Geneva

If you want to go fishing on the lake, you will need a fishing permit. Luckily it only costs 10 francs to get a fishing license. These can be bought at many fishing equipment stores throughout Geneva. You can also find a package deal in the summers that includes hotel accommodation, a fishing trip on Lake Neuchatel with a local fisherman and preparation of the fish by the hotel chef.

Old Town Geneva offers everything from a stunning cathedral to a number of unusual art galleries. Some of the highlights to see are the Cathedrale St-Pierre, La Place du Bourg-de-Four, Maison Tavel, and the Old Arsenal.

Geneva is home to many festivals. If you’re able to, try to plan your trip around one. One of the biggest festivals is the Fete de la Musique, an annual festival that brings musicians from all over the world. This usually happens at the end of June. During the winter there is the L’Escalade festival which is celebrated as a remembrance of the proud defense of Genevans against Duke of Savoy’s army. This typically takes place at the beginning of December in Old Town.

Bains is an artificial peninsula surrounded by a busy beach. During the hot summer days, it’s a great spot to sunbathe and swim. There’s also a zip-line above the water that you can ride. If you’re looking for more of a relaxing experience, you can spend time in the baths and saunas.

Once you’ve enjoyed the water a bit, stop by the restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything is extremely affordable and ranges from 11 – 18 CHF. During the winter, they do fondue for dinner but it books up quickly so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.

What better way to see Geneva than from the sky? You’ll leave from Saleve mountain in France and make your way over Lake Geneva, the Alps, and more. Flights take off daily and each one takes about 45-60 minutes. It will cost you 150 CHF ($150 USD) per person.

While in Geneva, you’ll want to make the most of the Lake and one of the best ways to do so is to rent a paddle-board. If you buy the Geneva pass, paddle-board rentals are free!

In South Geneva, you will find Plainpalais, a large open space which is known for its flea and farmers markets. The large farmers market happens every Sunday, from early morning until about 5 PM. You’ll find dried fruits, nuts, cheese, jam, and more. The flea market occurs on Saturdays and Wednesdays and you will find everything from books and clothing to decor and tools.

Carouge can be considered Geneva’s bohemian or “hipster” neighborhood. You won’t find any large chains but rather you’ll find plenty of local restaurants, cafes, and bars. There is also a theater that exclusively plays indie films. On Rue St-Joseph, you’ll find antique shops, clothing stores, and lots of boutiques to explore.

The International Red Cross Museum first opened up in 1988 and is one of the top museums in Geneva. The exhibitions are very modern rather than traditional and it makes for a very unique experience.

The CERN museum in Geneva has multiple exhibitions like the Universe of Particles and Microcosm. Though it is most famous for its big bang experiment. They are currently trying to recreate the big bang theory. It’s very fascinating to see!

The Palace of Nations houses the United Nations Office. The best way to see it all is to take a guided tour. Proof of identity is required for the tours so be sure to bring your passport. Tour times vary so check ahead before you go and don’t worry about making reservations.

The Pointe de la Jonction is where the Rhone and Arve rivers meet in Geneva. The waters of the rivers are two different colors (brown and green), and when they come together at the junction, their waters mix together in a beautiful and mesmerizing way.