Geneva in 2 Days - Itinerary & Things to Do
🤩 My reflection
Geneva is a nice lakefront city and a good starting point for exploring the Lake Geneva region. It's charming and was much bigger than I initially expected, as I had imagined something more like a small town such as Montreux. I can't say it's the most beautiful city I've visited in Switzerland, but it has an international airport and makes a very convenient starting point for this route. It is essentially known for its role in the Protestant Reformation historically, particularly through Calvinism, and for hosting international organizations like the UN and CERN today. I wouldn't recommend visiting Geneva solely for a weekend trip, but I would definitely start here and follow the route towards Lausanne and Montreux. That way, it makes a wonderful route around the Lake Geneva region, combining city visits, vineyards, mountains and the lake.
✍🏻 Itinerary
Day 1: Lakefront and Old Town
Bains des Pâquis - A public lakeside bathing area with swimming facilities, a sauna, and a restaurant on Lake Geneva. (the entrance is for a small price, you'll need Swiss Franc in cash)
Jet d'Eau - A large fountain on Lake Geneva that shoots water up to 140 meters into the air. (better to check from across the lake from Quai du Mont-Blanc)
L'Horloge Fleurie - A flower clock made from seasonal plants located in the English Garden. (we didn't visit this, as I'm not really impressed by flower clocks)
Jardin Anglais - A lakeside park where you'll find the Flower Clock and plenty of space to walk around.
Maison Tavel - The oldest private residence in Geneva, now operating as a museum on city's history.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre - A historic cathedral known for its connection to John Calvin.
Musée International de la Réforme - A museum focused on the history and impact of the Protestant Reformation. (we didn't visit this)
Promenade de la Treille - A quiet walkway along the edge of the Old Town, famous for its unusually long wooden bench.
Grand-Rue - A historic street in Geneva's Old Town lined with traditional buildings and shops.
Parc des Bastions - A large park at the foot of the Old Town, home to the Reformation Wall and giant chess boards.
Mur des Réformateurs - A monument commemorating key figures of the Protestant Reformation.
Place du Bourg-de-Four - The oldest public square in Geneva, located in the heart of the Old Town.
Day 2: UN District
Broken Chair Sculpture - A large wooden sculpture symbolizing opposition to landmines.
Palace of Nations (Palais des Nations) - The European headquarters of the United Nations.
International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent - A museum dedicated to humanitarian action and the history of the Red Cross. (we didn't visit this)
Parc La Grange - A large public park featuring gardens, walking paths, and views over Lake Geneva.
Quai Gustave-Ador - A nice stretch of the lakefront connecting Parc La Grange with the city.
Bonus locations if you have the time (we didn't visit):
CERN - The home of the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest particle accelerator. One of the world's leading particle physics research centers, where you can visit exhibitions about the universe, particles and CERN's work (registration is required for visits).
Museum of Art and History - Geneva's largest museum, featuring collections of archaeology and fine arts.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art - Switzerland's largest museum for modern art.
Patek Philippe Museum - A museum showcasing the history of watchmaking and a large collection of timepieces from the 16th century to the present.
Plainpalais Flea Market - A popular outdoor market offering antiques, vintage items, books, and second-hand goods.
Carouge - A cute neighborhood outside central Geneva, known for its small streets, cafés, shops and more Mediterranean feel.
📢 Essential tips
What's the best time to visit Geneva?
Switzerland is beautiful in every season, but since Geneva is mainly a city destination, I think April to September is the best time to visit for comfortable weather to walk around and explore the city.
How to get around in Geneva?
Geneva is quite easy to get around. The city centre and Old Town are very walkable, and you can use trams and buses for the places that are further away. If you are staying in a hotel, hostel or campsite in Geneva, you are entitled to a free Geneva Transport Card, which gives you unlimited free public transport during your stay.
What is the currency in Switzerland?
The currency is Swiss Franc (CHF). Switzerland is not part of the EU, so they don't use the euro. You can pay by card almost everywhere.
Is Switzerland expensive?
Yes! We were thinking we were going to visit Europe from Europe in the end, so it should have been relatively cheaper compared to many other routes. But Switzerland is extremely expensive. One day we paid €10 for one coffee. Okay, it was a barista coffee from whichever country, but still...
Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?
Switzerland is not part of the European Union, but it is part of the Schengen Area. This means that if you already have a valid Schengen visa, you should be able to use it to enter Switzerland (always double check your individual case though).
How many days do I need in Geneva?
I think 2 days is enough for a first visit (maybe even 1 full day if you travel at our pace). You can cover the lakefront and Old Town on one day and International Geneva and the other side of the lake on the second day.
Where to go next?
The easiest next stop is Lausanne, which is only around 40 to 50 minutes by direct train from Geneva.
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