Geneva in September

[ellephant]

I've booked a 5 day trip to Geneva in September for my partner and I. I have scoured GetYourGuide and have some excursions in mind, but otherwise I have an open itinerary.
I was wondering if anyone with experience has any hints, tips or recommendations?

@ellephant
Around 10 years ago DD went to university there and we helped her move in, so had a look around.

Top place to go is the Patek Philippe watch and clock museum. As you can imagine, it’s incredible. £millions of watches in there. DD went to the UN which was arranged by the university. We went to the cathedral. Plainpalais is the university area and has cheaper restaurants and cafes (not cheap obviously) and a flea market several times a week. Bains de Paquis is worth a look. Beware red light distract nearby. The water fountain jet is fun.

DD lived in Carrouge. It’s town within a city: an arty area a few stops out on the tram. Lots of boutiques and independent eateries.

Theres more to see around Lake Geneva. Yvoire is pretty. Montreaux Vevey and Morges are pretty and interesting. Also the train goes out to the mountains too. Chamonix has an mountain lift/cable car system opening up amazing views. It’s not far from Geneva. Loads to see and do but it’s not cheap.

I think you can visit CERN too. Forgot to mention art galleries. Preferred the watches though. Lots of guide books don’t mention it.

You can indeed visit CERN. It’s an interesting above ground tour which lasts about 90 minutes. You do not see the Hadron collider. Individuals cannot book online, you have to arrive on the day you want to tour at the desk where you put your name down for the English speaking tour. Do get there early.

You may also want to give the Red Cross museum a visit too.

Many stores and some restaurants are closed on Sundays.

Black tap in Geneva does good burgers and shakes.

The trams in Geneva are also good to use and some hotels will give their customers free tram tickets for the duration of their stay.

Would recommend a visit to Lausanne by train.

The train from Geneva airport to the city centre is free (it was in January 2020). I enjoyed the Red Cross Museum a lot and popping into the Ritz Carlton for a drink! I was only there for a day and want to go back. Enjoy!

Have a swim in the lake. Its fantastic.

You can get a free public transport card from your hotel, which includes the little boats on the lake, a great fun way to get around.

www.geneve.com/en/already-here/geneva-transport-card-for-guests

You can also get a free ticket at the airport to get you into town.

Look out for the Jet d'Eau as you fly in over the lake.

Be prepared for it to be extremely expensive, but it's a lovely place.

We went in October one year and had a great time. Went to Yvoire - medieval village on Lake Geneva - by boat trip. We went to Lausanne and the Olympic Museum which was one of the best museums I’ve been to. Gruyère and the chocolate factory (also a cheese factory there) and the H R Giger museum. There was a really good art gallery - Collection L’Art Brut in Geneva itself. Chillon Castle on the lake was also very cool. Only downside was how brutally expensive food is.

I’m not sure if Airbnb is available. If so you might need another way to get transport deal - maybe via tourist information? However DD shopped for food in France. I think the tram goes there! If you can cook for yourself, it’s cheaper.

May I ask where exactly you enter the water? Is there a bathing area or can you go in wherever you fancy? We'll be in Geneva later this week and I need a dip!

Just checking back in to say we found the beaches in Geneva, and they were charming and spotless. In fact I have never swum in such clear water. Very pleasant city

If you or your partner are Queen fans head over to Montreux (which is also the most scenic part of Lake Geneva).

https://www.freddie-tours.com/en/freddie-mercury-montreux