Geneva sits at the edge of Lake Geneva, Western Europe’s largest lake. Despite being in Switzerland – Europe’s most expensive country, with research and planning, it is possible to have a great time in Geneva on a budget. Hostel accommodation in Geneva can be found for around £25 per night, and it’s possible to find decent meals for just £5.
The city itself is charming and compact. Amazingly, hostels and hotels provide a free transport card to all guests but with a pair of comfy shoes, you can easily explore the city on foot. Surrounded by mountains, this affluent and elegant city is for most merely a gateway to the neighbouring Alps but the city itself has plenty to offer. From the incredible mountain backdrop, historic architecture and fascinating history, Geneva has affordable entertainment for everyone. Here’s my list of the best things to do in Geneva on a budget:
The 20 Best Things to Do in Geneva
1. Take the Free Walking Tour
Geneva is a striking and stylish city with a beautiful old town and fascinating history. Be sure not to overlook Geneva’s historical architecture, and striking war-torn past. Free walking tours are a great way to combine education with exploring a new destination.
Free Walk Geneva offers two daily free walking tours. The ‘Heart of Geneva’ walking tour departs daily at 11am from foot of the Clock Tower, Pont de l’Ile at Place Bel-Air and explores Geneva’s old town and city centre through the ages. The second ‘International Geneva’ tour departs daily at 2pm from the Broken Chair Monument and visits the many remarkable international organisations that are based in Geneva. If you have a Geneva Pass, there is an additional old town tour departing from the Tourism Office on Saturdays at 2pm.
Price = free tours are tip-based.
2. Explore the Old Town
Geneva’s old town is a historical maze of small cobbled streets where medieval meets modern. The buildings adorned with stunning masonry facades are now home to cute cafés, galleries, restaurants and museums telling the tale of Geneva’s fascinating history. Walking the old town is like going back in time, and the area is classed as a national heritage site.
3. Visit the United Nations Headquarters
Geneva is home to an impressive array of remarkable international organisations including the United Nations and the Red Cross. The United Nations building is beautiful and its gardens are a heaven for flag lovers. On weekdays at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm you can actually enter the building on an hour-long guided tour. If you want to take the tour it is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before starting as there can be long security queues.
Price = Adults 10 CHF, students 8 CHF
4. Visit the Broken Chair Memorial
The Broken Chair Memorial is a large wooden statue situated across from the European United Nations headquarters at the Palais des Nations. The large wooden sculpture is poignant memorial to victims of landmines and cluster bombs. The broken chair leg represents the limbs lost by victims of explosives, and the sculpture symbolises opposition to the use of cluster bombs and land mines, and acts as a reminder politicians and policymakers visiting Geneva.
Price = free
4. See the Reformation Wall
The International Monument to the Reformation, commonly known as the Reformation wall is a large and stunning stone monument found in Parc des Bastions in the heart of Geneva. The monument depicts the main protagonists of the Reformation, Theodore Beza, John Knox, John Calvin and William Farel. Engraved into the wall is ‘Post Tenebras Lux’ meaning ‘Light After Darkness’. If you are interested in the history of the reformation, a visit to the Museum of the Reformation is highly recommended.
Price = free
4. Climb the St. Pierre Cathedral Tower
St. Pierre Cathedral sits atop a hill in Geneva’s old town. The interior of the cathedral is nice if a little plain, butthe views of Geneva from the cathedral’s towers are not to be missed. The view from the North tower overlooking the lake is particularly special and offers a different perspective of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Price = 5 CHF
5. Marvet al the Jet D’eau
The Jet d’Eau is a large fountain on the edge of Lake Geneva. Originally built as a safety valve for a hydraulic power network, the Jet d’Eau is now the world’s tallest water jet and can reach up to 140m. The jet is now one of Geneva’s most famous landmarks and can be seen from the plane when landing into the city. Get close to the jet at your own risk, if the wind changes, you might find yourself drenched!
Price = free
7. Take in the Views from Mount Saléve
Switzerland is expensive but the hiking here is stunning and completely free. Mount Saléve is just a short 20 minute bus ride from the city and a great place to hike. The views at the top offer a stunning panorama of Lake Geneva, the surrounding Alps and the hundreds of paragliders that take to the mountain every weekend. Even Mont Blanc is visible on a good day. If hiking isn’t your thing, there’s a cable car too.
To reach Mount Saléve, take the No. 8 bus from outside Gare Cornavin, Geneva’s main station to the last stop, Veyrier-Douane. There is a hiking group called Friends of Saléve who meet at the station every Sunday at 10am to hike and anyone is welcome to join. The hike up takes around 3 hours. Alternatively you can take the cable car most of the way up, and hike the extra hour to the summit and observatory.
Price = hiking is free. Cable car €10 return
9. Museums Museums Museums
Geneva has an endless array or museums, there really is something for everyone. The International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum located at the International Red Cross headquarters is particularly fascinating an emotive. Watch lovers should visit the Patek Philippe Museum, and art fiends can check out the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. If you are interested in the history of the city of Geneva itself, the International Museum of the Reformation is ideal. The Natural History
Many of the museums in Geneva charge an entry free, but the Art History Museum and Natural History Museum are both free to visit. If you are thinking of visiting just a couple of payable museums in Geneva, consider getting a Geneva Pass. Available for 24, 48 or 72 hours, the Geneva Pass includes entry to almost all Geneva’s museums and galleries, and many other attractions.
10. Take a Day Trip to Montreux & Chillon Castle
If you have a spare day, consider taking a day trip from Geneva. Geneva is well-connected and there are several options for day trips including nearby Lausanne, and Montreux. If you are well-organised, you can easily combine a day trip to both places.
I took the train to Montreux to visit Château de Chillon, an island castle a little over an hour outside Geneva, which Sharon from Simpler and Smarter first told me about. The fairytale Chillon Castle just outside Montreux dates back to the second century. Perched at the edge of Lake Geneva and surrounded by mountains, it is magical in every way and even inspired Prince Eric’s Castle in The Little Mermaid.
Price = Return train to Montreux & Entry to Chillon Castle 65 CHF (£53)
11. Botanical Gardens
Geneva’s botanical gardens are beautiful and completely free. The gardens offer a variety of indoor and outdoor exotic plants and gardens inspired by various countries around the world. It is a great place to visit with kids or for a romantic picnic. There’s rides for children and even free Wi-Fi in various areas of the park. Digital nomads take note.
Price = free
12. Ride the Yellow Boat
Mouettes are small yellow shuttle boats which are part of Geneva’s public transport system. They offer short journeys between four small city centre harbours at the edge of Lake Geneva. They are a convenient and beautiful way to cross the lake and a simple way to experience Lake Geneva from on the water. The yellow boats are included free in the Geneva transport card provided by all hotels and hostels in Geneva.
Price = 3.50 CHF or free with a Geneva transport card
13. Feed the Swans on Lake Geneva
Take a walk along the edge of Lake Geneva and try to see the swans. The lakeside boulevards are beautiful and the gardens very well-kept. The walk from Bains des Parquis towards the old town is particularly lovely as the boulevard is adorned with various weird and wonderful large-scale sculptures.
14. Visit the English Garden (Jardin Anglais)
The Jardin Anglais is a small yet beautiful garden at the edge of Lake Geneva. It is a popular lunch spot for city workers and in the park you can find the famous Flower Clock (L’heu
This is a small garden at the lake where people like to spend their lunch break. There is a very famous Flower Clock in the park to honor the watch-making that’s so famous in Switzerland. Since the Flower Clock was made in 1955, it’s become one of the most visited attractions in Geneva. It’s a good place to people watch during the day.
15. Rummage at the Plainpalais Flea Market
Every Sunday until around 4pm, the large rhombus-shaped Plaine de Plainpalais comes alive with a large flea market selling everything from vintage clothing and records to handmade trinkets and street food. Its vibrant and exciting, and you never know what you might find here.
16. Cycle Around Lake Geneva
Geneva has an excellent bike rental scheme Genéve Roule, which offers free bike rental for four hours. After four hours, the rental is still just 2 CHF per hour. The bicycles are in good condition and come with a lock and small basket. Visiting the lake is the top-rated thing to do in Geneva on Tripadvisor. On a sunny day, a cycle around the lake offers unbelievable views as you can take in the various small beautiful towns along the river and the views of the mountains across. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous you could cycle all the way to the The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, a UNESCO heritage site near to Lausanne.
Price = free up to 4 hours, then 2 CHF per hour
17. Watch the Locals Play Chess in Parc des Bastions
Take a stroll through Parc des Bastions. In the park, close to the Reformation Wall, you can find locals keenly and competitively playing chess and chequers. It’s an exciting sight to watch. I was invited to play several times but I’m not good enough to play against these champs. If you’re a good player, go for it!
Price = free
18. Enjoy Geneva’s Cheap Eats
Geneva is an expensive place to eat out. Yet, with some research, cheap food can be found. Rue de Berne – a street in downtown Geneva was my go-to dinner spot. Lined with Asian and Middle-Eastern eateries, in the evenings the restaurants here are busy with locals enjoying affordable fresh food. I thoroughly recommend Al Amir and Parfums du Beyrouth. Both restaurants offer reasonably priced food with several vegetarian and vegan options. For reference, a large vegetarian tagine and vegetarian mixed plate both cost 14 CHF (£12). A falafel wrap cost 7 CHF (£5.50).
19. Sample the Local Beer
Alcohol in Geneva is expensive and for serious budget travellers, should largely be avoided. If you want to sample the local beers without breaking the bank, consider beer tasting. Brasserie du Molard located between the old town and Lake Geneva, offers a small degustation menu of three local craft beers brewed in the pub itself for a reasonable 7 CHF.
Price = 7 CHF (£5.50)
20. Bains des Pâquis
One of the most popular things to do in Geneva is visit the Bains des Pâquis, an artificial peninsula with a lively beach, swimming pool, diving boards, two saunas and a restaurant. There’s space to sunbathe, play games and have fun in the water. If you want to relax and rejuvenate, there are two types of saunas: a Turkish hammam and a Finnish sauna.
Price = entry is free in winter and 2 CHF in summer
