Diverse, fashionable, and stylish are the key words to describe Geneva. What started off as a small ancient settlement has today evolved into one of the most magnificent cities of the world. With a high quality of life, including superb health care, low pollution, and security of life and property, the city has become one of the dream cities for those aiming at foreign nationality.
Geneva is a city for the young and the old alike, and it offers unlimited hours of fun for children aged 1 to 101, or a little underage or a little overage. Some of the major attractions for children of all ages include:
The Rath Museum is the first ever museum to be dedicated wholly to the fine arts in Geneva, in 1826. The building on its own is a masterpiece of architecture. It is located near the city's only remaining ancient rampart walls. The museum contains classical examples from Swiss art and design. Recent ongoing exhibitions from around Europe are also held here.
The Conservatory of Music is a relic from the Byzantine Empire. Decorated with muses of civilizations long gone by, the Conservatory hosts a modern academy of music consisting of several classrooms, in addition to a spacious hall for concerts and performances.
This is the largest park in Geneva. It has a total land area of about 12000 square meters, and is situated alongside the Lake. The park houses the biggest and most splendid rose garden in all of Geneva. A theater inside the park, the Verdure Theatre, has free concerts and performances every Wednesday and Friday night during summers.
The Palais des Nations was built between 1929 and 1938 to act as headquarters for the League of Nations. The design is a collaboration of five contest winners. It is built in the Neoclassical style. In 1946, the Palais des Nations became the European headquarters for the newly minted United Nations. Over the next thirty years, the palace expanded to its present shape.
The Ariana Museum, also known as The Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass, is dedicated to the ceramic arts. It is located in the front yard of the Palais des Nations in the Parc de l'Ariana. The building was constructed between 1877 and 1884 by Gustave Revilliod to house his prodigious art collection. It was named after his mother, Ariane de la Rive. The museum was eventually bequeathed to the city of Geneva and became part of Geneva's Museum of Art and History in 1934. More than 20,000 pieces are in the collection.
This is reputed as being one of the most visited museums in all of Geneva. This museum features the constant struggle of the world's humanitarian organizations, from their initial primitive stages to the modern, well-developed movements of today. The museum also offers a multi-media experience that is quite unique and informative, providing news and video footage of current issues.
This theatre is very similar to the Garnier Opera House located in Paris. It was constructed in 1879, but later had to be restored in 1961 after a fire damaged the theater. The theater provides a varying yet pleasing mix of classic, opera, and chamber music featuring works of some of the most prominent composers of the past as well as contemporary times.
This was formerly a botanical garden, and a site for the first university in Geneva. The tree lined walkways and broad avenues inside the park make it popular for romantic evening walks. The park is buzzing with people almost all day. In one corner of the park is a set of life size chess boards, where aspiring chess players of all ages test their skills. The Reformation Wall on the east side along the ramparts of the old city wall is a landmark, paying tribute to the Reformation founders and leaders. Finally, the Pavilion Cafe offers relaxation when you have finally exhausted yourself.
The Bourg-de-Four, an ancient Roman market, is one of the oldest public squares in the city, and still is a central attraction in the area. It is surrounded by cafes, bars, coffee shops, and other such outlets.
Ranked as a five-star hotel, Restaurant Les Armures is located quite close to Saint Peter's Cathedral in the Old Town, and at just a few minutes' walk from the city centre. It is the best traditional Swiss experience you could get anywhere, including the setting, the decor, the food, and the hospitable waiters and staff. Restaurant Les Armures serves tantalizing Swiss cuisines, including the ever-popular fondues and raclette, as well as international dishes from Austria and Germany. The dining at this restaurant is truly fit for a king - or president, rather. Former American president Jimmy Carter and the Clintons have paid notable visits to this restaurant. Single meals at around CHF 30.
Thai food lovers are sure to be delighted by what this restaurant has to offer. Specialties include favorites like Duck or Red Coquelet smeared in a sauce of coconut milk. The prices can be termed as a little above reasonable sometimes. The service, however, is exceptionally efficient as well as jovial. Being reputed as being the most authentic Thai restaurant in Geneva, Sam Lor always spills out customers who are truly satisfied.
Classic French dishes are the highlight at this restaurant, with the truffles deserving a special mention. For those who visit in the winter season, the menu would be largely based on truffles of different types, including the dessert. The setting and ambience is lavish and extremely elegant, inspired by imperial themes, which give a look of formality to the interior. Not at all recommended if you are short on money - basic meals start at CHF 50, but most meals are well into the three-digit range.
