Geneva Lake Geneva
5
Day Itinerary •
Switzerland
Five days around Geneva and Lake Geneva give you the full sweep of the most beautiful lake region in Europe, from Geneva's extraordinary cosmopolitan old town and the Jet d'Eau to the UNESCO vineyard terraces of Lavaux, Chillon Castle rising from the lake, the extraordinary medieval town of Gruyeres with its famous cheese and castle, the fine art of Fribourg's Gothic cathedral, and the hidden wine villages of the northern lake shore. This route covers the complete Lake Geneva arc. Geneva's old town and international quarter, the Olympic capital of Lausanne, the Lavaux UNESCO vineyards, Vevey and Chaplin's World, the Belle Epoque resort of Montreux and Chillon Castle, the extraordinary Gruyeres and the medieval city of Fribourg, and the finest undiscovered villages on the Nyon and Rolle shores of the northern lake.
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 CGN boats
Budget Per Day
Approx 140 to 240 CHF per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking, trains and boat travel
DAY 1
GENEVA
MORNING
GENEVA OLD TOWN AND ST PETER'S CATHEDRAL
Geneva's old town is the most extraordinary Calvinist city in Europe, its austere medieval streets centred on St Peter's Cathedral where John Calvin preached for 26 years from 1536. The north tower gives the finest panorama over the old town and Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc, visible 72km away on a clear day. The extraordinary archaeological site beneath the cathedral contains 4th-century mosaics and a 10th-century crypt. The Maison Tavel, the oldest house in Geneva, is a free museum of city history opposite the cathedral. Travel: 15 min walk to lakefront
MIDDAY
THE JET D'EAU AND GENEVA LAKEFRONT
The Jet d'Eau shoots 500 litres per second to 140 metres from a platform in Lake Geneva, the symbol of the city visible from 40km away. The Quai du Mont-Blanc gives the finest lakefront promenade in Switzerland with Mont Blanc behind the fountain on a clear morning. The Jardin Anglais flower clock, changed seasonally, is the most photographed detail in Geneva. The lake boats to Lausanne and Montreux depart from the Jardin Anglais landing stage. Travel: 20 min bus
AFTERNOON
PALAIS DES NATIONS AND THE RED CROSS MUSEUM
The Palais des Nations, built for the League of Nations and now the European UN headquarters, gives guided tours of the extraordinary Assembly Hall and Council Chamber. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum beside it is the finest humanitarian museum in the world, an extraordinary experience structured around three themes: defending human dignity, restoring family links and reducing natural risks. Museum entry approx 15 CHF. The Ariana Museum of ceramics beside it is free.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The Carouge quarter of Geneva, built by the King of Sardinia in the 18th century, is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Switzerland, its Italianate arcades and artisan courtyards 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 and entirely unknown to most visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva Coffee in the oldest square in Geneva, in the heart of the old town. | Lunch: Restaurant Le Petit Lac, Geneva Outstanding lakefront restaurant. Local perch from Lake Geneva and Fendant wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Cafe de Paris, Geneva The most famous restaurant in Geneva since 1930. One dish: 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 extraordinary Gothic cathedral the finest in the country, with an outstanding painted portal and rose window. Lausanne is the permanent home of the Olympic Movement and the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Museum on the lakefront is the finest sports museum in the world, its extraordinary collection of torches, uniforms and memorabilia spanning every Games since 1896. Museum entry approx 20 CHF. Travel: 20 min train to Lutry
MIDDAY
THE LAVAUX UNESCO VINEYARD TERRACES
The Lavaux terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an extraordinary system of vineyards carved into the south-facing cliff above Lake Geneva over 900 years. The Chasselas grape produces the finest white wines of the region, including the extraordinary Dezaley and St-Saphorin. The trail from Lutry through Cully to St-Saphorin is the finest 2-hour vineyard walk in Switzerland, the lake and Alps visible through the vines at every turn. The wine cooperative in Cully offers outstanding tastings. Travel: 20 min train to Vevey
AFTERNOON
VEVEY AND CHAPLIN'S WORLD
Vevey is the most charming town on Lake Geneva, its extraordinary lakefront containing the world's largest fork sculpture standing in the water. Charlie Chaplin lived at Corsier-sur-Vevey for the last 25 years of his life and the extraordinary Chaplin's World museum in his former villa is the finest biographical museum in Switzerland. The Alimentarium, Nestle's extraordinary food museum on the lakefront, is outstanding. Chaplin's World entry approx 22 CHF.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The village of St-Saphorin in the Lavaux is the most extraordinary wine village on Lake Geneva, its medieval lanes and Roman road passing through 900-year-old stone wine cellars. The inn at St-Saphorin has served wine from its own cellar since the 15th century and is the finest lunch stop in Lavaux. The village is almost entirely unknown to international visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Lausanne old town Coffee on the Place de la Palud below the extraordinary Gothic cathedral. | 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 on the lakefront.
