Annecy - Venice of the Alps - Tour from Geneva
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Geneva, Switzerland
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Feast your eyes on the medieval monuments and colorful, half-timbered houses of Annecy on a half-day tour from Geneva. Travel to the "Venice of the Alps" and take a guided tour of the quaint cobbled streets of Annecy and delve into the town’s rich history as you visit interesting landmarks like Palais de l’Isle and Château Annecy. Take a stroll on the shores of Lake Annecy and then spend the remaining tour time exploring the Alpine gem at your own leisure.
- Explore Annecy Old Town’s colorful pedestrian lanes on a narrated walking tour
- Snap photos of Palais de l'Isle, the town’s most iconic landmark
- Browse exhibits in Château d’Annecy and stroll along the beautiful boat-filled lake
- Enjoy free time to explore on your own and go shopping
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Return trip in coach
- 45 minutes Guided Walking Tour ( if option selected)
- Guide for more than 10 people or driver guide for small groups
- Free time for shopping
- Flexible return
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fee - Chateau d'Annecy€12.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Place DorcièrePl. Dorcière, 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Place Dorcière 1201 Geneva
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Depart from a centrally located Geneva pickup point in an air-conditioned coach and embark on a scenic journey across the Switzerland-France border. Gaze at the snow-capped spires of the Alps as your guide sets the historical scene of Annecy, a medieval town shrouded in legend.
As you approach, marvel at the emerald waterways that weave their way around the town hailed as the "Venice of the Alps;" appreciate the picturesque tableau of colorful houses decorated with flower-filled balconies, and set out on a short orientation tour of the town, exploring the Old Town and its charming collection of monuments. Capture photographs beside the renowned Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century island fortress, and absorb sweeping city vistas from its vertiginous vantage point.
Venture to Château d’Annecy, a grand castle whose hilltop perch affords more impressive panoramas, and peruse the interesting exhibits housed in its museum. See models of Alpine chalets and informative panels on the history of Lake Annecy.
Enjoy some leisurely free time to eat lunch and then explore the town independently for the remainder of your tour.
After thoroughly exploring Annecy, reconvene with your guide and group and relax during the journey back to Geneva.
As you approach, marvel at the emerald waterways that weave their way around the town hailed as the "Venice of the Alps;" appreciate the picturesque tableau of colorful houses decorated with flower-filled balconies, and set out on a short orientation tour of the town, exploring the Old Town and its charming collection of monuments. Capture photographs beside the renowned Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century island fortress, and absorb sweeping city vistas from its vertiginous vantage point.
Venture to Château d’Annecy, a grand castle whose hilltop perch affords more impressive panoramas, and peruse the interesting exhibits housed in its museum. See models of Alpine chalets and informative panels on the history of Lake Annecy.
Enjoy some leisurely free time to eat lunch and then explore the town independently for the remainder of your tour.
After thoroughly exploring Annecy, reconvene with your guide and group and relax during the journey back to Geneva.
1
KeyTours S.A.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lake Annecy (Pass By)
2
Annecy
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Palais de l'Ile
Admission Ticket Free
4
Chateau d'Annecy
Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking
- Tour is operated in English and French unless otherwise specified
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Important: in July and August for the 2:15pm option, there is not guide but audio guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 426 reviews
Diana_H, Apr 2026
We had a good day in a beautiful French town, with wonderful weather, and informative guide, clean and comfortable bus and great bus driver.
We were told many facts on the ride to Annecy and shown the main places of interest. We were lucky enough to be in town for market day which was large and interesting to wander through. We had enough time to eat a meal and could have had a short boat ride on the lake if we wanted. Finished the day with an icecream and a milkshake. And we got back into Geneva with enough time in the afternoon to wander around it as well. The day could not have been better.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Diane,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great day in Annecy and that you enjoyed the beautiful weather, the market, and the overall experience.
We’re especially glad that the guide, driver, and comfortable bus all contributed to making your excursion so enjoyable. It sounds like you made the most of your time there—ending the day with an ice cream and milkshake is the perfect touch!
For your information, this excursion is organized by Keytours Switzerland, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the team.
We hope to welcome you again on another trip very soon!
