One Day In Geneva, Switzerland: Main Attractions, Food Ideas, And More
One Day In Geneva, Switzerland: Main Attractions, Food Ideas, And More
Published November 30, 2023
The city of Geneva in western Switzerland is a place that many travelers pass through. It’s the country’s second-largest city, which is home to the country’s second-busiest airport. If you’re heading anywhere within the French-speaking part of Switzerland, you’ll probably be flying in or out of “Genève Aéroport.”
What brought me to Geneva for a day? Well, I came to Switzerland to visit friends living in nearby Lausanne. They told me to book a flight to Geneva and then take the train to their place. I knew I would be exhausted after flying across the Atlantic from the US, so I spent the first night of my vacation in Geneva. I set aside one full day to explore this historic city before venturing over to Lausanne.
This post will highlight what I was able to see and do in Geneva in one day. Click or tap any of the links below to jump down to the corresponding section!
24 Hours in Geneva: Things to See and Do
One full day in Geneva is enough time to get a good sense of the town and see all its main attractions. The most central neighborhoods are compact and walkable. Geneva is famous for its finance sector, banking, diplomacy, and ties to the United Nations, so it has an undeniable cosmopolitan vibe. With that said, Geneva is not as hectic as other cities known for similar things, such as New York.
Explore the Lakefront
I’d argue that Geneva’s number one attraction is its waterfront. The city is situated at the far western edge of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French). The downtown area wraps around a little bay, so you’ll never be far from the edge of the lake.
I stayed in an Airbnb on the north side of town (in Sécheron), so I worked my way down and around the lakeshore. I started my walk at Quai Wilson and ended at the iconic Jet d’Eau, a massive fountain that towers over the entire city.
Quai Wilson & Quai du Mont-Blance
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
These streets run right along the lakeshore between Sécheron and the Rhône River crossing. Quai Wilson turns into Quai du Mont-Blanc as you approach Geneva’s historic center. While you’re here, take your first glimpse of the Jet d’Eau from a far. On a clear day, you can also see the dramatic rocky cliffs that surround the city.
Bains des Pâquis & Phare des Pâquis
Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc 30, 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.bains-des-paquis.ch/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bainsdespaquis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bainsdespaquis/
Look at a map of Geneva, and you’ll notice a little piece of land sticking out into the lake from Quai du Mont-Blanc. Not only does this place offer good photo ops, but there are also two noteworthy landmarks here: Bains des Pâquis and Phare des Pâquis. The former is a popular local sauna with access to the lake. There’s also a restaurant here, which is one of the places I ate lunch (more on that below). You don’t have to purchase a day pass to the sauna in order to eat there.
The second landmark, Phare des Pâquis, is a picturesque lighthouse at the end of this little strip of land. You can walk all the way up to it, but just beware that the ground might be wet and slippery. Visit during the day or take a stroll out here in the evening to see it lit up after dark.
Cross the Rhône River
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
The Rhône River (not to be confused with the Rhine) is a waterway that begins in the Swiss Alps and empties into the Mediterranean sea in France near Marseille. The river feeds into Lac Léman on its far eastern side near Port-Valais, and the lake turns back into the Rhône River in the heart of Geneva.
In order to get from Pâquis to the historic center of town, you have to cross the Rhône. There are about a half-dozen bridges to do so, and the two most convenient ones for pedestrians are Pont du Mont-Blanc and Pont des Bergues.
Pont des Bergues provides access to Île Rousseau, a tiny island in the middle of the river. It’s got a little park on it, which had trees decorated with festive lights (at least during my visit). Île Rousseau seemed like a place where commuters would stop to rest for a few minutes and enjoy the view.
Jardin Anglais
Address: Quai du Général-Guisan 34, 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.geneve.ch/en/jardin-anglais
See also: https://www.geneve.com/en/attractions/english-garden
The next major point of interest along Geneva’s waterfront after you cross the Rhône River is Jardin Anglais (English Garden). It’s a lush park with bright colors even in late fall. This is the only large green space on the waterfront near the city center.
Jet d'Eau
Address: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.geneve.ch/en/jet-eau
See also: https://www.geneve.com/en/explore-the-city/geneva-sights-and-stories/the-jet-d-eau-the-star-of-geneva-harbour
From Jardin Anglais, Geneva’s most recognizable symbol is not far away. According to the websites listed above, the fountain sprays 140 meters (460 feet) into the air at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour). It’s stunning to see up close, but it’s also incredibly cool to see peeking over buildings and rooftops from various parts of Geneva.
The other aspect of the Jet d’Eau I find so fascinating is that it’s not a static structure. Depending on the wind and your proximity, the flow of water can have a distinct arch shape. From other vantage points (or if the wind is blowing in your direction), it just looks like a blurry column of water and mist. Where the water lands on the lake is also dependent on the wind.
You can approach the Jet d’Eau by walking down the pier it’s built next to. For obvious safety reasons, there’s a barrier that prevents anyone from getting too close to the base of the fountain. If you want a close-up view of the Jet d’Eau, prepare to be sprayed with at least a little bit of mist!
At the far end of the pier, past the Jet d’Eau is a small lighthouse called Phare des Eaux-Vives. It’s not as picturesque as Phare des Pâquis, but they’re actually close enough together that you can see both at the same time. The pathway from the Jet d’Eau to this lighthouse is narrow and wet. There aren’t any guardrails, so exercise caution while coming out here.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève
Address: Cr de Saint-Pierre, 1204 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.cathedrale-geneve.ch/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathedralegeneve/
Geneva’s most famous cathedral is worth visiting for a number of reasons. Right off the bat, its exterior looks like an amalgamation of styles and architectural periods. The columns in front of the main entrance look pretty different from the rest of the building. That’s because the church was constructed starting in the 12th century; however, those Neoclassical, Greek-inspired columns were added much more recently in the 1700s.
