- Discover Brunswick Monument
- Admire the Jet d’Eau
- Have a stroll in the English Garden
- Relax at the Bains des Pâquis
- Discover contemporary art at the Mamco
- Enjoy the views at St. Peter’s Cathedral
- Step back in time at Maison Tavel
- Go shopping at Place du Molard
- Go on a boat tour
- Take the cable car up Mont Salève
1. Discover Brunswick Monument
A few metres away from Genève Cornavin station, don’t miss your chance to admire the beautiful Neo-Gothic architecture of the Brunswick monument. This mausoleum was built as the replica of the Scaligeri family tomb in Verona to commemorate the Duke of Brunswick.
2. Admire the Jet d’Eau
One of the city’s most well-known landmarks, the Jet d’Eau is a must-see. Located on the left bank of Lake Geneva, this special water fountain can be seen from anywhere in the city. Five hundred litres of water per second are jetted to an altitude of 140 metres, no wonder why this water jet is famous worldwide!
3. Have a stroll in the English Garden
If you’re looking for a park where you can have a nice stroll, head to the English Garden (or Jardin Anglais in French). As soon as you enter, you’ll be struck by its beautiful flower clock, one of the symbols of Geneva. From the park, go on a short boat cruise and see the city from a different perspective – we can guarantee the view of the mountains is stunning!
4. Relax at the Bains des Pâquis
After your stroll, it’s time for you to relax at the public swimming baths set on Lake Geneva. You can choose to either have a spa day with a sauna and massage or simply have a nice lunch and try some delicious fondue. But why not do both?
5. Discover contemporary art at the Mamco
If you love contemporary art, head to the Mamco (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), located in a former lab in the Quartier des Bains. With more than 3,000 works from 1960 to the present, the museum is specialises in experimental exhibits that consistently present new ideas and styles. Make sure you stop by the FlatLand collection on the first floor – you’ll see for yourself how life would be if we lived in a two-dimensional world.
6. Enjoy the views at St. Peter’s Cathedral
If you want to enjoy a breath-taking view of the city and the lake, head to St. Peter’s Cathedral in the old town and climb the 157 steps of its north tower. Don’t forget to also visit the archaeological site hidden below the cathedral and admire the treasures which bring to light the city’s ancient past.
7. Step back in time at Maison Tavel
After visiting the cathedral, make sure you stop by Maison Tavel, the oldest house in Geneva and nowadays a museum about the history of the city. Learn more about the Escalade, when Savoyard soldiers tried to scale the city’s ramparts to reclaim it, but the people of Geneva valiantly defended their town – there was even a woman who climbed the ramparts and poured her pot of hot soup over the head of one of the soldiers!
8. Go shopping at Place du Molard
In need of some retail therapy? Stroll down Place du Molard and you’ll find the city’s main shops and boutiques. Treat yourself to a nice cocktail at one of the trendy bars or have dinner in one of the excellent gourmet restaurants in the neighbourhood.
9. Go on a boat tour
Need to re-charge your batteries after shopping? Go on one of the many boat tours available on Lake Geneva. The rental company Les Corsaires offers plenty of pedalo rides you can choose from. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the city from a different perspective.
10. Take the cable car up Mont Salève
If you’re a sports person, take the cable car up Mont Salève – you’ll reach an altitude of 1,100 metres in less than five minutes and you’ll be able to choose between paragliding, climbing, mountain biking or even cross-country skiing in winter. If you’re just a nature lover, you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air, the flora and fauna and the stunning view of Geneva, as well as the Mont-Blanc massif.
How to get to Geneva by train
Getting to Geneva by train is simple. Regular direct services operated by SBB connect Zurich to Geneva in 2h 44m, Bern to Geneva in 1h 44m and Lausanne to Geneva in 36m. If you’re travelling from France, you can get from Paris Austerlitz to Geneva in 3h 51m, from Marseille to Geneva in 3h 59m and from Lyon Part-Dieu to Geneva in 1h 57m on board TGV Lyria trains. Travelling from Italy to Switzerland is also easy – you can get from Milan to Geneva in about 4h thanks to the direct Eurocity services operated by Trenitalia. Want to learn more about the most popular Swiss routes? Use our interactive Switzerland train map – you'll find plenty of information about your favourite train journey.
For more information on the Swiss rail network, check out our trains in Switzerland page.