annecy day trip

Ultimate One Day in Annecy Itinerary

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Annecy is easily one of the most beautiful towns in France . With flower-lined canals, a breathtaking lake surrounded by craggy mountain peaks, and charming Medieval buildings, spending one day in Annecy is a dream.

Annecy is my favorite place in France and it isn’t difficult to see why. Not only is Annecy worth visiting, spending a day in Annecy or longer is a fantastic way to enjoy the cuisine, culture, and sights of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region! 

One Day in Annecy Itinerary: Top Things to Do in Annecy, France in a Day

If you are short on time and have 1 day in Annecy, let’s talk about the best things to do in a day! 

Now, to get the most out of your day, I highly recommend spending the night there so you can get up bright and early and see the town as it is waking up as well as beat the crowds! But if this is an Annecy day trip, then definitely get in early. 

1. Explore the Old Town of Annecy

Old Town Annecy is a Medieval charmer. There are several beautiful churches, shops, and residences in the old town of Annecy that are drop-dead gorgeous to behold. 

Then, of course, you have the canals. If there is one must-do during your 1 day in Annecy, it is to walk along the canals. And the main reason why I say to stay the night is so that you can enjoy these flower-lined waterways without the crowds.

Explore the Thiou canal and spot the famous Palais de L’ile monument in the middle of the water. Admire the ducks and swans as they glide gracefully on the crystal clear channel. And, of course, get a few photos or a cup of coffee next to the canals while the world is still waking up. 

It is so worth it to see this first thing, because trust me, by afternoon the place is swarmed. Annecy may not be well known to people from other countries, but it is a very popular place to visit in France. 

2. Palais de L’ile

While you’re wandering around the Old Town, stop at the Palais de L’ile! This palace island was once a prison, a minting workshop, an administrative center, a royal residence, and is now a museum.

It’s really interesting to visit this little palace and learn more about its past and the history of Annecy. It only takes about an hour to visit, and it costs €4 for admission from January-June and September-December. The price is €5 in July and August. 

Palais de L’ile Hours: Wednesday-Monday 10 am-12 pm, 2-5 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

3. Old Town Market in Annecy

While you’re in Old Town Annecy, why not stop by the most amazing farmers market ? Open year-round on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 7 am-1 pm, there are stalls selling the most amazing and fresh foods! 

On Tuesdays, you’ll find tons of local produce, and on Fridays and Sundays, you’ll also see many textile goods as well. It is also larger on the weekends. No matter when you visit, though, you’ll enjoy pursuing the stands and purchasing anything from fresh veggies to local cheeses and everything in between.

Stalls are located throughout the old town with many near the canals. The freshest strawberries I’ve ever tasted came from this market! Plus, there is a phenomenal nougat stand worth checking out too! 

4. Picnic Along Lake Annecy During Your 1 Day in Annecy

You know about the Old Town Market above, so why not gather up the best sausages, bread, cheeses, fruits, and veggies and stop by a shop for a bottle of wine to take to Lake Annecy for a picnic?

The best place for this picnic has to be the Jardins de l’Europe. This scenic park has many shade trees that make for a perfect place to set up a picnic, and you get sprawling views of Lake Annecy. 

It couldn’t be a more perfect place to enjoy a lovely afternoon of people watching and tasty local food.

5. Get Out on Lake Annecy

Okay, while you could certainly bike around Lake Annecy, walk along the shores or just lounge on the beaches, why not get out on the crystal clear water to really enjoy it?

There are a few boat tours you could take, or if you want to keep it simple, just rent a paddleboat for an hour or two and get out on the water! 

This is such a fun thing to do on a warm, sunny day! Take in the mountain views as you lazily paddle along, perhaps with that bottle of wine from earlier! 

I did this last time with a friend and it was honestly one of my favorite memories from Annecy, so I highly recommend renting a little boat and enjoying the water!

Prices to rent a paddleboat are €22 per hour for a 2 person boat or €27 per hour for a 4 person boat. 

6. Visit Pont des Amours for a Romantic Thing to do in Annecy for a Day

After exploring the lake, pop over to Pont des Amours for a lovely view of the canal that meets the lake. It is a romantic spot to enjoy together ! 

Legend says that if you kiss your love here then you’ll be together forever!

7. Catch a Sunset in Annecy

After a beautiful day in Annecy on both the lake and in the old city, it is time to enjoy a lovely sunset. 

Obviously, the lake is a great option, but the old city sets a great backdrop for stunning sunsets as well! 

8. Have Some Wine at La Cave

Once the sun has set it is time to enjoy a little bit of wine and an appetizer or two. La Cave Wine Bar is the perfect hidden gem to go to for splitting a bottle of amazing French wine and sharing some small plates.

Being near some incredible wineries of the Savoie wine region, you can’t miss the chance to try local wine! Grapes grown in the Savoie include Jacquère, Altesse, Gamay, and even some Pinot Noir. 

While the wines here are predominantly white wine, you’ll find some great reds too! Seriously, I had the best Pinot Noir of my life here.

La Cave also has seriously tasty appetizers that are seasonally made. 

La Cave Hours: Monday-Saturday from 6 pm-12 am.

9. End the Evening With Alpine Fare

To wrap up your one day in Annecy, you’ll definitely want to feast on alpine classics! Tartiflette, raclette, and fondue all come to mind when thinking about hearty and delicious alpine food! 

Luckily, L’Etage is a great place to enjoy all of those options as well as other French classics like escargot, beef tartare, and steak frites. 

If you’re going to be visiting this region of France, you can’t miss the chance to try the local cuisine! 

After dinner, it is time to either head back to wherever you visited or spend the night. 

L’Etage Hours: Monday-Saturday 12-2:15 pm and 7-10:30 pm. Sunday 12-2:30 pm and 7-10 pm.

If You Have More Than One Day in Annecy

If you have more than one day in Annecy, the options are endless! First of all, you could spend more time exploring Lake Annecy including biking the circumference of the lake! 

There are also several hiking trails nearby to explore, as well as the chance to take day trips to nearby cities like Aix les Bains for their thermal baths, Geneva in Switzerland, and maybe even take a tour of the wineries of the Savoie wine region. 

I really enjoyed the Alpes Flaveurs hiking and wine tour with Bernard! You can book this by emailing [email protected] ! 

Other Things to Know About Visiting Annecy, France in One Day

Before you enjoy your Annecy one day itinerary, here are some tips to know:

How to Get to Annecy:

The best way to get to Annecy is via train. If you’re coming from elsewhere in France or Switzerland, then a train is best! The Annecy train station is in the middle of the city center.

If you’re further away, then you’ll need to fly into a nearby airport and take the train to Annecy. Airports to check out include Paris, Lyon, and Geneva. Paris is about a 4-hour train ride away , while Lyon is 2 hours away, and Geneva is 1 hour away. 

Check Skyscanner for the best prices on flights to France!

Getting Around Annecy: 

Luckily, if you’re just sticking to Annecy, then walking is just fine. It is a pretty walkable city, so whether you want to enjoy the Old Town or visit the lake, walking is a great way to get around. 

However, if you wish to visit nearby towns, you can either take the train if it is a larger town or rent a car for more flexibility. I love checking AutoEurope for rental car prices!  

