17 Best Things to Do and See for Tourist in Geneva in 3 Days

July 15, 2021 Mustafa Natalwala 3085 Views 0 Comments

Geneva is situated in Romandy in Switzerland. It sits on the shores of Lake Geneva and on the banks of river Rhone. The city is situated in the southwestern part of the country close to the France-Switzerland border. The city is among the most important financial centers in the world as determined by Global Financial Centers Index.

Geneva is well known for being the headquarters of the United Nations, Red Cross, and several other international organizations, many of which are also popular places to visit in Geneva. It is also home to the Large Hadron Collider, one of the largest and most well-known science facilities in the world. The city’s observatory is also world renowned for the search for exoplanets. You can see the significance of the city in international politics, culture, history, finance, and science as you learn more about Geneva’s tourist attractions.

Geneva is a very beautiful city. The architecture, public art, and monuments please the eyes of the beholder. As you will see in the itinerary and top things to do in Geneva sections below, the city is an amazing blend of historical and modern. As you explore the old town area, you will see cobbled streets, historical buildings, classic architecture, traditional markets, quaint shops, and more. Geneva attractions also include numerous art galleries, historical artifacts collections, and museums to explore.

Even the surrounding landscape of the city is breathtaking. Lake Leman, also known as Lake Geneva, is a hub for leisure and outdoor activities in Geneva. You can enjoy river rafting, paragliding, swimming, kayaking, boat cruises, hiking, and many other adventures and outdoor activities in and around the city. Come winter, which is considered the best time to visit Geneva, you can also enjoy skiing and snowboarding here.

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Table of Contents

Explore The Best Tourist Attractions of Geneva in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)

This section helps you navigate Geneva sightseeing as per a 3-day trip. If you are looking to add more attractions or activities to your itinerary, you should check out the section below. We have prepared an exhaustive list of top things to do in Geneva and organized them by different categories such as history, entertainment, adventure, nature, shopping, beaches, and so on. All this is available after the itinerary section.

If you are planning to spend less than 3 days in Geneva, then here I have listed-out some of the top rated tours, day trips and things to do in Geneva. You can choose any of tours or activities from below list as per your interest.

Day 1

1. The Flower Clock (L’horloge fleurie)

Also known as L’horloge Fleurie, this monument has a garden developed as a clock face with operational clockwork mechanisms underneath the ground. It is an interesting attraction among things to see in Geneva and won’t take more than 20 minutes of your time.

2. The Old Town (La Vieille Ville)

The old town has 2000 years of history behind it. There are several Geneva attractions spread over this area and you can also explore old buildings on foot. You would need 3 to 4 hours to explore this entire area.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Old Town.

3. St. Pierre Cathedral

The history of this church goes all the way to the 4th century B.C. The current structure was first established in the 12th century. It is one of the most important historical and cultural places to visit in Geneva. You will need about an hour for this cathedral.

4. Place du Bourg-de-Four

This public square is considered to be the heart of the old town area of the city. The square is surrounded by places to see in Geneva. It is also a popular spot for hobnobbing and dining. You will need 20 to 30 minutes for this square.

5. The Reformation Wall (Mur des réformateurs)

This wall depicts the leaders and events of the reformist movement of Calvinism in the 16th century. It is an integral part of the nation’s history and culture. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes for the reformation wall during Geneva travel.

6. Museum of Art and History (Musée d’Art et d’Histoire)

This is the largest art museum in the city and among the top Geneva tourist attractions. The museum displays paintings, art installations, applied art pieces, and so on from different time periods. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

Day 2

1. Palace of Nations (Palais des Nations)

This building was created as the headquarters for the League of Nations and is now the headquarters of the United Nations. It is one of the most important places to go in Geneva as it is one of the most well-known establishments in the world. You will need about an hour for the Palace of Nations.

2. International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Musée International de la Croix-Rouge)

Also known as Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, it is dedicated to the development of humanitarian efforts across the world. You will need about an hour to explore this museum when you visit Geneva.

3. Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass (Musée Ariana)

This is a museum of glassware and ceramics. There are several thousand pieces on display originating from different eras. The museum broadly covers 1300 years of history of kilncraft. It is among lesser-known Geneva points of interest and will require half an hour of your time to explore.

4. The Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d’Eau)

This fountain is among the most well-known Geneva tourist places. The fountain shoots a stream up to 121 meters high and it is quite a spectacle to behold. You would need a couple of minutes for this famous fountain.

5. Lake Geneva

Also known as Lake Leman, this crescent-shaped lake is the largest waterbody in the country. The lake is shared between France and Switzerland. The lake is also the venue for several fun activities in Geneva. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this lake or at its shore.

I suggest you should try a Cruise Tour in Lake Geneva.

6. Natural History Museum of Geneva (Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève)

This museum exhibits various aspects of the natural and ecological history of the country. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

Day 3

1. Museum of Far Eastern Art / Fondation Baur

This museum features a collection of art, artifacts, and historical objects collected from the Orient and the Far East. There are more than 9000 pieces in this museum and it is among the most interesting places to visit in Geneva. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

2. Russian Church (Cathédrale de l’Exaltation de la Sainte Croix)

This Russian Orthodox church is among the most beautiful things to see in Geneva and is well known for its architecture and interior decor. The Byzantine Muscovite architecture of this church along with white and gold decor lends it an almost mystical appeal. You will need about an hour for this church.

3. Tavel House (Maison Tavel)

This 14th-century house is the oldest house in the city and holds the cultural history museum of the country. The museum is spread over 5 floors and the building complex itself is a historical monument. You will need about an hour to explore it.

