Geneva tourist attractions, what to do and what to see in two days

Geneva tourist attractions. In the article, you will find a lot of information about what to see and what to do in Geneva when your visit lasts only two days.

Geneva is a city in Switzerland that we have long planned to visit. This beautiful mountainous city gained fame as it became the headquarters of major international organizations such as the United Nations and the famous European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where research straight out of science fiction films is conducted.

Furthermore, Geneva is the second most important financial centre in Switzerland after Zurich and a place where nearly 20 percent of the population are millionaires. It’s difficult to deny the allure of strolling down the same streets as disgustingly wealthy Swiss tycoons.

Geneva, the city of peace, trade and giant money, and its history

Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland, both in terms of size and population. It is situated on the picturesque and incredibly clean Lake Geneva and surrounded by a stunning panorama of high Alpine mountains. One of the peaks you can spot while strolling through Geneva is Mont Blanc, often referred to as the Roof of Europe, although whether it is the highest peak on our continent remains a matter of debate due to the somewhat imprecise definition of Europe’s boundaries.

Some claim that with good visibility and from a high vantage point, you can also catch a glimpse of the famous Matterhorn peak with its characteristic pyramid shape. However, despite driving up to a high elevation, we didn’t manage to spot the Matterhorn.

The city has a long history dating back thousands of years. It is believed that the first settlements were established here during the Neolithic period. Later, the Celts arrived with their mystical culture and early agriculture. In subsequent centuries, they were supplanted by the Romans, who turned the city into a military base, a foothold for their conflict with the Helvetii.

Throughout history, Geneva has been prized for its numerous trade and pilgrimage routes traversing the Alps and the nearby Jura Mountains. The Romans capitalized on this, making the city a key centre in the region. Political and economic changes worldwide also left their mark on Geneva. After the fall of Rome, it became an important bishopric before falling into the hands of the Germanic Burgundians.

Centuries passed, the world changed, and Geneva prospered and grew. Over time, its substantial wealth allowed it to secure a neutral status, shielding it from many bloody conflicts and numerous wars that plagued Europe.

During the European Enlightenment, Geneva became its focal point. Here, the darkness of the Middle Ages and religious fanaticism clashed with free inquiry and secular art. It was a time when technological powers emerged, which are still recognized as some of the most valuable brands in the world today. In 1755, the world’s first watchmaking factory was established in Geneva by Jean-Marc Vacheron. Thanks to its high standards, Vacheron Constantin watches gained immense renown and were owned by luminaries such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius XI, British Princess Diana, Tsar Nicholas Romanov, and Queen Victoria.

The 19th century marked the beginning of dynamic growth and increased international status for the city.

In 1864, at the initiative of Swiss philanthropist Henri Dunant, the famous humanitarian organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, was founded in Geneva. In 1920, the headquarters of the League of Nations were established here, aimed at maintaining cooperation among nations worldwide. The League of Nations was formally dissolved in 1946, replaced by the United Nations, with headquarters in New York and a European branch in Geneva.

In addition to the aforementioned institutions, Geneva hosts numerous other international organizations, numbering over twenty. In total, the city is home to 250 non-governmental organizations, including the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, the World Trade Organization, and of course, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Geneva is undoubtedly a critical and incredibly fascinating city, where vast wealth and power have created its own unique ecosystem. The constant flow of wealth and influence is evident at every turn; even while walking the streets, we passed people who discreetly but unmistakably exuded high status and wealth.

It’s worth experiencing it first-hand and seeing how life is in a city where one-fifth of the population are millionaires.

Geneva tourist attractions and what you must see while in Geneva

Exploring Geneva was an immense pleasure for us. The city fully deserves its high status. The streets are clean, well-kept, and beautifully illuminated, while the city’s landmarks are meticulously maintained and restored. The safety of Geneva’s residents and visitors is ensured by a multitude of police officers, whose presence, thanks to modern monitoring systems, may not be immediately visible on the streets, but the appropriate authorities swiftly attend to any minor disturbance.

We witnessed a minor collision on one of Geneva’s main, prestigious streets. Literally within a minute, the police, ambulance, and technical vehicle arrived. After another 5 minutes, there was no trace of the incident, and the stream of luxury cars continued flowing like a well-regulated river.

