Explore Geneva for free

Get the most out of Switzerland's most elegant city with our guide to free activities and tours in Geneva.

Walks on the shores of Lake Geneva

Geneva wouldn't be Geneva without its eponymous lake and its very pleasant walker-friendly shores. Its harbour is home to the iconic Jet d'Eau fountain, rising up 140 metres high and viewable close up from the jetty. Wander around the nearby Jardin d'Anglais garden and admire the floral clock made up of 6,500 flowers - it's been keeping track of time since 1955. In the mood for sunbathing by the water's edge? Head over to the Baby Plage opposite the Parc de la Grange, a little beach and lawn area that's free to access throughout the year.

Geneva's most beautiful free-to-visit buildings

The St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva's Old Town is the city's most popular monument. This 12th-century building was initially a Catholic place of worship before turning Protestant during the 16th-century Reformation. The cathedral and its flamboyant Gothic Macchabées Chapel is free to visit, although you'll need to pay an admission fee to access the tower and the archaeological site under the building. Investigate another place of worship with remarkable architecture in Geneva with a trip to the Tranchées district's Russian orthodox church, easily recognisable thanks to its golden domes that tower over the city. Inside you will find richly ornate 19th-century frescos inspired by Byzantine art.

Free museums

The City of Geneva's eight public museums offer free access to their permanent collections throughout the year. These include the Maison Tavel's overview of the history of local life, the Musée Ariana and its ceramic collections, the Musée Voltaire dedicated to its philosophical namesake and the Art and History Museum. Free temporary exhibitions are open to the public on the first Sunday of every month.