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Geneva, the elegant and charming cosmopolitan city with the sweeping lake and exquisite backdrop of the snow-covered Alps and Jura mountains, is the capital of the Romandie area of Switzerland, the second-most-populous city in Switzerland (after Zurich). Its close proximity to France gives Geneva its distinct Swiss/French quality, and it is by far the largest French-speaking city in Switzerland.
Located in the Rhône Valley at the southwestern corner of Lake, the city is perfect for exploring the surrounding countryside, its parks and promenades. Walk Geneva's cobblestone streets. Catch the sweeping views from St-Pierre and pink flamingos in the Botanical Gardens. Visit one of the cafés at Place du Molard or Place de la Fusterie. Explore Lake Geneva via an unforgettable, two-hour boat cruise. Ride the gondola up Geneva's backyard mountain, the Saleve, and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps and the city below. Sample Geneva's most international districts, Paquis and Les Grottes, located just north and east of Gare Cornavin or stroll through the Mediterranean-style suburb of Carouge, with its bustling streets and many shaded squares, trendy boutiques, antiques and curious dealers, restaurants and bistros. And don't forget the shopping and ethnic restaurants.
Geneva is a city with a multi-cultural, even international flair. It boasts more than thirty museums and art galleries and serves as a base to more than 250 international organizations, including the European headquarters for the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Red Cross.
When to Go: Geneva's summer weather is quite pleasant but obviously attracts the largest crowds. Best time to visit is May, June, September and October. The city's lake and the surrounding mountains are simply delightful in the bright winter sunshine and the color-rich seasons of spring and autumn. Winters are charming, with temperatures hovering not much over zero. Ski season is from November to April.
Featured Five Star Super-Luxury Hotel
Five Star Luxury Hotels
Hotel Beau-Rivage
Quai du Mont-Blanc 13, Geneva
+41.22.716.66.66 www.beau-rivage.ch
Founded by the Mayer family in 1865, the Beau-Rivage is sought out by guests looking for a traditional luxury which has sacrificed nothing of its refined discretion and its intimacy. The hotel, legendary for being the place where Empress Sissi and the great men and women of history have left their mark, has been at the forefront of hospitality for more than four generations.
Hotel Crown Plaza
Route François-Peyrot 34, Geneva
+ 41.22.747.02.02 www.crowneplaza.ch
Switzerland's largest hotel, just minutes from the international airport, Geneva's Congress Center, the city center and Lake Geneva.
Hotel de la Paix
Quai du Mont-Blanc 11, Geneva
+41.22.909.60.00 www.hoteldelapaix.ch
Sitting majestically by the shore of Lake enjoying sweeping views of snow capped Mont Blanc, the historic and prestigious Hotel de la Paix offers a unique environment where tradition and period elegance mingle harmoniously with contemporary charm.
La Réserve Hotel & Spa
Route de Lausanne 301, Bellevue, Geneva
+41.22.959.59.59 www.lareserve.ch
A new spirit emanates over one of Geneva's most mythical hotels, in the heart of a beautiful 10-acre park on the shores of Lake Geneva, just 2.8 miles from the city center. The hotel has regained its majesty, inspired by the talented Jacques Garcia.
Hotel Intercontinental
Chemin Petit-Saconnex 7-9, Geneva
+41.22.91.93.939 www.intercontinental.com/geneva
InterContinental is a stately, 18-storey tower in the centre of the diplomatic district.
Hotel Président Wilson
Quai du Président-Wilson 47, Geneva
+41.22.906.66.66 www.hotelpwilson.com
Overlooking the imposing panorama of Geneva harbor and Mont Blanc, located in the very center of the city, and in an exceptionally beautiful setting, this luxurious palace is a perfect example of the art of creating elegance.
Hotel d'Angleterre
Quai du Mont-Blanc 17, Geneva
+41.22.906.55.55 www.dangleterrehotel.com
Its blend of old-world charm, impeccable service, cosmopolitan surroundings, and 21st-century technology attracts top-ranking diplomats, Alpine adventurers, high-flying business men and women, and carefree families.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel du Rhône
Quai Turrettini 1, Geneva
+41.22.909.00.00 www.mandarinoriental.com/geneva
A luxury hotel located on the right bank of the River Rhone, minutes from 's financial institutions, premier shops and galleries. Its refurbished interiors are superbly stylish, preserving the fine art deco details. Business and leisure guests enjoy Mandarin Oriental's legendary service by the leisurely flow of the River Rhone.