Below, you’ll find information about Geneva’s attractions that made the biggest impression on us and that you should also see.

Geneva tourist attractions, Old Town with Saint Peter’s Cathedral and many other interesting places

The heart of Geneva’s Old Town is the Place du Bourg-de-Four square, brimming with fountains, flower shops, restaurants, and exclusive stores belonging to some of the world’s most popular brands. It was here, on the main square in Geneva, that I saw a queue for the first time in my life outside a Rolex watch store. It seemed almost unbelievable as people jostled to get inside.

At the centre of Geneva’s Old Town stands the majestic Cathedral of Saint Peter (Cathédrale St-Pierre) along with the Chapel of the Maccabees (Chapelle des Macchabées). The cathedral is vast and imposing, its construction reflecting influences from many epochs that have come and gone, while the sculptures on its portico have watched over the passing of time.

The cathedral is intimately tied to the Reformation that took place in Geneva. Inside its walls, John Calvin, the French theologian, preacher, and organizer of spiritual life in Switzerland, delivered his sermons. Beneath the pulpit still stands an old chair where he sat, listening to the church services held in the cathedral.

In my opinion, it’s worth stepping inside and strolling through the cathedral, although its interior is austere and rather simple. The only place that exudes colours and splendour is the adjacent Chapel of the Maccabees, where you can admire beautiful stained-glass windows and historic organs.

If you decide to visit the cathedral, be sure to climb the church tower, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding mountains.

Geneva tourist attractions, European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN in Geneva

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva is a scientific research centre located on the border between Switzerland and France. At the heart of CERN lies the particle accelerator known as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This facility is considered the largest and most precise machine ever created by humans.

I must admit that visiting CERN was one of the main reasons why we came to Geneva. In this renowned research centre, things happen that until recently, you could only read about in science fiction novels. At the heart of the scientific complex in Geneva is the Large Hadron Collider, a massive particle accelerator where proton beams are accelerated to unimaginable speeds and then collided with each other, producing enormous energies and materials for studying the laws of physics that we are only just beginning to understand.

The construction of the accelerator and the precision of its execution are impressive, but they pale in comparison to other devices involved in the research. After accelerating selected particles to speeds approaching the speed of light, the particle trajectories are directed to a specific location where collisions occur.

Geneva tourist attractions and the L’Horloge Fleurie flower clock

The Flower Clock in Geneva is an extraordinary composition of flowers and plants combined with a clock mechanism accurately counting time in the western part of Jardin Anglais park.

The clock was created in 1955 and was intended to symbolize Geneva as a city long associated with watchmaking and nature. To decorate the dial of the L’Horloge Fleurie clock, 6,500 flowering plants and shrubs were used. Interestingly, the plants change according to the seasons. Different flowers adorn the clock in spring, others in summer, and yet others in autumn.

The clock hands are impressive, with the second hand measuring over two and a half meters in length. Until 2005, the L’Horloge Fleurie clock in Geneva was the largest flower clock in the world. Today, the title belongs to the clock in Tehran.

Geneva tourist attractions and Lake Geneva Lac de Genève and its attractions

Geneva is located at the western end of Lake Geneva, where the Rhone River flows into it. The lake itself is partially in Switzerland and partially in France, nestled between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. It is the largest lake in the Alps and in all of Western Europe.

The first thing that caught my eye when we reached Lake Geneva was its crystal-clear water. It’s difficult to believe that despite its depth of several meters, you can easily see the rocky bottom and large fish swimming in the water. It’s truly wonderful, especially when you compare it to the water quality in our local lakes.

Lake Geneva, or rather its shore, is the perfect place for leisurely strolls. We spent hours walking along the lake shore, watching boats and ships sail by. Along the way, we enjoyed a late lunch at Restaurant de la SNG with a beautiful view of the lake. I highly recommend the perch in mustard sauce and grilled potatoes served with coarse salt.

On the lake shore, you’ll find numerous docks and just as many boats and ships offering lake cruises. If you plan to take a boat trip, wait until evening, or at least late afternoon; Geneva looks fantastic at sunset.

