Lake Geneva… What a spectacular place! During our 7-week stay in Thonon-les-Bains, we were lucky enough to live just a few steps from its shores and enjoy lake views from our terrace every single day. To this day, we still remember waking up to those breathtaking views and admiring lovely sunsets in the evenings. It never got old!
The area around Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) is packed with incredible scenery and charming towns, located on both the Swiss and French sides. From peaceful lakeside villages to dramatic mountain backdrops, there’s so much to explore! Keep reading, we’ll show you our pics of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva.
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About Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, or Lac Léman in French, is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, shared between Switzerland (60%) and France (40%). It’s 73km long, 15km wide, 310m at the deepest point, and has 156 kilometers of shoreline.
Lake is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts – sailing, kayaking, kayak-rafting, paddleboarding, canoeing, water skiing, or just swimming… It’s all there! Even without a license, there’s a possibility to rent a small boat and enjoy the views from a different perspective.
Lake Geneva FAQ
Lake Geneva stretches across a truly captivating region, offering spectacular scenery on both the French and Swiss sides. It’s honestly hard to pick a favorite—both sides have their own unique charm! But if you’re chasing those picture-perfect views, we recommend heading to the Swiss side, especially around Vevey and Lausanne. The combination of the lake, vineyards, and Alpine backdrop is simply unforgettable!
That’s a tough one! And the answer definitely will depend on your personal preferences. As for us, our personal favorites are Vevey, Evian-les-Bains, and Lausanne.
The full loop around Lake Geneva is about 180km long, and you can drive it by car or bike (Tour du Lac Léman). The trip by car, without stopping, should take about 3 hours (though with all the scenic viewpoints and charming towns along the way, you’ll definitely want to pause!), and 6-8 hours by bike (depending on your pace and how often you stop). To learn more about Tour du Lac Leman, visit the alltrails.com website.
Places to visit around Lake Geneva – Swiss side
Vevey
Vevey is a charming little town that completely stole our hearts and left us speechless. Without a doubt, it’s our number one place around Lake Geneva. Along the waterfront, there is a long promenade perfect for relaxing strolls, doing sports, or simply sitting on a bench. All of that with unforgettable, and almost unreal, views of the Alps! But there’s more to Vevey than just the scenery – there you’ll also find a charming old town lined with colorful buildings, small boutique shops, art galleries, cozy restaurants, and hotels.
Lausanne
Lausanne is another amazing place to visit around Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It surprised us with its beauty and one of the most stunning views over the Alps we’ve seen so far. But Lausanne offers much more than just breathtaking scenery! There’s you’ll also find a charming old town full of beautiful historic buildings and plenty of cozy cafés and restaurants. There are also interesting museums perfect for art lovers, and an Olympic Museum, which is a real treat for sports enthusiasts.
Geneva
You simply can’t visit Lake Geneva without stopping by its namesake city, Geneva. This Swiss city is best known for its wealth, banking, diplomacy, watchmaking, luxury shops, pretty landscapes, and iconic Jet d’Eau water jet. Geneva is also home to CERN, numerous international organizations, and a long tradition of banking. It’s recognized as one of the most expensive and wealthiest cities in the world. But Geneva has a lot to offer visitors, too! From elegant lakeside promenades and world-class museums to vibrant shopping streets and scenic parks, there’s no shortage of things to do. You definitely won’t get bored in this amazing place on Lake Geneva shores.
Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle (fr. Château de Chillon) is one of the most iconic landmarks on Lake Geneva, located not far from Montreux. It’s a well-preserved island castle located on the small island of Chillon, looking like something straight out of a fairytale! Chillon Castle offers breathtaking Alpine views, a dramatic lakeside setting, and a rich, centuries-long history – no wonder it attracts thousands of visitors every year! If you feel like stepping back in time to the Middle Ages, Chillon Castle is a great place to do that.
Places to visit around Lake Geneva – French side
Evian-les Bains
Evian-Les-Bains, or simply Evian, is a small and elegant spa town most famous for its Evian mineral water, which can be bought in shops in most countries around the world. But don’t worry, there’s so much more to this lovely town than just water. With its scenic lakeside location, close proximity to the Alps, soothing thermal baths, and plenty of water sports opportunities, Evian-les-Bains is the perfect place to relax and recharge. Add to that a colorful old town, a long promenade ideal for strolls, and peaceful vibes, and you’ve got one of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva that’s hard to resist.
Yvoire
Yvoire is a picturesque medieval village that will transport you back in time hundreds of years. Despite the fact that the village is more than 700 years old, it has preserved its wonderful medieval vibe with stone houses and wooden balconies brightly decorated with colorful flowers. Yvoire is also recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). It’s a true gem that offers a magical mix of history, beauty, and peaceful lakeside views. We quickly fell in love with this village, and we’re pretty sure you will too!
Thonon-les-Bains
Thonon-les-Bains, or just Thonon, is another delightful spa town located along the French shores of Lake Geneva. Once the capital of the historic Chablais region, it’s now a popular year-round destination thanks to its lakeside location, proximity to the Alps, and laid-back vibe. What makes Thonon even more special is that it’s part of the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, a remarkable natural area stretching between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, known for its stunning landscapes and geological heritage. It’s a lovely place on Lake Geneva shores, perfect to unwind and connect with nature.
Explore local attractions
More places to visit around Lake Geneva
If you are hungry for even more spectacular views and charming towns, here are a few more places around Lake Geneva that look worth visiting (all located on the Swiss side). Unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance to explore them yet, but based on our research and the photos we’ve seen, they deserve a spot on your itinerary!
Montreux
Montreux is a charming resort town known for its elegant vibe, stunning scenery, and deep connection to music. It became world-famous thanks to Freddie Mercury, who lived here and recorded six albums with Queen. Montreux is also home to a lovely lakeside promenade, grand Belle Époque architecture, the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival, and some art galleries, museums, and spa facilities.
Nyon
Nyon is a small lakeside town located only about 25 kilometres from Geneva. Among towns highlights are the beautiful 12th-century Nyon Castle, the Léman Lake Museum, the Temple de Nyon, and the fascinating Nyon Roman Museum, built over actual Roman ruins. Nyon is also home to the UEFA headquarters (Union of European Football Associations).
Morges
Morges is a pretty and peaceful town located only about 15 kilometres from Lausanne. Town highlights include the Morges Castle and the lovely lakeside park, which becomes especially magical in spring during the Tulip Festival. Add to that a charming old town and stunning lake views with the Alps in the distance, and you’ve got a perfect spot for a scenic stroll or quiet afternoon.
Places around Lake Geneva – Summing up & our TOP3
Amazing landscapes, crystal clear waters, charming towns, and enchanting medieval villages… Lake Geneva and its surroundings offer a truly breathtaking experience. Countless incredible places are waiting to be discovered, each often even more beautiful than the last! We hope Lake Geneva will capture your heart, just as it did ours. Have a wonderful time!
As we’ve already mentioned, so far we’ve spent 7 weeks living in Thonon-les-Bains, right on Lake Geneva shores. We quickly fell for the charm of this area and have wonderful memories to this day! It’s our second favorite region in France, after the Cote d’Azur, and we’re sure that we’ll come back one day. Nothing beats those amazing views and chilled vibes. Our TOP3 places? Evian, Lausanne and Vevey!
One more tip for the end. Traveling by car is the fastest and most convenient way of getting to all places around Lake Geneva. So if you’re not traveling by car, we recommend you rent one via the Rentalcars website.
