A weekend in Geneva: What to see, do and eat in Switzerland's buzzing city

On a warm, summer day, Geneva Lake’s clear blue (and beautifully clean) water is wonderfully appealing. Boats are aplenty or cool off with a swim in the designated areas.

Chic, artistic and conveniently located, Hotel N’vY is a great hotel to stay at. It’s a mere five-minute walk from the lake and has all the amenities you will need. Modern artworks line the walls – and there’s one incredibly impressive collection of guitars that previously owned to rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix. Rooms start from 200 CHF a night.

Switzerland is famous for its cheese, so it would be wrong to visit without trying the country’s famous dish. You can make your own at Restaurant Edelweiss (a rather hilariously over-the-top chalet-esque dining experience located in Hotel Edelweiss) and then eat it with chunks of bread while listening to the live band.

For a couple of hours of cultural, head to the Quartier des Bains. Here, there are multiple art galleries to peruse such as the Ribordy Gallery. Leave a good hour to wander around the prestigious modern art institute Mamco, which is housed in an old factory.

Geneva might be a very expensive destination, but there are multiple free perks. All summer long, outdoor cinemas, concerts and the like pop up all over the city for all to enjoy at no cost. CinéTransat, which runs for six weeks each summer in La Perle du Lac park allows BBQs, drinks and boasts a spectacular lakeside location. And don’t forget to spend some time viewing the spectacular Jet d’Eau – Geneva’s famous fountain.

With its towering old buildings (houses were built upwards to cope with the increasing population) and cobbled streets, the old town is picturesque and well worth a potter around. If you’re feeling energetic, head into the cathedral and climb the spiral staircase to the top for a wow-factor 360degree view. While in the old town, it’s also worth popping into the town hall museum opposite for a quick look at the model of how the city has grown.

The lively district of les Eaux-Vives is the place to go if you’re hankering after a Manhattan. Start your evening with dinner at L’Alma, an ultra cool Peruvian restaurant with plenty of atmosphere. Meals are fairly expensive – expect to pay around 35chf for a main – but you won’t leave hungry. After, head down the road for a drink at L’Atelier Cocktail Club or The Bottle Brothers.