Arabie Park Beach: free swimming for families in Vevey

A free beach at the foot of the Alps, right in Vevey

Nestled between the mouth of the Veveyse and the Bains Payes, the Plage du Parc de l'Arabie (which the people of Vevey also call the Jardin Doret) is one of the most popular swimming spots on the Vaud Riviera. It features a large green lawn bordered by tall trees, generous shaded areas, and direct access to Lake Geneva via a few steps or a small pebble beach. All of this is completely free and open access, facing a stunning panorama of the Alps. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Vevey with your children, whether for a break or a whole day.

What your children will discover

Your children will find plenty of ways to expend energy and cool off. They can enter the water via the designated stairs or the small pebble beach, play on the lawn, and enjoy the playgrounds. The park also has a beach volleyball court and a ping-pong table for older kids. A wading pool for toddlers is part of the site, but it may be under construction or undergoing transformation: check before you go if this is your main goal (to be confirmed). Between swimming, playing, and large green spaces, there’s plenty to keep both young and old occupied.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

In summer, you can spread your towel on the grass under the trees, alternating between swimming in the lake, playing, and sunbathing. The atmosphere is family-friendly, welcoming, and relaxed, with the unique pleasure of swimming in front of the mountains. People often picnic on-site, with grills available, or treat themselves to ice cream at the snack bar. Caution: swimming is not recommended near the mouth of the river, so keep children on the lake side. It’s the kind of place where you can leave your things for half a day without realizing it.

Before you go

• Recommended age: for everyone, from toddlers to teens, under supervision by the water
• Duration: from one hour to a whole day depending on the weather and desire
• Price: free and completely open access
• Reservation: none, you come freely
• Stroller/PRM accessibility: large flat lawn and easy paths; descent to the lake via steps, precise access to be confirmed
• Transport: just a few minutes from the Vevey CFF train station, served by local buses; CGN landing stage nearby; small parking lot and blue zone parking
• What to bring: swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, hats, water sandals for the pebbles, and picnic supplies
• Ideal season: summer for swimming; the park remains pleasant in spring and autumn

Parents' tips

• Arrive early during hot weather, the site is very popular in summer
• Opt for water sandals, as the entry into the lake is over pebbles
• Settle in the shade of the trees during the hottest hours for the little ones
• Always supervise children by the water and keep them away from the mouth of the river
• Bring snacks: the snack bar is handy but a picnic remains a sure bet

Useful information

• Address: Quai de l'Arabie, 1800 Vevey
• Official site: https://www.montreuxriviera.com
• Hours: park and beach open access; swimming mainly in the summer season (to be confirmed on-site)
• Access: just a few minutes' walk from the Vevey CFF train station, local buses, CGN landing stage nearby, small parking lot and blue zone

Looking for more outings? Find all our activities in Vevey.

Why we recommend it

Because it is a real public and free beach, right in Vevey, with everything you need for a family day: shaded lawn, access to the lake, playgrounds, and a snack bar. The setting, between Lake Geneva and the Alps, is simply splendid, and the atmosphere remains family-oriented and relaxed. It’s the perfect spot for an impromptu swimming outing, without budget and without reservation.

In two words

A free beach by Lake Geneva, with lawn, pebbles, and games for children: the Plage du Parc de l'Arabie is the family swimming spot to know in Vevey.