A bit of Switzerland
10 best things to do in Geneva
Unfolding quietly, elegantly at the foot of the Alpsand the Jura, just where Lake Geneva narrows and becomes the Rhône River, Geneva, the capital of a canton , shares almost its entire 68-mileperimeter with France.
This goes a long way toward explaining the city's dual identity and suave appeal. In this post I will share with you what is worth seeing and doing in Geneva.
This goes a long way toward explaining the city's dual identity and suave appeal. In this post I will share with you what is worth seeing and doing in Geneva.
1. Get wet in the Jet d'Eau fountain
The main visiting card of the city is the Jet d'Eau fountain. It throws 500 liters of water per second to a height of 147 meters. This can be compared with the height of a 46-storey building! Once it was the highest fountain in the world (now the first place is taken by the King Fahd fountain in Saudi Arabia with a height of 312 meters).
In addition to a powerful jet, the Geneva Fountain features a multi-colored illumination by 12 spotlights that turn off at night. The fountain doesn't work when there is a strong wind or the temperature drops below 2 C.
The main visiting card of the city is the Jet d'Eau fountain. It throws 500 liters of water per second to a height of 147 meters. This can be compared with the height of a 46-storey building! Once it was the highest fountain in the world (now the first place is taken by the King Fahd fountain in Saudi Arabia with a height of 312 meters).
In addition to a powerful jet, the Geneva Fountain features a multi-colored illumination by 12 spotlights that turn off at night. The fountain doesn't work when there is a strong wind or the temperature drops below 2 C.
2. Walk on the promenade.
You can't imagine a better place to explore the city than the promenade along Lake Geneva! The artificial jetty, located here, is a trendy spot for locals, who flock here in summer to sunbathe and enjoy a swim. While you are in Geneva, you can do like the locals, or have a drink and a bite at the Buvette, taking in the views of the lake and the mountains.
In good weather you can even see the peak of Mont Blanc from there.
You can't imagine a better place to explore the city than the promenade along Lake Geneva! The artificial jetty, located here, is a trendy spot for locals, who flock here in summer to sunbathe and enjoy a swim. While you are in Geneva, you can do like the locals, or have a drink and a bite at the Buvette, taking in the views of the lake and the mountains.
In good weather you can even see the peak of Mont Blanc from there.
3. Do shopping in the best boutiques in the world
On the main streets of the city (Rue de Rive, Rue du Rhone) you can find the stores with the most famous European brands and world-class timepieces. Rue du Rhone is where the biggest brands are found with Louis Vuitton, Omega and Prada.
A street up on Rue de la Croix d'Or are where you'll find the more affordable, yet still expensive shops and department stores like Globus, inside of which there is a fantastic food court with plenty of variety. For an alternative shopping experience, head to the boutique lined streets of Carouge.
On the main streets of the city (Rue de Rive, Rue du Rhone) you can find the stores with the most famous European brands and world-class timepieces. Rue du Rhone is where the biggest brands are found with Louis Vuitton, Omega and Prada.
A street up on Rue de la Croix d'Or are where you'll find the more affordable, yet still expensive shops and department stores like Globus, inside of which there is a fantastic food court with plenty of variety. For an alternative shopping experience, head to the boutique lined streets of Carouge.
4. Go around the historic center
The historic center of Geneva is compact. The main attraction of the city is St. Peter's Cathedral. Its played an essential role in the 16th century. The Cathedral was a sacred site where John Calvin spread the Protestant Reformation. After visiting the interior, climb up the northern and southern towers to get a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Next to the cathedral is a Town Hall with a row of souvenir shops and galleries, a beautiful bastion park, New Square, Opera House, Conservatory. A circus tent often opens in Plainpalais Square, and on a Wednesday, Saturday or the first Sunday of each month, you can visit the Plainpalais Flea and Farmers Market. Buy organic food and find original cool things dated back to 60-80s.
The historic center of Geneva is compact. The main attraction of the city is St. Peter's Cathedral. Its played an essential role in the 16th century. The Cathedral was a sacred site where John Calvin spread the Protestant Reformation. After visiting the interior, climb up the northern and southern towers to get a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Next to the cathedral is a Town Hall with a row of souvenir shops and galleries, a beautiful bastion park, New Square, Opera House, Conservatory. A circus tent often opens in Plainpalais Square, and on a Wednesday, Saturday or the first Sunday of each month, you can visit the Plainpalais Flea and Farmers Market. Buy organic food and find original cool things dated back to 60-80s.
5. Go on a tour to the UN or the Red Cross
Geneva is a home to several important international organisations: the UN, the Red Cross, the Human Rights Committee, the International Work Center etc. The Palais des Nations is open for guided tours where you'll learn about the history of the United Nations.
Geneva is a home to several important international organisations: the UN, the Red Cross, the Human Rights Committee, the International Work Center etc. The Palais des Nations is open for guided tours where you'll learn about the history of the United Nations.
- UN address: Ariana, Palais des Nations, Geneva. +41 22 917 12 34 http://www.unog.ch/
- Red Cross Address: Av. de la Paix 17, Geneva. +41 22 748 95 11 http://www.redcrossmuseum.ch/en/
6. Try the local cuisine.
One of the most famous dishes of Switzerland, which was traditionally served for breakfast is Rösti (Roesti). Rösti is prepared from jacket-cooked potatoes, which are then grated and fried until golden. Bacon, tomatoes, paprika, gruyere cheese are added to potato. Previously, brides were chosen based on how the girls prepare the dish.
Another popular dish in Geneva is perch fillet in lemon cream sauce with potatoes. Local wines are good for the dish. And of course, fondue! There is such a big variety of fondue: cheese, chocolate, Chinese fondue...
One of the most famous dishes of Switzerland, which was traditionally served for breakfast is Rösti (Roesti). Rösti is prepared from jacket-cooked potatoes, which are then grated and fried until golden. Bacon, tomatoes, paprika, gruyere cheese are added to potato. Previously, brides were chosen based on how the girls prepare the dish.
Another popular dish in Geneva is perch fillet in lemon cream sauce with potatoes. Local wines are good for the dish. And of course, fondue! There is such a big variety of fondue: cheese, chocolate, Chinese fondue...
7. Sunbathe on the Geneva beach.
The city is surrounded by Lake Geneva. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are several beaches around the city. The most important city beach has been opened to public since the 1930s.
Since then, the beach has improved significantly. Now you can go on water skiing or sign up for zumba lessons - there are many entertainments for every taste.
The city is surrounded by Lake Geneva. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are several beaches around the city. The most important city beach has been opened to public since the 1930s.
Since then, the beach has improved significantly. Now you can go on water skiing or sign up for zumba lessons - there are many entertainments for every taste.
8. Check the watch.
Another popular attraction in Geneva is a Flower Clock. The Flower Clock is crafted from 6500 colourful flowers that change several times during the season. Get ready for a flock of tourists taking selfies by one of the most iconic places in Switzerland.
The Flower Clock is located in the English Garden near the Mont Blanc bridge. The park has many shaded areas and it's one of the preferred places for both tourists and locals. Whether you want to rest for a few minutes or take a short walk on the lakeshore.
Another popular attraction in Geneva is a Flower Clock. The Flower Clock is crafted from 6500 colourful flowers that change several times during the season. Get ready for a flock of tourists taking selfies by one of the most iconic places in Switzerland.
The Flower Clock is located in the English Garden near the Mont Blanc bridge. The park has many shaded areas and it's one of the preferred places for both tourists and locals. Whether you want to rest for a few minutes or take a short walk on the lakeshore.
9. Look at the Large Hadron Collider.
In Geneva, there is a place where the Internet has appeared and the Large Hadron Collider is located (and its 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets ). Its the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN). CERN provides guided tours of a Rolex-sponsored exhibition, showing existing laboratories and how they conduct experiments.
In Geneva, there is a place where the Internet has appeared and the Large Hadron Collider is located (and its 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets ). Its the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN). CERN provides guided tours of a Rolex-sponsored exhibition, showing existing laboratories and how they conduct experiments.
- Quarter of international organizations. CERN Address: Route de Meyrin, Meyrin. Phone: +41 22 767 76 76. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.30.
10. Take a trip to the neighborhood cities.
On the shores of Lake Geneva there are several cities of the Swiss Riviera. One of them is the small town of Montreux. Every summer jazz festivals are held here - musicians, artists from around the world come to perform in Montreux.
Famous artists, writers, composers have been living in Montruex. Vladimir Nabokov, Oscar Kokoshka, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and others. On the shore of the city there is a small island with another symbol of Switzerland - Chillon Castle.
Where to eat in Geneva:
What to bring from Geneva:
On the shores of Lake Geneva there are several cities of the Swiss Riviera. One of them is the small town of Montreux. Every summer jazz festivals are held here - musicians, artists from around the world come to perform in Montreux.
Famous artists, writers, composers have been living in Montruex. Vladimir Nabokov, Oscar Kokoshka, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and others. On the shore of the city there is a small island with another symbol of Switzerland - Chillon Castle.
Where to eat in Geneva:
- Cafe du Soleil - This old cafe in the UN quarter serves the best fondue. The cost of the dish is 24 francs. Cafe address: 6 Place du Petit-Saconnex, +412 2733 3417,http://www.cafedusoleil.ch/site/fr/
- Cafe de Paris - a legendary cafe: it has been there since they came up with the famous entrecote sauce. The cost of the dish is 42.5 francs. Address: Rue du Mont-Blanc 26 +4122 732 84 50 http://geneve.chezboubier.com/en/
- Relais de L'Entrecôte - in this restaurant there are always queues, and all because of the secret recipe of cooked meat, which is incredibly tasty here. Entrecote, as in the previous place, is served with french fries and salad. It costs 45 francs. Address: 6 Rue Pierre Fatio, +412 2310 6004, http://relaisennr.cluster011.ovh.net/?page_id=392
What to bring from Geneva:
- Viande des Grisons (or "Bündnerfleisch") is the country's national culinary pride. The meat is pre-spread with salt and spices from alpine herbs, and then dried in several stages, preserving all the beneficial substances. Meat can be bought in sliced or whole pieces. A kilogram costs 50 francs.
- Swiss cheese or fondue set (can be found in any supermarket in the dairy department). Among Swiss cheeses, they are popular: fribourgeois, gruyère, emmental etc. You can buy cheese both in a supermarket (the most low-cost COOP and Migros), and in the market.
- Chocolate. To appreciate all the palette of chocolate, it is better to buy handmade products. The most delicious chocolate is sold at Du Rhône Chocolatier, and for the best truffles you should go to the Confiserie Ducret.
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