Geneva Essentials - one weekend

Geneva is centered around Lac Leman (aka Lake Geneva). There are many cafes and shops along the water, as well as places where you can rent a kayak or pedal boat, or go on a river tour.

The tourism office sells the Geneva Pass and gives away free maps (go figure the free one is better than the one I bought in the US). Click the URL here to read about the Geneva pass - it allows free entrance and tours for one price. The tourism office has several locations, one of which is suspended over the river on a bridge sort of thing. Its the easiest one to find, its beautiful as well.

Everything in Geneva closes at 6, stores included. So you can save the parks for after hours, or plan a trip to the Opera, a casino, play or to hear some live music. Talk to the Tourism office if you're interested in those and get your tickets now. You may be tired from all the walking, so relaxing at the hotel may be a good option as well. If you are staying in an upscale hotel, the concierge can help you get tickets if you don't want to have to go get them yourself.

While you're at the lake and stepping out of the tourism office turn around and take in the beauty of the Jet de Eau. Story: Originally a safety valve of the Coulouvreniere hydraulics factory, the fountain 140m high has become the emblem of the city.

This is included with the Geneva pass - a 1 hour tour of the lake, a great way to see the city and relax (aka stop walking so much!). Get a schedule from the tourism office (they should have given you one if you bought the Geneva Pass). There is also a Mermaid cruise, but I'm not sure what it is. (I think it is 16 swiss francs without Geneva Pass). You get your ticket at the corner of Quai du Mont Blanc and Point du Mont Blanc, there's a ticket booth there right on the edge of the water. There are also some souvenir and food booths.

Take the bridge over the river called "Pont des Bergues" and the island is on it. This is the site of one of the city's bastions and later a shipyard. It was connected with the main land in 1832 and made into a park. Named fo rJean-Jaques Rousseau, a famous philosopher. Keep going down the bridge and turn right on Quai du Mont-Blanc to see the Brunswick Monument.

This is the extravagant mausoleum of the Duke of Brunswick. When he died in 1873, he left a big sum of money to the city of Geneva, as instructed in his will, they built this monument, which is an exact replica of the tomb of the Scalergi family in Verona (14th century). (Free attraction) There is a lovely cafe right outside.

There are these boats that are part of the public transit system. My hotel gave me a bus pass valid for the entire stay, it includes the shuttle boats. After you see the Monument Brunswick, keep heading north on Mont blanc and to your right will be a departure port. Take the M1 boat and it will drop you off close to the Jardin Anglais, where you can see the beautiful flower clock :) Boats leave every 10 minutes, from 7 :30 AM to 6 PM

A symbol of the Geneva watch industry internationally-known : the famous "Horloge fleurie", literally "flower clock", located at the edge of the "Jardin Anglais", literally "English Garden", since 1955. It is a masterpiece of technology and floral art. The seconds hand of Geneva's Flower Clock is the largest in the world (it is more than 2.5 meters long). (Free)

Address: Rue de Rive and Rue du Rhone
Along the lake, there's the banking and shopping district with upscale shops. Enjoy the scenery on your way to old town, don't be tempted to spend too much time shopping we have lots to do!

At Place du Rhone, there's a station where you can get on one of the gas powered trolleys (not the tram) and it will take you through Old Town. If you have the Geneva pass its free. You can scope out what you want to see in Old Town while you cruise around. It drops you off right by the St-Pierre Cathedrale

Head over to Old Town Geneva where there are cobblestone streets and centuries old buildings, just blocks from the lake. Don't get carried away with shopping now because you've got lots to see

Be sure to climb up to the North tower where you can see a wonderful view of the city including the lake. The south tower also has views, but not the lake ;) They do let people climb up the bell tower, but it was closed the day I went. Definitely worth a visit. To come into the church is free, but the tower tour is 4 swiss francs.

Geneva's oldest known house, has changed ownership many times over the past centuries. History lovers will enjoy this. The entrance into the house is free and at the information desk (they speak english) they have self-guided tourbooks in your language. They have an elevator as well if your legs are weary from the Cathedrale.

A must see for Christians and history lovers! This museum highlights the work of John Calvin who is considered the father of Geneva. Learn about how the Protestants came about in this area of the world. Afterward, head over the Reformation Wall. If you have the Geneva Pass, it is included with an audio tour in your language.

A former botanical garden and site of the first university in Geneva, tree lined Bastions Park is popular with students and abuzz with activity most hours of the day. A set of life size chess boards at the north end of the park attracts chess masters both young and old looking for a challenge. Finally, Reformation Wall built along the old rampart wall of the Old Town pays tribute to the founders of the Reformation forever immortalized in statue along the wall.

This is a huge monument built on the original ancient city wall that showcases the city's greatest leaders. It is in a beautiful park, so pack a picnic and come enjoy the scenery (Free)

This is an art museum that has rotating temporary exhibits. You just don't know what you'll find here. Personally I did not like the exhibit they had when I went. I added it to the list because the building is beautiful and its right there in old town near reformation wall. Since the exhibit rotates, you don't know what you're getting. Free entrance with the Geneva Pass.

This is a pretty cool place. They have lots of different exhibits in a beautiful setting.

Plan your trip to Chateau de Chillon and Montreaux. If you just see the castle, you can do be back in about 4-5 hours. Or you could just spend the whole day in the area, just be sure to know when the last train is to Geneva. You can buy a train ticket from Geneva to Montreaux. Its an hour and a half to two hours. Tell them at the train station (they speak English) you want to see Chateau de Chillon and see if they will do a package for you - the train ticket + entrance. It was $56 francs for me round trip including the castle entrance fee. Take the train to Montreaux

If you did step 20 right you should be at the Montreaux train station. Come out of the train station and walk toward the lake. Pretty scenic trip, eh? Now that you are down by the water, there is a tourist info booth to your left and the beautiful Montreaux riveria to your left or right. Go to the tourist info booth and get your free map of the area. Then ask them about taking the boat shuttle to Chateau de Chillon.

There are a couple of ways to get to Chateau de Chillon, you can walk but I don't recommend it. You can take the boat shuttle for $8 swiss francs each way, and it offers a unique view of Montreaux. It can be a pretty bumpy ride, so if you get seasick it may be a bit much depending on how rough the water is. Its only a 15 minute ride. The other option is a bus or taxi. The bus is $3 swiss francs. Either option will drop you off in front of the castle

This attraction is simply amazing. Plan to get the audio tour for $5 swiss francs and it will help you get a good understanding of everything. Besides, all the signs are in french, so you can get whatever language you want with the audio guide. Plan to spend an hour and a half to two hours if you see everything. Please note that this attraction has lots of stairs, stepping through openings of small passageways, steep steps, etc.. So plan accordingly. (aka wear good shoes)

You can head back to Geneva by catching the bus or boat to Montreaux and going back the same way you came, or you can stick around this area and visit one of the vinyards or the peak Rochers-de-Naye which is one of the highest peaks in the area. You can take a train to the summit or hike there. See the link for some ideas to stay in the area, or head back to Geneva.