The Geneva Tourists Don’t See

Some cities are easy to fall in love with at first sight:  They flaunt their pretty buildings and seduce you with their welcoming atmosphere so that you have no choice but to fall head over heels, but Geneva is a little more reserved.  You have to dig a bit more to discover its hidden charms. Here are some of the sights around Geneva that will soon have you smitten:

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Swimming in the Rhone
There aren’t many cities where you can swim in a river downtown, but Geneva is one of them.  A stretch of the Rhône at Pont de Sous-Terre is heaven on a lazy summer afternoon, when you can take a dip and admire the cliffs and lush trails along the Right Bank as you float by.  You can enter the water via a handy system of jetties and ladders, and despite its proximity to the city centre, the water is crystal clear.
Savouring Cheap Sushi at Wasabi Sushi Bento Bar
“Cheap” and “Geneva” don’t often appear in the same sentence, but this local chain of sushi restaurants is an exception.  Wasabi has several outlets around Geneva, including boulevard Helvétique, Rue du Mont-Blanc 21, rue du Vieux-Collége 4, rue du Marché 5.  The sushi is good and reasonably priced.  Try the shrimp and avocado Temaki and the Yakitori chicken.
Chilling Out at Le Scandale
Le Scandale is a cavernous (gay-friendly) bar and restaurant near the train station, where you can relax with the hip crowd, far away from the titans of diplomacy and big business downtown.  Sip a cocktail or scoff a great pizza, and, if you’re feeling energetic, there’s a DJ and dance floor down stairs.
Keeping Warm at Festival Antigel
If you’re in Geneva in late January or early February, you really should not miss Antigel.  Staged in the depths of winter, it is the perfect insulation against the icy cold.  Headliners have included Peaches and Chilly Gonzales, but the real draw is the selection of sideshows, including underwater concerts, light shows, and sporting parties.

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Relaxing at Bains des Pâquis
Cross the walkway at Quai du Mont-Blanc to find Bains des Pâquis, a perfect holiday combination of beach, café, and spa.  It’s reassuringly popular among locals, and defies several assumptions about Geneva because it is both cheap and casual.  In winter, relax in the sauna and Turkish baths (you can complete the experience with a dip in the icy lake).  The food served in the cafe is tasty and reasonably priced, and the fondue they serve in winter will melt your heart.
Watching Ice Hockey at Les Vernets
Patinoire des Vernets is the home of Geneva’s ice hockey team, Genève-Servette (GSHC), and if you’re a fan of high-speed, high-impact sports, you should definitely try to catch a match at the arena when you’re in town.  Situated on Rue Hans Wilsdorf 4, Acacias,  Les Vernets can seat 6,700 people.
Aoife O’Carroll is a staff writer for Nova Car Hire, a convenient website for arranging car rental in 26,000 locations worldwide, including car hire in Geneva.