Where to Stay in Annecy

There are several options for where to stay in Annecy including rentals like Airbnb and VRBO . 

But if you’re looking for great hotel options, here are a few based on your budget:

Budget: IBIS Styles Annecy Gare Center

Located near the train station and Old Town, it is a perfect place to explore on a budget. Aside from free breakfast, they also have rooms with mountain and city views!

Book it here!

Mid-Range: Atipik Hotel Alexandra

This is where I stayed last time, and it is also located near the train station and Old Town. It had great views of the city from our room, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.

Luxury: Les Loges Annecy Vieille Ville

This luxury hotel is right in the old town and offers lovely apartments complete with cozy fireplaces, two bottles of wine for guests, and a delightful breakfast each morning. 

Best Time To Visit For an Annecy Itinerary

Annecy, France is a fantastic place to visit year-round. While winter can definitely be chilly with temperatures ranging from 28-30ºF (-2 to -1ºC) at night and 38-42ºF (3-6ºC) during the day, there is ample opportunity to go skiing nearby! 

Plus, the Christmas markets in Annecy are so lovely! These typically occur between late November and most of December. 

Carnaval in Annecy also occurs in the winter months in either February or March where you can get dressed up in masks and wander the city! 

Spring sees temperatures reaching 49-64ºF (9-18ºC) during the day and 33-45ºF (.5-7ºC) at night. It is also not terribly busy this time of year so it is a great opportunity to visit without a lot of crowds. 

Summer is the warmest time of year to visit with temperatures averaging 71-76ºF (22-24ºC) during the day and 51-53ºF (11-12ºC) at night. There is also the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June as well as the Lake Festival in August with a giant fireworks display! 

Autumn cools down a bit with temperatures ranging from 46-69ºF (8-21ºC)  during the day and 35-48ºF (2-9ºC) at night. The Return of the Alpine Pastures Festival occurs on the second Saturday in October when the flocks are heading back toward the town for the winter. There is a parade of animals (including cows in flower crowns!) as well as traditional music and dancing! 

No matter when you visit, I know you’ll fall head over heels for this French alpine city! It is still my favorite place in France and I love each and every time I’ve visited no matter the time of year!

Spending one day in Annecy, France is a great way to get a taste of what this incredible city has to offer! From charming architecture and the stunning lake to tasty, hearty cuisine, a visit to Annecy will leave you wanting more! 

Would you like to spend a day in Annecy, France?

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One Day in Annecy Itinerary: A Day Trip from Geneva

Last Updated on February 28, 2024

by Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Annecy is a beautiful French Alpine city just 50 km south of Geneva , with a beautiful old town showcasing its unique architecture amongst the canals, as well as an enormous lake and lush mountains all around, waiting for you to explore over one day in Annecy. Nicknamed the Venice of the Alps due to its canals, but with the splendour of Monaco , you won’t be short of things to do on your Annecy itinerary, making for a perfect day trip from Geneva.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Annecy?

There are plenty of things to do in Annecy, however, it’s also a beautiful place to simply walk around and enjoy the pastel colours of the buildings in the old town and the incredible blue of the famous lake and summer sky, interrupted by the green of the surrounding mountains.

In one day, you can explore the old town on foot and enjoy a picnic by the lake, either in the city park or on one of the beautiful beaches on the shores of Lake Annecy.

However, if you have 2 days or a weekend in Annecy, you can also enjoy a hike up to one of the mountain tops in the French Alps for a spectacular view of Lake Annecy, the city and other small towns in the distance.

Ultimately, how many days to spend in Annecy depends on how much time you want to spend adventuring through the magnificent natural landscape.

Getting To & Around Annecy

If you’re taking a day trip to Annecy from Geneva, you can drive South for 50 km on the A41 to be there in less than an hour.

Do be aware that, although Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, you may still need to show your ID to pass its borders and you have to pay a road tax to drive on Swiss motorways.

You can also find plenty of parking in Annecy, with a 24-hour car park by the central train station.

The train is an equally simple option, with Swiss Railways trains taking just over an hour and departing regularly throughout the day to arrive at Annecy train station, which is within walking distance from the old town and city centre.

Or, you can take a slightly cheaper and shorter journey with Flixbus or Blablabus, or car-share with Blablacar to save even more and take the opportunity of talking to a local to practise your French and find out some of the Haute-Savoie’s hidden gems.

If you prefer to go on an organised Annecy day trip from Geneva, you can take this half-day tour or this half-day tour that takes care of the planning for you.

You can also travel to Annecy from Lyon , with direct trains taking about 2 hours and the drive taking about as much time. This makes visiting from Lyon another great option. You can view train schedules here .

Our route doesn’t venture far out of the old town, which covers an area of a few kilometres, so you can easily walk around it in a day, however, there is a comprehensive bus system in the city, called Sibra, to make it easier to reach the modern centre and outskirts.

You can also rent bikes all over Annecy, with one company, Vélonecy, offering reasonably priced bike rentals per hour or day so you can get around the centre more quickly or venture out on the cycle paths around the lake.

1 Day in Annecy Itinerary

A day is the ideal amount of time to spend strolling along the quaint streets and canals of the old town, before visiting a museum and enjoying a picnic by the lake or a boat trip around Lake Annecy to get a different perspective.

Old Town of Annecy

Annecy Old Town is a beautiful area on one edge of the lake, with Le Thiou Canal running through its heart and smaller streams separating the streets, creating an intricate patchwork of bridges and passageways throughout.

As you spend the beginning of your day in Annecy, notice the colourful houses jutting out over some of the canals, including some ‘hôtels particuliers’ owned by notable families of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Enjoy breakfast in one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area or make a mental note of somewhere to come back to for lunch or dinner to enjoy the gastronomic scene in the city and tuck into some fondue or a tartiflette.

If you visit Annecy in February, you might be lucky enough to see the Venetian carnival; a parade of performers in traditional Venetian costumes who silently walk through the old town streets over one weekend. The costumes are remarkable and well worth stopping by for a photo.

However, if you’re visiting in July, you can enjoy arts festivals that descend on the whole city and admire the sculptures hidden around the street corners, as well as performers and poets.

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

One of the highlights of Annecy’s old town that you can enjoy all year round is Saint Peter’s Cathedral.

Having originally been constructed in the 16th century, due to damage and reparations you can see the contrast between the Gothic interior, shown through the bright stained glass windows and the beautiful symmetry of the Renaissance exterior.

Inside, you can take a moment to cool off from the summer sun while admiring the architecture and catch a glimpse of the enormous 19th-century organ that stands over 7 metres tall. 

Pont Morens

As you continue wandering the old town streets, towards the second stop on your Annecy day trip itinerary, pass over the pretty Pont Morens. From this delightful old bridge with a weir, you can enjoy wonderful views along the canal lined with colourful houses and charming bars and restaurants.

Musée-Château d’Annecy

There are three main museums in Annecy: the Musée-Château d’Annecy, Palais de L’Île and Le Musée du Film d’Animation. However, each museum is relatively small and only a short walk from each other, so you can visit at least two of them in one afternoon.

Just a 4-minute walk from Le Thiou is Annecy’s castle which has been converted into a museum. With numerous artefacts as well as centuries-old paintings and a collection of contemporary art, the Musée-Château d’Annecy has a lot to offer everyone with any kind of historical or artistic interest.

