The Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam has been enchanting visitors with its lush greenhouses and exotic plants for almost 400 years. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and was first established in 1638 to serve as a herb garden for Amsterdam‘s physicians and pharmacists.
1. A green space in the middle of the city
With more than 6,000 different native and exotic trees and plants, the Hortus Botanicus offers a calm retreat from the activity of the metropolis that surrounds it.
In addition to a lovely cafe, outdoor gardens, and a “hothouse” that mimics three different tropical settings, the Botanicus also has a butterfly greenhouse where hundreds of magnificent butterflies can be seen playing.
2. History of Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam: One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world
Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Hortus Medicus was built in 1638 by the municipal government as a medical plant and herb garden for Amsterdam’s physicians and pharmacists.
The need for a specialist medicinal garden was urgent since thousands of people were being killed by the plague in the cities of Leiden and Utrecht at the time (1634–1637). Furthermore, a number of monasteries left the rapidly expanding city, and there was insufficient room for herb gardens in Amsterdam.
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The Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus garden, which has been at its current location since 1682, contained a large collection of plants in the second half of the 17th century that was completely unheard of in Europe. The Dutch East India Company’s traders brought them here from all over the world (VOC).
3. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam today
Today, Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam is a sizable and lovely botanical garden, home to more than 6000 unique species of plants. A 300-year-old Eastern Kape enormous cycad and a 2000-year-old agave cactus are two unusual plants. Three different tropical climates may be found thanks to the large new hothouse.
Along with two suggested visiting routes around the Hortus—the Evolution Route and The Tree Route—with 24 monumental trees to see, there is also a systematic semicircle garden where plants are planted to demonstrate their systematic relationship to one another.
Visitors to Hortus Botanicus can enjoy a lovely café that is housed in the freshly refurbished Orangery and features a sizable outdoor patio with access to the garden.
4. Making a trip to the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
An oasis of calm and relaxation during a hot afternoon. There are lovely vegetation, genuine peace, tons of fresh air, and fewer tourists than elsewhere. That is just a five-minute stroll from a Rembrandt House and close to the Resistance Museum and Artis – Amsterdam Zoo. At Hortus, we suggest that you take a deep breath.
5. Opening hours
- The Hortus is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.
- In July and August, they are open on Sundays until 7 o’clock.
- Between December 24 and January 1st, The Hortus is closed.
6. Ticket prices
| Adults | €9 |
| Children (age 5-14) | €5 |
| Student card | €5 |
| Senior / Youth <26 Card | €5 |
7. Can you bring dogs to Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam?
Pets are not permitted in the Hortus, including dogs.
8. How to get there
- By public transportation: exit at Mr. Visserplein station for trams 9 and 14. Tram 6: last stop (only Monday through Friday). Metro stop at Waterlooplein from Central Station (exit from the station direction: Hortusplantsoen).
- By car: Waterlooplein, Muziektheater/Stadhuis (Music theater/City hall), and Markenhoven are the closest parking facilities to the Hortus.
- Walking: 15 minutes from Dam Square, 5 minutes from the Waterlooplein.
