Geneva Travel Guide

Travel guide to Geneva, Switzerland with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Geneva sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.

Geneva Overview

Geneva, in Switzerland, is the countries second most populous city, with some 185,000 residents. The city's location is a particularly scenic one, with the mountain ranges of the Alps and the Jura close by along with the Rhone River, flowing into Lake Geneva adjacent to the city.

One of the best ways to see and experience the city is by bicycle, and the city have made this easy by setting up a programme called Velolove. The city is pretty flat and there are cycle routes throughout that make this form of transport an ideal option. The bikes themselves are available free of charge too from kiosks around the city.

In many ways Geneva is very much like it is portrayed, the conservative style is there, with the financial prudence and pragmatic attitudes that made Switzerland as a whole a place of sense and reason. On top of that though there is an inherent beauty to the place, a sense of confidence too that brings it to life and welcomes the visitor.

Top Geneva Attractions

For something a little different take a visit to the Jet d'Eau, ideally at night. It is a fountain that shoots a jet of water some 140 metres up into the air, and when it is dark the lighting brings the whole scene to life. A word of caution though, do watch it from a little way away - the water cascades out to cover the surrounding 500 metres.

The city has a wealth of historical and cultural assets, with over thirty museums here, a whole host of art galleries and some outstanding architecture too. The Modern Art Museum here for example has some fantastic contemporary pieces on show, and the Palais des Nations is a truly awesome place, combining museum, gallery and architecture in one, along with some lovely gardens.

Shopping in Geneva

The city offers a variety of shops, catering for many needs. Watches and jewellery are especially well represented here, with some fantastic pieces available, although not for the budget conscious. The whole feel of the place is one of wealth, and old money on the whole. This is perhaps why Geneva is not a real style capital, such shops that are here tend to cater for a slightly different clientele.

Geneva Sporting Events

The city has a football team called Servette FC, that had stood for many years as the only side to have played exclusively in the top league since its inception. However there were financial difficulties a couple of years ago that led to it being demoted two divisions.