Where to stay in Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is Switzerland’s second largest city, and the largest city in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. Situated along the southern shore of Lac Leman, also called Lake Geneva.
Geneva is also home to the United Nations and the Red Cross. With easy access to the Swiss Alps, Southern France and Italy, Geneva is a multicultural city sure to wow any visitors.
Whether you are deciding where to stay in Geneva Switzerland for two nights or a week, determining what neighborhood to stay in Geneva is the first step in planning your Geneva vacation.
With a breakdown of the most popular neighborhoods in Geneva, and suggestions of the best Geneva hotels, we’ll help you find the best place to stay in Geneva. And while Switzerland is notoriously expensive, with a little bit of research and planning, it is possible to find a few cheap hotels in Geneva and Geneva neighborhoods.
We will cover off all types of Geneva accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Geneva hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Geneva 2023.
This guide shows the best Geneva hotels, best places in Geneva to visit, the best places to stay in Geneva, hotels near Geneva attractions, Geneva neighborhood guide and many more.
Below are 6 of the best neighborhoods in Geneva to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Geneva for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.
We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Geneva so you can use this as a go to guide to pick the best accommodation in Geneva for you.
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Cité – where to stay in Geneva for First Timers
Cité Geneva is one of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in Geneva. Located on the east bank of the Rhone River, it is known for its cobblestoned streets and historic landmarks.
Cité is also known as Old Town Geneva. Place du Bourg-de-Four, St Pierre Cathedral, Reformation Wall – Paul Landowski Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and Jardin Anglais are some of the iconic attractions in this neighborhood that are sure to capture your heart.
Travellers looking for a place to stay in Geneva will not be disappointed by what they find in Cité Geneva; with its vibrant culture, spectacular sights, and friendly people, it’s no wonder why so many come here each year!
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious hotel or an affordable Airbnb, you’re bound to find something perfect for your stay in Cité Geneva.
where to stay in old town geneva
Budget accommodation in Cité Geneva
Mid range accommodation in Cité Geneva
Family Friendly accommodation in Cité Geneva
- Hôtel Longemalle
- Hôtel Résidence Cité-Verdaine
- Marmont Hotel
- Fraser Suites Geneva – Serviced Apartments
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Cité Geneva
Quartier des Eaux-Vives – Where to stay in Geneva for families
Des Eaux Vives is easy to spot, thanks to the 140-meter Jet d’Eau along the water’s edge. Not far from Old Town, Eaux-Vives is Geneva’s Bohemian neighborhood, but is also home to Geneva’s largest park, the Parc de la Grange.
This is a great neighborhood for families visiting Geneva, as it’s close to the main area of town, yet just on the fringe to be a bit quieter and calmer.
There is a cinema, dozens of restaurants, and vintage shopping boutiques in this area. If you prefer an apartment rental for your Geneva accommodation, Eaux-Vives is a great place to find it! If you’re wondering where to stay in Geneva for one night, this is the best area.
Best places to stay in Eaux-Vives
Budget accommodation in Eaux-Vives
- Nice Studio Jet d’eau
- Hotel Sagitta
- Bel appartement city center
- Appt 1 chambre à 3 min de la gare des Eaux-Vives
Mid range accommodation in Eaux-Vives
- Hotel Churchill
- Hotel Diplomate
- Hotel Century
- Beautiful central apartment steps from lake and water jet
Family Friendly accommodation in Eaux-Vives
- Appartement Traversant 4 pièces
- Hôtel Pax
- Family Loft in Central Geneva, 5min from Lake
- Central 2 bedroom flat in heart of Eaux-vives
Plainpalais – Where to stay in Geneva on a budget
If you’re wondering where to stay in Geneva on a budget, Plainpalais is a good option. Plainpalais is the Geneva neighborhood closest to the University, so in addition to finding affordable Geneva accommodation, there are also cheap places to eat and drink.
It’s also a popular neighborhood for expats, so you’ll find great diversity in Plainpalais. This neighborhood is home to Geneva’s Plainpalais flea market, the largest flea market in Geneva, so bargain hunters will love staying in this area of Geneva.
The central hub of Plainpalais is the Plaine de Plainpalais, which hosts outdoor events in the summer, including the circus.
Best places to stay in Plainpalais
Budget accommodation in Plainpalais
- Primadom Aparthotel
- Quartier de Plainpalais
- Cozy flat in the heart of Geneva
- Cosy apartment – GENEVA Centre
Mid range accommodation in Plainpalais
Family Friendly accommodation in Plainpalais
Carouge – Where to stay in Geneva for shopping
Carouge was once a separate town, built by Italians, so it retains a Mediterranean feel that you won’t find elsewhere in Geneva.
Sometimes called Little Italy and other times referred to as the Greenwich Village of Geneva, Carouge is a fun alternative when choosing your Geneva accommodation.
Carouge has a vibrant cafe culture, and is also home to several galleries, artist studios and museums.
Shoppers will love the Carouge shopping centre, where you can find the largest selection of toys and games in Geneva.
If this is not your first visit to Geneva, you may prefer to stay outside of the main tourist activities and live more like a local by staying in Carouge.
Best places to stay in Carouge
Budget accommodation in Carouge
Mid range accommodation in Carouge
Family Friendly accommodation in Carouge
Paquis – Where to stay in Geneva for backpackers
Budget travelers to Geneva who also want to be near the center of town might consider staying in Paquis. It is located between Old Town and the Palais des Nations, and is adjacent to the main train station.
This is where you’ll find the largest concentration of Geneva hostels, but it also happens to be the red light district of Geneva. It’s also one of the best places to stay on Lake Geneva.
Close to the lake, the Paquis neighborhood is quite nice, but use caution when veering away from the lakefront in this area. (Overall, Switzerland is a considerably safe place to visit, so use the normal precautions of traveling at night)
Best places to stay in Paquis
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Paquis
Budget accommodation in Paquis
Mid range accommodation in Paquis
Family Friendly accommodation in Paquis
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Paquis
- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix
- Hotel President Wilson, a Luxury Collection Hotel
- Hotel d’Angleterre
- Mandarin Oriental, Geneva
Palais Des Nations – Where to stay in Geneva for relaxation
The Palais des Nations refers to the United Nations headquarters and park, located along the Western shore of Lac Leman.
It’s also where you’ll find the botanical garden and the International Museum of the Red Cross. As the home of United Nations, this area has some impressive international hotels such as the Intercontinental Geneva.
It’s only a few tram stops from Old Town, but is much quieter, so it’s a convenient neighborhood of Geneva.
Best places to stay in Palais des Nations
Budget accommodation in Palais des Nations
Mid range accommodation in Palais des Nations
Family Friendly accommodation in Palais des Nations
Affordable Luxury accommodation in Palais des Nations
Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Geneva
| ❤️ Best Area first timers | Cité Geneva |
| 💸 Best Luxury Hotel | The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix |
| 👪 Best Hotel for For Families | Hôtel Pax |
| 🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel | citizenM Geneva |
| 🛏️ Best Budget Hotel | Primadom Aparthotel |
| ✨ Best Hostel | Geneva Hostel |
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