36 Hours in Geneva: What to See + How to Visit CERN

Arriving in Geneva

When I landed at Geneva Airport, my friend Krizha picked me up. She works in Geneva, so it was really nice to see her again after a long time. Having a local friend made everything easier — from getting around to choosing where to eat.

If you’re arriving without a car, public transport from the airport to the city center is very efficient and only takes around 7 minutes by train.

Is 36 Hours in Geneva Enough?

Yes — Geneva is compact and easy to explore.

Most of the main attractions are:

• Walkable

• Near the lake

• Or accessible by tram

You can comfortably see the top sights in one full day and visit CERN the next morning.

Top Places to See in Geneva

1. Jet d’Eau

This is Geneva’s most famous landmark. The fountain shoots water 140 meters into the air and is located right on Lake Geneva.

It’s an easy stop while walking along the lake promenade.

2. St. Pierre Cathedral

Located in the Old Town, this cathedral is worth visiting for the tower views. You’ll get a panoramic view of the city and the lake.

The Old Town itself is small but nice to explore for a couple of hours.

3. L'Horloge Fleurie

Near the lake, you’ll find this large flower clock — a tribute to Switzerland’s watchmaking tradition. It’s a quick photo stop.

4. United Nations Office at Geneva

Geneva is one of the world’s main diplomatic hubs. If you’re interested in politics or international relations, you can book a guided tour of the Palais des Nations.

Visiting CERN: Complete Guide

This was the main reason for my trip.

What Is CERN?

CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research. It’s the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

Scientists here study:

• The origin of the universe

• Subatomic particles

• The Big Bang

• The Higgs boson

CERN is also home to the:

Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. It accelerates particles close to the speed of light and collides them so scientists can study fundamental physics.

Even if you’re not a science expert, it’s interesting to see where major discoveries are made.

How to Get Tickets to CERN

This is important.

Are CERN tours free?

Yes. Guided tours are free, but you must book in advance.

How to book:

1. Go to the official CERN website

2. Click on “Visit” or “Guided Tours”

3. Registration opens exactly 15 days before your visit date

4. Spots fill up very quickly

Set a reminder because they can sell out within minutes.

If you don’t get a guided tour, you can still visit:

• The Globe of Science and Innovation

• The Universe of Particles exhibition

These are also free and open to visitors.

How to Get to CERN from Geneva City Center

It’s very easy.

• Take Tram 18

• Get off at “CERN”

• Travel time: around 20–25 minutes

No need to rent a car.

CERN is located on the Swiss-French border, which is interesting — but you won’t notice much difference when visiting.

Simple 36-Hour Geneva Itinerary

Day 1

• Arrive in Geneva

• Walk along Lake Geneva

• Visit Jet d’Eau

• Explore Old Town

• Climb St. Pierre Cathedral

• Dinner near the lake

Day 2

• Morning visit to CERN

• Explore exhibitions or join guided tour

• Lunch in the city

• Head to the airport

Is Geneva Worth Visiting?

Geneva is clean, organized, and easy to navigate. It’s not as busy as other European cities, but it’s a good destination if you’re interested in:

• Science

• International diplomacy

• Lake views

• Short European city breaks

For me, visiting CERN made the trip worthwhile — and seeing my friend again was a big bonus.

If you’re already in Europe and want a quick, different kind of city experience, 36 hours in Geneva is enough to see the highlights.