Your essential guide to Geneva

STROLL

Just across the Rhône from Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is the Old Town – a suitably storybook ensemble of statue-dotted squares, cobbled lanes and spires. Climb Cathédrale Saint-Pierre to survey the city, and the lake and mountains beyond, then head to the historic Place du Bourg-de-Four for a drink on a sunny café terrace.

INDULGE

This city has a serious chocolate habit, but only the best will do. Set the bar high with a visit to Philippe Pascoët, six minutes’ stroll from the hotel. His pralines, spliced with unusual flavours, are the prettiest of gifts, but his caramelised, chocolate-covered pistachios are what keep the locals coming back.

SEE

Pay homage to the watchmaker’s art at the Patek Philippe Museum, whose collections span five centuries of timekeeping. You don’t need to be a watch geek to appreciate its treasures, from exquisitely enamelled pocket watches to bafflingly complex clocks.

FEAST

Back at the hotel, SACHI serves up spectacular modern Japanese cuisine. Sip a martini at the bar, then dip into its menu: langoustines with shiso-lemon salsa, perhaps, or note-perfect yellowtail nigiri. Too much choice? At the thrilling, ten-seater Omakase Bar, the chef chooses the menu.

SWIM

Take the plunge at the Bains des Pâquis, a concrete jetty jutting into Lac Léman. Its facilities are simple, but the setting is superb, with expansive views of the waterfront and Jet d’Eau fountain. Note that it’s cash-only at the no-frills café, said to serve one of the best fondues in town.

DISCOVER

Hop aboard the tram to the arty, Italianate enclave of Carouge – Geneva’s answer to Greenwich Village. On a Saturday, the farmer’s market is in full swing, along with its galleries, boutiques and busy pavement cafés. Stroll its narrow streets, coffee in hand – the best is from Valmandin, which has its own small-scale roastery.

SWILL

There’s a cluster of great bars in the Eaux-Vives neighbourhood, a short walk from the hotel. Stroll along the Rhône to the rum-fuelled Little Barrel, or take your pick from Le Grand Bottle’s restlessly inventive cocktail list, which might run from mezcal punches to artfully twisted spritzes.

LUNCH

Running out of time to sample the city’s many Michelin-starred menus? Tick off another address by heading out for lunch, when set menus offer stellar deals, with zero compromise on quality. That might mean exquisite truffled gnocchi at one-starred Italian Tosca, or three sublime set courses at Le Flaçon, riffing on seasonal produce.

EXPLORE

Just over an hour on a punctual Swiss train, and you’re in Montreux. Set on Lac Léman’s eastern tip, it’s utterly charming, from its hilly Old Town to its flower-lined lakeside promenade. It’s just over half an hour’s walk along the lake to Château de Chillon, whose turrets, towers and snow-capped backdrop are straight from a fairy tale.

DRINK

While you’re here, get better acquainted Swiss wines; a subtle, terroir-driven Chasselas, perhaps, or cherry-scented Cornalin. Sample some first-rate examples at the cosy UVA Genève, or drive to the terraced, Unesco-protected vineyards at Lavaux. Set on the lake, just north of Lausanne, they’re around an hour’s drive from Geneva, or 90 minutes by train.

SEE

Tourists often overlook the elegant Musée des Arts d’Extrême-Orient, which showcases the treasures amassed by Swiss collector Alfred Baur. That’s a mistake, given its extraordinary contents, from dragon-wreathed jade vases to woodblock prints and precision-carved netsuke (look out for the tiny ivory monkey idly hunting for fleas).

STROLL

If you’re hoping to visit the UN’s imposing HQ, just north of the city centre, book well ahead. Haven’t bagged a place? Admire its flag-lined approach and Art Deco exterior, then amble across Park de l’Ariana to the city’s botanical gardens, with their lily-dotted ponds and resident preening peacocks.

St Peter’s Cathedral is at the heart of Geneva’s Old Town, a 12th-century church that became a place of Protestant worship during the Reformation. Climb the 157 steps to the top of its north tower for views that reach past gabled roofs and toward the sapphire expanse of Lake Geneva. Hire one of Geneva Boats’ luxury yachts – we recommend the glitzy Pardo 38 – for a quick jaunt to the picture-perfect village of Yvoire, whose medieval cobbled streets, flower-festooned cottages and artisanal ateliers make it perfect for leisurely strolls.

- The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva.