Palais des Nations
Geneva, CHE
The United Nations has its European headquarters in Geneva, in the Palace of United Nations (Palais des Nations Unis). Guided tours of the offices offer a behind-the-scenes look at rooms like the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, which was decorated by famous artist Miquel Barcelò, and the Assembly Hall.
The Palace of United Nations was originally built for the League of Nations, in the 1930s. It’s now the site of large international meetings and the U.N.’s daily operations. To visit, you must join a one-hour guided tours, which are offered in English and French and run a few times each day. Tours include a short film and include access to various parts of the building, depending on which rooms are not in use.
You do not need a reservation to attend a tour if your group has fewer than 15 people.
You will need a photo ID, such as a passport, to enter the building. There are strict security checks at the entrance, so allow plenty of time at arrival and leave large bags behind.
Tours can be provided in 12 languages, with advance notice.
Children under 6 can join the tours for free. Reduced ticket prices are available for children aged 6–18, university students, senior citizens, and disabled visitors.
After the tour, take a walk around the Parc de l’Ariana, where peacocks roam freely and you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
The Palace of United Nations is to the north of central Geneva. To reach the site, take the 13 or 15 tram to the Palais des Nations stop, or the 8, 28, F, V, or Z bus to the Appia stop.
Tour days vary depending on the season: From April to August, tours run every day except Sunday; and between October and March, tours only take place on weekdays (Monday–Friday). There is usually one tour in the morning, one around noon, and two in the afternoon; check the schedule for exact times. When large conferences are taking place, visitors should be aware that security checks may take longer and private tours can be canceled.
Located on the same grounds as the Palace of United Nations, the Musee Ariana displays ceramics and glass work from Switzerland, Europe, and parts of Asia and the Middle East. Visit before or after a tour of the U.N. to see one of Europe’s most important collections of kilncraft, which includes works made from Venetian glass, tin-glazed earthenware, and porcelain.
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