Grand Hotel Kempinski
Quai du Mont-Blanc 19, Geneva
+41.22.908.90.81 www.kempinski-geneve.com
The hotel's refurbishment in 2006 made the lake the reference point of all public areas and aimed to blur the border between building and water. The restaurants, bar and lounge as well as the rooms reflect the lake's color scheme within the decor and design. And, to top it all, the famous Kempinski-style service, inherited from over 110 years' experience in European luxury.
Le Richemond
Rue Adhémar-Fabri 8-10, Geneva
+41.22.715.70.00 www.lerichemond.com
Recently acquired by The Rocco Forte Collection, this prestigious hotel has held its prime position facing the famous Brunswick Gardens and overlooking the Alps, Lake Geneva, and the Old Town Cathedral for over 130 years.
Mövenpick Hotel & Casino
Route de Pré-Bois 20, Geneva
+41.22.717.11.11 www.moevenpick-geneva.com
Conveniently located near the airport, railway station and the Palexpo Exhibition Center, not quite 15 minutes from the center of Geneva, this is the perfect place for business and leisure travelers.
Swissotel Métropole Geneva
Quai Général-Guisan 34, Geneva
+41.22.318.32.00 www.swissotel.com/geneva
Facing lake Geneva, in the heart of the financial and shopping districts and a short walk from the Jet d'eau and the Old Town of Geneva, the hotel offers 111 deluxe guest rooms and 16 luxurious suites, that have been completely renovated without compromising on comfort and exclusive design.
Five Star Luxury Boutique Hotels
Hotel les Armures
Rue Puits-St-Pierre 1, Geneva
+41.22.310.91.72 www.hotel-les-armures.ch
A unique luxury hotel located in the heart of Geneva's old town, the Hotel-Restaurant Les Armures is a magnificent 17th century residence situated 5 minutes from the lake, local shops and the business district, boasting a refinement and warmth that attracts and retains the affection of a clientele seeking style, comfort and a calm ambiance.
Hotel de la Cigogne
Place Longemalle 17, Geneva
+ 41.22.818.40.40 www.cigogne.ch
You will find in this sumptuous residence of the beginning of the 20th century a peaceful and original environment made of a subtle mixture of timeless elegance and contemporary art.
Parc Des Eaux-Vives
Quai Gustave-Ador 82, Geneva
+ 41.22.849.75.75 www.parcdeseauxvives.ch
The five unique guest rooms and two suites in this entirely renovated historic mansion facing the lake, offer pure luxury and personalized service.
Featured Restaurants
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Il Lago
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
Quai des Bergues 33, Geneva
+41.22.908.7000
Overlooking the lively Place des Bergues, Il Lago offers the finest Northern Italian cuisine, and exceptional Italian, French and Swiss wines, including an exclusive selection from several boutique vineyards. |
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Sapori at Le Richemond
Jardin Brunswick, Geneva
+41.22.715.7100 www.lerichemond.com/dining
Sapori offers a cornucopia of Italian cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Pietro Amato. The decor is both contemporary and eclectic. |
FINE DINING
Restaurant Parc des Eaux-Vives
Quai Gustave-Ador 82, Geneva
+41.22.849.75.75 www.parcdeseauxvives.ch
Cuisine: French
Domaine de Châteauvieux
Chemin de Châteauvieux 16, Peney-Dessus, Satigny/Geneva
In the heart of Geneva's vineyards.
