Geneva: top attractions & road trip guide
Geneva is Switzerland's second-largest city, situated at the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva where the Rhone River flows out toward France. It is a hub of international diplomacy, hosting the European headquarters of the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations, alongside a compact old town and a lakefront known for its towering water fountain.
Top attractions
Jet d'Eau
A fountain that shoots lake water up to 140 meters into the air from the point where the harbor meets Lake Geneva, visible from most of the lakefront and one of the city's best-known landmarks.
St. Pierre Cathedral
A cathedral in the heart of the old town begun in the 12th century, where the reformer John Calvin preached in the 16th century; visitors can climb the north tower for views over the rooftops and lake.
Palace of Nations
The European headquarters of the United Nations, built in the 1930s for the League of Nations, set in a large park north of the city center and open for guided tours of its assembly halls.
Old Town (Vieille Ville)
A hilltop district of cobbled streets, small squares, and antique shops surrounding the cathedral, largely dating from the medieval and Renaissance periods and closed to most car traffic.
Patek Philippe Museum
A museum tracing the history of watchmaking from the 16th century to today, housing pieces by the Geneva-based watchmaker Patek Philippe alongside enamel miniatures and automata.
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