Tourist Attractions in Geneva

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Geneva

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Geneva

If you believe the story that God once distributed land to different peoples and countries, then the Swiss city of Geneva was given one of the most picturesque places in Western Europe. The city stands on the shores of the incredibly beautiful Lake Geneva. Its shores are surrounded by the mountain peaks of the Alps, and the coastal strip is an exemplary symbiosis of harmonious life of people and nature.

Geneva is also known as the watchmaking capital of the world. Here are the manufactories producing the best chronometers in Switzerland, which have long been a symbol of status and prosperity. From Geneva, precious watches are delivered to the most expensive shops in the world.

The people of Geneva are lucky to be born amidst magnificent nature and purest air, slopes with vineyards, alpine chalets and luxury yachts. Perhaps this is what an exemplary human life should look like.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Geneva

Lake Geneva Region

 4.7/5

15 reviews

The largest lake in Europe, located in the Alps mountain system. The Swiss-French border runs along it. Many cultural and artistic figures of the 20th century settled in this picturesque area, and now this tradition continues. Around Lake Geneva there are national parks, vineyards, prestigious resorts with Michelin restaurants, archaeological monuments of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Open time

The Geneva Water Fountain

 4.7/5

15914 reviews

Nowadays, the Gé-Do Fountain is considered a landmark and a symbol of Geneva, but in the 18th century it was built for a purely practical purpose – as part of a factory hydraulic system. After such systems were no longer necessary, the city authorities decided to turn the fountain into an ornament of Geneva. Now Gé-Do is a jet of water bursting out of Lake Geneva. The system is illuminated by powerful illumination.

Open time

Broken Chair

 4.5/5

7183 reviews

A wooden sculpture in the form of a chair with a damaged leg, installed in a square in Geneva. It was created as an expression of protest against the use of anti-personnel mines, which leave people without limbs. The sculpture reaches a height of 12 metres. The chair was installed in 1997 on the initiative of the International Organisation of Persons with Disabilities. From the very beginning, the idea received wide public resonance and support.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Place du Bourg-de-Four

 0/5

The square is located on the left bank of the Rhone River in the historic part of Geneva. In the centre is a small fountain dating back to the 18th century. It has been a market place since Antiquity, and during the Middle Ages it was a gathering place for fugitive French Protestants. There are several cosy cafes on the square, and around it there are historical districts and architectural monuments of different epochs.

Palais des Nations

 4.6/5

3540 reviews

A building built between 1928 and 1938 for the League of Nations, the predecessor organisation of the modern UN. Until 1966, the Palais des Nations was the home of UNESCO, after which it was handed over to the UN, even though Switzerland was not a member of the organisation and only joined in 2002. The palace was built in neoclassical style by a group of architects.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

 4.5/5

3099 reviews

The museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the only collection in Geneva with an extensive encyclopaedic collection of art from different eras and countries. Paintings by Van Gogh and Monet are exhibited here, along with ancient Egyptian artefacts. There are also many exhibits from the Middle Ages: weapons, armour, church vestments, clothing, household items, ceramics and porcelain.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Patek Philippe Museum

 4.5/5

2295 reviews

Museum of one of the most elite brands of Swiss watches – “Patek Philippe S.A.”. Even the slogan of this company says that you cannot own their watches, but are just a temporary keeper of such a “jewel”. A professional guide of the watch museum will give you a tour and tell you about the nuances of watchmaking, which originated in Geneva several hundred years ago, as well as show you unique pieces.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Muséum d'histoire naturelle

 4.6/5

3963 reviews

One of the largest natural science museums in Europe, with its collection spread over four floors of an imposing building. Here you can see stuffed animals and birds, fossil skeletons, a collection of minerals, meteorite fragments and precious stones. A separate floor is dedicated to the exposition about human evolution. The museum regularly organises thematic events.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

 4.5/5

2131 reviews

In the second half of the 19th century, A. Durand, a native of Geneva, founded the international charity organisation “Red Cross”. Durand founded the international charity organisation “Red Cross”. By the 100th anniversary of this event, it was decided to open a museum dedicated to the activities of the organisation. As a result, the museum was opened only in 1988 due to long approvals. The exposition consists of documents, films, photographs, posters, telling about the activities of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Open time

Musée Ariana

 4.6/5

620 reviews

The collection grew out of the private collection of patron G. Revillaud. It included sculptures, coins, paintings, pottery and old stained glass windows. In 1890 the collection became the property of the city. Over time, the exhibits were moved to other museums, and only glass and ceramics remained in “Ariana”. Now the museum holds more than 12 thousand items, the earliest of which date back to the VIII century.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

MEG - Musée d'ethnographie de Genève

 4.7/5

311 reviews

The museum was founded in 1901 with the participation of Professor E. Pittar. The exposition is divided into seven parts, which are devoted to the cultures of America, Oceania, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Ethnographic Museum is considered to be the second largest in Switzerland. The collection is housed in a modern building built in 2014, designed by T. Pulver and M. Graber. Pulver and M. Graber. The distribution of light in the interior of the museum allows you to view all the exhibits from the most favourable angle.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tavel House

 4.5/5

807 reviews

The town house of the noble Tavel family, built in the first half of the 14th century. The family lived here until 1963, when the building was taken over by the city authorities. After the reconstruction, a museum was opened on the territory of the house. The exposition is a reconstruction of the old houses of the Geneva aristocracy. It recreates the atmosphere characteristic of such dwellings several centuries ago.

