We have only one night in Switzerland and although we're arriving in Geneva, I'm wondering if we should skip spending the night in the city and head out to Lausanne for the night instead?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
In the opinion of Rick and other staff here, big-city Geneva has none of the charm of the smaller towns. We would definitely prefer to continue over to Lausanne for the night.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
They are both nice in their own way. Geneva is more of a big town...down by the lake and in the old town it's really nice though. Lots of good walking streets and the promenade along the lakefront is beautiful. Spectacular cathedral and lots of antique shops and restaurants in the surrounding old section of the city. Lausanne has more of a big village feel - it's arranged up and down some fairly steep hills with winding streets. The cathedral near the top of the town is beautiful and the views from the terrace in the front of it are amazing. You might also consider Vevey or Montreux, just a little further east along the lakeshore from Lausanne. Both are also very nice and French/Swiss feeling - you really can't stay in a bad place along the shores of Lake Geneva!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Bon voyage! (This came up for reply again.)