Geneva Activities

A significant percentage of Geneva residents are international families and there are plenty of children’s activities on offer, ranging from unique, kid-friendly sights to fun landmarks.

Horloge Fleurie
Located in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) on the south side of the River Rhône, near the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge, Horloge Fleurie is a world-famous floral clock. The clock itself features the world’s largest second-hand face that is 20 feet wide and decorated with over 6,500 plants.

Jet d’Eau
Jet d’Eau is perhaps Geneva’s most endearing sight and one which astounds visitors of all ages. Jet d’Eau is situated near Promenade du Lac, just offshore to the southeast of the city, and is Europe’s tallest fountain, shooting a jet of water about 400 feet into the air. The special aeration valve makes the fountain white and even more beautiful when illuminated at night.

Jardin Botanique
The Botanical Garden is situated north of the city centre and is another great hangout for families with children, with its rock gardens, streams and winding paths. There is also an aviary and a deer park here as well as a garden of scent and touch, and rose gardens. Entry to Jardin Botanique is free and it is open daily.

Geneva has a fascinating history and culture that pre-dates that of the Roman Empire. There are Celtic, Roman, Franco and Germanic influences all around, best seen in the stunning array of ancient and modern architecture, and at some of the best museums in the country. Evidence of the city’s rich culture can be observed on a typical tour of the city centre, its leafy suburbs and at the lakeside.

Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge
Also known as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge features grim exhibits of human suffering around the world and a history of the Red Cross and the often tough struggle to provide aid and help. The museum is located at the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross and it includes audiovisuals, WWI records and a replica of a small cell where 17 prisoners were once kept. The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday.

Patek Philippe Museum
The Patek Philippe Museum was once a watch-making workshop owned by a high-class Geneva watch-making company and today it features an array of objects and portraits. A typical tour of the museum will reveal numerous gold watch cases, watch parts, a horological library, audiovisual displays, classical music and many enamelled objects including pens and snuffboxes. A two-hour, 30-minute guided tour of horology and enamelling includes a look at artefacts from the 16th century to the present day.

Centre d'Art Contemporain
Centre d'Art Contemporain, or the Centre for Contemporary Art, features interesting works by contemporary artists since 1974, with regular shows by notable greats. Previous shows at the Centre d'Art Contemporain have included the works of Andy Warhol, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, Pippilotti Rist and Thomas Scheibitz.

Collections Baur
Collections Baur is noted for its devotion to Asian art and it boasts the largest collection of Eastern art in the country. Founded by Alfred Baur, the gallery features many fine pieces and paraphernalia including Chinese ceramics and jade as well as Japanese smoking implements. Other permanent exhibits include examples of lacquer ware, netsuke, intricate sword fittings and fine prints. The gallery is located in a quiet 19th century town house and it has been in operation since 1964.

Cathédrale St-Pierre
St Peter's Cathedral is a Romanesque edifice with Gothic accents that dates from the 12th century. This huge structure naturally dominates the Old Town and features a huge neo-classical façade from the mid-18th century. Converted from a Catholic cathedral to a Protestant church during the Reformation of 1536, Cathédrale St-Pierre also has a fascinating collection of frescoes, although many were destroyed by Calvin followers. The highlight for many will be the amazing views of the city afforded by the north tower.

Site Archéologique
Lying beneath the massive Cathédrale St-Pierre are many archaeological sites, which were discovered in the late 1970s, after the cathedral’s foundations began to subside. Construction on Cathédrale St-Pierre stared in around 1150, although the first Romanesque cathedral on this site dated from 1000 AD. Excavations have revealed Roman mosaic floors, two 4th century Christian sanctuaries, an 11th century crypt and parts of three ancient churches. The reinforced cathedral foundations mean that tourists can now go on a guided tour of the remains.

Monument de la Réformation
Located in Parc des Bastions, to the south of the city centre, the Reformation Monument features a huge wall and larger than life statues of the four reformers. The wall is huge, measuring 330 feet long by about 30 feet high, while the statues of the reformers stand nearly 15 feet tall. The monument commemorates John Knox, Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin and Théodore de Bèze, who spearheaded the religious movement known as the Reformation, which lead to Geneva getting its independence. Several smaller statues have also been erected including one of Oliver Cromwell.

Geneva has a huge number of cafés and restaurants, with everything from traditional Swiss fare to haute cuisine available. Generally, an evening meal in Geneva can be an all-evening affair.

Typical Swiss dishes include fricassee of pork and perch from Lake Geneva, while many restaurants serve artichoke (cardoon). Genevese sausage (longeole) is also a must if you fancy experimenting and cheese is usually included on every Genevese diner’s table. Tomme and Gruyère are two local favourite cheeses which go great with the local red or white wine.

Most of the city’s best restaurants are situated north of the River Rhône, near the Old Town, and include Auberge À la Mère Royaume, Restaurant de Ville and Boeuf Rouge. If you are content with dining in the east of town, near Jet d’Eau, L-Esquisse, Cavalieri and Parc des Eaux-Vives are also popular. Service charges are automatically included on restaurant bills, so tipping is not necessary, although tipping on top is becoming more the norm and will be welcomed if you think your meal was particularly excellent.

Shopping in Geneva is expensive and not for the faint-hearted, particularly if you are after luxury items. Rue du Rhône is Geneva’s Fifth Avenue and comes complete with upper crust Gucci and Valentino stores. Geneva is also well known for its high-profile jewellery auctions, which are often held in the city throughout the year.

Most tourists will be happier shopping at the less-glitzy rue de la Confédération, near the Old Town, and on rue du Mont-Blanc, which is well known for its souvenir shops. Galleries and antiques shops can be found on Grand-Rue and in Place du Bourg-de-Four.

Shopping hours in Geneva are generally from 09:00 to 18:30 during weekdays and from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays. Thursday is late night shopping night in the downtown area, with outlets staying open until 20:00.

Geneva is a health-conscious city through and through, and it offers excellent sports facilities, both within the confines of the city and outside. Lake Geneva has an obvious allure for boat lovers, while the nearby French and Swiss Alps offer world-class skiing and snowboarding.

Sailing and the annual Lake Regatta
Sailing is definitely the most popular sport in Geneva, with beautiful Lake Geneva providing the ideal setting and opportunity to try your hand at it. Quays stretch along the lake’s shores, where there are numerous kiosks with sailboats for rent. Every summer the Lake Regatta features over 600 sailboats and thousands of competitors vying for the fastest time of getting from one end of the lake to the other. The Lake Regatta is a spectacle not to be missed, even if you have no intention of going on the water.

Biking
There are hundreds of miles of cycling paths in and around Geneva and the quality roads and beautiful countryside provide the ideal opportunity for enjoying some fresh air and outstanding views. Forests and vineyards are within easy reach of the city centre, while cycling Bernex's hill is a must. You can pick up free bikes (you must leave a deposit) behind the train station and at Quai du Mont-Blanc.

Skiing and Snowboarding
Apart from banks and cuckoo clocks, Switzerland is best known for its skiing and snowboarding and there are several world-class ski resorts within easy driving distance of Geneva. Most people who stay in Geneva with the intention of skiing head for the well-known resorts of the Haute Savoie region in France, of which Chamonix ski resort is the best known, while Flaine ski resort is even closer to Geneva. Champéry ski resort is the closest Swiss ski resort to Geneva, which is best accessed by taking the A1 and the A9 Lake Geneva motorways around the lake.