lake geneva day trips

1-Day Lake Geneva Itinerary

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  • Lake Geneva in 1 day
  • 2-Day Lake Geneva Itinerary
  • 3-Day Lake Geneva Itinerary
  • 4-Day Lake Geneva Itinerary

lake geneva day trips

Table of contents

1-day itinerary, timber ridge lodge & waterpark.

lake geneva day trips

Tristan Crist Magic Theatre

lake geneva day trips

Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures

Lake geneva shore path, lake geneva cruise line, big foot beach state park, where to eat, popeye's on lake geneva, the boat house bar & grill, sopra bistro.

lake geneva day trips

Popular road trips from Lake Geneva

What's the weather like in lake geneva.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Lake Geneva for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

  • Weather in Lake Geneva in January
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in February
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in March
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in April
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in May
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in June
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in July
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in August
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in September
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in October
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in November
  • Weather in Lake Geneva in December

All road trips from Lake Geneva

  • Lake Geneva to Chicago drive
  • Lake Geneva to Toronto drive
  • Lake Geneva to Nashville drive
  • Lake Geneva to Saint Louis drive
  • Lake Geneva to Niagara Falls drive
  • Lake Geneva to Wisconsin Dells drive
  • Lake Geneva to Branson drive
  • Lake Geneva to Gatlinburg drive
  • Lake Geneva to Louisville drive
  • Lake Geneva to Cleveland drive
  • Lake Geneva to Memphis drive
  • Lake Geneva to Indianapolis drive
  • Lake Geneva to Madison drive
  • Lake Geneva to Pittsburgh drive
  • Lake Geneva to Cincinnati drive
  • Lake Geneva to Minneapolis drive
  • Lake Geneva to Detroit drive
  • Lake Geneva to Kansas City drive
  • Lake Geneva to Springfield drive
  • Lake Geneva to Chattanooga drive
  • Lake Geneva to Green Bay drive
  • Lake Geneva to Columbus drive
  • Lake Geneva to Gettysburg drive
  • Lake Geneva to Dubuque drive
  • Lake Geneva to Omaha drive
  • Lake Geneva to Duluth drive
  • Lake Geneva to Sandusky drive
  • Lake Geneva to Asheville drive
  • Lake Geneva to Grand Rapids drive
  • Lake Geneva to Hammond drive

Explore nearby places

  • Lake Geneva
  • Williams Bay
  • Powers Lake
  • Silver Lake
  • Wonder Lake
  • Spring Grove
  • Kansasville

All related maps of Lake Geneva

  • Map of Lake Geneva
  • Map of Lyons
  • Map of Pell Lake
  • Map of Williams Bay
  • Map of Powers Lake
  • Map of Hebron
  • Map of Elkhorn
  • Map of Fontana
  • Map of Genoa City
  • Map of Genoa
  • Map of Walworth
  • Map of Twin Lakes
  • Map of Burlington
  • Map of Richmond
  • Map of Bassett
  • Map of Delavan
  • Map of East Troy
  • Map of Silver Lake
  • Map of Wilmot
  • Map of Darien
  • Map of Ringwood
  • Map of Wonder Lake
  • Map of Rochester
  • Map of Spring Grove
  • Map of Harvard
  • Map of Sharon
  • Map of Waterford
  • Map of Salem
  • Map of Trevor
  • Map of Johnsburg
  • Map of Kansasville

Lake Geneva throughout the year

  • Lake Geneva in January
  • Lake Geneva in February
  • Lake Geneva in March
  • Lake Geneva in April
  • Lake Geneva in May
  • Lake Geneva in June
  • Lake Geneva in July
  • Lake Geneva in August
  • Lake Geneva in September
  • Lake Geneva in October
  • Lake Geneva in November
  • Lake Geneva in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Lake Geneva?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

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lake geneva day trips

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Day Trips From Chicago – Visiting Lake Geneva, WI

lake geneva day trips

By Bob Glaze

I was just back in Lake Geneva on October 6 th and wanted to share my information, as the trees were just starting to turn, so you still have time to drive up this month and enjoy a beautiful fall day.

lake geneva day trips

Lake Geneva

lake geneva day trips

Located 90 minutes northwest of Chicago and 45 minutes west of Milwaukee, this lakeside community has been a popular resort town for people from both cities for many years. With many wealthy Chicago families building summer mansions there after the Civil War, it became known as the Newport of the West.

lake geneva day trips

Lake Geneva Historic Mansions

lake geneva day trips

Today it is a popular day trip or weekend destination with hotels, resorts, bars, restaurants, galleries, antique stores and gift shops. Plus, there is golfing, boating, hiking and lake cruises. The Geneva Lake Shore Path is a great way to see many of the large mansions along the lake.

lake geneva day trips

Shopping in Lake Geneva

lake geneva day trips

I always enjoy walking downtown in the Main Street Historic District, dating from the 1860s, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

lake geneva day trips

Downtown Lake Geneva

lake geneva day trips

Where to Eat and Drink in Lake Geneva

I recommend enjoying a great lunch at the Simple Cafe located at 525 Broad St. which is a three-block walk from the lake. This colorful restaurant has a large breakfast menu featuring eggs, omelets and frittatas. They also have a lunch menu with salads, soups and sandwiches. Using locally sourced ingredients, the food is fresh and very good.

lake geneva day trips

Simple Cafe

Next door is their Simple Bakery & Market if you want to take home some of their great bread or cookies. I recently went back and loved the oatmeal raisin cookies.

lake geneva day trips

Simple Bakery & Market

On my recent trip, I enjoyed my brunch at Lake Aire Restaurant . It is a classic American restaurant that has been opened for over 50 years. They have a large breakfast menu along with many lunch and dinner options. I recommend the eggs benedict. 804 W. Main St.

lake geneva day trips

Lake Aire Restaurant

lake geneva day trips

A local friend recommends  Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar near the beach downtown. It has a menu of small plates, flatbreads, seafood and other entrees. They have a popular patio as well. 835 Wrigley Dr.

lake geneva day trips

Barrique Bistro & Wine Bar

Stop in at Kilwins Confectionary for an ice cream as you explore downtown and the lakefront. It is always good!!! 772 Main St.

lake geneva day trips

Kilwins Confectionery

I also recommend Scoops Ice Cream at 101 Broad Street. I loved the pumpkin flavor on a beautiful October afternoon!

For coffee, I suggest supporting Inspired Coffee which “employs people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities where they are celebrated, job trained, coached and, over time, placed into a fully integrated work setting.”  883 W. Main.

lake geneva day trips

Inspired Coffee

Also downtown is The Olympic Restaurant , a retro diner, at 748 W. Main St. known for its breakfasts. It has been open for over 60 years.

lake geneva day trips

The Olympic Restaurant

Other restaurants that get good reviews include Sopra Bistro  at 724 W. Main for Italian specialties and the waterfront classic steakhouse, The Geneva Inn Restaurant and Lounge at N2009 S. Lake Shore Drive.  Oakfire Pizza is a casual lakefront bistro serving pizza and other Italian specialties. 831 Wrigley Dr. Also, for Italian, you might check out Tuscan Tavern & Grill at 430 Broad. St.

lake geneva day trips

Oakfire Pizza

Recently opened in August 2021 is Zaab Corner Bistro at 501 Broad St. It replaced the former and popular Medusa Grill and Bistro. Their menu features seafood, steaks, barbecue and Hibachi-fusion prepared dishes.

lake geneva day trips

Zaab Corner Bistro

I love classic diners, so next time I want to visit Jonie’s Diner , just outside of downtown at 111 S. Wells St. Built in 1954 in Pennsylvania, it was then moved to Connecticut and later to Lake Geneva.

One of my favorite new finds is the Topsy Turvy Brewery located at 727 Geneva St. in a former church building. I loved the atmosphere as they have kept many of the stained glass windows from the church. They have an outdoor patio as well as a beer garden in the back.  They make a number of beers on site including ales, IPAs, lagers, porters and stouts. I really enjoyed the Secret Cherry Tree Stout which is a rich beer made with a dark sweet cherry puree.

lake geneva day trips

Topsy Turvy Brewery

lake geneva day trips

My other favorite new spot is Mars Resort , a classic supper club, located on the shores of Lake Como just northwest of downtown Lake Geneva. I really enjoyed the experience. We sat on the outside terrace overlooking the lake and loved the fish fry which they have on Wednesday and Friday evenings. The baked cod was a great choice.

lake geneva day trips

Mars Resort

lake geneva day trips

What to Do in Lake Geneva

On my most recent trip, I did a boat tour from Gage Lake Geneva Cruise Line . They offer a number of tours, in the warmer months, from an hour tour of 1/2 of the lake to full lake tours, lunch cruises, cocktail cruises, supper club dinner cruises, jazz dinner cruises and Sunday brunch cruises. My friend and I opted for the 1/2 of the lake tour which highlighted many of the historic mansions. We both enjoyed it and were very pleased that we chose to do it on a beautiful fall, October day. I recommend that you book your cruise online before you go.  The boats leave from the Riviera Docks at 812 Wrigley Dr. downtown.

Make sure to stop by to view the Lake Geneva Public Library at 918 W. Main. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protege, James R. Dresser, the prairie-style building overlooks the lake from its downtown location in Library Park.

lake geneva day trips

Lake Geneva Public Library

There are a number of attractive shops downtown offering home accessories, gifts and clothing. My favorites included Cornerstone Shop & Gallery at 214 Broad St. Since 1988, this boutique features apparel, furniture, home accessories, wall art, rugs and gifts.

At 235 Broad St, Water Lilly features clothing for women and children including colorful apparel, gifts and accessories from Lilly Pulitzer.

lake geneva day trips

Water Lilly

Where to Stay in Lake Geneva

As to where to stay in Lake Geneva, I just read about the Maxwell Mansion . This is a small inn that is part of the Historic Hotels of Lake Geneva. You can stay in the main building, a historic mansion from 1856, with elegant traditional rooms or in the carriage house and stables that feature modern suites.  Here you can enjoy a cocktail in their Apothecary Bar or subterranean The Speakeasy. 421 Baker St.

To stay on the lake, The Geneva Inn at N2009 S. Lake Shore Dr. has very lovely rooms and a restaurant overlooking Lake Geneva. Chicago friends were just there and loved it.  Golfers might enjoy The Ridge Hotel , an upscale hotel and golf resort.

The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in nearby Lake Como is an award-winning hotel and spa with a golf course, ski hill and other winter sports along with a number of restaurants.

I hope you enjoy your time in Lake Geneva as much as I did!

For more travel destinations and recommendations, visit  globalphile.com .

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PlanetWare.com

12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Geneva

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Apr 13, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

From your first look at Geneva , on the shore of beautiful Lake Geneva and surrounded by Alpine peaks, you'll see the possibilities for day trips. You'll find that the lake and mountains offer as many things to do as the city itself, from strolling the romantic old lanes of lakeside towns to marveling at glaciers high in the Alps .

Annecy, France is a popular day trip from Geneva

On a day trip, you can ride mountain railroads and cable cars for spectacular views, visit Alpine gardens, relax in a spa, or ski and return for dinner in Geneva.

Many of these day-trip destinations can be reached by boats that ply Lake Geneva on a regular schedule. You can cruise around the lake and enjoy the scenery, hopping off the boat right in the heart of lakeside towns and cities. The steamers stop right at Chateau Chillon , one of the top places to visit in Switzerland .

As Geneva sits almost at the international border with France, it's also easy to visit the French Alps and go sightseeing in traditional French villages . Learn all about the attractions and things to do near this cosmopolitan city with our list of the top day trips from Geneva.

1. Take a Scenic Tour of Lake Geneva

2. château de chillon, 3. hike or ride up mont saleve, 4. chamonix and mont blanc, 6. lausanne, 8. montreux and the rochers-de-naye railway, 9. gruyères, 10. evian-les-bains, 12. spend a day skiing, map of day trips from geneva.

Scenic lake tour on Lake Geneva

Depart from any one of the four quays along the lakefront for a boat tour of Lake Geneva that reveals magnificent mountain views , lush green hillsides with picturesque stone villages, lakeside resorts lined with Belle Epoch hotels, and the famous Château de Chillon rising out of the water. You can leave the boat at any of these to explore, rejoining a later cruise or returning by train for a different set of views of the Swiss Riviera.

