Geneva Lake Geneva
3
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Three days around Geneva and Lake Geneva take you along the most beautiful lake in Europe, from the extraordinary cosmopolitan city of Geneva with its Jet d'Eau and the finest collection of international institutions in the world to the UNESCO vineyard terraces of Lavaux above Lausanne, the extraordinary Belle Epoque resort of Montreux, and the magnificent Chillon Castle rising directly from the lake at the foot of the Alps. This route covers the essential Lake Geneva arc. Geneva's extraordinary old town and the Palais des Nations, the Olympic capital of Lausanne with its extraordinary cathedral and the finest lake promenade in Switzerland, the Lavaux UNESCO vineyard terraces carved into the lakeside cliff, the extraordinary Freddie Mercury memorial in Montreux, and Chillon Castle, the most visited historic monument in Switzerland.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Direct flights to Geneva from most European cities
Getting Around
Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains and Lake Geneva boats
Budget Per Day
Approx 140 to 240 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and boat travel
DAY 1
GENEVA
MORNING
GENEVA OLD TOWN AND ST PETER'S CATHEDRAL
Geneva's old town on its hill above the lake is the most extraordinary Calvinist city in Europe, its severe medieval streets centred on the cathedral of St Peter where John Calvin preached for 26 years from 1536. The north tower of the cathedral gives the finest panorama over the old town roofline and Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, visible on a clear day 72km away. The extraordinary archaeological site beneath the cathedral contains 4th-century mosaics. Tower entry approx 5 CHF. Travel: 15 min walk to lakefront
MIDDAY
THE JET D'EAU AND THE LAKE GENEVA QUAYS
The Jet d'Eau is the most famous fountain in Europe, shooting 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres from a platform in Lake Geneva. The fountain is visible from 40km away and is the symbol of Geneva. The Quai du Mont-Blanc and the Quai Wilson on the right bank give the finest lakefront promenade in Switzerland, the extraordinary panorama of Mont Blanc behind the fountain extraordinary on a clear morning. The lake boats depart from the Jardin Anglais. Travel: 20 min bus to Palais des Nations
AFTERNOON
THE PALAIS DES NATIONS AND THE RED CROSS MUSEUM
Geneva is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and over 40 international organisations. The Palais des Nations, built between 1929 and 1938 for the League of Nations, gives guided tours of the extraordinary Assembly Hall and the Council Chamber with its extraordinary Catalan ceiling. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum beside it is the finest humanitarian museum in the world, an extraordinary and moving experience. Museum entry approx 15 CHF.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Carouge quarter of Geneva, built by the King of Sardinia in the 18th century as a rival city to Geneva, is the most extraordinary undiscovered neighbourhood in Switzerland, its extraordinary Italianate arcades, courtyards and artisan workshops entirely unlike anywhere else in the country. A 10-minute tram ride from the old town. The Saturday market on the Place du Marche is the finest in Geneva.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva Coffee in the extraordinary main square of the old town. The oldest square in Geneva. | Lunch: Restaurant Le Petit Lac, Geneva Outstanding lakefront restaurant. Local perch fillets from Lake Geneva and Swiss white wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Cafe de Paris, Geneva The most famous restaurant in Geneva since 1930. One dish only: entrecote with the secret butter sauce.
DAY 2
LAUSANNE AND LAVAUX
MORNING
LAUSANNE, THE OLYMPIC CAPITAL
Lausanne is the most extraordinary hillside city in Switzerland, its medieval old town climbing steeply from the lake to the extraordinary Gothic cathedral, the finest Gothic building in Switzerland. The cathedral's extraordinary painted entrance portal and the rose window are outstanding. Lausanne is also the home of the Olympic Movement, the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and the extraordinary Olympic Museum on the lakefront. Museum entry approx 20 CHF. Travel: 20 min train to Lutry
MIDDAY
THE LAVAUX UNESCO VINEYARD TERRACES
The Lavaux vineyard terraces between Lausanne and Montreux are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an extraordinary system of terraced vineyards carved into the steep south-facing cliff above Lake Geneva over 900 years. The Chasselas grape produces the finest white wine of the region, the extraordinary Dezaley and St-Saphorin among the finest dry whites in Switzerland. The Lavaux Panoramic narrow-gauge railway runs through the vineyards on weekends. Walk the vineyard trails for the finest views. Travel: 20 min train to Vevey
AFTERNOON
VEVEY AND THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN CONNECTION
Vevey is the most charming small town on Lake Geneva, its extraordinary main square containing the largest fork in the world, a 8-metre sculpture standing in the lake. Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life in Vevey and the extraordinary Chaplin's World museum in his former home at Corsier-sur-Vevey is the finest biographical museum in Switzerland. The Alimentarium food museum on the lakefront is outstanding. Chaplin's World entry approx 22 CHF.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The village of St-Saphorin in the Lavaux is the most extraordinary wine village in Switzerland, its extraordinary medieval lanes and stone wine cellars producing the finest Chasselas in the region. The Roman road through the village dates from the 1st century AD. The inn at St-Saphorin, serving wine from its own cellar since the 15th century, is the finest lunch stop in Lavaux.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Lausanne old town Coffee on the Place de la Palud below the cathedral before the morning climb. | Lunch: Cave de Tavel, Cully Outstanding cave wine bar in the heart of Lavaux. Local Chasselas and lake fish. | Dinner: Restaurant Denis Martin, Vevey One of the most creative restaurants in Switzerland. Extraordinary tasting menu and lake views.
