27 Warm & Wonderful Things to Do in Geneva in Winter

If you are wondering if Geneva in the winter is worth it: yes, it certainly is! With its festive vibes and general French elegance, Geneva is a wonder you won’t soon forget, especially if you get to visit during the snowy or Christmas seasons.

Located in southwestern Switzerland near the border with France, this captivating city is dreamy all seasons, but it becomes downright enchanting once winter rolls around.

Picture walking through its quaint French-inspired streets and charming cafes for a winter beverage.

As you traverse Geneva (called Genève in French, which is the dominant language spoken in this part of Switzerland), you’ll be surrounded by the melodic rhythm of the French language: signs, menus, and conversations all adding to the vibe.

Top Things to Do in Geneva in Winter

Take a chocolate tour of the city.

Switzerland, and Geneva in particular, is beloved around the world for its exquisite chocolates. So perhaps it’s no surprise that one of the best ways to spend a winter day in Geneva is taking a chocolate-themed walking tour!

On this tour, you’ll get a chance to visit the city’s most distinguished chocolatiers and sample an array of mouthwatering chocolates.

This 3-hour chocolate tour of Geneva includes tastings of an eclectic mix of chocolates: from delicate pralines to sumptuous drinking chocolate to velvety truffles and more!

In addition to all the chocolate-gorging you’ll be doing, you’ll also get to enjoy a scenic walk through the historic lanes of the Old Town as well as a brief boat ride on Lake Geneva!

Check chocolate tour availability and inclusions here!

Go on a day trip to Glacier 3000.

On virtually every Switzerland bucket list is visiting a real-life glacier, and luckily, there’s one very close to Geneva: Glacier 3000! This tour is the easiest way to visit the closest glacier to Geneva, where you begin your day out on a picturesque bus journey to Col du Pillon.

As you approach, the alpine hamlet of Les Diablerets is a warm welcome, a lovely hodgepodge of traditional chalets amidst a mountain backdrop, and then you’ll arrive at the majestic Glacier 3000, which stands tall at a staggering 3,000 meters (hence the name!).

There are all sorts of fun activities you can do here: the most loved is perhaps the Peak Walk, a suspension bridge that connects two mountain summits.

With a length of over 100 meters, this bridge offers a vantage point like no other, presenting panoramic views of more than two dozen towering peaks exceeding 4,000 meters!

For thrill-seekers, there are also sleds at the ready for a wild downhill experience! If you prefer a more tranquil experience, the village of Les Diablerets offers just that.

You can opt for a day tour that just includes Glacier 3000 or you can also do a tour that includes Montreux, one of my favorite winter destinations in Switzerland and another charming Lake Geneva town.

Try vin chaud at one of Geneva’s Christmas markets.

Winter in Geneva gives everyone the excuse to make their best vin chaud! But what is it? Translating to “hot wine” in English, vin chaud is the elegant French spin on mulled wine.

For the 2024-2025 Christmas season, the Christmas markets are open from November 21st to 24th December. Here are my two favorite markets in Geneva where you can sample vin chaud:

• Plainpalais Christmas Market: Set against the central square, Place de Plainpalais, you’ll find a charming maze of wooden chalet stalls selling festive ornaments, Swiss treats and sweets, and artisan crafts.

• Parc des Bastions Christmas Village: This seasonal Christmas village in Parc des Bastions is a delight, with rows of stalls dripping in twinkling fairy lights. Selling a variety of Swiss treats like chocolate and cheese, this is a great place for a snack and a stroll in Geneva in winter. There’s also an ice-skating rink!

If you are not visiting Geneva while the Christmas markets are up and running, don’t worry. You can still try vin chaud at cafes, restaurants, and vendors all over Geneva!

Try some delicious Swiss fondue.

Like Swiss chocolate, Swiss fondue cannot be skipped when visiting Geneva in winter! Of course, fondue is a terrific treat at any time of year, but this warm and cozy dish warms you up so much more in the winter.

Honestly, there isn’t anything that will warm you up more perfectly than an excellent fondue and a hot drink. Luckily, like all of Switzerland, Geneva is rife with great fondue!

There’s been a lot of discussion of what fondue spot is the best in Geneva, but most lists place Les Armures at #1.

For a unique spin on a fondue crawl, you can take this fondue tour by tuktuk! This is definitely one of those “only in Switzerland” experiences!

Check out this fondue tour availability here!

Spend the day at Bains des Pâquis.

On the shore of Lake Geneva with a great view of the Jet d’Eau, the Bains des Pâquis is a wonderful way to escape the cold of Geneva in winter. Offering a hammam, a Turkish bath, and two state-of-the-art saunas, this iconic bathhouse is a must-visit!

