Districts · Geneva
Geneva by district
Everything a first visit needs sits in a box about 3 km across: the old town on its hill, the lake quays, the Pâquis waterfront, and Plainpalais to the south. Trams connect them.Everything a first visit needs sits in a box about 1.9 mi across: the old town on its hill, the lake quays, the Pâquis waterfront, and Plainpalais to the south. Trams connect them.
About these names
Geneva uses quartier names (Pâquis, Plainpalais, Eaux-Vives, Carouge); address a taxi by street and number.
- Old Town and RiveVieille-Ville, RivesleepseeSuits: First visit, history, cafésCobbled hills and small hotels; steep for bags, quiet at night.3 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Lake quaysQuaisseeSuits: Walks, sunsets, swimming in summerFlat promenades from Jardin Anglais to the Jet d’Eau and Bains des Pâquis.3 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Cornavin and PâquisCornavin, PâquissleepeatSuits: Arrival day, budget and mid-range hotels, cheaper foodNext to the station and the lake, with the widest choice of hotels; some streets are busy at night.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PlainpalaisseeeatSuits: Markets, museums, studentsA big open square with markets, and the university nearby.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Geneva Airport (GVA) (8–15 min by the usual route).
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Town and Rive (Vieille-Ville, Rive): Cobbled hills and small hotels; steep for bags, quiet at night. Suits: First visit, history, cafés. Price band $$$.
- Lake quays (Quais): Flat promenades from Jardin Anglais to the Jet d’Eau and Bains des Pâquis. Suits: Walks, sunsets, swimming in summer.
- Cornavin and Pâquis (Cornavin, Pâquis): Next to the station and the lake, with the widest choice of hotels; some streets are busy at night. Suits: Arrival day, budget and mid-range hotels, cheaper food. Price band $$$.
- Plainpalais (Plainpalais): A big open square with markets, and the university nearby. Suits: Markets, museums, students.
- Sleep area Cornavin and Pâquis: suits Arrival day, budget and mid-range hotels, cheaper food, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Old Town and Rive: suits First visit, history, cafés, price band $$$.
- Geneva Airport (GVA), 8–15 min by the usual route.