Things to do in Geneva's Old Town

Geneva's Old Town sits on a low hill above the lake, a compact tangle of cobbled streets, small squares and a mix of Roman, medieval and 18th-century facades around St-Pierre Cathedral.

It's genuinely small: a couple of hours of unhurried walking covers it, not a full day, and there's no single sight that justifies the trip on its own — the appeal is wandering the lanes, stopping at a fountain or an antique shop, rather than ticking off one landmark. It's a short, flat-ish walk down to the lakefront and the Jet d'Eau from here, useful for linking the two on foot.

This is French-speaking Geneva: street signs, menus and shopfronts are in French, so a few basic phrases help. Aim to visit outside the coldest winter weeks, when outdoor cafe seating on the squares largely disappears.