with the best view of the Water Fountain. Geneva is also Switzerland 3rd largest wine producing area, and home to the Patek Philippe Museum. Geneva is also the location where scientists at the CERN are studying the mysteries of particle physics.
Geneva Greeters
New in 2015: Locals give free guided tours of Geneva. For more info: www.genevagreeters.com
City Guides Geneva – Smart Phone Apps
i Tunes - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/city-guide-geneve/id393836858?mt=8
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myswitzerland.cityguide.geneve
The essentials of Geneva
1) The 140 m (459 ft) high, iconic Water Fountain which soars above the city
2) A stroll through the Old Town, including the Reformation Wall
3) The giant Flower Clock, symbol of Geneva’s watch industry with 7,000 seasonal flowers
4) The monumental sculpture of the Broken Chair at the majestic Place des Nations
5) The capital of peace, hosting the world famous Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Jet d'eau (Water Fountain)
In 1891, the City of Geneva decided to install the Jet d'eau (Water Fountain) where it is today, on the Rade, together with electric lighting. Projecting half a cubic meter of water per second up to 140 meters high requires two powerful groups of motor pumps, which represent a global weight of over 16 tons and a total power of close to 1000 kilowatts. The water is drawn in a circular water-sump and is directed towards an exit pipe where the speed reaches 200 km/h (130 miles per hour).
Old Town / Reformation Wall
Geneva’s Old Town (Vieille Ville) contains some of the city’s most memorable attractions, including the Barbier-Mueller Museum, the Cathédrale St-Pierre, and the Maison Tavel. It is also the site of the International Museum of the Reformation, which underlines Geneva’s importance in the great religious upheavals of the 16th century, particularly through the work of French theologian John Calvin, who lived and preached here. However, this historically significant district offers much more than just indoor pursuits; exploring the area on foot is a pleasure, with a number of the narrow, winding streets being closed to traffic and numerous cafes offering refueling options along the way. The beautiful Place du Bourg-de-Four is the traditional center of the Old Town and a great place to enjoy an early evening drink.
The reformation wall is located on Rue de la Croix-Rouge (Red Cross Street), in the Parque de Bastions. Geneva Tourism has tour guides which can guide you on an interesting walk and provide you with much more historical information. You can also find walking maps via this link or contact the guides directly for prices and bookings at guides@geneva-tourism.ch.
Flower Clock
A symbol of the Geneva watch industry, the famous flower clock has been located at the edge of the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) since 1955. It is a masterpiece of technology and floral art. Formerly only decorative with its sole dial comprising over 6,500 flowers, the new millennium provided it with decisive artistic dimensions thanks to the ingenuity of the gardeners of the Service of Green Spaces and the Environment. It is now composed of eight concentric circles, the colors of which vary with the seasons and the plants which make up the display.
Broken Chair
The 3-legged chair in Geneva looms opposite the "Palais des Nations". Standing at 12 metres high, the Broken Chair is a reminder of the tragedy caused to human lives and limbs by land mines.
Red Cross Museum
The Red Cross Museum shows photos, films, objects, and documents are presented through audio-visual displays and computer terminals. The unique setting of the area plunges you into the thick of current actions and gives you access to the latest news from the field. The Café Dunant is a multimedia area which provides information on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in an interactive and entertaining way.
Excursions
Mount Saleve
A hike up the Saleve, the chain of hills that skirts Geneva in France, is a wonderful excursion. Riding a cable car is another way to sample the mountain's incredible views of Geneva, the French Alps, and the lake.
Berne – Capital of Switzerland
Berne, Switzerland's captivating Capital is only a 2 hour rail trip from Geneva. This is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Attractions include the famous clock tower, the newly recreated bear park - home to Berne's heraldic animals - and excellent shopping arcades.
Lausanne
Lausanne is a truly elegant city on Lake Geneva, less than an hour train ride from Geneva. Its hillside setting on the lake and facing the Alps is truly spectacular. Lausanne is a university city with a vibrant student population. The Swiss Hotel School is located here, as well as the International Olympic Committee headquarters, which has a fascinating Museum on the Olympics with all kinds of exhibits and a library of Olympic videos.
Lavaux Wine Region
This lovely area is just one hour away from Geneva was dedicated as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2007. For millenniums, the hills facing Lake Geneva and the Alps were uncultivated until man transformed them into vineyards. This region which is bursting with sunshine is eye-catching and captures the imagination.
Entertainment
Opera House
The Geneva Opera House is one of the best known in Switzerland and all of Europe. A varied program has made it one of the city's most-frequented cultural institutions. Its reputation has grown steadily throughout the world ever since it opened in 1876.
Shopping
There are some very nice streets in Geneva that are a must for shoppers: Rue Basses, Rue du Rhone, Rue de la Confédération, Rue du Marché, Rue de la Croix-d'Or, and Rue du Mont-Blanc. These streets are home to dozens of watch stores, elegant fashion stores, department stores, and boutiques with top quality products. There's an excellent web site by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry with great information, including links to watch brands.
Favarger Chocolate Boutique
Favarger Chocolates is the oldest Swiss Chocolate factory, established in 1826. Leading up to its creation, a watchmaker fell in love with the daughter of a chocolate maker from Geneva. By marrying her, he also embraced the chocolate making profession, which he learnt alongside her father. This love story continued through seven generations of the Favarger family, which included ,men and women driven by exacting standards, a desire for independence and a sense of loyalty. Their store is located at Quai des Bergues 19 in downtown.
Museums, International Organizations & Art
International Organizations
Geneva has always been a friendly city and is very international. This is confirmed by the presence on its soil of 17 international organizations, around 150 non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and 140 permanent missions to the United Nations and over 400 international companies. The European home of the United Nations is located at the Palais des Nations and the Museum of the League of Nations and the Rockerfeller Library are just next to it. Geneva is also the founding city and home to the International Red Cross.
Patek Philippe Museum
This watch museum is composed of 4 floors. Watches from the 16th to 19th century can be admired alongside models from the present. Opening times: Tuesday to Friday, 2 pm to 6 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. Closed on national holidays. Guided tours by appointment. Free entrance with a Swiss Rail Pass: Take the buses 1 and 4, bus stop Ecole-de-Médecine. Address: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205 Geneva.
Art Galleries
Geneva is home to more than 100 Art Galleries which are spread over the entire city.
Restaurants
Edelweiss Manotel – Celebrating traditional Swiss Cuisine (55, rue Rothschild - 022 544 3838)
Le Patio – French gourmet cuisine, Mediterranean influence (19, Boulevard Helvétique – 022 736 6675)
Arabesque – Lebanese cuisine in charming ambiance (Quai Wilson 47 – 022 906 6763)
Café de Negociants – Hip Crowd – self-consciously cool (Fue de la Filature – 022 300 3130)
Chez Kai – Chinese at its best! (Route de Malagnou – 022 346 47 89)