The interior is dominated by elegant Victorian-styled furnishings and decor, including chandeliers and table linens. Les Continents provides, as the name suggests, a wealth of international dishes from all around the globe, but a clear influence of Asian cuisine is noticeable. Specialties on the menu include items such as langoustines and pineapple soufflé. There is no doubt as to the quality of meals served here; they are simply par excellence. The service, too, is quite pleasant.
This quaint little restaurant is highly popular with the old as well as the young crowd. It has a nice and welcoming Provencale decor, and the cuisine is absolutely satisfying. A friendly and jovial atmosphere offers a pleasing dining experience. Daily meals cost around CHF 25, a full menu is around CHF 60, and a truffle menu is priced at CHF 110.
Located in a lakeside park, Mon Repos, this cultured yet modest place offers a delicious combination of Swiss, German, and French cuisines. The romantically-designed interior makes you want to fall in love, and their outdoor terrace is sure to delight people-watchers.
This modern cafe is located near Plaine des Plainpalais, and the French food menu here is regularly updated with innovative cuisines that never grow old and boring.
Relais de l'Entrecote is a perfect choice for steak lovers. The starter meals include lettuce or walnut salad, and the main course comprises of entrecote smeared with mouthwatering sauces, and a bowl of crispy French fries. Desserts include French specialties like chocolate profiteroles or creme brulee. The service is superb, and the restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Heaven for tourists from all countries, featuring, apart from brilliant Swiss food, traditional Swiss music. Highlights on the menu include raclette and Cheese fondue. Dessert can be a pleasing mix of options, but the Chocolate fondue is recommended.
This is your typical brasserie, offering a traditional French menu with dishes such as choucroute and pot-au-feu. It is a bit expensive overall, considering the menu is nothing extraordinary. Most of the customers are more attracted to the beautiful flowered terrace with its old fountain rather than the interior or the food.
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Set up by the Jacques-Mayer family in 1865, the dignified and sophisticated Beau-Rivage is situated on the banks of Lake Geneva. Today the hotel is run by descendents of the same family. The hotel has hosted the rich and famous; from Sarah Bernhardt, the Empress Elizabeth (Sissi) of Austria, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to more recently Sting and Catherine Deneuve. All amenities for the modern traveller are provided in each room; two telephones and five direct lines, modem points or fax. Extensive conference facilities are available for the business traveller as well.The chef of the restaurant Le Chat-Botte oversees the banquet facilities. Le Patara, the chic Thai restaurant is in this hotel. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails in L’Atrium Bar.
Priceless antiques adorn this palatial lakeside hotel situated in the heart of the city. The 225 rooms and suites drip with luxury and style fit for a king. The ultra-luxurious suite, the Royal Suite occupies a whole wing of the building. The rooms are air conditioned with fax/modem points. Some of the rooms are non-smoking. A boon for the business traveler, this hotel has conferencing and banqueting facilities for up to 1,200 people, along with a business center. There’s entertainment galore and plenty of verve with live concerts being held in the lobby lounge tearoom. You are spoilt for choice with the array of cuisines served in the hotel restaurants. Enjoy a Lebanese meal at L’Arabesque or indulge yourself with dishes from the world over at Spice restaurant. The terrace garden surrounding the pool is the best place for an informal meal. Guests can also enjoy the use of the small gym and the spa.
Experience Swiss homeliness in opulent surroundings in this intimate 5-star hotel which dates back to 1872. The 45 room hotel located near Cornavin station on the banks of Lake Geneva has played host to numerous successful business clients and celebrities. Mystery and magic combine with contemporary charm to ensure each guest’s stay here is a unique experience. Each room is individually decorated with plush furnishings and is fitted with fax lines and modem points. There are private balconies with some of the rooms. Wireless Internet facility is available throughout the hotel. For the health conscious, the hotel has a fitness centre with sauna.
Wallow in the lap of luxury in one of Geneva’s most established and extravagant hotels. This hotel, run by the Armleder family since 1875 was extensively renovated in 2007 and has 98 rooms including 31 suites. Opulence is the keyword here and hotel guests get every penny worth of what they spend. Five business rooms cater to up to 500 people. Snacks and light meals can be taken at Le Cottage, situated in the tranquil surroundings of the Brunswick Gardens or you can savour Italian cuisine in the restaurant Sapori. The bar and lounge serve a wide array of cocktails and drinks. This is one of Geneva’s most fashionable places and you’re likely to meet anyone who is someone. The hotel facilities also include a spa and limousine service.