At Montreux, you can board the narrow-gauge Rochers-de-Naye rack railway that climbs to 360-degree Alpine views. Eight of Lake Geneva Navigation Company's 20 boats are historic paddle wheelers , and on any, you can choose a seat on the deck or in glass-walled salons.

Château de Chillon

The formidable walls of the 9th-century Château de Chillon rise directly from the waters of Lake Geneva in one of Europe's most dramatic settings for a castle. Its literary fame as the basis for Byron's The Prisoner of Chillon arises from a true story, and you can still see the ring in the wall where François de Bonivard was held.

The Counts and Dukes of Savoy gave the castle its present form in the 13th century, but you can still explore the original foundations and cavernous underground vaults with massive pillars carved out of bedrock. Follow the well-marked tour route to see the entire castle complex, which includes upwards of 20 buildings.

Costumed guides add to the experience in some rooms with stories that bring the castle to life. Highlights of this popular tourist attraction are the kitchen, banqueting hall, Bernese Room, Heraldic Hall, the Duke's apartments, St. George's Chapel, and the Count's Great Hall with its splendid coffered ceiling and Gothic arches.

Address: Avenue de Chillon 21, Veytaux

Château de Chillon - Floor plan map

On the French border south of Geneva, Mont Saleve is a limestone ridge that offers outstanding views of the lake and the Alps. Along with the views, you can enjoy hiking and rock climbing here, or simply take the six-minute cable car from Veyrier, at the French border, for sightseeing at an elevation of 1,143 meters.

A short distance beyond Veyrier is the summer resort of Mornex , on the southern slopes of the Petit Salève. From the resort of Monnetier, in a cleft between the Petit and Grand Salève, it is a half-hour climb to the summit of the Petit-Salève.

At 1.5 kilometers from the Monnetier, a road on the right leads to magnificent views of the Mont Blanc chain, Lake Geneva, and the Jura, as well as to a path (also about a 30-minute climb) ascending to the Crêt de Grange-Tournier. At 1,308 meter`s, this is the highest point on the Grand Salève.

Chamonix Mont Blanc Train Station

The small mountain village of Chamonix , over the border in France, is less than 90 minutes away, reached on a drive through the spectacular Arve Valley, with the snowcapped French Alps rising ahead. Chamonix sits at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's tallest peak at 4,800 meters altitude.

For even better Alpine views, ride the cable car to the peak of Aiguille du Midi for a panorama that includes Mont Blanc and the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. Its rocky summit has snow year-round and on a clear day, you can see the Matterhorn.

Aiguille du Midi Cable Car, Chamonix

A cog railway makes the scenic climb to Montenvers and the Mer de Glace , a "sea of ice" where you can visit ice caves , and a museum with displays on the glacier and the building of the Montenvers railway. Although the main allure of Chamonix is its access to the Alps, the town itself is attractive, its streets lined with chalets, shops, and cafés, where you can sip hot chocolate and admire the scenery.

You can include all these on a 9.5-hour Chamonix and Mont Blanc Day Trip from Geneva , traveling into the Alps by comfortable coach and ascending the Aiguille de Midi in a modern cable car. The tour then continues by cog railway to Montenvers, to see the famous glacier, Mer de Glace.

Annecy

For sheer charm, not to mention its near-perfect setting beside a mountain-backed lake, it's hard to beat the French town of Annecy , about an hour's drive from Geneva. The Counts of Geneva made Annecy their home and headquarters in the early 1200s, and you can learn more about the town's history at the museum inside the Château d'Annecy , a restored castle that dominates the Vieille Ville (old town).

But the best way to enjoy Annecy is simply to stroll its narrow streets and soak up the scenery of medieval houses that line its canals and lanes. Canals surround the Palais de l'Isle, a 12th-century fortress that was once a prison. Today, it vies with the graceful Lovers' Bridge as Annecy's favorite photo op.

An easy way to get here is on a five-hour Annecy Half-Day Tour from Geneva , traveling across the border by coach and taking a walking tour of Annecy's landmarks with a professional guide before enjoying time to explore on your own. You can choose a morning or afternoon tour.

Lausanne

While this city on the north shore of Lake Geneva is usually thought of as a center of business and commerce, which it most certainly is, Lausanne is also a beautiful city and an interesting place to visit. Its streets and a trolley line climb steeply from the steamer landing and shoreline promenade to the cathedral . This important medieval landmark has a 13th-century Apostles Doorway of painted stone sculptures and a glorious 13th-century stained glass rose window .

Descend via the picturesque Escaliers du Marche , a long covered flight of steps, to Place de la Palud , where you'll find Lausanne's oldest fountain and an animated clock that reenacts scenes from local history every hour. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the square and adjoining streets become a lively farmers market.

Along the lakeshore, a garden-edged promenade lined by grand Belle Epoch hotels connects the steamer landing and 12th-century castle of Château d'Ouchy with the Olympic Museum . Lausanne is the world headquarters of the Olympics. Other outstanding museums exhibit fine arts, art brut, contemporary design, and photography, as well as Lausanne's Roman past.

Vevey

One of the prettiest towns on the lake, Vevey combines medieval buildings with Belle Epoch style and makes them seem right at home with each other. At its center is one of Europe's largest market squares, filled on Tuesday and Saturday mornings with local farmers, food producers, florists, and craftspeople.

Vevey was the home of Charlie Chaplin, whose statue overlooks the lake. Nearby, its presence announced by a giant fork standing in the lake, is the excellent Alimentarium an interactive museum of food history, sources, traditions, lore, and science.

Farther along the lakeside promenade are beautiful hotels from the late 1800s, the star of which is Grand Hotel du Lac , made famous by the Booker prize-winning novel that was both set and written here. A castle at the edge of the lake contains a small museum. Vevey is known for both its dining and its shopping.

The Rochers-de-Naye Railway

The lakeside city of Montreux rings with Belle Epoch grandeur, with its grand hotels, flower-studded terraces, and promenades along the water. Each summer in June and July Montreux hosts the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival . For a sense of the opulence of late 19th-century travel, step inside the grandest of the Swiss Riviera's grand hotels, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace , which is still the haunt of visiting celebrities.

For views of the lake from on high, as well as panoramic Alpine vistas, take the train to Glion, in the hills above town, and board the Rochers-de-Naye rack railway for the scenic ride up to the mountain top of the Rochers de Naye . At the summit, if you can tear your eyes from the views in every direction, visit the marmot house , the small nature museum, and the vertiginous La Rambertia Alpine gardens. In the winter, this becomes a center for Alpine skiing .

Gruyères

The name of this hilltop village is forever linked with that of the local cheese, and on a day trip here, you can watch this famous cheese being made and sample the real thing. The village itself is postcard perfect, topped by a large medieval castle, Château de Gruyères . Exhibits inside reflect its eight centuries of history, and below is a formal garden.

As well-known as its cheese is the chocolate produced here, and you can visit Maison Cailler, the chocolate factory in Broc, on the way to Gruyeres. An easy way to see both is on the Day Trip to Gruyères Medieval Village & Chocolate Factory from Geneva . The full-day excursion includes guided tours and tastings at both.

Palais Lumiere in Evian

The French town of Evian, on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, was known as a spa town by the mid-1800s, its fame enhanced by the mineral water that was bottled from its springs. Its therapeutic qualities had been identified in the late 1700s by an aristocrat fleeing the French Revolution.

To underscore its position as a spa town, the name was changed in 1865 to Evian-les-Bains. By the end of the century, there were more than 20 hotels, and its shore and the hillsides behind it were studded with villas.

Like the elaborate pump house, built in 1902, many of these were in the fashionable Art Nouveau style; the hotels favored the grandiose Belle Epoch architecture, as did the extravagant Palais Lumière , built as a fashionable spa. Now a venue for art exhibits, the interior of the Palais Lumière is an extravaganza of Art Nouveau decoration.

Evian is still one of Europe's most fashionable spas, a genteel world of lakeside parks and promenades, villas, and grand hotels that have hosted a litany of famous guests: English and Egyptian kings, maharajas and the Aga Kahn, as well as socialites and the literati, including Marcel Proust.

Yvoire

From the first view of its medieval stone-paved lanes, well-preserved buildings, and flower-draped balconies, it's easy to see why Les Plus Beaux Villages de France named Yvoire one of France's most beautiful villages.

The setting at the end of a small peninsula with the snow-covered Savoy Alps as a backdrop only enhances the scene. It's a town for wandering, stopping in cafés and shops to admire the work of local artisans.

For determined sightseers, there is a museum of local history inside the 14th-century castle, Château d'Yvoire , and Le Jardin des Cinq Sens , a garden designed to appeal to all five senses. If you can, plan to travel at least one way by lake steamer, for the best views of Yvoire sitting along the lake with the Alps behind it.

Skiing at Chamonix

Geneva is surrounded by some of the best skiing in Europe , with world-class ski resorts as close as an hour away. In less than 90 minutes, you have an even wider choice. Make the most of a winter trip with a day skiing at one of these top French ski resorts.

An hour from Geneva, La Clusaz is known for its reliable snow conditions (the slopes reach up to 2,600 meters altitude) and wide variety of terrain for all levels of skier.

The same distance from Geneva, Samoëns, France, is also a great place for beginning and intermediate skiers but will challenge experts with some of the steepest pistes in the Alps . The town is a charmer, a typical Savoy mountain village of stone houses with Mont Blanc rising majestically behind it.

Only 15 minutes farther from Geneva is one of the top ski resorts in France , the famous Chamonix , on the slopes of Mont Blanc. Although there's plenty of terrain for every level, expert skiers and riders will be especially happy here.

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Lake Geneva

Plan Your Day Trip to Lake Geneva!

lake geneva day trips

It goes without saying that all aspects of life have been greatly influenced and changed over the past year due to the pandemic, but one area in particular that has seen drastic changes is travel. For those of us who work in the tour and travel industry it has been a year of learning how to “pivot” and coming up with creative solutions to make the traveling public feel safe in doing their travel planning.

lake geneva day trips

One type of travel that has seen some rebound is the Day Trip. With foreign travel limited and restrictions affecting hotel stays and other overnight accommodations, the day trip is often the quick and easy option to get away. Many people have memories of family outings that involved packing the family in the car and taking off for a location that would provide a day’s worth of entertainment. Lake Geneva’s location in Walworth County and southeast Wisconsin makes it the perfect distance for the perfect Day Trip. Just 75 miles north of downtown Chicago, 50 miles from Rockford, 45 miles from Milwaukee and 75 miles from Madison, Lake Geneva is the perfect distance and destination for a memorable day trip!

lake geneva day trips

The travel blog put out by The Economic Excursionists poses the question, “Are Day Trips even better than vacations?”  Several reasons suggest that they are! Top of the list is that day trips are more cost effective. “You don’t have to worry about hotels, plane tickets, eating 3 meals out, or even tour guides. For typically less than a tank of gas, it will get you to a place you’ve never visited before” according to the blog. Other reasons for choosing a day trip over a vacation, according to the blog,  are getting to sleep in your own bed, being on your own time schedule and travelling with kids is easier.

lake geneva day trips

Another great option to include in your day trip is a visit to Pier 290 Restaurant in Williams Bay . The restaurant was designed to give a warm, comfortable lake feel with an abundance of windows and mirrors to capture lake views from nearly every vantage point in the dining room. Thoughtful details for the décor include the re-purposing of many antique nautical pieces, various doors, boards, bricks, fixtures and other recovered items from all over the Lake Geneva area. PIER 290 became not only an enhancement to the Lake but a true testament to generations of Lake Life on and around Lake Geneva. Enjoy lunch or dinner – visit pier290.com for details and more information!

lake geneva day trips

So for 2021, plan a day trip and include Walworth County, Lake Geneva and Lake Geneva Cruise Line in your itinerary. Day trips provide more than just convenience and cost effective options, they provide intrinsic benefits as well. According to Our Whole Village , day trips also allow you to take a break, reconnect as a family, and get active. All of these benefits will contribute to making lifelong memories and provide wonderful experiences for you and your family! Let’s get planning!

lake geneva day trips

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Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Four best day trips from the Lake Geneva region

Vineyards, mountains, mouth-watering meals and more are just a train ride away.

Laura Osborne

Between the palm trees, the glittering lake and its very own castle , it’s easy to see why so many artists—from Freddy Mercury to Prince—made Lake Geneva their home.

You can have some epic, off-the-beaten path adventures, discover the Lake Geneva region through Freddie Mercury’s eyes with a  Freddie Tour , or eat at some of the best new restaurants in the region—Japanese-Peruvian cuisine at Coco Mama included. But thanks to an unrivalled train service, the region is also perfectly poised for some next-level day trips.