Open time

L'Ancien Arsenal

 4.4/5

122 reviews

The Arsenal was built in the fourteenth century and was first used as the town’s barn. During the turbulent times of the Reformation, it became an armoury. In the XIX century, the Geneva authorities decided to organise an archive and a historical museum on the Arsenal’s territory to house valuable exhibits. In addition to the museum, the building is home to the city fair.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Geneva Molard Tower

 3.8/5

149 reviews

In the 14th century, the structure was part of the city’s fortification system. It was formerly the site of an ancient harbour with access to the sea. In the 16th century, the tower was restored and emblazoned with the coats of arms of famous supporters of the Reformation. Since then, the building has been a symbol of the fighters, revolutionaries and other dissenters who constantly took refuge in Geneva from persecution by the authorities of their countries.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Sunday: Closed

Reformation Wall - Paul Landowski

 4.5/5

2850 reviews

A monument commemorating the events of the Reformation, as a result of which national movements began to break away from the unified branch of the Western Church. This happened in Germany, the Netherlands, England and other countries. The foundation of the monument was laid 400 years after the birth of one of the founders of the new doctrine – J. Calvin. The construction of the wall was finished by 1917. It depicts figures of prominent figures of the Reformation.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Grand Théâtre de Genève

 4.7/5

749 reviews

The opera house, built in 1879. For a long time Geneva had no music scene, as the city was influenced by the ideas of the Reformation, which denied luxury and idleness. The theatre opened with a production of J. Rossini’s opera “William Tell”. In the 20th century the building was completely destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt by 1962. The last reconstruction was carried out in 1998.

Open time

Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

St Pierre Cathedral

 4.5/5

7108 reviews

The main city cathedral of Geneva, built on the site of early Christian churches in the 13th century. The building was erected in the Romanesque style, but over time it was enriched with Gothic elements. In the XVIII century, as a result of another reconstruction, the cathedral got a classical facade. Since 1535 St Peter’s Cathedral has been a Calvinist church. It became one of the first churches in Europe to embrace the ideas of the Reformation.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 5:30 PM

Basilica Notre-Dame

 4.7/5

686 reviews

The main Catholic church of the city, built in the 19th century. Until then, it was not possible to build a Catholic church in “reformist” Geneva. The Basilica is one of the places visited by pilgrims following the Way of St James. The architecture of the cathedral is an imitation of the Gothic style to give a resemblance to ancient Christian churches.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Cathédrale del’Exaltation de la Sainte Croix

 4.7/5

11 reviews

An Orthodox church erected in 1866. The history of its appearance is quite interesting – in 1862 the authorities of Geneva donated to the Russian Empire a plot of land for the construction of an Orthodox church. A large sum of money for the construction of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross was donated by Alexander II, the rest of the funds were collected in a fairly short time.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Brunswick Monument

 4.4/5

3506 reviews

A mausoleum monument dedicated to the exiled German Duke Charles of Brunswick. He escaped from his domains during the events of the Franco-Prussian War. The aristocrat had no heirs, so he decided to bequeath his entire fortune to Geneva if the authorities would erect a worthy monument to him. The authorities agreed, as the Duke’s wealth was really impressive. Thanks to the inherited 24 million francs, the city acquired a university and an opera house.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Pont du Mont-Blanc

 4.6/5

106 reviews

A bridge over the Rhone River, offering a beautiful view of the Gé-Do Fountain, Mont Blanc, the highest point in Western Europe, and the island of Rousseau. The structure was built in 1862. The flags of all Swiss cantons are flown along the edges of the bridge parapets. The place is very popular with tourists, as city attractions and famous shops are located nearby.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Conservatory and Botanical garden Geneva

 4.7/5

7502 reviews

The Botanical Gardens are located near the United Nations Headquarters. It contains a large variety of tropical and Mediterranean plant species. The Botanical Garden has several greenhouses, a small zoo with pink flamingos, a library, ponds, a children’s playground and a café. The park covers an area of 12 hectares and is home to several thousand plants.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Parc de La Grange

 4.7/5

5004 reviews

A country park located on the shores of Lake Geneva, in the place where the earliest settlements originated. The ruins of an ancient villa have been preserved in the park. La Grange is famous for its rose garden, century-old trees and chestnut alleys. The park has many areas for children and there are also special areas for dog owners. Native Genevans love to spend time in La Grange.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Parc des Bastions

 4.7/5

122 reviews

The park is located on the site of the city’s former fortifications. After the liberation from the Napoleonic occupation, potatoes were planted there until O. de Candolle founded the Botanical Garden in 1817. At the beginning of the 20th century, the garden was moved to another place and the Bastion Park acquired its modern appearance. One of the most significant monuments in the park is the monument to the statesman C.P. de Rochemont, under whom Switzerland declared eternal neutrality.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

The Flower Clock

 4.5/5

11122 reviews

The clock is located in the English Park on the shores of Lake Geneva. The first clock was created in 1903 by the Swiss scientist C. Linnaeus, the second one appeared in 1955 in honour of the recognition of Geneva as a world centre of chronometer production. The diameter of the dial of the floral clock is 5 metres, and the plants have been chosen so that the composition blooms throughout the summer.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours