After the long and dark winter months, it’s easy to just think of Geneva as a perpetually sleepy, buttoned-up city. But just like Anne Hathaway’s iconic glow-up from awkward teen to Princess Mia, the city undergoes a dramatic transformation when that first sunny day hits. Gone are the never-ending grey days, replaced by a glorious explosion of sunshine and life. Suddenly, the streets are teeming with people (where did they all come from?!), shaking off their seasonal depression. Everyone is walking around with their cute sundresses and the biggest smile. It’s a truly magical time of the year, one that can only be fully enjoyed by diving headfirst into Geneva’s incredible lake, outdoor pools, and even the Rhône river.

Overview

• Around the lake
  • Bains des Pâquis
  • Baby Plage & Plage des Eaux-Vives
  • Genève Plage
  • Plage du Reposoir 
  • Quai de Cologny
  • 💡Insider tip!
• Outdoor pools
  • Les Bains du Jet d’eau
  • Piscine de Varembé
  • Piscine des Vernets
• Rhône river
• 🔥NEW Public Transportation: New ‘beach line’ bus #29

Around the lake

Bains des Pâquis | Quai du Mont-Blanc 30, 1201 Genève

Bains des Pâquis is a beloved Geneva institution. It’s THE local hangout spot, the trusty, reliable go-to place when you can’t figure out where to go or what to do, and for good reason. It has a closed off pebbled beach, diving platforms, tons of sunbathing spots, unbeatable views, and the famous buvette (small kiosk/refreshment bar) that serves yummy meals. The summer vibes are immaculate, it’s lively, buzzy, and so much fun. It gets packed on a summer day, so don’t expect a quiet, secluded swimming spot.

There is an entrance fee during the summer months. Prices: CHF 2 for adults 16+, CHF 1 for children, AVS and AI, children under 6 are free of charge. The buvette accepts credit cards, but the entrance fee is CASH ONLY (don’t forget!)

❤️ Things we LOVE: The insanely good value plat du jours. At CHF 15 for a huge plate of delicious food and a gorgeous spot on the lake, you’re not gonna find a better place in Geneva, period.

Baby Plage & Plage des Eaux-Vives | Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève

We’re putting baby plage and plage des eaux-vives together since they are just next to each other. Baby plage is the older and smaller beach that is geared towards families with younger children, with shallower waters for the little ones. Plage des Eaux-Vives came to the scene in 2020, and has more open space and modern facilities. Both feature proper sand and pebbles on the beach, which is hard to find in Geneva! So if you want to sunbathe on some sand, this is where you want to be. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s sellers nearby selling snacks and gelato (though with mixed reviews.) There’s also a proper restaurant at the end of the beach, if you’re looking for something more substantial.

⚠️ Things we avoid like the plague: Flying balls. Nothing worst that being hit by a volleyball while you’re snoozing. Steer clear of those groups with balls!

Genève Plage | Port-Noir, Quai de Cologny 5, 1223 Cologny

If you’re looking for a more “club-med”, organized summer fun place to bring the kids for the whole day, then Genève Plage would be a good choice. It’s kind of like a mini-resort on the lake, with huge grassy areas, multiple swimming pools, playgrounds, diving boards, slides, and different restaurant options. There’s tons of activities available, so it will keep your kids busy while you hopefully can sneak a nap by the pool. There’s an entrance fee to Genève Plage, but hey, it has everything you need in one place. 
Prices: CHF 7 for adults, CHF 3.5 for children 6-15. Check here for more pricing options and tickets.

Plage du Reposoir | 1292 Pregny-Chambésy

If you’re looking for a quieter, chiller beach, head to Plage du Reposoir. The beach sits in Pregny-Chambésy, a bit further out of the city center, past all the international organisations. It’s not a sandy beach, think grassy lawns mixed with sunbathing spots on concrete (it’s actually comfortable and toasty), right on the edge of the lake. It’s definitely less crowded than Eaux-Vives or Bains des Pâquis, especially during the week. You still have all the essentials as well, clean showers, a nice snack bar, and even paddleboarding rentals. Perfect for a chill day by the water. 

🔥 Free the nipples! Don’t be surprised if you see topless women on the beach during the summer. It’s actually socially accepted and not illegal to do so! So if you want to free your nipples, know you CAN. You do you.  

Quai de Cologny | Quai de Cology, 1223 Cologny

Quai de Cologny deserves a spot on our list, even though it isn’t really a beach. It’s more like an instagram-worthy wooden swimming hole (literally), with steps and ladders leading directly into the lake. The circular platform is 40m in diameter, sheltering swimmers from waves. It is a beautiful location to take a quick dip, with space to lounge, and read a book. It used to be less crowded, but on nice summer days, there may be more people than you would expect.

🔥 Our hot tip to you: Make sure to bring everything you need – snacks, water, etc, as there aren’t really any facilities. The closest public toilets are a 10 min walk away.

