Lake Geneva Region
Lake Geneva draws visitors for lakeside towns, terraced vineyards and mountain views, with Geneva and Lausanne as the main bases.
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Lake Geneva, called Lac Léman in French, sits on the border between Switzerland and France, with the Alps rising behind its southern shore. Geneva at the western end and Lausanne on the north shore are the two largest cities, and smaller towns such as Vevey, Montreux and Nyon line the water between them. The stretch between Lausanne and Montreux is known for Lavaux, a series of terraced vineyards added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. Near Montreux, Château de Chillon, a medieval castle built on a rock at the water's edge, is one of the region's best-known sights.
The region suits trips built around lakeside walks, wine tastings and boat rides. Lausanne is home to the Olympic Museum, and Montreux hosts a jazz festival each summer. Late spring through early autumn is the best season for walking the shore and eating outdoors. Plan at least three nights to cover Geneva, Lausanne and a day on the water.
Lake Geneva Region in five
- Get a Swiss Travel Pass or single ticketsThe Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains along the lake shore. Check whether each lake steamer is covered by your pass before you buy.Getting around
- Carry some Swiss francsCards work in most hotels, trains and restaurants. Small markets and village cafés may take cash only, so keep some francs in small notes.
- Visit Chillon Castle on a weekday morningChillon is a few minutes by train from Montreux. Going on a weekday morning means fewer people on the castle walls and the lake terrace.Tours and tickets
- Wear shoes with grip on the Lavaux pathsThe vineyard paths in Lavaux are steep and uneven, and the upper sections have few shops. Carry water and food, and check the last train back before you start.
- Download offline maps before you walkSave maps of Lavaux and the shore before you leave town. Trail signs help, but a map on your phone makes it easier to choose between the upper and lower paths.
Things to do in Lake Geneva Region
See all attractions in Lake Geneva Region
Need to know
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Entry
- Schengen rules; many passports visa-free for short stays Read more
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance, 112 for any emergency
- Tipping
- Not required; service is included, rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low2°Spring startsMarchRain
Good
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Blossom, coolAprilRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Blossom, cool
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, greenMayRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Jazz festival, busyJulyRain
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Jazz festival, busy
- AugustClear11 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Hot, busyAugustClear
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Grape harvestSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Grape harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Harvest ends, autumnOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest ends, autumn
- NovemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low4°Quiet, coolNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- DecemberRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low1°Festive, coldDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Festive, cold
Average daily high and low in Lausanne, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Paléo Festival
Right now in Lake Geneva Region
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lake Geneva Region
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°5°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue9°5°0%Tuesday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°5°0%Wednesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°3°10%Thursday: Rain. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Fri11°7°45%Friday: Rain. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sat13°3°22%Saturday: Fog. High 13°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sun11°3°37%Sunday: Rain. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 09:04 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Lake Geneva Region
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- JulMontreux Jazz FestivalMontreux, a day trip
- JulPaléo FestivalLake Geneva Region
Day trips by train
- Chillon Castlea few minutes by train from MontreuxA medieval castle on the lake shore, close enough to add to a Montreux day.
- Lavauxunder 30 minutes by train from LausanneTerraced vineyards and villages between Lausanne and Vevey. Walk one stretch, then take the train back.
- Bernabout 1 to 1.5 hours by train from LausanneThe Swiss capital, with an old town of arcaded streets. It is worth a full day.
Before you go to Lake Geneva Region
Rules for Lake Geneva Region, checked
- Switzerland is in the Schengen area, so carry your passport on day trips, since passport checks can happen at the border.Source
- Declare goods above the Swiss customs allowances on arrival, or you risk a fine. Check the current limits on the customs site before you travel.Source
- Check Swiss rules before you bring meat, dairy or plants from outside the EU. Such items may be confiscated at the border.
Plan around Lake Geneva Region
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Swiss trip
Read the guideGetting around the lakeTrains, lake steamers and buses compared
Read the guideWhere to stayWhere to base yourself around the lake
Read the guideMoney and costsFrancs, card use and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for visitors to the Schengen area
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData and maps for lake and vineyard walks
Read the guideLake Geneva Region FAQ
How many days do you need around Lake Geneva?
Three to four days covers Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux, with a day on the lake steamer. Add a day for walking the Lavaux vineyards and a visit to Chillon Castle.
Should I stay in Geneva or Lausanne?
Geneva suits you for airport access and international trains. Lausanne is quieter, sits on the shore and is closer to Lavaux.
Do I need Swiss francs or euros?
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc. Some Geneva shops accept euros, but change is given in francs, so carry francs for small purchases.
Can I see the lake without a car?
Yes. Trains run along the north shore, and CGN lake steamers link Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux and Vevey in the season.
When is the best time to visit Lake Geneva?
May to June and September to October suit walking and the vineyards, with fewer crowds than July and August. Winter is quiet and suits Montreux and the mountain trains.
Is Chillon Castle worth visiting?
Yes, if you like medieval castles on the water. It is a few minutes by train from Montreux, and the lake views from its walls are a reason to go.