Modelled in neo-classical style along the lines of the many private villas that circle Lake Geneva, the buildings of the hotel are no more than 3 storey high. Quiet elegance and tranquility mark this hotel which is a government rated 5-star one. White walls, red-tile roofs and 8 acres of surrounding landscaped gardens that burst forth into a frenzy of tulips every year, make for a quaint, charming ambience. The accent of this hotel is on well being and tranquility. The hotel is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is just 3 kms from the airport and 5 kms from the city centre. Most of the rooms are either park facing or Lake facing. Luxury has not been spared to make the spacious hotel rooms comfortable for the guests. The rooms are soundproofed. Fax machines are available. The bathrooms are large and either tiled or marble clad. After a hectic day of sightseeing or business, one can relax and unwind in the bar lounge with live music by a DJ. A choice of three restaurants caters to a vast selection of tastes. The best Asian food in all of Geneva is served in the fine Chinese restaurant Tse-Fung, which is decorated in red lacquer and rich olive green silk.
Not too far from Lake Geneve, the Edelweiss Manotel is true value for money. The warmth and cosiness of an authentic Swiss chalet can be experienced here. The 42 en suite rooms in this hotel are furnished in typical alpine décor with rustic mountain furniture and are provided with telephone and mini-bar. The evenings are sure to be full of surprises at the Swiss style restaurant replete with entertainment and folk music. A stay in this hotel will make you feel you are in the Alps. A small business centre caters to the guests on business. Internet access is also provided. With all the snugness and warm hospitality you can appreciate an experience never felt before.
Situated on a great location on the left bank of the river Rhone, the Hotel Tiffany is very close to the lake and the city center. Not as flashy and glamorous as the lakeside palaces, it still has its own charm with its stained glass and art nouveau flourishes and paintings. Considering its style, one would expect the prices here to be steep but pleasantly that is not so. The hotel is housed in a building rising 5 storeys. Leather clad armchairs and a summertime sidewalk café give an interesting touch to the hotel. The midsize bedrooms are soundproofed and have spacious bathrooms. The rooms in the attic hold their own fascination with their wooden beams, sloping walls and rooftop vistas.
This hotel is a member of a France based chain. Located in Geneva’s commercial centre it is a reliable government rated 4-star hotel. The lobby is stylishly decorated with marble trimmings. The Novotel Geneve Centre was originally a Ramada 5-star hotel hence has bedrooms larger than one would expect at a usual Novotel. Each bedroom has a writing table, a must for business travellers along with a convertible sofa/bed.
Set in a building which is over a hundred years old and constructed by an entrepreneur originally from Strasbourg, this hotel has undergone many renovations in its interior as well as its exterior, giving it a fresh and new look every time. Wooden surfaces and pastel shades give a contemporary look to some of the bedrooms while others are done up in a traditional style. The rooms on the lower floors are more spacious. Fine linens in each bedroom add to the comfort of the guests. Compact tiled bathrooms with decent plumbing are attached with every room.
Ideally located in the centre of Geneva, just a stone’s throw from the central train station, bus station, Lake Geneva and Jet d’eau, the 3-star Hotel Moderne offers comfort at affordable rates. The hotel building is a rectangular 7-storey white structure. A breakfast room is within a low-lying glassed in extension. The hotel rooms are clean, modern and often sunny and ehave standardized furnishings. Soundproof windows cut out the noise of the traffic. The bathrooms though small are well maintained with up-to-date plumbing and clean showers. Breakfast is the only meal served by the hotel’s restaurant. However, on the premises there is an Italian and Japanese restaurant as well under separate management. Babysitting facilities and laundry and dry cleaning services are offered by the hotel.
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Location:: Geneva, capital city, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland.; Dialing code:: 00 41 22 X (e.g. 00 41 22 XXX-XXXX); Emergency numbers :: Police: 117 Fire: 118 Ambulance: 144 Poison Emergency: 145 or 01 251 51 51 Weather Forecast: 162 Road/driving conditions: 163 Car breakdown service: 140 Alcoholiques anonymous: 0848 84 88 46 Rescue by helicopter (REGA): 1414 Rape - Help: +41 22/ 345 20 20 SOS Doctors (at home): +41 22/ 748 49 50 Doctors Association: +41 22/ 322 20 20 Emergencies - infants: +41 22/ 322 20 20 SOS Pharmacists: 022 420 64 80 SOS Nurses: 022 420 24 64 Lost and Found: 022 327 60 00
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Geneva is home to many nations - the Germans, French, Austrians, Italians, and Oriental/Asian. This is basically due to the fact that Switzerland has always welcomed refugees seeking asylum. People affected by war, political or economic instability, persecution, and other calamities flock to this country. Here they are offered the much-needed peace and tranquility to restore their lives to normal.
