What to See in Geneva

Overview

Tourist Areas and Districts

Nations District
In the northern part of the city, this district is home to various banks, offices, and institutions such as the Palace of Nations. It is also surrounded by several urban parks (Ariana, Botanical Garden, etc.) that make it a great place for a stroll.

Old Town
This is the medieval part of the city, once protected by its ramparts, with its cobbled streets, small squares, historic houses (including the oldest, Maison Tavel), landmarks (the cathedral, the Reformation Wall, etc.), promenades, shops, galleries, and several museums.

Monuments and Architectural Landmarks

Saint Peter’s Cathedral
This is Geneva’s main Protestant church. Beneath it lies an archaeological museum site tracing the city’s origins. The Museum of the Reformation is nearby.

Russian Orthodox Church
Or more precisely, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is recognisable by its arches and onion-shaped domes. Its interior is richly decorated.

Reformation Wall
Backed against an old rampart, this wall stretching about a hundred metres in the Parc des Bastions features statues of four key figures of Protestantism, including John Calvin.

Palace of Nations
Built between 1929 and 1937 in Ariana Park, this vast neoclassical building housed the League of Nations until 1946 before becoming the European headquarters of the UN. Part of it is open to visitors.

Museums

Among the many museums in the city:

Maison Tavel
This is the oldest house in Geneva. Its interior tells the story of the city and the daily lives of its inhabitants from the 14th to the 19th century.

MAMCO
Or more precisely, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Geneva. It showcases the Swiss and international art scene from the 1960s onward in this field.

MEG
This is the Museum of Ethnography in Geneva. Set in a modern architectural space, it showcases "The Archives of Human Diversity" through permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.

International Museum of the Reformation
Also known as the International Museum of the Reformation. It showcases the history of the Protestant Reformation led by John Calvin starting in 1536 in the city of Geneva. The religious, cultural, and societal aspects are covered.

Ariana Museum
Housed in a building reminiscent of an Italian palace, this museum is dedicated to ceramics, porcelain, enamels, and glassware through the centuries.

Museum of Art and History
Multidisciplinary, the MAH brings together archaeological collections, paintings, applied arts, and fine arts. It is one of the most visited museums in Switzerland.

Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Since the institution was founded in Geneva in 1864, it makes sense that the city, which also hosts its headquarters, would dedicate a museum to it.

Patek Philippe Museum
This renovated industrial building houses 500 years of watchmaking history, showcasing the productions of the famous brand that lends its name to the museum.

Museum of the Swiss Abroad
In a beautiful 14th-century mansion on the outskirts of the city, this museum is dedicated to the Swiss presence abroad from the Middle Ages to the present day, with a particular focus on those who made an impact.

Natural History Museum
Switzerland's largest museum in its category. Covering 8,500 m², it showcases regional and global wildlife, prehistoric life, Earth sciences, and human history. Animal sculptures can also be seen in the Malagnou Park, which the museum largely occupies.

Parks, Gardens, and Natural Spaces

Lakeside
The city has many green spaces, more or less connected, facing Lake Geneva. On the left bank: the English Garden, Bastions Park, Eaux-Vives Park, La Grange Park, Geneva Beach, and the Green Way. On the right bank: Ariana Park, Barton Park, Moynier Park, Délices Park, and others.

Botanical Garden
This is a 28-hectare site near the Lake and the Nations district. You can stroll through and discover thousands of plant species in various themed areas, as well as a small animal park.

Jet d’Eau
It’s the symbol of Geneva. It sits on Lake Geneva and shoots water up to a height of 140 metres.

Lake Geneva
Between France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva is one of Europe's largest lakes. It’s also a tourist destination with renowned cities (Geneva, Vevey, Montreux...), its vineyards (Lavaux region), nearby ski resorts, and, incidentally, lake cruises or water sports.