Where is Geneva, Switzerland?

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026

Geneva is a city in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, located in the southwestern part of the country near the French border. Situated at approximately 46.2044° N latitude and 6.1432° E longitude, the city covers about 16 sq km (6.2 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 205,000 people.

Location Map of Geneva, Switzerland

Where is Geneva, Switzerland About Map: The map showing location of Geneva in Switzerland.
  • Where is Geneva
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    Geneva is the capital of the Swiss Canton of Geneva located in the south-western most corner of Switzerland. Geneva, city and port, located in the western Switzerland, in the province of North Holland. Geneva is the capital and most populous city of the Switzerland with a population of 872,680.

    Interestingly, besides having one of the developed and infused with advanced technology and infrastructures, the city is a financial center as well as global center for diplomacy. It homes the headquarters of various international organizations. However, it is more popularly known for the Geneva Conventions; in fact, it was mainly concern with the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war.

    As per the research done by the Global Financial Centers Index, Geneva is the 3rd European financial center just after London and Zurich and 8th in the world. In the year 2009, Geneva is listed as the fourth most expensive city of the world. In addition, it is considered as the world 92s most compact metropolis and the "Peace Capital city".

    Geneva, Geneva Canton Quick Facts

    FactDetails
    CityGeneva
    CantonGeneva
    CountrySwitzerland
    Cantonal CapitalGeneva
    RegionWestern Switzerland
    Latitude46.2044° N
    Longitude6.1432° E
    Elevation1,230 ft (375 m)
    Land Area6.1 sq mi
    Water AreaIncludes Lake Geneva and Rhône River
    Total Area6.1 sq mi
    Population (Latest Estimate)Approximately 205,000
    Population DensityApproximately 33,600 per sq mi
    Postal Codes1200-1299
    Area Code+41 22
    Time Zone StandardCentral European Time (UTC+1)
    Time Zone DaylightCentral European Summer Time (UTC+2)
    CurrencySwiss Franc (CHF)
    Administrative CodeCommune of Geneva
    National RepresentationFederal Assembly Constituencies

    Nearby Cities to Geneva, Switzerland

    • Carouge, Switzerland - 2 mi South
    • Vernier, Switzerland - 3 mi Northwest
    • Meyrin, Switzerland - 4 mi Northwest
    • Lancy, Switzerland - 3 mi Southwest
    • Onex, Switzerland - 4 mi Southwest
    • Nyon, Switzerland - 16 mi Northeast
    • Gex, France - 11 mi Northwest
    • Annemasse, France - 6 mi East
    • Thonon-les-Bains, France - 22 mi East
    • Lausanne, Switzerland - 40 mi Northeast

    Geneva, Switzerland Climate and Weather Overview

    MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
    January41302.8
    April60413.0
    July79583.3
    October61463.4
    Annual604439.0
    Climate AttributeDetails
    Climate Classification (Köppen)Cfb - Oceanic Climate
    Annual RainfallApproximately 39 inches
    Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 1,900 sunshine hours
    Hurricane/Tornado RiskVery Low
    SnowfallLight to Moderate Winter Snowfall

    Driving Distances from Geneva, Switzerland

    CityCanton/RegionDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
    CarougeGeneva210 min
    VernierGeneva310 min
    LancyGeneva310 min
    MeyrinGeneva415 min
    OnexGeneva415 min
    AnnemasseFrance615 min
    GexFrance1120 min
    NyonVaud1625 min
    Thonon-les-BainsFrance2235 min
    LausanneVaud4050 min

    Transportation and Connectivity in Geneva, Switzerland

    Airport NameGeneva Airport
    IATA CodeGVA
    PortPort of Geneva on Lake Geneva
    Major HighwaysA1, A40, Route de Lausanne, Route de Meyrin
    Train ServiceSwiss Federal Railways (SBB), TGV Lyria
    Local Transit ServiceGeneva Public Transport (TPG), Trams, Buses and Ferries
    • A1 Motorway - Main Swiss highway linking Geneva with Lausanne, Bern and Zurich.
    • A40 Motorway - Connects Geneva with eastern France and the Alps region.
    • Route de Lausanne - Major route along Lake Geneva toward Lausanne.
    • Route de Meyrin - Important corridor connecting central Geneva with the airport.
    • TPG Network - Extensive tram and bus system serving the metropolitan area.

    Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Geneva, Switzerland

    Landmark NameType
    Jet d'EauFountain
    St. Pierre CathedralHistoric Church
    Palace of NationsInternational Landmark
    Old Town GenevaHistoric District
    Patek Philippe MuseumMuseum
    Jardin AnglaisUrban Park
    Flower ClockTourist Landmark
    Bains des PâquisLakeside Attraction
    International Red Cross MuseumMuseum
    Parc des BastionsHistoric Park

    Places to Visit in Geneva, Switzerland

    Landmark NameType
    Jet d'EauFountain
    St. Pierre CathedralHistoric Church
    Palace of NationsInternational Landmark
    Old Town GenevaHistoric District
    Patek Philippe MuseumMuseum
    Jardin AnglaisUrban Park
    Flower ClockTourist Landmark
    Bains des PâquisLakeside Attraction
    International Red Cross MuseumMuseum
    Parc des BastionsHistoric Park

    Colleges and Universities in Geneva, Switzerland

    Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
    University of GenevaPublicUniversityInternational relations
    Geneva School of Business AdministrationPublicUniversityBusiness studies
    Graduate Institute GenevaPrivateUniversityGlobal affairs
    Geneva Business SchoolPrivateUniversityInternational business
    Webster University GenevaPrivateUniversityAmerican-style education

    Waterbodies in Geneva, Switzerland

    Lake Geneva, Rhône River, Arve River, Petit Lac, Lake Geneva Harbor, Nant d'Avril Stream, Versoix River, Aire River, Bains des Pâquis Waterfront, Geneva Lakeshore

    Golf Courses in Geneva, Switzerland

    Golf Club de Genève, Golf & Country Club de Bonmont, Golf Club de Maison Blanche, Golf Club de Bossey, Golf de Gonville, Domaine de Divonne Golf Club, Golf Club Esery, Golf Club de la Manchette, Golf Club des Serves, Golf de Lausanne

    Geneva, Switzerland - Key Historical Facts

    • Geneva became an important trading center during the Middle Ages because of its location on major European routes.
    • The city played a central role in the Protestant Reformation under the leadership of John Calvin in the sixteenth century.
    • Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815 following the Napoleonic era.
    • The city became an international diplomatic center after hosting the League of Nations in the twentieth century.
    • Many global organizations, including parts of the United Nations system, established headquarters in Geneva.
    • Today, Geneva is recognized worldwide for diplomacy, banking, humanitarian work and international cooperation.

    References