Travel Guide GENEVA.
Population City of Geneva: 182,560
City and Canton of Geneva: 427,705

Currency
1 Swiss franc (CHF) = 100 centimes.

Opening hours
The normal opening hours for shops in Geneva are 08.30-18.45 on weekdays, but to 20.00 on Thursdays.

Internet
www.geneve-tourism.ch
www.myswitzerland.com
www.ville-ge.ch

Publications
Le Temps
Tribune de Genève
Le Matin
24 Heures
Magasine L´Hebdo
World Radio Geneva (88.4 FM) www.wrgfm.ch (good for information about what’s on)

Emergency number
Police: 117
Fire: 118
Ambulance: 144
Poisoning: 145

Tourist office
Geneva Tourism
Address: Rue du Mont-Blanc 18, in the centre
Opening times: Monday - Saturday 10.00-18.00
Tel: +41 (0) 22 - 9097000
Switzerland Tourism©
Welcome to geneva
Geneva nestles like a sparkling jewel on the shores of Lake Geneva. Here everything exudes quality, elegance and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. The place is buzzing with people from all corners of the world. It has excellent restaurants, exclusive shops, beautiful parks, a vibrant cultural life and interesting museums. A practical aspect is that Geneva is geographically quite small. You can wander around the town in an hour, and it’s easy to make quick one-day excursions into the idyllic surroundings.
the city | do & see

The city
Geneva is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, thanks to its wonderful location on Lake Geneva. The city is at once both small and large. It has fewer than 200,000 inhabitants, and is easy to get around.

At the same time, it is a very lively place because it is so international. Geneva has the European headquarters of the United Nations, and myriad diplomatic missions. Foreigners constitute one third of the population, so on the streets you will hear languages from all over the world.

Here you will also find typical Swiss things – clocks, chocolate and cheeses, all of top quality. There are also the glossy bank palaces along the lakeside, and picturesque restaurants serving piping hot fondue and raclette.

Geneva offers everything from gentle strolls around the antique shops in the Old Town, to exclusive shopping along the luxurious rue du Rhône, or thought-provoking visits to the UN or the Red Cross. It’s a place that gives you a taste for more.

do & see
The Water Tower/Jet d´Eau
The highest water fountain in the world, and Geneva’s symbol. It shoots 500 litres of water a second to a height of 140 metres. No charge.
Address: Quai du Général-Guisan

UN headquarters Palais des Nations.
The UN’s European headquarters, in a stately marble building surrounded by green parks, is a must in Geneva. And hard to avoid! Book a scheduled tour if you want to know more.
Price: 8.50 CHF, free for children under six. Take identification with you.
Address: 14, Avenue de la Paix
Transport: Bus numbers 5, 8, 11, 14, 18 or tram 13.
Tel: +41 (0) 22 9174539, www.unog.ch

Botanical Garden/Jardin Botanique.
Fascinating park and ”living museum” with 16,000 plant varieties and the world’s largest herbarium. Since the park was created at the start of the 19th century, its beauty and learning have evolved continuously. The herbarium archive contains more than 6 million plants.
Price: No charge.
Address: 1, chemin de l´Impératrice
Transport: Buses 4, 11, 28, Tel: +41 (0) 22 4185100

Place du Bourg-de-Four
Charming square with an 18th century fountain in the heart of the Old Town, where people meet at the popular café La Clémence.
Address: Place du Bourg-de-Four, Old Town.

Musee International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge
Unique multimedia exhibition about war and suffering, plus the heroic efforts of the Red Cross all over the world.
Price: 10 CHF, free for children under 12.
Address: 17, Avenue de la Paix
Transport: Buses 8, 18, Tel: +41 (0) 22 7489525
www.micr.org

Flower Clock/Horloge Fleurie
Super-size watch made of 6,500 flowers, symbolising Switzerland’s world-famous watch industry.
Price: No charge. Address: Quai du Général-Guisan

Patek Philippe Museum
Important collection of timepieces from the 16th century onwards, and the finest creations of this Geneva-based watchmaker. Nowhere else is the Swiss passion for clocks, watches and time as evident as here.
Price: 10 CHF, free for children under 18.
Address: rue de Vieux-Grenadiers 7
Transport: Buses 1, 4, 12, 13
Tel: +41 (0) 22 8070910
www.patekmuseum.com

