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City of Geneva Guided Tours

Walkman Tour:

City guide

Overview & visitor information

City of Geneva Guided Tours Geneva
City of Geneva Guided Tours Geneva

Walkman Tour:

The simplest method is the self-guided tour. All you have to do is get a Walkman and a set of headphones from the tourist office. This offers informative walks through the various districts of Geneva, and, without boring the listener, introduces them to the monuments, restaurants, art galleries, museums, and other such attractions of the particular area. Of course, the tour is conducted at you own pace and ease - you may pause, rewind, play, or fast-forward as you wish. The tour consists of an introduction to 25 attractions, and the tape is approximately two and a half hours long. A map is also given for guidance, and the recordings are available in various languages including French, Spanish, Italian, German, English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Korean and Japanese.

The apparatus is lent out for a maximum duration of four hours on displaying a valid passport or ID. Rent: normally CHF 10 and a further CHF 50 is kept as security deposit and refunded when you return the apparatus.

Timings for the self-guided Walkman Tour:  Monday 10am-6pm, Tuesday to Saturday 9am-6pm. Summer: Sundays also: 9am-6pm

Office to pick up the apparatus: Geneve Tourisme, Rue du Mont-Blanc 18 (Head Office)

Brochure-led Tour:

Another form of the self-guided tour is the "Geneva on Foot" service. This is similar to the Walkman service, except that the walkman and earphones are replaced by colorful and interesting brochures which can lead you through the various tourist sites throughout the city. The plus points - it is a lot cheaper (some brochures are simply free of charge), more convenient for any number of people, and the tour can be paused and resumed at any time.

Group Tours:

These are official two-hour tours where a guide accompanies a group of people. There are various packages. These tours are generally around CHF 10-15. Packages include a walk through the Old Town, historic capital of Geneva; important landmarks like the United Nations and Red Cross buildings; medieval Geneva, highlighted primarily by its museums; the international aspect of the city, outlined by its world famous monuments, parks, gardens, and other places of interest; the nightlife around Geneva; and so on. More details about these packages, their rates, and their timings are easily available at the head office.

Geneve Tourisme & Bureau des congres Rue du Mont-Blanc 18 Case postale 1602 CH - 1211 Geneve 1 Tel. +41 (0)22 909 70 00

Website: www.geneve-tourisme.ch

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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:

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Parc La Grange

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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.

Rath Museum Genevageneva

Rath Museum

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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.

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The Conservatoire de Musique

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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.

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What to do with Children in Tow

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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:

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The Treille Promenade

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The Treille Promenade, near the southern part of the Old Town, offers scenic views of the city from a breathtaking height.

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Tavel House

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Shahi Restaurant

Owned and run by Pakistanis, Shahi Restaurant is an excellent choice when it comes to Halal food in Geneva. Just a short walk from the city's central railway station, it has a warm and welcoming ambience, decorated with northwest Indian ornamentations. It offers a variety of typical Pakistani dishes. The food is usually free of fat and oily substances, and served with the characteristic hospitality of Pakistan. Overall, the restaurant may be a little expensive, but it offers true value for money.

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Ali Baba Cafe

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L'Ephese

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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.

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All the chefs, waiters, and the staff here are students of the L'Ecole Hoteliere de Geneve,a renowned international catering school, which ensures that the service you get is quick and pleasant. The menu is largely French, with innovative new dishes being added regularly. A list of vegetarian options is also available. The prices are conveniently cheap, a full course costing as little as CHF 45 and the daily special meals at just around CHF 20. The coffee after the meal is best when taken in the open garden.

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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.

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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.

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Jeck's Place (Thai/Asian)

Small and quiet, this place is a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The meals are quite affordable, with lunch at around CHF 15, and dinner at CHF 25-30. The cuisine is largely Thai, including green curry and roasted duck, and a large variety of equally tempting desserts. Some dishes are influenced by Singaporean, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian tastes. The service is quick and polite.