Visit the terraced vineyards of Lavaux

Disappear amongst 830 hectares of terraced vineyards that stretch for 30 km along the shores of Lake Geneva—a sight you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Follow the meandering hiking trail from Saint-Saphorin to Lutry through the vines planted by monks in the 12th century. More drinking and less walking? Plan an afternoon of wine tasting at Les 11 Terres , a wine bar in the village of Epesses that showcases the best winemakers in the region (and boasts at least 50 Lavaux crus) and makes killer charcuterie boards.

Want the best of both worlds? Grab an apéro backpack filled with a bottle cooler, glasses, wines, sausages and pastries from Les 11 Terres and head off into the vineyards.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Most of the excellent wines produced in this region accorded a UNESCO World-Heritage listing are never exported, so make sure to taste the Chasselas, Pinot Noir and other grape varieties certified by three AOC labels: Lavaux, Dézaley and Calamin. Pair these wines with L’épicurienne ’s refined, seasonal fare flavoured with herbs from the garden (and don’t miss the glass wine cellar).

Take the scenic route back via Belle Epoque boat from Vevey-Marché. Picture a paddle boat with diesel-electric propulsion equipped with a first-class lounge decked out in chestnut marquetry and bronze trimmings.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Ride the GoldenPass Express train

Get ready for the best train ride of your life.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

As this luxury train pulls out of Montreux, wait for the first of many epic views: sparkling Lake Geneva. Next up? Practically cinematic landscapes featuring cows grazing on impossibly green meadows; classic alpine chalets and the Alps poking through the background.

For an exclusive experience, opt for the front section of the train where the Prestige Class seats are located. This allows you to sense the feeling of being at the helm of the train. Seating is limited. Travellers between Montreux and Zweisimmen can also opt for the GoldenPass Belle Epoque featuring meticulously restored vintage Orient Express cars.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, your first glass of wine and cheese board arrives, and suddenly it’s clear why the cheese tastes so good—you’re looking at just over 3 hours (3 hours and 15 minutes to be exact) of uninterrupted views of the happiest cows in the world.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

One of the most beautiful train journeys in Switzerland, the GoldenPass Panoramic train is not to be missed and you want to get the seating right. Time Out Tip: When travelling from Montreux to Interlaken, make sure to sit on the right hand side in the direction of travel.

Spend the day in Lausanne’s new arts district

For a triple-dose of culture, this small city with a big heart is it.

Plateforme 10 , Lausanne’s new arts district, is home to three museums: Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts (MCBA), the museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac), Photo Elysée, as well as the collections of two foundations, Toms Pauli and Félix Vallotton.

Fine art, photography and modern art in one single spot near the Lausanne train station? Sign us up.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Wander through one of the most important museums devoted solely to the medium of photography, then hop over to a unique institution entirely dedicated to design in French-speaking Switzerland with a stop at an iconic architectural building that’s home to old, modern and contemporary art featuring international and local artists.

Built on three hills, Lausanne’s small size makes it one of the most walkable (and possibly steepest) cities. From the imposing cathedral in the old town—one of the country’s most impressive examples of gothic architecture—to the incredible parks and grand hotels, a post-museum up and down the cobblestone streets is worth it.

Before heading back, pop into Street Cellar for local wines on tap and an extensive menu of elevated street food (deluxe hot dogs and grilled cheese for starters) or swing by L’Esquisse for seasonal dishes like deer with spaetzle or their famous eggs benedict.

Montreux, Geneva, Lausanne

Eat your way through Geneva from top to bottom

Hop in an electric Tuk Tuk from Welo with a life-changing hot chocolate from La Bonbonniére and head up to Mont-Salève, where a cable car will take you 1,379 metres above the elegant Swiss city in just 5 minutes. After taking in the views all the way to Mont Blanc and the recently renovated museum that feels perched in the sky, hit the well-marked hiking trails to work up an appetite for later.

Back in Geneva, satisfy your hunger at La Micheline in the new Gare des Eaux-Vives district, where Chef Andres Arocena will blow your mind with hyper focused dishes like the perfectly cooked octopus with butternut, sweet and sour carrot, tangy cabbage and crispy panko—or Le Kiosque Des Bastions, a modern brasserie set in a picturesque park that’s home to one of the most gorgeous bars we’ve ever seen.

Save room for dinner: L’atelier Robuchon in the Woodward hotel, possibly the sexiest restaurant in the city, could never disappoint thanks to Chef Olivier Jean’s dishes like line-caught yellow pollack roasted with broccoli and an impossibly silky hazelnut butter sabayon. Or snag a table at Sachi, helmed by Chef Mitsu who trained with Master Nobu Matsuhisa, for an Omakase Modern Japanese experience of your dreams (think: tuna tataki spiked in a velvety green jalapeño sauce).

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10 Best Towns & Cities To Explore Around Lake Geneva

lake geneva towns cities

Planning to visit Lake Geneva but you’re not sure where to stay? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you about all the best towns and cities on the shores of Lake Geneva!

From the biggest cities in the region to the prettiest lakeside towns, we’ve included all the best places to stay and visit in the Lake Geneva region. Some are so full of content that you could explore them for a week straight and not discover everything, while others are much more laid back and perfect for day trips from the larger hubs on the lakeshore.

Table of Contents

Montreux

If you’re a fan of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen, there’s no better place on the shore of Lake Geneva than Montreux. The famous singer lived here and he recorded six albums with the band in Montreux. It’s even possible to stay at the actual apartment where the iconic singer lived, but it will cost you a small fortune.

In addition to all the Queen landmarks and memorabilia, Montreux is also home to quite a few art galleries, museums, public parks, and more. The town is also a great base for further exploration of the region thanks to the excellent train connections to nearby towns.

See the Castle of Chillon at Veytaux, visit Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey , or just take a train ride to Rocher de Neyers, if you want to do some hiking and explore a fabulous mountain summit in the Swiss Alps.

The city is also home to the Montreux Jazz Festival , the second-largest jazz festival in the entire world. It’s an absolute must for all lovers of jazz music.

Related Reading

14 unmissable things to do in geneva: history, culture, food, and more.

Vevey

Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, the small town of Vevey is a great destination if you’d rather stay in one of the smaller lakeside towns. Charlie Chaplin lived in Corsier-sur-Vevey for more than two decades, and many attractions in the region are centered around the famous actor.

Chaplin’s World is a museum in the former home of the actor with all sorts of memorabilia and several interactive exhibits. It’s one of the best museums near Lake Geneva, and well worth a visit even if you’re not staying in the town of Vevey.

Other attractions in the beautiful town include the Vevey Photography Museum , the lakeside public parks, and the famous fork monument, among others. Alimentarium is an interesting food museum in Vevey worth a visit, and the iconic fork is just one of the museum’s many exhibits.

It’s also worth noting that Vevey’s location is great for day trips to other towns on Lake Geneva. It’s just four minutes away from Montreux and about 20 minutes from Lausanne by train, plus there are plenty of mountains and nature parks to explore in the area.

Lausanne

Lausanne is the largest city in the Lake Geneva region (by area size), and a great place to stay if you’re planning a longer trip in the area. It’s situated on upper Lake Geneva and it’s perfect for travelers who want to be able to easily travel to other cities and towns in the area. Lausanne has a boat connection to every major lakeside town, so you can easily travel to places on opposite sides of the lake.

The city is also connected to other major urban areas by train and exploring other nearby Swiss towns should be fairly easy. But you won’t need to travel anywhere else if you’re looking for interesting museums and famous landmarks.

Sauvabelin Tower, botanical gardens, excellent art and history museums, and a charming old town are just some of the popular tourist attractions in Lausanne.

Nyon

Nyon is a municipality on the northwestern shore of Lake Geneva. It is part of the Geneva metropolitan area and it has a population of a little more than 21,500. The town’s population has slowly grown over the years, and most residents are foreign nationals. Nyon is situated in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and some 75% of the town’s population speaks the language.

There is evidence of human activity in Nyon since the Bronze Age, but the town was founded between 50 and 44 BC by Romans. It’s got a very rich history and plenty of historical landmarks that prove it.

Some of the most popular attractions in town are the Nyon castle , the Roman Museum , the Roman Columns , and Leman Lake Museum . There are many other historical landmarks in town, as well as a variety of galleries, museums, shops, and restaurants. When it comes to small towns near Lake Geneva, Nyon takes the crown in terms of content.

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland by population and a great place to stay if you want to explore an important hub in the region. The city is home to many cultural attractions, important landmarks , and international organizations, so there’s plenty to do even if you’re staying there for several days.

Geneva is also surrounded by mountains, which means that outdoor lovers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring hiking trails and climbing Alpine summits. Mont Blanc, Mont Tendre, and Rocher de Naye are just some of the mountains that are easily accessible on a day trip from Geneva.

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When it comes to the city’s most famous landmarks, few are as well-known as Jet d’Eau. The iconic water fountain has become a symbol of the city and it is one of the most recognizable Geneva landmarks. Jardin Anglais, St Pierre Cathedral, Bains des Pâquis, and Palais de Nations are all very popular attractions and they’re certainly not the only places worth visiting in the city.

20 Famous Landmarks In Switzerland (All Worth Visiting)

Morges

Morges is a municipality situated at the Grand Lac/Large Lake basin, on Lake Geneva’s northern shore. It is a lovely little town with a beautiful castle, charming cobblestone street, gardens, and a variety of excellent restaurants.

This is truly one of the prettiest towns on the shore of Lake Geneva, and it’s absolutely worth visiting. It’s got a very rich history that dates back to the Bronze Age, and many of the landmarks and buildings in town were constructed during medieval times.

The Morges Castle is the most recognizable landmark in town, closely followed by the charming old town. There’s also the beautiful tulip garden that’s best experienced in late spring, as well as museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants that can keep you busy for days.

Gruyères

Gruyères is a medieval town in the Freiburg canton and a great place for travelers who want to explore the wider area around Lake Geneva. It’s not situated directly on the shore of Lake Geneva, but it’s an amazing place and it’s only a 30-minute drive away from the lake.

The lovely town of Gruyères is best known for the namesake cheese, which happens to be the most popular type of Swiss cheese in Switzerland and most of western Europe. But the lovely town isn’t only about the cheese – it’s home to some stunning medieval structures, including the impressive 13th-century Gruyères Castle .

The HR Giger Museum and bar are also famous attractions in town. The famous Swiss artist is best known for his work in the Alien franchise, which inspired the design of both the museum and the bar.

Prangins castle and surrounding gardens

Situated immediately next to Nyon in the Small Lake/Petit Lac region of Lake Geneva, Prangins is a charming little town best known for its 18th-century castle. This is by far the most popular attraction in the town and it is worth visiting if you’re ever in the area.

Prangings is more of a suburb in the Nyon district, so it’s not exactly packed with features. The castle with the museum is absolutely the highlight of Prangings and apart from some beautiful stone houses in the old town, there is really not much else to do here.

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Lake Geneva, Nyon is a much better option than Prangins because it’s got more content to keep the visitors busy.

Évian-les-Bains

lake geneva day trips

Évian-les-Bains is one of the French towns on the southern shore of Lake Geneva/Lac Leman. It’s pretty much an elite spa town popular for its many spa facilities and known around the world for Évian water.

Évian-les-Bains is an interesting town because it’s very charming at first glance, but the more you discover the less you are impressed. The buildings that line the main road in the town are quite impressive, but the further up the hills you go, the more run-down buildings and houses you see. There’s also a stark contrast between the old and brand-new buildings, and it’s certainly interesting to observe.

The highlights of the town include the Garibaldi House , Palais Lumière , Buvette Cachat , and many museums and art galleries.

Lutry

Lutry is a small town in Lavaux-Oron, close to Lausanne. The area includes the Lavaux wine region, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . If you’re interested in tasting some delicious local wines, this is one of the best towns near Lake Geneva to visit.

It’s also an incredibly charming town with beautiful buildings that line its cobblestone alleys. Lutry even has a castle, which is one of the more popular tourist attractions in the town. However, the town isn’t exactly abundant with tourist attractions, so unless you’re actually fine sipping rosé all day, you might get bored quickly.

Sure, there are a few interesting landmarks and museums, but the majority of the cultural attractions can be explored in a single afternoon. It’s a great town to visit on a day trip, but not the best place to stay near Lake Geneva if you want to be in a town full of content.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Switzerland

Frequently asked questions, which french town is closest to geneva.

