Guidebook for Genève
Drinks & Nightlife
Good night spot, little loud so don't go there if you want a quiet drink. Very good cocktails. Lots of expats. Not cheap. Open 'till 2am.
102 Einheimische empfehlen
Bottle Brothers - Grand Bottle
12 Rue Henri-BlanvaletGood night spot, little loud so don't go there if you want a quiet drink. Very good cocktails. Lots of expats. Not cheap. Open 'till 2am.
A small Rum bar close to the lake. Huge selection of rums from allover and the waiters are very knowledgeable. Not cheap. You can smoke cigars there on the terrace.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Little Barrel
15 Rue du LacA small Rum bar close to the lake. Huge selection of rums from allover and the waiters are very knowledgeable. Not cheap. You can smoke cigars there on the terrace.
A spanish wine specialist. Cool for afterwork drinks from 5 or 6pm. They also serve tapas. Very cool selection of wine from allover Spain.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Soleil Rouge - Bar à vins espagnols
32 Bd HelvétiqueA spanish wine specialist. Cool for afterwork drinks from 5 or 6pm. They also serve tapas. Very cool selection of wine from allover Spain.
Just across from Bottle Brothers, a little more laid back. They also serve some food. Open 'till 2am.
67 Einheimische empfehlen
Yvette de Marseille
13 Rue Henri-BlanvaletJust across from Bottle Brothers, a little more laid back. They also serve some food. Open 'till 2am.
The restaurant is nothing to write home about but the setting is really cool, being in a small island on the Rhone river. The bar closes at 2am and there are often DJs during the week-ends.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Les Halles de l'Île
1 Place de l'IleThe restaurant is nothing to write home about but the setting is really cool, being in a small island on the Rhone river. The bar closes at 2am and there are often DJs during the week-ends.
Mecca for alternative culture in Geneva. Along with the music venue, there are also a theatre, a bar, a club, a record store and more...
50 Einheimische empfehlen
L'Usine
4 Pl. des VolontairesMecca for alternative culture in Geneva. Along with the music venue, there are also a theatre, a bar, a club, a record store and more...
Cool nightclub, good music. On the expensive side but all clubs are here usually.
Less stuffy than Java and the like.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Baby Boa
22 Rue du CendrierCool nightclub, good music. On the expensive side but all clubs are here usually.
Less stuffy than Java and the like.
Kraken and all the other bars in Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine are a cool spot to get a drink in the evening. The crowd is a bit on the younger side depending on which bar you choose but it's always very lively.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Le Kraken
8 Rue de l'Ecole-de-MédecineKraken and all the other bars in Rue de l'Ecole-de-Médecine are a cool spot to get a drink in the evening. The crowd is a bit on the younger side depending on which bar you choose but it's always very lively.
Parks & Nature
Cool little park just at the entrance of the Old City. Usually quiet during the week, it's a good spot if you want to read or have a quick nap.
Observatory Park
Rue Charles-GallandCool little park just at the entrance of the Old City. Usually quiet during the week, it's a good spot if you want to read or have a quick nap.
Big park (which is actually two parks side by side) just in front of the lake. Great for everything from naping, jogging, leisurely walk, eating and everything else.
77 Einheimische empfehlen
Parc des Eaux-Vives
Big park (which is actually two parks side by side) just in front of the lake. Great for everything from naping, jogging, leisurely walk, eating and everything else.
The "english garden" is actually a small park with a great view of the "Rade" (the lake area). In the summer there are concerts and food truck there.
97 Einheimische empfehlen
Le Jardin Anglais
34 Quai du Général-GuisanThe "english garden" is actually a small park with a great view of the "Rade" (the lake area). In the summer there are concerts and food truck there.
At the foot of the Old City, this park houses parts of the University. Great for a quick break if you're in the city center, you can eat for lunch in the "Café du Parc des Bastions". There is also the "Mur des Réformateurs", a monument to the central figures of the rise of Protestantism.
182 Einheimische empfehlen
Parc Des Bastions
1 Prom. des BastionsAt the foot of the Old City, this park houses parts of the University. Great for a quick break if you're in the city center, you can eat for lunch in the "Café du Parc des Bastions". There is also the "Mur des Réformateurs", a monument to the central figures of the rise of Protestantism.
Small sand beach in the middle of the city. Really cool for a short break.
43 Einheimische empfehlen
Baby Plage
Small sand beach in the middle of the city. Really cool for a short break.
Getting Around
One of the big hub for public transportation (TPG or transport public genevois) in the city center . Busses 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Tram 12, Busses 25, 33, 36, A, E, G, NA, NC, NJ, NK, NP, NS and NV stop here.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Rive station
One of the big hub for public transportation (TPG or transport public genevois) in the city center . Busses 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Tram 12, Busses 25, 33, 36, A, E, G, NA, NC, NJ, NK, NP, NS and NV stop here.
