Geneva
Travel Guide

Geneve is the second largest and important city of Switzerland, after Zurich. It is located in an idyllic environment by the Lake Geneva (the biggest lake in Europe) and by the Rhône river, next to the Swiss Alps. It is known as the “Parks’ City” because it has so many green zones which lets you practice many activities in the nature like skying or hiking.Geneve is a very cosmopolitan city with many citizens from... other countries who work in important international organizations like UN or the World Health Organization.Switzerland has always been very neutral in conflict periods, and that’s the main reason why many important organizations have settled their headquarters there. Furthermore, Geneva is considered a very important financial and diplomatic centre, with also a leading role on the clocks, jewellery and scientific instruments manufacturing. During the last decades, Geneva has become one of the most expensive cities in the world to live, but also with a high life quality, with pure air, lots of nature and a good and tasty gastronomy. It is a clean city, efficient and well organized, and some people call it the Peache capital city, because its population is considered very tolerant, respectful and open-minded. Geneva belongs to the French-speaking part of the country.

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Geneva Overview

Language

Switzerland has 4 official languages: the French, the German, the Italian and the Romanche. In the territory of Geneva, near France, most of population speak French but an important part also speak German. But in general, in the city and in the country, almost everyone speaks English and it is considered one more language of the daily life.

Weather

Switzerland is a quite cold country but the weather in Geneva is moderate. The most cold months are from November to February and the hottest in the Summer, from June to September, with highest temperatures of 30ºC (86ºF). During the Winter, the mountains around the city use to be very full of snow and sometimes it is snowing in the city too. There is humidity in the city, due to the proximity to the Lake Geneva, and the winter nights are usually chilled. During the Summer temperatures are warm. The rainfalls are quite well distributed in the 4 seasons, but in Autumn it rains more than the avarage.

Money

Swiss franc (CHF). The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, but in many places they accept euros as well. Furthermore, you’ll be able to pay with credit card almost everywhere (usually without extra charges) and at the airport you can find currency exchange offices and cash ATMs.

When to go

It depends a lot on the type of trip you want to do. During the Winter time there are many outdoor sport activities you can do, specially in the snow. Just an hour from the city there are some of the best ski resorts in Europe. During the Summer time Geneva is a good destination for escaping from the high temperatures of other parts of Europe, but also to enjoy of the long days (of light) which lets you to take advantage of the city and its environment.

Days

3 days. Geneva can be visited in a day, but to explore its natural environment you will need a bit more. The Lake of Geneva is integrated in the city and the mountains and the nature are definetely worth to be discovered. To walk one or two days around the surroundings of Geneva can be a good idea.

Surroundings

Carouge (artisan village)
Lausanne (city also next to the Lake Geneva)
Château de Chillon (medieval castle)
Montreux (city by the Lake Geneva)
CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)

Store Hours

Geneva is full of shops, commercial centres and street markets. Most of shops open from 8:30h until 18 or 19h. On Saturdays they usually open a bit earlier and close also earlier, usually at 17h.