Vieille Ville
First-timersThe canal old town: the Palais de l'Isle, arcaded streets, restaurants and the most atmosphere. Busy and pricey.
Annecy city guide
Things To Do In Annecy
A canal town on an alpine lake with some of the cleanest water in Europe, mountains rising straight out of it, and a cycle path all the way round.
3
Hostels in the city
7.9
Average, from 3,416 reviews
40 km
The cycle path circling the lake
45 min
To Geneva
12th c.
The Palais de l'Isle, on its island in the canal
A lake town that everybody has now heard about
Annecy sits at the northern tip of a glacial lake with mountains on three sides, and a strict environmental regime since the 1960s has left the water exceptionally clean — clear enough to see the bottom several metres down.
The old town is built around canals fed from the lake, with the twelfth-century Palais de l'Isle sitting on a wedge-shaped island in the middle of one. It is the most photographed building in the Alps and it was a prison for most of its life.
A forty-kilometre cycle path runs right around the lake, flat on the western side, and it is the best way to spend a day here by a distance.
The town is small and its reputation is not. In July and August the old town is shoulder to shoulder and beds are scarce and expensive.
Two days, and it works as a stop between Lyon and Geneva or as a base for the Alps.
Where to stay
A small old town at the top of the lake, with quieter villages along both shores.
Lakefront and Pâquier
Swimming and viewsThe park and promenade along the northern shore, with the beaches and the boat landings.
Gare and Novel
Value and transportNorth of the old town: cheaper beds, the station and ten minutes on foot to the water.
Along the lake
Quiet and outdoorsTalloires, Veyrier and Sévrier on the shores: villages, swimming spots and the cycle path.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Annecy
Cycle round the lake. Forty kilometres, with a dedicated flat path on the western shore built on an old railway line and a road section on the eastern side. Bikes are €15 to €25 a day and it takes three to five hours with stops. It is the single best thing to do here.
Swim. The public beaches are free, the water is exceptionally clear, and it is cold even in August — the lake is glacial and does not warm much past 22°C.
Walk the old town and the canals. The Palais de l'Isle, about €4 to go inside, sits on its island; the Château d'Annecy above the town, about €6, has the museum and the view.
Take a boat across the lake, €15 to €20, or the small crossing to Talloires.
For height, the Semnoz above the town gives a view over the lake to Mont Blanc, and the Col de la Forclaz is where the paragliders launch — tandem flights run €100 to €130.
Free things
Free things to do in Annecy
The lake is free: public beaches all around it, the Pâquier park along the northern shore, and swimming wherever you like.
The old town and the canals cost nothing, and the Palais de l'Isle is as good from outside as in.
The cycle path is free to walk as well as ride, and the western shore section runs flat for kilometres past swimming spots.
The Pont des Amours, the Jardins de l'Europe and the view across to the mountains from the lakefront are all free.
Walking trails climb from the town into the hills — the Semnoz road and the Mont Veyrier paths both give views over the whole lake for the cost of the effort.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Annecy
Savoyard mountain food, which is cheese in several configurations. Tartiflette — potato, bacon, onion and reblochon baked together — is the local plate at €16 to €22. Fondue and raclette are the shared versions, usually €22 to €28 a head with a two-person minimum.
It is heavy winter food served all year, and in August it is a strange choice.
Lake fish is the lighter alternative: féra and omble chevalier, at €20 to €28.
The old town restaurants along the canals are aimed squarely at visitors; one street back is better value, and the Sunday market on the Vieille Ville streets is the cheapest good food in town.
A beer is €5 to €7 and Savoie white wine €4 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Annecy
Modest. Annecy is a small town with an outdoor crowd that tends to be up early.
The old town canals have the bars and they are busy through summer evenings, with the Rue Sainte-Claire and Rue Perrière arcades the main concentration.
A beer is €5 to €7 and cocktails €9 to €14.
In summer the lakefront and the Pâquier park fill with people drinking outdoors, which is free and is what most of the town does.
The season shapes everything: July and August are packed, winter is quiet with the skiers passing through to the resorts, and the shoulder months are pleasant and half empty.
Getting around
Getting around Annecy
The town is small and everything in it is walkable — the station to the lakefront is ten minutes.
Buses cost about €1.50 and run along both lake shores to Talloires, Sévrier and beyond, which is how you get to the quieter swimming spots without a bike.
Bikes are €15 to €25 a day and are the right way to see the lake.
Trains reach Lyon in two hours, Geneva in forty-five minutes and Paris in three and three quarters by TGV. Geneva airport is the practical arrival point for most international visitors.
Chamonix is about two hours by bus or train with a change, which makes Annecy a reasonable base for a broader Alps trip.
Costs
What Annecy costs
Expensive for its size, because demand exceeds the beds. Dorms are €28 to €50 in summer and €20 to €35 outside it.
A tartiflette is €16 to €22, a beer €5 to €7, and a day runs €55 to €95.
