Botanika

About the museum

The botanika opened in 2003 in the middle of Bremen's Rhododendron-Park as a botanical science center. Its starting point was the city's important rhododendron collection: together with the park and the Botanical Garden, the holdings of around 650 species and some 3,500 cultivars are considered among the most extensive in the world.

The centerpiece is the display greenhouses, covering around 4,000 square meters, which recreate Asian landscapes: the Himalayas with a waterfall and gallery, the cloud forest of Borneo, and a Japanese garden with a koi pond. They are complemented by cultural exhibits from Asia, including a Buddha statue given by the Dalai Lama in 2017.

The interactive discovery center invites visitors to explore the tricks of the plant world across about 1,000 square meters. In the fall of 2021, a tropical house of around 900 square meters was added, where tropical butterflies fly freely and white-handed gibbons live; Asian small-clawed otters, mynas, and koi round out the animal collection.

The facility is operated by the nonprofit botanika GmbH of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. The Stiftung Bremer Rhododendronpark handles the horticultural care. With its Grüne Schule (Green School), the botanika is also an out-of-school learning venue, and it hosts concerts, lectures, celebrations, and civil wedding ceremonies.

Highlights

• Asian landscapes: the Himalayas, Borneo, and a Japanese garden
• Tropical house with free-flying butterflies and white-handed gibbons
• Interactive discovery center on plant phenomena
• One of the largest rhododendron collections in the world
• Daily koi and otter feedings
• Peace Buddha, a gift from the Dalai Lama

Permanent exhibitions

• Asiatische Landschaften – Walk-through greenhouse worlds of the Himalayas, Borneo, and Japan with rhododendrons, tropical plants, and cultural objects from Asia.
• Tropenhaus mit Schmetterlingen und Gibbons – Tropical house, open since 2021, with free-flying butterflies, white-handed gibbons, and an outdoor area with Asian small-clawed otters.
• Entdeckerzentrum – Interactive hands-on stations where visitors young and old explore the survival strategies and uses of plants.

Founded

2003

Operated by

botanika GmbH (gemeinnützige GmbH der Freien Hansestadt Bremen)

Director

Petra Schäffer (Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Tickets online via Ticketfritz or at the ticket desk in the shop. A digital trail on your own smartphone is included in admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: not available

The discovery center and large parts of the display greenhouses are easily accessible, but there are thresholds, rope curtains, paths with gradients of up to 8%, stairs, and a very steep ramp (11%) to the Mendehaus; a companion is recommended. Accessible restrooms (Euro key) in the entrance area and in the tropical house. Loaner wheelchairs and outdoor rollators available for a deposit. Accessible parking spaces on Deliusweg. For wheelchair users, the Bürgermeister-Spitta-Allee stop is recommended. No tactile guidance system, no audio guide, and no information in sign language yet; flyer in Easy German (Leichte Sprache). Assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Discovery center with experiments for children (including at the microscope), animal feedings and hands-on craft activities during school holidays and on Advent Sundays. Digital treasure hunt with a phone or tablet (about 45–90 minutes). Room for children's birthday parties; baby changing room available. Free admission up to age 18 on the first Saturday of the month.

Getting there & parking

Take the A27, exit Vahr, then follow the signs for Rhododendron-Park/botanika.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café & Restaurant Bloom with a summer terrace (Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat/Sun/public holidays 10:00–18:00). botanika shop with regional products. Lockers for a deposit, also with charging for e-bike batteries. Dogs not allowed (except assistance dogs). Eating and drinking not permitted in the greenhouses.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Seminar center, glass foyer, event gallery in the Himalayas, Japanese garden (dinner for up to 35 people), winter garden, and Restaurant Bloom; civil wedding ceremonies and children's birthday parties possible.

Plan your visit