Sports and Leisure Geneva

Budget & Tips

Geneva benefits from an enviable environment. The lake offers something to look forward to on sunny days with swimming, pedal boats, boat trips... The brand new Geneva public beach at the entrance to the city makes you forget that you are in an urban area.

The parks are beautiful and many activities are organized there: yoga classes, concerts, outdoor cinema... In summer, you can even borrow a book, a game and a deckchair for a break. The Botanical Garden organizes free thematic tours of the park, check the dates: www.ville-ge.ch/cjb

Inline skating and cycling have their place around the harbor and the Geneva countryside offers bucolic paths for bike rides: www.geneve.ch/fr/thèmes/mobilité-transport/vélos

What's very local

Attending a field hockey game is very local. It's all about the spectacle and the game. Find out when the local team, the Geneva-Servette Hockey Club, is playing at www.gshc.ch.

You'll meet many Genevans around the lake, the more athletic ones for jogging and the families in the lawns enjoying the place. It is allowed to sit in the lawns of parks and squares, which is not the case in all Swiss cantons. There are more and more paddle boarders.

In the summer, the banks of the Rhone towards the Jonction are crowded with locals who share a barbecue and take advantage of the current of the Rhone to make a little descent. Be careful, don't risk the adventure without having measured the dangers.

A very local rendez-vous is to go to the Bains des Pâquis, on the right bank. A popular and multifunctional place, one comes there to have a drink, to taste a fondue, to make a hamman or to swim in the summer.

Your documents please

The lake attracts you: boat rentals without a license are possible. If you decide to escape to neighboring France on the Salève mountain by taking the cable car, don't forget your papers in case of a customs check. From up there, you have a breathtaking view of the Geneva harbor, the Jura mountains and the French Alps (from Geneva center, take the TPG 8 bus to Veyrier douane).

To be booked

Depending on the activities you wish to practice (rafting on the Rhône, Segway on the bay...), the organizers require a reservation. Ask directly about the procedures.

Main events

An event not to be missed for the quality of the racing and the beauty of the boats is undoubtedly the Bol d'Or in June. It is considered the biggest regatta in closed basin. Crews come from all over the world. www.boldormirabaud.ch

In August, more than 300,000 people come to admire the fireworks show that illuminates the harbor. The big fireworks are a must.

In summer, many free concerts are held in the squares and parks

Tourist traps

You will not find touts in Geneva and if you do, it is indeed suspicious. All tickets can be purchased online or at the appropriate sites such as Geneva Tourism, 18 rue du Mont Blanc.