When it comes to European cities, Geneva stands out as a crucial political and transportation center. Much like Atlanta is to the United States, Geneva sees countless visitors passing through its borders, whether they initially intended to or not. Despite this, there are numerous compelling reasons to extend your stay and explore what the Swiss city has to offer.
Geneva boasts a picturesque lake, surrounded by the majestic snow-covered peaks of the Alps, providing an unbeatable backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Moreover, the city's medieval ramparts have long provided refuge for exiles and freethinkers from around the world, making it a diverse and culturally rich destination. With organizations like the Red Cross and the United Nations calling Geneva home, it's no wonder that the city has an abundant community of expatriate polyglots.
If you find yourself with a stopover in Geneva, consider adding a few extra days to your itinerary. Embrace the unique blend of natural beauty, historical charm, and international diversity that this captivating city has to offer.
Friday
4:30 p.m.
1) DATE WITH A FOUNTAIN
Walk or bike along Lake Geneva's glamorous lakefront, where, on a clear day, you can see snow-capped Mont Blanc floating in the horizon. Rent a Bike (41-51-22-51-4820; www.rent-a-bike.ch), at the Gare de Cornavin, the main train station, has bicycles starting at 23 Swiss francs, or $19 at 1.21 Swiss francs to the dollar, for a half day. Start at the immaculate Jardin Anglais, with its famous 15-foot flower clock, one of Geneva's signature sights. Then glide over to the Jetée des Eaux-Vives, a breakwater that leads out to the Jet d'Eau, one of the world's largest fountains. From afar, the fountain might not seem remarkable. But from under the 459-foot-tall column of misting water, it's an awesome spectacle, especially when it's illuminated at night.
8 p.m.
2) FONDUE RENDEZVOUS
Every visitor to Switzerland should sample at least one bubbling cauldron of cheesy stuff, and Restaurant les Armures, inside the Hôtel les Armures (1, rue du Soleil-Levant; 41-22-310-3442; www.hotel-les-armures.ch), is a fondue institution. This wood-beamed restaurant with muskets on the wall is at the top of Old Town, which winds around a hill overlooking the Left Bank. A plaque near the front door commemorates a 1994 visit by Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton. If you're famished, order the cheese fondue with mushrooms (27 Swiss francs).
Should you wish to explore more accommodation options to enrich your experience, the tophotels.com website offers a comprehensive list of the finest hotels across Switzerland. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Geneva or a cozy mountain retreat, you will find an array of choices to suit your preferences and budget.
10 p.m.
3) COCKTAIL CROSSROADS
Walk dinner off with a stroll through the narrow medieval streets and head toward one of the city's favorite meeting places: the leafy Place du Bourg-de-Fours, the former medieval marketplace in the heart of Old Town. A dozen restaurants and cafes surround a tiny 18th-century marble fountain in the cobblestone square. Tiny La Clemence (20, place du Bourg-de-Four, 41-22-310-1096; www.laclemence.ch) is a popular spot during the day for café au lait and a croissant. At night, it draws a lively mix of students, businesspeople and politicians.
Experience the Historic Protestant Hilltop in Geneva
Saturday
10 a.m.
4) PROTESTANT HILLTOP
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Geneva's Old Town, where traces of the Reformation can still be observed amidst the captivating graffiti-covered walls. Step back in time to the era of John Calvin and John Knox, who sought refuge here and transformed the area into a "Protestant Rome." A visit to the Cathédrale St.-Pierre (6, cours St.-Pierre; 41-22-319-71-90; www.saintpierre-geneve.ch) offers a glimpse into this fascinating period.
Marvel at the cathedral's green-copper spire that majestically crowns the hill, providing a striking contrast to the colorful 15th-century angel frescoes adorning the side chapel. Venture up the north tower for a small fee of 3 Swiss francs and be rewarded with a panoramic vista of the city and the sparkling Lake Geneva.
1:30 p.m.
5) SWISS SCHOOL OF ART
The airy Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (2, Charle-Galland; 41-22-418-2600; www.ville-ge.ch/mah/) features an admirable cross-section of art history, including exceptional works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso. For a real treat, head to the second-floor galleries and get lost in the Genevoise landscapes of the Swiss painters François Diday and his student Alexandre Calame.
3 p.m.
6) VILLA VOLTAIRE
Anyone who says there's no money in philosophy should visit Voltaire's former home, now the Institut et Musée Voltaire (25, rue des Délices; 41-22-344-7133; www.ville-ge.ch/imv). Voltaire was a shrewd businessman, and his writings on liberty and sharp wit won him rich and powerful patrons, including Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great. From his Palladian villa set in an immaculate garden Voltaire in the 18th century set forth the ideas that would help spark the French Revolution. You can read them, along with his personal letters and manuscripts, in the philosopher's sumptuous salons.
