Geneva

The French-speaking city at the tip of Lake Geneva, home of the UN's European headquarters and the Red Cross. The Jet d'Eau fountain shoots 140 m above the harbour, the old town climbs to St. Pierre Cathedral, and the Broken Chair stands outside the Palais des Nations. CERN's Science Gateway is free and a tram ride away; Mont Salève (in France) gives the view of the city and Mont Blanc. The second gateway airport, reached from India with one stop. The plainer hotels are dear and fill during conferences and the watch fair.

Highlights

• Jet d'Eau over the harbour
• Old Town and St. Pierre Cathedral towers
• Palais des Nations and the Broken Chair
• CERN Science Gateway
• Flower clock in the Jardin Anglais
• Bains des Pâquis on the lake
• Carouge's Sardinian-style streets
• Mont Salève view of Mont Blanc

Things to do

• Lakefront, Jet d'Eau and the flower clockMorning · 2h
• Old Town and St. Pierre Cathedral towersMorning · 2h
• Palais des Nations tour and the Broken ChairAfternoon · 2h
• CERN Science GatewayAfternoon · 3h
• Carouge eveningEvening · 2h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: May – September

• Swiss National Day — 1 August is the national holiday: bonfires on the hills, fireworks and lantern parades, and brunch on farms. The biggest display is over the Rhine Falls on the evening of 31 July; book the viewing tickets and trains ahead.
• Fête de l'Escalade — Geneva celebrates the defeat of the Duke of Savoy's night attack of 1602 on the weekend nearest 12 December: a costumed procession in the old town, a race, and chocolate cauldrons smashed for luck.

Part of a longer route

Geneva is a stop on a curated circuit through Switzerland.