DAY 3
MONTREUX AND CHILLON
MORNING
MONTREUX, THE BELLE EPOQUE RIVIERA
Montreux is the most extraordinary resort town in Switzerland, its extraordinary Belle Epoque promenade along the lake lined with grand hotels, palm trees and flowering gardens giving it the character of the French Riviera transported to the Alps. The statue of Freddie Mercury overlooking the lake commemorates his 20 years of recording at Mountain Studios in Montreux, where Queen recorded many of their greatest albums. The Montreux Jazz Festival in July is the most famous music festival in Switzerland. Travel: 20 min walk to Chillon
MIDDAY
CHATEAU DE CHILLON, THE ISLAND FORTRESS
Chillon Castle at the eastern end of Lake Geneva is the most visited historic monument in Switzerland, an extraordinary medieval fortress built on a rock in the lake connected to the shore by a narrow bridge. The castle was occupied continuously from the 10th to the 17th century and contains an extraordinary series of painted halls, dungeons and towers. Lord Byron carved his name in the dungeon pillar in 1816 and wrote The Prisoner of Chillon here. Entry approx 13 CHF. Travel: 30 min train toward Aigle
AFTERNOON
THE CHABLAIS WINE VILLAGES
The Chablais wine country east of Montreux produces the finest red wines on Lake Geneva, the extraordinary Pinot Noir and Gamay from the steep slate slopes above the Rhone valley. The village of Aigle contains the most extraordinary wine museum in Switzerland, the Musee de la Vigne et du Vin in the extraordinary medieval Aigle castle, which stands in the middle of its own vineyards. The castle and museum entry approx 10 CHF.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Rochers-de-Naye above Montreux at 2,042 metres is the most extraordinary viewpoint on Lake Geneva, the extraordinary panorama taking in the full arc of the lake from Geneva to the Valais Alps. The mountain railway from Montreux takes 55 minutes through extraordinary Alpine scenery. The summit marmot colony is the most extraordinary wildlife encounter on the lake. Return approx 60 CHF.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Grand-Rue, Montreux Coffee on the main street with lake and Alps visible at the end of every cross street. | Lunch: Restaurant du Chateau, Chillon Outstanding lakeside restaurant beside the castle. Local lake fish and Chablais wine. | Dinner: Restaurant de la Rouvenaz, Montreux The finest traditional restaurant in Montreux. Local perch and the finest Lavaux Chasselas.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Geneva, Night 1 Hotel de la Cigogne or Beau-Rivage. Old town and lakefront. Approx 180 to 500 CHF per night. Montreux, Nights 2 to 3 Hotel Royal Plaza or Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Lakefront. Approx 160 to 600 CHF.
Top Tips
1. Geneva gives free public transport to all hotel guests. Ask for your Unireso transport card at hotel check-in.
2. The Jet d'Eau is most extraordinary at sunrise when it catches the early light with Mont Blanc behind. Walk the quay at 7am.
3. The Lavaux vineyard train from Lutry runs only on weekends from April to October. Book ahead at lavaux-panoramic.ch.
4. Chillon Castle is most beautiful at dusk when the day visitors leave and the light turns golden on the lake. Book evening tickets.
5. The Montreux Jazz Festival runs every July. Book accommodation a year ahead if visiting during the festival.
6. The CGN lake steamer from Lausanne to Montreux stops at the extraordinary Cully wine village in the heart of Lavaux.
Total Budget
140 to 240 CHF/day