Things to do & places to visit in Canton of Geneva, Switzerland

Canton of Geneva #6 destination in Switzerland 2023. The average rating score is 4.34 based on 34.9k traveler reviews, of 113 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Zurich, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 23:28.

Top things to do (36)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Trip Trap Escape (1.468 reviews)
- Best escape rooms ever
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Trip Trap is a collaborative escape game. Slip into the shoes of an adventurer and regain your freedom in 60 minutes, not one minute more. To have a chance to get away, you will have to be curious, imaginative, daring for the puzzles are challenging and the clock is ticking... See more..
5.0 MB&F M.A.D.Gallery (68 reviews)
- Great watches for ugly peoples.
Sunday: Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries • Speciality Museums

As a very ugly person. I often look for fun things to take the attention away from my grotesque appearance. These watches are just what the doctor ordered, after buying my first MB&f (HM5) nobody in Mykonos even noticed i was bald. Then i purchased an HM2 and HM7 and i don’t even need to trim my beard anymore. People don’t even notice my homeless looks with the tourb spinning on my wrist. Recently i grabbed the MAD 1 piece and it’s a perfect travel watch, i just wish it came out 20 years ago when people had spinners on their car. (Insert rap song with spinner reference) Also Thibault was wonderful to deal with when picking out random and wild time pieces. Would love to visit again as it’s like a toy store for mechanically inclined adults. See more..
5.0 Go Dive (27 reviews)
- Beautiful dive with a great instructor!
Scuba & Snorkelling

We had an amazing time diving with Stefan in lake Geneva. Having swum in lake Geneva a few times I was surprised by how much there is to see once you get underwater! He's a fantastic guide - really knows the lake and we saw a lot on our short dive. It was also lovely to dive with someone who really loves diving too, and has loads of great experience to share. Thank you Stefan! See more..
5.0 Bar du Nord (23 reviews)
- Probably one of the best wiskies bars in the world!
Bars & Clubs

The bar has a large collection of single malts! Over 500 different from all round the world. The knowledge the staff has is impressive too. See more..
5.0 Domaine Les Perrières (21 reviews)
- Great experience, not only from the delicious wine but the amazing view and hosts too
Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Come and visit us in our Wine-tasting cellar tucked away in the village of Peissy, opposite a thousand-year-old chapel with its iconic bell tower. Discover the full range of our products in a cosy and authentic wine cellar atmosphere, where you can sample our wines and benefit from some expert advice. All our vintages are available for immediate purchase. The Wine-tasting cellar is open from Monday to Saturday and parking places are provided at the entrance. See more..
5.0 Café de La Plage (7 reviews)
- Great place and lively atmosphere
Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs

I popped in here with two friends one Saturday evening. It was really busy outside so nowhere to sit when we arrived. We went inside where there was lots of space. The beer selection was good, both hand pulled and in bottles. It was a great bar with lovely atmosphere and I will definitely return. See more..
4.5 Lake Geneva (7.673 reviews)
- The heart of the city
Bodies of Water

A scenic mountain lake situated alongside the city of Geneva, it empties into the Rhone River. See more..
4.5 Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre (2.957 reviews)
- Well worth the climb
Architectural Buildings • Lookouts • Religious Sites

This famous cathedral is best known for its historic significance as the church where John Calvin gave his inspiring sermons during the mid-16th century. See more..
4.5 Patek Philippe Museum (1.396 reviews)
- An astounding collection - A must for watch lovers
Sunday: Speciality Museums

The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva is considered one of the world's foremost horology museums. It houses over five centuries of watchmaking history into two important collections: the extraordinary antique collection starting from the 16th century, which includes the earliest watch ever made and the Patek Philippe collection from 1839 onwards. See more..
4.5 Bains des Paquis (1.332 reviews)
- Great fondue with a view
Beaches • Beach & Pool Clubs

Great fondue experience! You have to know the procedures: choose your meal, take the line to order and pay. Then get the bread, tray, cutlery, drinks and go take place in one of the collective tables (inside or outside, surrounded by the lake view and swans) where you wait till someone come yelling your name with a wonderful tasty soft creamy fondue pan to serve you on a rechaud. I Already miss that, mostly on a sunny winter sunday like it was!! Fondue for one is enough for 2, $25 francs. 250ml Beer $4. Take time to walk around, beatifull view and landscape. See more..
4.5 International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (933 reviews)
- Very informative
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

