Ah, the famous city of Geneva, a real postcard of Switzerland with its sparkling lakes and exceptional watchmakers! But wait a minute! According to Rick Steves, the champion of authentic travel, this emblematic city is, in reality, overvalued and not very worthy of a detour. Yes, you heard right ! Behind the veneer of delicious chocolates and majestic mountains lies a reality that is often eclipsed. Prepare to take off the rose-colored glasses of classic tourism and delve into the disturbing truths this vaunted city tries to hide. Who knows, maybe a stroll across the lake will make you see Geneva in a completely different light?
Reasons to stay away from Geneva #
If you’ve ever looked through a travel guide, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the name Geneva, this Swiss city often presented as a must-see. However, behind his Me debonair hides a reality that makes one cringe. Rick Steves, the famous travel guide author, is not kind to this metropolis, which he accuses of being quite simply “sterile”. In her eyes, she doesn’t deserve your time nor your money.
Geneva is indeed a international center with institutions such as the World Health Organization and the Red Cross. But Steves points out that celebrity name is not enough to justify a visit. You might as well move on and explore other, more captivating options.
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A prohibitively expensive city #
Moving to this lakeside town is not without consequences: the price are exorbitant. One Internet user even dared to assert that “Geneva is of expensive obscene, even for a Londoner”. Enough to think twice before taking out your credit card.
- Hotels: from €150 per night for a decent room.
- Restaurants: an average dish will cost you between 20 and 50€.
- Attractions: Entrance fees are often huge for unremarkable sites.
And the icing on the cake is that the city doesn’t bother with charm, making every penny spent all the more painful. Imagine spending a fortune in a place that seems as alive as a painting exhibition!
A flat cultural landscape #
You are looking for iconic monuments breathtaking ? Forget Geneva. Here, no Eiffel Tower, no Colosseum, just a fountain and a handful of museums that won’t leave you in awe. The lack of any real architectural attractions helps reinforce the impression that this city is more of an administrative center than a vibrant tourist destination.
Online reviews are no more encouraging. A majority of travelers describe the city as “boring” and “soulless”. A certain user on a social network even goes so far as to declare that “Geneva is the most dull of Western Europe”. This shows the popularity of a bad reputation.
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More attractive alternatives #
So where should you go instead? If you follow Rick Steves’ advice, he recommends setting your sights on other Swiss cities that have much more to offer.
- Bern : The charm of its old medieval town and its local atmosphere.
- Luzern : A beautiful lakeside town, ideal for those seeking a picturesque setting.
- THE Swiss Alps : Why stay locked in a city when the mountains are within reach?
Ultimately, a trip to Geneva represents a waste of time and money that could be invested elsewhere, in truly fascinating places. Switzerland offers a thousand and one wonders, so why settle for one showcase without gasoline ?
