Your ultimate guide to things to do in Geneva – from the lakeside city’s best restaurants and shops to museums and sightseeing It includes all the public transport in the city of Geneva and a ride into town from the airport. You can even take a direct train from Zurich to Geneva, and you’ll arrive at the lakeside city in less than three hours. Geneva is connected to all the major cities in Switzerland by trains and buses, so traveling to the city should be very simple. Chillon Castle is easily accessible from the town, and it boasts underground vaults, a museum, and stunning lake views.

Old town of Geneva

The passage also connects to an open-air pedestrianized shopping street, leading down to the lake. There is a direct connection between Milan and Geneva, traversing the Alps through the Simplon massif four times a day. There is a direct service from Geneva to Paris (570 km) with a journey time of three hours seven times per day, as well as a direct service to Lyon (2 hr), Avignon (3 hr), Marseille (3.5 hr) and Nice (6.5 hr).

Gourmet cruises on Lake Geneva

In September 2021, it was announced that the company had acquired Takelessons, an online platform that connects students and tutors in numerous subjects. The public cloud computing platform provides access to quantum software and quantum hardware including trapped ion, neutral atom, and superconducting systems. On September 21, 2020, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire video game company ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, for about $7.5 billion, with the deal expected to occur in the second half of 2021 fiscal year. In February 2019, hundreds of Microsoft employees protested the company’s war vegas casino apk profiteering from a $480 million contract to develop virtual reality headsets for the United States Army. In the same month, Microsoft announced the open source implementation of Windows Forms and the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) which will allow for further movement of the company toward the transparent release of key frameworks used in developing Windows desktop applications and software. In May 2016, the company announced it was laying off 1,850 workers, and taking an impairment and restructuring charge of $950 million.

“Protestant Rome”

The announcement came a day after hosting a Sting concert for 50 people, including Microsoft executives, in Davos, Switzerland. Microsoft also named Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox brand since 2014, the inaugural CEO of the newly established Microsoft Gaming division, which now houses the Xbox operations team and the three publishers in the company’s portfolio (Xbox Game Studios, ZeniMax Media, Activision Blizzard). In the same month, Microsoft acquired Australia-based video editing software company Clipchamp.

On July 2, 2025, Microsoft announced it would cut nearly 4% of its workforce, around 9,000 jobs, to control costs amid heavy AI infrastructure spending, while also restructuring management and streamlining operations. The company previously restructured operations in Russia in June 2022 after being significantly impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but stated those restructuring efforts have failed. On February 28, 2025, Microsoft announced that Skype would be shutting down on May 5, 2025, to streamline its focus on Microsoft Teams.

It launched an alliance with Nokia in 2011 and Microsoft worked closely with the company to co-develop Windows Phone, but remained partners with long-time Windows Mobile OEM HTC. On February 12, 2009, Microsoft announced its intent to open a chain of Microsoft-branded retail stores, and on October 22, 2009, the first retail Microsoft Store opened in Scottsdale, Arizona; the same day Windows 7 was officially released to the public. Gates retired from his role as Chief Software Architect on June 27, 2008, a decision announced in June 2006, while retaining other positions related to the company in addition to being an advisor for the company on key projects. Microsoft moved its headquarters from Bellevue to Redmond, Washington, on February 26, 1986, and went public with an initial public offering (IPO) at the NASDAQ exchange on March 13, with the resulting rise in stock making an estimated four billionaires and 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Microsoft entered the operating system (OS) business in 1980 with its own version of Unix, licensed from AT&T Corporation a year before, called Xenix, but it was MS-DOS that solidified the company’s dominance. In August 1977, the company formed an agreement with ASCII Magazine in Japan, resulting in its first international office of ASCII Microsoft.

Marketing Manager jobs

Commodity trading is sustained by a strong trade finance sector, with large banks such as BCGE, BCP, BNP Paribas, BCV, Crédit Agricole, Credit Suisse, ING, Société Générale, and UBS, all having their headquarters in the area for this business. Other major commodities traded in the canton include steel, electricity, or coffee. Founded in 1954, CERN was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and has developed as the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

What to do in Geneva for one day?

In 2023 Microsoft consumed 24 TWh of electricity, more than countries such as Iceland, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, or Tunisia. In January 2020, the company announced a strategy to take the company carbon negative by 2030 and to remove all carbon that it has emitted since its foundation in 1975. In February 2010, however, Microsoft took a stance against adding additional public transport and high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to the State Route 520 and its floating bridge connecting Redmond to Seattle; the company did not want to delay the construction any further. In 2011, Greenpeace released a report rating the top ten big brands in cloud computing on the sources of electricity for their data centers.

If you’re staying in the city in the summer and need a break from the heat, Bains des Pâquis is the place to be. Keep reading if you need help planning your trip to this wonderful city, because this detailed guide to top things to do in Geneva covers everything you might need to plan your stay! Beautiful views of Lake Geneva, some of Switzerland’s best museums, luxury shopping, and an incredibly rich history are just some of the highlights of a trip to Geneva. It’s the city for everyone, whether you’re into parties, fashion, food, history, culture, adventure sports, or science. Geneva is international. Navigate to myswitzerland.com

  • Carouge is a small hamlet just 15 minutes away from central Geneva by train, and it’s the perfect place to go if you need a change of scenery for a couple of hours.
  • Finally in 2012 the Projet d’agglomération franco-valdo-genevois was renamed Grand Genève (‘Greater Geneva’), and the following year it was transformed into a Local Grouping of Transnational Cooperation fr (GLCT), a public entity under Swiss law, which now serves as the executive body of the Grand Genève.
  • A developer preview was released on September 13, which was subsequently replaced by a consumer preview on February 29, 2012, and released to the public in May.
  • In 2011 work started on the CEVA rail (Cornavin – Eaux-Vives – Annemasse) project, first planned in 1884, which will connect Cornavin with the Cantonal hospital, Eaux-Vives railway station and Annemasse, in France.
  • It’s the largest museum in the city, with exhibits covering everything from prehistoric to modern times.

