A Day In Geneva Switzerland On A Short Tour

Here is the next episode of my Europe backpacking series of blog posts. A day in Geneva on a short tour was a bonus trip that I experienced while my short stay there. While many European cities are known for their rich history and ancient origins, Geneva is one of them. Indeed it is a major tourist destination and famous for its gorgeous architecture, numerous monuments, beautiful museums, manicured gardens, and botanic retreats. It is the city on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

How to Get to Geneva Switzerland?

While, we can get to Geneva by plane, train, bus, or car from its neighboring cities or countries. Moreover, a few famous routes and approximate time distances are mentioned here from

• Bern is 160km from here and it takes around two hours by car or by train.
• Interlaken is 216km from here and it takes two and a half hours by car and 3 hours by train.
• Zurich is 275km from here and takes around three hours by car or train.
• Lyon is 150km from here and it takes around two hours by car, bus or by train to reach here.

How to get from Geneva Airport to Geneva city center?

Geneva Airport is about 6 km from the city center and we can get to the airport by car(12 minutes), bus(#10 in 20 minutes), and metro(7 minutes). Although, I came from Interlaken and get off at Central Station. However, after visiting the city I get on the Metro and reach to Airport within 12 minutes.

How to get around in Geneva?

 First and foremost, Geneva is a pretty compact and well-connected city. So, getting from one attraction to the next shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes in most cases. Alternatively, you can get a Geneva Transport Card if you stay in the city’s hotels, hostels, and campsites. Moreover, the card guarantees free bus, train, tram, and yellow boat rides within city limits.

Where to Stay in Geneva?

Although, I didn’t spend a night in the city as I have changed my plan due to a sudden change in my itinerary. However, I want to stay a night in City Hostel Geneva which has a good review score but I have to leave this option due to my plan change.

How to Spend a Day In Geneva Switzerland?

As I mentioned earlier, it was a bonus trip for me to visit Geneva Switzerland. I have a little tie while my flight from Geneva to Nice, France. So, I used this time wisely to explore this historic city of Switzerland. Here are a few attractions, that I have visited on my day tour. In addition, these are marked in most of the checklist tourist activities.

 Follow this map and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. Here I have marked the top sights and things to do on your one day in Geneva.

Lake Geneva Switzerland

Due to its gorgeous beaches, Lake Geneva is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in all of Switzerland. Lake Geneva is a popular place for walking, jogging, boating, and enjoying the sunrise or sunset. Jet D Eau or Geneva Water Fountain is also an important attraction in Lake Geneva. It is a giant fountain which is located at the site where Lake Geneva meets the Rhone river. This fountain is among the most recognizable Geneva attractions and can be seen anywhere in the city. Moreover, Jet d’Eau was on the city’s official logo in the 2008 Uefa Championship.

The Flower Clock Geneva

Geneva’s English Garden is home to the largest Flower Clock in Europe.

This Clock is made up of 6,500 flowers that bloom at different times of the year. This makes for a pretty unique way to measure the passage of time. it takes about 10 minutes to get to Geneva’s English Garden from Jet d Eau.

Geneva Harbour

You can take a relaxed stroll along Lake Geneva towards Jet d Eau. While going across Lake Geneva you can spot many giants as well as exotic boats and ships. The walk is more pleasant while sunset or sunrise time.

Geneva Old Town

The Old Town is also known as Vieille Ville and it is located just a few minutes walk from Flower Clock. The Old Town Geneva is a picturesque and iconic part of the city. It has many narrow, interconnected alleyways, quaint little squares, warm, welcoming cafés, and numerous historical landmarks. Tourists can also visit the Museum of Arts and History and the Museum of Natural History there. Just south of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Geneva, is the oldest square in Geneva The Bourg de Four Square. The whole area of the square is exceptionally vibrant, with numerous high-end shops, gorgeous fountains, and lovable cafes. 

St. Pierre Cathedral Geneva

St. Pierre Cathedral is one of the most notable landmarks in the Old Town. It is famous as the home church of John Calvin, the controversial and influential Reformation leader. You can see its figure at the Reformation Wall too.

Reformation Wall Geneva Switzerland

The Reformation wall in the old town is a must-visit place. While it honors many of the main individuals, events, and documents of the Protestant Reformation by depicting them in statues and bas-reliefs. Whereas this 325 ft long and 30 ft high wall was built in 1909 to honor Geneva’s Reformation leaders. This Reformation wall is a part of a beautiful garden name Promenade des Bastion.

Promenade des Bastions

Promenade des Bastion is a large open green space and a famous landmark in front of the old University of Geneva building. It is beside the Reformation Wall. Promenade des Bastions is a lush park with several giant chess boards. There is a botanical garden and a children’s playground in the park too. Moreover, you can find many lounge chairs where you can relax for a little while your sightseeing. 

United Nations Office in Geneva

Geneva is home to the headquarters of the European branch of the International Red Cross as well as the office of the United Nations. The United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the four major offices of the United Nations where numerous different UN agencies have a joint presence.