Annecy is a destination in the Rhône-Alpes region of France that I had never heard of until moving to Paris, but after hearing about it from so many locals – I decided to take a trip to Annecy myself and decide if Annecy was worth visiting or not.

view of annecy — Annecy, France; August 2025

My first impression of Annecy was that it was colorful, charming, and relaxing – but that it didn’t have an undeniable “wow” factor that made it wedding-location worthy, as I personally found it too expensive for what it was.

That being said, I am so glad that I took a weekend trip to Annecy from Paris and learned as much as I could to share for anyone planning a trip to Annecy in the future!

I’m going to break down the best things to do in Annecy, if it’s worth visiting, and more.

pink houses in annecy — Flowers and pink houses in Annecy, France; August 2025

How Can I Get to Annecy?

If you’re coming from Paris, there are a couple of trains that leave from Paris Gare de Lyon everyday with the journey averaging just under 4 hours. If you’re flying in internationally, the closest airport would be in Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland – with an hour bus ride to Annecy from Geneva.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Annecy?

Honestly, you only need one full day to see and do everything that Annecy has to offer – as its main attractions are the Old Town and park nestled by Lake Annecy. You could spend more time there in theory, but there isn’t a whole lot to do and see besides water sports by the lake, exploring the old town, or visiting Château d'Annecy.

Is Annecy Walkable?

Yes, Annecy is extremely walkable – the city itself is very small and while there are a lot of cars on the main street outside of the old town, there are no cars inside the park or the old town, both of which are the main places you’ll be spending time in Annecy. I stayed near the train station, and was less than a 15 minute walk to the Old Town and Jardins de l’Europe.

colorful buildings in annecy — Colorful buildings in Annecy; August 2025

Is Annecy Expensive?

I hate to break it to you, but yes – the rumors are true, and Annecy is expensive. The prices at grocery stores and restaurants were comparable to those I find living in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Paris.

However, that being said, you can easily reduce the price of your trip to Annecy by traveling during off season and avoiding eating at restaurants in the Old Town designed to entice and bankrupt tourists.

Is Annecy Overrated?

No, I don’t find Annecy to be overrated – but I do think that it’s too expensive for what it has to offer. The Old Town in Annecy definitely has it’s own personality, with distinctive teal water, colorful buildings, and flowers blooming out of the banisters.

Furthermore, the atmosphere surrounding Lake Annecy at Jardins de l’Europe is unmatched – and not overrated at all. That being said, Annecy is very small and very expensive – which is why some may find Annecy to be overrated.

street view of old town Annecy with mountains in the distance — Street view of Annecy, France; August 2025

When is the Best Time of Year to Go to Annecy?

I went to Annecy in the beginning of August, and while I thought it would have been flooding with tourists – it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

However, I have had my local French friends tell me that the best time of year to go to Annecy is in May or early June, while the weather is still nice but before families flood Annecy during summer holidays in France.

10 Best Things to Do and See in Annecy

1. Explore Vielle Ville

Vielle ville, which translates to “Old Town” from French – is one of the main attractions to see in Annecy.

old town annecy — Old Town Annecy; August 2025

I was expecting it to remind me of Strasbourg, but in reality it was much closer to Bruges and Amsterdam. Think medieval with color, and you have Annecy’s Old Town.

I have to say, the colorful flowers and teal water make it one of the more unique old towns I’ve seen in Europe, but if you’ve traveled a lot of the continent like I have – then it’s not going to be anything ground-breaking.

P.S. – The bakeries in Old Town Annecy smelled and looked incredible, and I’ve seen a lot of France to be able to say that.

2. Palais de I'Île

Known as a popular Instagram spot, Palais de I'Île is a medieval castle in the middle of the main canal in Annecy.

If you want to learn more about its history as a castle and prison, you can pop inside its museum open every day from 10:30AM to 6PM during the summer months (June to September) and with limited hours in the winter.

Palais de I'Île in Annecy, France; August 2025

3. Canal du Vassé

Reminiscent of a family-friendly version of Canal St. Martin in Paris, this charming spot of Annecy, Canal du Vassé – was perfect for sitting at a bench, people watching, or even playing with the kids – with carousels, balloon animals, and other family friendly activities nearby.

4. Pont des Amours

If you’ve traveled a lot of Europe, you’ve probably seen enough “love” bridges for a lifetime – but the best part about this bridge is the stunning views of Lake Annecy itself.

Pont des Amours in Annecy, France; August 2025

The bridge appeared to always be crowded, so if you’re really into taking your time with pictures – then I recommend coming here earlier in the day before its flooded with people.

5. Jardins de l’Europe

Personally, I think Jardins de l’Europe, or the main park in Annecy, was the best thing that this small city in the French Alps had to offer.

If you come to Annecy, you must spend some time in this park – just note, there are no nearby ice cream or smoothie vendors inside the park. Luckily, there’s a Monoprix just outside this park in Annecy to buy all of your park picnic goodies beforehand.