Having formerly served as the official residence of the counts of Geneva – there were many noblemen living in the Duchy of Savoy area so the château changed hands over the centuries – the mediaeval castle was expertly restored into the striking building we see today.

Le Palais de L’Île

Heading back down to the centre of the old town and following Le Thiou, you’ll come across a curious medieval castle sitting in the middle of the canal. Built in the 1100s on top of a natural rocky island in the canal, this small palace has served many different purposes over the centuries.

A prison numerous times in the last millennia, the palace was a mint for the Count of Geneva in the 1300s and was transformed into a courthouse in the late 1500s. In the mid-1800s the palace was briefly a home for the elderly, and more recently a boarding school for carpenters and stone carvers.

You can see evidence of the Island Palace’s long history in its architecture, as additions were made over the years to optimise the palace for its new purposes, before undergoing restoration works in the 1980s and 2016.

Now, the palace is an art and history museum, where you can learn about the island’s history, visit its chapel and see how the 14th-century gold and silver mint worked.

Le Musée du Film d’Animation

Definitely check out the Animated Film Museum, 10 minutes walking southeast of the château or the palace, as it’s free all year long.

Visually detailing the history of animated images and moving pictures, the museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of film and into the minds of the creatives who developed the art form.

Thanks to this museum, which also has a large collection of loaned objects from other countries, Annecy is now a European hub of animation, with its international animated film festival taking place at the beginning of June each year, drawing huge crowds from all over the world.

Lake Annecy

After spending most of your day in the old town and historical sites, it’s time to see the lake.

Shop in Monoprix for a budget-friendly picnic, or find nearby some small shops selling wonderful homemade takeaway meals such as octopus salads, rice dishes and sausages. You can also stop by the Pierre Gay fromagerie for some delicious local cheeses.

Plage des Marquisats

One of the most popular and easy-to-reach beaches on the lake is the Plage des Marquisats, just a 10-minute walk away from the centre towards the South. It can become busy in summer, but this small beach reaching into the crystal clear waters of one of the cleanest lakes in Europe is a great place to have a picnic on a sunny afternoon and venture out for a paddle.

You don’t have to pay to sit at the beach and there are snack bars as well as toilets and showers, so it’s a practical spot to spend a lot of time too.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Annecy on the first Saturday of August, you can watch the huge 2-hour-long fireworks show with music over the lake from here as well!

Jardins de l’Europe

If you’re only having one day in Annecy so don’t want to lug wet clothes around with you, you can have your picnic in the Jardins de l’Europe behind the town hall.

This beautiful park full of trees and small birds gives you stunning views of the lake, with two fountains and a small wild island close to the shore, in front of the statue of French chemist Claude Louis Berthollet from Talloires, on the opposite side of the lake.

The Jardins de l’Europe are a great spot for a picnic as the trees provide a lot of shade and the small friendly birds will come by to pick up your crumbs.

From here you can cross the Pont des Amours to reach Le Pâquier d’Annecy, a large green with walkways through if you want to spend the rest of your afternoon basking in the sun or joining in a football match.

On this side of the lake, there are also a few boat rental agencies so if you have time you can rent a motorboat or pedalo and enjoy your afternoon on the lake.

Have 2 or 3 Days in Annecy?

One of the best things to do around Annecy is to hike up the surrounding hills and mountains to get a stunning view over the lake. If you walk for 40 minutes or take a bus to the opposite side of the lake, a path comes off Avenue de Chavoires leading up the mountain with options of different routes with varying difficulty.

It takes 1 hour to reach Sous Pré Vernet, 1 hour 15 to Talabar, 2 hours 40 to Mont Veyrier and 2 hours 55 to Mont Baron. Be wary, however, if there are fast and slow routes to the same point, the faster routes will be more direct and thus significantly steeper.

If you’ve got 2 days in Annecy and want to get out and about around the lake, there is a 25 km cycle route around the lake which you can enjoy, or simply follow the winding roads. You can even t ake an organised cycle if you prefer to go with a guide.

Thanks to the Tour de France regularly coming through Annecy, with the famous hairpin bends of the Alpe d’Huez not too far away, the roads are very well-kept and suited for all cyclists regardless of experience.

Another option is to spend one day or at least an afternoon out on the lake, so rent any kind of water transport, from motorboats, speedboats and catamarans to pedalos, kayaks and canoes; there are plenty of ways to enjoy the gorgeous lake, just don’t forget your sunscreen.

If you’re a watersports enthusiast and the wind is favourable, you can even rent wing foils or do stand-up paddle yoga in the lake!

If you’re spending a week in the Alps or more than 3 days, you can also drive for around 20 minutes westwards to spend time exploring the spectacular Fier Gorges, with the amazing Château de Montrottier which you can visit.

You can also time your visit to Annecy with the food market that takes place every Wednesday in the Place des Romains for the freshest of picnics, or to simply see the city streets come alive.

Where to Stay in Annecy

Hôtel du Château – This cosy hotel in the centre of Annecy is a great choice for mid-range travellers. There are a number of comfortable rooms to choose from and there is also a continental breakfast available each morning.

Allobroges Park Hôtel – Another lovely hotel in the centre of Annecy, this one has a range of wonderful, clean and comfortable rooms on offer, a delightful terrace to enjoy, breakfast available in the mornings and a restaurant/bar on site.

Aparthotel Adagio – Those after a comfortable self-catering option in Annecy will love this centrally-located aparthotel. They have a number of fully-furnished flats available, ranging in size, and plenty of other amenities to ensure guests have a great stay.

Annecy Hostel – Budget and solo travellers will love this hostel. Centrally located close to all Annecy has to offer, they have both private rooms and dorm beds available along with great common areas and good self-catering facilities.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Annecy hotels!

Annecy may be well known as a beautiful Alpine city, but it’s by no means overloaded with tourists and remains an extraordinary city to visit. Whether you have a week in the Alps or just one day to explore Annecy, you’re sure to fall in love with this dazzling city surrounded by incredible scenery.

Are you planning to visit Annecy? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Brittany is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Colchester, England, she is slowly but surely travelling the world as a digital nomad. She loves to hike around different landscapes and has a deep love for travelling around France (and elsewhere in Europe).

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That Haven Life

One Day in Annecy – The Ultimate Classic Itinerary

By now, you must have heard about Annecy – a city in the haute-savoie department that looks like a dream getaway. 

Annecy has become one of the top spots to visit in France, where people usually opt for a 1-day trip to Annecy, especially for family travel, as there are so many places to see and activities to do.

Annecy is a small city and very walkable as most places of interest are in the city center. 

In this Annecy Itinerary, I will show you how to spend one day in Annecy at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour and travel tips when visiting Annecy.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a little something if you decide to click on them at no additional cost to you. Thanks!

One Day in Annecy: Self-Guided Walking Tour Itinerary

Pont des Amours 

Start your day trip from Gare D’annecy (Annecy Train Station) to Pont Des Amours (Lovers Bridge) for a scenic Alpine view, where the lake of Annecy and the inland Canal du Vasse are interconnected. 

There is a famous legend about the bridge – couples who kiss on the deck will likely be united for life – which explains why the bridge is popular among couples. Try to arrive at the bridge before noon to avoid the crowd, especially on a nice summer day. 

