First glance at the city after deboarding a bus from Milan set the expectations right away! Yes, Geneva exuded a class that no other city that I had been before October 2018. The streets, the buildings, the lakefront, and the people- everything was so classy, elegant and beautiful. As if a supreme architect and a fine designer had sat down to curate every element of the city before putting them into their respective places! However, it was not only the things to ‘see’, but the things to ‘do’ as well; Geneva had so much to offer! Here’s an article sharing our experiences in the Swiss capital with tips on best Geneva experiences not to miss.
The beautiful Lake Geneva at the center of the city, a spectacular cityscape, aura of a global financial powerhouse, gorgeous parks, that wonderful balance of the new world and the old world, and much more. Our 2018 autumn trip to Geneva is a cherished memory.
{Read on more of our European experiences: Amsterdam || Florence || Paris}
A short history of Geneva:
Geneva’s history and heritage goes back to a period around 500 BC when it was a fortified settlement of the Allobrogian Celts. In the first/ second BC, it became part of the Roman empire. Thereafter, it changed hands from one empire to the other, especially because of its strategic location. It was only in the middle ages, particularly in 1535, it became an independent republic, and gained full freedom in 1602.
The middle ages saw the Reformist movement in Geneva and attracted protestant refugee leaders from across Europe to such an extent that it got the title of “Protestant Rome”! This period also saw flow of watch makers, jewelers, and other craftsmen to Geneva, which later made Geneva world-famous.
Geneva joined Switzerland in 1814, and soon became a major financial hub in the world. In more recent times, establishment of Red Cross, European HQ of the UN, and many other international organizations gave Geneva a reputation of world’s Peace Capital.
A beautiful autumn in Geneva
Before my first travel outside of India, if someone had asked me to choose only one country to see, I would have chosen Switzerland. The images from those Yash Chopra movies had their effect on me. And I’m sure I wasn’t alone from my generation to have this feeling. In fact, Switzerland has a craze among Indians in general. Just see how many “mini-Switzerland” are there across India! Wherever there is a beautiful meadow, people call it “mini-Switzerland”!
So, when we sat in a bus that night from Milan to Geneva, my excitement knew no bound. We deboarded in Geneva around 7 AM and checked in at Geneva hostel, a very nice and popular hostel.
Our first experience of autumn:
Being born in eastern India, and having lived thereafter in western India, I had only read about autumn season in books. Same for Parina, born and brought up in western India. Though autumn is felt a little bit in north India (where we live now), it’s nowhere near as autumn is supposed to be.
It was only when we entered Geneva that day, and ventured towards the UN head quarters area and beyond, we first came across ‘autumn’ in our lives. Leaves of plane trees and cedar trees (all trees, in fact) turning bright yellow, orange and red was a sight to behold.
The breathtaking autumn landscape of the city, especially around lake Geneva was beyond our imagination. This was perhaps the best of Geneva experiences, and coming right at the beginning of the trip, it set the tone well. One day, I would love to see Switzerland in spring time too.
Not only the colours, but the weather was also pleasant, not too hot and not too cold, just perfect for outdoors. We had the best of times and best experiences in Geneva.
Our best Geneva experiences
Geneva offers all kinds of travel experiences; a lot of history and heritage, great modern day city vibes, and spectacular scenic views. I have chosen our best Geneva experiences to share with you. At the end of the article, I will also list a few that we haven’t experienced, but one may choose as per their interest or time on hand.
One question we generally come across- “Is Geneva too expensive”? The answer is partly yes. As they say, if it’s Switzerland, it’s got to be expensive. But what they don’t tell you is that the best Geneva experiences are mostly free! Here we go.
1. A stroll by the lake Geneva
Undoubtedly, the first among the best Geneva experiences is a stroll by Lake Geneva. We loved walking the stretch of lakefront from La Perle du Lac park to the Bains des Parquis. With classy buildings on one side, and the lake on the other, and not too many tourists around, it was a pleasant walk.
Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Switzerland, which it shares with France. River Rhone originates from the Rhone glacier, and passes through the lake Geneva, and thus also passes through the Geneva city. In fact, the river forms the dividing line between the old and new parts of the city.
