Gorgeous Geneva – Top things to do in Geneva
Geneva is an entertaining city in Switzerland, where you can feel the city’s liveliness getting under your skin. Dig deeper into the city and treat yourself with the big city lights, Alps lake, live music in offbeat clubs, vintage shops and art galleries and flea markets. Excited already? Here’s our list of the top things to do in Geneva for the perfect Swiss city break!
1. Geneva’s jet d’eau
Geneva’s jet d’eau is ripe for a photo shoot. What was originally a release valve for Geneva’s water supply, this aesthetic wonder spurts 500 litres of water per second into the air, before it roars its way back into Lake Geneva. You can also take a stroll in the lake’s left bank area. The jet views look the best during Geneva’s August fireworks display where you’ll gawk in awe at the reflected colours soaring up and up!
2. International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum house the social work carried out by the International Red Cross.
Highlighting the visions of Henry Dunant which was laid down in 1863, a visit to this museum would be overwhelming for sure.
The museum was renovated in 2013, giving rise to 3 divisions. While the first section deals with the principles of the agency, the second section features the help given by by Red Cross for families affected by wars. The third section portrays the work done post natural calamities.
3. Serene timeout at Bastions park
If you are looking for a tranquil spot to sit and relax, Bastions park is your go-to place! If you are a coffee addict, stop for a sip at Café Restaurant du Parc des Bastions. The very same cafe turns into an ice rink arena for people to skate their hearts out during winter. This park also has the Reformation wall – a famous artwork which talks about the active members of the Reformation movement.
4. Plainpalais fleamarket
Get flushed with a multi-cultural atmosphere and lively market scenes at the Plainpalais fleamarket. If you are travelling in a tram, you can check out the collections ranging from secondhand toys, clothes to oils and jewels. If you are interested in vintage clothes and old-fashioned furniture, head to the university’s side. Fans of designer items must visit this place on a week-day given the price hike on weekends. Shopping is definitely one of the top things to do in Geneva, isn’t it?
5. Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
What better place than Lake Geneva for a picturesque setting? Take a cruise which heads to the Eastern portion of the lake and Chillon castle on the right side of the bank. The stretch of scenic beauty between Montreux and Lausanne will be your icing on the cake. Embark on any one of the boat tours that begin from Geneva’s prime docks placed at Eaux-Vives, Mont-Blanc, Pâquis and Jardin-Anglais. Lake Geneva has inspired and captured the hearts of many well-known visitors like Sophia Loren, Charlie Chaplin and Audrey Hepburn.
Fun Fact: Both Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin were so impressed with the Geneva lake region that they became perpetual residents.
6. MAMCO
Make some time for Geneva’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art ( MAMCO) if you enjoy artwork. Opened in the year 1994, MAMCA is known for being the largest contemporary-styled museum in Switzerland. You can find the international and Swiss artwork from the twentieth century. The best paintings at this museum are Cecile Bart’s ‘flying paintings’ and ‘cave room’ painting.
7. Mont Saleve
Mont Saleve – Geneva’s home mountain – lies 900 meters above the Jet d’Eau. With beautiful views of Geneva city from Jura and Mont Blanc, Mont Saleve is also known for its hiking paths. Mount Saleve is majorly accessible via the cable car – where the nature enthusiasts will get a dose of fresh air, fauna and flora and the panoramic sights of Geneva. Take a visit to the Shedrub Choekhor Ling monastery and soak in the divine atmosphere watching monks offering their prayers. For souvenirs, you can purchase some of the Buddhist and Tibetan handicrafts, decoration items and jewellery from the store inside this monastery. Don’t you think a visit to Mont Saleve is a must, when it comes to top things to do in Geneva?
8. Rue de Marche
Geneva is known for its delicious Swiss chocolates and eye-catchy souvenirs. Load your bags with the all-time famous Swiss chocolates at the Auer chocolate industry. Their truffles have been a hit since 1820. You can also gift yourself with the luxury Swiss watches which you can find in the famous shopping streets of Rue de Rhone and Rue de Marche.
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9. Old Town
The most traditional and popular part of Geneva is the Old Town, placed on a hill near the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and Place du Bourg-de-Four. The most talked about boutiques here are Jill Wolf Jewels and Septième Etage. You can relax with a cup of coffee at La Clémence and take a stroll along the Jura mountain range and Bastions park for a pleasant getaway.
Geneva is indeed a wonderland, right? Book a trip with us to get the best in this ever-happening Swiss city and have a memorable outing!
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