Private schools, institutes and colleges have flourished in Switzerland for more than 100 years, and many are still owned by the families that founded them. An important question arises in this context: why do families choose to send their children to be educated in Switzerland rather than Britain, for example? There are many answers. Switzerland is among the countries able to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of its famous and wealthy visitors, who want to get away from the media and spend time preserving their privacy. It is also a completely safe country, a very important factor amid the violence and tensions we see daily around the world. Switzerland also lies at a crossroads in Europe, sharing borders with France, Italy, Austria and Germany, placing it at the heart of Europe. In addition, tolerance and the ability to interact and mix well with people from different cultures are fundamentals of life in Switzerland. The Swiss themselves belong to four languages and cultures, yet have coexisted with complete success for many years since the establishment of the state.
The largest and most eminent of the malls in Geneva. It has more than a hundred stores, including expensive designer outlets, jewelry shops, and also a movie theater.
It is frequented by the fashionable elite of Geneva. Personal shopping assistants are on hand to facilitate shopping. The most prominent designer labels from around the world, including Patek Phillippe, Cartier, Gubelin, Bvlgari, Armani, Hermes, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci. Outlets such as the Aeschbach or Bruno Magli offer the most splendid, but expensive, footwear to complement the gear and jewelry bought from the designer stores. Other items of interest include purses, watches, caps, hats, jackets, and haute couture. Also up for sale are mouthwatering chocolates and confectionery delights.
Owned by the Migros, and being the glitziest and ritziest shopping center in all of Geneva, the Globus Department Store offers plenty of designer brands and labels in clothing and cosmetics, and exquisite jewelry. It also has a gourmet grocery store located on the ground floor, having its very own wine cellar.
A small but pretty expensive shopping mall. Offers clothes and related accessories. Also has electronic and household items.
Located to the east of the Rue de Rhone, and running parallel to it, the Rue du Rive makes up one of Geneva's most famous shopping district. It features designer retail stores and internationally acclaimed watch making outlets that are generally less expensive than those of the Rue de Rhone. Window shoppers are frequently found gazing longingly at the window displays.
Located close to the central railway station, this is an outlet of the largest chain of department stores in Switzerland. It consists of 6 storeys and contains all that you would need, under one roof, like electronic goods, children's and adult clothing, sportswear and equipment, furniture, toys, hardware, and items of daily use. The food court located on the ground floor is a popular hangout.
Ideally situated at a centralized location along the main shopping street of Geneva. Comprises of around 50 stores and cafes, and offers baked goods stalls throughout the shopping center.
Contains fashionable vintage clothing outlets and unique ethnic boutiques. Offers some of the best bargains in Geneva. Bookstores, jewelry, household items like cutlery and kitchenware, oriental rugs and antiques are a few of items up for sale.
Located in almost all neighborhoods around Geneva, and essentially all of Switzerland, the Migros is undoubtedly the most popular chain of supermarkets in the country. It is conveniently cheap and contains general goods instead of designer and brand labels. Typical items on sale are clothes, toys, footwear, electrical goods, and home appliances. Migros does not sell alcohol of any kind. It also offers sports and recreational activities, leisure trips, and language courses at inexpensive prices. Some of the locations of the M stores, as they are commonly called, are:
A rival to, but not quite up to the standard of, the Migros chain, this is another popular name in Switzerland. It offers brand-name goods as well as foodstuff, fresh and frozen, organic and processed. Coop, unlike the Migros stores, offers alcohol and alcoholic products. Other items on sale are office materials, household products like cleaning and washing equipment, cosmetics, electrical appliances, sports equipment, and also flowers! Some of the Coop stores also contain self-service restaurants.
The Hotel de Ville, a glory from the 15th century, is located along the Rue de l'Hotel-de-Ville in the Old Town district. It has witnessed many important political decisions, including the first convening of the Geneva Covention in 1864, and the founding of the League of Nations in 1920.
Located right in the center of the city, and dominating the buildings of the old town, the Cathedral is Geneva's oldest and most marvelous architectural heritage. Construction began around 1160, and took over four centuries to complete. Climbing the 157 steps of the north tower gives you breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city. The basement contains an Archaeological Museum that contains artifacts dating back to the 4th century AD.
