Summer swimming is one of the great pleasures of the Geneva region, with Lake Geneva on the city's doorstep, Lake Annecy 44 km and around 40 minutes from the airport, and cold mountain lakes higher up in Valais and around Chamonix. AirportsTransfers.ch can take you from Geneva Airport straight to a lakeside hotel or resort, so a first swim can follow shortly after landing.
- On the doorstep: Lake Geneva bathing areas in Geneva, Lausanne and lakeside towns
- Clear and warm: Lake Annecy, 44 km from GVA
- Mountain lakes: colder, high-altitude lakes in Valais, Savoie and the Engadin
- Season: mainly July and August for comfortable lake temperatures
- Safety: cold water, boat traffic, sudden wind and storms
Lake Geneva: city bathing and lakeside towns
Lake Geneva, or Lac Léman, is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, shared by Switzerland and France. In Geneva itself, swimming is part of city life. The Bains des Pâquis, a historic bathing jetty near the city centre, is a local institution, with swimmers diving from the pier and a casual café atmosphere. Genève-Plage on the left bank has lawns, pools and lake access, and there are smaller free bathing spots along both shores. Some locals also swim in the Rhône as it flows out of the lake, but currents there are strong and only experienced swimmers should attempt it.
Further along the lake, Lausanne, 61 km and about 45 minutes from the airport, has beaches and lawns around Ouchy and Vidy. Lakeside towns such as Nyon, Rolle, Vevey and Montreux on the Swiss shore and Évian and Thonon on the French side have public bathing areas, small pebble beaches and lake pools. Water quality is generally good, and authorities publish bathing water reports in summer.
Lake Annecy and other French lakes
Lake Annecy is famous for its clear, blue-green water and mountain setting. It warms up nicely in summer and is ringed by public beaches, lawns and jetties, both in Annecy town and in villages along the shore such as Talloires, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Sevrier. A cycle path runs along the western shore, which makes it easy to hop from one beach to another. Paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats can be hired almost everywhere.
Lac du Bourget near Aix-les-Bains, the largest natural lake entirely in France, is a little further away and similarly popular. Smaller lakes in the Chablais and Haute-Savoie valleys, often with grassy shores and mountain backdrops, make good family outings when combined with a picnic or walk.
- Bains des Pâquis and Genève-Plage in Geneva
- Ouchy and Vidy beaches in Lausanne
- Talloires, Sevrier and Annecy town beaches on Lake Annecy
Mountain lakes for the brave
Higher in the Alps, small mountain lakes are fed by snowmelt and glaciers, so even in midsummer the water is very cold. That does not stop hardy swimmers from taking a short dip after a hike. Lac de Champex in Valais, a lake in a pine-ringed resort, is warm enough for a summer swim and has a gentle shoreline. The plateau of Crans-Montana has several small lakes, some with designated bathing areas. Around Chamonix and in the Engadin, lakes are better for a quick plunge than a long swim.
The lakes near St. Moritz, Silvaplana and Sils in the Engadin are known more for sailing and kitesurfing than swimming, thanks to a reliable afternoon wind, but the scenery is outstanding. Always check whether swimming is allowed: some mountain lakes are reservoirs or protected areas where bathing is forbidden.
Safety in Alpine lakes
Cold water is the main risk. Even on hot days, lake temperatures can drop suddenly with depth, and cold shock can cause gasping and loss of breath. Enter slowly, acclimatise, and stay within your limits. Children should be watched closely, and buoyancy aids help weaker swimmers. On large lakes, stay close to the shore or within marked swimming areas, as boats, ferries and paddleboards share the water and may not see you; a bright tow float makes you visible.
Weather can turn quickly. On Lake Geneva, strong winds such as the bise from the north-east can whip up waves in a short time, and summer thunderstorms bring lightning and sudden gusts. When storm warning lights on the shore start flashing, leave the water. Never swim alone in remote mountain lakes, and avoid diving into unfamiliar water where depth is unknown.
Booking a lakeside transfer
AirportsTransfers.ch displays the fixed price per vehicle before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks the flight, waits if it lands late and greets you with a name sign. For families, child seats are available on request, and the Mercedes V-Class van fits up to seven passengers with ten bags, while groups can choose a Sprinter minibus. Return trips to Geneva Airport can be reserved at the same time. Reach us around the clock by phone or WhatsApp on +41 78 346 56 77.
