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The City

Geneva takes full advantage of its wonderful location on Lake Geneva and has surrounded it with parks, modern monuments and branded buildings. The city is just as small as it is large, with new exciting discoveries at every corner. It has about 200,000 inhabitants, and is very easy to get around by foot. At the same time, this is a very lively place because of its International character. Geneva hosts the European headquarters of the United Nations as well as a myriad of diplomatic embassies. Foreigners constitute one-third of the population, and it feels like every language can be heard when following the flow of busy businessmen or strolling on the lake banks.

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Do & See

There are glossy bank palaces along the lakeside, and picturesque restaurants serving piping-hot fondue and raclette. Geneva offers everything from gentle strolls around the antique shops in the Old Town or the impressive park by the Lake, exclusive shopping along the luxurious rue du Rhône to thought-provoking visits to the United Nations or the Red Cross. Museums and exhibitions are too many to be counted and expose a wide array from classic arts to modern and bold creations. The architecture has its share of surprises and changing neighborhood you might feel like you have entered a whole different city. Geneva is definitely a place that gives you a taste for more.

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Dining

Geneva has a strongly built reputation as a gourmet town and deserves it without a doubt. The cuisine here is, of course, Swiss as well as highly influenced by France and Italy. But the best part is that it could probably pin down every single country in the world, as it has a restaurant for it, and here the most fastidious visitors will find restaurants to delight their taste buds. You can also enjoy local fish delicacies from Lake Geneva such as "filet de perches", "filet de féras", and traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese fondue and raclette -- ideally accompanied by some of the local Swiss and French wines.

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Cafes

Geneva is covered by a multitude of cute and fancy cafes, and you can just about pick any of them for a coffee treat or a quick meal. Being a true business centre, the art of coffee is thriving, and the always busy locals love running from meetings to meetings with a nice takeaway cup of Joe. But here, the coffee shops are also the ultimate place to take a break and relax, a natural meeting point for colleagues, family, and friends to catch up. They are the fuel of the city life and always buzzing on Sunday afternoons.

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Bars & Nightlife

Although Geneva is a relatively small city, there is a wide and varied range of entertainment -- probably because of its international mix of people. Many start the evening with an aperitif at one of the hundreds of bars in town and then go on to some hot nightspot. Geneva’s nightlife is unexpectedly colourful with people and music from all corners of the world. The dance floors are full of all sorts of people, Geneva jet set, smartly dressed diplomats, rockers in black leather, and trendy people just enjoying some time off.

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Shopping

If Switzerland is the country of luxury, then Geneva is surely the jewel on this crown. The main shopping area lies between Rue du Rhône and Rue de Rive, with uncountable chic and high brand boutiques. Geneva is the perfect city to renew your wardrobe but make sure you came with the necessary funds, because in this city quality certainly comes at a cost! You might also find yourself falling in love with the perfect watch: watchmaking is a serious matter and a true art here.
If you are looking for more touristic purchases, worry not, you will also find typical Swiss things like clocks, chocolate and cheeses, all of top quality.

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Tourist Information