Best Time to Visit Geneva

Summer: July to September

This is when Geneva works best. Days are warm, not scorching, and the evenings stay mild. July and August are the warmest months, both with highs of 25°C and the most sunshine. September is a little cooler and calmer, and it's still rated Excellent.

You'll spend your days by the lake. Swim at Genève-Plage or the free Bains des Pâquis, then eat a cheese fondue or a perch fillet on the quay. Boats run across the lake to Lausanne and Yvoire in France. Rain still falls on 11 to 13 days a month, so expect the odd short shower.

Summer is high season, and hotels fill up. Many locals leave in July and August, though, so the city itself feels quiet. The Fêtes de Genève, a big lakeside festival with fireworks, usually lands in late July or early August. If you want the same weather with fewer people, pick September.

Spring and autumn: good for walking

April and October both rate Good. Highs are 15°C and 17°C, which suits strolling the old town, climbing to Saint-Pierre Cathedral's towers, or visiting the Palais des Nations. April brings blossom to the parks. October brings golden leaves on the Salève, the mountain just over the French border, which you can reach by cable car.

May and June are wetter than you'd expect. May has rain on 17 days, the most of any month, and June has 16. It's green and pleasant when the sun is out, but bring a plan B, like the Patek Philippe Museum or the Red Cross Museum. Early June is also good for the lake paths, since the warm weather has arrived and summer crowds haven't.

March is Fair, with cool days and lots of cloud. The Geneva International Motor Show has traditionally been a March event, but check whether it's running before you plan around it.

Winter: grey but cosy

From November to February, Geneva is cold and cloudy. January and December see only two hours of sun a day on average, and December is the wettest month at 124 mm. Lake views often vanish into fog. All four months are rated Poor for comfort.

Still, there's a case for it. Christmas markets and ice rinks pop up in the old town, and the city smells of roasted chestnuts. On 11 December, locals mark L'Escalade, a festival that remembers a 1602 attack on the city. Kids dress up, and everyone smashes chocolate cauldrons filled with marzipan vegetables. Travelling with skiers? Geneva is a handy base for the Alps, and winter hotels are often cheaper than summer ones.