15 Days in Geneva and Basel: A Journey of Swiss Splendor

Reham Medhat

4 Jan 2024

Embark on a 15-day adventure through the captivating cities of Geneva and Basel. Discover the rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture of Switzerland. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this itinerary promises an unforgettable experience for solo travelers. Get ready to be enchanted by the charm of Geneva and Basel!

Trip to Geneva

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Discovering Geneva's Treasures

$25

$ 4

United Nations office complex set in a park near the lake, with tours in many languages.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$13

10 - 15 min

Directions

Grand, neoclassical museum with a collection of 25,000 glass & ceramic items, plus an airy cafe.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$13

4 - 5 min

Directions

This 12m wooden sculpture of a broken chair serves to protest cluster bombs & land mines.

12:00 PM - 12:10 PM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Landmark Neo-Gothic monument in honor of 19th-century duke, with adjacent park & water views.

12:40 PM - 12:50 PM

•

Free

Day 2Unveiling the Humanitarian Spirit

$13

$ 4

Vast complex offering 6 halls for exhibitions, trade fairs & conferences plus motor shows.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Permanent exhibition highlighting the ongoing humanitarian work of the Red Cross & Red Crescent.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$13

Day 3Soaring Heights and Cultural Delights

$25

$ 10

Cable cars reach an altitude of 1,100 meters at this historic mountain station with an observatory.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

14 - 17 min

Directions

Built in 1866, this grand building features multiple gilded onion domes & striped arches.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

Directions

Popular public bath houses on a pier in Lake Geneva that turn into saunas during winter.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

10 - 12 min

Directions

Museum telling the story of Patek Phillippe & Swiss watchmaking from the 16th century to now.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$19

Day 4Tracing the Footsteps of History

$13

This stone wall monument honors the Protestant Reformation & its founders, including John Calvin.

8:00 AM - 8:20 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

This popular, elevated promenade boasts one of the longest benches in the world & scenic city views.

8:50 AM - 9:20 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

Directions

Cathedral most famous as the adopted home church of Protestant Reformation leader John Calvin.

9:50 AM - 10:50 AM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

Directions

Iconic outdoor flower clock designed in 1955, made with colorful blooms that change seasonally.

11:20 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

12 - 18 min

Directions

Museum with displays on the Earth & human history, regional flora & fauna, plus science exhibitions.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

$13

Day 5Nature's Oasis and Artistic Wonders

$13

$ 4

Nature park featuring a zoo with local wildlife, plus a playground, splash pad & sports fields.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

Directions

Built in 1910, Geneva's largest museum has items ranging from prehistoric finds to modern paintings.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$13

8 - 12 min

Directions

The English-inspired landmark park features an 1862 fountain, a flower-clock sculpture & lake views.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 6Gardens, Fountains, and Serenity

$ 4

Conservatory and Botanical garden Geneva

Seasonal tours are offered of the botanical garden & conservatory's flower & plant collections.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

13 - 20 min

Directions

Picturesque lakeside park with walking & bike paths, a playground & seasonal outdoor events.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Iconic fountain, lit up at night, pumping half a cubic meter of water per second 140m into the air.

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

Directions

Small sand beach on Lake Geneva, open to the public, with a playground, toilets & showers.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

Directions

Large, lakeside park with scenic views, a rose garden & theater, plus a stage for summer concerts.

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $422 In total

Activities & Food:$375

Transport:$47

Trip to Basel

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Discovering Geneva's Treasures

$25

$ 4

Permanent display of the works of Jean Tinguely, plus temporary exhibitions of other modern artists.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$13

8 - 10 min

Directions

Built in 1977, Swiss artist Jean Tinguely's Carnival Fountain merges sculptural machines with water.

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

•

Free

9 - 14 min

Directions

Historic stone bridge linking old & new city areas & offering stellar river & architecture views.

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

Directions

Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel

Old laboratory utensils & alchemy artifacts on display in pharmacy museum in 15th-century house.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

8 - 11 min

Directions

This regal, 15th-century gateway is one of 3 remaining from the city's ancient walls.

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM

•

Free

11 - 16 min

Directions

Anatomical Museum of the University of Basel

Offbeat university museum exhibiting a wide range of human organs, tissue specimens & skeletons.

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

•

Day 2Unveiling the Humanitarian Spirit

$25

$ 4

Founded in 1874, no zoo in Switzerland is home to more animals, from gorillas to snow leopards.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$25

6 - 8 min

Directions

Blossoms, trees & cacti in gardens founded in the 1500s, plus a massive Victorian-era greenhouse.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 3Soaring Heights and Cultural Delights

$30

Art museum with 2000+ replicas of ancient sculptures, including those from the Parthenon in Athens.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$10

13 - 20 min

Directions

Ethnographic museum, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, showing global artifacts & special exhibitions.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$10

6 - 9 min

Directions

Museum for changing exhibitions on contemporary architecture in a glass-roofed neo-baroque building.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

$10

3 - 4 min

Directions

Grand neo-gothic church with a large pipe organ, worship services & a cafe on site.

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 4Tracing the Footsteps of History

$17

Museum with natural history exhibits ranging from zoology to paleontology, plus events & a shop.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$10

4 - 6 min

Directions

Art adorns this historic town-hall building, home to the local legislature, with tours available.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Leafy green park with modern play areas, a seasonal splash pool with fountains & an outdoor cafe.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 5Nature's Oasis and Artistic Wonders

$35

$ 8

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$13

13 - 16 min

Directions

Gardens with irises & snowdrops in spring, a rhododendron valley & a cafe in an 18th-century villa.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

8 - 10 min

Directions

Gallery with art collection from 1960s to present in converted paper factory, & temporary exhibits.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$15

Day 6Gardens, Fountains, and Serenity

$28

Art gallery in a Gothic building, showing political cartoons & caricatures plus themed exhibitions.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$13

3 - 4 min

Directions

Works by Holbein & other artists in the region from 1400–1600 & in the 19th & 21st centuries.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$15

Day 7Basel's Artistic and Architectural Marvels

$40

Exhibitions of local & international art & program of cultural events in an 1869 building.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$13

3 - 4 min

Directions

Collections of decorative Ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman & Etruscan art in an elegant townhouse.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$15

4 - 5 min

Directions

Gothic-style, Protestant place of worship, with 9th-century origins, twin spires & a tiled roof.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$13

Day 8Immersing in Art and Wildlife

$29

$ 4

Airy art gallery designed by Renzo Piano, home to modern & contemporary painting & sculpture.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$19

14 - 17 min

Directions

Free zoo established in 1871 featuring mostly local animals, plus a playground & restaurant.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$10

Day 9Aquatic Adventures and Ancient Ruins

$54

$ 4

Large indoor water park with 7 slides, a wave pool, hammam-style treatments & 12 saunas.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$31

8 - 10 min

Directions

Archeological site of a Roman settlement, including a temple, forum & amphitheater, with a museum.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

$23

Budget breakdown: $422 In total

Activities & Food:$375

Transport:$47