a large body of water surrounded by mountains
a large body of water surrounded by mountains
a large body of water surrounded by mountains

Holiday in Lake Geneva

Lake in Switzerland — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇨🇭

Country

Switzerland

Type

Lake

Best time to travel

May–Sep

Budget/day

160–260 €

Getting there from Germany

By TGV to Geneva or by ICE/train via Bern to Lausanne. Geneva Airport on the western shore.

About Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is the largest lake in Western Europe and extends in a crescent shape over 73 kilometers between Switzerland and France. With its combination of alpine drama, Mediterranean climate, and cultural diversity, it is one of the most fascinating bodies of water on the continent. Its landmark is the Jet d’Eau in Geneva, a water fountain that shoots 140 meters into the air and is visible even during the landing approach. The Swiss northern shore combines some of the most beautiful landscapes and cities in the country: From Geneva, the lakeside road leads over Nyon and Morges to Lausanne, the Olympic capital with the IOC headquarters and the Olympic Museum. Further east, the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, stretch out. The steep vineyard slopes between Lausanne and Vevey produce top-quality Chasselas wines and offer breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps during a hike through the vines. Montreux and Vevey form the Swiss Riviera on the eastern shore: Palm trees, Belle Époque hotels, and the fairy-tale Château de Chillon shape the image. Charlie Chaplin spent his last 25 years in Vevey — Chaplin's World tells his story. The French southern side with Évian-les-Bains and Thonon offers a quieter alternative. Paddle steamers in Belle Époque style, including historic paddleboats, connect the lakeside towns and provide the most beautiful views of the Alpine backdrop from the water. Lake Geneva is a place where world history, wine culture, and natural beauty flow together in perfect harmony.

Nature
100
Safety
95
Relaxation
85
Families
80
Romance
80

Top 5 highlights in Lake Geneva

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Lavaux Vineyards

The UNESCO-protected terraced vineyards on the northern shore have been producing top-quality wine since the 11th century.

2

Geneva & Jet d'Eau

The international city with the 140m high water fountain at the western end of the lake.

3

Lausanne

The Olympic capital with the IOC Museum, the cathedral, and the vibrant old town.

4

Évian-les-Bains

The famous spa on the French lakeside – accessible by boat from Lausanne.

5

Château de Chillon

The water castle near Montreux is the most visited castle in Switzerland.

Hotels in Lake Geneva

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
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Hotels in Lake Geneva vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reise-SIM für Lake Geneva

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Lake Geneva

Recommended travel time

May–Sep

Summer

20–28 °C, Mediterranean mild

Winter

2–7 °C

How much does a holiday in Lake Geneva cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

100–140 €

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

160–260 €

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

290–500 €

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Lake Geneva

Compare thousands of package holidays to Lake Geneva and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

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5 travel tips for Lake Geneva

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Lavaux wine hike: The most beautiful wine hike in Switzerland with lake panorama.

CGN boats connect all lakeside towns – even to France.

Olympic Museum Lausanne: Interactive and fascinating – even for non-sports fans.

Excursion to Évian by boat: 35 minutes from Lausanne to France.

Vevey: Charlie Chaplin Museum and Nestlé headquarters – more charming than Montreux.

Food & drink in Lake Geneva

These specialties you must try!

Filets de Perche (Perch fillets)
Fondue au Vacherin
Lavaux wine
Papet Vaudois
Malakoff
Gâteau du Vully
Suitable for:RivieraWineCultureBoatingUNESCO

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