DAY 3
MONTREUX AND CHILLON
MORNING
MONTREUX AND THE BELLE EPOQUE PROMENADE
Montreux is the most extraordinary resort on Lake Geneva, its Belle Epoque promenade lined with grand hotels, palm trees and flowering gardens giving it the character of the Riviera transported to the Alps. The statue of Freddie Mercury, who spent 20 years recording here with Queen at Mountain Studios, overlooks the lake in an extraordinary pose. The Grand Hotel Suisse-Majestic and the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace are the two great Belle Epoque hotels of the promenade. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
CHATEAU DE CHILLON
Chillon Castle is the most visited historic monument in Switzerland, an extraordinary medieval fortress on a rock in the lake connected to the shore by a narrow bridge. Occupied from the 10th to the 17th century, the castle contains extraordinary painted halls, the island dungeon where Lord Byron carved his name in 1816, and towers with extraordinary views of the lake and the Dents du Midi. Entry approx 13 CHF. Book online to avoid the midday queues. Travel: 30 min train
AFTERNOON
THE ROCHERS-DE-NAYE SUMMIT
The Rochers-de-Naye at 2,042 metres above Montreux is the most extraordinary viewpoint on Lake Geneva, the panorama taking in the full arc of the lake from Geneva to the Valais Alps with Mont Blanc visible on clear days. The mountain railway from Montreux takes 55 minutes. The extraordinary marmot colony at the summit is one of the finest wildlife encounters in Switzerland. The descent on foot through the Alpine meadows takes approximately 3 hours. Return ticket approx 60 CHF.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
Mountain Studios in Montreux, where Queen recorded from 1978 onwards, is the most extraordinary music heritage site in Switzerland. The Casino Barriere de Montreux, rebuilt after the fire immortalised in Smoke on the Water in 1971, contains the original Mountain Studios equipment on display. The extraordinary Queen memorabilia exhibition in the casino is free to visit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Grand-Rue, Montreux Coffee on the main street with lake and Alps at every corner. | 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 greatest Lavaux Chasselas.
DAY 4
GRUYERES AND FRIBOURG
MORNING
GRUYERES, THE MEDIEVAL CHEESE VILLAGE
Gruyeres is the most extraordinary medieval village in French-speaking Switzerland, its single cobbled main street entirely car-free and lined with extraordinary 15th-century houses. The Gruyeres castle gives the finest panorama over the Fribourg Prealps. The Maison du Gruyere below the village produces the finest Swiss cheese in Europe, the extraordinary Gruyere AOP made from raw milk in the traditional copper cauldrons. Cheese making demonstrations daily. Entry approx 7 CHF. Travel: 30 min train to Fribourg
MIDDAY
FRIBOURG, THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL CITY
Fribourg is the most extraordinary Gothic city in Switzerland, its extraordinary Cathedral of St Nicholas the finest Gothic building in the country, containing the extraordinary Tinguely organ and the most remarkable collection of medieval stained glass in Switzerland. The old town is built on a dramatic sandstone promontory above the Sarine river, the extraordinary Pont de Berne covered bridge below. The bilingual city, half German and half French, has the most extraordinary linguistic divide in Switzerland. Travel: 1 hour train back to Montreux
AFTERNOON
THE FRIBOURG OLD TOWN AND COVERED BRIDGES
Fribourg's old town contains the finest collection of medieval covered bridges in Switzerland, the extraordinary Pont de Gotteron and the Pont du Milieu spanning the Sarine gorge below the city. The Musee d'Art et d'Histoire in the extraordinary Ratzehof building contains the finest collection of medieval sculpture in Switzerland. The narrow lanes of the Bourg quarter are extraordinary. The view from the Zähringen bridge over the old town and the river gorge is the finest in Fribourg.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The HR Giger Museum in Gruyeres, housed in the extraordinary medieval Chateau St-Germain, contains the largest collection of works by the Swiss artist HR Giger, who designed the Alien creature. The extraordinary biomechanical paintings and sculptures in a medieval castle setting create the most surreal experience in Switzerland. Entry approx 12 CHF. The Giger Bar beside it is an extraordinary installation.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Gruyeres village Coffee in the extraordinary car-free medieval main street before the crowds arrive. | Lunch: Restaurant du Cheval Blanc, Gruyeres Outstanding traditional restaurant in the medieval village. Local fondue and Fribourg wine. | Dinner: Restaurant de la Palme, Fribourg Classic Fribourg cuisine. Local rosti and the finest Fribourg Pinot Noir.
