By Claire Blakley (Y10)
Are you spending spring break at home and looking for something to do, or perhaps you have relatives visiting? If so, this article is perfect for you. In this article, I will walk with you through a day in Geneva, exploring its iconic sites, fun activities, great restaurants and even a few hidden gems that make the city special.
Whether you live in Geneva or out in the surrounding countryside, I strongly suggest using public transportation to get around over the course of the day. It is efficient, convenient, and it gives you a more authentic experience.
A great way to start the day is by taking the train from Coppet gare into the heart of the city: Geneva Gare Cornavin. The short train ride along the lake offers a beautiful view of Lake Geneva along with many of the towns surrounding it, including Versoix, Mies, and Tannay.
The U.N and the Broken Chair
The U.N is easy to navigate to from the train station, catching tram line number 15 leads you straight to the stop “Palais des Nations”, where both the United Nations headquarters and the broken chair are located.
The United Nations Office in Geneva was established in 1946, in the Palais des Nations, a building originally constructed for the League of Nations. Although the headquarters was established in 1946, shortly after the U.N was founded, Switzerland didn’t join the U.N as a member state until 2002.
Individual guided tours of the United Nations can be booked online on their website for around 30 CHF. They strongly recommended reserving in advance, as their tours fill quickly and their tickets are not available for sale on site. Lasting for an hour and recommended for visitors who are 8 years of age or older, the guided tours give you the perfect opportunity to discover the Palais des Nations and learn more about the U.N’s unique working environment.
Even if you don’t get the chance to visit the inside of the U.N, the exterior is still impressive. The front of the U.N. displays all 193 flags, each one representing a U.N member country. Nearby stands the “Broken Chair”, balancing on three legs, its fourth missing, symbolizing the resilience and dignity of war victims.
The Botanical Gardens
Your next stop could be the Botanical Gardens, located just down the road from the U.N. The botanical gardens are the perfect place to observe the local flora and fauna of the region while taking a walk through the magical landscapes and gardens.
As you wander through the park, you can discover a variety of themed areas. The Alpine Garden offers a fascinating display of mountain plants that have adapted to live in high altitudes and in difficult weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Japanese and Mediterranean gardens display the typical landscaping and plant life from those countries. The rose garden is also worth visiting, especially during its blooming season from late spring to early summer.
The Botanical Gardens also has a wide range of playground structures and large grassy areas, making it an ideal spot for picnics and a perfect place for families with kids.
A journey across Geneva Lake
To travel from the beautiful Botanical gardens of Geneva to the other side of the lake, where the heart of Geneva’s old town lies, you can take a boat known as a “Mouette.
These bright yellow boats are an efficient way of crossing the lake and offer a spectacular view of the city.
With several stops located along the lake, they are easy to access, and local buses can take you directly to the departure points. While other transportation options are available, taking a Mouette boat provides a unique experience and an amazing view of the city.
The Flowerclock and the Jet d’Eau
Although these stops don’t take very long, they are worth visiting. The Jet d’eau and flower clock located by the waterfront are magnificent monuments that make Geneva distinctive among other large cities.
The Jet d’eau, which translates to “ Water Jet” in English, is one of the tallest water fountains in the world, standing at a height of 140 m (460 feet).
Located in the Jardin Anglais along Lake Geneva, the Flower Clock is a floral arrangement, changed seasonally and for various events, and it also functions as a clock.
Restaurants and dining recommendations
Whether you want to have lunch or simply need a place to take a break, these restaurants and cafés located across Geneva offer different cuisines and authentic Swiss dining experiences.
Pasta People: An Italian restaurant located in Geneva’s old town, known for its fresh pasta dishes and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Chez Fouad: A Lebanese restaurant in Eaux-Vives serving flavourful Middle-Eastern dishes such as grilled meats, mezze, and traditional specialities.
Celine and Sébastien: A popular bakery situated in various locations in Eaux-Vives. Everything is freshly prepared, with a selection of salads, sandwiches, and pastries.
Chez Marino: A family-run pizzeria in Eaux-Vives where the staff serve generous portions of pizza, pasta and other traditional Italian dishes.
Bains des Paquis: Bain des Paquis, also known as Buvette des Bains, is located in the Paquis area of Geneva. This rustic restaurant offers magnificent views of Geneva and the lake. During the day, they offer a “plat du jour”, and in the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue.
Manu Gelato: This Gelateria in Eaux-Vives has a selection of different ice cream flavours, ranging from the classics such as chocolate and strawberry to more wild and inventive flavors like pineapple and basil or passionfruit. This Gelato is perfect for a warm day or while walking along the lake.
The Hamburger Foundation: Although their menu is simple, The Hamburger Foundation prepares classic, high-quality cheeseburgers and hamburgers made with fresh ingredients.
Cafés along the lake: The cafés along Lake Geneva are perfect for a summer or spring day. They offer a wide selection of beverages and often a small variety of snacks, too. Their location is ideal with a beautiful view of Geneva Lake.
Pommier: A small takeaway restaurant situated between the main shopping street and the Old Town. They serve freshly prepared bowls, sandwiches, and other local products.
Markets: The markets in Geneva are worth visiting. Set up in several neighborhoods around Geneva on Saturdays, vendors sell produce and fresh products from the region such as cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables. In addition to the open-air markets, there are indoor markets. These markets offer take-away options from various cuisines around the world, and they also sell fresh fish and poultry.
The Old Town
Finally, the old town is a must-see. Geneva’s historic center built between the 12th and 18th centuries, sits on a hill overlooking the city.
Its ancient buildings, charming squares, and cobblestone streets make it a great destination. With its small cafés, beautiful viewpoints, captivating history, and its grand cathedral, the old town truly is the heart of Geneva.
St Pierre’s Cathedral and the archaeological site
St Pierre’s Cathedral was originally founded in the 4th century. It was previously a Roman Catholic church, but now it is the Reformed Protestant Church of Geneva.
I strongly recommend visiting the cathedral’s interior, with its beautiful stained-glass windows and painted ceilings. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb a narrow staircase to the top of the bell tower, which offers spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding cities.
The archaeological site placed under the cathedral is the remains of the church predating the Catholic era. Hidden in the archaeological site are such things as tombs, wells, wheat processing areas, and buildings of potential cultural significance.
La Maison Tavel
La Maison Tavel, built in the old town of Geneva, is a historic house and museum that offers history on the city’s past. It is one of the oldest buildings in Geneva, dating back to the 14th century. The building itself, named after the family that owned it from the end of the 13th century to the beginning of the 16th century, represents medieval architecture with its stone construction, turrets, and vaulted cellars.