The Botaniska trädgården (Botanical Gardens) in Gothenburg are worth a visit if you enjoy gardening and horticulture or just want a pleasant setting for a family picnic. Spend some time admiring the simple forms and designs in the Japanese Glade, which stand in stark contrast with the fabulous array of colour in Rhododendron Valley. You’ll find more highlights inside the greenhouses, such as nearly extinct trees and Sweden’s largest collection of orchids.
Opened in 1923 to celebrate Gothenburg’s 300th anniversary, the Botanical Gardens are some of the largest in Europe, covering an area of 430 acres (175 hectares) and displaying 16,000 species. Follow the winding paths past immaculately tended flower beds, greenhouses, rock gardens and herb displays. Children will enjoy a ride on the garden’s small train.
Make your way to the Rock Garden, with its ponds, rivulets and waterfall. You’ll get a sense of Southeast Asia in the Bamboo Grove, while the Japanese Glade is the perfect place for quiet contemplation.
Once you’ve admired the outdoor displays, enter the greenhouses with over 4,000 varieties of plants and cultivars. The 1,500 orchid species are the most stunning collection. Don’t miss the extremely rare Easter Island tree, which is extinct on the South Pacific island itself.
Bring a picnic or make use of the café and restaurant onsite. In summer, pay to join the daily guided tour and learn more about the gardens’ origins and plants.
The actual gardens take up about a quarter of the complex, while the remaining area is part of the nearby Änggårdsbergennature reserve with arboretum. Set out on the trails if you are interested in some exercise.
The Botanical Gardens, just south of central Gothenburg, can be reached by car, tram, bus or on foot from the city centre. The garden is open daily until sunset, except Christmas Day. The greenhouses have shorter opening hours and are closed on December 25 and 31. Garden entry is free, but those 18 years and older are asked for a small donation. Children can enter the greenhouses for free, but adults pay extra.