Annemasse is the closest large French town to Geneva. It is approximately 4km away from the city.

Which Swiss city is beside Lake Geneva?

The two Swiss cities that sit beside Lake Geneva are Lausanne and Geneva. There are also some well-known towns such as Nyon, Vevey, and Montreux.

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Here are Geneva’s 8 best day trips

Kerry Walker

Mar 11, 2022 • 7 min read

Aerial panoramic view of the city of Vevey at Lake Geneva with vineyards of famous Lavaux wine region on a beautiful sunny day in summer, Switzerland.

From medieval castles to sweeping lakeside views, here are the best day trips from Geneva © Scott Wilson / Alamy Stock Photo

It might be hard to drag yourself away from Geneva ’s ritzy lakefront, knockout Mont Blanc views and rainbow-kissed Jet d’Eau fountain, but you’ll be glad you did – trust us. This sophisticated polyglot of a Swiss city is but a day trip away from vineyards, Alpine peaks, medieval castles and towns with cultural cachet. And given that Switzerland has truly nailed slow travel, most places can be reached by boat, rail or cable car. Here we bring you eight of Geneva’s best day trips.

Take a cable car to the top of Mont Salève 

For dress-circle views of Geneva and Lac Léman to the Alps beyond, make the quick hop over the French border to 1379m Mont Salève , where a cable car hauls you to the summit in minutes. On cloudless days, the view reaches all the way to the Jura Mountains and pearl-white Mont Blanc massif. In summer, there’s lots of action at the top, with hiking, climbing and paragliding, while winter attracts sledders and cross-country skiers.

Townscape with lush foliage on sunny day, Geneva

Watch this space: the cable car is set to relaunch in 2022 with a new panoramic restaurant, museum, botanical garden and climbing wall.

How to reach Mont Salève:  It’s a 20-minute drive east to Etrembières, where the cable car rises to Mont Salève. Alternatively, take bus 8 from Gare Cornavin to Veyrier-Douane, a 10-minute walk from the cable car base station.

Take in the art-inspired Château de Chillon

A medieval castle to trump them all, Château de Chillon makes people gasp out loud with its riot of towers and turrets, and ravishing backdrop lifting the gaze from the lake to the oft-snow-encrusted Alps. If the scene looks like a painting, it is: Turner committed it to canvas back in 1836, and Gustave Courbet did likewise in 1874.

500pxRF_114832813.jpg

And they weren’t the only ones smitten with its romance: Lord Byron penned The Prisoner of Chillon, a poem recounting the fate of François Bonivard, incarcerated here for his seditious ideas and freed by Bernese forces in 1536. Highlights of a visit include the frescoed Chapelle St Georges and the Gothic dungeons.

How to reach Château de Chillon: It’s a gentle 3km walk along flower-draped shores from Montreux to Chillon, or take bus 201. CGN boats chug here from Lausanne (1¼ hours), Vevey (50 minutes) and Montreux (15 minutes).

Vibe out in bohemian Carouge

When you tire of the crowds, take time out in nearby Carouge. Though it's just a 10-minute tram ride from Geneva, this village-within-a-city moves to its own laid-back, bohemian beat. Architecturally Carouge is a one-off, too, with plane tree-lined lanes and pastel-painted, shuttered houses overlooking courtyard gardens. It bears the 18th-century hallmark of Vittorio Amedeo III, king of Sardinia and duke of Savoy, who had grand plans to rival Geneva as a center of commerce.

Multicolored umbrellas hang from wires above the street in the Carouge area, Geneva

 Carouge brims with appealing bars, boutiques, artists' workshops and bistros, some of which spill out onto the pavement when the sun’s out. You’ll also find the Musée de Carouge , zooming in on the neighborhood’s 19th-century glory days. Stop for lunch at Café du Marché on the main square, then return at night for tapas, jam sessions and DJ sets at the artsy Chat Noir .

How to reach Carouge: Trams 15 and 18 connect Geneva’s Gare Cornavin to Carouge in just 10 minutes.

Get a history lesson in Lausanne

If you’re culturally minded, you won’t be able to resist the siren call of Lausanne , whose medieval historic center, crowned by the weighty Gothic Cathédrale de Notre Dame , tumbles down to the lake in a maze of steep lanes and gardens. Lausanne’s sizeable student population gives it verve and more of a party scene than many a Swiss city. Factor in at least a day – if not a weekend - to do the city and its staggering location on the lake justice.

Lausanne’s star has risen more than ever recently with the opening of PLATEFORME 10 , a thrilling new arts district in born-again train sheds, bringing together the city’s three flagship museums. For more post-industrial cool, nose around the Flon district, where cafes, bars, boutiques and galleries reignite former warehouses. Try Eat Me for global tapas and cocktails, and ever-so-eccentric Le Perroquet for brunch or a G&T.

How to reach Lausanne: Regular trains zip along the lakeshore from Geneva to Lausanne (40 minutes), or it’s a 50-minute drive via the A1.

Explore the fairy-tale architecture of Nyon

Reclining serenely on the lakeshore, midway between Geneva and Lausanne, petite-and-pretty Nyon punches above its weight culturally, with a nautically themed museum , the ruins of a Roman basilica , and not one but three chateaux. Its 12th-century crowning glory is the whimsically turreted Château de Nyon , looking every inch the fairy-tale dream, where you can take a romp around the town’s historical museum, admire ringside views of the lake from the terrace, and taste red and white wines from the surrounding vineyards in its brick-vaulted basement Le Caveau de Nyon . Venture slightly out of town to reach the 18th-century mansion Château de Prangins for more historic exhibits and walks in glorious French-style gardens.

Night view of White Chateau de Nyon in Switzerland

Nyon really comes into its own in summer with its lakefront lido, alfresco dining at La Plage de Nyon (try the lake perch), and proper Italian gelato at Gelateria Venezia . In July, the town rocks at Paléo , Switzerland’s biggest outdoor international music festival.

How to reach Nyon: Very frequent trains connect Geneva to Nyon (15 minutes) or it’s a 30-minute drive north along the lake via the A1.

Retreat lakeside in Montreux

With an uplifting panorama of lake and mountain, flower-rimmed shores for a promenade, a microclimate so mild that palm trees flourish, and belle époque hotels that wing you back to a more graceful era of travel, Montreux is an instant heart-stealer. Romantics from Lord Byron to the Shelleys have eulogized its views. And if you’re going to fall hard for one town on the lake, this will most likely be it.

 Montreux, Switzerland, September

 To enjoy the view from above, take the cogwheel train up to the 2042m peak of Rochers de Naye , surveying Lake Geneva and the Alps from on high.

If jazz rocks your boat, you’ll have surely heard of the summer Montreux Jazz Festival . Many a legend recorded albums at the Mountain Studios in Montreux Casino over the years, among them Freddie Mercury, to whom a statue and Queen: The Studio Experience are devoted.

How to reach Montreux: At the eastern tip of croissant-shaped Lac Léman, Montreux is an hour’s drive or train ride from Geneva.

Wine down in Lavaux

Rising north of Lausanne, the World Heritage-listed  Lavaux  vineyards are ridiculously lovely. Diving down to Lake Geneva, the gravity-defying slopes are intricately scaled with terrace after terrace, vine after vine, dry-stone wall after dry-stone wall. If this is the first you’ve heard of them, it’s because the wines here are so select and small-scale that many of them never leave Switzerland (lucky Swiss).

Train travelling through vineyards, as seen from the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces hiking trail near Lake Geneva

For the full-on Lavaux experience, allow time for a walk and wine tasting at local caveaux (cellars). A great springboard for the area is the adorable medieval village of Lutry. Here you can strike out on the 5.5km Grandvaux trail, stitching together vine and hamlet, before a petite dégustation (tasting) at the Domaine du Daley , the region’s oldest wine-producing estate, going strong since 1392.

How to reach the Lavaux: Trains run at least twice hourly to Lutry (one hour). Or it’s a 50-minute drive east of Geneva via the A1 if you’re driving.

Eat like royalty in Vevey

Sitting smugly on Lake Geneva’s northern shores, with an alley-woven center and views rippling across glass-blue water to the Alps, Vevey is the kind of town that makes you want to crack open a bottle of something special. And the terraced vineyards that tear up the surrounding slopes make sure there’s plenty of that. Pairing with excellent wines like crisp, flinty Chasselas whites, there’s sensational cuisine, as noted by the giant fork sculpture protruding from the lake and the food-focused Alimentarium , with its museum and cookery workshops.

 The town of Vevey and Lake Geneva.

 The town has certainly done its bit to put the region on the global gastro map, shining with a total of five Michelin stars and offering plenty of opportunity for saying to hell with the budget. For molecular wizardry and 20-course tasting menus, aim to score a table at the rather fabulous Denis Martin .

How to reach Vevey: Vevey is an hour’s train ride or drive east of Geneva. It’s a beautiful journey skimming the shores of the lake.

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This article was first published Mar 10, 2021 and updated Mar 11, 2022.

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10 Best Day Trips from Geneva

Darla

  • January 30, 2023 May 21, 2024

Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Darla

Geneva is home to many international organizations, making it one of the most visited cities in Switzerland. This city on Lake Geneva is the second-most populous in Switzerland and the most populous in Switzerland’s French-speaking region. Though Geneva has so many activities to offer, those who spend several days there might still want to take day trips from the city. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Geneva for those based there.

lake geneva day trips

These day trips are typically two hours away from Geneva by train. If you would rather stay closer to Geneva, check out our other article on the must-see places to visit on Lake Geneva : 8 Best Places on Lake Geneva .

This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Geneva . Let’s go!

1. Gruyères

A 90-minute drive with a car can take you from Geneva to Gruyères, which is just 121 kilometers away. Gruyères is one of the best day trips from Geneva due to its picturesque medieval town and castle.

lake geneva day trips

Gruyères, a medieval town with a rich history, is one of the most popular attractions in the Gruyères region. It is located in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. Apart from being famous for its cheese, the town is also a wonderful place to visit.

This town truly looks like something out of a fairytale, as it has been preserved well from the Middle Ages. A Swiss national landmark, Gruyères Castle , sits atop a hill. It is one of Switzerland’s finest castles.

If you would like to learn more about Gruyères , check out our article Gruyères, Switzerland: A Romantic Little Town .

How do you get from Geneva to Gruyères ?

To get from Geneva to Gruyères , take the Interregio train to Palézieux . In Palézieux, take the regional train to Gruyères. The total travel time is around 2 hours. Gruyères is 121 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

2. Les Diablerets – Glacier 3000

Les Diablerets – Glacier 3000 is an easy day trip from Geneva, located 134 kilometers away by car. It will take you about an hour and 48 minutes to get there. This is the best day trip from Geneva if you want to see glaciers.

Les Diablerets in Gstaad is one of the most beautiful and nearest mountains to Geneva

Literally meaning “the abode of devils”, Les Diablerets  is a village and ski resort in  Ormont-Dessus.  It is located in the canton of  Vaud and surrounded by the Diablerets Massif .

From  Les Diablerets , it takes only 18 minutes to reach  Col-du-Pillon . From there, the cable car takes visitors up to  Glacier 3000 mountain station. Scex Rouge offers spectacular views of the high alpine landscape stretching from Bernese Oberland to Valais and Mont Blanc.

How do you get from Geneva to Glacier 3000?

From  Geneva , take the train to  Aigle . This ride takes around 1 hour 22 minutes. From Aigle, transfer to the train heading to  Les Diablerets . The total trip for the best connection from Geneva to Les Diablerets takes 2 hours and 3 minutes   including transfer time. From Les Diablerets, the bus takes an additional 18 minutes to  Col-du-Pillon, Glacier 3000 , where the cable car awaits. Les Diablerets is 134 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

3. Interlaken

Despite not being exactly nearby, Interlaken is still worth a day trip from Geneva. Located 216 kilometers away, Interlaken is 2.5 hours away from Geneva by car. As you ascend Harder Kulm, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz.

lake geneva day trips

Interlaken , Switzerland is an incredibly popular tourist hub in the  Bernese Oberland . In Interlaken, you will find walking trails along the River Aare, many souvenir shops, a Japanese garden, and the local mountain Harder Kulm for spectacular views. A red funicular takes you from Interlaken to Harder Kulm in 10 minutes, with one departure every half hour.