And take that infamous photo with the signage of Pont Des Amours over the beautiful lake for memory keeping.

Jardin de L’Europe & Lac D’Annecy

From the bridge, continue the promenade along Lake Annecy. It has been nominated to be the third largest lake in France.

The pristine lake is a great place to visit, especially during the summer, as there are many things to do around the lake.

For instance, you can walk along or rent a bike or segway around Lake Annecy.

Other way to enjoy the lake is to get out on the water. Compagnie des Bateaux du Lac d’Annecy provides 1-hour cruise tours which point out several beautiful towns surrounding the lake with breathtaking views of the mountains and castles. 

The cruise departs several times a day from the pier of the Old Town and is available throughout the year. 

The beaches and the shores of the lake are also perfect for picnicking, swimming, doing water sports, or even renting a pedal boat. 

 You will find jardin de l’Europe on your right. Stop by for a while for a picnic on the bench or the grass and enjoy the breathtaking views over the turquoise lake and the French Alps.

If you travel by car, head to Rue des Marquisats for more parking space.

Palais de l’ile 

The visit to Annecy is not complete without a stop-off at Palais de l’Île, an island situated in the middle of the Canal du Thiou in the old city of Annecy.

Once a medieval castle dating back to the 12th Century, it then served as a prison and a courthouse before being transformed into a museum. 

Consider visiting the museum if you are fond of history. The visit should take around 30-45 minutes. 

La Vieille Ville 

Walking around La Vieille Ville, or the Annecy Old Town, which is just a few steps from the Palais de l’Île, is an absolute delight.

The Old Town of Annecy offers a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants with diverse cuisines, and churches can be found here.

You do not want to miss Rue Sainte-Claire, the main shopping street just a stone’s throw from the Old Town Annecy, where you can find some artisanal ice cream and chocolate shops. 

Enjoy the old town at your pace, and stroll along the streets to admire the quaint buildings with charming architecture.

Also, remember to try out their famous fondue and raclette, including the region’s comfort food, tartiflette!

Musée-Château d’Annecy

Our last destination is the Musée Château D’Annecy. Gear up for a 15-minute walk up to the castle from the Old Town and be ready to indulge yourself with a panoramic view of the town and the Alps. 

Dated back to the 12th Century, this lovely castle was built by the counts of Geneva and now serves as a museum. You’ll find inside paintings, artwork and various exhibitions to be noticed!

More fun things to do in Annecy

Do you want to enjoy Annecy with personalized activities? Check out the list!

Where to stay in Annecy?

If you think spending one day in Annecy is not enough and want to stay there for the night, check out these listings!

Budget: If you are looking for a homely and strategic place to crash in, then Hôtel des Alpes & Atipik Hôtel Alexandra best suit your needs. Both of the hotels provide spotless private en-suite rooms within walkable distance of all the places of attractions. 

Mid-range – Le Boutik Hotel and Hôtel du Palais de l’Isle provide affordable stays in uniquely decorated bedrooms. What’s more the locations for both of them are terrific and with views of the lake and the canal, the castle or town.

Luxury – I recommend staying at Le Splendid Hotel Lac D’Annecy – Handwritten Collection if you want a lovely stay in Annecy. If you want to stay somewhere luxe on the edge of Lake of Annecy, staying at Impérial Palace would be a smart idea.

1) Why visit Annecy?

Known as ‘Venice of the Alps’, Annecy is located in southeastern France and is the largest city in the haute-savoie.

This lake town received a total of 2.7 million visitors in 2019 (pre-covid). Annecy is glorious for its winding canals, picturesque Lake Annecy, and steeped culture and history. 

2) Where is Annecy and how to get there?

Annecy is neighbored by other big cities such as Lyon and Geneva. Annecy is easily reachable by train and bus, depending on your location. 

You should pick some of the earliest trains/ buses to Annecy to optimize your time to explore the city. The fares are estimated for an outbound journey from the selected departure city and may vary depending on the seasons.

Annecy from Lyon

By Bus  

Travel to Annecy cheaply from Lyon Central Bus Station to Annecy Central Bus Station by opting for the Flixbus (click to purchase the tickets online). The journey generally takes around 2 hours and the bus ticket costs around €27.

The trains depart from Lyon Perrache and are operated by France’s Rail Company, SNCF. The journey will take approximately 2 hours to arrive at Annecy and the train ticket fare ranges between €55 – €65. If you are on a tight budget, survey the chosen date and time to purchase the train tickets online in advance.

Annecy from Geneva

Annecy is located in the south of Geneva and is only 42 km apart, so traveling to Annecy from Geneva is nearly effortless. From Geneva Central Bus Station, take the Flixbus to Annecy for only €8. You will arrive at the destination within the next 55 minutes. This option is more popular as the fare is low-priced than the latter.

You can travel to Annecy from Geneva Airport. However, it is not recommendable for a day trip as the earliest bus is at 1:35 pm. If you have a day to spare, opt to stay the night at Annecy and take the bus early in the morning for your flight the next day. The bus fare ranges from €15 to €20.

There is a direct train departing from Genève Cornavin to Annecy. The service runs every hour daily. The journey takes approximately 1h 29 m. The train ticket fare costs around €46.40.

3) Is Annecy worth visiting?

I couldn’t recommend Annecy enough – visiting Annecy is totally worth it! Visit the charming old town, the market and the churches, discover the local cuisine and paddle away in the lake… You should be able to cover Annecy on a short day trip but if you want to take it slow, spend a night and savor every moment in Annecy! 

I hope this travel guide is able to help you to plan your Annecy day trip!

You may find other things to do on GetYourGuide or visit Booking.com to find the best hotels deals to stay in Annecy.

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Visit Annecy: 17 things to do and see

Things to do in annecy: the 17 best highlights and points of interest.

You’re looking for a nice weekend or few days trip destination in France? No need to look further!

You should definitely visit Annecy , in Haute-Savoie. In summer or winter, you will easily find enough things to do to enjoy 2 or 3 awesome days!

So, where to go in Annecy? What are the best places to visit?

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the 17 best things to do and see in Annecy and around .

Then, I will give you tips to visit Annecy in 1, 2 or 3 days without missing any points of interest.

I will finish this article with my hand picked selection of the hotels that offers the best value for money in the area, so you will know where to stay in Annecy.

Let’s start by the list of Annecy’s must-see attractions!

1. Lake Annecy

2. segway stroll on the lake shore, 3. bike ride around lake annecy, 4. do paragliding: discover annecy from the sky, 5. boat trips and cruises on lake annecy, 6. the best nautical activities on lake annecy, 7. annecy old town and it’s canals, 8. eating in annecy, 9. château d’annecy (annecy castle-museum), 10. annecy’s best beaches, 11. the best activities to do in annecy, 12. venetian carnival, 13. annecy international animated film festival, 14. the annecy lake festival, the 5 best things to do around annecy, mount veyrier, la tournette, the gorges du fier, 16. the most beautiful villages to visit around annecy, 18. chamonix and the mont-blanc, 19. other nice places to see near annecy, one day in annecy, 2 days in annecy, 3 days in annecy, where to stay in annecy, how to get to annecy, renting a boat in annecy, tourist map of annecy, what are the best things to do in annecy with kids, what are the best things to do in annecy in summer, what to do in annecy when it rains, what are the best things to do in annecy in winter, what’s the best time to visit annecy, you’re traveling in france these articles will help you.

