Top day trips from Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland’s second-largest city, is a wonderful destination for a short break. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, it’s known for its scenic location near the Swiss Alps, its elegant architecture, and its world-class museums.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do in the city itself. As I cover in a separate post, you can wander the streets of the Old Town, take a boat trip across the lake and see the Jet D’Eau water fountain spurting up, or relax in Geneva’s beautiful parks and gardens.
Culture lovers will also enjoy the city’s excellent museums, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, while a visit to the United Nations building and the striking ‘Broken Chair’ sculpture offers an insight into Geneva’s role in international diplomacy.
That said, Geneva is also an ideal base for exploring beyond the city. If you’re looking for inspiration for day trips from Geneva, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are charming towns and cities along the Swiss Riviera, other lake destinations to head to, mountain adventures, and even excursions across the border into France.
In this post, you’ll find information on some of the best day trips from Geneva to help you make the most of your visit.
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The Swiss Travel Pass
– If you plan to use Geneva as a base for sightseeing consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass
– The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel by train, boat, and bus, as well as free entry to over 500 museums
– Given that travelling around Switzerland is not cheap, if you plan to do a lot of this, the pass offers good value for money. Check out the cost of individual trips in advance and see whether it would save you money
– It’s particularly beneficial if you intend to experience any of the ‘panorama’ trains in Switzerland (e.g. the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and GoldenPass Line) or for mountain trips, where you can get discounts of up to 50% on trains and cable cars
Top day trips from Geneva
Below you’ll find ideas for top day trips from Geneva.
Bern
Bern, Switzerland’s charming capital in the western part of the country, is one of the top day trips from Geneva. It’s a journey of around two hours by train.
As you’d expect from a capital city, there’s lots of things to do and see here. But as it’s closer in size to a large town, it’s easy to get around and see everything the city has to offer, even if you’re only on a day trip.
The city has a UNESCO World Heritage Site old town with medieval buildings. It is also home to various museums, most notably those dedicated to Albert Einstein, one of the city’s most famous residents.
There is also a family of bears that live along the Aare River and a church with the highest spire in the country.
Below are the best places to visit in Bern. My fuller post will give you more information.
Top things to do in Bern
– Wander through the old town and see the unique architecture on Kamgrasse and the colourful and unique fountains
– Visit one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the medieval Zytglogge clock: watch the tower’s hourly show, and climb to the top
– Learn about Einstein and his time in the city: The Einstein House, where he formally lived, is in the old town, and there are also exhibits in the Bern Historical Museum
– Take in the views from the top of the 19th century Gothic Minster
– Meet Bern’s bears in their riverside home along the Aare riverbank
– Have lunch in the Rosengarten overlooking the river
– Visit one of the other fabulous museums in Bern: options include the Zentrum Paul Klee modern art museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Communication
Montreux
Montreux is a gorgeous Swiss town that sits on the shores of Lake Geneva. There are mountains all around, a beautiful lakeside promenade, and a fairytale castle – enough to justify spending at least one day in Montreux.
The fact that it is only just over an hour by train from Geneva also means it’s a perfect place to visit when you’re staying nearby.
And if you’re in Geneva in July, you can perhaps time your trip to coincide with the world-famous annual Montreux Jazz Festival. This takes place over a two-week period from early July and features a wide range of concerts and different artists.
Top things to do in Montreux
– Stroll alongside the waterfront promenade, look out on the lake, and glimpse the medieval castle jutting out into the water
– Visit the Château de Chillon (Chillon Castle): go inside to learn about its history, explore its different rooms, and wander around the castle grounds
– Have a photo by the lake with the Freddie Mercury statue, the late lead singer of the band Queen, who once lived in Montreux
– Learn more about Freddie Mercury and Queen in the Queen Studio Experience in the Casino Barrière Montreux
– Stop off for lunch overlooking the lake: there are venues offering lake views and places along the promenade where you can sit on a bench with a drink and a picnic
Lausanne
Lausanne is another of the top day trips from Geneva. It is located on the northern shore of Lake Geneva in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, just 60 kilometres from Geneva and around 40 to 50 minutes by train.
Lausanne is the country’s fourth-largest city, and is split between a charming old town on the hill and the picturesque lakeside resort of Ouchy on the shores of the lake. This mix means there’s lots of different things to do here.
While you can explore the medieval architecture and landmarks in the old town, once you’re down on the lakeside, you can go for strolls along the water, take boat trips, and picnic in parks.
