Must-See Cultural Hotspots in Geneva, Switzerland

St Pierre's Cathedral , Geneva, Switzerland.
St Pierre's Cathedral , Geneva, Switzerland. Photo by Anokhi De Silva on Unsplash

With four official languages, world-famous natural attractions such as the Alps, and plenty of local produce such as chocolates and cheese, Switzerland is a hub of culture and history. Perhaps no other city is as strong an example of Swiss tradition as Geneva. Here are some of the must-see hotspots that you should check out in Geneva to fully immerse yourself in Swiss culture.

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Built in 1150, this Gothic church, perhaps no other historical site captures Geneva’s religious past like this Romanesque church. The Temple de Saint-Pierre was a central site in Switzerland’s Protestant Transformation and is home to ancient archeological excavations including Roman mosaics and two 4th-century Christian sanctuaries.

Old Town

In addition to being one of the oldest sites in Switzerland, the Old Town of Geneva is actually one of the largest old towns remaining in Europe. Over 2,000 years old, the streets of this historic neighborhood include sites such as Place du Bourg de Four, the oldest city square in Geneva, as well as the International Museum of the Reformation.

Palais des Nations

Of every major city on the entire earth, it was Geneva that was selected to house one of the most important headquarters belonging to the United Nations. Originally constructed in 1930 for the UN’s predecessor, the League of Nations, the Palais des Nations is awash with flags from across the world. You may also arrive in time to catch an intergovernmental meeting on site.