When you hear about Annecy , the first thing that comes to your mind is this postcard image: the lake’s translucent water reflecting the mountains surrounding it. It’s really the #1 tourist attraction in town.

For sure, Lake Annecy (Lac d’Annecy in French) is the first thing you will want to see when you arrive, so let’s start your trip in Annecy by a small walk on the lake’s shore. You will finally be able to see the crystal clear, lagoon like water and the beauty of the place by yourself!

You can for example start your stroll starting from Paquier , the huge lawn boarding the lake, and go on the right to the Jardins de l’Europe (Gardens of Europe).

With this itinerary, you will go through one of the top places in Annecy, the Pont des Amours (lover’s bridge), with, like the one in Paris, has “love locks” tied to it.

The jardins de l’Europe are very nice for the lake view of course, but also for the huge and magnificent multi centennial trees you can find there.

On the other side of Paquier (left side), you can go to the Imperial Palace gardens, for sure the most luxurious hotel in Annecy .

It’s located at the border of Annecy’s adjacent town, Annecy le Vieux, which, despite it’s name, is not and shouldn’t be confused with the old town of Annecy.

You can keep going on the lake shore to find a beach as well as the starting point for many nautical activities to do on the lake. I will tell you everything about them a bit later in the article.

A cool way to discover the place is to choose a Segway stroll, a nice activity to do on Lake Annecy shore . Even if you have never tried before, it’s a great place to start as the area around the lake is a pedestrian only area.

Trips are offered from 30 minutes (around 17€ per person) to 2 hours (around 55€ per person). It can be a great activity to do with your family!

I strongly recommend you to book your Segway tour in advance. It’s more convenient, as you can do it directly online by clicking here.

You’re going to Annecy?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Annecy on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Annecy.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Annecy, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Annecy!

The sportier will for sure enjoy to do a bike ride around Lake Annecy.

There is around 42km of bike path, it’s really a great way to discover the surroundings. You will of course need to stop a few times to admire the view! it’s also the best way to find some places without too much people, especially in summer.

You want to rent a bike in Annecy?

It’s very simple, just click on the button below! Bike rental starts from 18€ a day only, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of it:

For those with an adventurous spirit and big thrills enthusiasts , I strongly recommand you to book a paragliding session above Lake Annecy .

The view is just crazy, no wonder why Annecy is the most famous paragliding site in Europe , and one of the best in the world!

Many companies are providing this service, starting from 95€ for 15/20 minutes . You can even chose if you want a big thrill acrobatic flight or something calmer.

The paragliding session usually starts from Forclaz pass (col de Forclaz in french) or the small town of Talloires and it should be booked in advance. Doing paragliding in Annecy is the best way to discover this sport!

For me, it’s a really a “must do” tourist attraction in Annecy.

The best paragliding session in Annecy can easily be booked online by clicking the button below.

As it’s the most popular activity to do in Annecy , you need to book it as soon as possible , else there are good chances that it will be fully booked.

To discover Lake Annecy and its surroundings from another angle, you should go on the lake itself!

To do so, you have several options.

For example, you can rent a pedal boat (about 12€ per half hour) or a motor boat without license (starting from 30€ per half hour). Don’t forget to book it in advance, as Annecy is very touristy during summer.

If you want to discover Lake Anny by boat while eating a good lunch or diner , you can also take the restaurant boat “Libellule” from Annecy.

There are 2 departures per day , one at 12h and the other at 20h. The round trip takes around 2h30. For 65€, you will have the mini cruise and a 3 courses menu (starter, main course, dessert).

The Annecy boat company also offers commented cruises lasting from 1 to 2 hours. You can find more information on the official website (in French).

If you want to enjoy Lake Annecy on a boat far from the other tourists , you should opt for a private boat trip!

You will rent a boat with a skipper that will take care of showing you the best spots of the lake.

The great thing is that you can choose the type of boat you prefer and then simply relax and enjoy a perfect day!

As you can imagine, this type of VIP day on Lake Annecy is extremely popular, so you should rent your boat with skipper as soon as possible . It would be a shame to miss this day because all boats are already rented!

You can find all boats with skipper in Annecy by clicking on the button bellow:

And if you have a boat license, you can simply rent a boat by clicking here to enjoy the lake for the whole day and go where you want!

If you are looking for what to do in Annecy , enjoying the numerous nautical activities can be a good choice!

My favorite adrenaline pumping activities on the lake are for sure water-skiing, wakeboarding and wake surfing.

Even if you’re a beginner, no problem, they will teach you the basics and make sure you enjoy your session!

To book, simply click on the button below:

And if you’re looking for something more relaxing, renting a stand up paddle is my favorite way to explore a part of Lake Annecy. It really feels great to paddle on this beautiful lake surrounded by mountains.

You need to click here to book your board.

Of course just go swim or get a tan in one of Lake Annecy beaches!

In addition to the lake, the city of Annecy is also famous for it’s beautiful old town and the main canal going through it. That’s why the town is also known as the Venice of the Alps (la Venise des Alpes in french). It’s really one of the highlights of the city.

With it’s cobbled streets and arches, the Annecy old town is for sure a must-see!

It’s the place where you can take the famous picture with “l’écluse fleurie ” (the flower tidegate on the Thiou canal) or the palais de l’Isle (Isle palace), located between 2 canals.

Don’t hesitate to wander in the small alleys and to follow the canal along the Louis-Lachenal promenade .

With many areas in the shade, it’s a very nice small walk to do in summer when it’s very warm!

It’s also in Annecy old town that you can find most of the city’s restaurants (touristy, but some of them are very good), as well as all the small souvenirs shop where you can buy local things as well as the superb (a bit of irony maybe!) placemat with the picture of the lake.

You will also find some typical french shops with amazing Haute-Savoie cold cuts and cheese.

About awesome local food , if you are lucky enough to be in Annecy on tuesday, friday or sunday morning, you should definitely go to the old town market.

It takes place next to the canal, and don’t hesitate to bargain a bit on local products : Maybe you will get a free dry sausage if you buy a few!

Taking a stroll in Annecy old town streets is nice, but doing so while eating the best ice cream in town is even better! Yep, there is an excellent ice cream shop in Annecy: Le glacier des Alpes .

It’s even considered to be one of the best in France. They offer more than 45 flavours, so the hardest part is to chose and stay reasonable!

Annecy is also the perfect place to eat a good tartiflette , croziflette (quite similar to tartiflette, but made with crozets, pasta from Savoie), cheese fondue , diots de Savoie (sausages) or, of course, fishes from the lake like perch, trout or arctic char.

You like wine and cheese?

In that case, you should really participate to this tasting workshop led by a sommelier and a Master Cheesemaker of France , no less!

During the workshop, you will taste 5 wines accompanied each time by a different cheese (Tomme, Beaufort and Reblochon among others!).

You need to book this activity in Annecy by clicking here.

Another thing to see in Annecy is the Castle museum. It’s located at the top of the small hill and you can easily walk there from the old town.

For adults, the entrance price is 5.5€. At this price, you will be able to visit the château d’Annecy as well as the temporary exhibitions. It takes around 1h to visit, but let’s be frank: the view from the castle is the main interest!

