Geneva isn’t officially a global capital, but it certainly has all the hallmarks or one: it’s a wealthy, cosmopolitan political centre, home to the headquarters of the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the Red Cross. While these may impress potential visitors, they’re probably not so appealing as all the chocolate-box-worthy photos of Geneva sitting beside Lake Geneva under the Swiss Alps. Or the promise of actual chocolate! Geneva is known for its jewellers and chocolatiers, many of which you can find in the cobbled-streets of the Old Town, which is one of the largest in Europe. It is the first part of this paragraph that most impacts Geneva’s accommodation offering, though, and there’s plenty of business accommodation, as well as less business-y options like boutique hotels and five star grande dames.
Geneva has one of the largest historic centres in Europe, by square foot, and has hotels to reflect its size. Staying in Geneva’s Old Town neighbourhood puts you close to many of the city’s main sights, sites and attractions. While also putting you amongst a magically picturesque backdrop of historic architecture and alpine lake views. Old Town Geneva is one of your classic ‘stroll around and try to get lost’ destinations, with plenty to discover and be charmed by - and it’s got a wonderful series of secret passages and underground pathways - not all of them are open to the public, but they add an air of historic mystery… If you’re looking for the major sights, Gothic treasure, St. Peter’s Cathedral/ the Cathédrale St-Pierre is probably the heart of them, and fanning out from the cathedral square are the other squares, museums, galleries and major landmarks sightseers will want to check off. Underneath the cathedral is an archaeological museum, where you can see some of the cathedral’s 4th and 5th century mosaics. Around the corner is the Rousseau House Museum, the Museum of the Reformation, and the Museum of Art and History. If the weather is nice we recommend strolling the Promenade de la Treille, which offers wonderful city views, and visiting the English Garden and the Flower Clock. Stop for some people watching on Place Bourg-de-Four, one of Geneva’s prettiest squares.
The Eaux-Vives neighbourhood is one of the best places to stay in Geneva for families. It’s perfectly positioned, neighbouring the Old Town and the lake, and Eaux-Vives has Geneva’s largest park, the Parc de la Grange, which is right beside the Eaux-Vives Park, which is right beside the Place des Eaux-Vives - or Eaux-Vives Beach! Eaux-Vives Beach is a 400metre stretch of sandy/ pebbly lakefront, with a water garden, rare plants and a park - and great views of the Jet d’Eau. Away from the parks, Eaux-Vives has a modern, 20th century look, with shops, boutiques and galleries to match its 20th century look - this is a fantastic spot for vintage shopping. Eaux-Vives is also a great spot for eating and drinking, and in the summer there’s always something on! If you’re looking for somewhere special to stay, the manor house in Eaux-Vives Park has been converted into a rather glamorous hotel
Pros and Cons
Les Pâquis is a multi-cultural neighbourhood, which is located between the Rue de Lausanne, and the lakeside - quite convenient for the UN headquarters, the Palais des Nations. At one edge there’s a lake beach called the Bains des Pâquis - with a lighthouse and views of the Jet d’Eau, and at the other extremity there are lots of restaurants and shops. It’s not just souvenir shops, either, Les Pâquis has vintage treasures, great book shops, toys, vintage odds and ends, jewellery, and event erotic toys. Les Pâquis also has a street of art galleries and design stores. Start your shopping trip on the Rue de Berne, and end up on the Rue de Pâquis. The Rue de Berne is also a great place for a meal. In the evenings Les Pâquis can be quite lively - this is where you’ll find Geneva’s red light district.
Rue-Basses, which translates as ‘low streets’, is a centre city neighbourhood known for its shopping. The chic Rue du Rhône runs through it, a street known for its high end shopping and big brands. The other main streets are the Rue de la Croix d’Or and the Rue du Marché, which is entirely pedestrianised. This is the neighbourhood to stay in if you fancy a bit of a splurge! The left bank location puts you close to the Mont Blanc and Île bridges, and the lake. The main streets of the Rue-Basses neighbourhood lead you towards the cathedral and the Place du Bourg-de-Four, so you’re close to some of the most historic sights of Geneva. The Rue-Basses are also close to the flower clock. This is a luxurious neighbourhood to be based in, great for shoppers, and lovers of high-end dining.
The neighbourhood of Plainpalais surrounds Geneva’s university, so it has a youthful population, lively nightlife, and some great options if you’re looking for affordable accommodation. Even if you don’t stay in Plainpalais, it’s worth visiting for its flea market! the largest in the city, and held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays the market space is a food market. It’s a niche sight to see, but Plainpalais is well known in skating circles for having the largest skate park in Europe - great for BMX riders too. The nearby Bains neighbourhood has a collection of galleries, and some chic bars and restaurants too, and you’re close to the Musée d'ethnographie de Genève and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire. Head down Boulevard Georges-Favon and you’ll reach the river.
Nations is the neighbourhood around the Palais des Nations. There are lots of other NGOs with headquarters in the neighbourhood too, so there are plenty of impressively large international hotels in the neighbourhood, as well as aparthotels for longer stays, and some charming boutique options. As well as lots of hotels, the Nations neighbourhood has plenty of variety when it comes to restaurants, cafes and bars. Families will like the area because it’s close to the botanical gardens, and within a short and very pleasant walk of the lake.
The Carouge neighbourhood is to Geneva’s south, and has gradually been incorporated into, and enveloped by, the city - though it’s still only a short trip from the centre of town on the number 12 tram. Carouge looks a bit different to the rest of Geneva - a bit like Nice, partly for the reason that it was a separate village, and partly because it was designed by French and Italian architects. Today it’s often referred to as the ’Greenwich Village of Geneva’, and it’s a popular neighbourhood for hip cafe, bar and restaurant openings, and lots of cool kids live here. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed, with a lot of people getting around by bike and shopping locally, so it’s got a village-y atmosphere. And there’s a great market in Carouge on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Carouge also has an Olympic swimming pool, and its own museum.
