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DISCOVER SWITZERLAND

8 of Switzerland’s best sandy beaches to visit this summer

If you’re looking for summer, sun, and sandy beaches this summer, you don’t need to travel abroad. Here are 8 of the best sandy beaches in Switzerland, from Geneva to Lucerne.

Published: 7 July 2023 17:02 CEST
Updated: 26 July 2023 17:50 CEST
8 of Switzerland's best sandy beaches to visit this summer
Are these the best sandy beaches in Switzerland?(Photo by GABRIEL MONNET / AFP)

Plage des Eaux-Vives

If you live in the Geneva area, chances are you’re already a Plage des Eaux-Vives regular.

After being made partially accessible to the public in 2019, the 400-metres-long public beach opened to the public fully on August 22nd 2020.

The beach offers swimmers a spectacular view over Geneva’s harbour and being situated in the heart of the city, is perfect for those looking for a quick lunchtime dip.

The resort can accommodate between 6,000 and 8,000 people and includes a two-hectare park adjoining a nature area with a magnificent water garden.

The good news is that access to the beach is free, however, swimmers should note that swimming is unsupervised.

READ MORE: How to keep safe when swimming in Switzerland’s lakes and rivers

Strandbad Biel

Open from mid-May to early September, Biel’s beach resort offers a springboard, a playground, table tennis, beach volleyball courts, a water park and a play area for children as well as a large lawn for lounging.  for only 5 Swiss francs a day.

The water park is open every day (June 1st to August 31st) from 2 pm and closes one hour before the resort’s closing time. Children under the age of ten may only use the water park when accompanied by an adult supervisor.

Access to the beach resort costs 5 francs for adults, 4 francs for students and the elderly, and 2.50 francs for children aged 7 to 15 years.

Note that in bad weather, the resort can close early so always check the current opening times before travelling.

Gäsi Sandstrand

Located on the edge of a forest in eastern Switzerland, the Gäsi beach resort is ideal for swimmers looking for a quieter getaway.

The public resort is surrounded by a protected forest which makes for a fun exploration activity with kids, and includes a beach volleyball field and playground area.

While access is free and it is advised that you arrive by bicycle, paid parking spaces are also available for those who might be bringing along picnic tables, chairs, or other equipment.

Lido Lugano

First opening doors in 1928, its sandy beach, (heated) swimming pools of various shapes and sizes, and generous green spaces make the Lido Lugano an ideal destination for the whole family.

Further to the staple Swiss beach resort features like playground, tennis table and beach volleyball court, the resort also includes a football field and free Wi-Fi throughout the lido area.

This year, Lugano’s lido is open from May 1st until September 17th (9am – 7pm/7.30pm) and charges adults 10 francs for a ticket. Children aged 3 to 13 years pay just 3 francs, while those older (up to the age of 20) pay 6 francs to use the facilities.

Yvonand

If you’re looking for gently shelving beaches, fine sand, and turquoise water, look no further than the beaches of Yvonand. This is where you’ll truly feel like you’re bathing at the seaside.

Thanks to Lake Neuchâtel’s low current the resort is ideal for families with children who wish to unwind for the day completely free of charge.

In addition to swimming in the lake, water rats can also enjoy their day pedal boating, windsurfing, paddle boarding, kite surfing, sailing, or renting a water bike or motorboat.

All of Yvonand’s beaches are within walking distance from the main train station.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Switzerland’s outdoor pool culture

Lido Ascona

Situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Lido Ascona is one of Switzerland’s longest and most beautiful beach resorts.

While the lido is ideal for families looking to enjoy the rows of relaxing sunbeds and restaurants, the sports on offer are where the resort really shines.

Gym rats can choose from several sporty activities, such as five-a-side football and table tennis to beach volleyball, bocce, and numerous water sports, while those wishing to take it easy can practice yoga and Pilates, or enjoy a relaxing on-site massage or spa treatment.

Admission is free for residents of Ascona provided they have their VivoAscona card on hand.

If you are visiting Lido Ascona from elsewhere and have booked an overnight stay in a hotel, youth hostel or campsite, you will be eligible for a reduced entry fee thanks to the Ticino ticket.

