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Did you know that the World Wide Web was invented at CERN in 1989? But that’s just one of many groundbreaking achievements from this unique research centre. Did you also know that CERN scientists confirmed the existence of the Higgs boson, helping explain why matter has mass? Or that experiments at CERN are shedding light on antimatter—one of the biggest mysteries in understanding why our universe exists at all?
If these questions spark your curiosity, then a visit to CERN is a must—here’s everything you need to know about exploring one of the most fascinating scientific sites in the world.
What is CERN?Le Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research), located on the border between Switzerland and France, is the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics and is known as the birthplace of groundbreaking discoveries about the universe. Here, scientists study the smallest building blocks of matter to better understand how the universe works.
Founded in 1954, CERN brings together researchers from across the globe to conduct experiments using powerful machines—most famously the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 27-kilometre underground ring where particles are accelerated and collided at near the speed of light.
What Can Visitors Do and See at CERN?A visit to CERN is far more interactive than you might expect. The experience is centred around the Science Gateway, a modern visitor centre designed to make complex science engaging and accessible. Here are the highlights:
Explore Interactive ExhibitionsThree permanent exhibitions—Discover CERN, Our Universe, and Quantum World—at the Science Gateway are immersive, hands-on experiences that bring particle physics to life through real scientific objects, interactive experiments and engaging environments. Visitors can explore topics such as the evolution of the Universe, the workings of particle accelerators and the strange world of quantum physics across several themed spaces.
Watch FilmsCERN’s films are short, engaging documentaries shown continuously in the Science Gateway auditorium, exploring topics from particle physics to the mysteries of the Universe. The programme includes a rotating selection of films lasting between a few minutes and half an hour, available in English or French with subtitles.
Attend Science ShowsScience shows at CERN are interactive, theatre-style presentations led by members of the scientific community, bringing complex physics concepts to life through live demonstrations and audience participation. Topics range from states of matter and electromagnetism to the mysteries of the Universe, making them engaging for all ages.
Join Lab WorkshopsVisitors can take part in hands-on workshops, which last 45 minutes, from programming small robots to visualising invisible particles in a cloud chamber. These sessions are tailored by age group and are especially engaging for families.
Take a Guided TourGuided tours at CERN for individuals and families offer a 90-minute, immersive experience led by CERN staff, taking visitors to key sites such as the historic synchrocyclotron or the ATLAS experiment control centre. Tours are free but highly in demand, with places released on a first-come, first-served basis only a few hours in advance, so arriving early is strongly recommended to increase your chances of getting a place.
Discover Public EventsThroughout the year, CERN hosts talks, lectures, and special events, giving visitors deeper insight into current research. Check their website for upcoming events.
The Big Bang CaféLocated in CERN’s Science Gateway, their café is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, offering a wide range of food and drinks throughout the day. Visitors can enjoy everything from pastries and sandwiches to homemade burgers, along with hot drinks and refreshing beverages.
How to Visit CERNVisiting CERN is surprisingly simple—but a little planning goes a long way.
Entry & Booking
Opening Hours
Getting There
How Long to Plan
Tips
Why Visit CERN?CERN offers a truly unique day out near Geneva. Here, science isn’t just explained—it’s experienced. From hands-on exhibitions to behind-the-scenes tours of world-leading research facilities, every visit offers a new perspective on how our universe works.
If these questions spark your curiosity, then a visit to CERN is a must—here’s everything you need to know about exploring one of the most fascinating scientific sites in the world.
What is CERN?Le Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research), located on the border between Switzerland and France, is the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics and is known as the birthplace of groundbreaking discoveries about the universe. Here, scientists study the smallest building blocks of matter to better understand how the universe works.
Founded in 1954, CERN brings together researchers from across the globe to conduct experiments using powerful machines—most famously the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 27-kilometre underground ring where particles are accelerated and collided at near the speed of light.
What Can Visitors Do and See at CERN?A visit to CERN is far more interactive than you might expect. The experience is centred around the Science Gateway, a modern visitor centre designed to make complex science engaging and accessible. Here are the highlights:
Explore Interactive ExhibitionsThree permanent exhibitions—Discover CERN, Our Universe, and Quantum World—at the Science Gateway are immersive, hands-on experiences that bring particle physics to life through real scientific objects, interactive experiments and engaging environments. Visitors can explore topics such as the evolution of the Universe, the workings of particle accelerators and the strange world of quantum physics across several themed spaces.
Watch FilmsCERN’s films are short, engaging documentaries shown continuously in the Science Gateway auditorium, exploring topics from particle physics to the mysteries of the Universe. The programme includes a rotating selection of films lasting between a few minutes and half an hour, available in English or French with subtitles.
Attend Science ShowsScience shows at CERN are interactive, theatre-style presentations led by members of the scientific community, bringing complex physics concepts to life through live demonstrations and audience participation. Topics range from states of matter and electromagnetism to the mysteries of the Universe, making them engaging for all ages.
Join Lab WorkshopsVisitors can take part in hands-on workshops, which last 45 minutes, from programming small robots to visualising invisible particles in a cloud chamber. These sessions are tailored by age group and are especially engaging for families.
Take a Guided TourGuided tours at CERN for individuals and families offer a 90-minute, immersive experience led by CERN staff, taking visitors to key sites such as the historic synchrocyclotron or the ATLAS experiment control centre. Tours are free but highly in demand, with places released on a first-come, first-served basis only a few hours in advance, so arriving early is strongly recommended to increase your chances of getting a place.
Discover Public EventsThroughout the year, CERN hosts talks, lectures, and special events, giving visitors deeper insight into current research. Check their website for upcoming events.
The Big Bang CaféLocated in CERN’s Science Gateway, their café is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, offering a wide range of food and drinks throughout the day. Visitors can enjoy everything from pastries and sandwiches to homemade burgers, along with hot drinks and refreshing beverages.
How to Visit CERNVisiting CERN is surprisingly simple—but a little planning goes a long way.
Entry & Booking
- Entry to the Science Gateway is completely free but registration is required
- Booking online in advance is recommended, especially on weekends
- Additional registration is required for the lab workshops and guided tours, which are free. This can be done on-site or through your personal booking page.
Opening Hours
- Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am-5pm
- Closed on Mondays
Getting There
- Easily reached from Geneva via tram 18 to stop ‘CERN’
- Paid car parking available on site (located behind the Globe of Science and Innovation) and is permitted for the duration of your visit
How Long to Plan
- Allow 2 to 4 hours to fully explore all activities in the Science Gateway
- Add extra time if you plan to join workshops or tours
Tips
- Arrive early if you want a chance at a guided tour as spots are limited
- Check the daily schedule for shows and workshops
- For additional information, visit the CERN website.
Why Visit CERN?CERN offers a truly unique day out near Geneva. Here, science isn’t just explained—it’s experienced. From hands-on exhibitions to behind-the-scenes tours of world-leading research facilities, every visit offers a new perspective on how our universe works.
Article date: 28 March 2026
Header photo: By Torbjorn Toby Jorgensen - CERN, Genéve, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82959051
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