My husband and I will be in Annecy for 3 days in late July. We thought it might be helpful if we took a 1-2 hour walking tour to get acquainted with Annecy. (we are staying at the Imperial Palace which is about a 30 min. walk to the center of the old town?) Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Posted by
West Coast
311 posts
I was there in late June last summer. I am not sure you need a private tour. The pedestrianized old town (I stayed there) is quite compact. I used the RS walking tour and it was about an hour, including lots of photo stops.
I highly suggest renting bikes (if you are physically able) and riding along the lake. There are also boat tours. And paddle boats! Which leads to:
The crowds! Are you there over a weekend, or during the week? I was there the former and by mid morning the already narrow streets were just thronged. I have never seen so many gelato options! So the lines for those combined with passersby created, for me, quite a claustrophobic vibe. There are also millions of some kind of gnats (or?) when you are close to the river.
At 7- 7:30 am it was very quiet and cooler, fewer gnats, and much better for photo opportunities. On the other hand, no restaurants were open. So I would suggest a very early start (breakfast at your hotel). Then either bikes or a boat tour when it starts to get crowded.
Are you using Annecy as a base for sightseeing in the region? I stayed two nights and for me, the two days could have been combined into the one very full day I describe above.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2617 posts
hey hey Lucy
we were in annecy in late september/early october 2019 for 6 nights. we loved it. eveyone has their own opinions, love it, it's okay, hate it. worth only one day, i think more is appropriate lots to see and do, i'm not here to say what's best only what we like about it.
gpsmycity.com/ annecy
couple self guided tours to download on your phone
getyourguide.com/ annecy
look at walking tours offered, yes it's a third party reseller your decision. we used them in few other cities and had no problem. scroll down looking for local platform that also offers walks
express walk with a local in 60 minutes
private walking tour with a local
annecycitytour.fr
check the tours offered on a bus, meeting was front of city center.
la rotisserie du thiou (17 paasage de I'eveche)
small hole in the wall, we had price fix fondue lunch outside table down alley near river. was fabulous
hope you're there during market days, tuesdays, fridays, sundays. go early
we also stopped at al vesuvio restaurant for calzones, salad & rose wine outside tables. was great to people watch
creperie ti mad (21 rue royale)
savory and sweet, eat great crepes, you have such a short time there but enjoy it.
boat rides on the lake, we came from geneva (2 nights) with a taxi then on train to paris for 8 days. if feet get tired we took a cab. staying at imperial palace, put some coins in the casino there. we went to casino in venice & amsterdam, it was fun
have a great trip to annecy, enjoy everything it offers
aloha