Why Geneva

Picture yourself in the centre of Geneva. Take a deep breath, fill your lungs with fresh air as you are in the city of nature! Admire Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe. Fancy a swim in its inviting water? Or why not discover the 310 hectares of parks, perfect for pushchairs, picnics, athletes and those who just want to escape from it all. Now look up and you will find the third largest vineyard in Switzerland, just a few minutes away. The vineyard stretches as far as the eye can see and disappears into the peaceful countryside. And to top it all, less than an hour away, the rooftop of Europe: Mont Blanc. Can you hear the echo of the Alps? Now, slowly breathe out, and admire a city that takes care of itself, its natural heritage, and, above all, you.
 

The city that nurtures nature

Blue, white and green; we’re proud of the true colours of Geneva! The blue of the surrounding water, a true source of energy. The white of the Alps reflected in the whites of our eyes. And the green of the countryside and vineyards, just beyond the city limits.

Search Geneva in Google Maps... Notice anything? Along with the size of Lake Geneva, the keenest of eyes will spot that the parks and green spaces cover more than 20% of the city, making trees one of the city’s biggest populations!

Nature that puts you through your paces

Sail on the lake, raft along the river Arve, go fishing, stroll through the Old Town, go for a run along the water’s edge or in the parks, take a drive through the vineyards, fly over the countryside, tame a mountain summit, glide across the snow… Phew! Remember to take some time out to relax!
Whether international or local, in summer or winter, on water or on land, sport in Geneva is always on the menu.

A welcoming city with a high quality of life

Geneva is one of the flagships of Swiss quality of life. The city welcomes you wherever you find yourself: in its green oases, from the bustling terraces lining the streets to the rooftops looking out over the Alps, from Lake Geneva’s revitalising water to the relaxing waters of the city's spas... With Geneva’s “Boutique Town” spirit, everything is within reach.
Here, sustainability is no fad; it’s a way of life. Supplied with 100% renewable energy, the city has developed an ambitious programme to meet environmental challenges by 2030, and is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, driven by projects such as GENILAC and its ecological thermal network. All of these strategies are centred on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN in September 2015.

If peace were a country, Geneva would be its capital. If the world were looking for a safe haven, Geneva would open its doors wide. Geneva is the vibrant showcase of a country that is multicultural and multilingual. It lives and breathes the word “international”. For a city so modest in size, it’s hard to believe that you will find not only the European headquarters of the United Nations but also the headquarters for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the WTO, 38 international organisations, the Broken Chair, a monumental symbol of the fight against anti-personnel mines, and more than 400 NGOs. Geneva also boasts more than 180 types of cuisine from all around the world: the same as the number of nationalities found in the city. From Geneva, you can experience the entire world.