If you’re lucky enough to be in Annecy during summer, you will for sure want to take a dip in the beautiful crystal clear waters of the lake!

Here are the best beaches in Annecy and around the lake:

• The beach of the Imperial , on the Avenue d’Albigny. Paid beach.
• Marquisats beach , on the west bank of the lake. Free of charge.
• Albigny beach , the largest beach on Lake Annecy. Free access, in Annecy-le-Vieux.
• The 2 beaches of Sevrier
• Saint-Jorioz beach , featuring a diving board, pontoons and toilets/showers + first-aid post. Paid beach in summer.
• Angon beach , a well-shaded beach crossed by a stream. Private beach.
• Talloires beach where there is a paddling pool, ideal for small children. Paid beach.
• Menthon Saint-Bernard beach with playground, volleyball and petanque courts. Paid beach.

In addition to paragliding (which needs to be booked here! ), you can also do :

• Hang gliding, to feel even more like flying like a bird! From 95€ for a discovery flight.
• A glider flight , from 180€. The departure is from Albertville, 45 minutes from Annecy. Flying over the mountains in total silence is truly an unforgettable experience!
• Canyoning: you can choose between several formulas and different canyons on O’Speed Canyoning website. They are open all year round and also offer Ice Canyoning sessions in winter!
• A Via Ferrata trail , to explore the cliffs and mountains!
• An introduction to rock climbing
• A downhill mountain bike session, at Semnoz for an adrenaline rush!
• A hot-air balloon flight above Lake Annecy to enjoy a magnificent view
• A flight in a two-seater helicopter to live a unique experience
• A ride on an electric skateboard on the shores of Lake Annecy
• Tree climbing, a great activity to enjoy with your family during your stay in Annecy!

And if you wonder what to do in Annecy in winter , you can maybe try snowshoeing . These 4 to 7 hours hikes are a great way to discover the snowy landscapes around Annecy! You can enjoy snowshoeing from December to March.

You can find more information about this activity by clicking here.

As I was telling you earlier, Annecy’s nickname is “the Venice of the Alps”, because of the canals you can see in the old town.

But Annecy borrowed something else from the famous Italian city: it’s famous carnival!

Every year, generally at the beginning of march , hundreds of people dressed with magnificent costumes parade in the street. Several activities related to make-up or masks creations can be done in Annecy during the Venetian Carnival.

A very beautiful tourist attraction!

The international Animated Film Festival takes place every year in June in Annecy .

Professionals of the industry from all other the world are showcasing their movies, ranging from 3D animated graphics to traditional animations and some very original creation (stop motion clay based animation, Chinese shadows theatre etc…).

A great thing about this festival is that every evening, a movie  projection is organised on the Paquier lawn , and everyone can enjoy it!

If you are lucky enough to be doing your trip to Annecy at this period, it’s really perfect for an evening with the kids (or without !)

Another must-see for locals and tourists is the Annecy Lake Festival . This amazing pyrotechnic show takes place every year on the first Saturday of August and is the biggest in Europe .

Fireworks are shot off from Lake Annecy and stands are built everywhere around Paquier so everyone can enjoy it. There are around 46 000 paid seats, but of course, you can view it from anywhere!

Anyway, a good advice et to hunt for a good viewing spot quite early , as the show attracts more than 100 000 spectators every year. You can imagine that the best spots are taken quite fast!

For more info and seat booking, you can have a look a Annecy official website (in french) .

After visiting Annecy, you will probably want to discover the surroundings. Here are the 5 best things to do around Annecy:

15. Going for a hike around Annecy

Considering Annecy is located at the heart of the French Alps , one of the top thing to do is to go for a hike in the mountains surrounding the city. Here are a few of my favorites:

it’s the easiest hike around Annecy . Take your car, and go to the top of the Semnoz, there is lots of parking places. From there, you will have amazing viewpoints on the lake and moutains surrounding it.

In summer , you will be able to do a few hikes as well as mountain bike in the high mountain pastures, and in winter , you can enjoy sledge, ski and snowshoe.

If you want to get some thrills, I strongly advice you to book your downhill mountain bike session at Semnoz, it’s amazing! (No previous experience needed!)

This hike starts from the town of Annecy le Vieux and Veyrier. You can walk for a few hours without major difficulties and you will be protected from the heat in summer as most of the paths are in the forest.

The great part of this hike is that you will benefit from an amazing view on all Lake Annecy.

It’s also possible to go directly next to the top of Mount Verrier with a car , by the “col des contrebandiers”. You will then have to do a short walk to go to the lake viewpoints.

For a short walk with a nice view on the lake , I suggest you to follow the signs to the “Talabar” , a small meadow with one the best views of Annecy.

This hike around Annecy is for experienced hikers , as the last part is quite hard, with chains, cables, ladders and quite slippery rocks. From there, you will have a great view on the lake as well as the Mont Blanc.

Properly speaking, this is not a hike, but rather a short walk in a nice natural site at about 10km from Annecy.

Result of the water erosion on rocks, the 25m deep gorges du Fier can be visited thanks to the footbridges installed all along the torrent. At the end of the walk, don’t miss the “sea of rocks”.

The site is closed from October to March and is then open everyday. The ticket price is 5.70€ for adults and the visit takes around 1 hour.

Around the lake of Annecy, you can also visit some charming villages, among which:

• Annecy-le-Vieux: not to be confused with the “Vieil Annecy”, which is the old town! There, you will find the beach of Albigny and the restaurant “Le clos des sens”, 3 stars in the Michelin Guide.
• Veyrier du lac, 5 km from Annecy, located at the foot of Mont Veyrier, a popular place for its hiking trails offering superb views over Lake Annecy
• Menthon Saint Bernard , which houses a magnificent 12th century castle that you can visit. You can find more information here
• Talloires, located in a small bay of lake Annecy, is a very photogenic village that inspired Paul Cézanne for his painting “The blue lake”.
• Duingt , a village known for its 2 castles
• Saint Jorioz, where you will find the only sandy beach of lake Annecy.

The first place you can visit near Annecy is Geneva. This famous swiss city is located only 30 minutes away from Annecy , close to the French border.

Like the city of Annecy, it’s situated on the shores of a large lake : Lake Geneva .

Here are the best places to visit in Geneva:

• The old town , featuring a few must-see tourist attractions, such as St Peter’s Cathedral of Geneva.
• The Jet d’eau, symbol of the city
• The Parc de la Grange and the Parc des Eaux-vives, on the edge of the lake
• A stroll next to the lake or a cruise on Lake Geneva .

If you want to visit Geneva, you should read my detailed article: The 23 best things to do in Geneva .

You prefer to discover the mountains around Annecy ?

No problem!

Let’s head to Chamonix and the Mont-Blanc , only 1h10 away. It’s in my opinion one of the best places to visit around Annecy!

First, you should take the Aiguille du Midi cable car to discover an exceptional view over the entire Mont-Blanc massif.

Then opt for a ride on a rack train to reach the largest French glacier: the “Mer de Glace” . There, you can visit the famous Ice Cave and its collection of ice sculptures.

And if you want to discover amazing winter sports, you should try one of these 2 activities:

• An introduction to winter mountaineering in Chamonix
• Climbing an Icefall : A winter sport you should try at least once in your life!

