G
Need a Holiday?
GENEVA
What to do... places to go... so...
We all want to do something when we are on holiday, I mean whats the point in paying to go somewhere and staying inside all day doing nothing? Yeah, there is no point. So whether you like to go on walks, go to museums or play/relax in the park or beach there are definitely lots to choose from in Geneva. In the sub-pages there are maps showing locations.
Parks - FUN :D
Beaches - SUN :D
The perfect place to enjoy a walk, have a run, or just do nothing but everything at the same time. Here are a few:
Jardin Botanique
Really near the United Nations (UN), a quiet place to do all that parky stuff. Its also by the Plage du Reposoir. With lots of exotic plants and herb gardens it just is PERFECTION.
Parc Mon Repos
With the offering of deckchairs in the summer you can really enjoy the lovely planting, food places and access to mouettes that will take you over to the left bank, to Geneve Plage or the shopping area.
Parc des Bastions
A nice hilly walk through to/from Plainpalais and the Old Town. Its by the University as well, so it does have some studious teens there. They are not too disruptive though. Trust me. I know.
Parc des Eaux-Vives
With two well-known restaurants Parc des Eaux-Vives has formal gardens that are perfect to relax in.
Parc de la Grange
Being right next to Parc des Eaux-Vives this one is more oriented around kids. With multiple childrens playgrounds, sports areas and a rose garden. A lovely little cafe that is hidden in this park shaded by trees. Try and find it, its almost like a hide and seek game with a cafe.
Brunswick Square
This small park is set in Paquis near the Lake, its simple with a really good cafe and a small calm green space.
Ok, who doesnt like the sun? Not many people... We have a long summer here, so here's the list of wonderful sunny beaches just for you and all of them right in the centre of Geneva, no transport necessary. There are loads a little further away but I'm just concentrating on those in town ...
Plage du Reposoir
Conveniently its right next to the Jardin Botanique, and it has a great beach bar/restaurant. (linked here). With nice sun, but no sand (apart from the sand box for kids) so you can enjoy eating a picnic maybe without getting sand in your sandwich. You can even do wake boarding and stand-up padding from here.
Baby Plage
Ok, so a great place to be. adult or kid (ESPECIALLY KIDS) to hang out and play. Why do I say that? There are large rubber tyres and ropes hanging from the trees. No not a danger hazzard (or maybe!) BUT definitely a 'TOO MUCH FUN' Hazzard. A shallow bit to the lake (that you can swim in) and some sand for the babies and grass and rocks for everyone else.
Geneve Plage
2 hectares of amazing beach activities that is .. outside! You are able to swim in the lake, in the pools, take swimming/diving/boating/wake board lessons, take part in aquabiking, aquazumba, have a massage, play table tennis, eat in the many cafes ... all between May-Sept. There is one large slide that is fun but actually very busy, but if you time it right there will be no queue whatsoever, aka when everyone else is getting lunch etc. (they do close the slide occasionally so that the life gard can get something to eat).
Bains des Paquis
As a young teen you wouldn't expect this to be my personal favourite. But it is. Its quiet, everyone relaxes here. But funnily enough, people relate busy to noisy, but Geneva is totally different. Busy = EVEN more quiet. The perfect place to relax, you can bring a young baby here (be careful :D) but it may not be the best for kids who just want to run around screaming. A nice cafe, diving board, hammams ... good for summer and winter.
...Need fresh air? Have kids? or just wanting to relax? Yeah, here are the Beaches and Parks for you.
Urr yeah, a lot of us also like doing exercise. So... some walks?
I personally dont like going on walks, but maybe thats cuz im a teen. Anyway, different people, different opinions.
You can just go for a walk through the parks I've advised you to visit, a lot of them are big enough and interesting enough (of course they're all interesting but its not always a big enough park to go for a walk). The Jardin Botanique I think is the best for that sort of thing.
But there is the lake. I really like to take a walk around (at least part ;)) the lake, its calming (romantic :3) and very pretty. It has the mouettes zig-zagging along it so you can take a yellow boat back to where you came from easily. It also gives you an insight of the beaches and the sorts of things you can do, like windsufing and sailing, because you will/or are bound to walk past them. In the summer you can also make loads of stops at the limitless eating and drinking places lakeside ...
The area around the United Nations is worth a walk with lots of interesting cultural places to visit.
The bohemian and artisanal area of Carouge is definitely worth a visit. You can walk around searching for the many little italianate squares (behind the business doors) popping into the delicious cafes or do a bit of shopping. It is here that lots of craftspeople still sell their wares from their small boutiques.
Carouge is an interesting suburb of Geneva to walk around. This area used to belong to the Sardinian royal family and so has an italianate flavour in terms of architecture. Lots of little secret courtyards, lots of artisan workshops - definitely worth a wander.
And lastly of course the Old Town is full of interesting sights and squares and mustn't be missed.