The other stop besides Rive to take public transportation. You can take busses 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 25, 33, A, E, G, NP and NS here.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Place des Eaux-Vives
Place des Eaux-VivesThe other stop besides Rive to take public transportation. You can take busses 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 25, 33, A, E, G, NP and NS here.
Small bike rental shop. Cool prices and the bikes are in good shape.
www.geneveroule.ch
Rlle des Templiers 4
4 Ruelle des TempliersSmall bike rental shop. Cool prices and the bikes are in good shape.
www.geneveroule.ch
Mouttes are small boats that cross the Rade (the bay area in Geneva). There are several stops around the bay in Molard, Eaux-Vives, Port-noir on the left bank, and Mont-Blanc and Perle du Lac on the other side.
You can use your bus transport ticket to use those and it's a very nice way to cross the bay any time of the year.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Mouettes Genevoises
8 Quai du Mont-BlancMouttes are small boats that cross the Rade (the bay area in Geneva). There are several stops around the bay in Molard, Eaux-Vives, Port-noir on the left bank, and Mont-Blanc and Perle du Lac on the other side.
You can use your bus transport ticket to use those and it's a very nice way to cross the bay any time of the year.
Food Scene
Good italian food. They get most of their produce fresh every day from Italy. Good Neapolitan pizza! Kids friendly.
108 Einheimische empfehlen
Luigia
24a Rue Adrien-LachenalGood italian food. They get most of their produce fresh every day from Italy. Good Neapolitan pizza! Kids friendly.
Daje
8 Rue de la TerrassièrePizza by the slice. Good for a fast and cheap alternative.
Al Dar
4 Rue de la MairieGreat Lebanese restaurant. Good selections of mezzes. Not cheap.
Good french cuisine. They have a "plat-du-jour" that's particularly worth it during week days at around CHF 20.- to CHF 25.-
Cerfeuil
10 Pl. des Eaux-VivesGood french cuisine. They have a "plat-du-jour" that's particularly worth it during week days at around CHF 20.- to CHF 25.-
Nice "cuisine du terroir" (french style). Good wine selection, you can go in their cave with the sommelier to pick what you want. Not cheap.
Au Coin du Bar
17 Rue François-VersonnexNice "cuisine du terroir" (french style). Good wine selection, you can go in their cave with the sommelier to pick what you want. Not cheap.
Probably one of the best japanese restaurant in the city. It's small so book a table in advance if you're interested. Also it's pretty expensive, count around CHF 100.- per person at least.
Hashimoto
19 Rue Adrien-LachenalProbably one of the best japanese restaurant in the city. It's small so book a table in advance if you're interested. Also it's pretty expensive, count around CHF 100.- per person at least.
Good for brunch or lunch. Nothing special but they have good "tartines" and salads.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurant Le Pain Quotidien
21 Bd HelvétiqueGood for brunch or lunch. Nothing special but they have good "tartines" and salads.
Good brasserie in the old city. One of the best Rösti in the city!
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Café du Bourg-de-Four
13 Pl. du Bourg-de-FourGood brasserie in the old city. One of the best Rösti in the city!
Good spot for brunch on sundays. Small terrace outside close to the lake. Not cheap but most brunches in geneva aren't anyway.
32 Einheimische empfehlen
The Hamburger Foundation
21 Rue du 31 DécembreGood spot for brunch on sundays. Small terrace outside close to the lake. Not cheap but most brunches in geneva aren't anyway.
Great little restaurant. They have mostly salads and piadine, but the ingredients are mostly locals and organic, the food is not expensive (rare in geneva) and really good.
Good place for a quick meal.
Chez Nonna
25 Rue des Eaux-VivesGreat little restaurant. They have mostly salads and piadine, but the ingredients are mostly locals and organic, the food is not expensive (rare in geneva) and really good.
Good place for a quick meal.
Classic french style brasserie and a Geneva institution.
You can eat there all the brasserie staples and they serve until 00:45 at night. Cool place to go after the opera or a play.
60 Einheimische empfehlen
Brasserie Lipp
8 Rue de la ConfédérationClassic french style brasserie and a Geneva institution.
You can eat there all the brasserie staples and they serve until 00:45 at night. Cool place to go after the opera or a play.
Arts & Culture
Housed in a beautiful early 20th century building, you can find a selection of paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century as well as a collection of Byzantine art and weapons from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. There's a nice restaurant for lunch, you can also spend some quiet time in the courtyard.
148 Einheimische empfehlen
Musée d’art et d’histoire
2 Rue Charles-GallandHoused in a beautiful early 20th century building, you can find a selection of paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century as well as a collection of Byzantine art and weapons from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. There's a nice restaurant for lunch, you can also spend some quiet time in the courtyard.
Cool little museum in a beautiful medieval house. It chronicles geneva's past along with its architecture. You can find there a diorama of the city before the fortifications were brought down in the 1850ies.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Tavel House
6 Rue du Puits-Saint-PierreCool little museum in a beautiful medieval house. It chronicles geneva's past along with its architecture. You can find there a diorama of the city before the fortifications were brought down in the 1850ies.
