Boats sailing on the Lake Geneva surrounded by mountains, Geneva
Boats sailing on the Lake Geneva surrounded by mountains, Geneva

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)

Free admission
Geneva

The basics

The western extremity of the lake is dominated by the city of Geneva, while the towns of Lausanne and Montreux lie on the northern and eastern shores, respectively. Day trips from these Swiss hot spots make it easy to explore landmarks along the shores of the lake like the medieval bastion of Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon)

Visitors can soak up the scenery on a Lake Geneva boat ride, ride the GoldenPass Panoramic train into the Swiss Alps, take a Geneva sightseeing tour, or hop over the French border to explore Annecy, Chamonix, or Mont Blanc.

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Geneva and Annecy Tour With Optional Lake Geneva Cruise
Geneva and Annecy Tour With Optional Lake Geneva Cruise
$130.19 per adult
Traveler Favorite
All good except lake cruise
Annecy is nice but too crowded. Our guide Gabriel was fantastic. Unfortunately, the lake cruise was boring.
YanQing_T, May 2024

Things to know before you go

  • The lake is surrounded by stunning surrounding flora and elegantly manicured gardens framed by the Swiss Alps and famous peak of Mont Blanc so bring your camera.

  • Lake Geneva is located in French-speaking Switzerland.

  • Many Lake Geneva cruise line boats and trains are wheelchair accessible, but it's best to check with operators in advance.

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How to get there

Lake Geneva is located at the southwestern tip of Switzerland, with its southern shore lying in French territory. Paddle steamers and speedboats traverse the length and breadth of Lake Geneva, stopping at lakeside towns, while commuter trains travel the length of the Swiss shore and connect Geneva and Lausanne with other cities around Switzerland. Guided tours leave from Geneva to explore lakeside towns and attractions. The main international airport is in Geneva.

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When to get there

Lake Geneva is one of Switzerland's top vacation destinations—especially during summer and Christmas. While summer visitors come to vacation in the Swiss Riviera, hike in the Alps, and enjoy boat cruises and water sports on the lake, winter travelers can hit the ski slopes or visit the famous Montreux Christmas Market.

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The villages of Lake Geneva

Geneva and Lausanne make strategic bases for exploring the lake, but the real highlight of Lake Geneva is the atmospheric lakeside villages. Visit Chillon Castle in Montreux, enjoy wine tasting in the Lavaux vineyard terraces, attend the weekly market in Vevey, or journey up to the mountaintop town of Gruyeres, famous for its cheese.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)?