The best things to do in Geneva for families

Berdasarkan Caroline Bishop

Oktober 1, 2022

With its chocolatiers, playgrounds and lakeside beaches, Switzerland’s second city is a hit with families.

For families, Geneva makes for an idyllic city break. The city’s a manageable size and full of child-friendly attractions, from quaint toy shops like Le Carrousel to quirky museums.

Excess energy to burn off? There are lakeside pools to splash in, parks and playgrounds to explore, and mountain adventures on your doorstep. The warm welcome at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva adds to the appeal: book a special family deal for welcome gifts for kids, complimentary meals and more.

The best parks and playgrounds

Quarter of an hour’s walk from the hotel, Parc des Bastions is an excellent all-rounder, with its giant chess boards, play area and winter skating rink, along with a charming café, Le Kiosque des Bastions. The lakeside Parc de la Grange is another lovely spot for a stroll, with its rose garden, picnic-friendly lawns, playground and paddling pool.

For the coolest playground in Geneva, though, head to the Parc Gustave & Léonard Hentsch, in the Charmilles district. Its play space has a sleek, space-age vibe, with undulating slides, trampolines, water fountains and swings that look like abstract art.

Alternatively, hop in the cable car up nearby Mont Salève for panoramic views, paraglider-spotting and some easy hikes. Thrill-seekers will also enjoy Parc Aventure in Evaux, with its treetop zip wires, rope bridges and vertiginous balance beams.

an old fashioned steamer on the lake in Geneva.

Boats and beaches

Kids will love the lake and its emblematic fountain, backlit after dark, as well as the endless opportunities for messing about in boats. You can rent all kinds of crafts at Les Corsaires, by the Jet d’Eau fountain, including jaunty pedalos and electric motorboats. Prefer to be a passenger? Hop on the yellow-painted shuttle boats that criss-cross the lake, or take a tour on a vintage paddle-steamer. If you’re keen for a dip, cool off at Baby-Plage or the Genève-Plage complex, complete with water slides, a children’s pool and a lakeside beach.

Museum piece 

The city’s Museum of Ethnography (MEG) is great for curious kids, with its continent-hopping collections. There are Samurai sabres, African masks and sealskin Inuit gloves, while family events include workshops, discovery trails and film screenings.

For artistic inspiration, MAMCO is the place to head – the city’s lofty, light-filled museum of modern and contemporary art. Choose the most child-friendly of its multiple exhibitions, and check the schedule for kids’ tours.

Reopening towards the end of 2025 after an extensive renovation, the Natural History Museum is full of wonders, from its snarling taxidermied tigers to a two-headed tortoise.

Where to eat with kids

You can’t leave Geneva without sampling some Swiss chocolate. Get the inside track with a themed city tour arranged by the hotel, or stock up at Auer’s famed boutique on Rue de Rive, in situ since 1939. 

For dinner, kids will love the novelty of fondue – served in kitsch, chalet-inspired surrounds at the charming Le Gruyérien. If pizza’s your go-to, Luigia is an excellent bet. The food is great at its three Geneva outposts, and they also keep kids busy between courses, with table football at the Meyrin branch and a mini-cinema at the Rive Droite outpost.

Tentang Penulis

Caroline Bishop

Caroline is a Switzerland-based freelance journalist, and former editor of Switzerland’s English language newspaper, The Local.