Public holidays and shop opening hours in Geneva

If you’re new to Geneva or just getting settled, it’s worth knowing that shop and office opening hours in Switzerland follow quite a structured rhythm, and public holidays can catch you by surprise if you’re not familiar with them. Here’s what to expect and how to avoid turning up to a closed door.

Public holidays: what to expect

Switzerland has both national and cantonal public holidays (detailed list available on Wikipedia). This means that not all holidays are observed in every canton. Geneva, for example, has its own set of public holidays that differ from those in neighboring cantons like Vaud or Valais.

Public holidays in Geneva typically include:

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• Good Friday (March or April, date varies each year)
• Easter Monday (March or April, date varies each year)
• Ascension Day (40 days after Easter, usually a Thursday)
• Whit Monday/Pentecost Monday (May or June, date varies each year)
• Swiss National Day (1 August)
• Jeûne genevois (Thursday after the first Sunday in September)
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• Restoration Day (31 December, observed only in Geneva)

Shops, offices, and many services are usually closed on these days. Public transport may run on a reduced schedule, and some restaurants or cafés might also be closed, especially on Christmas Day and 1 January.

Shop opening hours in Geneva

Compared to some other countries, shops in Switzerland have relatively limited opening hours, particularly on weekends. In some cantons, supermarkets even close as early as 16:00 on Saturdays.

Here’s a general overview of standard hours for most shops in Geneva:

• Monday to Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 to 19:00
• Thursday: 9:00 to 20:00 or even 21:00 (“late-night shopping day”, varies by canton)
• Saturday: 9:00 to 18:00
• Sunday: closed

You’ll also find that:

• Shops often close earlier the day before a public holiday.
• Many post offices close earlier on Saturdays, around noon or 15:00.
• On holidays and Sundays, the go-to shops for emergency purchases are the Migros at the airport and Cornavin train station.
• Some neighborhood convenience stores (usually more expensive) and certain gas stations may also stay open, though not all gas stations are staffed on these days.
• In neighboring France, most supermarkets are open on Sunday mornings, typically until around noon.

While most shops are closed on Sundays, many restaurants remain open. However, it’s common for restaurants to close on Mondays instead.

Banks, offices, and other services

Most banks and public offices follow standard working hours and are closed on weekends and public holidays. Many operate between:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 17:00

It’s also common for administrative offices to close over lunch (usually from 12:00 to 13:30), though this is gradually becoming less frequent.

If you’re planning to visit a government office, bank, or postal service, it’s a good idea to double-check their schedule, especially before or after a public holiday. Some services also require you to make an appointment in advance.

For pharmacies, opening hours also vary, and most close on Sundays and holidays. For urgent needs outside of standard hours, you can refer to Emergency numbers and services you should know to find information on pharmacies de garde (on-duty pharmacies).