Compare Geneva city breaks

Natural good looks

You won't be able to stop looking when you first arrive on Geneva holidays. Switzerland's third-biggest city straddles both banks as Lake Geneva - or Lake Leman, as locals call it - narrows into the Rhone River. All around are snow-crested Alps, with the landmark Jet d'Eau fountain rising from the water and a church-speckled Old Town.

The beauty is inward, too. Geneva is safe and slick, clean and cosmopolitan; nearly everyone speaks perfect English and a calm atmosphere pervades.

Year-round appeal

Locals line the serene lake from June to September, sunbathing on every square inch and diving into bains (bathing areas). Paddle boarders and sailors abound further out, while the surrounding cantons lure hikers and wine tourists.

During winter, Geneva serves as a gateway for nearby ski pistes, yet fondue cafes and lantern-lit lakeside scenes make the city itself just as alluring.

Gazing and grazing

Cultural weekend city breaks in Geneva compare well to any in Europe. There are the gorgeous St Pierre Cathedral's scenic towers, paintings by Renoir in the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire and the Patek Philippe Museum's Swiss clock-making exhibits.

Take a city break in Geneva and you can also peruse Plainpalais's vast Sunday flea market and dive into the gastro scene, with restaurants swapping the white tablecloths for something more dynamic.

Keeping Geneva cheap

Living costs such as hotel rooms and food are high compared to other European destinations, making cheap Geneva holidays in 2019 a bit of a challenge.

Happily, there are some factors that relieve these costs. Firstly, the city is served by an excellent transport network, which means you can get about with ease and pack a lot into a Geneva weekend.