4. Barbier-Mueller Museum (Musée Barbier-Mueller)

This museum is dedicated to tribal art pieces and handicraft items from around the world. This is the largest collection of tribal art pieces in the world featuring more than 7000 items. You will need an hour for this museum.

5. Patek Philippe Museum

This museum focuses on the watchmaking history of the country as well as that of the legendary watchmaker Patek Phillipe. There are several timepieces on display in the museum dating between the 16th and 19th centuries. It is among the most interesting places to see in Geneva and will require 2 hours of time to explore.

Things to do in Geneva

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Geneva

St. Pierre Cathedral
Palais des Nations
Musee de Arte et d’Histoire
International Museum of of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Musee Ariana
Reformation Wall
Patek Philippe Museum
Centre d’Art Contemporain
Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville
Museum of Natural History
MEG Museum of Diverse Cultures
Museo Barbier Mueller
Tavel House
MAMCO Geneva
International Museum of Reformation
Brunswick Monument
Musee Rath
Place du Bourg de Four
Broken Chair Structure
Musee d’histoire des Sciences de la Ville
Centre de la Photographie
Museum of Far Eastern Art
Russian Orthodox Church
Voltaire Institute and Museum
Cemetery of Kings
Bascilica Notre Dame
Cabinet d’Arts Graphiques
Villa la Grange
Martin Bodmer Fountain
Library of Geneva
National Monument
Palais de l’Anthenee
Place des Nations
House of Rousseau and Literature
Mediatheque du Fonds d’art Contemporain de la Ville de Geneva
Phare des Maquis Lighthouse
Musee de Courage
L’Exploracentre
Quartier Libre SIG
Palais Wilson
L’ancient Arsenal
Port Noir
Beth Yaakov Synagogue
Institut et Musee des Suisses dans le monde
Bodmer Museum
Villa Bernasconi Centre d’Art
Villa Diodati

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Geneva

Batie Woods
Centre Nature de la Pointe a la Bise
Mount Saleve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Geneva

Geneva Water Fountain
Bains des Paquis
Jardin Anglais
Parc de la Grange
L’horloge fleurie
Parc de la Perle du Lac
Parc des Eaux Vives
Parc de l’Ariana
L’Usine
Mon Repos Park
Yatouland Waterpark
Parc aux animaux du Bois de la Batie
Trip Trap Escape
Oak Villa
Parc de Francises
Trembley Park
Alpin de Meyrin Garden
Geneva Adventure Park
La Gavotte
La Clusaz Ski Resort
Bioparc Geneva
Le Praz de Lys Skiing
Les Carroz

Shopping in Geneva

Rue du Rhone
Balexert Shopping Center
Rue du Marche
Rue du Mont Blanc

Beaches & Islands in Geneva

Ile Rousseau
Geneva Plage
Baby Plage
Pointe de la Jonction
Plage de Eaux Vives

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Geneva

Hiking
River Rafting
Watersports
Skiing

Sightseeing in Geneva

United Nations Office
Pont du Mont Blanc
Promenade de la Treille
Les Schtroumphs
Palexpo
Quai du Mont Blanc
Ponte des Bergues

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Geneva

Chez ma Cousine
Il Lago
La Bottega
Domaine de Chateauvieux
Boco
EastWest Hotel
Cafe Papon
Gusto
La Buvette des Bains
Izumi
Cafe du Soleil
Les Armures
Cafe des Bains

Where to Stay in Geneva?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Geneva. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Geneva.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Geneva

How to Reach Geneva?

By Air

The fastest way for Geneva travel is via the city’s international airport. You can get direct flights from several major cities around the world like Brussels, Barcelona, Zurich, Malaga, Vienna, Porto, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Toronto, Istanbul, Lisbon, Beirut, Madrid, Amsterdam, London, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Moscow, Athens, New York, Montreal, Washington DC, Warsaw and many more. You can use the bus, train or cabs to get around to places to visit in Geneva from the airport. You can get a free ticket to use public transport from the airport itself which is valid 80 minutes from the time of your arrival.

By Road

There are several international trains from cities in Europe that connect to Geneva. You can get trains from Bern, Basel, Zurich, Nice, Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, Paris and so on. The bus network is far more widespread but the journey can be tedious. If you are planning to take a car for Geneva sightseeing, you should head for routes A40, A41 or E62 to reach the city.

By Water

You can get boats and ferries to visit Geneva from several ports on the coast of Lac Leman also known as Lake Geneva.

Image Reference

The Flower Clock (L’horloge fleurie) – Daniel Jolivet / Flickr
The Old Town (La Vieille Ville) – Guilhem Vellut / Flickr
St. Pierre Cathedral – Stefano Maffei / Flickr
Place du Bourg-de-Four – Bernard Blanc / Flickr
The Reformation Wall (Mur des réformateurs) – Tom Tyler / PixaBay
Museum of Art and History (Musée d’Art et d’Histoire) – Sanyam Bahga / Wikimedia Commons
Palace of Nations (Palais des Nations) – konferenzadhs / PixaBay
International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Musée International de la Croix-Rouge) – Swiveler / Flickr
Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass (Musée Ariana) – Guilhem Vellut / Flickr
The Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d’Eau) – 495756 / PixaBay
Lake Geneva – ChiemSeherin / PixaBay
Natural History Museum of Geneva (Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève) – annintofu / Flickr
Museum of Far Eastern Art / Fondation Baur – Carolien Coenen / Flickr
Russian Church (Cathédrale de l’Exaltation de la Sainte Croix) – Mark Hougaard Jensen / Flickr
Tavel House (Maison Tavel) – keepps / Flickr
Barbier-Mueller Museum (Musée Barbier-Mueller) –
Patek Philippe Museum –