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Geneva.science

Science Travel

In a nutshell

Most of Geneva’s international organisations are working offices, not museums. But a short route lets you see how science and international rules are made here: from CERN’s visitor centre to the Palais des Nations and a handful of museums by the lake.

We do not give opening hours or prices, because they change. Each card links to the official website.

2One day, one route

A natural route runs from the border to the lake. Spend the morning at CERN’s Science Gateway in Meyrin, which a tram links with Cornavin, the main station. In the afternoon, visit the Palais des Nations and the Red Cross museum, then the history of science museum in the Parc de la Perle du Lac. End at the harbour, at the Jet d’eau.

With more time, add the Conservatory and Botanical Garden and the Musée d’art et d’histoire for its Geneva watches. The cards below link to each official website.

  • Meyrin, next to Geneva

    CERN Science Gateway

    CERN’s centre for science education, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop and open to the public since October 2023. Three permanent interactive exhibitions – Discover CERN, Our Universe and Quantum World – can be visited in any order; there are also hands-on laboratories and an auditorium. Entry is free. A tram runs from Geneva’s main station to CERN.

    Official website

  • Ariana Park, Geneva

    Palais des Nations

    Guided tours of the United Nations Office at Geneva, the former headquarters of the League of Nations. Book ahead and bring a valid passport or Schengen ID card. A tour takes about an hour.

    Official website

  • Geneva

    International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

    Its permanent exhibition, The Humanitarian Adventure, opened in 2013 and tells the story of humanitarian action.

    Official website

  • Villa Bartholoni, Parc de la Perle du Lac

    Musée d’histoire des sciences

    The City of Geneva’s history of science museum: old scientific instruments from the cabinets of Geneva scholars of the 17th to the 19th century.

    Official website

  • Eaux-Vives jetty, the harbour

    Jet d’eau

    Born in 1886 as a pressure-relief outlet of the city’s water network and moved to the harbour in 1891, it now rises about 140 metres.

    Official website

  • Geneva

    Musée d’art et d’histoire

    The city’s museum of art and history, whose collections include Geneva watches and clocks. Check the museum’s website for the current displays.

    Official website

  • Geneva

    Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva

    Heir to the botanical garden founded in 1817 under Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle; one of the world’s largest herbaria.

    Official website

Sources

  1. CERN, CERN inaugurates Science Gateway, its new outreach centre for science education, checked 29 October 2026
  2. CERN, Directions, checked 29 October 2026
  3. United Nations Office at Geneva, Visiting UN Geneva, checked 29 October 2026
  4. International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, Permanent exhibition, checked 29 October 2026
  5. Ville de Genève, Musée d’histoire des sciences, checked 29 October 2026
  6. Ville de Genève, Jet d’eau de Genève, checked 29 October 2026
  7. Musée d’art et d’histoire de Genève, collection record: Montre de col primitive, à sonnerie et à tact, checked 29 October 2026
  8. Ville de Genève, La botanique genevoise, une tradition vieille de plus de 300 ans, checked 29 October 2026
  9. CERN, Visit CERN: exhibitions, guided tours and film, checked 29 October 2026