It’s no surprise that Geneva, Switzerland is one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
It’s a beautiful city but tends to be skipped over by travellers particularly those who are interrailing. However, 23 Travels can show you how to spend an afternoon on a budget in Switzerland’s second biggest city.
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1. Mid-morning Coffee
For most readers, a caffeine fix before starting the day is more than essential.
Lucky for you, we have found a very budget-friendly coffee shop where the cost does not compromise the taste. ‘My Little Cup‘ is a centrally located establishment, perfect to grab a coffee and/or homemade pastries before a walk around the lake.
There is an array of coffee from different roasters around the world and if you are lucky enough to meet Marc who owns My Little Cup, you’ll see how much love and devotion he puts into the coffee shop.
Price Point: CHF 1-10 around GBP 0.89-8.90 (as of summer 2024)
My Little Cup – Rue des Eaux-Vives 15, 1207 Genève, Switzerland
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri (7:15am-3pm), Sat-Sun (8:30am-3pm)
2. Jet D’Eau – Water Fountain
Just a stone’s throw away from the coffee shop is Geneva’s top attraction, the water fountain – Jet D’Eau. It was installed in the city in 1886 to control Geneva’s water system.
It’s remarkable how close you can actually get to this fountain which propels 500 litres of water 140m into the air at 200kmph – erm wow right!? We probably got a bit too close and got slightly wet so unless you want to be drenched, admire from afar. If you want a spot to watch this iconic landmark without getting wet, head to the Pont du Mont Blanc bridge for the perfect view.
Price Point: FREE
Jet D’Eau – Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève, Switzerland
3. Lake Geneva
Once the fascination of the water fountain has died down and you are probably needing to dry off, take a walk along Lake Geneva.
Walk along the promenade (Promenade du Lac Leman) spanning 3km and take in the beautiful mountain views. You will spot public squares, parks and monuments and feel free to stop for any snacks or drinks.
Price Point: FREE (unless you purchase something of course).
4. Senegalese Lunch
It’s probably unlikely that you would opt for African dining in Switzerland however, based on a recommendation, Le Palmerin is an absolute must visit.
Le Palmerin serves Senegalese cuisine in the heart of the lively neighbourhood of Paquis. The portions are large, the food is delicious and the service is top notch.
We ordered the oven baked fish and the lamb chops, both of which were very tasty and extremely affordable. This was served with attiéké which is a popular side dish originating from the Ivory Coast made from cassava, the texture is very similar to couscous. An array of sauces accompanied the meal, anyone who is not a fan of spicy food should probably stay away from the red pepper sauce!
Price Point: CHF 20-30 around GBP 18-27 (as of summer 2024)
Le Palmerin – Rue de Bâle 14, 1201 Genève, Switzerland
Opening Times: Mon-Sat (11:30am-11:30pm), Sun (CLOSED)
5. Palais des Nations/Broken Chair
A half-hour walk north of the restaurant is where you will find Palais des Nations (The Palace of Nations), home to the United Nations Headquarters.
There is an option to book a guided tour around the building. Highlights include the Assembly Hall and Human Rights Room, click here for more information and tickets. We didn’t have time to do a tour so, we just admired the beautiful flags from outside the building.
Across the street is the incredible broken chair sculpture. It was designed by Swiss artist Daniel Berset, and constructed by carpenter Louis Genève. This is one of 23 Travel’s favourite sculptures and the message behind this three-legged chair is two-pronged. It was designed as a protest against the global use of landmines and, acts as a tribute to those who have lost their lives or been left handicapped by landmines.
Price Point: FREE (unless you book a tour).
United Nations Office – Palais des Nations, 1211 Genève, Switzerland
Opening Times: Mon-Fri (10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm), Sat-Sun (CLOSED)
7. What to do with more time (or money) in Geneva
If you follow the itinerary above, you can experience Geneva by spending very little by walking everywhere, making use of the free activities and avoiding top end restaurants. However, something you MUST get your hands on before leaving the city is some Swiss chocolate!!
If you find that you have more time or money to spend in Geneva, we have listed what else you could get up to.
- Geneva Flower Clock & English Garden
- St Peter’s Cathedral
- Bourg-de-Four Square
- Window Shopping on Rue du Rhone
- Art & History Museum
- Reformation Wall
- Bastion’s Park
- Marché de Plainpalais – Farmers and Flea Market
- Urban Swimming at Bains des Pâquis
- Free walking tour with Free Walk Geneva
- Botanical Gardens and Conservatory
That’s All 23 Travellers! Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoyed reading through ‘How to spend an afternoon in Geneva, Switzerland on a budget.’
23 Travels are Personal Travel Planners who have been creating bespoke travel itineraries for many years. If you would like us to plan your trip to Geneva, or any other worldwide destination for you, please visit 23 Travels Itinerary Services.
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