+41.22.753.15.11 www.chateauvieux.ch
Cuisine: International
Restaurant le Chat-Botté
Hôtel Beau-Rivage
Quai du Mont-Blanc 13, Geneva
+41.22.716.69.20 www.beau-rivage.ch
Cuisine: French
Auberge du Lion d'Or
Place Pierre-Gautier 5, Geneva
+41.22.736.44.32 www.liondor.ch
Cuisine: Seafood
Brasserie du Parc des Eaux-Vives
Quai Gustave-Ador 82, Geneva
+41.22.849.75.75 www.parcdeseauxvives.ch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Buffet de la Gare des Eaux-Vives
Avenue Gare des Eaux-Vives 7, Geneva
+41.22.840.44.30 www.lebuffetdelagare.ch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Spice's
Hotel Président Wilson
Quai Wilson 47, Geneva
+41.22.906.6666 www.hotelpwilson.com
Cuisine: Asian
Restaurant Vertig'O
Hôtel de la Paix
Quai du Mont-Blanc 11, Geneva
+41.22.909.60.00 www.hoteldelapaix.ch
Cuisine: French/Mediterranean
Restaurant Windows
Hôtel d'Angleterre
Quai du Mont-Blanc 17, Geneva
+41.22.906.55.55 www.hoteldangleterre.ch
Cuisine: International
Auberge de Landecy
Route du Prieur 37, Geneva
+41.22.771.41.41 www.auberge-de-landecy.ch
Cuisine: French
Auberge de Floris
Route d'Hermance 287, Anieres/Geneva
+41.22.751.20.20 www.lefloris.com
Cuisine: French
Restaurant Chez Jacky
Rue Necker 9, Geneva
+41.22.732.86.80 www.chezjacky.ch
Cuisine: Swiss
Restaurant la Broche
Rue du Stand 36, Geneva
+41.22.321.22.60 www.restaurantlabroche.ch
Cuisine: French
Restaurant l'Orangerie de la Perle du Lac
Rue de Lausanne 126, Geneva
+41.22.909.10.20 www.laperledulac.ch
Cuisine: Swiss
Café Rafael/Le Neptune
Mandarin Oriental Hôtel du Rhône
Quai Turrettini 1, Geneva
+41.22.909.00.06 www.mandarinoriental.com/geneva
Cuisine: Genevan/International
Restaurant Le Relais Bristol
Hôtel Bristol
Rue du Mont-Blanc 10, Geneva
+41.22.716.57.58 www.bristol.ch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Les Armures
Hotel Les Armures
Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre 1, Geneva
+41.22.310.34.42 www.hotel-les-armures.ch
Cuisine: Swiss/French
Restaurant Tsé Fung
La Réserve Geneva Hôtel & Spa
Route de Lausanne 301, Bellevue
+41.22.959.59.59 www.lareserve.ch
Cuisine: Chinese
Restaurant Vieux-Bois
Ecole Hôtelière
Avenue de la Paix 12, Geneva
+41.22.919.24.26 www.vieux-bois.ch
Cuisine: French/International
Restaurant la Chaumière
Chemin de la Fondelle 16, Troinex/Geneva
+41.22.784.30.66 www.lachaumiere.ch
Cuisine: French, Brasserie
Restaurant le Cigalon
Route d'Ambilly 39, Thônex/Geneva
+41.22.349.97.33 www.le-cigalon.ch
Cuisine: Seafood
GUIDED TOURS
Illico
Avenue Vilbert 12, 1227 Carouge, Geneva
+41.22.300.59.60 www.illico-travel.ch
gianna@illico-travel.ch
Gianna Loredan of Illico Travel and Business Services, a highly regarded professional multilingual guide-interpreter, provides personalized guided tours.
MUSEUMS & LANDMARKS
Musée Ariana
Av. de la Paix 10, Geneva
+41.22.418.54.50
The Ariana Museum contains prestigious collections of ceramics and glass. It is the only museum in Switzerland, and among the most important in Europe, devoted entirely to kilncraft.
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
Rue Charles-Galland 2, Geneva
+41.22.418.26.00
The Art & History Museum features works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso.
Musée Barbier-Mueller
Rue Jean-Calvin 10, Geneva
+41.22.312.02.70 www.barbier-mueller.ch
Founded in 1977, the Barbier-Mueller Museum is situated in the heart of the Old Town. Its aim is to preserve, study, and publish a collection begun by Josef Mueller in 1907 and carried on to this day by his heirs.
Bastions Park
Place Neuve
A former botanical garden and site of the first university in Geneva, the tree-lined Bastions Park is popular with students and abuzz with activity most hours of the day. A set of life-size chess boards at the north end of the park attracts chess-masters both young and old looking for a challenge. The Reformation Wall built along the old rampart wall of the Old Town pays tribute to the founders of the Reformation, forever immortalized in effigies along the wall.
Place Neuve
Rue de Hesse 8, Geneva
Built outside the former ramparts, the Place Neuve has become the focal point of culture. It comprises the Grand-Théâtre (opera), the reputed Conservatory of Music and the Rath Museum, internationally renowned for its temporary exhibitions. In the center of the square, a statue depicts general Henri Dufour, national hero and first to establish a map of Switzerland.
The Baur Collections
Rue Munier-Romilly 8, Geneva
+41.22.704.32.82
Switzerland's largest collection of Far Eastern art, housed in a 19th-century mansion.
Cathédrale St. Pierre
Cours St-Pierre 6, Geneva
+41.22.311.75.75 www.saintpierre-geneve.ch
Best known as the adopted home church of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. The area beneath the Cathedral has recently been excavated extensively, revealing a rich history of the site dating back to the time of the Roman Empire.
Parc des Eaux-Vives
This gorgeous park is located on the south side of Lake Geneva. A network of pathways meander through a natural environment consisting of large trees, colorful bushes and wild flowers.