Lake Geneva is at the center of all attractions in Geneva. All the major parks, big hotels, happening restaurants and bars, are all around the lake. Apart from walking by the lake, one may choose to indulge in various interesting activities as well; here’s a list of things that we loved.
{If you love cities with lakes at the center of attraction, have a read: Lake city Udaipur}
Bains des Paquis (Or, Paquis Baths):
It’s one of the most happening places in Geneva for sure. With a lovely beach surrounding the peninsula, and several bathing options, one can spend a lot of leisure time there. There are two saunas that open only during the winter. Entry to the Bains des Paquis area is free during winter (12 Sep-10 May), and for a fee during summer (11 May- 11 Sep).
The beach, together with the baths and a restaurant, definitely make this place one of the best experiences in Geneva. Though we didn’t take a bath (because October was not that tempting for a bath) there, we enjoyed having a dinner in the evening with a great night view of the city around the lake.
Boat cruise in Lake Geneva:
There are four docks in Geneva from where one can take a lovely boat cruise in Lake Geneva; these are Paquis, Mont Blanc, Jardin Anglais, and Eaus-Vives. The round tours are mostly 1-4 hours; one can disembark and embark again at a few places along the coast.
Jet d’Eau fountain:
Another lovely hangout place in the Lake Geneva area is the Jet d’Eau, a large fountain. Installed in 1891, it has become an important landmark in the city. Water coming down from 140 meters (~460ft) high, and at 200 kms/hr speed, is a fascinating sight. It adds to the overall image of the city as it keeps operating throughout the day, every day.
However, Jet d’Eau was neither originally built as a fountain, nor it was meant for tourism. It started as an engineering problem for the city to tackle, and ultimately became a show stopper.
Want to know more about the history of the great fountain? Here is a lovely article: “The story of Jet d’Eau“
2. Experiences of the Geneva Old City
The old part of any city is where my travel interest lies first. After treating the eyes to the colours of autumn and the scenic views of Lake Geneva, it was time to head to the Old City. This was my favorite among all the best Geneva experiences. The old city is spread over a small hill overlooking the lake Geneva. The view of Geneva from up there, especially from the Treille Promenade is spectacular.
We spent a good part of the day, till the evening, walking around and exploring heritage buildings. Among these buildings, two were of special importance- St. Peter’s Cathedral and Maison Travel.
St. Peter’s/ St. Pierre Cathedral:
The first thing on our list of things to do in the old city was the St. Peter’s Cathedral (English), or St. Pierre Cathedral (French). The Cathedral was first built between 1160 and 1252 AD, replacing an old basilica from the 6th century.
In 1535, most interiors of the cathedral were destroyed when the Reformation movement set in Geneva. The 64-meter-high impressive building stands in a congested area with many old structures adjacent to each other.
Maison Travel/ Travel House:
While walking around the old city, we came across the Maison Travel, a small museum housed in an old building. The house is said to be the oldest surviving house in Geneva built in the 12th century. The owner of the house- the Maison family had reconstructed it after a major fire in 1334.
Geneva authorities bought the house from the Maison family, and made it into a museum of history in 1963. Since then, it has been showcasing maps, furniture, artifacts, models, paintings, etc from the middle ages through the 19th century. We particularly loved a presentation of the history of the city in an audio-visual form.
Treille Promenade:
Just on the outskirts of the old city, behind the Town Hall, is the popular Treille Promenade. It appeared to be a happening place with locals hanging out through the length of the promenade.
We enjoyed a lovely sunset here while talking to the locals lazing around. It offers a panoramic view of Geneva surrounded by hills, the monuments of the city lying below it, and the parks.
The longest wooden bench (120 meters) in the world is said to be placed there (since 1767). However, it’s contested by a few other countries as well- France, Spain and Russia all claim to have the longest wooden bench! No matter what is the truth, it’s a lovely place to soak in the sunset vibes. We did sit on the bench, and took a picture! Doing these touristy things are fun, aren’t they?
Besides, a local told us that the ‘official’ chestnut tree is just there. What it means is that the arrival of first leaves on that tree is announced as the onset of spring in Geneva every year.
3. Relax in the parks of Geneva
Like all over Europe, Geneva also boasts some of the most extraordinary parks and gardens. As I said above, it was autumn and the parks were at their colourful best, and we had a visual feast. Parks are for sure among the best experiences to have in Geneva.