As one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist spots, Interlaken is also a hot spot for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It is also conveniently located between two beautiful lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

lake geneva day trips

For those who are into fun adventures, below are some of the most popular outdoor activities in Interlaken :

  • Tandem Paragliding (GetYourGuide): Experience pure serenity as you float weightlessly alongside an experienced pilot and witness the breathtaking beauty of the Jungfrau region from the sky.
  • Adventure Park (GetYourGuide): Conquer 9 thrilling rope courses and zip lines soaring up to 23 meters above the ground, with the assurance of a comprehensive safety briefing and top-notch safety gear.
  • Kayak Tour of Lake Brienz (GetYourGuide): Paddle through the crystal-clear waters of Lake Brienz with the guidance of an experienced coach, as you soak in the stunning views, including the picturesque Rinngenberg Castle. You may also book this activity in winter (GetYourGuide).
  • Canyoning (GetYourGuide): Dive into the ultimate adrenaline rush with a canyoning expedition in Chli Schilere , featuring challenging rappelling, high jumps, fast slides, and an unforgettable adventure in one of the region’s top canyons.
  • Scenic Jetboat Ride (GetYourGuide): Experience an exhilarating 45 to 50-minute jetboat ride on Lake Brienz near Interlaken, culminating at Giessbach Falls .

How do you get from Geneva to Interlaken?

From  Geneva , take the Interregio train to Bern . In Bern, change to the connecting Intercity train to Interlaken Ost . The total travel time between Geneva and Interlaken is between 2 hours 44 minutes and 3 hours 16 minutes. Interlaken is 216 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

With 159 kilometers to cover, Bern is just two hours away by car from Geneva. A day trip to Bern, Switzerland’s de facto capital, is probably one of the most important day trips you can do from Geneva .

lake geneva day trips

Nestled along the banks of the  Aare River , Bern offers a variety of attractions for all tastes, whether you enjoy history, art, animals, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting. It is the  federal city of Switzerland . There is much more to discover when you take the time to explore this charming city.

There is no better place in Bern to start your day than the  Old Town , located across the Aare River. The Old Town of Bern, which consists of a number of well-preserved buildings from the medieval era, was designated a  UNESCO World Heritage Site  in 1983. A famous symbol of Bern, which dates back to 1218-1220, can be seen right at the entrance to the Old Town: the Zytglogge .

If you would like to learn more about Bern , check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Bern, Switzerland .

How do you get from Geneva to Bern?

Every hour, Geneva and Bern are served by two direct trains . It takes 1 hour 44 minutes to 1 hour 57 minutes to travel from Geneva to Bern. Bern is 159 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

5. Solothurn

A 2.5-hour drive from Geneva takes you to Solothurn, which is around 200 kilometers away. Solothurn is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities and well worth a day trip from Geneva.

lake geneva day trips

Solothurn  is generally regarded as Switzerland’s  most beautiful Baroque city . Solothurn is a city, municipality, and the capital of Solothurn, a canton in Switzerland. The city is situated along the  Aare River  and at the southern end of the  Jura mountain range .

Combining French charm with German practicality, Solothurn is a fascinating small city. The old town is a pleasant place to walk among historical monuments, patrician houses, and strong fortifications. It is closed to cars and has many small shops and hotels. Aside from its impressive past, Solothurn offers a wide range of contemporary art and entertainment.  

Those looking for a place with a stunning view should visit the St. Ursus Cathedral . With beautiful stained glass windows and interiors, this stunning Cathedral was built between 1762 and 1773 by the architects Gaetano Matteo Pisoni and Paolo Antonio Pisoni. It is the city’s main attraction.

If you would like to learn more about Solothurn , check out our article Solothurn – 9 Best Things to Do in this Beautiful Baroque City .

How do you get from Geneva to Solothurn?

There are direct trains from Geneva to Solothurn that depart every hour. It takes around 1 hour and 44 minutes to get from Geneva to Solothurn. Solothurn is 200 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

6. Neuchâtel

The city of Neuchâtel is 123 kilometers away from Geneva and offers everything you need for a fantastic day trip. It takes 90 minutes to get there by car.

lake geneva day trips

Neuchâtel is a picture-perfect city with a medieval center. It lies at the northern end of Lake Neuchâtel , the largest lake located entirely in Switzerland. As home to creative watchmakers, it is also an established Swiss watchmaking center.

There are many historical landmarks in the city, including Neuchâtel Castle , the entire old city, and the urban village of Corcelles. Located here is the Laténium, a museum dedicated to prehistoric times in Neuchâtel and Hauterive, focusing primarily on La Tène culture.

Chaumont , a mountain peak easily accessible from the city, provides fantastic panoramic views of the region.

How do you get from Geneva to Neuchâtel ?

Direct trains connect Geneva with Neuchâtel easily. You can get there in 1 hour and 9 minutes with one direct train per hour. Neuchâtel is 123 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

In just over two hours and fifteen minutes, you can drive 188 kilometers to the lovely town of Thun from Geneva. As a picturesque lakeside city with an old town, Thun is one of the best day trips that you can do from Geneva.

lake geneva day trips

Described as the  gateway to Bernese Oberland ,  Thun  in Switzerland is also one of the biggest cities in Canton  Bern . You can find it on the northern part of Bernese Oberland sitting on the northern edge of Lake Thun .  Thun boasts of beautiful castles, the reformed town church on the Schlossberg, an old church, a park, an accessible lower bridge, and majestic views of the mountains.

Between April and October, you can take passenger boats on Lake Thun . Boats in Lake Thun stop in Interlaken West, Neuhaus (Unterseen), Beatushöhlen-Sundlauenen, Leissinge, Beatenbucht, Merlingen, Faulensee, Spiez, Gunten, Einigen, Gwatt Deltapark, Längenschachen, Oberhofen am Thunersee, Hilterfingen, Hünibach, and Thun.

If you would like to learn more about Thun , check out our article 10 Best Things To Do In Thun, Bernese Oberland .

How do you get from Geneva to Thun?

You can get from Geneva to Thun via Bern . Every hour, Geneva and Bern are served by two direct trains. In Bern, you can change to the connecting Intercity train that will bring you to Thun. The total travel time from Geneva to Thun is 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 24 minutes. Thun is 188 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

8. Fribourg

In just two hours, you can drive 140 kilometers to the lovely town of Fribourg from Geneva. It is one of the most interesting day trips that you can do from Geneva. In this city, you will see the cultural bridge between the country’s German- and French-speaking regions.

lake geneva day trips

In Switzerland, Fribourg is a bilingual city that serves as a cultural border or bridge between German and French-speaking areas. The city has a picturesque alpine setting, an ancient castle, and many historically significant buildings. The city is also home to Fribourg University , the only bilingual university in Switzerland.

Located on the banks of the Sarine River , the city features both a preserved old town and modern structures. One of Fribourg’s most famous landmarks, St. Nicholas Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

For fantastic views of the city, you can walk up to Chapelle de Lorette , a Baroque-style building dating back to 1648.

If you would like to learn more about Fribourg , check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Fribourg, Switzerland .

How do you get from Geneva to Fribourg?

Direct trains connect Geneva with Fribourg easily. Two direct trains per hour can take you from Geneva to Fribourg in 1 hour 21 minutes or 1 hour 34 minutes, depending on which train you take. Fribourg is 140 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

In just two hours, you can drive 160 kilometers to the lovely city of Sion from Geneva. Sion is one of the best day trips from Geneva thanks to its sunshine, unique landscape, history, and wine culture.

lake geneva day trips

The city of Sion is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais , located in the southwest region of the country. The region is known for its wine, fruits, sun, and proximity to some of Switzerland’s highest mountains. Sion’s history goes back to the first century when the Romans called it Sedunum .

The Sion plateau lies north of the Rhone, dominated by the Valeria and Tourbillon hills. The old town with cobblestone streets is filled with markets, shops, and restaurants. Sion has many historical buildings that can be explored on foot. Weather permitting, visitors and locals often eat outside and sip wine.

The underground lake of St. Leonard is a wonderful gem near Sion that I highly recommend visiting.

How do you get from Geneva to Sion?

Direct trains connect Geneva with Sion easily. Three direct trains per hour can take you from Geneva to Sion between 1 hour 46 minutes and 2 hours 12 minutes, depending on which train you take. Sion is 160 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

10. La Chaux-de-Fonds

The best day trip from Geneva for watch lovers is to La Chaux-de-Fonds since it is famed for its watchmaking industry. In just under two hours, you can drive 140 kilometers to the lovely city of La Chaux-de-Fonds from Geneva.

lake geneva day trips

Located just a few kilometers south of the French border, La Chaux-de-Fonds , Switzerland, is the ideal place for this watchmaking. In contrast to other parts of the country, the region’s land is not arable, which factors into its importance as a watchmaking region. Watchmaking has always been the main reason for this area’s survival.

Since 2009, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have been UNESCO World Heritage sites , recognized for their contribution to watchmaking around the world. The watch museum in nearby Le Locle is also worth a visit.

If you’re passionate about watches or watchmaking, you might enjoy visiting the watch museums in this city and nearby Le Locle.

The Musée international d’horlogerie is an interesting and educational experience. Here, you can expect to learn a great deal about watches.

How do you get from Geneva to La Chaux-de-Fonds?

Getting from Geneva to La Chaux-de-Fonds is easy via Neuchâtel . When traveling via Neuchâtel, it takes 1 hour 42 minutes to travel between the two cities. La Chaux-de-Fonds is 140 kilometers away from Geneva by car.

Summary: Best Day Trips from Geneva

For those who are staying for a couple of days in Geneva, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.

To summarize, if you are looking for large cities with lots of activities, Bern , Fribourg , and Neuchâtel are great choices. Thun and Sion are for those who want something a bit smaller and more laid back.

In Solothurn and Gruyères , you can get some of the most picturesque shots. Les Diablerets and Interlaken are suitable choices for those who want to visit the mountains. Lastly, watch lovers will enjoy a visit to the museums in La Chaux-de-Fonds and nearby Le Locle.

* Disclosure: By clicking on our affiliate links, you may support TouringSwitzerland.com while incurring no additional costs. We appreciate your support!

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lake geneva day trips

Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.

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One Day in Geneva Itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Geneva, Switzerland

In recent years, enchanting photos of Switzerland have been flooding the Internet, inspiring people all over the world with breathtaking images of green meadows, sharp snow-capped alpine peaks, mountain cottages, mesmerizing train rides, and charming towns seemingly trapped in time. However, Switzerland has been a favorite destination long before the ascent of the Internet and self-absorbed Instagram selfies with inspirational quotes. And Geneva has always been one of the country’s most effortlessly, unassumingly beautiful cities. The most populous city in Romandy, the francophone part of Switzerland, Geneva is second only to Zürich in terms of size, while it can certainly compete with the best in Europe when it comes to charm and sheer number of historic landmarks and tourist attractions. If you plan on visiting Switzerland, one day in Geneva will show you why it was named “the Best European City for Weekend Tours” by the World Travel Awards.

One day in Geneva Itinerary

PLAN YOUR TRIP

What to do in Geneva for a day? A lot! See how you can make the most of even the shortest trip to this great city.

1. What’s the best time to visit Geneva? 2. A few facts about Geneva 3. One Day in Geneva Itinerary 3.1. Don’t Be Afraid to Squeeze in More Attractions Than Usual 3.2. Visit Lake Geneva To Start the Day 3.3. Take Some Photos at the Geneva Water Fountain or Jet d’Eau 3.4. Take a Short 10-Minute Walk to See the Flower Clock 3.5. Explore the Old Town 3.6. Set Aside an Hour or Two for Lunch 3.7. Move on to Bourg-de-Four Square After Lunch 3.8. Visit the Natural History Museum 3.9. Take a Walk to Promenade des Bastions 4.0. Explore the Promenade des Bastions & Reformation Wall 4.1. Take the Tram to Parc de I’Ariana 4.2. Conclude Your One Day in Geneva with a Nice Dinner 4.3. Return Downtown for a Couple of Drinks 5. Where to stay in Geneva? 6. Day trips from Geneva 7. Extra tips for visiting Geneva

What’s the best time to visit Geneva?

Although there are plenty of things to do in Geneva in every season, some periods certainly make it easier to enjoy the sights and experience more of what the city and the surrounding area have to offer. For example, the period from June to August , while very busy, is absolutely unbeatable if you want to go for a cruise on Lake Geneva or experience the city’s most important festivals, Lake Parade in July and Fêtes de Genève in August. After summer, the temperatures drop pretty fast. Still, autumn temperatures are quite manageable and usually hover between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius.

