Geneva sits right on the southern tip of Lake Geneva, below the French Alps. The Jet d'Eau fountain and Floral Clock huddle on the left bank, while just to the south the Old Town's cobbled streets twist up to hilltop St Peter's Cathedral. On the right bank, lakefront gardens lead to the UN headquarters.

Take a Geneva city break and get to know this Swiss city. Good looks alone are never going to win the hearts of visitors, so Geneva puts on a fine spread of delectable cuisine, lively bars, historic sights, sailing trips, chocolate shops and the chance to dream about the high life as you gaze at luxury yachts and in the windows of high-end jewellers.

This city by the lake is home to dozens of international organisations – from the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation to the United Nations. This means that there’s an abundance of top hotels and fine restaurants to make use of in Geneva. Hotel rates can drop at the weekends, when the international high-flyers have flown home, so cheap Geneva weekend breaks are readily available.

Base your stay in the lovely Old Town (Vieille Ville), a convenient spot for easy access to the main attractions. Be sure to see Jet d'Eau on Lake Geneva (you can’t really miss it), St Pierre Cathedral and the impressive Palais des Nations.

Flights arrive into Geneva International Airport (GVA), a short distance from the city centre.

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With the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc visible from almost everywhere in Geneva, you might think this city shivers year round. Geneva’s climate is actually rather mild. It experiences pleasantly warm summer days, with daytime temperatures pushing past 25C, when many visitors join the locals on the public beaches of Geneva.

Spring and autumn see daytime averages in the teens. Rainfall can be expected at any time. Winter is chilly and, while snow isn’t guaranteed on the city streets, there’s plenty nearby. Famed ski resorts, such as Chamonix and Verbier, are between one and two hours away, though there are other resorts close by.

Museum Night; May: Like many other European cities, Geneva throws open the doors of its best museums for one night only, allowing guests to stay until around 4am. It’s a magical experience that’s complemented by a range of other events, such as live music and art talks.

Geneva Festival; July-August: The Fêtes de Genève is a 10-day feast of fairground rides, shows, parades, markets, music and fireworks. Time your weekend break with this lively annual event and see Geneva in a whole new light.

Christmas Festival; November-December: Get your festive season off to a magical start with a short break in Geneva. Shop for novel gifts at the market in Fusterie Square, rent skates and glide around the ice rink in Place du Rhone, and watch as hundreds of swimmers brave the chilly waters during the annual Christmas competition.

Families: Take the kids across Lake Geneva aboard a yellow mouette – shuttle boat – to play in the misty spray of the Jet d'Eau. It spurts 500 litres of water a second!

Relaxing: Chill out in lakefront parks, dotted with flowers, villas and fountains. Have your camera handy for the sun setting behind the snowy peak of Mont Blanc.

Romance: In the mood for amour? Stroll the Old Town's lantern-lit lanes to find a bistro. Dine by candlelight on Swiss-French classics such as cheese fondue and sip local Chasselas wines.