Things to do

The List Of 24 Things To Do In Geneva, Switzerland

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Geneva is an international center of diplomacy and finance. It accommodates many international organizations such as the United Nations, and the International Red Cross.

The city is multicultural and is also famous for scenic views and has a great history. Geneva is a blend of old-world charm and modernity with cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and sights of modern architecture.

Tourists can take a boat across the lake, check out some museums, or walk about in some picturesque towns. Other things to do in Geneva are listed below:

1. Soak In The Beauty of Geneva's Jet d'Eau

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This great structure is famous for its ability to launch water at the speed of 200 km/h. It is a miracle of engineering and a symbol of this city.

In the evening walk around the beautiful Lake Geneva, the force and majestic architectural construction of Jet d'Eau will simply dazzle you. It is particularly magical at night when everything is illuminated and attracts beautiful context with true art when viewed during the day.

The sun forms colors like a rainbow around this magnificent water fountain. Interestingly, there is no fee for entry, and anyone may visit it.

2. Take A CGN Cruise on Lake Geneva

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The cruise brings exceptional sights over the vineyards, the numerous castles such as Chateau de Chillon, the majestic Alp mountain, and so on. While on a cruise, there are different things you can do.

You also have the opportunity to go for CGN gourmet cruises with tasting meals for romantic dates or a family trip. There is also a loop cruise that will get you the round trip of the lake passing through some of the beautiful towns such as Vevey and Nyon.

The most visited is the Lavaux Tour, which is dedicated to the Lavaux Vineyards; the region included in the UNESCO list. This is among the popular Switzerland Geneva things to do.

3. Learn About International Diplomacy At Palais des Nations

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This is the United Nations Office in Geneva; an essential place for worldwide discussions. It is based on Ariana Park and has splendid views of Leman Lake and the Alp mountains.

It currently conducts over eight thousand meetings per annum; making it among the most active conference facilities globally. It is still possible to have a guided tour showing you prime rooms such as the Assembly Hall and the Council Chamber.

These tours give you an understanding of the history of the United Nations and its mission to maintain peace and human rights.

4. Explore The Old Town (Vieille Ville)

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Work your way through the twisting lanes, and then come to the Bourg-de-Four Square which offers peaceful terraces and coffee shops.

There are many art galleries, antique shops, and museums procreating it with the rich history and culture of the region. You will see interesting architecture and a town with hidden passageways and best-kept secrets.

See the Maison Tavel the only remaining medieval house in the city and visit the Passage de Monetier a through-way from the Middle Ages that is only open to the public once a year on the day of the Fete de l'Escalade.

5. Discover The Art of Watchmaking In Geneva

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It is well known that the city of Geneva is famous for its watches. Some centuries ago this city became the world capital of watchmaking. During the 16th century, Jean Calvin prohibited jewelry, and thus goldsmiths started making watches.

They laid aesthetic watches that were seen as science instruments. It's interesting to note that Geneva was home to the first watchmakers' guild in the entire world as early as 1601.

Today one can learn more about this great history at the Patek Philippe Museum. You can also watch how watches are being made at some local workshops.

6. See Life-Sized Chess Pieces And The Reformation Wall

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Go to Parc des Bastions in Geneva to observe a sculpture of life-size chess and The Reformation Wall. This park is in one of the most central areas of Geneva close to the old town.

Tourists and residents of the city love to hang out at the giant chessboards. It is an active site since several people of all ages come here and enjoy playing chess. Behind the chessboard, there is a famous eatery and a large kids' play area.

Another important Switzerland Geneva attractions of the park is the Reformation Wall. It is dedicated to the prominent personalities of the Protestant Reformation.

7. Attend A Performance At Victoria Hall

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This fantastic hall is devoted to Queen Victoria and serves to stage different kinds of concerts. You can get to listen to music ranging from classical, jazz, and world among others. The hall also boasts a splendid quality of sound.

The concert hall of Victoria Hall houses Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, an often-performing orchestral group. Some of the artists you may come across are Jonathan Nott, Sonya Yoncheva Yo-Yo Ma, etc.

It gives disabled people and persons accompanying them a complimentary ticket for evening concerts, but only by prior arrangement. It is accessible easily with bus and tram stops conveniently located to get to the place.

8. Hike, Mountain Bike, or Paraglide At Mont Salève

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Ready for thrilling things to do in Geneva? Go hike on Mont Saleve, Geneva's local mountain! Trek across more than 250 km of the area that offers fantastic glimpses of the city and Lake Geneva, respectively.

