Geneva Sightseeing, Tier by Tier
Most of Geneva’s classic sights cost nothing to look at and a specific, tiered price to go inside; knowing which tier applies avoids a surprise at the ticket window.
Jet d’Eau
Free to view from any harbor quay, and free to walk out toward on the Jetée des Eaux-Vives pier in calm weather. The fountain shoots 500 liters a second to 140 meters at 200 km/h, and shuts down automatically in a strong bise wind or freezing temperatures, so it’s worth checking before a special trip.
St. Pierre Cathedral
Construction began around 1160; the Reformation that made it Calvin’s home church came four centuries later, in the 16th century. The nave is free. Climbing the north and south towers, 157 steps, costs CHF 7 adult, CHF 5 reduced, CHF 4 youth (7-16); the archaeological crypt beneath is a separate CHF 8 adult, CHF 4 reduced or child; combined towers-plus-crypt is CHF 12 adult, CHF 8 reduced, CHF 7 youth.
Palais des Nations
Guided tour only, booked at ungeneva.org : CHF 25 adult, CHF 22 student, senior or disabled, CHF 14 ages 14-17, CHF 13 ages 6-13. A physical passport or national ID is required at the Pregny gate. Search Geneva UN and city tour combinations on GetYourGuide .
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire
The MAH’s main building, at Rue Charles-Galland, is a monumental 1910 Beaux-Arts construction. The permanent collection, spanning roughly 4,000 years, is free every day.
Old Town and Place du Bourg-de-Four
Geneva’s oldest public square, built over a former Roman forum, centers on an 18th-century fountain; its bistros are priced for tourists, so check a menu before sitting down. Maison Tavel, rebuilt in 1334 and Geneva’s oldest private residence, is free and houses the Magnin Relief, a large-scale model of the pre-1850 fortified city.
Lake Geneva, both banks
Walk or cycle the shoreline promenades for free, or take a CGN paddle-steamer harbor cruise for CHF 20 adult on the one-hour Geneva Tour route.
The verdict
Free viewing covers the Jet d’Eau, the cathedral nave, MAH’s permanent collection and both lakeshores; budget separately, and in the right currency, CHF, not EUR, for the towers, the UN tour and a cruise. Compare Old Town hotels in Geneva on Booking.com . See the Geneva walking tours guide for a route stringing several of these together on foot.
Before you go
Bring a passport or ID card if the UN tour is on your list; nothing else on this page requires one.