Geneva's Best Parks And Gardens

Looking for the perfect place to relax with a good book in Geneva, or want to reconnect a little with nature in the midst of the city? Read on to discover the best parks, gardens and green spaces where you can disconnect from all the hustle and bustle of city life.

1. Parc des Bastions

Walking down from the Old Town, you’ll come to Parque des Bastions. The first thing you’ll be greeted by once you walk through the arching gates are several giant chessboards. Parque des Bastions is the perfect spot to escape the summer sun as you walk through its tree-lined promenades. It’s also where you’ll see some of Geneva’s best monuments, including the Reformation Wall.

Prom. des Bastions 1, 1205 Geneva

2. Jardin Botanique

Park

Covering 28 hectares, Geneva’s Botanic Gardens is home to 16,000 different species of exotic flowers, plants, trees and shrubs from across five continents. Species are labelled and placed among their native habitat, making the park an educational experience and a pleasant stroll. Throughout 2017, the Botanic Gardens is celebrating its bicentennial anniversary, remembering when Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle founded the first in Parc des Bastions in 1817. Find out about the events being held here.

Jardin Botanique, 1202, Geneva

The Jardin Botanique in autumn | © Patrick Nouhailler/ Flickr

3. Parc de Trembley

Park

On a clear day you can glimpse the Mont Blanc over the rooftops of Geneva from Parc de Trembley. Its wide open spaces are packed in summer with people having BBQs. You’ll see armchairs, settees and full-blown table sets. They aren’t people living there however, they’re just people from around the area enjoying the summer sun, with most of their possessions accompanying them.

Parc de Trembley, Pestalozzi 4, 1202 Geneva

5. Le Jardin Anglais

Near to the Jet d’Eau is Le Jardin Anglais, named as it was the first “English-Style” garden to be planted in Geneva back in 1854. One side abuts Lake Geneva and on a stroll through you’ll come across fountains and old bandstands, which are still put to use during summer. On the edge of the gardens is also where you’ll see the l’horloge fleurie, or “flower clock”, which was created in tribute to Geneva’s watchmakers.

Le Jardin Anglais, Quai du Général-Guisan 34, 1204 Geneva

L’horloge fleurie | © Ash Chuan/ Flickr

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