No matter what you plan to do, you should end the day with a good Savoyard dish at a restaurant in Chamonix. Tartiflette, croziflette, fondue, local cheese… You will have lots of things to try!

Still on the shores of Lake Geneva, you should visit:

• Yvoire, a pretty medieval village listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You will be able to discover its castle and small local craft shops.
• Evian-les-Bains, a small but world famous town known for its mineral water . The walk in the centre and along the lake is very pleasant.

If you have only 1 day to visit Annecy , you will have to make concessions! To make the most out of your day in the Venice of the Alps, I recommend you the following things to do :

• For a good start, take a stroll on Lake Annecy shore
• Then go to Annecy old town to see the canals and Annecy castle museum
• For the lunch, you can eat something in the old town (the famous local “tartiflette” if it’s not too hot!) and finish with one of the amazing ice cream from the Glacier des Alpes
• In the afternoon, you should try to do one of the nautical activities available on Lake Annecy like wakeboard , water ski, paddle boat or stand up paddle!
• To end your day in style, go for a paragliding session and enjoy the amazing view of Annecy from the sky!

In 2 days in Annecy , you will have the time to go for one of the nice hikes you can do in the mountains around the city!

In addition to the 1st day program, I suggest you to go to the Semnoz and maybe do this hike (in French) that offers a superb view on the lake.

For the most adventurous among you, the La Tournette hike is a great alternative to have a memorable day!

If you choose a short hike, you can finish the day at the beach , next to Annecy le Vieux and enjoy the lake’s crystal clear water.

And if you want to do something fun at Semnoz, the downhill mountain biking session is really awesome! You need to book it here.

Y si quieres hacer algo divertido en Semnoz, la sesión de ciclismo de montaña es realmente impresionante. Tienes que reservarlo aquí.

if you have 3 days in Annecy , you will have the time to go around the lake and maybe spend one night in of the the small towns like Talloires or Menthon-Saint-Bernard.

Take the opportunity to do a few pictures of the castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard. Depending on the day and season, you can even visit it (more info on their website )

Another very photogenic place is Duingt castle , on the other side of the lake.

And if you are visiting the region with friends, why not go for example do some tree climbing in an adventure park or paintball in the forest , near Annecy?

I f you would like to know more about special events in Annecy or just get a tourist map, you should go to the Annecy tourist information center.

• Address: Centre Culturel Bonlieu, 1 Rue Jean Jaurès, 74000 Annecy.
• Campanile Annecy Centre – Gare : Located at 5 minutes walking for the old town and Lake Annecy. Big and nice room starting at 90€, breakfast at 10€. Strong point: next to the train station, rebate on the train station parking price.
• Hôtel des Marquisats : Located at 20 minutes from Annecy center and at only 200m from the lake, with an amazing view. Wooden furniture room starting at 85€, breakfast included. Strong points: Lake view, great buffet breakfast, free parking and it’s one of the only hotels with such a nice view at this price.
• Adonis Annecy – Icône Hôtel : Located in the old town, the restaurants and shops are nearby. The bright and modern rooms price start at 84€, breakfast costs an additionnal 9€. Strong point: the ideal location.
• Imperial Palace Annecy : Simply the best hotel in Annecy if you are looking for an high end experience. The location, the view, the restaurant, everything is amazing. The double room rates starts at 150€ per night.

There is no airport in Annecy.

The closest airport is located in Geneva (Switzerland) or in Lyon , in France.

You can however arrive directly in Annecy by bus or train.

You can check the schedules and fares as well as book your tickets by clicking here:

And if you want to rent a car during your stay in Annecy, you should use Booking.com Cars website.

It’s the best way to compare the rates of all car hire companies at a given location. You will thus easily find the best price!

In addition, modifying and canceling your booking is free 😎.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day on the lake during your stay in Annecy, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip on lake Annecy? 😊

To help you visualize the city a bit better, I have made for you a tourist map of Annecy, listing all the best places to visit I talked about in this guide. You can display the legend of the map by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.

FAQ – I answer your questions about Annecy

You want to visit Annecy with children? Here are a few great activities to enjoy with your kids!

• Discovering the shores of Lake Annecy on foot or by Segway (from 12 years old)
• Renting a pedal boat or small boat without a licence
• Go for an ice cream at the Glacier des Alpes!
• Take a dip at one of the many beaches – With young children, the Talloires beach is great, because there is a paddling pool.
• Discover the Gorges du Fier or Cerdon Caves Park
• Tree climbing – A great activity to do with kids in Annecy!
• Le Semnoz: for an easy hike and a summer toboggan ride.

If you plan to visit Annecy in July or August , you can do everything I mentionned in this guide of Annecy:

• Discover the shores of Lake Annecy by segway by bike, on foot, or with the small tourist train. That’s the main thing to do in Annecy!
• Take a stroll in the old town
• Enjoy nautical activities in Annecy: boat, pedal boat, wakeboarding , Stand up paddle , or take a cruise.
• A paragliding flight over Lake Annecy – This is clearly the best activity to do in Annecy during summer!
• Other awesome activities : hang gliding , canyoning , Via Ferrata , mountain biking and even the hot-air balloon or a tour in helicopter!
• Attend the lake festival, featuring many fireworks in August.

Maybe you will come to Annecy on a rainy day, and you won’t be able to do sightseeing. While waiting for the weather to get better, you can:

• Visit Annecy castle and its museums
• Try an escape game
• Play virtual reality games
• Do a “laser tag” game session.

You’re coming to Annecy in winter? Great!

Then, you will be able to enjoy amazing winter activities in the surroundings. Most winter activites are available from December to March-April:

• A snowshoe hike
• A snowmobile ride in the Alps
• A 6 km night sledding session
• Speedriding , an awesome sport combining skiing and parasailing
• Dog sledding
• Learn how to build an igloo and sleep inside!

The best time to visit Annecy for sightseeing is between May and October: you will be able to enjoy most of the activities I recommend in this article.

In winter, the city and the lakeside are quieter , except during the Venetian Carnival (end of February-March), which attracts many people. You can however enjoy many winter activities in the surroundings.

And you, what do you plan to do in Annecy?

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed there.

• Honfleur: Top 15 things to do and discover
• Nice: 15 things to do and see

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Discussion 2 comments.

My husband and I spent a few nights in Annecy at the beginning of September of 2019. Besides the fairytale-like charm of the town and the wonderful pastries, my favorite memory is the outside dance by the lake with a live band. Someone told me they do it every Sunday evening in the summer. I’m thinking of going a little later in September, and I’m wondering if the dance continues into September. Do you know? Thank you.

Hello Bonnie,

I can’t tell you if this type of show will be offered in September. It’s a bit too far away. Perhaps you can send a message to the Annecy tourist office. They might be able to tell you about the events to come this year.

Have a nice trip to Annecy!

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Amazing 1 Day Trip to Annecy and Gruyères

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Explore and discover the beautiful must-see lake town, Annecy in France! Enjoy a short detour on this road trip to the village of Gruyères, Switzerland. This is a 1-day trip you won’t want to miss!

