Image by Luc Berthoud

When visiting a city, some people like visiting churches… I personally prefer visit football stadiums and hanging out in the universities! It plunges me back into a great time I had at the University of Geneva, especially in Unimail!

First of all, if you want to look like more “Genevois” do not pronounce UniMail like “mailbox” but like the french word “maille”!!! You are now ready!

The modern UniMail is located in the heart of the lively Plainpalais at one block of the Plaine de Plainpalais. The construction of this university is one of the main reasons of the flourishing bars in the neighbourhood : Calamar, Café du Lys (check the Cafe du Lys article) Ferblanterie etc.

You can always join the students in one of the two cafeterias in the day time.

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Unimail | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (cafetaria)
Boulevard du Pont d’Arve 40 | Plainpalais | +41223201704
All year around (sometimes a badge is required to open the door)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

What would be Geneva without Les Bains des Paquis?

Les Bains des Paquis is definitely my favorite place in Geneva, located right on the lake in front of the Jet d’eau!! I go to this place a couple of times a week! 

I soon as I get there I forget the stress of the city, especially when I swim in the lake  after a sauna-hammam session (CHF 20.-, or CHF 150 for 11 sessions, women only on Tuesday). Swimming naked in the middle of Geneva, what a great sensation!

After the sauna session, a really good fondue is waiting for you (CHF 22.-). It will be difficult to resist with its smell… The fondue is one of the best of Geneva, famous because it is made with Crémant instead of white wine (it is lighter!). 

The place is lovely in the morning too with a breakfast from 08:00 to 11:30 with a fresh juice and some Swiss specialities: bircher & Cenovis that you share with ducks and swans as the place is still not too crowded.

Ideal for lunch too: a colourful meal of the day from CHF 12.00 only, for sure the best value of Geneva.

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Bains des Paquis | Bars, Music, Relaxing, Restaurants (French) | Meal of the day CHF 12
Quai du Mont-Blanc 30 | Les Pâquis | +41227381616
08:00 – 21:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Luc Berthoud

Winter is coming… Few people dare to jump into the cold water… The Pont-Sous terre area is not dead though! A nice bar, opened in 2010, will welcome you: l’Ethno! This place is really spacious and colorful. 

New in 2011, some places to lie down have been created. In case of nice and warm weather, you will meet people chiling out with music, BBQ etc. This place is definitely moving and becoming really popular! 

If you are really crazy and do not fear the cold, you can even take your equipment (air boat – air mattress – buoy) and let the current lead you for a few kilometers! But be careful, the water get freezing when it mixes with l’Arve, the second river of Geneva.

Have fun!

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Pont Sous-Terre area | Bars, Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Rue des deux ponts 2 | Plainpalais
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

Another green spot I have to write about. It’s the park I used to go every day after school when I was a kid, and the park I still go to, either to play football – during the summer you’ll see many different groups playing from the end of the afternoon until dawn – or just to relax with a good book. You’ll soon also be able to borrow nice deckchairs, I’ll get on that when the time has come!

The park is huge – 11 hectares – located in a wealthy neighborhood, a 15 minutes’ walk away from the old town, therefore this spot is guaranteed flowered-clock-tourists-free, full of locals.

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Parc Bertrand | Relaxing | Free
Avenue Peschier | Vieille-ville
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

Geneva is nicknamed “la cité des parcs” for its 25 big green spaces, to be found almost everywhere in the city. Now the hot days are back, I would advise you to go for a picnic in the Parc Lagrange; it’s as beautiful as few are.

It was bequeathed by a rich citizen in the beginning of the XXth century. It is located in front of the lake, perfectly inclined to give you a unique view on the lac Léman.

On its 20 hectares, this park hosts many different parts: a little lake, a playground for children, huge lawns – I like to play cards with friends there – and a rose garden. I rarely go to the playground or the rose garden (!), but it’s a really nice place to go for a walk and discover the green side of Geneva.

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Le Parc Lagrange | Relaxing | Free
Le Parc Lagrange | Eaux-Vives
From sunrise until the bell rings

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Geneva