5 p.m.
7) HIGH-END TIMEPIECES
If there's any doubt that you're in the world capital of watches, wander down Rue du Rhône with its diamond-encrusted and gold-plated shops. Check out Bucherer (No. 45; 41-22-319-62-66; www.bucherer.ch), which has been selling high-end timepieces since 1888 and has what is thought to be the world's largest selection of Rolexes. A mere 44,000 Swiss francs buys the special-edition platinum model. Not unusual enough? Go up the street to Marconi (No. 53; 41-22-311-3630), a boutique watchmaker that makes only small-run editions. Its clunky, over-the-top timepieces (600 to 850 Swiss francs) look like something Willy Wonka would wear if he could afford them.
8 p.m.
8) ALPINE ARABIA
Geneva has a growing Middle Eastern community, as evidenced by the Arabic script on storefronts, banks and offices all over. For a cultural taste, follow your nose to Rue de Berne, where Libyan bakeries, small teahouses and Middle Eastern restaurants stand side-by-side with the city's small, tidy red-light district. La Caravane Passe (11, rue du Dr. Alfred-Vincent; 41-22-731-3431) is a casual family-run restaurant popular with immigrants and students. Order a steaming plate of traditional lamb couscous (15 Swiss francs) and wash it down with pots of foaming mint tea (3.50 Swiss francs).
11 p.m.
9) TECHNOCRATS
Geneva tends to shut down early, but there are a few spots where you can party with the city's moneyed class. If the high cocktail prices (25 Swiss francs) don't faze you, head to the Platinum Glam Club (18, quai du Seujet; 41-78-726-6941; www.platinum-club.ch). White sofas and V.I.P. lounges surround a pulsating dance floor, where the city's well-dressed 20-to-40-somethings gyrate under strobe lights and smoke machines. The music ranges from thumping techno to Middle Eastern dance music, and notable D.J.'s have included the likes of Busta Rhymes and DMX. Admission is 25 Swiss francs for men, free for women.
Sunday
11 a.m.
10) MODERNIST BRUNCH
Who says the Swiss are humorless? Certainly not the cheery waiters at Faim (5, rue Châtelain; www.faim.ch; 41-22-340-2575), a Scandinavian-sleek cafe on the Right Bank. The funky décor, tasty eats and rotating photo exhibits draw the city's bright young things every Sunday morning. A brunch plate, including delicious restaurant-baked bread and jams, is 28 Swiss francs.
1 p.m.
11) PEACE COMPLEX
When you hear news reports of “negotiations taking place in Geneva,” it invariably refers to the Palais des Nations (14, avenue de la Paix; 41-22-917-4896; www.unog.ch), home to the second-largest United Nations office, after New York. Sprawled along Geneva's Right Bank, this complex of grand offices was built from 1929 to 1936 to serve as the headquarters of the League of Nations. When it was reconstituted as the United Nations after World War II, this became the U.N.'s European headquarters, housing an alphabet soup of organizations like Unicef and WHO. The hourlong tours — in any of the organization's 15 official languages — take you through the enormous Assembly Hall and the commemorative galleries (10 Swiss francs; passport required). Later, stroll the surrounding 87.5-acre Parc de L'Ariana. Avoid being nipped by the peacocks that roam wild. In a city as safe as Geneva, this might be the greatest danger you'll face.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Continental, Swiss International Air and United fly from Newark or Kennedy airports. Fares this month start around $657 on Swiss. A taxi from Cointrin International Airport to the city center is about 30 Swiss francs, about $24 at 1.21 Swiss francs to the dollar. It's often easier and cheaper (5 Swiss francs) to take the six-minute train (www.unireso.com) to the central station, Gare de Cornavin; trains depart several times an hour.
Hôtel de La Cigone (17, place Longemalle; 41-22-818-4040; www.cigogne.ch), on a quiet square between the lake and Old Town, is elegant; rates start at 480 Swiss francs for a double.
Hôtel les Armures (1, rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre; 41-22-310-91-72; www.hotel-les-armures.ch) offers medieval-themed luxury in Old Town. The French actor Jean Marais and Jimmy Carter have been guests. Rooms start at 570 Swiss francs for a double.
Hotel Admiral (8, rue Pellegrino Rossi; 41-22-906-9700; www.hoteladmiral.ch), near the central train station, has simple and comfortable rooms starting at 129 Swiss francs for a double.