Jardin Anglais
Located on the south shore of Lake Geneva, at the foot of Pont du Mont Blanc bridge, the English Garden is one of Geneva's most lively parks. Created in 1854 and regularly enlarged and embellished, its fountain was built in 1862 by the Parisian sculptor Alexis André and features a famous, 15-foot flower clock.
Fondation Martin Bodmer
Rte. de Guignard 19-21, Geneva
+41.22.707.44.33 www.fondationbodmer.org
Home of the Bodmer Papyri. Some of these papyri are among the oldest remaining copies of the New Testament. Some manuscripts are written in Greek, other in Coptic. It also houses a copy of the Gutenberg Bible. Martin Bodmer established the library in the mid twentieth century.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Av. de la Paix 17, Geneva
+41.22.748.95.25 www.micr.org
Tracing the history of the world's first humanitarian organization.
Jet d'Eau
Quai du Général-Guisan, Geneva
One of the world's largest fountains, the Jet d'Eau, or water-jet, is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It pumps water more than 140 meters into the air. It is best viewed at night, when it is beautifully illuminated.
Maison Tavel
Rue du Puits Saint-Pierre 6, Geneva
+41.22.418.37.00
Accessible to the public in its entirety, from the cellar to the attic, the Maison Tavel is dedicated to Geneva's urban history and domestic life. It houses permanent exhibitions of objects and images from the 16th to the 19th century.
Musée d'Art et Contemporain
Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, Geneva
+41.22.320.61.22 www.mamco.ch
With its program of exhibitions, performances and multimedia events, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art attempts to satisfy the growing public interest in art with its innovative agenda. It provides a unique forum for artists to reflect upon and experiment with the multi faceted aspects of culture. The museum also houses an art reference library with over 3000 works, as well as the Firmenich Children's Atelier.
Le Musée international de la Réforme
Rue du Cloître 4, Geneva
+ 41.22.310.24.31 www.musee-reforme.ch
The new International Museum of the Reformation presents the main spiritual and cultural elements of the Reformation. Unique objects, manuscripts, rare books, engravings, and paintings illustrate the close ties between Geneva and the Reformation.
Palais des Nations
Av. de la Paix 14, Geneva
+41.22.917.48.96 www.unog.ch
The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is the representative office of the UN in Geneva.
Patek Philippe Museum
Rue de Vieux Grenadiers 7, Geneva
+41.22.807.09.10 www.patekmuseum.com
One of the best collections of timepieces, belonging to one of the world's most venerated watchmakers.
Institut et Musée Voltaire
Rue des Délices 25, Geneva
+41.22.344.71.33 www.ville-ge.ch/imv
Since 1954, the Voltaire Institute and Museum has housed an important center of documentation and research on Voltaire and the 18th century.
PERFORMING ARTS
Delight in the sounds of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande or l'Orchestre de Chambre de Geneva in the exquisite Victoria Hall or the heavenly Bâtiment des Forces Motrices.
Lovers of jazz should not miss Le Contretemps, or the bustling neighborhood jazz and rock club, Le Chat Noir, in historic Carouge.
At the city's magnificent Grand Théâtre, you will find the home of the Opera and the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Geneva. For major shows and live musical venues check the listings at l'Arena and Grand-Casino.
Visit La Comédie de Geneva for classical plays, and the Theatre Saint-Gervais Geneva or Le Galpon for avant-garde theatre.
SHOPPING
Geneva sparkles with an assortment of elegant boutiques and department stores. You will have ample choices in this watch capital of the world, which is no less a center for exquisite jewelry. Sample the delectable creations of Geneva's master chocolate-makers. Choose the ultimate Swiss army knife. Find high quality Swiss and imported items. And don't forget to browse the antique and art shops pandering to the most exclusive tastes.
The pedestrian thoroughfare Rue du Marché is Geneva's busiest shopping street. You'll want to visit the five-story Globus department store. Window shop on Rue de Rive and Rue du Rhone.
In the Cornavin area, enter the Manor department store, which boasts a rooftop café with spectacular views. The Sardinian-style Carouge features interesting, handmade crafts from ceramics to truffles. Mingle with the locals at Plaine de Plainpalais, Geneva's largest outdoor flea market
Geneva boasts some of the world's most renowned auction houses, and it hosts many prominent art and antique dealers. During auction season (usually in May and November) there are many social events.
NIGHTLIFE
Geneva's rich nightlife distinguishes it from other Swiss cities. Whether in the Old Town or along the banks of the river and lake, you will find an array of bars, pubs, cafes, piano bars, and discos. |
