Geneva, Switzerland — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Geneva
Sightseeing in Geneva offers something for everyone with historic, cultural, religious and natural attractions galore, all within or very near to the city and best visited during the summer months. The most obvious Geneva attraction is Lake Geneva, the largest lake in central Europe, and its Jet d'Eau, the huge fountain that shoots water 150 meters up into the air. Jardin Anglais is a garden that has been frequented by scribes and philosophers for years, and the nearby Ile Rousseau monument is dedicated to Jacques Rousseau and the inhabitants of Geneva. Other Geneva attractions include St Peter's Cathedral, a must for travelers interested in religious landmarks, and the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) is another impressive building. Maison Tavel (believed to be the oldest private house in Geneva) and the 18th century, Italian-style suburb of Carouge are historic Geneva attractions. With so much to offer, sightseeing in Geneva is a rewarding experience.
Shopping in Geneva
A shopping spree in Geneva is one like no other with Swiss jewelry, watches, wine and chocolate being the most popular tourist buys. But among all the shopping malls and boutique-lined streets there are wonderful flea markets to discover, such as the Kane Country Flea Market, which is held on the first weekend of each month. The clothes and book market on the Place de la Madeleine is also great for bargain hunting. The main shopping drag in Geneva is the Rues Basses, which is made up of Rue du Rhône, Rue de la Confédération and Rue du Marché, where all the best clothing and jewelry can be found. Head down to the Place du Mulard and enjoy browsing in some of the city's most glamorous and expensive shops or, for antique lovers, head to the old town, the best area to shop for antiques and art. A shopping trip in Geneva wouldn't be complete without the obligatory purchase of the world-renowned chocolates which can be bought from one of the many confectioneries all across the city, but for a real Swiss chocolate decadence head to La Chocolaterie Rohr on Rue du Rhone and Place du Molard. Most shops in Geneva open on Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 6.30pm while on Thursday shops close at 9pm. On Friday stores are open from 9am to 7.30pm. Shops open at 9am and close at 6pm on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. The VAT in Geneva is 7.6% and can be reclaimed by non-Swiss visitors for single items purchased for a minimum of CHF400, as long as the goods are exported within 30 days.
Geneva Nightlife
Geneva does not have the ribald party scene or vibrant nightlife culture that one might except for a city of this size and importance. The youth of the city tend to go to Lausanne when they let their hair down, while the wealthy expats and local bankers frequent expensive restaurants and gentlemen's clubs. The city's most lively area is the Plaine de Plainpalais where many student bars congregate, and the Place du Bourg de Four, near the old Town Hall. The city certainly does have excellent classical music, opera and dance, particularly during the Fêtes de Genève arts festival in early August. Other entertainment options include gambling at the Casino de Divonne and Movenpick Casino on the outskirts of town. For local listings check out the free publication Genève-Agenda, available at the tourist office and hotels, and the quarterly La Clefmagazine. Tickets for concerts and shows can be bought from City-Disc at the train station or the UBS Ticket Corner. For a full listing of venues visit www.geneva.info/entertainment.
Attractions for Kids
Geneva is a great city for children on vacation to explore. On warm days, take the kids to the tropical Aquaparc where they can splash and play, or enjoy a spot of horseback riding, putt-putt golf or bowling, or for something special, pack a picnic and head to Labyrinthe Aventure in Evionnaz where children can let of some steam in the 1.7 mile (3km) adventure maze. On colder days when outdoor activities with kids is not an option, head to one of the many indoor playgrounds found throughout the city such as at Yatouland in the city which features bouncy castles, Noah's ark, slides and even a mini 4x4 circuit. Other great options for children in Geneva are:
