Geneva, what to do in winter so as not to get bored: lose a cup of hot chocolate in an amazing shop, go skiing or take a hot bath. Read all 5 tips prepared for you in this post.
The Escalade festival
If you want to visit Geneva during the winter, my dispassionate advice is to do it in December, during the days of the Escalade festival which fall on December 12th.
For the Genevans these are very important days, because the victory over the Savoy-Piedmontese army is celebrated in a battle that took place precisely on 12 December 1602 and which led toindependence of the city. The city dresses up and the Christmas atmosphere is the setting for everything. The stalls crowd the streets of the old city, and on the weekend closer to the holidays, the usual competitive race of the Escalade takes place on Saturday, while on Sunday evening more than a thousand members of the Compagnie de 1602 parade in costume to the square of the Cathedral of Saint Pierre singing patriotic songs. The climate that reigns in the city during these days is truly magical and steeped in city history, so if you have the opportunity to visit Geneva in winter I highly recommend you do it on the occasion of this celebration.
Raclette at Bois Jolie
La squeegee it is a very tasty semi-hard cheese which, although originating from the Valais, has also spread widely throughout the area of French-speaking Switzerland and Haute-Savoie. To enjoy a traditional dish, the key word is simplicity. In fact, the original procedure involves putting half a wheel of cheese to melt by the fire, often on the fireplace, and then scraping off the cheese as the top layer melts, letting it fall on the diner's plate. Traditionally this cheese is served with boiled potatoes, pickled gherkins and a plate of charcuterie (sliced meat). Raclette is certainly not a "fast food", but a convivial dish, perfect for those who appreciate the art of eating calmly. Perfect for a dinner with friends, on cold winter evenings in huts with wood-covered walls. Nowadays restaurants generally serve raclette with a specific tool that heats the cheese directly at the table, allowing you to serve the cheese yourself, but the magic that revolves around this dinner hasn't changed.
Among the best places to enjoy this special dinner around Geneva is the restaurant Bois Jolie. Just outside Geneva, this restaurant is located at the foot of the Jura mountain, from which you can enjoy the view over the whole city. Here the cheese is very good, traditions are fully respected, and on the menu you can also find all the other typical cheese-based dishes of this area.
Hot chocolate from Auer
Even just walking along the Rue de la Croix-d'Or, that is the Geneva shopping street, you will find that here it is not only the diamonds and luxury watches that shine but also the boxes full of chocolates and the slabs of chocolate behind the windows of the chocolateries. Here in Geneva, entering a pastry shop is a very similar experience to that experienced by entering Tiffany's, although it is certainly more satisfying for the stomach. But if it's winter outside, the wind is blowing and it's cold then the right place to take refuge to enjoy a hot chocolate or an afternoon tea is Auer, one of the oldest chocolatiers in the city. Their specialty is the very famous 'Amandes Princesses' or praline composed of toasted and caramelized almonds covered with milk chocolate and passed in bitter cocoa, a delight. In reality, the good chocolatiers in Geneva are many, so you will be spoiled for choice. Unfortunately, the prices are not really easy but if you are in Switzerland you cannot miss the experience of entering one of these magical chocolate boutiques.
Skiing on Mont Blanc
Geneva lives in the shadow of the white peaks of the highest mountain in Europe: Mont Blanc.
In summer you can admire its always snow-capped peaks while diving into the waters of Lake Geneva, while in winter it gives winter sports enthusiasts one more reason to come and spend the Christmas holidays here. In fact, Geneva is less than an hour's drive from famous ski resorts such as Courmayeur, La Clusaz or Les Contamines, which can also be reached from the city center by public transport and special buses.
In these areas you will find 69 ski lifts that transport skiers to an area that reaches 3466 m in height and that counts 256 km of ski slopes. If you are passionate about skiing, you absolutely cannot miss a day on the slopes.
Relax at the Bain-Bleu Hammam & Spa
If you want to warm up after a day of skiing there is no better place in town than Bain-Bleu. This spa, arguably among the most beautiful in the city, is in an impeccable location, right on the shore of Lake Geneva, so much so that while you warm up in the waters of its outdoor pools you can enjoy an exclusive view of the lake and the other side of the city. Furnished entirely in Middle Eastern style, the Bain-Bleu in addition to the more traditional spa and hammam, it also offers many other special treatments such as oriental massages, scrubs and many other services that you can also book directly from the hotel website. If after a long visit to the city in winter, perhaps whitened by snow, you finally want to treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon without giving up a decidedly Genevan experience, these baths are the perfect place for you.