It was truly such a special aura to soak in, with families heading into the water for a swim, or playing other sports nearby, or in search of an ice cream cone. The vibe was more wholesome than I expected, and it was a refreshing balance to see something both so alive and peaceful at the same time.

6. Panorama du Lac

While in Jardins de l’Europe, make sure to take a loop to the panoramic spot of the lake to get the best pictures in Annecy possible – as this really is a photogenic town!

7. Paddle Boating

Something I noticed that was exceptional about Annecy right off the bat is how many families were there for their summer vacation. I had never even heard of Annecy until living in Paris, but now – I see why it’s so great for families. It’s simple, it’s walkable, and it is one of the best places in Europe I have ever seen for water sports.

paddle boats on lake annecy — Paddle boats on Lake Annecy; August 2025

In fact, Lake Annecy is considered to be one of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe – meaning, if you’re fond of the purity found in places like Switzerland and New Zealand, you’ll be bound to fall in love with swimming in Annecy.

8. River Cruise on Lake Annecy

If you aren’t a fan of swimming or getting your hair wet, no worries – you can still enjoy Lake Annecy on a river boat.

The cruises can anywhere from 1-2 hours and cost less than €20, making this a great idea for people interested in seeing more mountainous views from the water.

river cruise in annecy — View of river cruise in Annecy; August 2025

9. Château d'Annecy

If you’re interested in Annecy and its history, the Musée-Château d'Annecy may be of interest to you.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that the castle in Annecy has specific opening hours – so plan ahead if you know this is something you would be interested in doing.

view of Château d'Annecy — View of entrance to Château d'Annecy; August 2025

Personally, I’m not a fan of museums – but I was curious, so I hiked up to the top to see if the views were any good. In the distance, it reminded me of the Swiss Alps – but the best views and pictures of Annecy were still at Lake Annecy itself were at Jardins de l’Europe.

Therefore, if you have no interest in the museum itself – I think you could skip the hike (or, my dramatic way of say a 5 minute steep incline) up to the top where Château d'Annecy sits.

10. Bike Riding

Again, Annecy reminded me of bike-centric cities in Belgium and the Netherlands – and for good reason, because Annecy is a biker’s heaven.

bikes in annecy — Bikes in Annecy, France; August 2025

There are several places in Annecy to rent bikes for you an everyone in the family, making this a fun way to adventure around the panoramic of the lake and explore the prettiest parts of the city.

🏔️🇫🇷🌸 Annecy FAQ

💶 Is Annecy expensive?	Yes, I found Annecy to be just as expensive – with the train ticket and hotel in Annecy (not even in a super central location) costing me more than a trip to Nice during high season. However, you can avoid your trip from being too expensive by traveling during off season (avoid July and August) and eating at restaurants not in the Old Town.
🏔️🇫🇷🌸 Is Annecy worth visiting?	I do think Annecy is worth visiting, especially if you’re fond of mountains, lakes, and medieval towns like Saint Malo in France or Bruges in Belgium. However, I don’t think it’s worth a week long trip – as it would become too expensive for what it has to offer.
🚆 How long does it take to get to Annecy from Paris?	I took the direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy and it took between 3 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes each way. Book these trains early if you’re planning to travel in the summer, as many Parisians will head south to locations such as Annecy.
🚗 Do I need a car to explore Annecy?	No, not at all – you’ll be able to walk to all of the main attractions in Annecy including Vieille Ville, Jardins de l’Europe, Château d'Annecy, and Palais de l'Île. The only reason to have a car would be if you want to find additional nearby camping sites or hiking trails just outside of Annecy, but other than that – no, do not rent a car, as it’ll be a waste of time and money.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Is Annecy family friendly?	Yes! Annecy is beyond family friendly, and in fact – I saw mostly families with young children vacationing in Annecy. It’s the perfect family summer vacation with a manageable old town, walking distance to everything, and endless water sports to entertain the kids.
💳 Do I need cash for Annecy?	I was expecting to need small euro bills while in Annecy since it’s such a small town, but I was completely fine with a credit card and Apple Pay during my whole trip.
🚌 Can you do Annecy as a day trip from Geneva?	Absolutely! In fact, I think Annecy would be best as a day trip from Geneva. If you’re on a longer Europe trip, I highly recommend staying in Geneva to explore the rest of Switzerland and simply taking a day trip to Annecy.

Is Annecy Worth Visiting?

Annecy is worth visiting for people who adore outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and skiing – meaning if you enjoy places like the Swiss Alps or the South Island of New Zealand, you’re bound to fall in love with Annecy. On the other hand, people who love big cities like New York and Paris may find themselves a little unamused or bored with too much time in Annecy.

Ultimately, I do think that Annecy is worth seeing – but that it’s too expensive for what it has to offer. I didn’t find it to be a drop dead gorgeous, “I must have my wedding here” location – but something sweet, colorful, and relaxing for a short summer escape to see some mountains and enjoy a dip in the lake.

Want to see more of my trip to Annecy in action? Watch my travel vlog to Annecy below!

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Last updated: August 11, 2025

One Day in Annecy: Is It Worth Visiting?