The best parks of Geneva include Geneva Botanical Gardens || La Perle du Lac || Bastions Park (Parc des Bastions) || Parc de Trembley || Parc la Grange || and English Garden (Jardin Anglais).
Geneva Botanical Gardens:
We especially loved the iconic Geneva Botanical Gardens, or as they say in Geneva- Jardin Botanique. Situated just beside the United Nations, we found it convenient to visit the park after visiting the UN.
The sheer variety of trees, the landscaping, playgrounds, and magical colours were mesmerizing. Would you believe, it has some 16000 species of flora? For such an expansive park, it’s good that they have a cafe inside.
La Perle du Lac:
La Perle du Lac and the adjacent Park Moynier, on the edge of Lake Geneva, is perhaps the most scenic of them all. The waterfront is just perfect to take a stroll, at any time of the day with the park on one side, and the lake on the other. On a clear day, one can get a glimpse of Mont Blanc from the park.
Bastions Park:
Parc des Bastions / Bastions Park is near the University of Geneva in the old city, just next to the Place de Neuve. Owing to its location, it’s particularly popular among the students and keeps busy throughout the day. The promenades lined with trees are really picturesque.
Entering the gates of the park, the one thing that attracted our attention first was the giant chase boards where visitors were enthusiastically engaged in a game of chase. We were quite amused to see players picking up huge black and white chess pieces for making their moves.
The park was Geneva’s first botanical garden, and boasts of more than 50 varieties of rare trees. Apart from the lawns and trees, there are cafes and restaurants to hangout.
Inside the park is one of Geneva’s most important monuments- the Reformation Wall (below).
Though we are very fond of parks and gardens, we couldn’t visit some good ones:
English Garden (Jardin Anglais): Near Jet d’Eau; famous for its Flower Clock. This is the one garden we really would have loved to visit!
Parc de Trembley: The park with the best view of Mont Blanc.
Parc La Grange: The largest park in Geneva.
4. Visit the Reformation Wall
If Geneva’s reputation as a center of excellence in craftsmanship was established by innumerable artisans immigrating from other countries, its philosophical character was established by four men. John Calvin, William Farel, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. They were the leaders of the Protestant Reformation movement in the middle ages that transformed Geneva’s cultural identity.
John Calvin established the first University of Geneva here at this place. On the university grounds, overlooking Bastions Park, the Reformation Wall was created in 1909 in memory of the four great men, and other contributors to that movement.
The main figures are depicted in giant statues and bas-reliefs engraved onto the old city walls. It’s a great place to feel the history of Geneva. Two minutes walk from the Wall is the beautiful Place de Neuve, a major square in the city. Together, the park and the square make for one of the best Geneva experiences not to miss.
5. Take a tour of the UN head quarters
Geneva, the Peace Capital:
Geneva is home to the largest number of global organizations, and has been a center of international diplomacy since a long time. This is mainly because it has got a reputation of being largely non-aligned/ “neutral” and peaceful.
Though the head quarters of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is based in the New York, its European HQ is based in Geneva. Among the important UN agencies head quartered in Geneva are the ILO, WHO and the UNHCR.
Other apex international organizations include the WTO, CERN, ICRC (Red Cross), UNCTAD, IUCN, WMO, and a multitude of others. One of the most recognizable international treaties- the Geneva Conventions (for mitigating the effects of war on soldiers and civilians) was signed in the city in 1949.
Hence, it’s only fitting that Geneva has got the nickname: the Peace Capital.
The United Nations: utility and need for reforms
Establishment of the United Nations in 1945 to maintain international peace and security has proved to be a largely successful move. Since its inception in the aftermath of the World War-II, there has been hardly any large scale warfare involving many nations, though bilateral warfare still happens from time to time.
{Read our travel experience of a World War-II site: Death Railway in Thailand)
However, I think lack of strategic reforms in the UN is making it increasingly redundant over the years. Moving away from a bipolar world in the initial years, the power dynamics have changed drastically. The structure of the Security Council, especially the permanent membership needs to be modified reflecting the new world order. For example, how can a country like India, with 16% of world population, having the 5th largest economy, and a nuclear power, be out of the permanent membership!
