Spend a weekend in Geneva with your dog
What activities to do in Geneva with your dog? Where to eat in Geneva with your dog? Where to sleep in Geneva with your dog? How to go to Switzerland with your dog? The answers to all these questions in this article!
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To introduce you to what there is to do in Geneva with a dog, what could be better than Geneva? As I don't know the city or Switzerland very well, I leave the floor to Cosmos and Caro, your Too W'ouf ambassadors. Residents on site, they have concocted a WE Wouafement Bien for you visit Geneva with a dog. Activities, walks, restaurants and even the accommodation they prefer… they tell you all about this pretty town on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
Going to Switzerland with your dog
Hello everyone ! Cosmos and I are delighted to introduce you to Geneva. I hope that we will make you want to come and visit our beautiful corner of Switzerland. And why not also make you want to meet us if you are visiting us. Cosmos is a very sociable dog who will be delighted to meet a new friend to introduce him to his favorite places.
Before landing in Switzerland for a weekend or a few days of vacation, there are a few things to know to travel with your dog in good standing:
- if you arrive in the car with your dog : tell your GPS to cross the border via: Thônex-Vallard, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois or Ferney-Voltaire. Avoid going through Bardonnex because this customs is located on the highway and in Switzerland, you need a sticker to take the highway (33€ for 1 year) and the security guards will force you to buy it. It is therefore a bit expensive if you are only passing through Geneva for a few days. You should know that, by car, your dog must travel in a transport box or separate from the conductor by a protective grid so in the back in your trunk.
- say vous travel by train : at Cornavin station, Geneva has a French quay, so it is possible to come here by TGV SNCF at a reasonable price. The border is crossed at the exit of the train as soon as you set foot on the platform.
To travel with your dog in Geneva, know that small dogs do not pay for public transport if they fit on your lap. For large dogs, they benefit from the reduced rate.
To enter Switzerland, your dog must have an up-to-date rabies vaccine and a passport. Highly recommend treating it for ticks before coming as there are plenty in the area.
What to do with your dog in Geneva?
Geneva is a playground that we love with Cosmos. It is a city where it is good to live with your dog. If I took you with Cosmos and me to discover our city, I would start with a walk by the lake, from the UN (terminus tram 15 “Nations”) via the Perle du Lac park. I will take you across the Pont du Mont-Blanc and the Jardin Anglais, to the Jet d'eau in Geneva. It is possible to access the base via a wooden walkway. Namely that it is possible with a bus ticket to take the “Geneva seagulls”, small boats that cross the harbour. Your doggie can of course come with you. It's a great way to discover Lake Geneva.
From there, it is also possible to go to the Parc de la Grange. There is a huge space where you will have the right to let go of your dog (in the middle of town, it is rather rare and very appreciable).
Then, I will continue in the Old Town, I will show you the Place du Bourg-de-Four (Geneva courthouse), then the Saint-Pierre cathedral (Protestant). Dogs are not allowed in the cathedral, but it is very beautiful from the outside. From there, you have to pass in front of the cannons that defended the city against the Savoyards in 1602 (Place de l'ancien arsenal) and sit on the longest bench in the world, on the promenade de la Traille. A little higher up, this esplanade offers a magnificent view of the city.
Finally, I will guide you to the huge garden of the university to take a walk there and I will take your picture in front of the wall of the reformers.
The next day, I would advise you to climb to the top of Salève (the nearest mountain). It is possible to climb in cable car and our friends are welcome of course! I think it's worth the walk, it's really pretty. For ideas of hiking to do with your dog, look here. In general, we start from Veyrier, and we go through the Pas de l'Echelle. This is the ideal route with a dog because you can detach it.
Otherwise, in Carouge, the bar district, there is also a nice fitness trail in the woods of Pinchat. Here too, you can let go of your dog. The walk takes about 45 minutes.
Finally, from Plan-les-Ouates, you can reach Lully by following a river through the fields. The Aire promenade is open to free-roaming dogs.
And then remember to hang your swimsuit of course. The lake is wonderful for a cool break, swimming or water activities with your dog. Personally, I prefer to swim on the banks of the Rhône.
In short, you see visit Geneva with your dog is pretty Wow Good, right?
Where to sleep in Geneva with your dog?
In terms of accommodation with your dog, I recommend two accommodation with dogs accepted in Geneva :
- There is the TCS campsite in Vésenaz for an average of €25 per night where dogs (one per pitch) are welcome. There are also many campsites in the Geneva area but the most affordable are in neighboring France.
- On the hotel side, I advise you to give up the idea of taking one by the lake, even if the view is pretty. They are often old and far too expensive for what they are. I recommend the Iibis Geneva Petit Lancy. They accept pets and are located on tram line 14, just 10 minutes from the city center. For Geneva, the prices are correct (except at the beginning of March during the car show) and there is parking. This is where I stay with my family who live abroad when I don't have enough room at home.
- If you want to go on vacation to Switzerland in QUALIDOG-certified accommodation, here is a list below!
Where to eat in Geneva with your dog?
To go out for a drink, I advise you to go to the Carouge district (tram 12-18, bus 21-23). It is an ancient Sardinian city, 10 minutes from the city center. This is THE place for all Genevans for aperitifs and early evenings. Throughout the summer season, you will find a good twenty bistros with terrace, at fair prices. In winter, dogs are welcome inside if they are a minimum educated. This is also valid for all the addresses I am talking about. Going out in Geneva with your dog is possible!
Here are my two HQs with Cosmos:
- for aperitif and brunch on Sunday morning: the Cheval Blanc
- for a drink at the start of the evening: the Vert-bouteille
To eat, you will find absolutely all the cuisines of the world in Geneva, especially around the station. For a good, typically Swiss address, I recommend the Va-et-Vient, at the Plaine de Plainpalais (tram 12-15-18). The prices are very fair and the food is delicious.
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Well, I hope this article has made you want to come and spend a weekend in Geneva with your dog. If so, do not hesitate to let us know beforehand because if we are available, it is with pleasure that we will accompany you for a walk or an aperitif in our favorite places (or both). To contact us, take a look at our Portrait Wow Good or visit our Facebook page.