Annecy is one of the most beautiful small cities in France and a place we discovered as a recovery zone after a Voyage sailing trip in 2023. The things to do in Annecy revolve around one of the most stunning settings in the Alps — a medieval old town threaded with canals feeding into a crystal-clear glacier lake, with the mountains rising sharply on every side. We used Annecy to decompress after weeks on the water and it was perfect for exactly that: long walks through the old town that spilled naturally into the surrounding mountain paths, hikes that started with 1.5 miles of old town canal streets before climbing into the peaks, and the particular pleasure of a city that never requires you to rush.
This guide covers everything you need for your visit to one of the most undervisited gems in the French Alps.
HOW TO GET TO ANNECY
Annecy is about 35 minutes by train from Geneva, making it very easily combined with a Swiss trip or reached via Geneva Airport from most European hubs and the US. From Paris, high-speed TGV services run to Annecy in about 3.5 hours. Lyon is about 2 hours by train. The train station sits just outside the old town, a short walk from the canal streets.
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WHERE TO STAY IN ANNECY
Stay in or as close as possible to the old town (Vieille Ville). The canal streets, the Palais de l’Isle, and the lake are all within walking distance, and the atmosphere of the old town in the morning before the day tourists arrive is one of the best things about Annecy. Boutique hotels and Airbnbs in the old town exist at a range of price points — look for anything within the medieval walls or with lake views.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN ANNECY
Walk the Old Town Canals — the Vieille Ville is built along a network of small canals that run from the Thiou River toward the lake. The Palais de l’Isle — a 12th century prison sitting on a triangular island in the canal — is the most photographed building in Annecy and one of the most photographed spots in France. Walk every canal street you can find, especially early in the morning before the crowds arrive. This was a daily ritual for us in Annecy and we never got tired of it.
Hike from the Old Town into the Mountains — one of Annecy’s great pleasures is how seamlessly the city transitions into the mountains. Our favourite hikes started with 1.5 miles of canal streets through the old town before the path climbed into the surrounding peaks. The Forêt du Crêt du Maure above the city has several marked trails with excellent views over the lake and mountains. The hike to the Belvédère de la Mandallaz is one of the best short routes — about 2 hours return and completely accessible from the town centre on foot.
Lake Annecy — one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, fed by alpine springs and glacier runoff. Swim from the Jardins de l’Europe on the lakefront, rent a paddleboard or kayak, or take the boat across the lake to the village of Talloires on the far shore. The lake is the reason Annecy exists and spending time on it is non-negotiable.
Château d’Annecy — the 13th century castle above the old town houses the Annecy Regional Museum. The walk up through the old town streets to reach it is as good as the castle itself. The terrace at the top has excellent views over the rooftops to the lake and mountains beyond.
Talloires Day Trip — the village on the eastern shore of the lake is about 30 minutes by boat or 45 minutes by bus. Quieter than Annecy, with excellent lakeside restaurants and a beautiful Benedictine abbey. A great half-day away from the town.
Cycling Around the Lake — a dedicated cycling path circles the entire lake (about 42km). Rent a bike in Annecy and do all or part of it — the mountain views from the far shore looking back at the town are extraordinary.
WHERE TO EAT IN ANNECY
Annecy’s food scene is built around Savoyard cuisine — the fondue, raclette, and tartiflette of the French Alps done very well. Look for restaurants on the canal streets or with lake views for the full setting. The Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning markets along the lake are excellent for fresh local produce and ready-to-eat street food.
ETIAS — WHAT AMERICAN TRAVELERS NEED TO KNOW
From late 2026, American travelers will need ETIAS authorization before visiting Europe, including France. It takes about 10 minutes to apply and costs €20. Read our complete ETIAS guide for everything you need to know.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN ANNECY
How many days do you need in Annecy?
Three to four days is ideal — enough time to walk all the canal streets, do at least one mountain hike that starts from the old town, swim or paddle on the lake, and make the day trip to Talloires. Two days is doable but you will want more. Annecy is the kind of place that rewards slowing down.
Is Annecy worth visiting?
Absolutely — it is one of the most beautiful small cities in France and consistently undervisited relative to its quality. The canal old town, the Alpine lake, the mountains on every horizon, and the ease of transition from canal walk to mountain hike make it genuinely special. We used it as a recovery zone after a sailing trip and it was perfect.
Is Annecy easy to reach from Geneva?
Yes — about 35 minutes by train. It is one of the best half-day or full-day trips from Geneva, or an easy add-on to a Swiss itinerary. Fly into Geneva Airport and take the train directly to Annecy before heading on into Switzerland.
What is Annecy known for?
The medieval old town with its network of canals and the iconic Palais de l’Isle, the extraordinarily clear alpine lake, and the surrounding mountains that make it one of the most beautiful settings of any city in France. It is also known as the Venice of the Alps — which undersells it if anything.
MORE FROM THE JET LAG JOURNEY
Combining Annecy with Switzerland? Read our Thun guide and 10 day Switzerland itinerary. For more of France, our Paris city guide covers the capital in full. Planning a bigger European trip? Our Europe trip planning guide covers everything.
