Things to do in Geneva & around
Indoors:
Discover the Rive Farmers Market.
It is a good way to introduce you to the Genevois way of life. Every Wednesday morning on Boulevard Helvetique, just behind UBS bank, you can see row after row of fresh produce, flowers, bread and pastry, fresh cheeses.
Try fondue – cheese or chocolate
At the Hotel Edelweiss restaurant, minimum 2 persons.
https://www.hoteledelweissgeneva.com/en/restaurant/restaurant-edelweiss/
Visit one of the excellent museums in Geneva.
Most are free, but you may have to pay to see temporary exhibitions.
https://www.geneve.com/en/see-do/museums/
Local sporting events.
Soccer : http://www.servettefc.ch/
Ice hockey: https://www.gshc.ch/fr/Billetterie.html
Bains de Cressy
Enjoy some relaxation at the thermal baths
https://bainsdecressy.hug-ge.ch/
Bains Bleu – Geneve Plage
Thermal baths, spa and hamman. A lakeside haven to get away from it all.
https://bain-bleu.ch/nouveau.asp
Visit a shopping mall
Balexart which has a movie multiplex and bowling TPG 10 –
La Praille which has bowling & movies – http://www.la-praille.ch/
Take the Leman Express train from Eaux-Vives to Lancy-Pont-Rouge
Visit Annemasse in France
Shops and eateries, try Au Bureau for great burgers!
Go direct on the Leman Express train from Eaux Vives to Annemasse. You must buy a connecting ticket for the Annemasse 210 zone before you travel.
https://www.annemasse.fr/au-quotidien/economie-et-commerce/commerce
Outdoors:
Take a walk through the Botanical Gardens.
Admission is free, and there’s a cafeteria and a little shop.
http://www.ville-ge.ch/cjb/jardin_en.php
Walk under the Jet d’eau.
At 140 meters high this one of the largest in the world. You can walk along the new boardwalk and be close enough to get wet. Note: It will shut off if there is too much wind.
https://ww2.sig-ge.ch/en/a-propos-de-sig/nous-connaitre/sites_expositions/jet_deau
Climb to the top of Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
Get a view across the city and the lake. The Cathedral is in the center of the Old Town, Place St Pierre. It costs CHF5 (cash only) to go up the towers which are open from 10 to 6. There are two towers, North and South – you should visit both as they are quite different.
http://www.cathedrale-geneve.ch/fr/infos-pratiques
Rent a self-service bicycle with VeloPartage and explore the town.
https://www.geneveroule.ch/en/velopartage
Rent a boat at Les Corsaires.
Just down by the lake when you turn right at the bottom of Rue Muzy. From motor boats to paddle boats.
http://www.bateau-location.ch/en
Go swimming.
Geneva has some excellent places for swimming and sun bathing. See our webpage:
https://www.bu.edu/geneva/bu-activities/beaches-and-water-activities/
Take a ride on one of the yellow shuttle boats.
Part of the TPG network.
https://mouettesgenevoises.com/
Take a cruise on the lake with the C.G.N. company.
This Franco-Swiss company offer cruises to all the major towns on the lake. You can get tickets with your half price rail-card if you have one (see our webpage).
Ca vous fait rêver ?
Free hikes on the Salève
This walk offers great views of the mountains and the Rhone-Leman valley with Geneva and the lake. Every Sunday, go hiking (a gradient of 800 meters, 3 hours hike-up) with des Amis du Salève. Meeting at 10 am at the terminus of bus No 8 at Veyrier-Douane. Correct attire and equipment required!
Explore Carouge.
Known locally as the small Italy, visit the cafés, fountains and boutiques. Number 12 tram to Place de Sardaigne.
https://www.carouge.ch/decouvrir
Check out the flea market at Plainpalais.
Every Wednesday and Saturday, and every first Sunday of the month. Lots of great bars and cafes in the area as well. Number 12 or 17 trams.
http://www.ville-geneve.ch/plan-ville/marches/marche-plainpalais/
Outdoor ice skating in the winter.
At Parc de Bastions, Charmilles and Carouge. You can hire ice-skates with ID for 2chf.
https://www.geneve.ch/en/bastions-rink
Parc La Grange
Just along the lake, this beautiful park has a rose garden and communal barbecues.
https://www.geneve.ch/en/parc-grange
Centre Nature de la Pointe à la Bise – Chemin de la Réserve 8
For bird lovers there is the local nature reserve at Collonge-Bellerive. You can watch from their bird tower and they will loan you binoculars. Bus E stop “La Bise”. You should phone before going to confirm they are open for visitors.
Viaduc de la Jonction
Walk across the viaduct and see the intersection of the Arve and Rhone rivers. Start your walk at the TPG Jonction stop.