Top 5 Things To Do in Geneva in 2 Days

Geneva is called the smallest big city in the world!

Reason? This small city is only 6 miles across, but we all know that it is home to the headquarters of the United Nations, which gives it a very international appeal and a pure cosmopolitan vibe.

But Geneva is more than that. It is also unmistakably French and very romantic. You realise it the moment you step into the Old Town and witness its 16th-Century architecture.

Two days are enough to see Geneva, though one can easily spend a week in this beautiful city with its stunning vistas over Lake Geneva and the aesthetically carved architecture of the city.

If you're looking for adventure, then a Boat ride on Lake Leman is also a good option.

The simplest thing to do is to walk along the beautiful Lake Geneva.

The lakeshore is over 20 miles, with beautiful parks and boulevards along the route.

We were travelling with our two kids, so walking and hiking were out of the question; we opted for the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour instead. The tour covers most of the important attractions mentioned above, except the boat ride and hike to Mont Blanc.

Or if you have the Swiss Pass, then go for local transport. You will have the unlimited option to board any tram, bus or shuttle boat too.

Top 5 things to do in Geneva ...

See the Old Town

The Old Town is the most beautiful part of the city of Geneva.

It houses St. Peter's Cathedral, the English Garden, Bastions Park, the famous Mont Blanc Bridge and the Museum of Art and History.

Vehicles are not allowed into the Old Town.

The Museum of Art and History is free to enter.

You can stroll around the beautiful pedestrian squares lined with cafes and restaurants and spend an unforgettable evening in the area.

Lake Geneva and Geneva Water Fountain - Jet d'eau

Lake Geneva is the largest water body in Switzerland.

The highlight of the lake is the massive Water Fountain in its centre, called Jet d'eau.

This is the most famous landmark in Geneva. Water from the lake is thrown 140 meters high into the air.

Sadly for us, at the time we reached Geneva, it was extremely windy, so the water fountain was not working.

The Flower Clock

The Flower Clock in Geneva is a must-see attraction. It's the largest outdoor clock in the World, located on the western side of Jardin Anglais Park, the English Garden.

Palais de Nations-United Nations Office

The Palais de Nations is the seat of the United Nations.

This 12-meter-high Broken Chair is the iconic symbol of the UN in Geneva.

The significance of this chair with a broken leg is to condemn the use of violence that is inflicted on people worldwide, especially the use of land mines that have the capacity to cripple innocent civilians. It's a call to the governments worldwide to protect their people.

The UN is a working office; entry is permitted only on a pre-booked tour.

You must carry your passport or any other valid ID as proof of identity to gain access.

Tours are available all year round in multiple languages. The timings of the tours may change depending on the availability of UN offices, such as the General Assembly Hall.

Please check the official website to cross-check the timings of the conducted tours

https://www.ungeneva.org/en/visit

Cruising on Lake Geneva

There are a multitude of options to go cruising on Lake Geneva. You can opt for regular scheduled cruises that sail from the pier or hire a sailboat or a motorboat as per your preference.

You will find many boat operators along the lakeshore. You don't need to make any advance bookings for scheduled cruises, but if you wish to go for something specific, like a dinner cruise, then booking in advance is a better option, especially in the summer.

Entry to the Lake Geneva Beach is paid. You can buy the tickets at the pay station located close to the beach entrance.

To sum up, I'd say that Geneva is a great place to be. Apart from these top 5 things to do in Geneva in 2 days, the city is a beautiful, romantic haven with a distinct French vibe, and it can serve as a great starting point for many day trips to the regions close to the French border.

Our next destination was Zermatt. Up next...