While the facility open year round, it makes a few changes for the winter season. Namely, the summer swimming area is transformed into two Finnish-style dry saunas, with temperatures of 75°C and 85°C respectively.

While you might think the the distinction between the Turkish bath and the hammam is meaningless, that the two are synonymous, that’s not quite correct! The Turkish bath is a gorgeously sunlit steam room, offering views of the lake and a space for meditation.

On the other hand, the hammam is a darkened space dedicated to exfoliation with the traditional black soap used in places like Morocco!

Note that they recommend you go without a swimsuit, though you are permitted to wear a swimsuit if you wish (longer swim shorts are forbidden though for hygine reasons) or simply cover yourself with a towel. Also, they have a women’s-only access day on Tuesdays in case you are more comfortable with that.

It’s also one of the more affordable winter activities in Geneva! A winter day pass is just 22 CHF plus 5 CHF if you need to rent a towel (about $25 and $5 USD, respectively). They’re open daily from 9 AM to 10:30 PM, opening an hour earlier on Sundays.

Be awed by the Pâquis lighthouse.

Right next to the baths, you’ll find the stunning Phare des Pâquis, a decorative lighthouse right on the banks of Lake Geneva.

When the surrounding waters are covered in ice, the lighthouse almost looks like a giant icicle rising from the ground!

It’s a great viewpoint to look at the Jet d’Eau from as well — more on that below!

Admire the majestic Jet d’Eau.

Geneva’s most iconic landmark, the Jet d’Eau juts above the city’s skyline with its impressive water plume that soars up to 140 meters (460 feet!) into the air.

Even during the colder months, the fountain (known as La Rade by locals) operates on most days, so long as the temperature isn’t too low or the winds aren’t too strong. If you want to see the Jet d’Eau, note that the famous fountain operates mainly during daylight hours, stopping around 4 PM.

The majestic fountation can be admired from various viewpoints in Geneva. The best places to see it are from the Quai du Général-Guisan, a lakeside promenade.

Another excellent viewpoint is the Parc de La Perle du Lac, offering a serene environment to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. And as mentioned above, the Bains des Pâquis also enjoy a beautiful view of the jet!

Take a Lake Geneva cruise.

While the edges of Lake Geneva often get icy, the lake itself rarely freezes over, meaning that you can typically book a Lake Geneva cruise throughout the year.

As you cruise around the Geneva waterfront onto the lake, you can admire the soaring heights of the Jet d’Eau, which looks massive… until it is dwarfed by the surrounding Alps and Jura mountains. From your lake cruise, if it’s a clear day you can even see the peak of Mont Blanc in neighboring France — its characteristic peak is really distinct in the mountain skyline.

As you look back onto Geneva, the shoreline is just as gorgeous as its natural surroundings, with historic châteaux, elegant storefronts, and historic mansions all along the water.

Don’t worry — while it may be cold outside, inside you’ll find a warm interior with panoramic windows so you don’t have to give up the views! Many cruises also offer hot beverages to help you stay warm on your boat ride.

Admire city views from St. Pierre.

Constructed in the 12th century, Geneva’s St Pierre Cathedral is always charming, but it’s especially enchanting in winter. Visiting the interior of the cathedral is free, but for many, the main draw of coming to St. Pierre is to climb up its tower, for which there is a 7 CHF ($8 USD) fee.

Promising a bird’s eye view of Geneva’s snow-kissed rooftops and the icy glimmer of the lake, a climb up the 157 steps of the tower is a must-do — it’s worth the cardio!

For those planning a winter visit (October 1 to May 30), the Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday between 10 AM to 5:30 PM and on Sundays from 12 PM to 5:30 PM. Note that the towers close earlier than the Cathedral, at 5 PM daily.

Go ice skating.

Nothing is more perfect than ice skating on a winter day, with a view of the beautiful Geneva in the background while you skate. Multiple ice skating rinks in Geneva open up in the winter season, but what’s even more exciting is that many of them are free!

In the heart of Geneva, there is a pleasant ice rink in Parc Les Bastions, perfect for those staying in the center of Geneva! In addition, just fifteen minutes by train or taxi outside of Geneva, you will reach a little town called Carouge.

This town offers a fantastic large ice arena called the Patinoire, perfect for your winter adventure.

Explore the bohemian charm of Carouge.

Besides its ice rink, Carouge is a wonderful place to spend a winter day in Geneva.

A charming bohemian enclave of Geneva, Carouge is nicknamed the Greenwich Village of Geneva for its old-world charm, a lovely and intimate counterpoint to Geneva’s more cosmopolitan hustle and bustle.

In the winter, Carouge’s cobbled streets are lovely to stroll, especially if there’s been recent snow. Walk down the streets to discover boutique shops, artisan goods, and all sorts of one-of-a-kind gifts.