CERN
The world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Here you can explore the mysteries of the universe in an interactive Science Centre.
Address: route de Meyrin 385
Transport: Bus 9, bus stop CERN
Tel: +41 (0) 22 7678484
www.cern.ch/visits
Switzerland Tourism©
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS | eating | café
Event highlights
JANUARY 2007
Christmas Skating Rink
To 28 Jan
The 500m2 skating rink attracts 30,000 skaters every year!
Address: Place du Rhône
www.geneve-tourisme.ch

FEBRUARY
12th Annual Winterfest and National Snow Sculpting Competition
31 Jan to 4 Feb
A popular winter event held in the beautiful scenery of Lake Geneva!
Address: Riviera Park
www.lakegenevawi.com

MARCH
Montgolfiades Geneva Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
March (exact dates to be confirmed)
30 balloons meet in the sky above Geneva, with the world’s best pilots.
www.geneve-tourisme.ch

Nielson Championship Snowmobile Racing
17-19 March
Features high-flying snowmobiles from the world’s finest snow cross pilots!
Address: Grand Geneva Resort
www.wsaracing.com

The Gold of the Steppes: Goldsmithery of the Liao Dynasty.
To 25 March
Welcome to the delicate and refined universe of the powerful Oidan Empire!
Address: Musée des Arts d’Extrême-Orientwww.collections-baur.ch

EatingGeneva has a well-earned reputation as a gourmet town. The cuisine is strongly influenced by France and Italy, and here the most discriminating visitors will find restaurants to delight the taste buds. Here you can also enjoy local fish delicacies from Lake Geneva such as ”filet de perches” and ”filet de féras” as well as traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese fondue and raclette, ideally accompanied by some of the local Geneva wines.
L´Opéra Bouffe
Trendy bistro with a relaxed atmosphere and international food. Wine bottles are piled from floor to ceiling, and background classical music provides a soothing atmosphere. Dishes between 25-30 CHF.
Address: Avenue de Frontenex 5
Tel: +41 (0) 22 7366300

Restaurant le Lyrique
Luxurious Geneva atmosphere with fine dishes and a feel for culture, next to the Grand Théâtre, in the middle of the music district. On the gilded walls are hung portraits of music maestros such as Verdi and Strauss. Dishes between 20 and 50 CHF.
Address: Bd du Theatre 12
Tel: +41 (0) 22 3280095

Brasserie Lipp
A lively place – reminds you of Paris, and serves wonderful bouillabaisse. Dishes between 30-40 CHF.
Address: rue de la Confederation 8
Tel: +41 (0) 22 3111011
www.brasserie-lipp.com

Relais de L´Entrecote
Here they specialise in tender entrecôte in a renowned sauce whose ingredients are a closely-guarded secret. 35 CHF.
Address: Rue du Rhone 49, Tel: +41 (0) 22 3106004

La Favola
Smart and intimate restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, serving Italian food. Dishes around 70 CHF.
Address: 15, rue Jean Calvin, Tel: +41 (0) 22 3117437

Domaine de Châteauvieux
French cuisine at its best, in a really fine setting. Dishes from 86 CHF.
Address: chemin de Chateauvieux 16, Peney-Dessus, Satigny, Tel: +41 (0) 22 7531511, www.chateauvieux.ch

Café Huissoud
Bistro with the best cheese fondue in town.
Address: rue du Stand 51. Dishes between 20 and 50 CHF. Tel: +41 (0) 22 3102583

La Perle du Lac
Elegant restaurant with splendid terrace and excellent fish. Dishes between 25 and 80 CHF.
Address: rue de Lausanne 126
Tel: +41 (0) 22 9091020, www.laperledulac.ch

Miyako
In the centre of town, with Japanese food prepared before your eyes, and chefs who amuse you by juggling with their knives. Entertaining, and exquisite food. Dishes around 30 CHF.
Address: rue de Chantepoulet 11
Tel: +41 (0) 22 7380120, www.miyako.ch

Café
La Clémence
Charming and trendy café with a magnificent summertime terrace, a natural meeting place in the middle of the Old Town.
Address: Place du Bourg-de-Four

Demi-Lune Café
Always full of people, cool décor and yuppie clientèle.
Address: 3, rue Etienne-Dumont

Mortimer
Popular with the younger set in the heart of the Old Town.
Address: Place Bourg-de-Four 2

Hôtel Beau-Rivage
Cosy and tastefully decorated café at one of the best hotels in Switzerland, perfect for afternoon tea.
Address: 13, Quai du Mont-Blanc

Bars and nightlife
Though the Geneva is a relatively small city, because of its international mix of people there is a wide and varied range of entertainment. Many people start the evening with an aperitif at one of the hundreds of bars in the town, and then go on to some nightspot. Geneva’s nightlife is unexpectedly colourful and varied, with people and music from all corners of the world. The dance floors are full of all sorts of people, Geneva jet set, smartly-dressed diplomats, rockers in black leather and relaxed types just enjoying time off.

