Month guide · Geneva · Switzerland
Geneva in August
What August is really like in Geneva: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Geneva. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 14.1 hours of daylight. Hot and sunny, with the lake at its warmest; many residents leave on holiday.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Geneva: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with July (26°C (79°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:35
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:46
- Daylight
- About 14.1 hours
Summer (June–August). Warm, sunny days for swimming and lake cruises, with roses in June and fireworks on 1 August.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Swiss National Day — celebrations and fireworks (1 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Market · Plainpalais
Plainpalais flea market
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, hundreds of stalls fill the Plaine de Plainpalais with secondhand clothes, vinyl, antiques, old watches and bric-a-brac.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Nations
Musée Ariana
Pair it with the Palace of Nations next door; the domed hall alone is worth the visit.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Eaux-Vives
Natural History Museum
Switzerland's largest natural history museum, in the Malagnou district, has floors of lifelike dioramas of Swiss and world wildlife, minerals and fossils, and an exhibition on the history of the Earth.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
.jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Eaux-Vives
Jet d'Eau
Walk out to the jetty's lighthouse when the wind blows away from the path, and see it lit up from the Pâquis side after dark.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 15°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Geneva?
One of the best months to visit Geneva, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are May–July and September. Compare every month.
Geneva in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Geneva?
It is one of the best months to visit Geneva. Hot and sunny, with the lake at its warmest; many residents leave on holiday.
+How warm is Geneva in August?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Geneva in August?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.