If you want to dodge the crowds , then this is the best time to visit Geneva. Winter and early spring also have their perks. While you can expect below-zero temperatures made worse by chilly winds blowing from Lake Geneva, it is the best time for skiing near the Jungfraujoch region. This season experiences three short periods of price spikes and higher hotel rates, primarily around Christmas and Easter. Late spring (May-June) is in some ways similar to fall, with agreeable temperatures and better prices compared to the peak tourism season.

Geneva in Summer

A few facts about Geneva

Many European cities are known for their rich history and ancient origins, and Geneva is no exception. In fact, the city’s earliest beginnings date back more than four millennia . As a tourist destination, Geneva is mostly known for its gorgeous architecture, numerous monuments and museums, and manicured gardens and botanic retreats. Nature has always played an important symbolic role in Geneva. For example, for centuries now, the coming of spring has been officially announced as soon as the first leaf blooms on the city’s official chestnut tree. While there are several exceptions, this usually happens in March. Another example is Geneva’s English Garden, home to the largest Flower Clock in the world . The “Clock’s” 6,500 flowers all bloom at different times, which makes for a pretty unique way to measure the passage of time.

Geneva

Everybody knows about the Geneva Convention and the fact that the city is home to the headquarters of the European branch of the International Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as the World Health Organization. However, there are numerous trivial and lesser-known facts about the city, for example, the fact that the headquarters of the Raëlian Movement is located in Geneva. Members of the movement believe in the existence of life on other planets and promote its spiritual significance.

Furthermore, the famous Reformation Wall , honoring the Protestant Revolution, is also located in Geneva – at The University of Geneva. The Tavel House is one of the oldest structures in Geneva, which has welcomed travelers from all over the world for more than nine hundred years. Still, those travelers never got to experience the benefits of the Geneva Transport Card , which is a gift to everyone paying for accommodation in the city – no matter where you are staying, including campsites, inns, and hotels. The Card lets visitors use public transport free of charge, not to mention pretty generous discounts at most tourist attractions .

Streets of Geneva

One Day in Geneva Itinerary

Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to do on your one day in Geneva.

Don’t Be Afraid to Squeeze in More Attractions Than Usual

Before kicking things off, it may be appropriate to get one minor technicality out of the way. Due to the fact that Geneva is very compact and well-connected , getting from one attraction to the next shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes in most cases. This makes Geneva one of the more rewarding places for sightseeing, with little time wasted in between. That is why the number of sites you can visit on your one day in Geneva exceeds what is usually possible in other cities, particularly outside of Europe.

Visit Lake Geneva To Start the Day

When it comes to things to see in Geneva, the city’s eponymous lake takes the cake. The sprawling, crescent-shaped Lake Geneva is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in all of Switzerland. Known for gorgeous beaches and numerous spas and luxury shops, you can get to the lake from any of the beautiful coastal towns, with astounding mountain views making the boat tours across the lake absolutely mesmerising. These can take as much as three hours from the lake’s northernmost to its southernmost shore.

The area surrounding the lake is very popular for walking, jogging, and enjoying the sunrise . In the morning, make your way to the lake and take some time to feed the ducks and enjoy the magical atmosphere. In case there are boat tours available, treat yourself to a short boat tour for some amazing photos of the coastline from a distance. There are usually several yellow boats cruising between the banks of Lake Geneva. The boats are part of Geneva’s public transport network, meaning you can board them for free if you have the pass.

Geneva Lake

Take Some Photos at the Geneva Water Fountain or Jet d’Eau

The Geneva Water Fountain or Jet d’Eau , located at the site where Lake Geneva meets the Rhône river, is among the most recognizable Geneva attractions . When the city hosted the 2008 UEFA Championships, Jet d’Eau was on the city’s official logo. The fountain’s water jet is so powerful that it is visible from almost anywhere in the city, even from the air at an altitude of 10 km. The original fountain was erected in 1886 , although the location of the new Jet d’Eau was moved slightly upstream.

The first Jet d’Eau served an important purpose as a safety valve for the city’s hydraulic power network. The fountain would spout water more than 30 meters straight into the air. It wasn’t long before the city fathers recognized the fountain’s aesthetic potential, moving it to its present location in 1891. The fountain of today was installed in 1951. It is capable of pumping half a cubic meter of water (from the lake) every second more than 140 meters into the air. The view from the pier is as impressive as the fountain itself. If you happen to come there in the evening, you can enjoy the amazing spectacle of light as the fountain’s massive water jet lights up.

Jet d'Eau

Take a Short 10-Minute Walk to See the Flower Clock

After the fountain, it takes about 10 minutes to get to Geneva’s English Garden, i.e. Park Jardin Anglais , where the famous Flower Clock is located. Just walk along the waterfront due southwest, you can’t miss it. The iconic Flower Clock was designed in 1955 . The flower bed is designed to imitate both the shapes and the numbers of a clock face. Under the ground, there is a hidden clock mechanism that keeps the clock hands turning, allowing them to show time. The mechanical seconds hand is 2.5 meters long, making it the longest seconds hand in the world . Although it is certainly very impressive, the Flower Clock is not the only one of its kind in the world.

After the first flower clock was erected in Edinburgh, several other similar clocks have appeared in different parts of the world, including Ukraine and Mexico. The one in Geneva serves as an excellent reminder of Switzerland’s long tradition and mastery of watchmaking. The headquarters of exclusive clock manufacturers Patek Philippe and Rolex are located directly opposite of the Flower Clock, so you might as well pay them a visit as well.

Flower Clock

Explore the Old Town

Vieille Ville or Geneva’s Old Town is the most picturesque and iconic part of the city, located less than 10 minutes on foot from the English Garden. If you’re wondering what to do in Geneva, you can’t go wrong with the Old Town tour! The ancient district is filled with narrow, interconnected alleyways, quaint little squares, warm, welcoming cafés, and numerous historical landmarks. Let the city’s timeless charm and detailed, gorgeous facades whisk you away to a different time era. St. Pierre Cathedral is one of the most notable landmarks in the Old Town. It is famous as the home church of John Calvin, the controversial and influential Reformation leader.

However, the cathedral’s long history predates both the Reformation and Calvin, having been established in the 12 th century by the Prince-Bishop of Geneva. Several seminal archeological discoveries beneath the church indicate that it was built on top of a much older structure from the 4 th century. The church as we see it today took a century to complete, and several newer elements have been added since, including the neo-classical façade in 1750 and the square towers in 1800.

Geneva Old Town

Set Aside an Hour or Two for Lunch

Considering how close these several attractions are, it shouldn’t be much later than 1 PM after you’re done exploring the St. Pierre Cathedral. In other words, the perfect time for a well-deserved lunch break. There are several great options not far from the cathedral, but two stand out in particular. La Bottega , located on Rue de la Corraterie, is perfect for contemporary Italian cuisine in a cozy setting. Francesco Gasbaro, the restaurant’s chef, leads an excellent team that will take care of every little detail for you. The 5-course chef menu is the ideal choice if you are looking for an unforgettable dining experience . The dishes are seasonal, with high-quality locally-sourced ingredients. The staff will help you choose the wine which complements each dish perfectly.

For French cuisine, Brasserie Lipp Genève, located in Confédération Centre, stands out as one of the stronger contenders. The restaurant’s fortes include classic French dishes, foie gras, oysters, and shellfish of every kind. The restaurant is luxuriously decorated and has a very upscale, yet welcoming vibe.

Move on to Bourg-de-Four Square After Lunch

Place du Bourg-de-Four or Bourg-de-Four Square , located just south of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève, is the oldest square in Geneva . The whole area of the square is exceptionally vibrant, with numerous high-end shops, gorgeous fountains, and lovable cafés. In fact, the oldest café in Geneva, called La Clémence , is located on Bourg-de-Four Square. In the middle of the square, you will see a small fountain, dating back to the 18 th century. The square’s modest size belies its historic significance. Place du Bourg-de-Four has been one of Geneva’s most important meeting places for centuries. In antiquity, it was a cattle market and Roman forum . Its significance grew as the years went by and it developed into a medieval town square. The square was very important during the 16 th century, when many Protestants settled in Geneva to escape persecution in other European countries.

Visit the Natural History Museum

Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle , located in Parc Malagnou, is the largest natural history museum in Switzerland. You can also get there on foot – it is about 700 meters east of Bourg-de-Four Square. The surrounding park is absolutely beautiful, with several hothouses and an atelier. The museum itself houses exhibitions on geology, human history, biology, science, and local flora and fauna. All of the specimens on display are in excellent condition.

Highlights include taxidermized mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, as well as a large mineral collection on the top floor. It is a great place for children , who will love the fossils, especially the dinosaur bones. Not to mention the stone which was brought back to Earth from the Moon by NASA’s own astronauts and later gifted to the museum. Best of all, entry to the museum is completely free of charge .

Natural History Museum

Take a Walk to Promenade des Bastions

Promenade des Bastions is a large open green space and a famous landmark in front of the old University of Geneva building, formerly a multi-disciplinary theological school established by John Calvin. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from the Natural History Museum. If you take the Rue Ferdinand-Hodler and turn onto Boulevard Emile-Jaques-Dalcroze, you will pass in front of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, the city’s Museum of Art and History.

It is the largest museum in Geneva, with prehistoric items, cannons, suits of armor, old tools and machines, and even Egyptian mummies. The art section houses both classical and modern paintings. If you have the time, you can check out this museum, as well. Entrance is free on first Sundays of the month. Franz Liszt and Marie D’Agoult’s House of Love is in the immediate vicinity, on Place Franz-Liszt 1204 .

Promenade des Bastions

Explore the Promenade des Bastions & Reformation Wall

Promenade des Bastions is a lush park with 6 giant chess boards, a botanical garden, a children’s playground, and lounge chairs where you can relax for a little while after sightseeing. The park is bordered by the university building, the renowned Café Restaurant du Parc des Bastions, the Palais Eynard (city government office), and the Reformation Wall. The wall is a large monument honoring the Protestant Reformation and its key figures. The founders of the Reformation are represented as huge statues and bas-reliefs protruding from the wall. You may recognize John Calvin, Théodore de Bèze, John Knox, and William Farel, occupying the central position in the wall, a metaphor for the instrumental role they played during the tumultuous times.

Reformation Wall

Take the Tram to Parc de I’Ariana

Parc de I’Ariana , the last stop in this guide, is the only major attraction not located in Geneva Old Town. Getting there from Promenade des Bastions on foot would take 40 minutes, which makes taking the tram a much more attractive option. You can take the tram from Plainpalais to Collège Sismondi (8 stops). Parc de I’Ariana is a beautiful park with the magnificent Palais des Nations at its center.

The Palais des Nations is a sprawling United Nations office complex , notable for its gorgeous white marble façade and numerous statues (e.g. Statue de Gandhi), museums, and restaurants that surround it. The biggest attraction, however, is the Broken Chair , a huge wooden sculpture which is a symbol of peace and protest against land mines and cluster bombs. The legendary Swiss artist Daniel Berset designed the statue, and it was constructed by carpenter Louis Genève, who used up 5.5 tons of wood to get it finished. The chair was commissioned in 1996 and erected in August of 1997.

Conclude Your One Day in Geneva with a Nice Dinner

Directly in front of the United Nations Office at Geneva, with pleasing outdoor seating, you will find Restaurant Vieux Bois Genève – Restaurant d’application de l’Ecole Hôtelière de Genève. Sure, it is quite the tongue twister, but the food is delicious and well-presented. The restaurant belongs to the nearby Hotel Management School of Geneva. While you can expect to see the students working in there, they are held to a higher standard than service staff anywhere else in the city. The restaurant is very popular for business lunches and apparently more than good enough for United Nations diplomats. The menu changes every 6 weeks, but frequently gets top grades from gourmets visiting the restaurant. More than anything, the place is beautiful both on the outside and on the inside, and it feels almost like a warm, homey dollhouse.

United Nations Office

Return Downtown for a Couple of Drinks

If you want to experience Geneva’s nightlife, make your way back downtown , where most of the city’s best nightclubs and live music venues are located. One of them is La Bretelle Bar Associatif , a friendly, charming bar with tasteful vintage furniture and a tempered retro feel. With a steady influx of new local beers and wines, it is one of the best places in Geneva for trying something new. The bar’s small stage hosts original concerts on weekends, in addition to good local DJs on most nights. While it is not sleek or fancy, the bar’s warm, down-to-earth atmosphere makes it one of Geneva’s favorites, for locals and visitors alike. 

