Geneva Hostels

Why stay in Geneva?

Geneva is more than just a city in Switzerland - it has had an important place in international diplomacy for years. So while it might seem like a charming (if conservative) town, it isn't suffering from delusions of grandeur when it touts its place in the world.

Oddly for such a staid city, its symbol is a giant fountain of water that soaks everything nearby. The Jet d'Eau was once a pressure release mechanism, but now it spurts water 140 meters into the air at all hours. A distinctly less wet attraction is the Cathedrale St-Pierre and the other buildings next to it. The area called Espace St-Pierre is tied to the Reformation, and one of the bulidings (the Auditoire) is where Calvin taught.

Once the headquarters for the United Nations as well as the International Committee for the Red Cross were in Geneva, and the World Health Organization and UNICEF still maintain their headquarters in this city. You can visit what remains of the UN in the Palais des Nations - the assembly hall is worth peeking at. Geneva is also home to several nice museums, including the International Musuem of the Reformation, Museum of the International Committee for the Red Cross, Musee d'Histoire Naturelle and Musee ARIANA. The latter has an impressively large collection of ceramics from around the world.

Geneva is host to several festivals during the year, including one of the best auto shows in Europe (Motor Show in March), the biggest yacht race in Europe (Bol d'Or Yacht Race in June), a music festival which takes over the town (Fete de la Musique in June) and a weeklong party with fantastic fireworks (Fete de Geneve in August).

Geneva has plenty of beds, but not many in the budget range. This means you'll need to book ahead to be sure you don't break the bank on your accommodations. This is doubly true if your visit coincides with a trade show or conference, when lodging in Geneva is particularly difficult to find at any price. Also remember that "hostels" are not just for the young backpacking crowd - they're perfect for any budget-minded traveler who wants to meet fellow travelers. A few Geneva hostels worth noting are highlighted here.

The City Hostel Geneva is a five minute walk from the train station and every room comes with its own sink (the rest of the bathroom facilities are shared). The Hotel & Residence Saint-James has 51 apartments with hotel service, and it sits within walking distance of Lake Geneva and the famous fountain. Hotel-Lido Geneve has 31 rooms and is the city center near the train station and lake.

And if none of these properties sound ideal, don't worry - there are plenty more Geneva hostels listed here. Keep reading the descriptions until you find the right one for you.

If you need anything else for your trip, you're in the right place. You can search for international airfare to Geneva and get on your way. And you can also read more about the city before you get there in our Geneva Travel Guide.