Best Day Trip from Geneva: Exploring Annecy, France’s Most Beautiful Alpine Town

If you’re ever staying in Geneva and feel like you’ve already checked off the usual city sights, let me tell you about the easiest and most magical escape you can take: a day trip to Annecy.

I wasn’t even planning to leave Switzerland that day. I was happily slow-traveling in Geneva, enjoying my coffee by the lake, when a friend casually said, “Let’s go to Annecy tomorrow. It’s just an hour away.” One hour? In another country? Say less.

The next morning, we hopped on a bus from Geneva station, still half-asleep but excited. The ride itself was already pretty — rolling countryside, tiny villages, and mountains slowly getting closer and bigger like they were welcoming us. Before we knew it, we crossed into France and arrived in Annecy.

And wow. The moment we stepped off the bus, it felt like we’d walked straight into a fairytale.

Annecy is a storybook pretty! The old town looked like a postcard: pastel-colored houses, cobblestone streets, little canals with flower boxes, and swans gliding by like they owned the place. It’s often called the “Venice of the Alps,” and honestly, it totally makes sense.

We spent the morning just wandering with no plan. That’s the best way to explore Annecy. Every corner had something charming — a tiny bakery, a cheese shop, or a cute café. The mountain views in the background made everything feel extra refreshing, like the air itself was cleaner. Then we reached Lake Annecy… and I swear I just stood there for a full minute. The water was insanely clear, with the Alps reflecting on the surface. It felt calm, peaceful, and almost unreal.

By lunchtime, we were starving, so we found a cozy little restaurant and ordered cheese fondue (because when in France…). Dipping bread into that warm, melted cheese while chatting and laughing with a friend? Peak comfort food moment.

If you’re planning a day tour, here are some things you can easily do in Annecy:

• Wander around the Old Town (Vieille Ville)

• Walk along the canals and take photos at Palais de l’Isle

• Stroll or picnic by Lake Annecy

• Rent a bike or paddle boat

• Visit the Château d’Annecy

• Try local cheese fondue or raclette

• Stop by bakeries for pastries and coffee

• Browse the local markets and small shops

By the time we headed back to Geneva, I felt like I’d squeezed a whole vacation into one day. Annecy has that effect on you — small, simple, but quietly magical. Honestly? I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Annecy, France, travel to France, Switzerland Travel