There’s much to love about driving in Geneva. Wherever you roam in your hire car, you’ll have the Alps as your backdrop, their snowy peaks forming a wall through a large swathe of Europe. You’ll also have the still, azure lakes of Switzerland to drive around – it’s all a feast for the eyes.

Landing at the airport, you’re a mere four miles from the city itself. It’s only a 15-minute drive via the Route de Meyrin and Rue de Lyon, but it’s clearly signposted. Don’t forget that, as you’re in continental Europe, you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road, overtaking on the left. Many of the other driving rules will be familiar from home: you’ll need to ensure seatbelts are worn at all times and mobile phone use while driving is illegal. Note that no under 7’s can sit in the front seat of a car here.

The speed limits here are in km/h, with a maximum of 120 km/h on motorways with a green sign, down to 50 km/h in towns and urban areas. This can drop further in residential areas. You won’t find a great deal of on-street parking in Geneva itself, but ample paid car parks.

If you wish to drive into France then you’re mere miles away, heading south-west on the A40. Keep on a while longer and you’ll cross into Italy. To see more of Switzerland, you’ll have to take the E62 or the A1, as you’re right in the south-west corner of the country. For some stunning scenery take the A1 which hugs Lake Geneva and passes through lovely Lausanne.

Geneva is like a huge chocolate box, that contains many flavours to try – but which first? Of course, being in Switzerland, you should definitely make time to visit a chocolatier or two. That’s when you’re not relaxing by the beautiful lake, exploring historically significant churches and cathedrals or getting a close look at the Large Hadron Collider. All of this, and you can nip over the border into France too – perfect.

History and harmony

Geneva isn’t just about a lake, chocolate and meetings in closed rooms that affect the world. Stroll around its handsome old town and you’ll get a valuable glimpse into the city’s long past and role in European history. This area is called the Vieille Ville, packed with medieval buildings, sunny squares and streets you’ll want to move to. Place de Bourg-de-Four was once a Roman marketplace – now you can idle away some time here with the ghosts of the past flitting around you. Wander into St. Pierre Cathedral, a 12^th century church built over a 4^th century Roman temple – you can tour the remains in the basement or stay above ground to see the place where the John Calvin once held court.

Lakeside life

Geneva’s stately lake is the city’s pride and joy. Its banks are lined with walks and parks, places to sit and view the water or hire a boat and explore it, rowing gently while you admire the distant Alps. Make for the Jet d’eau, the huge fountain that sends tons of water cascading over 140 metres into the air every second. A word of warning – get too close and you’re certain to get wet.

On the left bank, the English Garden Park – Jardin Anglais – contains the Flower Clock. With different flowers planted in different seasons, this is a quintessentially English tribute to Swiss timekeeping. Back in town, you can tour the Palais des Nations, home to the UN, set in grounds populated with peacocks.

Beyond Geneva

With your Geneva airport hire car you can head beyond the city, circling the lake to discover some more fine Swiss cities. Lausanne is somewhat livelier at night than Geneva, but quiet in the daytime. The Gothic edifice of Notre Dame Cathedral dates from the 13^th century, smack in the heart of the old town.

Continue on along the northern edge of the lake until you reach Montreux. It’ll be packed during the famous annual jazz festival, but at other times of the year is much more sedate. Beautiful and laidback, it’s full of superb restaurants, waterside cafes and echoes of times when Lord Byron stayed here, inspired by the views.

There’s much more to see and do here – indulge in a tour of a chocolate factory, drive out to CERN for a glimpse of the scientific cutting-edge, or tuck into a fondue in a classic restaurant. With car hire at Geneva Airport you’ll have the time and freedom to fit it all in.