World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
The Geneva Tourist Office (tel: (022) 909 7000) provides a portable audiocassette to enhance a two-and-a-half-hour walk through the labyrinthine streets of the Old Town, to the Cathédrale St-Pierre, the Treille Promenade, the Arsenal and Reformation Wall. A fee of SFr10, plus a refundable deposit of SFr50, is required. In addition, the tourist office provides themed guided tours from 15 June to 30 September (on request during the rest of the year) from SFr12. All walking tours depart from the Geneva Tourist Office, Pont de la Machine 1. Tours are also available from the Association of Guides (tel: (022) 909 7000).

Bus Tours
The Geneva Tourist Office (tel: (022) 909 7000), operating as Key Tours, organises a choice of two-hour tours, costing SFr35 (SFr39 May-Oct) and covering the star attractions of the city. A three-hour tour, which includes a visit to the Palais des Nations, is also available. Pick-up points are the airport, the Hotel InterContinetal, Chemin du Petit-Sconnex 7-9 and the bus station, Gare routière in Place Dorsière.

Water Tours
One of the best ways to see Geneva, in fair weather, is to take a mouette and tour the lake. The boats (with guided commentary in English) operate regularly from Place du Molard to Quai du Mont-Blanc and Quai Gustave-Ador. Mouettes Genevoises Navigation (tel: (022) 732 2944; fax: (022) 738 7988) departs from the Quai de Mont-Blanc 8 (opposite the Hilton-Grand Casino), while Swissboat (tel: (022) 732 4747; fax: (079) 259 5262) sets off from Quai de Mont-Blanc 4 (opposite Hôtel Beau-Rivage). A one-hour tour costs approximately SFr12. The two-hour Château tour to the French border costs about SFr22. Smaller companies offer better value.