1. Lake Geneva: Undeniably the best sight you can visit in Geneva, Lake Geneva is a prominent attraction amidst the beauty of the town. The snow-capped Alps in the background reflect in the untouched waters, making for an inexplicably gorgeous view.
As you go boating or surfing along the calm waters you enjoy the scenic city going past. Not only does the lake connect you to the other end of the town, but it also ferries you across to other lakeside towns like Lausanne and Montreux. If you want to enjoy a luxurious experience on the waters, opt for a boat cruise.
Location: North of the Alps
Entry Fee/Price: Free
Timings: 24 hours
2. St Pierre Cathedral: Dating back to the 12th century, this Romanesque church at the highest point of Geneva offers beautiful views of the lake and town when you climb to the top of the tower.
Designed in Gothic style, the interiors comprise a galleried nave, aisles separated by massive piers for the choir, and huge stained glass windows. Excavations below the church reveal a labyrinth of Roman mosaics and sanctuaries dating back to the 4th century.
Location: Place du Bourg-de-Four 24, 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: Free
3. Jardin Anglais (English Garden) and Parc de la Grange: One of the brightest and most beautiful sights you can visit in Geneva is the picturesque Jardin Anglais, which is home to a large flower clock. As seasonal flowers that make up the face of the clock change, so does the clock face, which is why this is considered a marvellous work of art.
Set on a slight slope, the clock can be spotted from the south side of the lake. Along the park, you’ll also find the National Monument and a little further is the Parc de la Grange with beautiful landscapes and a bright rose-garden bed.
Location: Quai du Général-Guisan 34, 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: Free
Timings: 24 Hours
4. Jardin Botanique (Botanical Gardens): Established over a century ago, the Jardin Botanique is replete with greenhouses, gardens and a conservatory that is about 28 hectares wide.
The botanical space features at least 12,000 species of plants and trees, some of which are an alpine garden, a herbarium which is among the largest in the world, and a small area for wildlife conservation where fallow deer and other fauna reside.
Location: Chemin de l'Impératrice 1, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: 2CHF/hour during weekdays, 1CHF per hour during weekends and holidays
5. Place du Bourg-de-Four: Geneva’s oldest city square, Place du Bourg-de-Four has a charming atmosphere and is always bustling with activity, be it the locals or tourists who flock here.
This area once sheltered refugees, but today, it is home to numerous markets and is dotted with cafes and restaurants where locals and tourists hang out spending a good amount of time. While the eateries and souvenir shops form the square, at the centre is the 18th century fountain and a statue of Clementine.
Location: 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: Free
Timings: 24 hours
6. Palais des Nations: If you haven’t visited the monumental Palais des Nations, your trip to Geneva is incomplete. The large marble building is the European headquarters of the United Nations, and is the largest UN centre after New York.
You can take a guided tour of the venue to understand what activities and works that are carried out here and why it is regarded as a centre of world diplomacy. Tour through the spacious Assembly Hall that can seat more than 2000 people at a time, and behold the beauty of the Alps from the lobby of the building.
Look up and be enthralled by the beautiful ceiling paintings in a combination of gold and sepia, explore the library to learn about every country across the world. Walk out through the heavily gilded bronze doors, with an immense amount of world knowledge.
Location: 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: CHF 15. - per person
7. Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (Art and History Museum): Amongst Switzerland’s three largest museums is the Art and History Museum located in Geneva. It features exceptional collections of fine art and archeology that makes for a beautiful blend of architecture and paintings.
Along with other artefacts are also a couple of weapons from the Greek and Roman era, Middle Eastern antiques, Etruscan pottery and much more. Various arts from the Gothic and Renaissance periods are also displayed here. If you’re an art connoisseur or an enthusiast, this is a must-see when on a trip in Geneva.
Location: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: CHF 10.50 for adults and CHF 7.50 for seniors and students ages 18 to 25
Timings: Tues-Fri 2 pm - 6 pm; Saturday - 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday-Monday Closed
8. Patek Philippe Museum: There’s more than what meets the eye at the Patek Philippe Museum. The brand that is globally renowned as the finest watchmaker, caters to your desire to study watches at its spacious museum.
There are timepieces here that date back to the 19th century, and these comprise automated musical devices, miniatures, technical watches and enamelled ones from Turkey and China. Some of these even date back to the 16th century and make for exemplary pieces of workmanship. Make sure you look up at the walls to admire miniature works of art.
Location: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: Adults: CHF 10; Students and Seniors: CHF 7
9. Ariana Museum: A thorough work of art, the Ariana Museum has more than 25000 pieces of ceramic and glassware from all across Europe. Some of these exquisite pieces also belong to the Middle and Far East.
While the architecture of the venue boasts of neoclassical and baroque styles, the objects depict a history of ceramics down the ages, culminating into a visually appealing gallery which is commonly referred to as the International Academy of Ceramics.
Location: Avenue de la Paix 10, 1202 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: Free
Timings: Tues-Sun 10 am to 6 pm. Monday Closed
10. Quai du Mont-Blanc: Along the Rive Droite, is the beautiful sight of Quai du Mont-Blanc with a view of the Mont-Blanc mountain chain in the background. When Empress Elisabeth of Austria was assassinated in 1898, a monument was built here in her memory.
Apart from that, this lakeside promenade is prettified by the Brunswick Monument, the large Palais Wilson, vibrant flower gardens, outdoor art exhibitions and statues among other sights. All in all, Quai du Mont-Blanc is a great place to relax and take a peaceful stroll along, with the view of Lake Geneva in the distance.
Location: 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Entry Fee/Price: N/A (separate prices for the sights along the promenade)
Timings: 24 hours
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