Lake Geneva has always attracted people from all around the globe. Percy and Mary Shelley, and Lor Byron wrote their ghost stories there together, Charlie Chaplin spent his final years in Vevey, on the shores of or in view of the lake lived Freddie Mercury, Vladimir Nabokov, David Bowie and Audrey Hepburn – this region undoubtedly is magical. Part of the lake belongs to France, but the best way to enjoy it is to begin in Geneva, Switzerland. If you want to be truly taken by the beauty of landscapes and an amazing atmosphere, you should consider hiring a car. Thanks to that, you’ll be able to constantly admire the views during the most beautiful scenic drives. You don’t need to drive your own car all the way to Switzerland, though. If you land on the Geneva Airport, you can approach Rhino Car Hire, rent a car and be the master of your own vacation, coming and going whenever and wherever you want. And what is there to see except for breathtaking landscapes?

Geneva

Since the lake is called Geneva and you land on the Geneva Airport, it’s worth staying for a while to explore the city of Geneva.

  • CERN is an absolute must-see – you don’t have to be good at physics to genuinely enjoy it and if you choose the right time, you can even go inside the Large Hadron Collider.
  • Jet d’Eau is one of the tallest fountains in the world. It’s an unmissable attraction – quite literally as it’s hard not to see it. 
  • Palais des Nations is a home office of the United Nations. The building may not look too impressive, but what’s going on inside makes it another must-see on your list. 
  • Jardin Botanique – there you can enjoy the view (and amazing scents) of over 12,000 species of all kinds of plants. Everything is grouped according to the region so you can relax and learn something at the same time.
  • Old Town is a perfect place for a stroll. Start in the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the oldest in the city, and enjoy the surroundings of old architecture, bars, galleries and cafes.
  • St. Pierre Cathedral is over 850 years old and from one of its towers, you can admire a wonderful view of the city.
  • Salève is a mountain that actually belongs to France, but it’s very close to Geneva and from the top, you have the most beautiful view of the city, the lake and surrounding mountains. You can climb it on your own or use a cable car.

Lausanne

About 60km northeast of Geneva, on the shores of the lake, there is the 4th biggest city in Switzerland – Lausanne. It’s home to the International Olympic Committee and numerous other sport associations.

  • Cathédrale de Notre Dame – it’s located at the heart of the Old Town and many people say it’s the most beautiful cathedral in Switzerland. It’s almost 800 years old and it’s famous for the beautiful, rose window.
  • Parc de Mon-Repos is not an ordinary park. There’s an aviary with over 70 species of birds to see, an orange grove, a waterfall and a neo-Gothic tower. The park hosts many different events during the summer.
  • Collection de l’Art Brut – is an unusual gallery displaying the art of people from prisons, orphanages, asylums and many other places where you’d think there’s no place for art. 
  • The Olympic Museum is a modern, interactive museum that presents you the history of the Olympics, all of the previous Olympic Torches and pieces of equipment that belonged to the winners.

Vevey-Montreux

At the foot of the Alps, there are two small towns that function as one, not so big agglomeration.

  • Château de Chillon – there’s a reason why it’s the most frequently visited historical building in Switzerland and a subject of one of Lord Byron’s poems. It may not be an interactive museum, but it certainly has an amazing atmosphere. 
  • Promenade looks most beautiful in the spring, but you can enjoy it all year round. It’s perfect if you want to breathe fresh air and admire the view of the lake.
  • Queen: The Studio Experience – Freddie Mercury not only had a house there; the whole Queen band recorded their most famous songs in the Montreux Mountain Studios where now you can see a lot of band memorabilia. There’s even a statue of Freddie in his most famous pose placed by the waterfront.
  • Chaplin’s World – in Charlie Chaplin’s former house in Vevey, now there’s the only museum in the world wholly dedicated to the artist. Recorded performances, wax figures, home movies, recreations of film stages – all of that makes it an unforgettable experience, even if you’re not a fan.

These attractions are only the tip of the iceberg of everything that you can see around Lake Geneva, not to mention the breathtaking surroundings everywhere you go. So don’t waste any more time and plan your very own Swiss adventure.