Best regards,
Aaron_B, Apr 2026
This was an amazing trip to see Annecy . The ride was relaxing and comfortable . Good guide as well , he was knowledgeable and gave so many interesting facts on the way there . Annecy is such a beautiful place , full of history and beautiful scenery . I definitely recommend it , I just wish it was a little longer .
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Aaron,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing trip to Annecy and enjoyed the relaxing, comfortable journey. It’s great to know our guide helped bring the experience to life with interesting insights along the way. Thanks again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Ariane_T, Mar 2026
The tour was fun and exciting as we managed to explore Annesy, had enjoyed the food and the free tasting of cheese and olives as its market day when we went.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear guest,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring Annecy, sampling the local food, and taking part in the market day tastings.
It’s great to know the tour was fun and exciting for you!
Kind regards
Raheleh_J, Feb 2026
We had a fantastic experience. Gabriel was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We were lucky to have him 2 days in a row.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear guest,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic experience and that Gabriel made such a positive impression.
It’s great that you had the chance to enjoy his guidance two days in a row!
We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him. We hope to welcome you again on another memorable adventure soon.
Kind regards
Becky_M, Jan 2026
Annecy is a very beautiful town. The canals are clean and beautiful. We enjoyed our trip.
Viator was very unhelpful when I booked the wrong day and I was made to pay twice when I cancelled and rebooked. That was very disappointing.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed beautiful Annecy!
We’re sorry to hear about the issues with Viator and understand how frustrating that must have been. We hope the tour itself was still enjoyable.
Best regards
Poppi_H, Dec 2025
Fantastic place and great tour. Gabriel was a fantastic tour guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you, Poppi, for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed Annecy and that you had a great tour. Gabriel will be very happy to know his knowledge and friendly approach made your experience even more special. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Peter_P, Dec 2025
It was a last minute trip. Nice to not think about where to go because there are no stops on the bus. 75 francs was the last minute price for the geneve to annecy tour. Flix bus was about 15 francs each way also last minute. The tour was very short so maybe it's better to take Flix bus and then a separate tour guide in annecy. However, the tour guide for swiss tours (Arnault) was very nice and definitely cared about our learning. Perhaps they could expand by 1 more hour to allow some more time in annecy.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We’re glad to hear that you appreciated the convenience of the tour, especially for a last-minute trip, and that you found Arnault to be a caring and knowledgeable guide.
We understand your comments regarding the duration of the tour and the comparison with alternative transportation options. Our tours are designed to offer a stress-free experience with transportation, guidance, and organization included, which differs from independent travel.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we hope to welcome you on another tour in the future.
Best regards
SiewPei_O, Dec 2025
The starting point was easy to locate, a friendly tour guide gave us a brief overview of the destination and was also given plenty of time to explore.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that the meeting point was easy to find and that our tour guide made you feel welcome with a clear introduction to the destination. We’re also pleased that you had enough time to explore and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
We hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
Kind regards
jankrell, Nov 2025
Annecy is a beautiful and charming town. I’m so happy that we took this excursion, and our quide was great!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day in Annecy — it truly is a charming place, and we’re glad the beauty of the town made your experience special.
We’re also happy to know that your guide helped make the excursion enjoyable. Your kind words mean a lot to us!
We hope to welcome you on another Keytours adventure soon! 🌿✨
Brian_B, Nov 2025
Enjoyable side trip from Geneva to Annecy. Our guide Hector was very knowledgeable and struck a nice balance of informing enough without too much. We appreciated the flexibility in Annecy with the option for a short 30 minute guided tour or choosing to explore without a guide.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Brian,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your side trip to Annecy and that Hector made the experience both informative and well-balanced.
We’re also glad you appreciated the flexibility to choose between a short guided tour or exploring the town at your own pace — Annecy has so much charm to discover in whichever way suits you best.
We hope to welcome you back on another Keytours experience soon!
Warm regards,
The Keytours Team
Hai_P, Nov 2025
We enjoyed the trip very much. The tour guide was very nice. He explained the history of the places that we visited. We had a wonderful time in Switzerland.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Hai,
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip to Annecy and that your guide helped bring the history of the region to life. It’s wonderful to know you had such a great time in Switzerland.
We hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Best regards,
The Keytours Team
Sandy, Nov 2025
On reaching Annecy, the tour guide just went on his own after disembarking from the bus with no effort to get the group together to follow his lead, leaving half of the tour party on their own. We had to explore the town using google maps. Truly my first bad experience with booking tours with Viator.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re very sorry about your experience in Annecy.
The guide should have stayed with the group, and we understand your disappointment.
We’ll follow up with the guide to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
If you’d like, feel free to share your booking details so we can look into it further.
Kind regards
Paul_P, Nov 2025
I have one good day in Annevy, weather was perfect , sunny day . Everthing was fine . Thanks to our guide
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re glad you had a perfect sunny day in Annecy and enjoyed your time with our guide. We hope to welcome you again for another great experience!
Kind regards
Wingkei_L, Oct 2025
The ride to annecy was nice tour guide started and gv history then left us alone to explore … area is quite big you cn easily get lost if your not familiar and the meetin place back to the bus was far
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your Annecy tour. We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic ride and the guide’s introduction to the city’s history.
We’re sorry to hear that you found the meeting point and exploration a bit challenging. Please note that the tour includes a 45-minute guided walking tour at the beginning, followed by free time to explore at your own pace. We’ll make sure our team reminds guests clearly about directions and meeting points to make the experience smoother.
We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you on another Keytours excursion soon!
Warm regards,
The Keytours Team
Jorge_G, Oct 2025
Beautiful city only 45 minutes from Geneva. Lots of bridges and waterways, very picturesque. Would have been nice to have stayed an extra hour on the tour to have enjoyed sitting in a cafe having lunch etc.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Jorge! We’re glad you enjoyed the beauty of Annecy and its charming bridges and waterways. The tour is design as a half day. Best regards
Lindsey_V, Sep 2025
Absolutely fabulous morning in beautiful Annecy. Tour guide was great too. We managed to fit in a boat trip to take in the beautiful lake. I can’t fault this trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Lindsey! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a wonderful morning in Annecy and enjoyed the boat trip on the lake. It’s fantastic that the tour left such a positive impression—we really appreciate your kind words! Best regards from Keytours
Veronica_D, Sep 2025
Beautiful community with lots of bridges & small alleys with many outdoor cafes… a very pleasant visit
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the charm of Annecy, with its picturesque bridges, quaint alleys, and inviting outdoor cafes. See you soon on Keytours excursion
Heather_R, Sep 2025
The old town is charming and fairly small. Some of the hills are steep but worth it and the lake is beautiful as well.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We’re glad you enjoyed exploring the charming old town of Annecy and taking in the beautiful lake views.
It’s true — the hills can be steep, but the scenery and atmosphere make it well worth the walk. We hope to welcome you on another Keytours adventure soon!
Warm regards,
The Keytours Team
gogosommerh, Sep 2025
Amazing and beautiful place full of food and shops and lovely people. Could have stayed all day ………!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review on our tour to Annecy! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the sights, food, and atmosphere — it really is a special place. Warm regards,
The Keytours Team
Maggie_O, Sep 2025
Our guide was knowledgeable, gave us good info and then plenty of time to roam around, shop and grab a bite before returning to the bus. He researched a question I asked and updated his response quickly with additional information. When three people didn’t return to the bus on time he waited for 10 mins, made sure the office knew they hadn’t returned and then left, which meant all other passengers were not also substantially delayed. We appreciated that.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Maggie,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your day in Annecy and appreciated the guide’s knowledge, responsiveness, and attention to the group.
We’re glad the balance of guided information and free time worked well for you, and that the guide managed the timing smoothly to ensure everyone’s experience remained enjoyable. Your kind words mean a lot to us!
We hope to welcome you again soon on another Keytours adventure.
Warm regards,
The Keytours Team
Patricia_D, Sep 2025
Annecy might be the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen…. The lake, the river, the bridges, the flowers, the architecture and the food options ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This tour was too short to see everything, so I stayed and took the train back to Geneva. Our tour guide was also excellent.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Madam,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We’re delighted to hear you loved the beauty of Annecy and enjoyed the lake, river, bridges, flowers, architecture, and food. It’s great that our guide made your visit even more enjoyable.
We completely understand wanting more time—Annecy is truly a place worth lingering in!
Kind regards
Alan_A, Sep 2025
A very enjoyable half day visit to Annecy - the Venice of France with picturesque flower lined canals and many little cafes
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you for your lovely feedback!
