Leisure activities in Geneva for solo expats, with friends or family

Something for everyone in Geneva

The cinema can be quite expensive in Geneva: 18chf average per person. However, movies come out much later in Switzerland than in the UK or the USA, sometimes up to four months. Make sure to check if the movie is VO (version original), i.e. English with subtitles or VF (version Francais) which is dubbed.

Vitam Park, just across the border in St-Julien-en-Genevois, is a great place to spend a weekend. It is a family-friendly indoor waterpark with slides and a water circuit, and a private adults-only relaxation area, making it perfect for both families and couples! The park also has a giant climbing wall next door! Because it is in France, it is also fairly cheap.

Geneva's ice skating rink is open year-round, with free skate and classes available. They also host ice skating discos - perfect for a night out with friends or a unique date activity!

Me time in Geneva

Generally, Geneva is a fairly relaxing city. Many people take the opportunity to unwind from a long week at work by going for a stroll or take a book and read by the lake.

In winter, head to the sauna Bains du Paquis or Bain-Bleu Hammam & Spa, a sophisticated spa in nearby Cologny with an outdoor pool overlooking Lake Geneva.

Things to do with friends in Geneva

Going for a coffee with friends is almost mandatory thanks to the many cosy, independent cafes in Geneva, such as Birdie, Les Recyclables (a cafe and used bookstore in one), and Café Remor. But if you want to go for a drink with friends, you will quickly discover that Geneva is not as quiet as it seems. There are several fun bars and clubs that are open late throughout the city.

Near the Uni-Mail, you will find Rue de l'école-de-Médecine, which is full of fun and quirky pubs like Kraken - great for daytime or evening plans. You can also find some lovely bars in Carouge, like the much loved Chat Noir, which often hosts live music and comedy events. Alternatively, in Eaux-Vives, Bottle Brothers and Atelier Cocktail Club are a great place to catch up with friends over a delightful cocktail.

Another great spot to head after work in summer is Marché des Grottes, held every Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. It is a favourite after-work spot, where groups of colleagues and friends will eat artisanal bread, local wines, and meat and cheese platters from local producers.

If you want to go dancing, L'Usine and La Gravière (specifically for electronic music fans) and Petit Palace - Geneva's oldest nightclub - are all open well into the early hours of the morning.

Date nights in Geneva

From a weekday date at Chez ma Cousine to a special occasion at the Michelin-star TOSCA, there are lots of restaurants to choose from for a romantic date night throughout the city.

There are many places to go to watch a show, such as Théâtre Pitoëff or the recently refurbished Grand Théâtre de Genève which puts on a variety of shows throughout the year. Most of the theatre in Geneva is French-language. However, English-language comedians will sometimes come to Geneva while on tour. There are also some English-language groups that put on shows, such as the Geneva English Drama Society (GEDS) and Geneva Amateur Operatic Society (GAOS) - or, you could even join one of the groups!

For something more unusual, you can head to the Saleve and go paragliding!

Family time in Geneva

There are many parks and green spaces for families to enjoy a day out together. At the small animal park, Zoo de la Bâtie, in Petit Lancy you can see ibex, pigs, chickens, peacocks, among many other animals, and have a small picnic in the nearby park. Park Adventure Geneve is a fun ropes course in the trees - good for older children and summer birthday parties.

There are a lot of kids theatre shows that are fun for the whole family, including Théâtre des Marionnettes de Genève which shows puppet shows throughout the year.