What to do for free in Geneva

Might be funny when you think Geneva and free in the same sentence lol. I won’t blame you. What to do for free in a pricey city like Geneva is not the first thing that jumps to mind when planning a boujee trip to the Swiss side but as the french say, on y va!

Geneva is the 2nd biggest city in Switzerland. It is a popular financial hub which houses one of the most important organisations in the world, the United Nations. The gist about Switzerland having one of the highest qualities of life in the world is also 100% accurate!

You know what this means guys? It means we all need to relocate to Geneva asap to live our best lives and stay healthy forever!!! However there is one problem. As a foreigner, unless you are going there for work or you have a sizeable inheritance, it will be difficult to survive in Geneva because you need bare coins to live a relatively comfortable life there.

Anyway, visiting Geneva was really never on our travel itinerary but the thing about travel is that sometimes, you find an irresistible deal and find yourself going to that country you never really thought about. This is where flexibility plays a factor! The travel package was good enough; we booked it and started counting down.

Even though the flights and hotel were relatively cheap, we figured that the day to day cost of the holiday was going to be high. Soooooo what can you do for free in Geneva? because, in case you have not already deduced from my introduction, that city is expensive AF! I mean, we knew it was an expensive city but nothing, I say NOTHING prepared me for the prices I saw!

So What exactly can you do for free in Geneva?

1. Start with walking through VIELLE VILLE aka the old town and its cobbled streets. It’s cute and clean and just boujee! Take loads of pictures in front of the store, go in, have a peek around, come back out.
2. Go to LAC DE GENEVE aka LAKE GENEVA and see the Jet D’eau. Make sure you hang around to see it sprout into the air. Spectacular!! I managed to catch a rainbow shining through in my photos. How cool!
3. Take a walk in PARC DES BASTIONS – It’s serene, there are benches to sit on, you can bring a blanket and have a cute picnic on the grass. Oh! And the Reformation Wall is also situated in Parc des Bastions.
4. Visit ST PIERRE CATHEDRAL and light a candle inside the church. Say your prayers people, say your prayers!
5. Head to the PALAIS DE NATIONS. If you’re like me, you will go there in the hope of asking why they rejected your job application 9 years ago even though you know you won’t be allowed into the building. A for effort though; you have to try your luck!
6. THE BROKEN CHAIR – It is just in front of the United Nations building. At first glance, it looks out of place until you read the inscriptions on the slab next to it and realise its significance. Powerful statement!
7. Go to Jardin Anglais and look out for L’HORLOGE FLEURIE. It’s a beautiful flower clock just sitting in the garden. I always say that it is the real flower wall which every flower wall emanated from lol

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However, if you’re rich rich or you have some coins to spare…

1. Head into the mountains for ski lessons. To be fair, if you’re Kim K rich, you probably already know how to ski so just head to the mountains anyway.
2. Go shopping OBVS! You’re spoilt for choice on the plethora of designer stores on Rue du Rhône.
3. Eat fondue! This is quite a popular thing to do in Geneva and ok; you don’t need to be a Hilton to eat bread in melted cheese. It just seems extra swiss fancy haha! Check out Les Armures in Vieille Ville for this.
4. Walk into one of the swiss watch shops and of course, buy one! I’m talking the likes of Patek Phillipe and Audemars Piguet. Now, you are Jay Z kind of rich if you do this.
5. Visit one of the fancy restaurants by the quay; order a bottle of their most expensive champagne and caviar and toast to the good life!

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To Eat

For a more affordable place to eat, which is by the quay (because let us face it, YOLO! And you have to enjoy life anyway), try Restaurant Le Lacustre. Le lacustre It is situated by the river Rhône and the Mont-Blanc Bridges and the seafood is delicious! We got terrace seats and watched the ducks in the nearby river with the most polite waiters. Scenery was gorgeous and it was a cute afternoon date!

The beauty of Geneva is that the air is so crisp and blue especially in spring and summer. Its backdrop is so picturesque and quite effortless; almost like the air is cleaned daily. To be honest, I would not be surprised if this was the case!

Travel Details

• Hotel – Hotel Suisse – I recommend. It is just right outside the train station and a few minutes walk to most sites. 
• Flights – British Airways

Both booked as a package deal on Expedia

Final Thoughts….

Now, will I ever go back to Geneva? Maybe one day when I have visited all other European countries on my list. I’m definitely not running back or wishing I could go back one day.

From the few days I spent, I got the feeling that there is not much to do in comparison with other European cities. I expected to get some sort of South of France boujee vibe since its level of expense was Monte Carlo/St Tropez-esque but it was very ordinary and almost boring. Perhaps it is different if you work and/or live? But as a holiday destination, it is mehhhh.

Bisous, ‘Bugo x