Geneva with kids: how two spend a perfect summer weekend in Geneva (Switzerland) with children

All our tips for a fun summer family getaway to Geneva with kids: best things to do and recommendations.

Geneva is one of my favorite city to visit with my children. 

I find it easy to navigate, pleasant, beautiful and it is surrounded by stunning mountains that work as a wonderful backdrop as well as an easy option for day trips and excursions in all seasons. 

I go to Geneva often as I have a friend there and a trip to Geneva to see her is always a treat for me (you can read here >>> why I love Geneva for a girlfriends’ getaway) and one day I decided to bring the kids with me.

We all loved it! We stayed in Geneva two nights, were able to see the best of the city without rushing and had an amazing time exploring the city highlights and the beautiful scenery along the lake. These are about favorite things to do in Geneva with kids!

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Best things to do in Geneva with kids

Visit the UN headquarters and the broken Chair Monument

If you take the bus from Geneva airport into the city center, the first part of town you pass is the UN area, where many international organizations (and big businesses) have their European headquarters. 

I have always been fascinated by International institutions and while I can see their shortcomings, I love what they stand for and I am very keen on making my kids aware of the problems of this world but also the many efforts made to make it a better place.

In Geneva, there are two ways this can be done: a guided tour of the institution themselves (suitable for older kids) and a visit to the nearby broken Chair monument (suitable for all ages, depending on how explained it).

I believe a trip to visit the UN headquarters is one one the most inspirational and education kid-friendly activities in Geneva at any age. 

The ‘broken chair’ monument was erected in 1997 by artist Daniel Berset at the request of Handicap International. 

It is 12 meters high and it is very impressive for both its size and meaning.

The monument stands on 3 legs, its fourth visibly damaged, and commemorates the victims of landmines around the world and raises awareness about this awful practice.

The plague of landmines is a theme close to my heart and one I want my kids to be aware of.

Talking to children about the practice is not easy but I confide in their intelligence and I believe that, with an age-appropriate explanation, they can engage with war and its consequences from a very young age.

Have a ride on Geneva’s tourist train

Always a win with kids, the train goes along the lake and then into the old town, perfect to see the best of the city without having to walk!

Admire the lake and the Jet d’Eau

Geneva lies on the shores of beautiful Lac Leman and a stroll along its shores is a must no matter what time of the year you are in town. The lake is home to Geneva’s symbol and something the kids adored: the jet d’eau, a tall fountain of water.

The jet d’eau is a water feature 140 meters tall.

I only recently learned that it was originally built to regulate the pressure in Geneva’s pipe system but became quickly so popular with the locals that they not only kept it but made it into the symbol of the city. 

My kids loved it: the ‘jet’ only runs when the weather allows and you can never take it for granted. 

This made for great excitement and ‘I spy’ games and my son was in awe of the fact that is is a record-breaking attraction: the jet is the tallest fountain in Europe.

The jet d’eau is one of my favorite bits of Geneva. It is the symbol of the city and a pleasant addition to the already beautiful lake shores

Enjoy the lake on a Mouette

Mouettes are Geneva’s water buses. They criss-cross the lake at regular times and following predetermined itineraries and are a super fun and cheap way to enjoy the Lake of Geneva with kids whithout much effort or expense!

The mouettes are covered, but they have no windows and you sit very close to water level, getting the breeze in your face as you speed across the lake. Highly recommended!

Have a ride on Geneva’s carousel

This is an easy win with kids and a lovely way for them to have fun while you relax in one of the benches nearby and enjoy a view of the lake!

Stroll around Geneva Old town

The history of Geneva dates back to Roman times, but it is the Middle ages that left the biggest mark on the city’s old town architecture. 

The old part of town, on the left bank of the lake, is a maze of cobbled medieval streets and a pleasure to discover on foot. 

The most kid-friendly attractions in this part of town are the small, independent shops, the fantastic Parc des Bastions (which has a wall with massive carvings of the main reformers that shaped Geneva’s religious beliefs) and some interesting sights including the Old Arsenal and Maison Tavel.

This last one is the oldest house in Geneva now hosting, among other things, an impressive 3D map of the city as it used to be in the 19th century.

Play in Geneva’s many parks

The mark of a child-friendly city is, I believe, an abundance of green spaces and Geneva has a generous amount. 

In the old town, the most impressive is Parc Des Bastions, but you have some gorgeous green spaces also along the lake, namely the Jardin Anglais and the Parc des Eaux vives.

Top tip for families visiting Geneva with kids: the left bank of the lake is a kids paradise stretching from the Jardin Anglais all the way up to the Parc des Eaux Vives, a few minutes walk up the road. Along this stretch, you will find Geneva’s marina, with boats and ducks, the children’s beach (baby plage), a vintage merry go round and many ice-cream sellers. You can read more in detail about our itinerary in this area here.

Where to eat in Geneva with kids

We found Geneva to be full of family friendly places to eat. Some we enjoyed are Che Ma Cuisine in the old town (rightly famous for its chicken!), Restaurant Les Armures for fondue and Le Pain Quotidien which is always a win for us for breakfast and light lunches.

What to do in Geneva with kids when it rains

In Geneva you can never really count on the weather so, these are some options you may want to consider on a rainy day.

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Mamco) is very family-friendly and also offers tours that are specifically for families (on Sunday morning the family tours are offered in English as well).  Official site here

The Natural History Museum: Another family-friendly museum, devoted to the discovery of animal species, earth sciences and the history of men. 

Many installations and reconstructions of different environments are designed with kids in mind, to give them a sense of what life around the planet and at different times must be like. 

The main emphasis is placed on local species of animals and plants but you have life-size specimens from all over the world including alligators and bears!  Info, in French, here

The oldest house in Geneva, Maison Tavel: this is a museum I have visited during a previous trip to Geneva and one I thought the kids would love. 

It is the oldest house in town and it is perfect to get a glimpse of life in a different time.

It develops over several floors, it is free and it contains, among other things, a 3D map of Geneva that shows what the city would have been in 1850 when still surrounded by its impressive fortifications. 

It is close to the main Geneva cathedral, also a beautiful building with an interesting history linked with the reformation, an important aspect of swiss culture and history

How to get around Geneva with kids – need to know!

Geneva has a fantastic public transport system, efficient and family-friendly which you are likely to use while in the city, as attractions are not all clustered together.

Kids under 6 are free and adult tickets can be bought at bus tops with change or credit/debit cards (widely accepted). 

Buses have small steps and while they didn’t seem to recline entirely, they were easily managed by the many strollers around and even in rush hour we always managed to get a seat.

If you are staying more than one day, consider getting the geneva card for a good discount on transport and attractions.

Top tip! before you leave Geneva’s airport arrival lounge, grab your free train ticket into town. You find the machine at luggage collection.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of our favorite things to do in Geneva with kids in summer. Safe travels!

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