Ride a mountain bike through exciting tracks, which pass through forest roads. For those who like some adventures, you can go paragliding on the summit and have a look at the beautiful Alps.

The cable car takes only five minutes to get to the top. Go for a barbecue or do some petanque while making use of that pretty view. To enjoy local foods try out the L'Horizon du Saleve restaurant.

9. Try Bohemian Cocktails At La Verre à Monique

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This bar is located in the Quartier des Bains district and has a Prohibition-style bar, which supposedly belongs to the 1920s. The interior features classics, and low lights and the general feel is of stepping back into the 1900s.

The bar staff is quite professional, making interesting cocktails with exotic ingredients visible in each of them. Try the Cucumber Martini or Smoky Bear.

Le Verre a Monique is perfect for going with friends or even making new friends. It's rather less known, although the proximity to major tourist attractions makes it popular among locals.

10. Walk Down The Streets of Carouge

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Many people refer to this wonderful area as the Greenwich Village of Geneva because of the many activities going on around the place. Carouge gives a feel of a small touristic Italian city with Mediterranean-like building styles that will make you think of Italy.

Its storefronts are a dream and you can walk around, do some shopping, grab a coffee at a cute cafe, or pastry at a bistro. It has a bohemian nightlife kind of appeal which is ideal for an afternoon walk.

The area is also famous for vibrant night scenes, state-of-the-art bars, and jazz cafes like the Chat Noir.

11. Embark On A Countryside Bike Ride

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Geneva is a cyclist-friendly city and there are bike lanes all across the city. Hire a bike effortlessly with service providers such as Donkey Republic or Geneve Roule.

Select an electric bike if you want to have a laid-back bicycle riding experience. Travel through the country with the help of sightseeing tours and wine degustation. Ride along the lake of Geneva and have an eye view.

Go to such nearby villages as Hermance and Chens. The Voie Verte is another great French countryside to reach by cycling. This road runs through Geneva and links the city with Annemasse, a town in the country of France.

12. Admire Hundred-Year-Old Trees At English Garden

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The garden houses many extraordinary trees, such as a ginkgo tree that was seeded in 1863 and purple beech planted in 1895. These trees help make the park more beautiful and peaceful. It is a pleasure to walk the curved trails lined by such trees.

You will also be privileged to view a giant cedar, a grand sequoia, and other trees like horse chestnut and tulip trees. Such a garden is made using environmentally friendly methods and offers a perfect place to take a rest.

View some of the park amenities like the National Monument or the popular floral icon the Flower Clock.

13. Taste Some Swiss Chocolate

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People know Geneva as the city of very tasty chocolate. You can also go on a chocolate tour to find out the best places to scoop the sweet treat. You may want to go for the Chocolate Flavours Tour which is quite popular.

Here you go through seven chocolate shops in three hours. You are exposed to an array of thirteen unique chocolates that include liquid chocolate and award-winning pralines.

The other great choice is the Choco Pass. This pass allows you to tour the best chocolate makers in Geneva at your leisure. You can try their unique recipes accompanied by the famous Geneva pave.

14. Explore The Globe of Science and Innovation At CERN

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This large wooden ball is one of the artworks placed in the CERN public zone. It gives one a peek into particle physics and the research being done here.

The best-known technology developed by CERN is the Large Hadron Collider which contributed to the discovery of the Higgs boson. his and many other scientific discoveries could be learned here.

Science Gateway is operational from Tuesday to Saturday; it is closed on Monday. There are no charges for admission. However, one can sign up for guided tours and workshops right at the facility.

15. Sit On The Longest Wooden Bench In The World

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If you ever get the chance to visit Geneva, Switzerland, you must sit on the Treille bench. It is known as the world's longest wooden bench.

This bench is approximately 120 meters long and is found at Promenade de la Treille. The Treille bench was designed and made in 1767. It has been remodeled for several years to retain the elegance of the building.

It has wooden and concrete elements today. You can watch the sunset or do nothing and just relax. The bench is located in the shade of beautiful chestnut trees; it marks the beginning of spring once bloomed.

16. Shop In Rue du Rhône

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Most shops on this street are associated with luxury. Here you can find everything starting with Cartier, Patek Philippe, and ending with Rolex. They deal in luxury clothing, accessories, and timepieces.

It is like strolling through a pearl necklace with various shops like in Marbella or Beverly Hills. And you will be able to see new halls with exquisite stores in the latest fashions and exquisite jewelry.

Stores of International brands like Gucci, Hermes, and Apple are also established here. While shopping on Rue du Rhone, go for a break and soak up the atmosphere of this colorful street.

