Gorgeous Geneva is located on Lake Geneva, and is also on very close to the French Border. So closer in fact that some of the outskirts of Geneva are actually in France. Before your visit check out this Quick Travel Guide to Geneva.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Geneva Sightseeing

For anybody on a budget Geneva can be prohibitively expensive, however there is enough natural beauty that you can see a great deal for free. Here are our tips for some inexpensive Geneva sightseeing.

Lake Geneva: Such a pretty lake, the most famous of all Geneva sights is surrounded by snow capped mountains and pretty villages. It is quite easy to find a boat tour  or ferry to take you out on the lake, or you can experience it’s beauty from the famous Promenade in Geneva.

Jet d’Eau: In the heart of Geneva you will find this giant jet of water which shoots 140m into the air. It’s hard to miss.

Old Town Geneva: Wander around the cobblestoned streets of the Old Town Geneva to admire the splendour of centuries gone by.

Mont Saleve: Nicknamed the Balcony of Geneva, this giant rock wall thrusts upwards to a height of 1,400m. Mont Saleve is one of the easiest places to visit near Geneva, located on the edge of town. There’s a cable car to take you to the top, where you can admire the stunning views of Geneva from one of the many cafes.

St.Pierre Cathedral: Visitors are permitted to climb the tower for amazing views over the city and Lake Geneva. This is undoubtedly on of the Geneva top attractions.

 

Day Trips from Geneva

In case you didn’t know, Geneva lies at the foot of the Swiss Alps. There are tremendously scenic places to observe the Alps up close.

Annecy: The Venice of the Alps is the place to see postcard perfect views of the alps, with the gorgeous Old Town of Annecy in the forefront. Annecy is easily accessible and just a 45 minutes drive, making in one of the easiest Geneva day trips.

Chamonix: Visit the site of the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924. You can access the mountains via cable car, or admire the breathtaking views of Mont Blanc from Chamonix. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain peak in Europe at 15,777 feet / 4,807 metres in altitude.

Where to Stay in Geneva

Budget Accommodation

Geneva is so expensive for accommodation, as is the whole of Switzerland. But we found an awesome little budget hotel right near the Geneva International Airport, which is basic but modern and comfortable. And most importantly, it is very cheap.

Don’t worry, there is a bus stop right out the front so you won’t have to catch taxis. This hotel is called the Ibis Budget Geneve Airport.

Mid Range Accommodation

Hotel Les Arcades is right in the middle of Geneva and is a one of the few good hotels at a respectable price. You will need to book well in advance for this little gem.

Affordable Luxury

Hotel d’Angleterre is a traditional 5 star hotel in the city centre of Geneva. 5 star hotels don’t come cheap in this wealthy city!

Finding a Great Deal

Do yourself a favour and shop around for a great deal, here’s a great start with a deals finder.

Booking.com

Quick Travel Guide to Geneva

P924 Travel Guide to Geneva infographic

Plan Your Trip to Geneva

Would you like a free copy of our Ultimate Bucket List?

Not sure where to travel to next? We have created the Ultimate Bucket List to help you plan your next trip. 1170 awesome travel destinations in 167 countries. And we want you to have it for FREE.