In which quarter house in Geneva?

Looking for accommodation to visit Geneva, which is surnamed Protestant Rome? Discover with us in which district to stay in Geneva!

The second most populous city in Switzerland after Zurich, in an enclave between Haute-Savoie, the Ain – French side – and Lake Geneva, Geneva figures every year on the list of the most enjoyable cities to live in the world. It is also one of the most expensive in the world and finding accommodation to sleep in Geneva is likely to be complicated, unless the price is high. European headquarters of 23 major international institutions – United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, 250 Non-Governmental Organizations, International Committee of the Red Cross, European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva hosts 202 144 inhabitants (June 2017).

The city with its iconic water jet , 140 meters high, is built on the south shores of Lake Geneva, and is subdivided into four sections – the City, Plainpalais, Eaux-Vives and Petit-Saconnex -, or arrondissements, including more than thirty neighborhoods with different atmospheres. This is in which quarter to stay in Geneva.

La Cité-Centre

As often, the city centre of a multicultural metropolis is the best place to stay. In Geneva, historical monuments, the remnants of Time that pass where modern buildings cohabit, are concentrated in the city centre. It is also in this area that you will find most bars where the young people come to enjoy themselves. The offer of accommodation is the most abundant, from the apartment to the room in the living room to the hotel or even the renting of a boat on the Quays of Leman, but the rents will be very high (up to 3500 Swiss francs per month!).

On the upper city, Saint-Pierre Cathedral dominates the city centre and is surrounded by large green spaces: Parc des Bastions, Promenade de la Treille, Parc de l’Observatoire, Promenade du Pin, Parc du Museum d’Histoire Naturelle, le Jardin Anglais and l’Horloge Fleurie, on the docks. In the lower town, you will find the most commercial streets: rue de la Confédération, rue du Marché, rue de la Croix-d’Or, rue de Rive, rue du Rhône. Restaurants, cafes, bars, luxury boutiques for chic shopping... To stay in Geneva, this central area will be ideal, but also very tourist and very expensive.

Plainpalais

Choose to sleep in Plainpalais if you are with your family: this district where to stay in Geneva was formed on the marshes of Palais, between the Rhone and the Arve. It will bring a tranquility to its visitors, a good quality of life a few minutes from the city centre. Don't miss the flea market on Plainpalais, to glean with local vegetable, vegetables, spices, specialities in the canton of Valais, breads, meat and cheese. It is a lively and quiet area at a time, pleasant to walk along the docks and boulevards. The rental of an apartment will be a very good accommodation formula, to avoid ruining at the restaurant or hotel every day.

Le Petit-Saconnex

On the northern shores of the Rhone and Leman, on the other side of the Eaux-Vives district, the Petit-Saconnex retained its old campagnard soul before its annexation to the territory of Geneva. In fact, we find the aspects of rurality as we are in full in the City of Peace. Accommodation offers are abundant and this area where to stay is a good drop for anyone who wishes to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere close to the nerve centre of Geneva. Enjoy the Promenade des Crêts, the Jardin de la Paix, a glass on the terrace on the Place du Petit-Saconnex, Parc Vermont. After your walk, cross the train station area and join the Wilson dock to visit an institution in Geneva: Parc Mon Repos, Parc Barton, and especially the Jardin Botanique. Choose to rent accommodation in this area if you are looking for calm.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Dennis Jarvis