Gruyères Switzerland

My husband and I love road trips, and seeking out new adventures! We were in the city of Colmar and decided we wanted to have lunch in Gruyères, Switzerland before heading to our planned stay in Annecy, France. It’s a 3-hour drive there, and another hour’s drive (total of 4hrs) to Annecy. Please note: Tolls are anticipated on most routes and definitely not the least expensive route. But, I was determined to see this cheesy city, ha-ha!

Gruyeres Day Trip

Parking for Gruyeres is out of town and you have to walk up a hill to get there. If you don’t mind stretching your legs, it’s just a short walk. We did notice that tour buses had some premier parking spots if you chose to visit with a group. Day trip tours are truly an ideal way to see this charming city.

Gruyères is one of those quaint, breathtakingly beautiful towns where cows wear bells around their necks and you can smell chocolate in the air.

Le Chalet de Gruyeres

LUNCH: We ate lunch at one of the lunch establishments downtown called Le Chalet de Gruyeres. I remember sitting off their second floor and feeling the fresh mountain air from the open windows. I could even hear cow bells from our table, it was just that peaceful and quiet. We did come earlier in the day and avoided any crowds. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I always prefer to travel in shoulder season to see cities and towns without a large influx of tourists.

Afterward exploring the town and shopping for cheese and chocolate, we got refreshments at the very unique bar and museum, HR Giger . From top to bottom, this establishment looks like an alien designed it.

Although this journey to Gruyères was out of our way, I really enjoyed this trip and would drive out of my way again. Next, we headed onto the beautiful lake city called Annecy in southeastern France.

Annecy France

Annecy is located where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River and is approximately 40 minutes outside of Geneva, Switzerland. It is known for its cobbled streets, canals similar to Venice, and pastel-colored houses. There is a magnificent Château d’Annecy , once belonging to the Counts of Geneva. It currently is a museum with local artifacts such as Alpine furniture and artwork. Since we had limited time, I didn’t tour the museum.

This city is much larger than Gruyeres, and spectacularly beautiful. Since we arrived in the later portion of the day, we enjoyed the scenery wandering around the canal streets and the park. This city is where I had my first Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc beer (of course with a lemon). I have such fond memories of this city by the water.

Anney Hotel: Splendid Hotel Annecy

Splendid Hotel Annecy , 4 Quai Eustache Chappuis, Annecy, 74000, France is located in the heart of the city overlooking Lac d’ Annecy. It is a 3-star hotel that has great reviews and walkability to everything.

We had one issue related to the a/c and did not realize the heat/air conditioner is controlled by the main hotel operator. Once the manager switched it from heat to a/c it resolved our dilemma. Our room was particularly nice because it overlooked the lake. Overall, the hotel staff was pleasant and helpful and I would stay here again.

Restaurant L’Etage

I had made reservations by email in advance with Restaurant L’Etage – 13 rue du Paquier, 74000, Annecy, France. It is steps away from Splendid Hotel Annecy.

We had a nice table outside and enjoyed the weather as our day came to a close. I indulged in their delicious truffle fondue which reminded me fondly of our time in Gruyères. My husband chose to get the steak tartare (I admit to not being adventurous enough to try it!). The fondue dish and atmosphere provided an enjoyable end to the day.

Annecy has gorgeous waterfront parks, and definitely worth checking out these evening views!

I hope you enjoyed my day excursion to Gruyères and Annecy, got a few helpful tips along the way. Next on my journey is the amazing town of Chamonix France! Check out this 1-day trip itinerary here. Chamonix is the ultimate destination for skiing , snowboarding, and more winter fun!

Did You Find This Post Helpful? Share It!

If so, I would love to hear about your France travel adventures! You can follow me on Instagram , and tag your images to @erinstraveltips and hashtag #erinstraveltips. I look forward to seeing you there!

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1-Day Annecy Itinerary

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• Annecy in 1 day
• 2-Day Annecy Itinerary
• 3-Day Annecy Itinerary
• 4-Day Annecy Itinerary
• 5-Day Annecy Itinerary

Table of contents

1-day itinerary, pont des amours.

Jardins de l'Europe

Plage des Marquisats

Musée-château d'annecy, tourist office of lake annecy, le palais de i'île, where to eat, brasserie du théâtre, 231 east street, bateau restaurant le libellule annecy, top searches in annecy, popular road trips from annecy, what's the weather like in annecy.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Annecy for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Annecy in January
• Weather in Annecy in February
• Weather in Annecy in March
• Weather in Annecy in April
• Weather in Annecy in May
• Weather in Annecy in June
• Weather in Annecy in July
• Weather in Annecy in August
• Weather in Annecy in September
• Weather in Annecy in October
• Weather in Annecy in November
• Weather in Annecy in December

All road trips from Annecy

• Annecy to Paris drive
• Annecy to London drive
• Annecy to Barcelona drive
• Annecy to Rome drive
• Annecy to Milan drive
• Annecy to Florence drive
• Annecy to Turin drive
• Annecy to Amsterdam drive
• Annecy to Venice drive
• Annecy to Prague drive
• Annecy to Berlin drive
• Annecy to Madrid drive
• Annecy to Lyon drive
• Annecy to Vienna drive
• Annecy to Munich drive
• Annecy to Budapest drive
• Annecy to Lisbon drive
• Annecy to Edinburgh drive
• Annecy to Brussels drive
• Annecy to Dublin drive
• Annecy to Genoa drive
• Annecy to Marseille drive
• Annecy to Valencia drive
• Annecy to Verona drive
• Annecy to Naples drive
• Annecy to Istanbul drive
• Annecy to Zurich drive
• Annecy to Nice drive
• Annecy to Copenhagen drive

Explore nearby places

• Cran-Gevrier
• Annecy-le-Vieux
• Veyrier-Du-Lac
• Menthon-Saint-Bernard
• Saint-Martin-Bellevue
• Saint-Jorioz
• Montagny-les-Lanches
• La Balme-de-Sillingy
• Viuz-la-Chiesaz
• Villy-le-Pelloux
• Saint-Eustache
• Alby Sur Cheran
• Thorens-Glieres

All related maps of Annecy

• Map of Annecy
• Map of Cran-Gevrier
• Map of Annecy-le-Vieux
• Map of Seynod
• Map of Meythet
• Map of Veyrier-Du-Lac
• Map of Sevrier
• Map of Metz-Tessy
• Map of Argonay
• Map of Epagny
• Map of Poisy
• Map of Menthon-Saint-Bernard
• Map of Saint-Martin-Bellevue
• Map of Lovagny
• Map of Villaz
• Map of Saint-Jorioz
• Map of Montagny-les-Lanches
• Map of Alex
• Map of Nonglard
• Map of Sillingy
• Map of Talloires
• Map of Duingt
• Map of La Balme-de-Sillingy
• Map of Angon
• Map of Viuz-la-Chiesaz
• Map of Villy-le-Pelloux
• Map of Saint-Eustache
• Map of Choisy
• Map of Alby Sur Cheran
• Map of Gruffy
• Map of Thorens-Glieres

Annecy throughout the year

• Annecy in January
• Annecy in February
• Annecy in March
• Annecy in April
• Annecy in May
• Annecy in June
• Annecy in July
• Annecy in August
• Annecy in September
• Annecy in October
• Annecy in November
• Annecy in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Annecy?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 1-Day Talloires Itinerary
• 1-Day Lovagny Itinerary

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