Geneva is a city that you’ve likely seen mentioned many times the history books. Not only is it one of Switzerland’s largest cities but it is also a global centre of diplomacy. As a result, Geneva has had a profound effect on both European and world history. Geneva also makes for a perfect vacation destination as it has a great mix of history, culture, shopping as well as food and drink. There are so many great things for history-lovers to see and do and below I have recommended 10 Historical Things to do in Geneva, Switzerland.
1. Explore the beautiful Vieille Ville (Old Town).
Geneva’s Old Town, also known as Vieille Ville, is filled with history and culture. Its cobblestone streets and historic buildings make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Within the Old Town, you’ll find a number of great restaurants, bars and shops. You can also visit the cathedral as well as the Art and History Museum. I always enjoy staying in the historic areas of a city and Geneva’s Old Town is a great spot to find accommodation. You’ll be walking distance to the waterfront as well as to many great restaurants in the evenings!
2. Visit Les Délices, the home of Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire.
If you’re interested in the Enlightenment, then the Voltaire Institute and Museum is a great place to visit. François-Marie Arouet, known more commonly as Voltaire, was one of the greatest thinkers of the French Enlightenment. While originally from France, he spent five years in Geneva after being banned from Paris by the French king. During the years 1755 to 1760 he lived at Les Délices, which is now a museum in his honour. The museum is a fascinating insight into the life and work of Voltaire and visitors can explore the rooms he lived in. The museum covers a few different things, including Voltaire’s life, the history of the house and also has an extensive library.
3. See the European headquarters of the United Nations.
One of the most popular attractions in Geneva is the United Nations Office. The office is the United Nation’s European headquarters and is housed in the historic Palais des Nations, which was built between 1929 and 1936 for the League of Nations. The outside of the building is a familiar sight and consists of two lines of flags from member states. If you have the time, I also highly recommend taking a tour inside the building, as you’ll see rooms such as The Council Chamber, which has been used by bodies such as the Security Council and the Conference on Disarmament. You’ll also see the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, where the Human Rights Council still meets today. It’s fascinating to be inside these rooms where some of the most significant events in history have been discussed and dealt with.
4. Try the deliciously cheesy dish, Raclette.
If you’re wanting to try a historical Swiss dish, it doesn’t get much better than Raclette. The name ‘”Raclette” comes from the Swiss French word “racler”, which means “to scrape”. It’s a type of cheese made from cow’s milk that is melted on a grill and then scraped off and enjoyed with potatoes, pickles, onions and often cold meats. It is believed that melted cheese dishes in the Alpine region date back to the 12th century and today is a popular dish found in many traditional Swiss restaurants in Geneva. There are too many great restaurants that serve Raclette to recommend just one, but if you’re looking for historical ambiance I recommend visiting one of the restaurants in Geneva’s Old Town.
5. Explore the origins of Calvinism at St. Pierre Cathedral.
St. Pierre Cathedral was built in the 12th century, but is most famously associated with John Calvin, as it was the place he preached in Geneva. It was initially a Roman Catholic church, but became a Protestant church during the 16th century Reformation. During the Reformation, many Catholic churches were stripped of anything decorative or idolatry and the bare, minimalist inside of St. Pierre’s Cathedral is a representation of this time in religious history. Inside the church, visitors can also see John Calvin’s Chair as well as the pulpit he preached from. Also, if you climb up to the north tower, you will be able to see a beautiful view over Geneva.
6. See the key figures of the Reformation at the Reformation Wall.
Historically, Geneva is strongly associated with the Reformation and the city was the centre of Calvinism during the 16th century. The Reformation Wall was erected in 1909 as a monument to the individuals who had a significant impact on the religious and political upheaval of the time. The Reformation Wall is located in the grounds of the University of Geneva and depicts the towering figures of John Calvin (founder of Calvinism), Theodore Beza (who later succeeded John Calvin as leader of the Protestant Reformation), William Farrel (founder of the Calvinist Church) and John Knox (founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland), as well as others. Whether or not you’re a fan of religious history the monument is an impressive site and worth seeing for the significant role Geneva played in shaping modern Christianity.
7. Take a day trip out to Lake Geneva.
Lake Geneva provides a scenic escape from the city and is great for either a day or afternoon trip. There are beautiful towns and cities along the lake and each have interesting histories. For fans of music history, I would highly recommend a trip to Montreux, which can be reached by train in just over an hour from Geneva. Montreux was a rock ‘n’ roll musical hub where a number of famous musicians recorded. Most famously, the fire in 1971 at the Montreux Casino inspired the Deep Purple song “Smoke on the Water“. Montreux is also where Queen singer Freddie Mercury spent a lot of time and he is memorialized with a statue looking out over the lake.
To learn more about visiting Montreux see Finding Freddie Mercury in Montreux, Switzerland.
8. Explore the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum.
9. Delve into Enlightenment literature at Rousseau’s House.
One of Geneva’s most famous historical citizens is the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau was born in Geneva in 1712 and would go on to become a key thinker of the Enlightenment. His most famous work, The Social Contract is still studied around the world in philosophy, history, sociology and politics courses. Today, visitors to the city can see the six-storey house in which Rousseau was born. The museum gives an insight into his life and is also a tribute to his influential literature.
10. Explore the history of Swiss watchmaking.
The city of Geneva is well known for prestigious watchmaking, the practice of which dates back to the mid-16th century. It is believed luxury watchmaking began with John Calvin, who banned the wearing of jewelry in the 16th century. This made things difficult for goldsmiths because it ultimately hurt their business. They were forced to find another means of business and instead of producing jewelry, they decided to decorate watches with luxury materials instead. Today, you can visit a number of fine watchmaker shops, or even visit the Patek Philippe Museum, which covers five centuries of watchmaking.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.