I recently spent a long weekend in Geneva and I can honestly say that it’s one of the most underrated places in Europe. The Swiss city is well-known for being home to the headquarters of the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization, but there’s so much more going on in the city’s bustling streets, narrow alleyways, and lakeside paths.
Sweet-smelling artisan chocolate shops, high-end fashion boutiques, luxury watch retailers, and charming alfresco bistros are dotted throughout the city. Make your way to the lake and you’ll see a totally different side of Geneva. People plunging into the chilly water, getting misted by the jet-like fountain, and snapping pictures of a beautiful clock made out of flowers.
Spending 3 days in Geneva gives you plenty of time to soak up the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, check out the biggest hotspots, and seek out a few of the lesser-known attractions. So your mini-break goes smoothly, I’m sharing with you exactly what I did on my 3-day trip to Geneva. Follow in my footsteps and you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time!
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Getting Around Geneva
Geneva Airport is the one you’ll arrive at, as it’s the only one in the area. It’s just 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away from the city, so you’ll arrive at your accommodation and kick off your vacation in no time at all.
Geneva has one of the best public transport systems in Europe and it’s free for almost all visitors, whether you’re staying in a hotel or a private rental like an Airbnb. All you have to do is contact the place that you’re staying at and ask for your free Geneva Transport Card.
You’ll be able to use it straight from the airport and for the duration of your visit. It’s valid on all forms of public transport (buses, trains, and boats), and you can use it as much as you like, so take full advantage!
Geneva Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
CERN
Start your Geneva itinerary by visiting one of the city’s most famous attractions – CERN. It’s located on the Swiss-French border and you can use your Geneva Transport Card to get there.
The visitor center is packed with fascinating, highly interactive physics exhibits. You can take a VR tour of the Hadron Collider, experience quantum effects firsthand, and design your own star before ejecting it into outer space!
Restaurant Les Armures
When you’re done, hop on a bus and head to Geneva’s Old Town. Restaurant Les Armures is a great place to grab lunch. This traditional Swiss restaurant boasts one of the city’s oldest period rooms.
After visiting CERN, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the past! If there’s nothing you like on the daily menu, I suggest ordering the Valasian-style rösti potatoes with raclette cheese, bacon, and gherkins. It’s incredibly rich and filling, but it tastes amazing.
Old Town
After reenergizing, continue your weekend trip to Geneva by exploring the magical Old Town. The biggest historic city in Switzerland, this medieval gem is full of narrow streets just waiting to be explored. I recommend you simply wander and find out where your feet take you.
But if you prefer to have more of a plan, check out Cathédrale St-Pierre and climb the steps to the top for an amazing view. Head back down to street level and take a walk along Promenade de la Treille, where you can rest on one of the longest benches in the world, before finishing up at Place du Bourg-de-Four, filled with loads of cute shops and cafes.
Ragtime
End your first day in Geneva at one of the coolest bars in the city – Ragtime. Part jazz club and part speakeasy, this trendy hangout spot does amazing cocktails and hosts live entertainment on the weekend. The care and effort that goes into making each cocktail is amazing. And the presentation is so superb that you’ll fill your phone’s memory with photos!
Geneva Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Chocolate Shops
Start the second day of your 3-day Geneva vacation on an empty stomach because you’re going to be exploring the city with your Choco Pass! This special ticket invites you to visit 8 artisan chocolate shops and pick up a bag of hand-crafted chocolates at each location for free.
The Choco Pass costs 30 CHF per adult and you get around 45 individual chocolates per pass, so it’s fantastic value for money. If you’re traveling as a couple, I suggest only purchasing 1 Choco Pass between you. That’s what we did and we had plenty of chocolate each.
Jet d’Eau
After you’ve indulged your sweet tooth, head to the Jet d’Eau. One of the most famous attractions in Geneva, this giant water fountain shoots up 460 feet (140 meters) into the sky.
If you can get the fountain in the foreground with the city in the background and the Alps at the very back, you’ll snap an amazing photo. It’s worth knowing that the wind can change direction very quickly and if it does, you can easily get soaked!
The Flower Clock
Next on your 3-day Geneva itinerary is another iconic attraction – the city’s Flower Clock. Created in 1955, this work of art is made up of around 12,000 individual plants and flowers and boasts the longest second-hand in the world. The flowers used to make the clock are changed throughout the seasons, so no matter when you visit, the clock will always be in bloom.
Bains des Paquis
If you’re feeling energetic, take a walk over the bridge into the New Town or use your Geneva Transport Card to hop on a boat that zips you across the river. When you arrive, head for Bains des Paquis – this is where the locals go for authentic cheese fondue.
A single portion is absolutely huge and comes with a large basket of freshly baked bread. It’s definitely enough to share between 2. Bains des Paquis gets incredibly busy on weekends, so I recommend calling up in advance and booking a table inside the wooden cabin in winter or on the sunny terrace in summer.
Geneva Weekend Itinerary – Day 3
United Nations Headquarters
Begin the final day of your weekend in Geneva with a tour of the United Nations Headquarters. You need to be part of a guided tour to visit, so make sure you book it in advance.
Some of the remarkable things you’ll see include the library of the Palais des Nations, the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room decorated by artist Miquel Barcelò, and the monument commemorating the conquest of outer space. The tour only lasts 1 hour, but it packs a lot in.
Cuisine Lab
If you’re feeling hungry, take a short walk to Cuisine Lab. This innovative restaurant is guaranteed to be unlike anywhere you’ve ever eaten before.
The inside was designed by the award-winning architecture firm BUREAU, at least 50% of the staff at any time are refugees, and the food is made by chefs from all around the world who are eager to share a taste of their home with you. Because of this, the menu changes regularly. I suggest you leave your comfort zone and try a dish you’ve never had before.
When you’re feeling full, it’s onto the next part of your Geneva itinerary – the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This thought-provoking museum is home to powerful exhibits that will really make you question yourself and the world around you.
The permanent exhibition dives into the history of humanitarian actions and the challenges it faces today. The temporary exhibits change frequently, but they’re always striking, inspiring, and definitely worth visiting.
Bain-Bleu
End your weekend trip to Geneva in style by spending your final evening at Bain-Bleu. This one-of-a-kind place is made up of serene spa pools on the ground floor, pampering steam rooms on the middle floor, and an ultra-cool open-air swimming pool with jets and immersed whirlpools on the top floor.
I recommend you come here after dark because the atmosphere is unbeatable and the views are breathtaking. The water temperature is perfect, so you’ll be warm and cozy in the outdoor pool even if it’s the middle of winter. If you can brave climbing out of the pool, you’ll find a fantastic bar that serves glitzy cocktails and yummy snacks!
More Places to Eat & Drink in Geneva
- Auberge de Saviese – Opened in 1970 on Lake Geneva, this Swiss restaurant serves fondue and raclette in a traditional wooden lodge setting.
- Swiss Chalet – Located in the airport, Swiss Chalet is an excellent place to grab rösti, fondue, and raclette dishes before catching your flight home.
- Chez Ma Cousine – A local favorite that dishes up incredible roasted chicken and crispy chicken goujons for affordable prices.
