Glinting in the sun in the far west of Switzerland, French-speaking Geneva is a rare breed of city. With the air of wealth and prestige emanating from its luxury jewelers, chocolate shops and investment banks, Geneva’s flawless, glossy veneer can feel impenetrable. But meander away from the hilltop old town and manicured lakeshore – into grungier Pâquis, village-like Carouge or along the post-industrial banks of the Rhône River – and a different Geneva emerges, quietly humming with attitude and buzzing with artists, activists and drifters.
As you might expect, Lake Geneva is a Swiss-French affair. Pristine steamers from the 1900s cross an invisible international border tracing a line across the middle of this crescent-shaped pool of freshwater – Europe’s largest lake. Then there’s 4806m (15,766ft) Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak, keeping sentry over the French Alps across the water.
A place of international diplomacy since the 16th century, Geneva (Genève) is Switzerland’s second-largest city – a slick, cosmopolitan place, where seemingly every language under the sun is spoken. This famously international city has a handsome old town, renowned museums, vibrant nightlife and an impressive array of attractions that draw visitors from around the world.
Get some inside tips before you go, then plan your trip with this guide to the best things to do in Geneva.
Old Geneva’s antique heartbeat resonates in its hilltop Vieille Ville, once occupied by the Romans and later the site of a 5th-century bishopric. Unearth the city’s Celtic and Roman origins at the Site Archéologique hidden away beneath Cathédrale St-Pierre.
A bonfire is lit in the cathedral square during December’s L’Escalade festival to celebrate Geneva’s defeat of Savoy troops in 1602. Legend hails a Genevan housewife as the hero who tipped a pot of boiling soup over a trooper’s head from the city walls, whacked him with her cauldron, and raised the alarm.
During the 16th-century Reformation, French theologist Jean Calvin (1509–64) preached fiery sermons inside the Gothic cathedral, which features an 18th-century neoclassical portico purportedly inspired by Rome’s Pantheon. Spiral up 157 steps in the north or south tower for bird’s-eye views of the old town.
Planning tip: The cathedral towers are open late on select nights for panoramic views of the city by moonlight. While the south tower has an open balcony, the north tower is enclosed and is a better option during inclement weather. For more rooftop views, head to Terrasse Agrippa d’Aubigné, a tree-shaded park behind the cathedral.
The Geneva tourist office maps out superb, themed DIY walking trails in the city, highlighting Geneva’s best districts and
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If Miami and Palm Beach had a love child, it would be Fort Lauderdale. Quickly shedding its image as just a spring break destination, the city is redefining itself as a place that lacks the formality of its neighbor to the north (Palm Beach), but has all the trappings of the vibrant metropolis to the south (Miami). And while Fort Lauderdale is quickly catching up on the five-star luxury-resort front, the real-estate (and therefore hotel) prices have not yet approached the levels of Palm Beach's on Worth Avenue. Fort Lauderdale lacks pomp and doesn’t take itself too seriously: It’s a place that still feels accessible thanks to an abundance of public beaches, a lack of gated communities, and a culinary scene that won’t break the bank.