This renowned museum, universally acclaimed as one of the best in the city, provides a moving reminder of the importance of international humanitarian efforts. See more..
4.5 Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève (760 reviews)
- Lovely garden all year around
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Gardens

We went in winter so most of the garden was at rest. Despite this there are several areas of interest, with all the little rocks with plants from all over the world, some already with flowers. The big impact cones from the huge conservatory with high bananas, blossom trees and stairs to climb inside. Also the tropical garden was impressive with a rain forest recreate inside and lots of interesting plants and little ponds inside. All this for free! Really worth a visit... See more..
4.5 Parc Des Bastions (702 reviews)
- Large park, popular with locals and tourist alike
Parks

The Parc des Bastions is a large and centrally located park and it offers an assortment of activities to do and see while visiting. There is the Reformation Wall, Library, University, Palace, games area, kiosk/restaurant, public restrooms, and a selection of nearly 150 trees from around the world. There are many benches and statues along the walking trial. I spent more time at the Reformation Wall with the large statues of Calvin, Farel, Beze and Knox behind the moat. See more..
4.5 Museum of Natural History (Museum d'Histoire naturelle) (697 reviews)
- Everything about this museum was fun!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Natural History Museums

I love natural history museums, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Their permanent exhibitions were informative, interesting and fun. The dioramas were excellent! They have a great section for kids, and as an adult it was nice to have everything explained simply and with visuals. It was a little overcast and sprinkling on and off while we were in the museum, which made it the perfect spot for in climate weather. See more..
4.5 Place Bourg du Four (670 reviews)
- City down town
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM Points of Interest & Landmarks

This historic town square is situated at the heart of Old Geneva. See more..
4.5 Musée D'Art Et D'Histoire (478 reviews)
- Entered for a toilet, stayed hour and a half
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums • History Museums

Built between 1903 and 1910 by Genevan architect Marc Camoletti, with the aim of regrouping under one roof a number of dispersed public collections, the Musée d'art et d'histoire is one of Switzerland's most important encyclopaedic museums. Boasting over half a million objects including a number of major works and unique series that have made it an institution of international stature, the museum maintains a permanent exhibition of a selection of itsapplied arts, fine arts and archaeology collections. Regional archaeological discoveries, Egyptian and Classical antiquities, artworks, furniture, arms, musical instruments, paintings and sculptures all bear witness to 15,000 years of history. A renovation and enlargement project is currently underway and constitutes one of the major challenges facing the Museum over the coming years. See more..
4.5 Archeological Site at St. Pierre's Cathedral (466 reviews)
- Top rate archeological site hidden under Geneva great cathedral
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins

Hidden gems in Geneva.. Interesting excavation that brought us back in times to the early inhabitants .. Nicely exhibited, the audio guide ans presentation is really useful.. I must say it’s beyond my expectation.. very well done See more..
4.5 Maison Tavel (455 reviews)
- Well done! Excellent audio tour... and free admission!
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • History Museums

This historic building, the foundations of which date back to the 12th century, houses a museum that documents the history of the city. See more..
4.5 Parc La Grange (429 reviews)
- A beautiful space in the city
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Parks

We were out exploring this wonderful city and just happened across this park by accident. The timing was perfect as we have been walking quite a long time in the blazing sun and needed somewhere to rest for a while. This beautiful park provided us with excellent shade on the benches and we watch the locals using it to its full extent. It is beautifully maintained and there was a music festival on during our visit and it was full of a lot of bands playing from Little stages and lots of other activities all around. See more..
4.5 Eglise Russe (385 reviews)
- Russian Orthodox Church
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites

I’ve never been inside a Russian Church. I had to see this even though my husband and I have been walking around a lot. It was worth the hike. The golden domed top is beautiful. We even went inside the church. It was too sacred inside, we didn’t dare take pictures. I saw an image of the Mother of Perpetual Help. We took a lot of pictures outside. We even witnessed their bells rolling. It sounded quite foreign to me. See more..
4.5 Chapel of the Maccabees (310 reviews)
- Ok
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The chapel is located inside the cathedral of St Pierre, the huge building with columns in the old town (above a hill facing the lake). Entrance to the cathedral and therefore to the chapel is free. It was not the most amazing religious site I have visited but it was ok. I recommend going up the viewing tower. See more..
4.5 Musée Ariana (291 reviews)
- Go for the Architecture
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

