Genève

Genève

CH
Population191,557
Geneva ( jin-EE-və, Arpitan: [dzəˈnɛva] ; French: Genève [ʒənɛv] ) is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and a centre for international diplomacy. Geneva hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world, and has been referred to as the world's most compact metropolis and the "Peace Capital". Geneva is a global city, an international financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy hosting the highest number of international organizations in the world, including the headquarters of many agencies of the United Nations and the ICRC and IFRC of the Red Cross. In the aftermath of World War I, it hosted the League of Nations. It was where the Geneva Conventions on humanitarian treatment in war were signed. It shares a unique distinction with municipalities such as New York City, Basel, and Strasbourg as a city which serves as the headquarters of at least one critical international organization without being the capital of a country. The city of Geneva (Ville de Genève) had a population of 203,856 in January 2021 within its municipal territory of 16 km2 (6 sq mi). The Geneva metropolitan area as officially defined by Eurostat, including suburbs and exurbs in Vaud and the French departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie, extends over 2,292 km2 (885 sq mi) and had a population of 1,053,436 in 2021. The Canton of Geneva, the Nyon District, and the Pôle métropolitain du Genevois français (a federation of eight French intercommunal councils), form the Grand Genève ("Greater Geneva"), a Local Grouping of Transnational Cooperation in charge of organizing cooperation within the cross-border metropolitan area of Geneva. The Grand Genève GLCT extends over 1,996 km2 (771 sq mi) and had a population of 1,046,168, with 58.3% of them living on Swiss territory, and 41.7% on French territory. In 2023, Geneva was ranked as the world's tenth most important financial centre by the Global Financial Centres Index, second in Europe behind London. In 2019, Geneva was ranked among the ten most liveable cities in the world by Mercer, alongside Zürich and Basel, as well as the thirteenth most expensive city in the world. In a UBS ranking of global cities in 2018, Geneva was ranked first for gross earnings, second most expensive, and fourth in purchasing power.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in Genève

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (Museum of Art and History) is the largest art museum in Geneva, Switzerland.

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Saint Pierre Cathedral is a historic church in Geneva, Switzerland. It was originally a Roman Catholic cathedral but became a …

Fondation Martin Bodmer

Fondation Martin Bodmer

The Bodmer Foundation (French: Fondation Bodmer) is a library and museum specialised in manuscripts and precious editions. It is located …

Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is a museum located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Musée des arts d'Extrême-Orient

Musée des arts d'Extrême-Orient

Musée d'ethnographie

Musée d'ethnographie

The Musée d'ethnographie de Genève ("Geneva Ethnography Museum") is one of the most important ethnographic museums in Switzerland.

Musée Voltaire

Musée Voltaire

The Institut et Musée Voltaire is a museum in Geneva dedicated to the life and works of Voltaire. The museum …

Musée international de la Réforme

Musée international de la Réforme

Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle

Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle

The Natural History Museum of Geneva (in French: Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genève) is a natural history museum in Geneva, …

Musée Rath

Musée Rath

The Musée Rath is an art museum in Geneva, used exclusively for temporary exhibitions. Its building is the oldest purpose-built …

Musée Ariana

Musée Ariana

The Musée Ariana, also known as the Musée suisse de la céramique et du verre (Swiss Museum of Ceramics and …

Musée Barbier-Mueller

Musée Barbier-Mueller

The Barbier-Mueller Museum, founded in 1977, is located at 10 rue Jean-Calvin, in Geneva, Switzerland. Its collection contains over 7,000 …

Patek Philippe Museum

Patek Philippe Museum

MAMCO

MAMCO

The MAMCO (French: Musée d'art moderne et contemporain, lit. 'Museum of Art Modern and Contemporary') is the contemporary art museum …

Marronnier Officiel

Marronnier Officiel

The Geneva official chestnut tree is a horse chestnut tree planted in Geneva, Switzerland. Every year, the tree is observed …

Musée d'histoire des sciences

Musée d'histoire des sciences

The Musée d'histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève (Museum of the History of Science of the City of …

Cloche de Shinagawa

Cloche de Shinagawa

Globe de la Science et de l'Innovation

Globe de la Science et de l'Innovation

The Globe of Science and Innovation is a visitor center, designed to inform visitors about the significant research being carried …

Jet d'eau

Jet d'eau

The Jet d'Eau (French pronunciation: [ʒɛ do], Water-Jet) is a large fountain in Geneva, Switzerland and is one of the …

Pierre du Niton

Pierre du Niton

The Pierres du Niton (French for Neptune's Stones) are two glacial erratics in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in Geneva harbor. On …

Begin Your Journey

Create a personalized itinerary and unlock the finest experiences Genève has to offer

Plan Your Trip