Take advantage of the lakeside views from the English Garden (Jardin Anglais), one of Geneva’s most popular parks. This waterfront parkland features charming English cottage-style gardens, fabulous floral displays and some of the city’s best-known monuments.
Explore the park to find an artfully designed landscape full of colour and aromas. In summer, relax under the trees or play games on open grassy areas. Look out for the fascinating sculptures and impressive fountains, including the magnificent Jet d’Eau water fountain that spurts from the center of the harbour.
The English Garden Park was created in 1854 to brighten up the landscape around the harbour. The park occupies 2.5 hectares (6.1 acres) of waterfront and features meandering walking paths and incredible views of both Lake Geneva and the Mont Blanc Bridge.
Visit the Horloge Fleurie to find one of the most popular and photographed monuments in the city. This enormous functioning clock features a face comprised of 6,000 different types of flowers and measures 5 metres (16.4 feet) in diameter. The design uses seasonal flowers and changes every year.
At certain times of the year, the park’s bandstand hosts free concerts, so check the park's official website before your visit to see what’s on. After a visit to the park, explore the adjacent thoroughfare, the Quai Gustave-Ador, to find upmarket restaurants, specialist wine shops and a mini train tour for the kids.
The park is also home to important sites, such as The National Monument, which was built in 1869 to commemorate the unification of Geneva and Switzerland.
English Garden Park is centrally located just a short downhill walk from the Old Town. The park is free to enter and can be accessed by frequent bus routes. To beat the crowds, it is best to visit first thing in the morning or the evening.