We are truly blessed to have both a beautiful lake and an ice-cold river cutting right through the middle of Geneva. During these intense summer heatwaves, diving into that water is probably the only thing keeping any of us sane. To help you beat the heat, we’ve rounded up the best swimming spots across the city. Whether you’re looking for a lively beach along the lake, a classic public pool to get your laps in, or a cold drift down the Rhône river, this is your ultimate guide to staying cool in Geneva all summer long.
Overview
- Swimming at the lake
- Swimming pools around the city
- Rhône river
- Public Transportation – ‘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’s central, has a closed off pebbled beach, diving platforms, tons of sunbathing spots, unbeatable views of the jet, and the famous buvette that serves delicious plates. 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.
❤️ 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.
Each summer, a temporary swimming spot is installed on Quai Wilson, with easy access ramps, changing rooms and lockers available on site. It’s a very central location yet rarely crowded. There is a nice buvette (Trumpette) next to it, and a small lawn area to sunbathe after swimming. It’s an alternative to Bains des Pâquis, if you want less crowds.
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. There’s also a proper restaurant at the end of the beach, if you’re looking for something more substantial.
🐕 FYI dogs are generally prohibited to go to the official beaches and pools listed here. Be careful, as fines for bringing a dog are costly, around CHF 100-500.
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 (surprisingly 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 not illegal to do so!
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, 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 it’s become a lot more popular.
🔥 Hot tip 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.
Other swimming spots around the lake
Beyond the main city beaches, the lake is lined with countless hidden access points and secluded swimming spots. While we’re not about to list those spots here, a good rule of thumb is that the further you get from the city center, the smaller the crowds (usually). Here are a few of beaches outside of the city to check out:
- Plage de Versoix (Versoix)
- Plage de la Bécassine (Versoix)
- Plage d’Hermance (Hermance) With entry fee
- Plage de la Savonnière (Collonge-Bellerive) With entry fee
You can track down a complete map of public lakeside beaches via CIPEL, but keep an eye out for smaller entry points along the way—basically, if you see a ladder leading into the water, you’re good to go in. Some of these no-frills spots are tucked right next to gorgeous parks perfect for sunbathing, while others are strictly for a quick, refreshing dip to escape the heat.
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 can feel a bit touristy, 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. The pool will be open on June 29th until September 13th, 2026.
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. You can monitor the water currents here.
⚠️ 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).
You can also float down the Rhône via kayak or inflatable boats, which is much longer and a different experience altogether. There are specific entry and exit points that you should be familiar with before heading out.
🔥 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!
Take the pink beach line bus #29 🚌
The summer beach bus #29 is back! This bus that literally takes you to all the beaches around town.
👀 Here’s what you need to know
- The bus is running 7/7 this year, starting from May 1st until September 27th.
- The route differs slightly this year when it crosses the city center: Heading towards Collonge-Bellerive (after crossing the Mont-Blanc bridge) the line makes a loop and now passes through Molard and Bel-Air before returning to Rive and continuing its route on the left bank.
- Heading towards Versoix, after Rive, the bus serves the Métropole stop.
Take advantage of the beach bus and explore new spots around the lake – you might find a new favorite place to take a dip this year.
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