The main sanctuary of this cathedral is pretty standard in my opinion. With that in mind, the number one reason to visit this church is its bell tower. Pay a small fee, and you can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city. On one side you’ll be able to see Lac Léman and the Jet d’Eau. All other directions offer views of rooftops in the historic center.
Musée Ariana
Address: Av. de la Paix 10, 1202 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.musee-ariana.ch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/museearianageneve/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museearianageneve
I only visited one museum during my 24 hours in Geneva, but I’m glad it was this one! It features mostly glass and ceramics, and the collection is housed in the beautiful building shown below. It doesn’t take too long to see everything, and the pieces on display were produced all over the world throughout the last 1,200 years. As such, the Musée Ariana boasts a wide breadth of styles without being overwhelming.
If you’re interested in touring the United Nations next door to the Musée Ariana, you need to make arrangements beforehand. I didn’t do this, nor did I have a particularly strong interest in visiting. According to their website, it’s recommended that you book three months in advance! The good news is, Geneva’s international vibe is ubiquitous throughout the city. You don’t have to visit the actual UN to experience it.
Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève
Address: Chem. de l’Impératrice 1, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Switzerland
Website: https://www.cjbg.ch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjbgeneve
This huge botanical garden is the best place in Geneva to see autumn leaves! I’m sure it’s just as impressive in spring and summer when everything is bright green. Even in November, there were some pretty flowers in bloom at the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques.
Be sure to check out the greenhouses here as well. They form a labyrinth of rooms where tons of tropical and desert plants are able to thrive. There were so many little nooks and crannies to discover here!
Christmas Markets in Winter
If you visit Geneva in late fall or early winter, you may not be blessed with great weather the entire time. Luckily, one thing is guaranteed if you visit in late November or December: Christmas markets! The one I visited was set up along Quai du Mont-Blanc.
They had lots of vendors, festive lights, food stalls, alcoholic beverages, seating areas, and more. I enjoyed strolling through, and it was a great place to sip on a coffee while enjoying the holiday ambiance.
Foods to Try
One day in Geneva will allow you to try two or three meals here. I ate at two local Swiss places and one international restaurant. Read on to see what I found!
Local Swiss Delicacies
Food in this part of Switzerland feels very wholesome to me as an American. As you might already know, cheese is one of the main highlights. However, cuisine from Geneva and Vaud (the neighboring canton) also features lots of veggies both fresh and cooked, local meat, fish, and other products from the lake. Meals here are filling and satisfying, but never excessively heavy.
Raclette
I’ve had this famous dish before in the US, so I was excited to see what it would be like in Switzerland! It’s basically melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, bread, pickles, and cured meats.
Fondue
Okay, so I didn’t technically have fondue in Geneva. Instead, I tried it a few days later in Lausanne. I think eating both raclette and fondue on the same day would be an overload of melted cheese, so I don’t really recommend it. If you’re spending additional time in another part of Romandy (this region of Switzerland), you might want to space these two meals out.
For travelers who do want to experience fondue in Geneva, there are lots of restaurants around town that serve it, including Auberge de Savièse. One thing to note is that restaurants often require a party of two or more for fondue. That’s why I tried raclette in Geneva by myself, and waited to have fondue in Lausanne with friends.
La Buvette des Bains
Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc 30, 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Website: https://www.bains-des-paquis.ch/en/restaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buvette_des_bains_des_paquis/
The host of my Airbnb recommended I try this restaurant located at the Bains des Pâquis. He said it was a good way to experience authentic local food that isn’t overpriced. I think they have a rotating menu, so on the day I went they were serving a spaghetti shrimp dish.
The pasta was honestly phenomenal! It came with dried tomatoes, arugula, lemon, cheese, and a slightly spicy oil-based sauce drizzled on top. What an amazing combination! It felt like a summer dish, but was still so satisfying in November.
International Cuisine
Because diplomats and representatives from all over the world come to Geneva, the city’s food scene is pretty international. When I saw “Ulaanbaatar,” a Mongolian restaurant located here, I knew I had to try it. That’s because I went to Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia) back in 2016! I don’t think I’ve ever seen an exclusively Mongolian restaurant in the US, so I didn’t want to pass up this opportunity.
I ordered a plate of dumplings with pickled veggies. They were a little bit different from the ones I remember eating in Mongolia, but these were still delicious!
You might be able to find other niche international cuisines in Geneva. If there’s a dish you’re craving that you don’t have access to in your home city, do a quick online search! Geneva may have just what you’re looking for.
Have an Amazing One-Day Adventure in Geneva!
I hope this blog post sets you up for success for a one-day visit to Switzerland’s second-largest city! Even if you don’t prioritize these exact museums, restaurants, and attractions, you should still be able to get a good sense of what this city on the lake is all about.
Travelers who are visiting other parts of Lac Léman should also check out my blog posts featuring Lausanne and Vevey [Vevey post coming soon!]. Both cities are gorgeous, and they’re accessible from Geneva via Switzerland’s world-renowned “SBB CFF FFS” train system.
Do you have any feedback about this post? Be sure to leave a comment below if you do! I love hearing from all of you, and I’m constantly aiming to make my blog even more helpful for like-minded adventurers. Thanks for reading!
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This post was published on Nov 30, 2023
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