And when you’re in Ouchy, you can also visit the fascinating Olympic Museum, a reminder that Lausanne is the location of the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. It’s worth going inside, but if you don’t have time, I’d still wander down and stroll around the beautiful grounds.
Top things to do in Lausanne
– See some of the sights in the old town, including the Gothic cathedral and the medieval castle
– Stop off in the Place de la Palud with its neoclassical buildings, 17th-century Town Hall, and the city’s oldest fountain
– Stroll around the Esplanade de Montbenon park and see the Neo-Renaissance Palais de Justice and lake views
– Visit the Olympic Museum by the lake in Ouchy: go inside and explore the fascinating exhibits and wander around the grounds
– Wander along the Quais d’Ouchy on the banks of Lake Geneva to the Pavilion Thailandais
– Take a cruise around the lake or nip across to France by boat
– Visit another museum. In particular, the Palais de Rumine in the old town is home to five museums: the museums of history, geology, zoology, archaeology and the Cantonal Money Museum
Read more about the top things to do in Lausanne here.
Annecy
Known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, Annecy is one of the top day trips from Geneva. It has a historic old town with canals winding through it and sits on Lake Annecy, the second largest lake in France.
The journey from Geneva by train is around 90 minutes. You can also catch the Flixbus: some coaches take less than an hour. You can also book an organised tour which will take you there.
Although Annecy is fairly small, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied on a day out. Much of the old town comprises a collection of small streets and squares connected by bridges that cross over canals, so the best way to get around is on foot.
You can do this independently or alternatively book a short walking tour of Annecy. The latter will give you the benefit of exploring in the company of a tour guide who can give you more information on the city’s history.
Top things to do in Annecy
– Wander along the river and canals: see colourful old buildings overlooking the water, and the small bridges connecting different parts of the old town
– See the Palais de I’Ile, a unique building that sits on an island in the middle of the river, and that houses a local architecture and history museum
– Explore La Vieille Ville, the old town, and visit some of the churches and cathedrals in the 5 Bell Towers district
– Wander up to the medieval Chateau d’Annecy and look out over the lake
– Stroll along the lakeside: walk along the Quai Napoleon III, which skirts around Les Jardins de L’Europe and round to Quai J. Philippe
– Hop on a boat and sail across the lake: trips run from the Quai Beyreuth and are offered from various other places along the lake
– Chill out in Les Jardins de L’Europe, and snap a photo on the Pont des Amours – the Bridge of Lovers – which is one of the most popular spots for photos in Annecy
Click here for more information to help you plan your day out in Annecy.
Mountain trips
If you’d prefer to see some of Switzerland’s stunning mountain landscapes rather than sightsee in a city or town, then there are also options for day trips from Geneva that will cater to this.
Chamonix and Mont-Blanc
One of the top mountain day trips from Geneva is to Chamonix and Mont-Blanc. At almost 5,000 metres, Mont-Blanc is Europe’s highest mountain and an iconic place to visit.
The town of Chamonix sits in the valley below, and from there you can jump in a cable car up the mountain to 3,800 metres. Once there, you’ll get a fantastic view of the Alps, and there are various exciting activities you can try out (including dangling in a glass box!).
Chamonix is around two and three-quarter hours away by train and is not a direct journey. Because of this, if you’re just going for the day, I’d suggest you book an organised tour.
This tour takes you by bus to Chamonix, where you take the cable car up the mountain. There’s then a 20-minute walking tour. After some free time in Chamonix, you then get to ride on a cogwheel train to view a glacier and potentially visit some ice caves.
If this interests you, you can explore other trips to Chamonix and Mont Blanc here.
Mont-Saleve
If you don’t fancy such a long trip to see mountains, then you could alternatively visit Mont Saleve, which is much nearer Geneva.
Here you can take a cable car to 1,100 metres (a 5-minute journey) and look out over Mont Blanc, the Alps, and Lake Geneva.
Mont Saleve is another destination in France, but is easy to get to from Geneva: you can get to the cable car by bus from Geneva Cornavin station. It is then a short walk away.
The ride up is beautiful. At the top, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore and cross-country ski runs in winter. It’s one of the top tourist attractions here and one of the best things to do if you want to take in views of the area from up high.
For other mountain trips from Geneva, click here.
The Charlie Chaplin Museum, Vevey
The Charlie Chaplin Museum is a fascinating place for a day trip from Geneva. It showcases the work of the British-born comic actor, director, filmmaker, and composer who found fame in the United States in the first half of the 20th century. So, if you’re a film buff, then you’ll love it here.
