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Things to do in Annecy

Our most recommended things to do in Annecy

From Geneva: Annecy Half-Day Trip

1. From Geneva: Annecy Half-Day Trip

Annecy, located just 45-minutes from Geneva, is a town that has been awarded France’s prestigious Art and History designation. When you arrive in Annecy you’ll have a guided orientation walk and then plenty of free time to explore Annecy on your own. Please note that if you select the afternoon tour, then this will be self-guided.  As you walk through the streets of this charming town on the River Thiou you’ll come across numerous food and flea markets and historic monuments and landmarks. Browse the shops and stop to try a traditional dish at one of the many restaurants or cafés.

Annecy: 1-Hour Segway Discovery Tour

2. Annecy: 1-Hour Segway Discovery Tour

Discover the pleasure of riding a Segway on a 1-hour tour of Annecy. Benefit from a 10 to 15-minute training session on how to operate the self-balancing vehicle before you set off. Journey alongside the clear waters of Annecy Lake and be seduced by the various gardens bordering the water. Marvel at the picturesque Jardins de l'Europe (Gardens of Europe) and La Pâquier. Get a stunning view of the Parc Charles-Bosson, adorned with beautiful trees and more. Listen as your guide tells the story of Annecy and lets you take photos of the amazing landscape. Feel free to ask any questions about the city and surrounding area. End by admiring the magnificent Belle Epoque façade of the Imperial Palace hotel, where notable personalities such as Edith Piaf, Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill have all been welcomed.

Annecy: 1.5-Hour Segway Tour

3. Annecy: 1.5-Hour Segway Tour

Experience the charm and beauty of the alpine town of Annecy from a different perspective on a 1.5-hour guided tour by Segway. Get a short training session on the easy-to-use personal transporters to ensure you feel confident before you set off. Make your way down to the crystal clear waters of Lake Annecy, surrounded by the mountains of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Be seduced by the various gardens bordering the lake, and hear the story of the town as you take souvenir pictures of the scenic landscapes and historic buildings. Admire the magnificent hotel of the Imperial Palace where Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and the singer Edith Piaf were all guests. Enter the medieval Old Town and discover its amazing network of canals and tiny streets. End at the Thiou River which, at just 3.5 kilometers long, is one of the smallest rivers in France.

Annecy: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour

4. Annecy: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour

Get to know Annecy at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. You will receive a link for the mobile app and login credentials after booking. Log in to the app and start your adventure with the map as your guide. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere while listening to stories of this historical town. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. During the tour, choose to pause the app at any time to take a break or spend some more time to see the sights. Take time to see the famous Annecy Cathedral, Le Palais de I'Île, Église Notre Dame de Liesse, Old Town Hall, and more. Learn facts about the history and culture city of Annecy throughout the tour. Explore the city at your own pace while playing a fun treasure hunt game with your team.

Annecy 2-Hour Segway Tour

5. Annecy 2-Hour Segway Tour

Meet your guide at Mobilboard. Start with an introduction to riding the Segway, and a presentation of the safety rules. Begin the experience by strolling along the clear waters of Annecy Lake.Feel intrigued by the various gardens bordering the lake. Hear the story of Annecy, take pictures on your Segway, and ask questions about the city. Continue your trip by admiring the magnificent Imperial Palace, which has welcomed personalities such as Edith Piaf, Charlie Chaplin or Churchill. Carry on your getaway in the medieval Old Town and discover its canals, tiny streets and churches. Finish the experience by getting of the beaten track along the Thiou river. 

Annecy: Harry Potter Outdoor Escape Game

6. Annecy: Harry Potter Outdoor Escape Game

Fighting the forces of evil and finding the 9 3/4 way The 9 ¾ way is no longer accessible! Only a riddle to be solved in the heart of Annecy will reveal the position of the magic platform! Meet at the very typical Pont Morens. But beware: the train will pass in 2 hours! Guided by your smartphone, you will go in search of each house. The objective of this quest is to collect 4 code words per house within the time limit. They will allow you to find the location of the track. At each house visited, you will get key clues to link to find THE code word that will validate each passage. The program includes puzzle solving, meeting wizards and bonus cauldrons. The Hogwarts Express will leave in 120 minutes. Tick tock tock... This game is accessible to all and multigenerational. You have the possibility to play in team, for that only one person of each team will have to enter the identifier and the unique code on his device. Then you can start the game simultaneously. You will be able to compare your points and the time obtained at the end of the game. Please note: this activity is an outdoor escape game where the plot is not directly related to the city (although it is held in attractive places in the city center). It is a game on a given theme and not a guided tour of the city.

