Beach life in Geneva

Whether you choose the pristine lake, a drift down the Rhône, the grass or the sun-warmed pebbles by the water’s edge, summer in Geneva means switching from a work suit to a swimsuit. Harbour beaches, spas and seasonal bars (some floating!) embody the dolce vita.

When packing your suitcase, make sure you don’t forget your swimsuit. Why? For a dip at the Pâquis, of course! It’s a perfect introduction to the city — and a fantastic way to meet locals of all ages — while you bask in the outdoor bath’s charmingly retro bay setting, not far from the Jet d’Eau. A few brave souls even swim here in the winter months!

Rive Gauche (The Left Bank)
Take a quick ride on a mouette (water taxi) to the other bank, where Genève-Plage proposes an Olympic-sized pool, a kiddie pool and four hectares of grass for picnics and sunbathing. Bask in the easy-going atmosphere amongst the blue and white changing cabins, a water slide, diving board, beach huts (paillottes) and beach volleyball. Add in the windsurfers and paddleboarders and you could think you were at the seaside! It’s also here that swimmers in La Traversée de la rade begin their 1.8-km (untimed) swim on 23 August.

Too crowded? Check out Le Bain Bleu, which boasts a concrete, cubist pool downstairs with waterfalls, and a wide panoramic pool upstairs with small alcoves, massage jets and lounge chairs that face the lake and the Jura region. Perfect for pool parties! Le Bain Bleu also features a lovely, pan-Asian-inspired spa and hammam.

On the other side of the Port-Noire marina lies the Plage des Eaux-Vives, with over 1.5 hectares of soft grass and four pebble-covered beach coves. Children are right at home here, easily finding their footing on the gentle slope of the extra-small, sand-covered “Baby Beach.” In the summer, bikes, flip-flops, strollers and scooters abound along the area’s 400 metres of lakeside terrain. A long dock, offering food and drinks to-go, encourages lounging while enjoying views of Mont Salève and the iconic Jet d’Eau as it shoots into the Geneva skyline.

Enjoy a pop up “buvette”
Running along the bay and through the Eaux-Vives marina, the large Gustave-Ador dock features views of the Jardin Anglais and mini electric boats. In the summer, La Canopée opens and offers free morning sports and activities, along with a smattering of hammocks, a pop-up bar and a food truck… the only thing missing is you and your bocce balls!

The entire area comes to life around the two lakeside pools at the Bains du Jet d’eau (closed Mondays) and the seasonal buvettes (bars). Enjoy happy hour amongst the potted palms and waterfront deckchairs, complete with concerts and performances. Or grab a gelato at the Glacier du Jet d’Eau, where the swans eagerly await your breadcrumbs. A few steps away, the Bateau Genève — a former CGN boat that’s been converted into a community centre — offers a summer buvette, occasional concerts and weekly gatherings (from Wednesday to Saturday).

Continuing along the Rhône riverbank, you’ll find several alternative buvettes where deckchairs, after-work cocktails, pop-up stages and tapas are abundant. Whether floating or land-based, there’s a buvette for everyone. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the joys of summer!

Frolic in the Rhône
While the lake is extremely popular, the river tends to attract a more select crowd. Nothing beats a swim in the icy river on the hottest days of summer! And although jumping from the Sous-Terre bridge is forbidden (albeit still done), floating downstream in the river is perfectly allowed. Swimming against the current can be exhausting but climb aboard a paddleboard or inner tube and it’s a whole different story! Some people float downstream for hours, surrounded by nature, until they reach the Verbois dam.