💡INSIDER TIP FOR THE LAKE: 

Access points along the lake – Beyond the main beaches we listed, you can find many small access points along the lake. Basically, if you see a ladder that leads into the water, then you’re golden. Some of these access points are super nice, right next to a park where you can sunbathe. Others are literally no-frills swimming spots, where you go in for a dip and you get out – perfect for those insanely hot summer days.

Outdoor pools

Les Bains du Jet d’eau | Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève

Les Bains du Jet d’Eau is the newest outdoor pool on the scene, only just inaugurated in July 2024. It’s quite a cool experience, as you get unbeatable, up-close views of the Jet d’Eau, making for some postcard worthy moments. It felt a bit touristy during our visit in 2024, given the location but we still had a good time. Les Bains du Jet d’eau offers 2 floating swimming pools (the same water from the lake), one for the more serious swimmers (there’s a dedicated lane) and bottomless, while the other smaller pool is only 1 meter deep. There are dedicated lifeguards, changing rooms, refreshment stand, and a large terrasse. Keep in mind that there’s no access to the lake itself from the pools, you’d need to head to baby plage or plage des eaux-vives for that. The entrance fee is CHF 2.

😒 What gives us the side eyes: Kids that play in the big pool, across multiple lanes, where people are swimming laps. Children, please stick to the lake!

Piscine de Varembé | Av. Giuseppe Motta 46, 1202 Genève

Alright, while we all love jumping into the lake, sometimes a girl just needs a proper pool to swim some laps. Or at least water that is consistently warm, and where you don’t need to worry about the swans and long lake plants. The Varembé pool is located close to all the international organizations and boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, which means you’ve got options no matter the weather. Varembé is a fantastic municipal swimming complex that offers something for everyone: proper swimming lanes to get your laps in, but also a separate splash zone for kids. While there is an entrance fee (CHF 7 for adults), it’s a reasonable price for clean and well maintained facilities. When the lake isn’t calling your name, Varembé is a solid choice to still keep you feeling refreshed and active. 

Piscine de Vernets | Rue Hans Wilsdorf 4, 1227 Carouge

Piscine des Vernets, located in the Les Acacias district, isn’t just another pool; it’s Geneva’s largest and most comprehensive aquatic complex. This place means business, it has a 50-meter indoor Olympic pool for serious swimmers. The outdoor pool opens up during those glorious summer months and features 3 large diving platforms (5m, 7m & 10m), a children’s paddling pool, and areas to just hang out. It’s like Varembé but on a grander scale, with a more athletic vibe. For a CHF 7 entrance fee, it’s another great location to check out and mix up your summer swims!

Rhône rive | Sent. des Saules 9, 1205 Genève

Now, if you’ve conquered the lake and are looking for a different, more exhilarating summer experience in Geneva, it’s time to talk about the Rhône River. The river is a different beast from the lake, with its calm and contained water. It’s usually a few degrees colder, and features a strong current that takes you downstream, so you’re not really swimming but floating like a duck in the water. It’s a truly unique experience, being able to float down a river in the middle of the city, among a beautiful nature-y backdrop. But it’s not for beginners or the faint of hearts. The currents are NO JOKE, you need to be confident swimming in open water.

⚠️ As your momma always says, safety first.

There is a designated swimming area located on the left bank of the river, which is shallower, away from boats and has milder currents. It starts at the Rue des Falaises, and you can choose to float to the last exit point before the pointe de la jonction refreshment stand. The entry/exit points are marked by steps and ladders, so you can safely get in and out of the water. It’s important to know where the exit points are before you get in! Always swim with a buddy, and stay close to the shore. Check out more safety recommendations here.

Dry bags to store clothes and water shoes are recommended, your dry bag can double up as a floaty in the water. It’s also common to see people leave their things as they float down, and walk back to retrieve them when they get out. The float doesn’t take that long, you won’t be staying in the water for too long (it gets very cold).

🔥 Enjoy the vibes. It’s party central. If you’re not planning to float down the river, the riverbank is also just a great place to hangout in the summer. During the summer, you’ll often find people having parties, and barbecues – the vibes be vibin’. There’s another option to take a kayak and float further down the river, past jonction, but that is for another blog post! 

New beach line bus #29 launching summer 2025 🚌

The TPG has announced a brand new beach line bus that literally takes you to all the beaches around town – as if we need more proof that Geneva’s public transportation is amazing!

👀 Here’s what you need to know

• Runs only on the weekends (starting Friday evenings) and public holidays, starting from Thursday 29 May Ascension Day to Sunday 28 September.
• Route goes around the lake from Creux-de-Genthod, station and Collonge-Bellerive, Bois-Caran.
• Buses run every 20 mins during off-peak times, and every 15 mins during peak hours.

We’re very excited for the new beach bus. Traversing from one side of the lake to the other can be a bitch, requiring additional transfers. The existing bus stops are sometimes far from the beach, and you end up walking farther than you want. Less time commuting and MORE time on the beach plz.

Hope you’re just as excited for the summer as I am! The bikinis in the back of my closet are screaming to be let out. Enjoy this magical transformation of sleepy Geneva into a lively, bopin’ lakeside city. 👙☀️🌊