DAY 5
NYON AND ROLLE
MORNING
NYON, THE ROMAN LAKESIDE TOWN
Nyon is the most extraordinary small town on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, its Roman origins visible in the extraordinary collection of Roman columns re-erected on the lakefront terrace in the 19th century. The Musee Romain in the extraordinary Roman basilica contains the finest collection of Roman artefacts on Lake Geneva. The medieval castle above the town gives extraordinary views over the lake to the Alps. The lakefront promenade is the finest on the northern shore. Museum entry approx 8 CHF. Travel: 20 min train to Rolle
MIDDAY
ROLLE AND THE ISLAND OF LA BATIE
Rolle is the most charming wine village on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, its extraordinary lakefront lined with plane trees and a tiny 13th-century island castle, the Chateau de la Batie, connected to the shore by a causeway. The village is the centre of La Cote wine country, producing the finest Chasselas on the northern shore. Several wine estates along the lakefront offer extraordinary tastings of the local white and red wines. The lakefront walk from Rolle to Allaman is the finest on this shore. Travel: 40 min train to Geneva
AFTERNOON
GENEVA DEPARTURE
The return to Geneva completes the full arc of Lake Geneva, the train following the northern shore with extraordinary lake views all the way. Geneva Airport is connected directly to the main station by train in 10 minutes. The extraordinary collection of free museums in Geneva, including the MAMCO contemporary art museum and the Museum of Art and History, are ideal for a final few hours before departure. The old town quarter around the Bourg-de-Four is the finest farewell to Geneva.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The Chateau de Prangins at Nyon is the Swiss National Museum's western branch, housed in an extraordinary 18th-century chateau above the lake with the finest formal garden in the region. The collection focuses on Swiss history from 1750 to 1920 in extraordinary period rooms. Entry approx 10 CHF. The potager kitchen garden in the walled garden is the most extraordinary historic garden on Lake Geneva.
������ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Nyon lakefront Coffee beside the Roman columns on the extraordinary lakefront terrace. | Lunch: Wine estate, Rolle Outstanding tasting lunch at a La Cote wine estate. Local Chasselas and cold meats. | Dinner: Restaurant Cafe de Paris, Geneva The finest farewell dinner in Geneva. Entrecote with the secret butter sauce since 1930.
Where To Stay
Geneva, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel de la Cigogne or Beau-Rivage. Old town and lakefront. Approx 180 to 500 CHF. Montreux, Nights 3 to 4 Fairmont Le Montreux Palace or Hotel Royal Plaza. Lakefront. Approx 160 to 600 CHF. Geneva return, Night 5 Return to Geneva for departure. Hotel ibis or same as Night 1. Approx 120 to 300 CHF.
Top Tips
1. Geneva gives free public transport to hotel guests. Ask for the Unireso card at check-in. Valid on all trams and buses.
2. The Jet d'Eau is most extraordinary at sunrise. Walk the Quai du Mont-Blanc at 7am for the fountain with Mont Blanc behind.
3. Walk the Lavaux vineyard trails rather than just taking the train. The path from Lutry to Cully is the finest 2-hour walk on the lake.
4. Chillon Castle is most beautiful at dusk. Evening tickets allow you to see the castle in golden light after the crowds leave.
5. Gruyeres is tiny and best visited before 10am. The town fills with day trippers by mid-morning. Stay overnight for extraordinary quiet.
6. The CGN lake steamer is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Take it from Lausanne to Montreux via the Lavaux villages.
Total Budget
140 to 240 CHF/day