Geneva Private Tour with Watchmaking or Knifemaking Workshop

Learn Swiss watchmaking or knifemaking from artisans in the Arsenal, then walk Geneva's Old Town with a private guide.

A private guided tour of Geneva covering the International District, Old Town and iconic landmarks, followed by a hands-on workshop where you choose between assembling a Swiss watch or crafting a Swiss knife with expert artisans at Initium Genève in the Arsenal. Hotel pickup is included; the tour runs six hours and your guide speaks English, Spanish, French or Greek. You pick your workshop focus at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Geneva city tour and workshop

• Meet guide at hotel
• Visit Broken Chair sculpture
• Photo stop at United Nations
• View Geneva Water Fountain
• See Flower Clock
• Explore Geneva Old Town on foot
• Visit Arsenal and mosaics
• Participate in watchmaking or knife-making workshop

The Experience

Your guide meets you at your hotel and drives you through Geneva's International District, where the Palais des Nations stands lined with flags of member states. A photo stop at the Broken Chair sculpture—a 140-meter-high monument in front of the UN building—marks the city's commitment to human rights. From there, you see the Jet d'Eau, Geneva's 140-meter fountain, before heading into the Old Town on foot.

The cobblestone streets of Old Town lead past the Saint-Pierre Cathedral and through the Arsenal, a former grain store turned cannon house with mosaics that trace Geneva's history. You'll also pass the Flower Clock, a living symbol of the city's watchmaking heritage. The walking portion gives you the rhythm of the city without the rush of a larger group.

After the tour, you move into the hands-on workshop at Initium Genève, where you choose your craft. If you pick watchmaking, you assemble a timepiece under the guidance of expert artisans, learning the precision that defines Swiss horology. If you choose knifemaking, you craft your own Swiss knife, understanding the metalwork and design that go into one of Switzerland's most recognized exports. Either way, you leave with something you made, not just something you saw.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional local guide for the city tour.
• entry to Geneva's main landmarks including the Jet d'Eau, Broken Chair sculpture and Old Town.
• hands-on workshop at Initium Genève where you choose between watchmaking or knifemaking.
• expert instruction and all materials for your chosen craft.
• the finished watch or knife you make.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Keytours (Switzerland)

Is this one for you?Book the watchmaking option if you want to take home a functional timepiece and learn the precision behind Swiss horology; choose knifemaking if you prefer metalwork and design. Either way, the workshop turns the tour into something you make rather than just observe, and the private guide means the pace stays yours throughout the day.

Top questions

What exactly do I make in the watchmaking workshop?

You assemble a timepiece with expert artisans guiding you through the process, learning how the components fit together and function. You take the finished watch with you.

What's the difference between the watchmaking and knifemaking options?

Watchmaking focuses on assembling a functional timepiece and understanding Swiss horology; knifemaking teaches you metalwork and design as you craft your own Swiss knife. Both are hands-on with expert instruction, and you choose one at checkout.

How much of the day is walking through Geneva's Old Town?

The walking portion through Old Town and the Arsenal is part of the city tour section, which comes before the workshop. Your guide leads you through the cobblestone streets at a comfortable pace, with stops at landmarks like Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the Flower Clock.

Does the tour include the Jet d'Eau and the United Nations?

Yes. You see the Jet d'Eau fountain during the drive through the city, and you stop for a photo at the Broken Chair sculpture in front of the Palais des Nations, where you can photograph the UN building with its member state flags.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is included in the private tour. Your guide meets you directly at your accommodation at the start of the day.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your guide is available in English, Spanish, French or Greek. Confirm your language preference when you book.