Geneva
City in Switzerland
Geneva is a city in Switzerland with a population of about 209,000. It is located 129 km from the capital, Bern, and is known for international institutions and landmarks like the Jet d'Eau.
What to see
The city features several significant landmarks. The Jet d'Eau is a prominent water feature. Visitors interested in international affairs can visit the Palace of Nations and the United Nations Office at Geneva. Historical and cultural points of interest include St. Pierre Cathedral and the Villa Diodati. Other notable locations include the Brunswick Monument, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the Musée Ariana, the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, and the Natural History Museum of Geneva.
When to go
Summer months from June to August offer the warmest weather, with daily highs between 22 °C and 25 °C. While May and June see higher rainfall frequencies, July and August have fewer rainy days. Winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing in January, February, and December, and daily highs reaching only 6 °C or 7 °C.
Getting there
Geneva International Airport is located 5 km from the city center. The city is 129 km from Bern.
Top sights in Geneva
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 25 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 6 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| Average low, °C | -2 | -1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 2 | -1 |
| Rainfall, mm | 84 | 72 | 84 | 80 | 98 | 89 | 81 | 86 | 100 | 112 | 94 | 106 |
| Rainy days | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Geneva (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Brunswick Monument
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
- Musée Ariana
- Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
- Natural History Museum of Geneva