Private Walking Tour of Annecy's Historical Center

7. Private Walking Tour of Annecy's Historical Center

Visit one of the loveliest cities of the Rhône-Alpes region of France: Annecy. It's situated in the Alps, so if you love skiing this is the place for you. Today, you can enjoy a private walking tour of Annecy with private guides who will take you to all the spots that interest you most! Also known as the "Second Venice," Annecy has plenty of beauty in store. See the Palais de l'Isle, which was a prison in the 12th century, and for something completely different, move on to cross the bridge of lovers. Another must-see is the gleaming lake of Annecy, inarguably a city highlight. Before you end your day in Annecy, you are also recommended to visit the Old Town, a lovely area full of quaint cafés to keep visitors well-fueled and busy. If there is any place in particular you would like to go but it is not mentioned in the tour description, just ask your guide and he or she will be happy to take you wherever you want to go.

Geneva City Tour and Annecy Visit

8. Geneva City Tour and Annecy Visit

On this 7-hour combined program, you’ll head to Annecy, located just 45 minutes away by bus. Annecy is often referred to as the Venice of the Alps and draws visitors to its romantic landscapes. You’ll have a half-hour orientation to the old town and its colorful pedestrian streets. The town, crossed by the River Thiou, offers a picturesque and enchanting scene, and numerous food markets and flea markets enliven the streets. Rich in cultural activities, including museums and castles to visit, Annecy has received the coveted Art and History designation. After spending some free time in Annecy, get to know Geneva on a 2-hour guided tour that takes you to the city’s international district that’s home to the world’s peacemaking organizations, and to the city center as well. Enjoy a mini-train tramway tour and a guided walk through the historic old town area.

Annecy Private Guided Tour from Geneva

9. Annecy Private Guided Tour from Geneva

On this private tour, you will ride aboard a comfortable car/mini-van through the French countryside and enjoy a guided walking tour through Annecy. Nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps", Annecy offers harmonious and romantic landscapes. Surrounded by mountains, the city offers amazing views of the purest lake of Europe. Discover the picturesque and enchanting framework of the city on a walking guided tour for an hour. Take this opportunity to snap some pictures of the iconic Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century monument that's the symbol of the town, and the dominating castle of Annecy, once the residence of the Bishop of Geneva. Take a walk along the lake and watch locals jogging, walking, or roller-blading in the fresh mountain air. Stroll through the lovely little streets with endless flower-filled balconies, houses, antique markets and handcraft shops. There is one more reason why this town is known around the world. The shopping is simply marvelous. Annecy has one of the highest quality markets on Sundays offering various goods: clothes, chocolate, cheese, local products and much more.

Geneva and Annecy: Combined Day Trip with Boat Cruise

10. Geneva and Annecy: Combined Day Trip with Boat Cruise

Explore exciting Geneva and beautiful Lake Annecy in a day. This 2-part trip allows you to see the famous alpine Lake Annecy, and to discover the best of Geneva’s tourist attractions. You can take the morning to enjoy the world-famous town of Annecy, enjoying the historic chateau and castle, colorful buildings, and cobbled walkways. With canals weaving through the Old Town, it is obvious why Annecy was nicknamed "the Venice of the Alps". With its streets littered with local artisanal ice-cream and crafts roaming the alleys, it is enjoyable for everyone. You can also walk up to the chateau, or take a tour of the famous Palais de l'Ile. With the Alps as the back-drop, the world-famous Lake Annecy is simply breathtaking. Complete with a glorious promenade lining the banks, you will be free to take in the incredible panoramic views. Pedal boats and swimming are both allowed in this crystal-clear lake, with parks to also relax and enjoy the stunning views. You will also take a boat cruise to explore the lake, with fascinating commentary on the lake and its history. The afternoon will then be spent following the famous sights of Geneva. You’ll visit the tourist spots of the United Nations, Jet D’eau, and the Flower Clock, as well as the Parc des Eaux Vives and secret photo point in Cologny to take incredible pictures looking out across all of Geneva from above. All of this of course with the stunning views of Lac Leman (or Lake Geneva as it is sometimes referred to as).

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What people are saying about Annecy

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 447 reviews

Totally recommend, beautiful scenery. Breathtaking views on the way to Annecy. Many options for things to do at the old town. Don’t forget to try a croissant from one of the boulangeries.

Brilliant trip to Annecy. Perfect from start to finish. Annecy is well worth a visit, it’s beautiful. Would love to return one day! Would recommend this trip.

Though the weather was rainy, it was excellent trip, tour guide Zara was very knowledgeable and entertaining and we enjoyed the

Really lovely to see! If you go for the Christmas market make sure you have cash (euros only!)

Lovely day out in a beautiful part of the country! It was raining, but not too bad.