Things to Do in Geneva in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Geneva
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means hotel rates drop 25-40% compared to December-February peaks, and you'll actually get tables at better restaurants without booking weeks ahead
- Lake Geneva starts coming alive after winter dormancy - swan populations return, lakeside cafes reopen terraces, and the Jet d'Eau fountain typically restarts around mid-March after winter maintenance
- March catches the tail end of ski season in nearby resorts (Chamonix, Verbier) while Geneva itself warms up enough for comfortable city walking - you can literally ski in the morning and stroll the Old Town by afternoon
- International Geneva Salon de l'Auto typically runs first half of March in even years (2026 included), bringing cutting-edge vehicle debuts and surprisingly good hotel packages as the city gears up capacity
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 15°C (59°F) sunshine one day and 3°C (37°F) sleet the next, which makes packing frustrating and outdoor planning a gamble
- The famous flower clock in Jardin Anglais won't be fully planted until late March or early April, and many gardens around the lake look pretty bare compared to April-May bloom season
- Bise winds off the lake can make it feel 5-8°C (9-14°F) colder than the actual temperature, especially along waterfront areas where tourists naturally want to spend time
Best Activities in March
CERN Guided Tours
March is actually ideal for visiting the particle physics laboratory because summer tour slots (which book out 3-4 months ahead) haven't started yet, but the facility is fully operational. The indoor nature means weather is irrelevant, and you'll spend 2-3 hours learning about the Large Hadron Collider without competing with July's massive crowds. The exhibitions are heated, which matters when it's 5°C (41°F) outside.
Fondue Restaurant Experiences
March weather is perfect fondue temperature - cool enough that melted cheese feels right, but not so cold you're desperate to get indoors. Traditional fromageries in Carouge and Old Town are less packed than winter peak season, and you can actually get evening reservations with 3-4 days notice instead of 2 weeks. The Swiss consider March prime fondue season before spring arrives.
Chocolate Workshop Classes
Indoor activities are genuinely valuable in March's variable weather, and Geneva's chocolate-making workshops let you spend 2-3 hours learning tempering techniques while it rains outside. March is between Valentine's and Easter rushes, so class sizes tend to be smaller (8-10 people vs 15-20 in peak months). You'll work with Swiss chocolate traditions and take home 200-300g of your creations.
Mont Salève Cable Car and Hiking
The mountain literally overlooks Geneva from France (5km/3.1 miles across the border), and March offers something unique - snow at the 1,100m (3,609ft) summit but green valleys below. The cable car runs year-round, and you can do easy 1-2 hour snow walks with Chamonix and Mont Blanc views on clear days. When weather is poor in Geneva, it's often clear above the cloud layer at Salève.
Museum Circuit Days
Geneva has 40+ museums, and March's unpredictable weather makes having a solid indoor backup plan essential. The Museum Pass (48 CHF for 48 hours) covers most major venues including Patek Philippe Museum, Museum of Art and History, and Ethnography Museum. Crowds are noticeably lighter than summer, and you can actually examine the watch collections without jostling for position.
Lavaux Vineyard Walks
The UNESCO terraced vineyards between Geneva and Lausanne are stunning in March because you'll see the entire pruning and preparation process before tourist season starts. Trails along Lake Geneva offer 8-15km (5-9.3 miles) routes with mountain and lake views. Weather is cool enough for comfortable hiking (unlike July heat), and the medieval wine villages are authentically quiet. You might hit rain, but that's what the wine cellars are for.
March Events & Festivals
Geneva International Motor Show (Salon International de l'Auto)
One of Europe's major auto shows, typically running first two weeks of March in even years (2026 included, though confirm dates closer to time). World premieres, concept cars, and electric vehicle showcases at Palexpo. Worth attending if you're even casually interested in cars - the scale is impressive and tickets are reasonable. Expect the city to be busier these specific weeks with industry professionals.
L'Escalade Commemorative Events
While the main festival is December, some historical societies and museums run special March exhibitions about the 1602 battle, particularly at Maison Tavel. Not a major tourist draw, but interesting if you're curious about Geneva's history and happen to catch a lecture or exhibit.