General admission for adults is 9 francs and for children 6 francs.

Strandbad Rive-Bleue

The Rive-Bleue resort lies in the idyllic Valais village of Le Bouveret on Lake Geneva and has opened its doors to visitors for free since 2022.

At the popular beach resort swimmers can enjoy sandy beaches with shallow access to Lake Geneva and rent various sports equipment, such as surfboards and pedal boats, at the on-site water sports centre.

The beach resort does not employ a lifeguard, so caution is advised when swimming.

Lido Luzern

Lucerne’s oldest and biggest lido offers mesmerising views of the Pilatus, Stanserhorn, and Bürgenstock mountains and the city of Lucerne.

While the resort and its 300-metre sandy beach can get understandably busy on the hotter days, the lido has plenty of shady lawn areas and quiet spots for swimmers hoping to sit back and take in the scenery.

If you fancy dropping by on a cooler day to avoid the masses, then you’re welcome to swim in the (heated) 25-metre pool or play a round of beach volleyball on one of the lido’s six pitches.

Adults pay 8 francs for entry to the lido from Monday to Friday, and 10 francs on the weekend days. Children younger than six can enter for free.

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DISCOVER SWITZERLAND

What’s on: 7 unmissable events in Switzerland this July

From various concerts to medieval shows, here's a selection of fantastic events you can go to this July in various parts of Switzerland.

Published: 13 June 2024 16:21 CEST
Updated: 15 June 2024 09:13 CEST
What's on: 7 unmissable events in Switzerland this July

Let’s start with two music festivals which are best known internationally:

Montreux Jazz Festival

The iconic jazz festival returns to Montreux from July 5th through to 20th with acts such as Alice Cooper, Sting, Duran Duran, and Lenny Kravtiz, among other world-class artists performing with the Alps and Lake Geneva as their backdrop.

You can find out more about this year’s edition in a video here.

Paléo Festival

Another legendary concert is the Paléo Festival, the country’s biggest open-air musicfest, which takes place from July 23rd to 28th.

It is held in a Woodstock-like setting in an open field in Nyon, near Geneva.

Every year, around 250,000 festival goers flock to the six-day event to rock out to more than 300 concerts across seven stages and browse its 150 stalls and bars.

This is this year’s programme. 

Sommerfest Iseltwald

Iseltwald is often referred to as the pearl of Lake Brienz, and rightfully so. The fishing village is located on the left bank of the river and is one of the smallest communities in the canton of Bern.

The quaint Swiss village was recently forced to limit the number of tourists after fans of a South Korean Netflix hit show flocked to the region in droves sparking a backlash from locals.

So, if you are among the horde of visitors headed to the village for its annual Sommerfest between July 12th and July 14th, make sure to read our article on the steps you need to take in order to be permitted ‘entry’ to the village:

READ ALSO: Swiss village forced to restrict visitor numbers after Netflix success

Openair Frauenfeld

If you like hip-hop, thEn the  Openair Frauenfeld 2024 promises to cater to your taste.

The festival takes place from Thursday, 11th, through to Saturday, July 13th, with headliners such as Nicki Minajj, Milano, and Kenny Mason.

Moon & Stars

Yes, it sounds heavenly…and it is…

If you happen to find yourself in Locarno, Ticino, from July 11th to 21st, then head to the city’s picturesque Piazza Grande to enjoy an unforgettable summer evening with first-class live music.

Among performers this year are Italian singers Ricchi et Poveri, as well as US stars Lenny Kravitz, and others. 

Medieval show

On July 20th, the courts of Castelgrande in Bellinzona will once again host the traditional “Sword in the Fortress” event, which will take you all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Expect the clang of swords, glitter of shields and helmets, colourful costumes and flags fluttering in the wind, and much more.

It’s..magic!

As part of Zug’s iconic Seefest, you an  the ZugMAGIC, a magic water show on Lake Zug in addition to the usual programme featuring live music, refreshing drinks, and unique atmosphere.

And a great thing is that this event lasts the whole month of July — from the 1st to 31st.

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