Built in the Italian baroque style and crowned with a cupola, it was constructed between 1877 and 1884 by the art patron Gustave Revilliod to house his vast and eclectic collections. He bequeathed the museum and its surrounding park to the City of Geneva in 1890. Today it is known as the Swiss Museum for Ceramics and Glass. In the Musée Ariana are to be found the various ceramics and glass collections belonging to the City of Geneva. It is the only museum in Switzerland devoted entirely to ceramic and glass art and occupies an important place in this field.The collections, comprising more than 25,000 objects, illustrate seven centuries of ceramics ranging from Europe to the Far East. All the principal techniques are represented: earthenware, faïence, stoneware and porcelain. The collection of Middle Eastern ceramics and an important group of Oriental export porcelain highlight the interactions between the Orient and Europe. See more..
4.5 MEG Musée d’ethnographie de Genève (207 reviews)
- Amazing collection
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums

Amazing museum, definetly worth it. The photos online do not do it justice, I came with really low expectations but they have a marvelous collection, about every place on Earth is represented by music instruments, crafts, clothes. Also good explanatory texts in English. It is so valuable, I could spend hours there. And amazingly it was for free, I did not have to pay anything. See more..
4.5 Vieux-Carouge (193 reviews)
- Carouge, the good side of the city...
Neighborhoods

Once its own independent town, this neighborhood still serves as a refuge from the bustle of city life and is often fondly referred to as the "Greenwich Village of Geneva." See more..
4.5 Musée d'histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève (134 reviews)
- Go there with kids
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Very educative, kids-friendly museum. Was interesting to see some of the devices which I also used during my university study :-) See more..
4.5 Fondation Baur, Musée des Arts d’Extrême-Orient (108 reviews)
- A very rarified and elegant collection.
Sunday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums

The collections of the Baur Foundation, Museum of Far Eastern Art, comprise some 9000 Chinese and Japanese art objects, housed in an elegant late 19th century town house in Geneva. Acquired by the Swiss collector Alfred Baur (1865-1951) over a period of some 45 years, these exquisite works of art include Chinese imperial ceramic ware, jades and snuff bottles from the 10th to the 19th centuries, as well as Japanese prints, lacquer, netsuke, and sword fittings. Since 1995, several donations, notably of Chinese lacquer ware, export ceramics, Chinese and Japanese textiles and an important collection of objects for the Japanese Tea Ceremony, have further enriched the museum’s collections. See more..
4.5 Victoria Hall (82 reviews)
- Very nice hall for a concert!
Theaters

I visited Victoria Hall in order to attend a concert with Beethoven's symphony no 9 and I liked the place very much. It's a neoclassical style built music hall and theater with excellent acoustics. If you have the chance to attend a concert there, do not hesitate to go! See more..
4.5 Fondation Martin Bodmer - Bibliotheque et Musee (52 reviews)
- Great Surprise !
Speciality Museums

Place of exception in Geneva and unique in Europe. The Martin Bodmer Foundation gathers a collection of originals, constituted by papyri, manuscripts, incunabula, archaeological documents, autographs, drawings. In this modern museum designed by Mario Botta, you will be the witness of the creation of the spirit, through all the ages and in all the continents. See more..
4.5 Jardin Botanique Alpin de Meyrin (50 reviews)
- Beautiful garden with surprises!
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Gardens

Me and my cousin visited here after visiting the CERN just close by! Its a beautiful botanical garden, free to enter! Lots of wonderful flowers, ponds and log piles. Plenty of benches to sit and rest on. The animals were a great highlight, so many lizards running around the flower beds basking on the rocks, frogs in the pools and friendly cheeky goats! See more..
4.5 Geneva Adventure Park (37 reviews)
- Brilliant
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks

Stopped here on the way to Geneva airport as we had a few hours to spare before our flight. A very well set up treetop adventure place - 9 courses, access to which is dependent on age of participants (my 11 year old could go on 1-6 by himself, 7 and 8 supervised by an adult, 13 year old - 1-8 by herself, I could also go on 9, but not the kids). No wait, no queues as there are so many options for different courses, we had no-one in front or behind, so could move at our own pace. Very creative and sufficiently challenging courses, nice long ziplines too. Friendly and helpful staff. Quite pricy, but so are most things in Geneva. Some discounts are available if you book online in advance, plus there's a family rate. The Evaux park itself, where this place is located, is very nice and green, lots of space, near river, with clean toilets, picnic area and free parking. See more..