The museum of Natural History is a good spot if you have children.
149 Einheimische empfehlen
Naturkundemuseum
1 Rte de MalagnouThe museum of Natural History is a good spot if you have children.
The opera house in Geneva. The tickets are not cheap but the acoustics is ok and you often have recitals with international artists.
62 Einheimische empfehlen
Grand Théâtre de Genève
11 Bd du ThéâtreThe opera house in Geneva. The tickets are not cheap but the acoustics is ok and you often have recitals with international artists.
Museum that showcases the history of the reformation and the Protestant Church.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
International Museum of the Reformation
10 Rue du CloîtreMuseum that showcases the history of the reformation and the Protestant Church.
The ethnography museum has just been redone some years ago, it's now housed in a beautiful building in the Quartier des Bains.
They have a permanent collection (The Archives of Human Diversity) of objects from allover the world. They usually have cool exhibitions throughout the year. The restaurant is good for a break during the day also.
110 Einheimische empfehlen
Meg
67 Bd Carl-VogtThe ethnography museum has just been redone some years ago, it's now housed in a beautiful building in the Quartier des Bains.
They have a permanent collection (The Archives of Human Diversity) of objects from allover the world. They usually have cool exhibitions throughout the year. The restaurant is good for a break during the day also.
Museum about Swiss and European watchmaking's history. They have a collection of pieces form the 16th century on along with Patek Philippe's own collection.
108 Einheimische empfehlen
Patek Philippe Museum
7 Rue des Vieux-GrenadiersMuseum about Swiss and European watchmaking's history. They have a collection of pieces form the 16th century on along with Patek Philippe's own collection.
Shopping
Rue du marché, along with the rue du Rhône are the shopping spots for all the big brands.
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Rue du Marché
Rue du MarchéRue du marché, along with the rue du Rhône are the shopping spots for all the big brands.
The other shopping avenue along "Rue du Marché". Home to the more luxury brands, like Gucci, Prada and the like.
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Rue du Rhône
Rue du RhôneThe other shopping avenue along "Rue du Marché". Home to the more luxury brands, like Gucci, Prada and the like.
Sightseeing
With its beautiful neo-classical façade, it's the adopted home of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Great view of all the city if you climb to the top.
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Kathedrale St. Peter (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève)
Cour de Saint-PierreWith its beautiful neo-classical façade, it's the adopted home of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Great view of all the city if you climb to the top.
Along with roman vestiges, you can explore the remnants of the old churches that were standing before they completed the current ones.
Site archéologique de la Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève
6 Cr de Saint-PierreAlong with roman vestiges, you can explore the remnants of the old churches that were standing before they completed the current ones.
The famous "Jet d'eau". Started life as a pressure relief for the waterways of the Rhone, now a "landmark" in geneva.
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Genfer Jet d’eau
Quai Gustave-AdorThe famous "Jet d'eau". Started life as a pressure relief for the waterways of the Rhone, now a "landmark" in geneva.
CERN (or European Organization for Nuclear Research) houses the largest particle physics laboratory in the world (it's also the birthplace or the internet!).
They organise free guided tours and have permanent exhibitions which you can visit. The tours need to be booked in advance though.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
CERN Recruitment Service
385 Rte de MeyrinCERN (or European Organization for Nuclear Research) houses the largest particle physics laboratory in the world (it's also the birthplace or the internet!).
They organise free guided tours and have permanent exhibitions which you can visit. The tours need to be booked in advance though.
Les Bains des Pâquis (Paquis' bathhouses) is a geneva institution since 1872. You can swim in the lake in the summer or relax in the sauna in Winter.
The restaurant can be very crowded at noon, they have Fondue in the evening during the winter months as well.
Last but not least, they organise concert at dawn in the summer for those late nights (or early mornings).
365 Einheimische empfehlen
Bains des Pâquis
30 Quai du Mont-BlancLes Bains des Pâquis (Paquis' bathhouses) is a geneva institution since 1872. You can swim in the lake in the summer or relax in the sauna in Winter.
The restaurant can be very crowded at noon, they have Fondue in the evening during the winter months as well.
Last but not least, they organise concert at dawn in the summer for those late nights (or early mornings).
The old headquarters of the league of nations before WWII and now the European headquarters for the UN.
They offer guided tours of the different Halls and council chambers where a lot of international and historic treaties where signed.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
Palace of Nations
The old headquarters of the league of nations before WWII and now the European headquarters for the UN.
They offer guided tours of the different Halls and council chambers where a lot of international and historic treaties where signed.
The cable car takes you to the top of Salève, the mountain overlooking the city. Beautiful sight of the whole city and the lake. If you're adventurous you can go up by foot, good workout, take around an hour.
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Téléphérique du Salève
Route du TéléphériqueThe cable car takes you to the top of Salève, the mountain overlooking the city. Beautiful sight of the whole city and the lake. If you're adventurous you can go up by foot, good workout, take around an hour.