Discover the Most Unmissable Places to Visit in Geneva
Participate in the Caves Ouvertes
The “Day of Open Wineries,” a summer festival that invites everyone to wineries across the region, is a great way to have fun and enjoy wine tastings. Geneva, home to around 90 wineries, is Switzerland’s third-largest wine area. Satigny is home to several wineries, and it’s only about an hour by bus from Geneva. You can also find wineries along Lake Geneva. It is possible to rent a bicycle to explore the area and participate in the activities, but you might prefer to use the shuttle service if you plan to sample a lot of wine.
Mont-Saleve
Mont-Saleve, located just outside the city, is known for its many outdoor activities. You can spend a day climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing in winter. It takes approximately two hours to reach the top via a well-marked trail. You can continue to Grand Saleve from there or stop and enjoy the views. The cost of the cable car is 8 CHF (return). Paragliding tandem from the mountain is a great way to get an adrenaline rush for as little as 180 CHF.
The Reformation Wall is available.
This monument is located on the University of Geneva’s grounds. It serves as a memorial to the significant leaders of the Protestant Reformation of Europe, John Calvin, Guillaume Farel, and Theodore de Beze. About 22% of the country is Protestant, and Calvin founded the university. The unveiling of the wall was scheduled to mark the 400th anniversary of Calvin’s birth. It was inaugurated in 1909 and built within the Geneva fortification walls.
Explore Carouge
The town of Carouge is located across the River Arve. The city was built in the 18th century by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia and the Duke de Savoy. Many of these buildings have solid Italian resemblances, so some locals call this “little Italy.” Stop by Valmandin for coffee and a short break from exploring. Philippe Pascoe is the best place to find decadent chocolates if you are a sweet tooth.
Summer festivals are a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
There are many outdoor festivals and concerts in summer. Fete de la Musique, a three-day music festival, is held in June. It features non-stop concerts, parades, activities, and stalls selling delicious snacks. Every summer, the Geneva Street Food Festival is a must-see for foodies. The 16-day La Batie Festival of Geneva, a contemporary music and theatre festival, takes place from late August through early September. If you are visiting Geneva for a celebration, booking your accommodation well in advance is advisable as spaces fill quickly.
Relax at the Bains de Paquis
In the 1930s, built this swimming pool. It is still famous for relaxing massages or unwinding. The collection, located next to the lake, also includes a diving board. You can also take advantage of the hammam in summer (only women have access to this hammam). The baths cost 10 CHF and are available daily. Winter is when the outdoor pool closes, but you can still use the sauna and hammam for 20 CHF.
Visit Temple de St-Gervais
The foundations for this Protestant church are a 4th-century sanctuary and a 10th-century Romanesque church. It became a Protestant church in the 16th century during the Reformation, a religious reform movement that split from the Roman Catholic Church. Excavations revealed the remains of a Gallo Roman temple, the first evidence of human habitation in Geneva, in the latter half of the 20th century. Admire the architecture and the stunning stained glass windows from the early 20th century. It is open to all, but please dress appropriately as this is a place for worship.
Take a culinary tour.
A food tour is a great way to explore a city and learn more about its history and cuisine. Local Flavours offers a Chocolate and Old Town History Tour. Learn about the history and origins of chocolate in Switzerland and visit the historic town center to sample chocolates made by local artisans. Tickets cost 95 CHF and last for 3 hours.
Enjoy a walking tour for free.
All my trips to new cities start with a walking tour. This is the best way to see the highlights and get the groundwork without breaking the bank. A couple of walking tours are offered by Free Walk Geneva. The tours last 2 and 2.5 hours and are led by local guides passionate about the city’s history and culture. The International Geneva tour is for you if you are more interested in the UN, WHO, and the World Trade Organization. These tours are free, but you must tip your guide at the end.
Visit the Botanical Gardens & Conservatory
Although Geneva’s botany traditions date back to the 20th century, its botanical gardens are older. They have more than 16,000 species of plants, trees, and shrubs. You will be taken through several areas, including a rockery and a greenhouse. They track every plant from its initial planting to its eventual introduction into a collection. The Herbarium is home to over 6,000,000 specimens, making it one of the world’s largest collections of plants or fungi. It’s unfortunately not open to the public very often, but there are some days you can go every year.