Vevey is another destination on the shores of Lake Geneva, about an hour by train from Geneva. When you get there, you can wander around the charming town and go down to the lakeside to see the famous fork statue standing in the middle of the water.
You can then catch a bus up to the entrance to Chaplin’s World, which is situated on the former country estate of the Chaplin family home in Corsier-sur-Vevey.
When you visit the museum, you’ll find a lot see and learn. You can get more details in my post on our visit here, but below is a summary.
And you can book tickets to Chaplin’s World here.
What to see and do in the Charlie Chaplin Museum
– Watch the cinema film at the start of your visit which covers the highlights of Chaplin’s long, and at times, controversial career
– Explore the ‘Studio’ that provides information on Chaplin’s early years, his acting years in London, his rise to fame in Hollywood, and his move to Switzerland
– Browse the extensive memorabilia: vintage movie posters, film props, personal belongings, and Chaplin’s trademark bowler hat
– Watch the vintage footage being played, covering Chaplin’s films, critical events in his life, and snapshots of his family life
– See the wax figures of famous people: actors who shared the stage with him and famous people that he knew, including Laurel and Hardy, Sophia Loren, and Albert Einstein
– Wander around the family home, a large neoclassical mansion: learn about Chaplin’s life in Switzerland from the 1950s until his death in 1977
– Stroll around the gardens with its vast green lawn and incredible views of the snow-capped mountains in the distance
Neuchâtel
Neuchatel is another Swiss lakeside city. It’s located in western Switzerland in the French-speaking part of the country and is around an hour and twenty minutes from Geneva by train.
The city sits on Lake Neuchâtel, the third-largest lake in Switzerland. It is also the largest one that is entirely located within the country’s borders. The Jura Mountains are to the north.
Although Neuchâtel is a city, it’s a relatively small one. This means getting around and seeing the main sights is easy, especially if you only have a short time. These are centred on the charming old town with its historic buildings, and the lakeside area.
Top things to do in Neuchâtel
– Visit the historic old town with its quaint, narrow streets, and see the distinctive Maison des Halles in the town square, the Place de Halles
– Go up to Neuchatel Castle and take in the views of the old town and lake, and visit the Collegiate Church
– Wander alongside the lakeside’s tree-lined promenade and see the Belle Epoque statues dotted along here
– Ride the La Coudre funicular railway to 1200 metres for breathtaking views of the city, Lake Neuchatel, and the Alps in the distance
– Take a boat trip on Lake Neuchatel (if you’re lucky, you might get to sail on the Belle Epoque steamer boat, which runs a few times a week)
– Stroll through the botanical garden or go to the lakeside beach to chill out
Read more about the top things to do in Neuchâtel here.
Lyon
Lyon, France’s third-largest city, is around 2 hours from Geneva. It’s a bit further away than some of the other destinations here, but if you catch an early train out, it’s possible to see the highlights of the city in just a day.
Lyon is commonly regarded as the gastronomic capital of France – but it’s not all about eating (although that does play a big part!). There’s also a generous sprinkling of attractions, top-notch museums, and a UNESCO-listed old town with beautiful architecture.
Top things to do in Lyon
– Explore Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its warren of narrow cobbled streets, covered passages, and historical buildings
– Visit the Cathédrale St-Jean a beautiful building, with a 14th century astronomical clock
– Admire the beautiful squares in the city: Place Bellecour, one of Europe’s largest squares, has an equestrian statue in the centre, and the Place des Jacobins has a striking fountain
– Visit the Place des Terreaux with its impressive 19th century fountain, the Hôtel de Ville and the Musée des Beaux-Arts (the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon)
– Try the local food: the narrow pedestrianised Rue Mercière is lined with small bistros (bouchons) and larger eateries. You could also book onto a food tour in the city
– Visit Fourvière and the magnificent 19th century Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière with its four towers; take in the panoramic views from the basilica
– Wander around the La Croix-Rousse hilltop quarter and stroll over to the Mur des Canuts, to see the huge fresco on the wall of an old building
– Cross the Passerelle Saint-Georges bridge to get fantastic photos of Vieux Lyon and the basilica from this vantage point
For other things to do in Lyon if you have more time in the city, click here.
Top day trips from Geneva
If you’re visiting and plan on embarking on some day trips from Geneva, you’ll have a great time!
For more posts on Switzerland and other short breaks in the UK and Europe, check out my website.