Known as L’Horloge Fleurie in the nation’s native French, this “living” timepiece first started ticking in 1955. Anyone planning a trip to Geneva has probably seen a photo of the city’s iconic Flower Clock, which can be found in the Jardin Anglais, or English Garden. For both dedicated collectors and those who are merely interested in the world of haute horlogerie, this museum is a must-stop that provides a wealth of information in a cultured setting. In addition to viewing actual timepieces, guests can tour an exhibit that features 19th-century watchmaking desks and tools.

History

Started in 1839 as Patek, Czapek & Co., this brand remains family-owned and deeply committed to making luxury timepieces. Since it opened its doors in 1865, the Beau-Rivage Genève has been one of this Swiss city’s most storied addresses. For the most in-depth experience of the Red Cross Museum, first-time guests should consider reserving a one-hour guided tour. In addition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, such as a collection by Guatemalan artist Angélica Serech that is available through August 2026. The museum itself uses interactive exhibits and special events to spread awareness about numerous causes. For first-time visitors, this is a must-see Geneva destination that offers a rare first-hand glimpse of how world affairs are overseen on a daily basis.

Geneva has a huge number of restaurants for a city its size, and the international community means there’s more variety than you’ll find in most Swiss cities. The tram line 18 runs to the CERN campus from Cornavin station in downtown. There are several English language universities in Geneva, mostly focusing on international business and relations.

How many days should I spend in Geneva?

The city is very international, which can be observed in the variety of its restaurants. The museum spans three floors of exhibits and it covers nearly 500 years of watchmaking history with extravagant, unique timepieces. Geneva is home to so many museums that I had a very tough time narrowing the list of best ones to visit to just seven, most of which are included in the Geneva City Pass.

Geneva is a global city, an international financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy, which has led to it being called the “Peace Capital”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For developers, LinkedIn provides an API that allows programmatic access to user data and functionalities. Some users may maintain multiple LinkedIn accounts for various purposes (e.g., personal vs. professional branding, different business units). In her spare time, Kilman enjoys hiking and traveling to new locations with her family. She was born and raised in California and graduated with a degree in public relations.

You can also take city bus E along the eastern shore of Lake Geneva to the village of Hermance, which has a beach, a tower that can be visited and old houses typical for the region. If you arrive late and are willing to spend that it makes sense to look at the automated hotel board in the train station to find the nearest vacancy. Hundreds, many right around the central Cornavin train station offer a pretty standard rate of Fr. There are many budget spots located around the train station and in the nearby Paquis district, or near rue de l’Ecole de Médecine off Plaine de Plainpalais. Additionally, it can be quite difficult to find food on Sunday night, so it might be worth planning ahead or just visiting the more touristy region near the train station.

  • For a list of the largest groups of foreign residents see the cantonal overview.
  • The entire place is absolutely wonderful and a great destination for travelers who want a quick break from the city crowds but don’t necessarily want to travel too far outside Geneva.
  • In September 2024, BlackRock and Microsoft announced a $30 billion fund, the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, to invest in AI infrastructure such as data centers and energy projects.
  • In 2011, Greenpeace released a report rating the top ten big brands in cloud computing on the sources of electricity for their data centers.
  • For lower hotel prices, try the outlying French cities of Annemasse or Gaillard which are conveniently accessible via public transit from Gare Cornavin.

To hitchhike to the direction of Lyon and Paris (South-West, West, North-West) take the bus 29 to stop Blandonnet. To hitchhike to the direction of Chamonix and Turin (South-East) take bus 27 towards Thônex-Vallard-Douane and go to the end of the line. (Hitchhiking on the on-ramp is illegal. Your best bet is usually to try to get a ride at one of the gas station/restaurants on the autoroute itself.) To hitchhike to the direction of Lausanne (North) take bus number 29 towards Gare Zimeysa and step out at stop Blandonnet.

By public transportation

It has been criticized for its monopolistic practices, and the company’s software received criticism for problems with ease of use, robustness, and security. In April 2019, Microsoft became the third public U.S. company to be valued at over $1 trillion. Under Nadella’s direction, the company has expanded its video gaming business to support the Xbox brand, establishing the Microsoft Gaming division in 2022 and the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2023. It is worth noting that, at the time of publication, the Palais des Nations is undergoing renovations that may impact its tour schedule. There are a variety of different cruise experiences on Lake Geneva — including lunchtime cruise options and daylong cruises that will allow you to admire many of the amazing attractions the Alps have to offer.

In April 2024, it was announced that Microsoft would be opening a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence ‘hub’ around Paddington in London, England. In 2016, the company bought the 32-acre (13 ha) campus, with plans to renovate and expand it by 25%. The company is planning to upgrade its Mountain View, California, campus on a grand scale. Additional offices are located in Bellevue and Issaquah, Washington (90,000 employees worldwide).

The remaining needs (57%) are covered by imports from other cantons in Switzerland or other European countries; SIG buys only electricity produced by renewable methods, and in particular does not use electricity produced using nuclear reactors or fossil fuels. In addition, 13% of the electricity produced in the Canton is from the burning of waste at the waste incineration facility of Les Cheneviers. 30% of the Canton’s electricity needs is locally produced, mainly by three hydroelectric dams on the Rhône (Seujet, Verbois and Chancy-Pougny).