Nine reasons why Geneva should be your next city break

Dominated by St Peter’s Cathedral, a stronghold that dates back to the Reformation, this is Switzerland’s largest old town. Explore the quaint cobbled streets and squares lined with historic buildings. Here, you’ll find charming coffee shops, bars and typical restaurants, which all exude the savoir vivre that Genevans excel in. Make sure to check out Place du Bourg-de-Four, which is a particularly pretty cobblestone square, and to climb up the tower of St Pierre Cathedral to enjoy a magnificent view.

La Jonction, the spot where the deep green Rhône and the milky white Arve meet, can be found near Geneva’s city centre. The Arve offers exciting rafting adventures, where your skills will be challenged by the ever-changing pace of the waters. Meanwhile, the Rhône is ideal for kayaking or canoeing tours, either with or without a guide. You can even opt for a full moon kayaking tour. Led by a professional guide, the peaceful 8km journey starts at La Jonction and ends at Peney-Dessous.

Sailing, motorboat excursions, stand-up paddle boarding, pedal boats… whatever you choose, just make sure you get out on the water. Like fishing? Book a private fishing tour with Geneva Boats and you might just catch Arctic char, whitefish, perch, pike and lake trout. All fishing equipment is provided and included in the boat hire price. Afterwards, you can even prepare your freshly caught fish yourself under the guidance of an experienced chef.

If you’re tough enough, you can swim in Lake Geneva all year round. The Bains de Pâquis is a particularly beloved bathing area, achieving cult status amongst the locals. In the summer, it’s all about soaking up the sun and enjoying a bite to eat at the snack bar, while during the winter months, the sauna is the perfect place to thaw out after a chilly dip, all while enjoying spectacular views across the water.

Mont Salève, Geneva’s closest mountain, offers a breathtaking panorama of both the lake and the city, and, on a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc in the distance. Much-loved by hikers and bikers, it’s also the starting point for paragliding trips. The new mountain station offers a large terrace, a 20m climbing wall, a botanical sensory garden and a restaurant with 360º views of the surrounding scenery.

Want to learn more about the history of watchmaking and the origin of world-famous Swiss brands? Sign up for a guided tour or stop by Initium (located in Grand-Rue in the city’s old town) to take part in a watchmaking workshop, where you can even make your own timepiece under the guidance of an experienced watchmaker.

Designed by Italian architect Reno Piano and opened in October 2023, the Portail de la science is an iconic project by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The tubular design is modelled on underground particle accelerators and houses impressive interactive exhibitions and learning labs. This is a great experience for the whole family, and entry is free.

The Geneva Food Guide lists 60 tempting places to each or drink, but in reality, there are far more fabulous spots to try. Head to the Carouge or Eaux-Vives neighbourhoods, where you’ll find a whole host of great options, or head to the Hotel Metropole’s rooftop bar MET, or the Hotel Mandarin Oriental’s bar, which boasts some impressive signature drinks. The Mandarin Oriental is also home to the first Ottolenghi restaurant to open outside of the UK (just be sure to make a reservation in plenty of time).

The Geneva City Pass gives you discounts or free access to around 60 activities in and around the city. It’s valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours and activities include lake cruises, guided tours, museums and other experiences.