Tour of UN premises, and outside of it:
The UN offers tours to the visitors around its campus. I was actually a bit surprised to see its popularity among the tourists! There was a long queue to enter their premises.
Outside its premises, in the gardens, there was another big pleasant surprise waiting for us- the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and non-violence. Being from India, and being among his greatest admirers, it was a proud moment for me.
Just in front of the UN office, there is this very interesting 12-ft high sculpture of a broken chair. It symbolizes the fight against use of anti-personnel mines.
6. Taste the Swiss Chocolates
What comes to your mind first when one talks of Geneva? Maybe Swiss watches, Swiss Cheese or Swiss Chocolates? Though I’m not sure if everyone can think of buying a Swiss watch, a Swiss Chocolate is not that out of reach! Swiss Chocolates are among the best chocolates in the world, and are certainly the most famous.
History of chocolate:
I’m sure, like me you have a curiosity to know about the history of chocolates. Here’s the chronology for you.
- Earliest known edible practice: Mesoamerica, especially Ecuador and Mexico | Nearly 5000 years ago | Used as a medicine, and aphrodisiac.
- In 1519, Spanish friars got cacao drink from the Aztec empire, and introduced in Spanish courts | Since then, chocolate remained a drink till about the end of the 18th century.
- First chocolate company came up in the US in 1780 : Baker’s Cocoa
- In 1828, Coenraad Van Houten, a Dutch chemist introduced “Dutch cocoa”, a solid eatable chocolate
- J.S. Fry and Co. (British) introduced the first chocolate bar: 1847
- Daniel Peter from Switzerland produced the first milk chocolate in 1875.
- Interested in knowing more? Here’s an interesting article: “When was chocolate discovered…“
The chocolates that we know today are the innovation of a Swiss chocolatier- Daniel Peter who pioneered the milk chocolate. A few years later, he partnered with Henri Nestle to establish the Nestle company and marketed chocolates. The same year, Rudolf Lindt made a machine that produced the silky-smooth chocolate that we love so much today.
Best places to try chocolates in Geneva:
Genevans love their chocolates, and so does everyone else who arrives there. It’s not only the top brands like Lindt, Toblerone, and Cailler, but also small artisanal chocolate makers across the city that treat the residents and tourists alike. Taking a chocolate tour in Geneva is surely among the best experiences not to miss. They take you to some great chocolate factories, tell the history of chocolate, and show the process of chocolate making.
Alternately, suggesting here a few good places to try your favorite chocolates: Auer (Rues Basses) | Stettler | Arn (old town) | Favarger | La Bonbonnier | Du Rhone | Zeller | Micheli.
Best experiences of Geneva at night
Yes, Geneva is expensive, and more so at night. One can have a lot of fun during the day without having to spend much. But at night, it’s different; one has to pay for the entertainment!
It’s true that Geneva is not particularly known to be a party destination. But there are quite a few cultural and entertainment options. Let me list out a few best Geneva experiences for the night, in case you are looking for some.
- Visit Bains de Parquis; take a stroll and have dinner
- Theater du Leman: for opera and stand-up comedy performances
- Victoria Hall: Classical music concerts
- Geneva arena: concerts
- Wine and dine at a riverside restaurants
- And if you must have a party, here is a list of best bars in Geneva: 10 best places to visit at night
- But if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, a stroll around Geneva lake soaking in the Geneva night vibes is not at all a bad choice.
Beyond the Best Geneva experiences
Apart from the six best Geneva experiences that I shared from our trip, depending on one’s interest and time, one may look to explore a few other interesting things:
- Visit Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
- Visit Art and History Museum
- Visit Natural History Museum
- If you are a music lover, attend a concert at Geneva Victoria Hall
- Witness the Geneva watch-making craftsmanship
Day-trip options:
- Mont Saleve, the ‘balcony’ of Geneva, for a panoramic view of the city
- Chamonix and Mont Blanc
- Lavaux Vineyard terraces (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Annecy (the ‘Venice of the Alps’)
- Medieval village of Yvoire
Travel Tips for best Geneva experiences
When to visit:
Geneva is for all seasons. Be it summers, autumn, winter or spring. Every season has a separate charm; one can have best Geneva experiences through out the year.
So, if you love the sunshine, summer is for you. For snow-hiking to Mont Blanc and nearby mountains, winter is good. If you love colours, of course, autumn and spring are the best time.
Where to stay:
Geneva and budget options don’t go together because it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world. But I’m sharing a few options that I know of.
Geneva hostel (where we stayed) || City hostel, Geneva || Nyon hostel || Hotel Modern || Ibis budget hotel Cointrin || Hotel Edelweiss.
- Book well in advance, because hotels are expensive closer to the travel date.
How to move around:
It’s a small city. Walking is the best method, or you may choose to take a cycle (most hostels have bike renting facility)
Pro tip: Once you book an accommodation in Geneva, you are eligible for a free Geneva Transport Card that allows you to travel free of cost in the city by any public transport. Don’t forget to ask for the card at the reception while checking in.
Where to eat:
Budget eateries: Cottage cafe || Brasserie Bagatelle || Balila Geneva || Cafe du Center || Le Radar de Poche || Chez ma Cousine || Water Street Cafe || Captain’s Cafe
Some other helpful tips:
- How many days are minimum for best Geneva experiences: 2 days for the city, and more for day-trips
- Check out the Geneva City Pass; helpful for engaging in multiple activities for less
- There are free walking tours available, especially in the summer months; look for them
- Avoid talking loudly in public, especially on mobile phones
- Shops are closed on Sunday; and Saturdays are too crowdy
- You can carry a water bottle, and fill it up at any public fountain; no need to spend on drinking water
- Standard currency accepted is Swiss Frank (CHF) only, and not Euro/ Dollar (Switzerland is not a member of European Union).
Concluding remark
So, if you have read the article carefully, you would have noticed that most of the best Geneva experiences we had were for free! Of course, except for the chocolates! But I’m sure one wouldn’t mind paying a bit for world’s best chocolates.
Moreover, I can’t forget the colours of autumn in Geneva. And I’m sure, spring would be equally colourful as well. Its gorgeous parks overlooking Lake Geneva are one of the highlights of the city.
When we were planning to travel to Geneva, one of my friends who had been to Switzerland many a times, suggested to actually drop the plan, and instead spend more time in Zurich. While I found Zurich a more happening place, I’m glad that we did visit Geneva. It’s not comparable to Zurich. They have very different vibes, and different experiences to offer.
Geneva is a good balance of medieval charm and modern sophistication. We indeed had the best Geneva experiences. Hope you loved reading through our experiences.
Jayvanti Einjen
Lovely, nice experience 👌 👍 share
stampedmoments
Thank you; means a lot!
SOUMEN CHATTTERJEE
Geneva is a beautiful city what I read. The streets, the buildings, the lakefront, and the people- everything is very classy, elegant, and beautiful. It feels like a supreme architect and a fine designer had sat down to curate every element of the city before putting them into their respective places! The beautiful Lake Geneva at the center of the city, has a spectacular cityscape, an aura of a global financial powerhouse, gorgeous parks, the outstanding balance of the new world and the old world, and much more.
The breathtaking autumn landscape of the city, especially around Lake Geneva seems to be mesmerizing. Of course, it must have been the best of Geneva’s experiences.
stampedmoments
Geneva indeed is a classy city. It’s easy to to club with any place in Switzerland.
Worth spending two days. Thanks Soumen for your feedback.
SHRIKANT BANSOD
I haven’t seen any posts on your Instagram for a long time. Please keep posting. By watching your posts, it feels like we are also traveling with you.
stampedmoments
Hi Shrikant!
Yes, I have been away from Instagram for long because it has become a place for only commercial people!
Still then, I will start posting soon, as you say. Let’s catch up there soon! Thanks a lot.
Carole
Those of us who live in seasonal countries take autumn colour for granted. How lovely to read your post and how you felt on discovering this miracle for the first time – and to realise how lucky we are. It reminded me of the people who I’ve met on my travels who have never seen the sea, or never seen snow. Nature is beautiful. And so is Geneva!
stampedmoments
Are you from Geneva? Geneva is a lovely city, indeed.
Yeah, nature is so beautiful, and there are so many variations across the world!
Sometimes we forget in how many ways we are all blessed.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights.