Free
A stroll through the Vieux Carouge
The Vieux Carouge is located just two kilometres from the plaine de Plainpalais in the city centre, and is one of the most popular attractions in and around Geneva. This charming old district on the other side of the River Arve is an easy walk from the city centre and offers an explosion of light and colour, with its lovely old buildings, narrow streets, fountains, gardens, and little cafés and restaurants. Perfect for a summer drink on a café terrace, the Vieux Carouge is the ideal spot for a leisurely stroll all year round, providing visitors with a timeless few hours away from the hectic pace of the city!
Ramble through Geneva’s vineyards
Another free stroll, but this time into the world of wine. With 1,500 hectares of vines and over 13.5 million litres produced per year, the canton of Geneva is Switzerland’s third largest winegrowing area. The wine trails through the surrounding countryside are a rambler’s delight. One of the most famous is the 15-km Dardagny trail, which takes you on a three-hour journey past a series picturesque villages to meet local winegrowers and guest house owners. It’s free, it’s easy on the legs, and there are plenty of tasting stops along the way!
Cycle along the shores of Lake Geneva
Another fun and free activity for sports enthusiasts is a bike ride along the shores of Lake Geneva. The dedicated cycle path starts out in Geneva and follows the banks of the lake through a picture-postcard landscape, right by the water’s edge and far from the busy roads. While the gentle climbs are ideal for a few hours’ cycling, more adventurous cyclists can take on the entire 171-km circumference of the Lake. But don’t worry – there are plenty of guest houses and hotels for explorers along the way!
The city of Geneva and the surrounding region are packed with free or affordable activities for the entire family or for couples enjoying a romantic weekend break!
At small prices
For €6: swim and relax on Geneva Beach
Just a few minutes from the city centre along the shores of Lake Geneva is Geneva Beach, a 42,000 m² water park. Since 1932, this has been the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon in Geneva thanks to its Olympic-sized pool, basketball court, volleyball pitch, restaurants and cafés, and of course the lakeside beach. Open from May to September and easily accessible by public transport (or boat) from the city centre, admission is just CHF 7 (€6.50) per adult and CHF 3.50 (€3.30) per child for an all-day ticket.
For up to €7: head skywards for fantastic views of Geneva and the Lake
Just imagine climbing to an altitude of 1,100 m for stunning views of Geneva and Lake Geneva! That’s exactly what you can do in the Salève cable car. For under €8, it whisks you to the top of Mount Salève in Haute-Savoie, where the panoramic views are stunning: out over the city, the Lake, and the peaks of the Jura and the Mont-Blanc itself. Mount Salève is also a sports lovers’ paradise, with opportunities aplenty for rambling, mountain-biking, climbing, paragliding and cross-country skiing.