Where to stay in Geneva?

TIP: Click here to find the best accommodation options in Geneva.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva

11 Quai du Mont-Blanc, Saint-Gervais / des Grottes

At the same time historic and completely new, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix was completely renovated in 2017, with respect to the hotel’s long tradition and significance. The hotel’s tasteful, comfortable, and spacious rooms, marble bathrooms, and unrestricted views of Lake Geneva or the Montblanc Square are among its biggest assets. Little details such as the premier fabrics, Illy coffee machines, and Asprey toiletries define modern luxury , unimposing, yet self-evident wherever you look.

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Royal Manotel

Royal Manotel

Rue de Lausanne 41-43, Paquis

The images of Marilyn Monroe adorning the walls of Royal Manotel ’s charming bar/lobby set the tone for this property. The exquisite period furniture, the gorgeous staircase, the opulent red carpets; all of it looks just right, without feeling excessive or flamboyant. Like a trip back in time with only the best elements hand-picked, the hotel merges the elegance of old Geneva with all the modern amenities that can be expected in a hotel of its rank – including air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, a sauna and a steam bath, and modern, well-equipped wellness and fitness facilities . 

Hotel Suisse

Hotel Suisse

10 Place Cornavin, Saint-Gervais / des Grottes

While Hotel Suisse ’s location can be counted among its biggest advantages, it is not the only thing about this hotel that is worth mentioning. As one satisfied reviewer noted, this may be a 3-star hotel, but it is undoubtedly at the upper end of the rating scale. The clean, modern, and spacious rooms offer great views of the city and the mountains in the distance, and several suites come with a charming external balcony. The excellent, rich buffet breakfast comes with plenty of choices, and the breakfast room provides sweeping views of Geneva Old Town. 

City Hostel Geneva

City Hostel Geneva

Rue Ferrier 2, Paquis

Fresh, modern, clean, and comfortable, City Hostel Geneva is a very homey, welcoming environment somewhat reminiscent of a cozy student dormitory. The bathrooms are impeccable, and the staff go above and beyond to make sure that everybody feels like home and everything runs smoothly – you even get a free towel. It is also worth mentioning that City Hostel Geneva provides its guests with free Wi-Fi, a spacious lounge with personal computers, and a well-equipped shared kitchen. The hostel is a great choice for an overnight stay, especially due to its amazing location just 700 meters from Lake Geneva and only an 8-minute walk from the city’s train station.

Day trips from Geneva

If a whole day in one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe can’t quite satisfy you, fear not: Switzerland has much, much more to offer. Pick your poison: chocolate, wine, cheese, skiing; the sky’s the limit. You can book a private tour of the Swiss countryside , with a visit to some of the country’s premier chocolate and cheese factories. Annecy, known as ‘Venice of the Alps’ , is a very popular destination for day trips from Geneva, enchanting visitors with its gorgeous medieval monuments and unique half-timbered houses. If you want to try something new, consider a scenic cruise aboard an old steamboat to Lavaux and Montreux and experience Lake Geneva the way it is supposed to be experienced. Of course, these are just some of the numerous options available.

Extra tips for visiting Geneva

Lest you forget, keep in mind that the Geneva Transport Card is handed out to every guest staying in the city’s hotels, hostels and campsites. The card guarantees free bus, train, tram, and yellow boat rides within city limits.

Convert your money to Suisse francs , as many businesses don’t accept US dollars or Euros. Even if they do, they can charge an extra fee when paying for goods and services in a foreign currency.

Reportedly, foreign visitors are occasionally scammed by swindlers posing as police officers . When approached by a police officer, make sure to ask for identification before handing over your personal items, especially your wallet.

PIN FOR LATER!

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Geneva Itinerary, feel free to share them in the comments below!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

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Anca One Day Itinerary

Anca is a travel writer and the founder of One Day Itinerary - the biggest collection of travel itineraries for those who are time-limited or just want to maximize their time while traveling. Although she easily becomes homesick for Croatia, she thinks travel is essential to her happiness. She has traveled to more countries than she is years old and doesn’t plan on changing that fact. In her travel guides she aims to inspire people to travel whenever they have a spare day (or two).

Geneva is shit. Everything is too expensive and this city is so small. Oh, also Geneva stinks.

True, Geneva is trash. It always makes me laugh when people say that Geneva is the best city in the world, when Geneva is garbage. And I’m not even talking about the Genevans. For all these reasons, Geneva sucks ass. Better go somewhere else in Switzerland.

Fuck Geneva.

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10 Things To Do on a Girls' Trip to Lake Geneva

Monday, January 08, 2024 by VISIT Lake Geneva

lake geneva day trips

Time to start planning your trips for the new year! One of the first trips on your list should be a fun getaway weekend with your girl tribe. Let us help you plan a trip you won't soon forget! We don’t care about the reason for your girls’ trip. It could be for a birthday, bachelorette party, or just a chance to escape the daily grind and treat yourself. Whatever the motivation may be, there are plenty of reasons to choose Lake Geneva as the place for you and your gal pals to getaway and have some fun.

You may want to plan a trip to coincide with the Annual Women’s Weekend , one of the biggest events of the year in Lake Geneva. This three-day event is mix of relaxation, fun activities, wellness sessions, shopping, good food, and drinks. Pick from our variety of workshops, wellness events, and social activities like a Boat Cruise with music and cocktails, and the Kickoff Party at the Riviera. Whether you’re visiting for the Annual Women’s Weekend or any other weekend throughout the year, here are some ideas for the top things to do on a girls’ trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Get pampered

Calladora Spa Friends Getaway!

The Lake Geneva area is home to a number of resorts and independent spas staffed with certified massage therapists, aestheticians, stylists and more. For massage, several resort spas, like Well Spa & Salon  at the Grand Geneva Resort or Calladora Spa  at Lake Lawn Resort, are used to accommodating large groups of girls for Swedish massage, neuromuscular therapy, deep tissue, and lymphatic techniques. For water therapy, head over to The Abbey Resort and book an appointment at Avani Spa , which is known for its private pool, whirlpool, steam room, inhalation room and newly remodeled showers. Additionally, the spa offers massage, body and facial treatments, hair styling and makeup.

Other locations in the area to get yourself pampered through fun classes and group sessions include  The Space , Healing Grounds Center , and Essence Sound Healing .  Or, have the spa delivered right to your Air B & B from Homestead Saunas. Plan a day of beauty at one of the many beauty salons in the area to get ready before a fun night out. Pampering yourselves with group pedicures and manicures or make-up sessions is sure to set the mood. You'll find this option at places like, Clear Waters Salon & Day Spa , Lake Geneva Nails and Spa , and Organicuts.

Get on the lake

Woman driving a boat on Geneva Lake

As the weather warms up, consider renting a pontoon boat to explore beautiful Lake Geneva. Pontoon boats are made to accommodate up to 12 passengers, making it ideal for a girls’ day out. There are lots of options for boat rentals in the area! You'll find just what you are looking for at any one of these favorite operations;  Jerry's Majestic Marine , Pierless Boat Rentals , Elmer's Boat Rentals , Marina Bay Boat Rentals, Inc . and Munson Ski & Marine . Chartering a deluxe pontoon boat or classy luxury speed boat is the way to give you the freedom to pop the champagne or wine for a fun afternoon soaking up the sun. 

If you like to take a slower pace to your water activities consider renting a paddle boat or kayak and taking an early morning jaunt along the beautiful lakeshore of Geneva Lake. Clear Water Outdoor has just what you are looking for in the way of fun water activities. Book a kayak or paddle board online and then head to the boat launch to get your relaxing morning started!

Have dinner at a waterfront restaurant  

Waterfront_The Abbey_burger_square_2020

A girl’s got to eat, and a few spots in Lake Geneva offer views as good as the food. PIER 290 in Williams Bay prides itself on its farm-to-table cuisine, featuring local dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has an impressive list of wine, beer and drink selections for you and your gal pals. Request a table with water views or sit around their fire pits with your toes in the sand. In downtown Lake Geneva, you’ll find lakeside views at both  Popeye’s and Oakfire  where you can watch the boats come and go from the Riviera Beach. Or take a trip to The Abbey Resort in Fontana and enjoy the view at The Waterfront Restaurant & Bar . For more lakeview dining options with views of Geneva Lake, Lake Como, or Delavan Lake visit our restaurant listings  here> .

Enjoy a cocktail in a cool spot  

Geneva Inn Cocktail

Lake Geneva is home a great selection of fun places to hang with your girl gang while enjoying a fun cocktail or two. The  Maxwell Mansion , an historic estate boutique has two great options to gather over cocktails. Their Apothecary Bar will take you back in time and if you're luck you may be invited into a secretive Speakeasy bar located in the cellar, where you can enjoy sinfully delicious drinks, moonshine barrel decor and vintage photographs. The Bottle Shop is a local wine and spirits shop that offers group tasting experiences, daily music in their garden patio, and a casual vibe that is perfect after a day of shopping. For a taste of some local brews you could meander over to the patio at Topsy Turvey Brewery . This local favorite is located in an old church and offers great people watching while sipping on a seasonal brew. For more fun gathering places to share a fun drink visit our listing pages here> .

Explore the Shore Path

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If your friends are into the outdoors, Geneva Lake Shore Path is a 21-mile route along the lake, taking you past gorgeous gardens, designer boat houses, and mansions (some owned by the famous Wrigley family). Stop by the Geneva Lake Visitor Center or Cornerstone Shop, to purchase the Walk, Talk & Gawk map to learn more about the hidden gems around the lake. Pro tip: Hike halfway through the Shore Path and take a boat ride back to the starting point from the Lake Geneva Cruise Line . On the boat ride back, a tour guide will narrate about the historical houses and landmarks nearby.

Take a ride on the wild side

Adventure BIG at Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures!

Lake Geneva Zip Lines & Adventures  is a fun spot if you like a little adrenaline for your girls’ day out. With eight different zip lines, five sky bridges, three spiral stairways and a floating double helix stairway, this adventure center is considered one of the most fun things to do in the area. It’s located in a 100-acre wilderness area, and participants are given brief lessons before tackling some of the longest zip lines in the area—dangling 841 feet above in the air. Additionally, the site has a high-ropes attraction, which consists of 16 different obstacles where ladies can climb through several excursions up to 32 feet above ground. This allows groups to test their ability, agility, strength and balance.

Take a yoga break

Women doing yoga

From Clear Water Outdoor’s  Snow Yoga in the winter or SUP (stand-up paddleboard) Yoga in the summer to year-long classes available at Geneva Lakes YMCA or The Space , enjoy a moment of breathing, stretching and namaste with the girls.

Be entertained

There are several entertainment venues for evening and late-night fun in Lake Geneva. The Geneva Stage is a one-of-a-kind musical theater in the heart of downtown known for booking talented local acts and cover bands, and a short drive from Lake Geneva finds you at the historic Belfry Music Theater where you will find some great national cover acts and performances..  For a unique and intimate theatrical experience, the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre features a truly unbelievable 75-minute show full of illusion, comedy and fun. Ladies that are looking for a dinner theater will want to consider the Fireside Dinner Theatre , where you can enjoy Broadway musicals like “Peter Pan” and “Sister Act” while dining on menu items like Chilean sea bass and steaks.  In addition, many of the hotels in Lake Geneva feature live music. For something really unique - gather the girls together for an interactive entertainment experience - plan a group cooking class with Chef John Bogan, at the Lake Geneva School of Cooking  or sit back and experience the beauty of The Dancing Horses as they take you on a magical journey, this one of a kind show is fantasy with a mix of whimsical performances. Check VISIT Lake Geneva’s Calendar of Events for listings.

Go for a wine tasting  

wine

Believe it or not, the Lake Geneva area is home to some of the region’s best wineries, including Studio Winery and Geneva Lake Distilling , which features its own art gallery, recording studio and  tasting rooms. Every Saturday, the winery hosts live music for guests to enjoy while lounging on one of its many outdoor seats and sipping on one of its latest varieties. Staller Estate Vineyard & Winery in nearby Delavan is another fantastic place to sample local wine and cheese plates. Complimentary tours of the factory and vineyard are given to groups with advance request. Other places to consider visiting are Apple Barn Orchard & Winery (where ladies can also go apple picking), AeppelTreow Winery , and Hill Valley Cheese and Wine Bar where you can pair local cheeses with local wines for a truly fun afternoon.