17. Get The Glacier 3000 Experience

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Visitors get to see more than 24 glacier summits including Eiger, Monch, Jungfrau, and Mont Blanc with Glacier 3000 Experience. Rides a bus from Geneva gets to Les Diablerets and boards a cable car.

The whole trip to an altitude of 3000m can take about 15 minutes. If you base yourself at Glacier 3000, you can also go on the Alpine Coaster. It's the highest tobogganing slope in Europe.

For something different, you can try sled riding on the glacial ice which will be a great experience. Another uniquely fascinating thing is the Peak Walk by Tissot; a suspension bridge between two peaks.

18. Learn About Geneva's History And Architecture At Tavel House

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This medieval house is the oldest one that has been owned by a private individual in Geneva. It was originally constructed in the twelfth century as a residence of the Tavel family, one of the noble families in the Genevan nobility.

It is a museum displaying the growth and functioning of the Genevan city from the medieval period to the 19th century. The museum has six floors along with the lower ground filled with various kinds of artifacts, paintings, and models.

One of the important pieces is the Magnin relief; a model by Auguste Magnin. It depicts Geneva before it experienced the ravages of destruction in 1850 to its fortifications. This model was built over 18 years, making it a valuable historical look at the city.

19. Travel Over Geneva And Its Surroundings On A Charming TukTuk tour

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You can drive past the beautiful scenery and landmarks of Geneva and do so in style and comfort. Professional local drivers accompany you and add details to make the tour as unique and informative as possible.

Select from a list that includes wine tasting, fondue, or city tours. Wine lovers get to tour the vineyards within Geneva. So if you fancy fondue, there is a tour for you. Have nice fondues while strolling the most attractive places in Geneva.

TukTuk tours are also ideal for sightseeing since the driver takes time to explain additional information concerning the attractions you are visiting. If you are thinking about what to do Geneva Switzerland in a short time, this should be it.

20. Explore A Variety of Plant Species At Botanical Garden

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This wonderful garden contains a vast collection of various types of roses, dahlias, exotic flowers, and other plants. It allows guests to observe plants from various countries grouped by the climatic regions they belong to.

The garden also includes an arboretum, rock garden, and medicinal garden. It houses a small zoo featuring endemic species such as flamingos and deer.

It is possible to stroll through the greenhouses, where tropical plants are located. These areas are playful and informative, such as the garden of scent and touch, where exploration is done by touch only.

21. Reflect On Peace And Non-Violence At Gandhi Statue

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Sitting in Ariana Park this statue represents one of the greatest symbols of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. It was launched in 2007 to commemorate the 60 Years India Switzerland Friendship.

You can see Gandhi sitting down and reading signifying his love for knowledge and peace. As you get closer to the statue, you feel calm. The setting of the park helps to contemplate the teachings of Gandhi.

Please spend some time reading about his contributions in the areas of peace and justice. It encourages all its visitors to change for the better by combating violence and working to make the world a better place.

22. Enjoy Egg And Chicken Dishes At Monsieur Bouillon

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It is located in the vicinity of the city's financial district. They mainly offer mouth-watering eggs and chicken meals. One of them is fried eggs with parmesan cream and roasted hazelnuts.

You should try their roasted chicken; they are great when seasoned with rosemary and lemon. Monsieur Bouillon boasts a fine dining experience with a comfortable and stylish setting. The staff is quite experienced and the service is superb.

The restaurant sources all of its ingredients locally and guarantees that every product is very delicious. From the simplest form of egg omelet to a roasted chicken, every dish is well prepared. The restaurant also has delicious sweets such as oversized eclairs.

23. Reach The Top of St. Pierre Cathedral For Panoramic View of The City

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This historic church is in the center of Old Town. From the towers, one can have a magnificent view of the city. View Lake Geneva, the internationally famous jet d’eau, and the French Alps on a sunny day.

If one tries to get to the top floor there are 157 stairs to climb. At first, they may look like a lot, but the view that you get at the end is worth it. From the top, it is possible to view the whole city and all its districts in one or another form.

The Cathedral is also recognized for both historical significance and architectural marvel. It was an established Catholic church but turned into a protestant church after the Reformation.

24. Understand The History And Mission of The Red Cross

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The Red Cross Society was founded in 1863 in Geneva. Their principal role is to assist and protect those affected by armed violence.

Further details on this mission can be developed by paying a visit to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. This is the museum of humanitarian action and the impact of the Red Cross Movement internationally.

It is an interesting episode that delivers a message about the efficacy of compassion and volunteering. This is one of the Geneva things to do that will enable you to realize how much the organization contributes to improving the quality of lives of the people on earth.