This is an old residential building in Geneva that was destroyed by a massive fire in the early 14th century, but has been restored and converted into a cultural museum. It has on display articles of daily use in Geneva, dating back from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century. The attic has a miniature model of an ancient Geneva when the rampart walls were still in place around the city.
This museum is larger than any other museum in Geneva. The Art and History Museum chronicles and catalogues a comprehensive study of western culture, from ancient to modern times, including current issues. It contains in its collection over one million pieces, classified into three separate wings of the buildings. The Archeology wing houses relics from ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. The Fine Arts wing is home to paintings from the Renaissance era onwards, including works by renowned artists like Van Gogh and Renoir. The third wing, the Applied Arts wing displays weapons, household items, including furniture, cutlery, decorative elements, and other objects of daily life from the medieval times.
Located near the Jet d’Eau, this garden houses the famous “Flower Clock,” the largest flower clock in the world, symbolizing Geneva’s dedication to living harmoniously with nature. The dial is made up of around 6,500 flowers that are replaced with new arrangements several times in a year. The park also contains several notable works of art, including benches, fountains, and the popular ‘Monument National’.
Adjacent to the Parc la Grange on a smoothly sloping hillside, Eaux Vives Park offes a relaxing escape into serenity. The park contains the headquarters of the Geneva Sports Association. An ancient 18th century castle that stood on the site has been conveniently converted into a fancy restaurant.
This festival is celebrated to bid farewell to the winter season, according to an old tradition. It attracts a large amount of children as well as childish adults. Activities range from an array of masquerade sessions to food festivals, drinking, singing, and dances. The main event, marking the final departure of winter and the arrival of spring, is a merry procession through the city streets, starting at the Bridge of Bergues at midday, and, continuing throughout the city, ending at midnight, when the citizens give a massive roar of goodbye to the winter season.
Being one of the largest international shows to be organized in all of Europe, and undoubtedly the most prominent of the motor shows held around the globe, the Geneva Motor Show offers glitz and glamour when it comes to the world of automobiles. Whether they are classic, contemporary, or post-modern, cars from a wide variety of designers and manufacturers are up for display in a spacious showroom.
This is the largest such exhibition to be held anywhere in the world. Geneva's International Exhibition of Inventions has on display over a thousand new inventions and innovative products from around the globe. It offers a platform for thinkers, visualizers, and dreamers to bring their fantasies to life, in every aspect of modern science and technology, ranging from computing to toys to accessories and items of daily use. It also offers an insight to the public and private sector consumers as well as investors into the future of technology, and the importance and involvement of hi-tech products in our lives.
This is the largest chain of music festivals held in Geneva, featuring over a hundred performances at more than thirty outdoor locations in the city. Ranging from classical to jazz to hip-hop and trance, the music festival caters to the tastes of every music lover. And outdoor locations mean there is no restriction on food and drinks, so the audience may very well benefit from the large number of food stalls scattered throughout the performing area. The concerts and performances are usually free of charge for everyone, but, obviously, the food is not!
Hosted every year by the Societe Nautique de Geneve, the Rolex Bol d'Or is the most prominent sailing regatta in all of Europe, where more than 500 boats participate annually. A sure treat for lovers of adventure and stylish boats.
Walkman Tour:
Undoubtedly the most popular bus, train, and boat tour company. Large variety of tour packages, designed for people of every age, category, and taste. Some of the prominent packages include:
Tours operated via mini trains are the ideal choice when you have had enough of walking tours or talkative guides. These tours lead you through the major attractions and give a quick and interesting overview of the city rather than boring you out. Some of the leading train-operated tour companies are:
.The "Big Mosque" of Geneva, also home to the Islamic Cultural Foundation, was founded by King Faisal, ruler of Saudi Arabia, and was open to public on June 1, 1979.
The Centre Islamique de Geneve (Islamic Center of Geneva), also known as "The Little Mosque".
Chemin Colladon 34, Geneva, Switzerland
Rue des Eaux-Vives 104, Geneva, Switzerland
The Transports Publics Genevois (TPG) provides public transport by bus, trolleybus or tram.
Lake Boat Geneva
The train system in Geneva is one of the most convenient ones in Europe. Local trains run every half hour in the daytime, and every hour after 8 p.m.
Taxis are not very common in Geneva, and are not easy to find. For convenience, they may need to be booked or reserved in advance, especially during peak hours.
Car for hire Geneva
From the airport Geneva
Driving in Geneva:
Healthcare in Geneva is of a high standard, and the city has one of the lowest numbers of polluting agents. In fact, the most disturbing environmental hazard over the past few years, according to a local survey of the citizens, has been dog droppings on streets.