Lake Geneva information and interesting facts

• The surface area of Lake Geneva is 581 square kilometres.
• The lake is divided into two basins: le Petit Lac, or the Small Lake, and le Grand Lac, the Great Lake.
• The maximum depth of Lake Geneva is 309 meters, with an average depth of 154 meters.
• The length of the lake is 73 kilometres, with a maximum width of 14 kilometres.
• It is estimated that the volume of Lake Geneva is just under 90 billion cubic meters of water.
• The larger part of the lake lies in Switzerland.
• Several rivers flow into the lake, with the largest being the Rhone.
• There are 5 islands on Lake Geneva.
• Lake Geneva was an inspiration for Adam Mickiewicz (Lyrical Poems from Lausanne) and Juliusz Słowacki (The Farewell).
• On the northern shore of the lake, there are numerous vineyards.
• Besides Geneva, there are two major cities on the lake, namely Lausanne and Nyon.

Geneva tourist attractions and the Jet d’Eau fountain on Lake Geneva

Since you’ll already be at the shores of Lake Geneva, you’ll be able to experience another attraction that is considered a symbol of the city. This, of course, is the Jet d’Eau fountain installed on the lake. The Geneva Water Jet is water spurting from Lake Geneva to a height of 140 meters. This is made possible by the most powerful water pump in the world.

The first fountain in Geneva was built in 1886, not to attract tourists or set any records, but rather to control the pressure in the city’s water supply. The city authorities quickly realized that they could kill two birds with one stone, and thus the mighty fountain became a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction.

Today, the fountain no longer serves any functional purpose, but merely reminds the city’s residents and all visitors that Geneva is a powerful and well-managed city. According to the authorities of Geneva, the Jet d’Eau fountain symbolizes the ambition, strength, and inexhaustible energy of Geneva and all of Switzerland.

You can view the fountain up close by approaching a small square surrounding the water jet. However, keep in mind that the powerful pump spouts over 500 litres of water per second and propels it 140 meters into the air. With such a mass of water, don’t expect to return from the platform dry, especially when it’s windy.

The water jet may be weaker on windy or cool days, or it may disappear altogether when the fountain undergoes technical maintenance. Remember, we are in Switzerland, where everything must work at 100% and be in perfect condition.

Geneva tourist attractions and Palace of Nations

The Palace of Nations is the headquarters of the United Nations in Europe. Its construction began in 1929 and was completed in 1938. The building became the seat of the UN shortly after the end of World War II, and interestingly, Switzerland only joined this organization in 2002.

If you want to reach the Palace of Nations from the Gare Cornavin train station, you should take bus number 8, which will take you directly to the palace. Before entering the palace, I suggest taking a stroll through the enormous square adorned with rows of flags from different countries, which is quite impressive. Additionally, you’ll find the famous broken chair, which is meant to symbolize and commemorate all victims of mining disasters.

Don’t be surprised if you come across a gathering or someone shouting their views on rather peculiar topics. The square in front of the Palace of Nations is a place where everyone can come and speak their mind, as long as it’s done respectfully.

As for visiting the Palace of Nations in Geneva, unfortunately, you cannot explore it independently. The only way to visit is through organized group tours with a guide. Such tours last about 2 hours, depending on the guide you get. Our guide loved old legends and conspiracy theories, so he took us through all the nooks and crannies and waxed poetic about valuable artefacts. Fortunately, he was engaging, so time flew by quickly.

One of the conspiracy theories suggests that the UN headquarters is filled with listening devices and miniature cameras planted by almost every member country. Supposedly, even in the restroom, you should look around carefully before doing what you need to do. As they say, the most interesting topics are always discussed in corridors or bathrooms.

Visiting the UN headquarters is an interesting adventure, and I can safely recommend it, but remember to book your ticket well in advance, as there are many interested visitors.

Geneva tourist attractions and the beautiful Parc de la Grange city park

La Grange Park is located south of Lake Geneva along Quai Gustave-Ador. It’s a large, green space covering over 200,000 square meters, filled with meticulously maintained lawns, old trees, and an array of flowers and shrubs.

