Starting 28 March 2010, we introduce a 7th daily flight from Brussels to Geneva.
Geneva is a city with an international personality, a beautiful old town and an attractive flair.
After Zurich, Geneva is the biggest city in Switzerland and home to a number of important international organisations, including the United Nations, the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation. Geneva is on the banks of one of Europe’s biggest lakes, close to the Jura Mountains and the Alps. Its unique location and magnificent setting have turned Geneva into a top destination for tourists.
Geneva is best known for its huge fountain and its beautiful old city centre. You can wander round the shops for hours and take a snack in a typical bistro. Geneva is also an outstanding city for art-lovers. After all, the city has over 30 museums with excellent collections.
Centre ville
Introduction
Largely defined by two parallel streets
– one for trams and one for traffic –
the centre of Geneva is so small that
you can see and do all you wish with
a minimum of time and effort.
Restaurants
The vibrant and busy
Brasserie Lipp (8 Rue de la
Confédération, tel. (0)22 318 8030)
offers high-quality French fare with
last orders at 12:30am, which is late
for Geneva. The terrace at Café du
Centre (5 Place du Molard, tel. (0)22
311 8586) is a perfect place to pause
for a drink or a meal, making an excellent
vantage point from which to watch
passersby in the charming central
square. For the best steak in Geneva,
try L’Entrecote (49 Rue du Rhone,
tel. (0)22 310 6004); be prepared to
queue, as reservations aren’t taken.
Pubs
From the 15th of July
the Jardin Anglais, the lakeside garden in
the centre of town, comes alive with the
Pré-Fêtes de Genève. Numerous bars and
nightclubs erect stands serving cocktails,
champagne, beer, local wine and light
food – all accompanied by competing
sound systems.
Shops
Globus (48 Rue
du Rhône) is Geneva’s most renowned
department store, with an excellent food
hall in the basement. Find mind-blowing
red pepper chocolates, the best Swiss
cheeses – which the store will specially
vacuum-wrap for your flight home – and
an assortment of local and international
delicacies. Opposite, Bon Génie (34 Rue
du Marché) is five floors of designer chic,
including Chanel and Gucci concessions
(in case you don’t have time to make it
to the flagship shops on Rue du Rhône).
Vielle ville
Introduction
Geneva’s old town is not only a mecca
for tourists, but also a functioning
part of town that’s full of offices,
homes, bakeries and useful shops.
That being said, it would be a pity
to miss the following…
Hotels
Les Armures (1 Rue du
Puits-Saint Pierre, tel. (0)22 310 9172, hotel-les-armures.ch, rooms from €500/
CHF 495) is a charming five-star hotel
nestled in the heart of the old town with
comfortable Swiss chalet-style rooms.
Cultural
The AVV (avv.ch)
is the association of Art en Vielle-Ville,
and comprises 16 galleries and two
museums within this tiny area. The
galleries cater to a wide range of
tastes, from classical to cutting-edge
contemporary. Make sure you pay
a visit to Galerie Rosa Turetsky (25
Grand Rue), a doyenne of the Geneva
art scene, which puts on shows that
always manage to surprise.
Restaurants
A traditional fondue or
raclette in the basement restaurant of
Les Armures (details as before) is said
to be one of former US president Bill
Clinton’s weaknesses. Alternatively,
Restaurant de l’Hotel du Ville (39 Grand
Rue, tel. (0)22 311 7030) serves a full
array of Swiss specialities – don’t miss
the fillets de perche.
Acacias
Introduction
This area is on the cusp of being the
up-and-coming bohemian district of
Geneva. Be on the cutting edge by
visiting these venues started by
cool cats with foresight.
Cultural
This month Guy
Bärtschi moves his gallery from the
established art scene of the Quartier
des Bains to an enormous architecturally
exciting loft space, Loft 43 (43 Route
des Jeunes), in Acacias. With A-list
artists, this is set to become the first
stop for international collectors
in Geneva. Check out his website
(bartschi.ch) for exhibition details,
opening times and details of the
Saturday yoga classes and organic
brunches held amidst the art.
Restaurants
La Fumisterie, also known
as Chez Ernest (21 Rue des Noirettes,
tel. (0)22 342 0043), recently opened
in an airy converted industrial space
and boasts a delightful terrace for
hot summer days. The menu changes
frequently and you can be assured of
simple, delicious and fresh Italian fare.
Night Clubs
Bypass
(1 Carrefour de l’Etoile) is one of
Geneva’s chic lounge clubs. It’s open
Thursday to Saturday and regularly
has world-famous DJs on the decks.
Population
Currency
Telephone
Geneva Cointrin International Airport
Bus: If staying on the left bank, the No 10 will get you to Cornavin Station in 10 minutes and across the river in about 15 minutes
Train: The train from the airport to the city centre takes six minutes. A one-hour Tout Genève pass costs €1,90/CHF 3, which you can also use on buses.
Taxi: Taxis cost €19-25/CHF 30-40 and take about 15 minutes to the centre.
Tourist information: 18 Rue du Mont-Blanc (tel. 022 909 7000, www.genevetourism.ch).