We knew we needed to get home so we only spent a day and a half in Geneva, which honestly was enough. Geneva is certainly CITY. Trading the narrow cobblestones of small town France for the Louis Vuitton and Rolex stores of Rue du Rhone is a bit of a shift, but the farther into Old town you go the more history you can find.
We stayed at Rue Rousseau which was just okay of a hotel but what was great is it was a super walkable location. From the hotel we were less than 10 minute walk from center of Old Town. Nothing extravagant about the hotel itself, but location was great and the front desk was very helpful!
Things to do in Geneva:
Lunch on the Lake
Right off the train in Geneva we stopped at Le Lacustre for an absurdly delicious pizza lunch with an equally absurd delay of service. Don’t get me wrong, I recognize that European culture takes meals at a more luxurious pace which is fantastic but this was a bit over the top. The food and cocktails were fantastic! Had they ever come back to the table I would have enjoyed several of those Lorenzo cocktails in the sunshine. They, uh, didn’t though. So one it is.
Walk through the Park
Parc des Bastions made for a beautiful walk through the heart of the city, and during our visit we unexpectedly came across a ceremonial parade moving through the park.
We later learned that on May 9, commemorative marches known as the “Immortal Regiment” are held in parts of Switzerland to honor Soviet citizens who died during World War II. The observances can be politically sensitive and occasionally controversial depending on current events and local perspectives, but during our visit the atmosphere remained peaceful and respectful. It was an unexpected moment of history and culture woven into an otherwise quiet afternoon in Geneva.
Illusion Museum
We also stumbled across the Museum of Illusions completely by accident, and honestly, it ended up being one of the funniest stops of the trip.
What started as a quick “why not?” detour turned into nearly an hour of nonstop laughing at ourselves as we wandered through the different exhibits and optical illusions. I’m fairly certain the staff got just as much entertainment watching us try to figure everything out as we did experiencing it.
Some illusions were definitely more mind-bending than others, but overall it was just pure, lighthearted fun — a perfect break from museums, sightseeing, and walking around the city all day. If you’re visiting Geneva and want something playful and a little unexpected, it’s absolutely worth the stop.
Botanical Garden
For our full day in Geneva, we set out on foot toward the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva. The walk along the lake took about 40 minutes, and while I initially worried it might feel long, it ended up being one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. It was a great way to experience the city at a slower pace.
We also happened to get lucky with timing — the Geneva Marathon was taking place that morning, and much of our route followed alongside the race course. As we walked, we stopped several times to cheer on runners and soak in the energy of the event.
The Botanical Garden itself was absolutely beautiful. Several large greenhouses are filled with incredible plant collections and carefully designed arrangements, while the outdoor gardens are just as impressive. The living wall was especially memorable.
At the center of the gardens, the café turned out to be an unexpected highlight. The coffee was excellent, but fair warning: the portions are enormous. I ordered what I assumed would be a light lunch — a sandwich and a cup of soup — and was handed an absolute feast. Delicious, but massive.
Be sure to make your way to the far side of the gardens as well, where you’ll find a small collection of animals living on the grounds.
On the walk back through town, you can stop to see the iconic Jet d’Eau, one of the tallest fountains in the world. Originally created accidentally in 1886 as part of the city’s hydraulic system, it has since become one of Geneva’s most recognizable landmarks.
Chocolate Tasting
La BonBonniere should be your next stop for some chocolate, producing traditional Swiss Chocolate since 1921 . This place had a great brunch and case after case of beautiful chocolate creations! Get a sampling of little pies and cakes to share with a glass of prosecco and then some chocolate to take home. I purchased a small box of mix-and-match pieces that we could add to our family chocolate tasting when we got home– some French chocolate (from Valrhona in Tournon) and some Swiss chocolate!
Art History Museum
In an effort to walk off some of the chocolate, we made our way to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, located just a few minutes away.
The museum has an impressive collection of paintings, archaeological artifacts, and sculptures spread throughout several beautifully organized galleries. One of the highlights for us was unexpectedly coming across works by Vincent van Goghafter having just learned more about his life and influence earlier in the trip in Arles. It made the experience feel surprisingly connected.
Whether you’re deeply into art history or just casually curious, the museum is very approachable. The layout feels open and easy to explore, almost like a choose-your-own-adventure experience where you can wander at your own pace. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here, or simply pop in for an hour between other stops around Geneva.
Another bonus: admission operates on a donation basis, making it an easy and worthwhile addition to your itinerary.