One of the park’s attractions is the rose garden, orangery, alpine garden, and a historic villa. Additionally, the park features two theatres, a playground, and a pleasant pool with a paddling pool for children. On warm summer days, it’s a true paradise and a popular destination for families.

The origins of the park date back to the day when Edmund Favre came up with the idea and then realized the establishment of the Red Cross Committee, an organization aimed at providing assistance to those in need regardless of their origin and social status. In 1918, Edmund Favre’s son, William, donated the park along with the villa to the city of Geneva for the enjoyment of its residents.

I highly recommend taking a stroll through the park; it’s incredibly pleasant, with well-kept flower beds and shaded corners creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Parc de la Grange interesting facts

• Willa La Grange, which belonged to Edmond Favre, hosted the first conference of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1864.
• In 1918, the park and villa became the property of the city of Geneva.
• Pope Paul VI celebrated Mass in the park in 1969, attended by 70,000 faithful.
• In 2021, the La Grange villa hosted a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• The La Grange villa houses a rich library consisting of 12,000 valuable books. It is part of the Bibliothèque de Genève.

Geneva tourist attractions and Mount Salève

The Saleve Mountain, known as the Balcony of Geneva, offers breathtaking views of the city from its summit. Geographically located in the French Prealps in the department of Haute-Savoie, but geologically part of the Jura.

It is home to the world’s first electrically powered cable car.

The panorama of Geneva is stunning, making it possible to spend hours simply admiring the view. Bringing along snacks and organizing a picnic with a view is a great idea. Additionally, if you’re a fan of activities like rock climbing, there are several trails of varying difficulty levels on the steep slopes facing Geneva.

Personally, I believe that visiting Geneva and not going up (or taking the cable car up) the Saleve Mountain would be a huge mistake.

That’s all for today. Of course, this is just a drop in the ocean of all the attractions Geneva has to offer, but this plan was designed for a weekend and serves its purpose. I may add more attractions to the list in the future, but then it would be worth spending at least a week in Geneva.

What you need to know before going to Geneva practical information

Geneva is an expensive city, so if you don’t have an unlimited budget, consider staying in a hotel on the French side of the border and taking the train or bus to explore Geneva. With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can save up to half of what you would spend by staying in Geneva itself.

Keep in mind that Geneva is a highly popular city and is crowded with tourists from all over the world. Therefore, it’s a good idea to arrange all tickets or entrance passes before your arrival to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In Geneva, you can pay with the local currency, the Swiss Franc, or with the Euro, which is currently a fully accepted currency in Switzerland, and prices are often displayed in both denominations.

Consider purchasing a Geneva Pass, which allows you to move around the city for free and visit most of the attractions.

In conclusion, I highly recommend visiting Geneva. The attractions I mentioned above are just a few places worth seeing, but they are enough for a weekend. Personally, the scientific centre CERN made the biggest impression on me, and I highly recommend it.

Despite Geneva being a costly city, it’s possible to explore it without spending a fortune; all it takes is a bit of caution and advance planning.

Please let me know what impression Geneva made on you and what you would recommend to travellers planning to visit there.

Geneva information and interesting facts

• Geneva is inhabited by over 200,000 people.
• Every fifth person living in Geneva is a millionaire.
• It is the second-largest city in Switzerland.
• Geneva is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
• Many international organizations operate in Geneva, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the International Red Cross. In total, there are over 250 international organizations here.
• The Salon Internazional de l’Auto is the world’s largest automotive exhibition that takes place in Geneva every year.
• The world’s first factory producing Vacheron Constantin watches was established in Geneva, and is still operating today.
• The city is located on the largest lake in Switzerland; Lake Geneva.
• Geneva is literally an international city, its citizens come from 180 countries around the world.
• Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
• The European Enlightenment was born in Geneva.
• Only 50 percent of Geneva’s inhabitants have Swiss citizenship.
• There is a two-headed turtle named Janus in the Natural History Museum. He is just turning 25 years old and, according to his guardian, he is two personalities locked in one body.
• You can get around the city by land or by water tram, which runs through Lake Geneva.

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