Geneva for the day?

Westin

One of my wife's big milestone birthdays in early (9th) November. She doesn't want a party but would like to do something 'special but a surprise' (no pressure on me then!).

I am thinking about a day trip to Geneva. We can get to LGW easily and round trip flights on EasyJet at the moment are around £65 each. Flights would give us about 8/9 hours on the ground.

Now, here my dilemma - this will be on a Sunday. Whilst I am sure Geneva is a lovely city to wander around during the week, friends have said that on a Sunday the city will be very quite. No shops open and even restaurants generally closed.

Does anyone have experience of Geneva on a Sunday and can give some pointers? I would hate to take her all that way and find her special lunch/dinner is at McDonalds as everything else was closed.

Any tips for things to see in the City also appreciated.

Many thanks.

zagfles

For very specific destination questions like this try the tripadvisor forums if you get no answers here.

Armorica

Sunday isn't the only problem; it's also that it's out of the summer/tourist season now. If you want to do walking, then it will be quieter at the weekend. But Geneva in the rain is a bit bleak - harder to see the lake and the mountains for a start.

If you have specific interests, you can check for opening hours of particular attractions, museums etc.

JasonLVC

As someone who works in Geneva, I can confirm that this big city is pretty much dead on a Sunday....and I mean dead.

There might be one or two shops open in the train station and there will certainly be some bars and restaurants but that's about it. Think like central London at about 6.00am - just the binmen and a few rats....but like that all day and night.

On the plus side, it'll be bereft of tourists so the streets will be empty. Apart from the Jet d'eau (the big 200ft fountain on the lake) there really isn't much to "do", but if you like walking and just taking in the atmosphere then you'll still enjoy yourself as there will be bakeries dotted about for a bite to eat (but these'll close at 12.00 too). There is also the cable car that goes upto Mt Saleve (http://www.telepherique-du-saleve.com/) which is open all day Sunday but its about a 30 minutes bus journey to the city limits (as the cable car is actually in France, take bus 8, to Veyrier Douane then walk across the border gates and then straight onto the cable car, some great views on a clear day.

But being honest, I think Geneva is not a good destination on a Sunday for one day.

Its better any other day of the week, but the Swiss and French really love their Sundays. Its hard to believe a world famous city can close down every week, but its true. Very weird.

Doshwaster

I used to go to Geneva regularly with work and it was pretty dead even on a week day. It wouldn't be my choice for a day trip. Basel and Zurich are both much more interesting and lively.

InsideInsurance

Westin wrote: »

I am thinking about a day trip to Geneva.

What is it that attracted you to Geneva? What specifically you wanted to do there?

As others have said, off season and on a Sunday it will be exceptionally quiet. If thats what you wanted it for then great but....

Westin

Thanks everyone for the replies.

GVA worked in terms of timings and I thought a very good round trip fare but all your wise words, particular JasonLVC's, has thankfully confirmed my suspicions.

Back to the drawing board. Perhaps she would like a new iron?

Armorica

Subject to taste, Christmas markets might be a nice day trip to Germany or Belgium? But they don't tend to start until late November.

Ypres might work (and would only be a couple of days before Armistice). Bruges is always popular. Lille I've always found to be a lovely city (eurostar rather than fly) to wonder around and will be more awake on a Sunday.

vivatifosi

I've done the day trip to Brussels by plane. Easy to get train in from airport, good flight choices, lovely restaurants and quite a lot to see. Could that be an alternative?