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A view from above of the main building and the lush lawns of the Palais des Nations.

Welcome to the United Nations

Take a tour of the Palais des Nations and learn about the United Nations and the UN's work in Geneva. Our tour guides will inform you about the organization and its activities to maintain world peace, foster international relations and development.

You will discover the Palais des Nations, a unique building, formerly the headquarters of the League of Nations. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Due to the ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. Please read the below information carefully and check this page regularly for updates. 

Important Information

During the renovation work, guided tours are temporarily not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.

Please be informed that tours for individual visitors are currently limited and sell out very quickly.
We encourage you to check our website regularly.


Thank you for your understanding.

Important information: Limited capacities due to ongoing construction works. Please book early (min. 3 months in advance).

Before the tour

Once you have your ticket(s)

As soon as you receive your ticket(s), every person in your group needs to register for an access badge. The registration link for access badges is on the ticket(s). Please register as soon as your receive your ticket(s). Participants will then receive a digital badge with a QR code sent to their email address which they can print out and bring along or store on their mobile phone. The QR code will be scanned on the day to enter the Palais des Nations.

 

On the tour day

  • All visitors must carry a valid passport (UN Member or Observer State). ID cards from the Schengen Zone are also accepted. Passports or ID cards will be checked at the entrance gate.
  • Please be at the meeting point mentioned in your booking confirmation, 30 minutes before your tour to allow time for security screening and transfer to the Visitors’ Center.  
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About the Tours

Duration

The guided tour lasts for approximately one hour.

 

Languages

Groups can reserve a tour in numerous languages, including Bulgarian, Czech, Dutch, English, French, German (and Swiss German), Italian, Japanese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Slovak. 

Tour Fees
  • Adults (Ages 18+): 22 CHF
  • University students, senior citizens and disabled persons (University students must show valid student ID): 18 CHF
  • School Children and Youth (Aged 14 to 17): 12 CHF
  • School Children and Youth (Aged 6 to 13): 11 CHF
  • Teachers (For every 10 school children booked, - 1 teacher is free. Extra teachers should be booked as adults)
  • Private VIP Tour: 280 CHF
tour
Highlights
  • The Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, decorated by famous artist Miquel Barcelò.
  • The library of the Palais des Nations and the UN Museum.
  • Part of the Ariana Park and the monument commemorating the conquest of outer space.
  • A film about the history and features of the Assembly Hall, the largest room in the Palais des Nations.
  • The plaza and entrance of our new state-of the-art and sustainable Building H.
  • You will discover the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • You will learn how a conference works at the United Nations.
Contact

Visitors Entrance
Palais des Nations - Pregny Gate
14 Avenue de la Paix

1211 Genève, Suisse

+41 (0)22 917 48 96
visit-gva@un.org

Directions

Palais des Nations transit stop is Appia.

Enter the Palais des Nations through the Visitor's entrance at Pregny Gate, on 14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross building and next to the Geneva Hotel School (please see map here).

The United Nations Office at Geneva is a workplace. Delegates hold their meetings where visitors go on guided tour. Visitors are therefore kindly reminded to stay with the tour guide at all times, to keep noise levels down, and to respect the professional working environment of the United Nations.

Please arrive 45 minutes before your tour.

Transports Publics Genevois
Palais des Nations transit stop are Appia and Nations.
Access from Cornavin railway station:

  • Bus lines 8, 20, 60 ("Appia" stop)
  • Bus line 5 or tram line 15 (“Nations” stop), then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate

Access from Cointrin airport:

  • Bus line 5 (“Nations” stop), then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate


Other bus lines with stop at “Nations”: 11 and 22, then a 5 minutes' walk to Pregny Gate

In Geneva, unireso public-transport tickets must be purchased prior to boarding a tram, bus or ferry. Ticket machines are available at most stops. Travel cards or passes can be purchased at the main TPG centres (Rive, Cornavin and Bachet de Pesay). 
Please note tickets are not available on the bus itself. Hotels, youth hostels or campsites typically offer a Geneva Transport Card, which allows use of public transport in Geneva free of charge during the period of stay.

Geneva public transport

Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to park inside the premises of the Palais des Nations. A large underground parking is available at the Place des Nations, next to the United Nations, and can be accessed via Rue de Varembé.

Additional Information

The Palais tour is approximately 2KM (1.24 Miles) of walking and can be difficult for youth or those with mobility issues.

As the Palais des Nations undergoes a complete renovation, areas of the tour will be difficult to access for those who need assistance.

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Official Holidays for 2024 at the United Nations Office at Geneva:

Monday 1 January New Year’s Day Thursday 1 August Swiss National Day 
Friday 29 March Good Friday Wednesday 25 December Christmas Day
Monday 1 April Easter Monday Thursday 26 December
Wednesday 10 April Eid Al-Fitr Friday 27 December
Monday 17 June Eid al-Adha (observed)  

 

Download UN Geneva 2024 holiday schedule

The Palais des Nations is currently under renovation but guided tours continue in a limited capacity. We build on your understanding that the tour routes may change. 

Visitors should plan for approximately 40 minutes for security screening upon arrival.

Visitors should not be carrying luggage or large bags.

Due to certain events, Visitors’ Service may need to close at short notice, this will not concern pre-registered groups. Our tour route and schedule may be affected by certain meetings, meaning some rooms may not be accessible, without prior notice.

Please check the updated security information before your tour.