Geneva

Geneva sits in southwestern Switzerland, at the southern end of Lac Léman. It’s surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, and has the Rhône and Arve rivers flowing among the eclectic mix of buildings and bridges. Geneva is most famous as the humanitarian capital of the world, with over 30 international organisations being based in the city, including Europe’s United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Geneva hostels are highly rated and have a variety of locations to choose from, including in the city centre and further out of the city. They’re mostly a short walk from the lake and surrounded by picturesque mountains and architecture. In fact, you can choose a Geneva hostel with a breakfast terrace that looks straight out onto the stunning scenery of Lake Geneva! If you’re more of an urban dweller, opt for a hostel in the heart of the city with a delicious Italian restaurant on site. Solo travellers will love a hostel with social areas like an outdoor picnic area and TV room.

Old Street will put you right into the action with a bunch of different shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries to choose from. Carouge has a bohemian vibe that you’re bound to love and is a great place to grab a drink at one of the unique bars, or to check out artisanal shops. Les Pâquis is the city’s red light district, and is full of restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy; it’s a diverse neighbourhood that offers a glance into Geneva’s edgy side.

Geneva’s Jet d’Eau is among the most popular attractions in the city. The large water fountain sprays 500 litres of water per second into the air, at a height of 140 metres. Be careful on a blustery day or you might find yourself taking an unintentional shower! Since you’re in the humanitarian capital of the world, you should also check out the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, and take a tour of the Palais des Nations to gain insight into how these organisations face some of the most pressing issues in the world.

Geneva is super easy to get around, especially because transport travel cards within Geneva are FREE when you book your hostel room! There are also ridesharing services that you can use if you need to, but with free city transit you should be fine! You’ll be able to get to most places by foot, but if you feel like covering ground a bit quicker you might want to consider renting a bike. Day tripping from Geneva is also easy because you can take a train into the Alps, or to Italy or France.