Walk, browse and shop the downtown district    

Shopping Downtown Lake Geneva

Enjoy a leisurely stroll down the charming streets of Lake Geneva, and you just might find that one-of-a-kind home, clothing or art purchase.  Make a girls' stop at  Cornerstone Shop & Gallery  or Brick & Mortar Home , where you will find an array of art and home decor. Looking for that perfect new selection for your wardrobe? A stop at  Jayne  is a must for the dedicated shoe enthusiast. If you are feeling super creative you can stop into The Candle Mercantile where you can pick up a perfectly scented candle, or make one yourself!

No matter the reason, a trip to Lake Geneva with the ladies is a must have experience! So, gather the girls and pick your dates for an adventure you won't soon forget!

Author: visit lake geneva.

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A Journey that Will Shape Your Life

The Center for Student Engagement offers Immersion Trips as off-campus transformative opportunities for all Geneva College students. We believe in the power of experiences to shape the narrative of our relationships with self, God, creation, and neighbor. These opportunities provide a variety of options to engage the world around us in new and exciting ways. The trips offer an affordable way to explore new locations, further your personal growth, and form lasting connections with your teammates. 

Man walking up a mountain

Immersion Trips - Spring Break 2022

Quest Summit

There are two types of Immersion Trips that take place over spring break:  Quest Trips and Adventure Trips . 

Quest Trips are service-learning experiences that focus on listening, learning, and serving in a specific context while engaging various social issues. You'll spend time with key community partners in one primary location to listen to what they are doing and learn how they are engaging in their local communities in ways that serve God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Your team will join in the daily work with the community partner through service projects that further their mission. Adventure Trips  allow you to explore God's creation in new ways and reflect on His plan of redemption for all created things. Both beginner and advanced adventurers are welcome. All Immersion Trips are led by a staff advisor who prepares the student team during the spring semester for the experience ahead. All expenses are covered by the trip fee, including lodging, transportation, meals, ministry fees, and entertainment. Geneva COVID safety measures will be followed at all times. Registration is limited and often fills quickly –  sign up today  to secure your spot.

Explore Beaver Falls and  Greater Pennsylvania in full day community-engagement trips. Talk with local businesses, hear lectures, and do actual community work. Find places you didn't know existed as we adventure together through the county.

Friday, March 26 - Sunday, March 28

Trip Focus: Community development and theology of place

Beaver Falls, PA

See what urban community development looks like while being rooted to a particular place. Student teams will serve alongside the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation in their work to renew physical spaces in our city.

Friday, April 9 - Sunday, April 11

Trip Focus: Food and environmental justice

Lamppost Farm - Columbiana, OH

How does a chicken fit into God's purpose for redeeming all things? Students will learn about God's intention for creational care and our part in that through experience on the farm. 

Uncommon Grounds Cafe & More - Aliquippa, PA

Aliquippa history tells the story of great economic success and eventual downturn with the crash of the steel industry, yet the city is full of hope as various organizations work together to love the city well.  Students will engage local non-profits, government, and businesses to see what urban community development looks like while being rooted to a particular place.

See what urban community development looks like while being rooted to a particular place. Student teams will serve alongside the Beaver Falls Community Development Coorporation in their work to renew physical spaces in our city.

Trip Focus: Urban education

Urban Impact - Pittsburgh, PA

Students will partner with Urban Impact to focus on urban education and learn more about social issues facing inner city children. Serve alongside the organization as they meet different needs and experience what intentional neighboring looks like in the North Side community.

Questions?  Visit the CSE office, call 724-847-6644, or email  [email protected]

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  1. Best day trips from Geneva

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  2. 12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Geneva

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  3. How to Plan Beautiful Day Trips from Geneva

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  4. 10 TOP Things to Do in Lake Geneva: Day Tours & Activities

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  5. 10 Epic Day Trips from Geneva (+ How to Get Everywhere)

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  6. 12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Geneva

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COMMENTS

  1. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Lake Geneva (2024)

    3. Geneva Lake. 479. Bodies of Water. Get this straight: The city is Lake Geneva, the lake is Geneva Lake. Hop aboard a classic yacht for a cruise around the second deepest lake in Wisconsin (135 feet deep and 21 miles around) which is…. See ways to experience (2) 4. Black Point Estate.

  2. Fun on the Lake: Enjoyable Things to Do in Lake Geneva, WI

    VISIT LAKE GENEVA. 201 Wrigley Drive. Lake Geneva, WI 53147. 800.345.1020. 262.248.4416

  3. 48 Hours to Explore Lake Geneva, WI

    Day One. First, a quick tutorial before you arrive at your destination. While it's commonly referred to as Lake Geneva, this resort-filled community includes Fontana and Williams Bay as well, all located on Geneva Lake. The lake is spring-fed, deep and crystal clear, and is the sparkling gem that ties everything together on this trip. 10:30 a.m.

  4. 1-Day Lake Geneva Itinerary

    Drove up from Chicago for a little day trip in Lake Geneva. It is a cute seasonal town, but like most seasonal towns, doesn't have a lot to do in off-season. We mainly came up to walk the lakeshore path. There are quite a few entry points, some with parking and some with parking about 1/2 mile away to access point.

  5. 10 Things Not to Miss in Lake Geneva

    For a beach day a little more relaxed but just as fun try the Fontana Beach, situated on the West end of the lake and steps from the famed Abbey Resort , or the Williams Bay Beach tucked between Fontana and Lake Geneva across from the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy. 5. Magic. A safari. Dancing horses.

  6. THE 10 BEST Lake Geneva Tours & Excursions

    2024. 3. Lake Geneva Scooter Tours & Rentals. 124. Gear Rentals • Sightseeing Tours. By 972dillong. The Lake Geneva Scooter Tours Team was great and took our group on a guided tour of rustic roads and scenic Lake Gene... 4. The Lake Geneva Balloon Company.

  7. Lake Geneva Shore Path: A Wonderful Day Trip

    For a day trip, I would focus your time on the Lake Geneva Shore Path. If you are staying for a weekend, you could easily plan all the activities mentioned below. The Lake Geneva Shore Path. For me, the pièce de résistance and most appealing reason to visit Lake Geneva is the Lake Shore Path. The path is nearly 26 miles and leads you along ...

  8. 25 Best Things To Do In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

    Day Trips From. VIDEOS; Travel Guides; US; Lake Geneva; Things to do US > Lake Geneva 25 Best Things To Do In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. ... Lake Geneva Canopy Tours. Address: N3232 Co Rd H, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA. Website: Lake Geneva Canopy Tours. Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily) Visited this place?

  9. Top 5 Things For First Time Visitors to Lake Geneva

    Check Visit Lake Geneva's Calendar of Events or call 800-345-1020. 4. Visit Yerkes Observatory. Best known for its 40-inch refracting telescope—the largest of its kind in the world—Yerkes was founded in 1897 by George Ellery Hale and financed by Charles T. Yerkes. Guided tours are available Saturday mornings and include a visit to the 90 ...

  10. Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Lake Geneva Boat Tours in Wisconsin

    LAKE GENEVA BOAT TOURS; PRIVATE EVENTS; CORPORATE EVENTS; WEDDINGS; FAQ; ABOUT US; CONTACT; PARKING & DIRECTIONS; Contact Us. Summer Harbor Office: Riviera Docks 812 Wrigley Drive Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Winter Harbor Office: Pier 290 / Gage Marina 1 Liechty Drive Williams Bay, WI 53191 262-248-6206 800-558-5911 [email protected]

  11. How to plan your Lake Geneva boat trip: routes, prices and practical tips

    Take a boat from Vevey to Villeneuve (1 hour), and back by train (15 minutes). Optionally you can visit Montreux and the Chillon Castle along the way. Travel by boat from Geneva to Lausanne (3,5 hours), and back by train (40 minutes). Travel by boat from Geneva to Yvoire (1,5 hours), and back by bus (1 hour).

  12. Day Trips From Chicago

    Other restaurants that get good reviews include Sopra Bistro at 724 W. Main for Italian specialties and the waterfront classic steakhouse, The Geneva Inn Restaurant and Lounge at N2009 S. Lake Shore Drive. Oakfire Pizza is a casual lakefront bistro serving pizza and other Italian specialties. 831 Wrigley Dr.

  13. Lake Geneva Day Trip: 3 Fun Ways To Spend A Day In LG

    Start the day early by visiting Avant Cycle Café. Get your coffee before renting an ebike and touring around the great town of Lake Geneva! Then jump on our 10:00am US Mailboat Tour (starting June 15). Watch the mail jumpers deliver the mail to the estates along the shoreline. Hopefully they all make it from the boat to the mailboxes and back ...

  14. THE TOP 10 Lake Geneva Day Trips (w/Prices)

    Glacier 3000 and Montreux Riviera from Geneva. 99. Immerse yourself in Switzerland's mountain-and-lake scenery on a full-day Glacier 3000 and Montreux trip from Geneva. Ride a cable car to Glacier 3000 (if option selected) at 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), and absorb the spectacular mountain views.

  15. 12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Geneva

    Learn all about the attractions and things to do near this cosmopolitan city with our list of the top day trips from Geneva. On This Page: 1. Take a Scenic Tour of Lake Geneva. 2. Château de Chillon. 3. Hike or Ride up Mont Saleve. 4.

  16. Plan Your Day Trip to Lake Geneva!

    PIER 290 became not only an enhancement to the Lake but a true testament to generations of Lake Life on and around Lake Geneva. Enjoy lunch or dinner - visit pier290.com for details and more information! So for 2021, plan a day trip and include Walworth County, Lake Geneva and Lake Geneva Cruise Line in your itinerary.

  17. Four best day trips from the Lake Geneva region

    Four best day trips from the Lake Geneva region. Vineyards, mountains, mouth-watering meals and more are just a train ride away. Between the palm trees, the glittering lake and its very own castle ...

  18. 10 Best Towns & Cities To Explore Around Lake Geneva

    Gruyères. Gruyères. Gruyères is a medieval town in the Freiburg canton and a great place for travelers who want to explore the wider area around Lake Geneva. It's not situated directly on the shore of Lake Geneva, but it's an amazing place and it's only a 30-minute drive away from the lake.

  19. Day trips from Lake Geneva

    40 mile drive from Lake Geneva. located 50 miles from Lake Geneva. 100 mile radius from Lake Geneva. within 150 miles of Lake Geneva. 200 mile road trip from Lake Geneva. distance of 250 miles from Lake Geneva. driving 300 miles from Lake Geneva. 350 mile trip starting from Lake Geneva. 400 mile drive from Lake Geneva.

  20. Best day trips from Geneva

    Here we bring you eight of Geneva's best day trips. Take a cable car to the top of Mont Salève For dress-circle views of Geneva and Lac Léman to the Alps beyond, make the quick hop over the French border to 1379m Mont Salève, where a cable car hauls you to the summit in minutes. On cloudless days, the view reaches all the way to the Jura ...

  21. 10 Best Day Trips from Geneva

    Les Diablerets - Glacier 3000. Les Diablerets - Glacier 3000 is an easy day trip from Geneva, located 134 kilometers away by car. It will take you about an hour and 48 minutes to get there. This is the best day trip from Geneva if you want to see glaciers. Image by Adina from Flickr.

  22. One Day in Geneva (2024 Guide)

    Visit Lake Geneva To Start the Day 3.3. Take Some Photos at the Geneva Water Fountain or Jet d'Eau 3.4. Take a Short 10-Minute Walk to See the Flower Clock 3.5. Explore the Old Town ... Day trips from Geneva. If a whole day in one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe can't quite satisfy you, fear not: Switzerland has much, much ...

  23. 10 Things to Do on a Girls' Trip to Lake Geneva!

    10 Things To Do on a Girls' Trip to Lake Geneva. Monday, January 08, 2024 by VISIT Lake Geneva. Time to start planning your trips for the new year! ... one of the biggest events of the year in Lake Geneva. This three-day event is mix of relaxation, fun activities, wellness sessions, shopping, good food, and drinks. Pick from our variety of ...

  24. Immersion Trips

    The Center for Student Engagement offers Immersion Trips as off-campus transformative opportunities for all Geneva College students. We believe in the power of experiences to shape the narrative of our relationships with self, God, creation, and neighbor. These opportunities provide a variety of options to engage the world around us in new and exciting ways.