The lake is free, which is the saving that matters: free beaches, free walking, free swimming, and a bike at €15 to €25 covers the best day here.
Paragliding at €100 to €130 and boat trips at €15 to €20 are the optional spends.
July and August are the peak by a distance — booking ahead is not optional in those months.
Safety
Staying safe in Annecy
Annecy is a very safe town and the risks here are the lake and the mountains rather than crime.
The water is glacial and cold enough year-round to cause cold shock — entering quickly on a hot day is how people get into trouble. Go in gradually, and be aware that the lake deepens fast close to shore in places.
Public beaches are supervised only in season and only in parts. Do not swim alone after drinking.
The cycle path is shared with walkers and gets genuinely crowded in August, and the eastern shore section runs on roads with traffic.
If you walk into the hills, the weather changes fast, afternoon storms are common in summer, and phone coverage is patchy. Tell someone your route. Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Annecy
Two countries, a spa town and Mont Blanc.
Round the lake by bike
Forty kilometres with swimming stops, a flat path on the west and road on the east. The best day here.
Geneva
A different country: the lake, the jet d'eau, the UN quarter and much higher prices.
Chamonix
Under Mont Blanc, with the Aiguille du Midi cable car and the glacier.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The world's largest animation festival, every June.
Staff pick
10 October
Retour des Alpages
Retour des Alpages in Annecy, France, is a lively celebration marking the return of cattle from their summer pastures. The historic streets of Vieille…
Staff pick
2–4 October
High Five Festival Annecy
The High Five Festival in Annecy, France, is a renowned international celebration of mountain and action sports, often hailed as the "Cannes of Skiing."…
3 October
Haroun
Haroun brings his new show to the Arcadium stage in Annecy. The performance starts at 8:00 PM with numbered seating for your comfort. Doors…
8 October
Berger Story
Experience the legendary music of Michel Berger brought to life with 200 choristers and live musicians on stage. The show includes special appearances by…
9 October
Goldmen
Fans of Jean-Jacques Goldman and the trio Fredericks, Goldman & Jones will find much to enjoy at this concert. The Goldmen are touring with…
23 October
Edgar Yves Jr
Comedy fans will appreciate the return of EDGAR-YVES Jr after two years on tour and viral videos. His new show promises a mix of…
3 November
Stephan Eicher
Stephan Eicher brings a blend of piano, guitar, and poetic lyrics to the stage, creating a musical atmosphere that calms and captivates. His songs,…
5 November
Marine
Marine is a remarkable singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences with her heartfelt music. Her debut album, certified platinum, includes hits like "Ma Faute" and…
Hostels
Where to stay in Annecy
A small scene for a town this popular, so book well ahead for June, July and August. Live from Hostelworld.
When to go
June and September for the lake without the crush. July and August are the peak and it shows.
Jan
Cold and often snowy. Skiers passing through to the resorts
Feb
Cold and bright. Ski season and the animation festival crowd absent
Mar
Thaw. Quiet and good value
Apr
Green and fresh. Lake too cold to swim
May
Very good. Warm days, empty paths, cold water
Jun
Excellent. Swimmable and not yet packed
Jul
Peak. Old town shoulder to shoulder and beds scarce
Aug
The same. Warmest water of the year
Sep
Superb. Still swimmable early on and much quieter
Oct
Autumn colour on the slopes. Very good value
Nov
Grey and quiet. Little open around the lake
Dec
Cold, with a Christmas market in the old town
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The lake is glacial and lags the air badly — it is at its warmest in August at around 22°C and is genuinely cold before June.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
These are summer figures — May and October run roughly a third lower. A bike at €15 to €25 buys the best day here.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Annecy travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can you swim in the lake?
Yes, and it is the reason to come. The public beaches are free, a strict environmental regime since the 1960s has kept the water exceptionally clear, and you can see the bottom several metres down. It is glacial though, so enter gradually — it reaches only about 22°C at its August warmest.
Is cycling round the lake hard?
No. Forty kilometres, three to five hours with stops, and the western shore has a dedicated flat path built on an old railway line. The eastern side runs on roads with traffic. Bikes are €15 to €25 a day and it is the best thing to do here.
How busy does it get?
Very, in July and August — the old town is shoulder to shoulder and beds are both scarce and expensive. June and September give you a swimmable lake with a fraction of the crowd.
Is it expensive?
For its size, yes, because demand outruns the beds. Dorms €28 to €50 in summer, a day around €55 to €95. The lake itself is free, which takes the edge off considerably.
What should I eat?
Savoyard mountain food — tartiflette at €16 to €22, or fondue and raclette at €22 to €28 a head with a two-person minimum. It is heavy winter food served all year, so in August the lake fish at €20 to €28 is the better call.
Can I do Geneva from here?
Forty-five minutes by train for about €12. Geneva airport is also how most international visitors arrive, which makes Annecy an easy first or last stop.
When is the animation festival?
June. It is the largest in the world, it brings the industry from everywhere, and it fills every bed in town months in advance. Plan around it deliberately either way.
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