My trip to Geneva as a British

My Trip to Geneva

Living in London is exciting, but after a while the constant rush started to wear me out. Between work, busy trains and packed streets, I felt like I needed a few days somewhere quieter. I didn’t want a long flight, so when I found cheap return flights to Geneva, it seemed like the perfect choice.

The flight from Heathrow only took about an hour and forty minutes, so before I knew it, I was in Switzerland. Getting into the city was really easy. I caught the train from the airport and was in the centre within a few minutes. The first thing I noticed was how calm everything felt. Compared to London, there was hardly any noise, the streets were incredibly clean, and people didn’t seem to be in such a rush.

After checking into my hotel, I couldn’t wait to get outside. I walked straight towards Lake Geneva, and it honestly looked even better than I expected. The water was so clear, and you could see the mountains in the distance. I spent ages just walking along the lakeside, stopping every now and then to take photos. Seeing the Jet d’Eau for the first time was definitely one of those moments where you think, “Wow, that’s actually bigger than it looks in pictures.”

By lunchtime, I was starving, so I found a small restaurant and ordered rösti. I’d never tried it before, but it was really good. The only downside was the price. I knew Switzerland was expensive, but seeing the bill still made me laugh a little. Even a bottle of water cost more than I expected. Still, the food was fresh, and the service was excellent, so I couldn’t really complain.

In the afternoon, I wandered around the Old Town without really having a plan. That ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. I found little cafés, old buildings, tiny bookshops and quiet streets that weren’t full of tourists. I climbed to the top of St Peter’s Cathedral, and although my legs were definitely feeling it afterwards, the view made it completely worth it. Looking across the rooftops towards the lake was something I’ll never forget.

That evening, I grabbed a coffee and sat by the water while the sun started to go down. It was one of those simple moments that you don’t really plan but end up remembering the most. There were people walking their dogs, families enjoying the evening and friends chatting by the lake. It felt relaxed, and for the first time in a while, I wasn’t checking my phone every five minutes.

The next day, I wanted to see a different side of Geneva, so I visited the Palais des Nations. It was interesting to learn more about the United Nations and see where so many important meetings take place. Afterwards, I walked over to the Broken Chair sculpture. I’d seen photos before, but standing underneath it made me realise just how huge it actually is.

Later, I visited the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. I’m usually not someone who spends hours in museums, but this one really surprised me. It focused on real people and real stories rather than just displaying objects behind glass, which made it much more interesting.

For lunch, I finally tried Swiss cheese fondue. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because it’s basically melted cheese, but it turned out to be one of my favourite meals of the trip. It was rich, comforting and perfect after spending the morning walking around.

One thing I almost skipped — but I’m really glad I didn’t — was the boat cruise on Lake Geneva. It wasn’t something I’d originally planned, but I bought a ticket at the last minute. Seeing the city from the water was amazing. The views of the mountains, the luxury houses along the shore and the famous fountain were completely different from what I’d seen on foot. It ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.

On my last morning, I visited the Flower Clock before doing a bit of shopping. The Swiss watches were way out of my budget, but I picked up some handmade chocolate instead. I also bought a few postcards and small souvenirs to take back home.

Before heading to the airport, I stopped for breakfast in a local café. Sitting there with a pastry and a hot chocolate, I realised how much I’d enjoyed the trip. Geneva isn’t the kind of place that’s packed with attractions every few metres. Instead, it’s somewhere you enjoy by slowing down, walking around and appreciating the atmosphere.

My advice if you’re thinking of visiting

• Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll probably end up walking more than you expect.
• Don’t underestimate how expensive Geneva is — plan your budget before you go.
• Carry a reusable water bottle because the public fountains provide free drinking water.
• Try local food like fondue, rösti and Swiss chocolate.
• If the weather is nice, definitely take the boat cruise. It’s worth every penny.
• Spend some time just sitting by the lake instead of rushing from one attraction to another.

Overall, Geneva was exactly the break I needed. It was peaceful, beautiful and easy to explore, and it felt completely different from the fast pace of London. I came home feeling genuinely refreshed, with loads of great photos and some brilliant memories. It’s definitely a city I’d recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing European getaway, and I’d happily go back again one day.