What can you do in Geneva with kids? The city which is mainly known for the large lake that is located near the city, does not have a huge number of activities to make an entire city trip there of a few days. But if you are on a tour of Switzerland, it is certainly fun to visit the city. We list the best activities in Geneva with kids.
Geneva with kids #1: Lake Geneva
The city of Geneva is known for the large lake located near the city, and during a city break to Geneva with kids, you can’t avoid the lake. Especially in the warm summer months, it is nice to be by the lake. Geneva Plage is an excellent lakeside spot for families with kids to relax by the water.
Geneva Plage is in fact a waterfront park, where you have two different swimming pools. One pool is more for swimming laps and the other pool is more for families with kids and also has a slide. You have grassy sunbathing areas here as well as lakeside beaches where families can relax. This park is also an ideal opportunity to have a nice lunch with, for example, food and drinks you get in advance from the supermarket. Another famous sandy beach on the lake is Baby Plage, where they have a sandy beach and where you can lie by the lake in the summer.
One of the lake’s most famous attractions is the Jet d’Eau fountain. Located by the lake, this fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world. The water here sprays some 140 meters into the air and this can be clearly seen from the entire city. The fountain is a popular attraction for tourists to take pictures with the fountain.
Of course, you can also take a boat out on the lake. The cheapest way to take a boat on Lake Geneva is to use the mouette water buses (Mouettes Genevoises). These boats operate on four routes between the left and right banks of Geneva. You will be on the boat for a few minutes. The Mouettes are part of Geneva’s public transportation network. Of course, you can also book tours of the lake in town and at the lake, where you sit on the boat a little longer and take a tour of the lake.
Geneva with kids #2: Rafting
You can also raft in the Geneva area with kids. You have two different rivers in the area where raft trips are organized. These raft trips are for children as young as seven years old, so they are also suitable for families with kids. For slightly younger kids, the Arve River is best for rafting.
The raft trips on the Arve River are offered three times a day and here you go in a boat with several people and a guide and you pass waterfalls and rapids on the river with the boat. Along the way, there are moments where the river is quieter and where swimming is possible. These tours take about 2.5 hours and the only thing you need to bring yourself is swimwear and a towel.
The second river on which raft trips are organized is the Dranse River. This is a somewhat wilder river, though, and kids must be at least 14 years old for these trips. The river consists of different sections and different levels of difficulty. This activity also takes a lot longer and keep in mind that you have half a day of entertainment here. For more information on these raft trips, check out the provider’s website.
Geneva with kids #3: Parc Bois-de-la-Bâtie
Bois-de-la-Bâtie City Park is within walking distance of downtown Geneva and you can have a great stroll through the park here. In the park, you will find various animals (mostly farm animals) to watch. The entrance to the park is free and the park also has a cafe with a terrace, where you can have a drink. A great activity when the weather is nice and you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
Another garden worth visiting in Geneva with kids is the botanical garden. These gardens are also free to visit and they are located on Lake Geneva. This botanical garden is beautiful and in the garden you also have some animals like deer and different birds. This park also has a playground for kids. There is also a Japanese section at this botanical garden. You can also get something to eat and drink at a cafeteria here.
Another park located on the lake and about a 15-minute drive north of the city is Bioparc Geneva. The animals they have here are mostly smaller animals and farm animals. It is actually also more of a shelter for animals. One of the most beautiful animals you can see here is the snow leopard.
Geneva with kids #4: Parc Aventure Geneve
You can also go to a climbing park in Geneva with kids. Parc Aventure Geneve is located southwest of the city about 15 minutes away by car from the city center (half an hour by public transportation). There are three parking lots at the climbing park where you can park your car for free.
You have 11 different courses and it depends on the age and height of the kids which courses they all get to do at the climbing park. Kids as young as six can come here to climb. You first get to see an instructional video for a few minutes and then the kids get to practice climbing first. When this succeeds then they get to go through the different courses.
Keep in mind that the activity will keep you entertained for about two to three hours. Make sure you get there before eleven, as it gets busier and busier by noon and then you often have to wait at the courses when there are kids in front of you who are climbing a lot slower. For more information on opening hours, entrance fees and different courses, take a look at Parc Aventure Geneve’s website.
Geneva with kids: Other activities
You have a number of other things to do in Geneva with kids in the city. We briefly name them below.
#5 Muséum d’histoire naturelle: You don’t have super many museums in Geneva that are suitable for kids. One museum that does qualify is the natural history museum. This museum is free to visit and is located in the center of the city. You’ll find lots of stuffed animals and it’s somewhat interactive (don’t expect too much of this). The texts here are in both French and English. Count on an hour or two of entertainment.
#6 Jardin Anglais: this park is located right in the center and the most famous landmark in the park is the big bell made of flowers.
#7 Bains des Paquis: these pools are located near the big fountain and you can sunbathe here in the summer and buy some fresh food from the snack bar and in the winter months you can go to the sauna here and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. You can also relax in the hammam and Turkish bath in proximity to the lake.
Where to stay in Geneva with kids?
You can stay in Geneva with kids just fine, despite having very few budget accommodations in the city. Nevertheless, we have made a selection in each price range of the hotels that are the best rated.
Budget hotel: Holiday Inn Express Geneva Airport, an IHG Hotel
Mid-range hotel: Hotel de Geneve
Luxury hotel: Nash Suites Airport Hotel
For a list of all accommodations in Geneva, take a look here.