The Leopard Lounge
Chic bar in the Hotel d´Angleterre with a fine range of malt whisky.
Address: 17, Quai du Mont-Blanc

Arthur´s Rive Gauche
Hip bar-lounge by the river Rhône, for the younger set. See and be seen is the motto. Arthur´s is also popular with models relaxing after a lengthy photo session. You will find a wide range of cigars, spirits and fine wines.
Address: 7-9 rue du Rhône

La Bohème
Lively and trendy, in the centre of town.
Address: 36, bd Helvétique

Soleil Rouge
Funky and relaxed wine bar with tapas.
Address: 32, bd Helvétique

Au Chat Noir
Jazz music with a club feel, in the charming Carouge district.
Address: rue Vautier 13
www.chatnoir.ch
L´Usine
Underground place for rock music – dress code is black.
Address: 4, Place des Volontaires, www.usine.ch

Macumba
Europe’s largest discotheque with seven dance floors and 1,000 parking places. Admittedly on the French side, but worth a visit.
Address: route d´Annecy 403, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, www.macumba.fr

SHOPPING
Shopping in Geneva means luxury. The main shopping area lies between Rue du Rhône and Rue de Rive, with masses of chic boutiques.

Rue du Rhône
This street is like a pearl necklace of exclusive shops, reminiscent of Marbella, Gstaad and Beverly Hills. Here you will find prestige watchers, jewels and designer clothes. Cartier, Patek Philippe and Rolex share the stage with Piaget, Audemars Piguet and Gucci. MaxMara, Versace and Louis Vuitton jostle with dazzling jewellery at Grisogono, Chopard and Bulgari.
Rue des Alpes
Around the railway station are shops with typical Swiss souvenirs – chocolate, cuckoo clocks, Swiss Army knives, musical boxes, handicrafts and Mont Blanc pens. The shops have names like Little Switzerland, Swiss Tradition and Swiss Corner.

Rue du Marché
Traffic-free shopping street with fashion stores, electronics, bookshops and several department stores with clothes, furnishings and shoes. Not to be missed are the Swatch shop and Davidoff cigars.

Plainpalais
Every Wednesday and Saturday (08.00-16.00) on this square there is a huge flea market (Marché aux puces). Here you can find just about anything, and also drink in the wonderful atmosphere. On the nearby streets there are many art galleries.

Old Town
Ideal for those who enjoy window-shopping at the elegant display windows full of beautiful antiques, old books and valuable works of art. Grand Rue is particularly good for antiques. Here you will also find a throng of small shops selling chocolates, cheeses, wines and furnishing odds and ends
Essential informationAirport
Geneva International Airport/Cointrin. Five km from the city centre. Trains go every 10 minutes between the airport and the Central Station in Geneva (Cornavin). The journey takes six minutes and costs 2.60 CHF. Trains run from around 05.30 until 00.20.
Taxis: Take 15-30 minutes to the centre, cost around 30 CHF and can carry up to four people.
Buses: Number 10 to the Central Station, takes 15 minutes, costs 2.60 CHF and the ticket is valid for one hour on public transport. www.gva.ch

Local transport
Geneva has excellent local public transport – buses, trolley buses, trams, boats and trains. A one-hour bus tickets cost 2.60 and a one-day pass costs 6 CHF and can be bought from ticket machines at the bus stops. A weekly pass that is valid for the whole Canton costs 30 CHF. Night buses run only at weekends and cost 3 CHF.
www.tpg.ch, www.cff.ch

Taxis
It is easy to find a taxi in Geneva, but they are fairly expensive. A 10-minute trip can cost up to 50 CHF depending on traffic.
Taxi – phone Centrale Genève Tel: +41 (0) 22 3314133
www.taxi-phone.ch, AANewCab. Tel: +41 (0) 22 3202020

Post
Poste Mont-Blanc
Rue du Mont-Blanc 18, Open Monday-Friday 07.30-18.00 and Saturday 09.00-16.00

Pharmacy
24 hour: Tel: 111 or 144. SOS pharmacists: 022-4206480

Dentists
24 hour: Tel (no charge): 0800 101800

Telephone and Electricity
Country code Switzerland: 41
Area code: 22 (outside Geneva)
022 (within Geneva)
/ 220 volts