We’re thrilled you enjoyed your half-day visit to Annecy and experienced its picturesque canals and charming cafés.
It’s wonderful to hear you had such an enjoyable time!
Kind regards
CLAUDIO_G, Sep 2025
On time , and experienced guide tour Gabriel
Bus comfortable nothing to complain
we arrived on time back to Geneve
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear customer,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re delighted to hear that Gabriel made your tour enjoyable and that the bus and schedule met your expectations.
We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon!
Kind regards
Katherine_M, Sep 2025
Easy to find the pick up/drop off location. Bus was very comfortable for the one-hour bus ride each way. Guide was informative. Plenty of restaurants, shops, outdoor activities/walks and sights to occupy your three hours of meandering before getting back on the bus and returning to Geneva. Wish I could go back for a longer stay. It was relaxing.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you for your lovely review.
We are delighted to hear that you found the pick-up and drop-off easy, enjoyed the confortable bus ride, and appreciated the informative guide.
It's great to know you had a relaxing time exploring the restaurants, shop and sights.
We hope you will have the chance to return for a longer stay in the future.
Kind regards
Caitlin_J, Aug 2025
Annecy is worth the visit. Whether you do it with this tour is worth putting some thought into. On the one hand, I didn’t have to think or plan much, and it allowed me more time in Geneva. On the other, it wasn’t enough time if you happen to fall in love with it or you want to enjoy a relaxed meal or visit more than one museum.
Things to note:
The bus may be too cold, bring a jacket
There is an Italian influence/history in this town, and some museums and shops close from noon to 2pm. Plan accordingly. Unfortunately this tour left you in town during a chunk of that period.
Public restrooms are bare bones in many parts of France, including this town, and you will need to bring your own TP.
If you walk too far along the canals, you will reach the spot where drug dealers and addicts hang out.
Overall, this tour was worth it for me, but I wish I had had more information before I left.
Plan a full day on your own if you want to shop and eat at a leisurely pace. Also walking around…it’s completely gorgeous.
I enjoyed learning more about the Savoy history from our guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your detailed feedback!
We’re glad you enjoyed Annecy and learning about Savoy history from your guide.
We appreciate your practical tips and understand that a short tour can feel a bit rushed—planning a full day on your own is a great suggestion for those who want to explore more.
We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Best regards
Lori_L, Aug 2025
Nice guide, no real interaction with the driver. We got just enough information and and tour time with our guide that it was pleasant. And it was really appreciated then to have a designated amount of time to explore on our own. I also appreciated that for the most part the return of home was quiet so we could nap. I definitely would recommend it and do it again.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with the guide and appreciated the balance of guided information and free time to explore on your own. It’s also great to know that the return journey was comfortable and relaxing.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and would be delighted to welcome you again on another tour!
Kind regards
Zoran_N, Aug 2025
Very nice old town, fully touristic, with nice lake nestled in a foot of the mountains.
Walkable.
It takes 3-3,5 hrs to circle around, enjoy a slow drink and just not be in a hurry.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the charm of the old town and the beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. It’s great that you were able to take your time, enjoy a leisurely walk, and relax with a drink without feeling rushed.
We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience soon!
Kind regards
Robin_B, Aug 2025
What a beautiful city/village. You have a combination of old and modern but one does not impose upon the other. The lake was fantastic. Very quaint walks along the lake.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the charm of the city and its mix of old and modern elements. It’s wonderful that you appreciated the walks along the lake and found the scenery so enjoyable.
We hope to welcome you back for another memorable visit soon!
Kind regards
Robert_S, Aug 2025
Excellent place to visit. The tour did not indicate that the castle was closed on the day (Tuesday) we went. Also on Monday’s most of the shops are closed. Otherwise a good trip.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit overall.
We apologize for the inconvenience regarding the castle being closed on Tuesday and the shops on Monday.
Thank you again for your review, and we hope to welcome you on another trip soon!
Kind regards
Kathleen_Z, Aug 2025
Annecy is a lovely little town. A half day there is the perfect amount of time. The outdoor market is fantastic.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We're glad you enjoyed your visit to Annecy and had a great time exploring the outdoor market. We appreciate your input and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future to show you even more of the region!
From $45.38
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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