Carouge also has tons of cozy cafés or bistros perfect to while away some time and warm up from the cold, and its central squares are especially lively come Christmastime, with small markets selling vin chaud, roasted chestnuts, and other seasonal treats.

Celebrate the Fête de l’Escalade.

If you happen to be in Geneva on the weekend closest to December 11th, you’ll see the festival of the Escalade! This celebration honors the city’s resistance to an attempted Catholic conquest in the 1600s.

As the story goes, the invading troops were repelled when a local cook poured hot soup over the would-be conquerors! In the festival, this is honored with a large cauldron filled with marzipan candies (to be smashed piñata-style), plus revelry with vin chaud and Escalade songs.

The weekend of the Escalade typically has a Friday memorial parade and a Sunday historical procession.

Relax at a thermal bath.

You can find thermal baths all over Switzerland, and they’re one of the most fun ways to spend a winter day outdoors! Switzerland’s thermal baths contain naturally heated water that comes from hot springs.

Thermal baths are great at any time of year; however, there is no doubt that the contrast between the cold winter air and the warm thermal waters is a match made in heaven! Geneva offers many thermal bath options around the lake and surrounding towns and cities!

One favorite is the Bains de Lavey, 50 miles away in the town of Lavey-les-Bains, known by many as a popular day trip from Geneva. This spa boasts the warmest thermal waters in Switzerland, with both outdoor and indoor pools offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can venture two hours from Geneva by train to Leukerbad, where you will find the largest spa and thermal bath in all of the Alps!

Take a walking tour of the city.

One of the best ways to spend a winter’s day in Geneva is taking a historical walking tour of the Geneva city center.

This tour covers the International Quarter — home to the United Nations headquarters, Palais des Nations, as well as Geneva’s Old Town sites, like St Pierre Cathedral, Maison Tavel, and more. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours in Geneva!

Check out this walking tour here!

Take a day trip to Chamonix.

The French ski town of Chamonix in winter is a wonderful destination worthy of its own visit, but it’s also worth visiting as a day trip. You can get there by train, but it’s even more easy to go by organized tour, which will bring you straight to the picturesque village of Chamonix in a mere 90 minutes!

Once you arrive, there’s a cable car that can take you closer to the majestic Mont-Blanc, one of the most famous mountains in France. For those who aren’t afraid of heights, you can step into one of the coolest panoramic points you’ll ever see: a structure made all of glass (walls, ceiling, floor, you name it!) with more than 1,000 meters of open air and the Bossons Glacier beneath your feet!

The tour also visits the Montenvers Mountain train, which unveils the mesmerizing spectacle of the Ice Sea, France’s largest glacier. If conditions permit, you can visit the Ice Caves, a highlight of a winter trip to Chamonix.

Check tours to Chamonix here!

Watch the Festival of Lights in Lausanne.

Lausanne is a remarkable city northeast of Geneva on the upper end of the lake, an easy 30-minute journey by train. The train to Lausanne is as scenic as it gets since it hugs the lake, allowing you to enjoy some incredible views along the way.

Every year, from mid-November through the end of December, Lausanne showcases the great Festival of Lights (Lausanne Lumières). It’s definitely worth spending a late afternoon into the evening in Lausanne so you can enjoy the lights!

Make a visit to Montreux’s Christmas market.

While you’re exploring the area around Lake Geneva, I’d be remiss not to mention the lovely Christmas market in Montreux (a real winter delight!).

Set amidst the serene backdrop of Lake Geneva, Montreux’s Christmas Market is a winter haven. Picture the twinkling lights of over 160 charming chalets, all selling a variety of crafts, Swiss winter delights, and holiday trinkets.

To make matters even more stunning, a majestic Ferris wheel towers above, inviting visitors to get a bird’s-eye view of the festive scene and the shimmering lake beyond, with the Alps in the distance. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love the Elves’ Village, part of the market experience.

Go Christmas shopping on the Grand Rue.

If you are lucky enough to be in Geneva around Christmas, you will be able to witness all of the fantastic decorations that come to life around the city!

The Grand Rue is a large street in Geneva’s city center with numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes. The street is full of lights, decorations, and gift options perfect for spoiling your loved ones.

My top tip? Book lovers shouldn’t miss Librairie Jullien, one of the oldest bookstores in Geneva selling rare editions and antique books in an atmosphere that feels like you’ve time-traveled.

Admire the ambiance of Place du Molard.

There are several pedestrian pathways in Geneva that are especially lovely in winter — one of the nicest is Place du Molard.

For coffee, there’s the lively Café du Centre. For an affordable bite to eat, check out the charming Crêperie du Molard.

There are also a handful of boutiques here that make nice places to buy gifts if you’re traveling before the Christmas holidays and want to pick out presents here.

Spend some time at the Ethnography Museum.

The excellent Ethnography Museum was once awarded the European Museum of the Year!

Located in the Jonction district of Geneva, this museum is perfect for those who love the idea of learning about different parts of the world through significant artifacts from their cultures.

The modern architectural style of the building is quite impressive, but its interior with thousands of displays and themes is even more so!

Tip: If you plan to see a lot of museums, I suggest getting a Geneva Pass — it’ll save you a bundle on transportation, tours, and museum entrance costs.

See a concert at Victoria Hall.

Watching a live performance at Victoria Hall is is the perfect winter activity in Geneva! This dazzlingly beautiful 3-story concert hall showcases primarily classical music and jazz concerts.

The interior has refined Renaissance-style detailing right down to the gold trim, making it an exquisite setting to listen to classical music.

And since Victoria Hall is in the center of Geneva, its convenient location means you can have a delicious dinner or glass of wine beforehand at one of the many excellent restaurants nearby.

Explore the Patek Philippe Museum.

You may know Switzerland for its well-renowned watchmaking. However, many don’t know its history, or why or how Swiss watchmaking has progressed into such a large industry over the decades. But you can find all of this out at the Patek Philippe Museum!

Haven’t heard the name before? Patek Philippe is a world-famous luxury watch brand — at its lower end, prices hover around $12,000 to its most expensive, at around $2 million.

While you probably can’t afford to take home a Patek Philippe watch as a souvenir of your time in Geneva, luckily, at 10 CHF (about $11 USD), a trip to the museum is far more affordable.

Visit Geneva’s Art and History Museum.

If you love sculptures and artwork from all different artistic periods, you will love strolling around one of Geneva’s largest and most famous museums, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, an art and history museum. Even the exterior and interior architecture of the building is art in itself, lined with tall pillars and fine details.

The museum is easily accessible in the center of Geneva’s old town, making it a perfect central location to continue sightseeing after. It is a very extensive museum, so plan to go on a day where you have plenty of time to enjoy all of its wonders!

Spend the day at the International Museum of the Red Cross.

The International Swiss Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the world. They work to protect victims of war and fight to form laws for victims worldwide.Learning about the critical issues the Red Cross is working on is a very valuable way to spend a winter day in Geneva.

Visiting Geneva’s Red Cross Museum will widen your knowledge on a variety of human rights topics. The exhibits are fascinating, with modern architecture and intriguing layouts.

Visit Geneva’s oldest house.

Do you wonder what it was like in Geneva all the way back in medieval times? Well, you can witness it firsthand at Maison Tavel! It’s the oldest building in Geneva, dating back to medieval times.

How old is that exactly? The house was built by the Maison family in the 12th century and still stands today! So a trip to the Maison Tavel Museum gives you an authentic look at how Geneva was nearly a thousand years ago!

Explore the MAMCO Museum.

Don’t worry if the weather is too dreary to enjoy some time outdoors in Geneva in winter. This city is so full of museums you’ll rarely need to do more than walk a few blocks!

If you love contemporary and modern art, venture to MAMCO (which stands for the mouthful that is Musée D’art Moderne et Contemporain). There is more than enough to keep you entertained here, since MAMCO is the largest contemporary art museum in all of Switzerland!

You’ll find more than 3,000 square meters of exhibit space, sprawling with exciting concepts and innovative pieces.

Visit Ariana Museum (Musée Ariana).

At the Ariana Museum, you will find beautiful ceramics and glass on display in a gorgeous building. But honestly, the museum’s architecture alone is a reason to visit, with carefully carved stone throughout all exhibit rooms.

This exquisite museum presents collectibles and beautiful handmade pieces from all over Switzerland and other parts of Europe. In fact, this is the best-renowned decorative art museum in Switzerland!

Where to Stay in Geneva in Winter

Budget: Geneva Hostel

The best-reviewed hostel is Geneva Hostel, which is a stylish option in the heart of town at a great price. It has spacious lockers, friendly staff, breakfast included. Best of all? It comes with a free travel card for public transport — a definitely plus for budget-watchers!

Check availability and prices here!

Mid-range: ibis budget Petit-Lancy

I’m a big fan of ibis hotels because they’re always clean, reliable, private, and inexpensive. They don’t have the most personality, but sometimes you just want a clean, private room to rest your head in! There are several branches of ibis in Geneva, but ibis budget Petit-Lancy is the most affordable.

Check availability and prices here!

Luxury: Hôtel de la Cigogne

The exquisite 5-star Hôtel de la Cigogne is a period-piece dream, with era-appropriate period furniture in its historic rooms. Right on Longemalle Square, this delightful hotel is close to the Old Town, the English Garden and Lake Geneva.

 Check availability and prices here!

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.