Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin

About the museum

The garden's roots go back to 1679, when an electoral court and kitchen garden was laid out in Schöneberg; in the 19th century it developed into a scientific garden. Because there was no longer enough space in the growing city, the garden was moved to Dahlem between 1897 and 1910 under the direction of botanist Adolf Engler and redesigned there according to plant-geographical principles.

The ensemble includes a group of historic greenhouses, among them the Great Tropical Greenhouse (Großes Tropenhaus) built from 1905 to 1907, one of the largest self-supporting glasshouses of its time. The Botanical Museum, founded back in 1879, received its own building at the Königin-Luise-Straße entrance. During World War II, the museum and glasshouses were badly hit in 1943, and large parts of the herbarium burned; reconstruction dragged on for decades.

Since 1995, the institution has been part of Freie Universität Berlin. Today, around 20,000 plant species are cultivated on about 43 hectares of outdoor grounds and in 15 greenhouses; its herbarium, library and research make it an international center for biodiversity research.

For several years, paths, beds and infrastructure have been modernized, and a new visitor center has been built at Königin-Luise-Platz. The Botanical Museum is closed while a new permanent exhibition is being created; reopening is announced for 2027.

Highlights

• Great Tropical Greenhouse from 1907 with giant bamboo
• Plant geography section with vegetation from around the world
• Around 20,000 plant species on 43 hectares and in 15 greenhouses
• Scent and touch garden with wheelchair-accessible raised beds
• Arboretum and systematic section

Founded

1897

Operated by

Freie Universität Berlin

Director

Thomas Borsch

Admission & discounts

Online ticket recommended. All tickets can optionally include a donation surcharge (+€2 or +€10). Special events such as the Christmas Garden have their own prices. Once the museum reopens, the garden ticket will also be valid for it.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All greenhouses are wheelchair-accessible, with an elevator between the two levels of the greenhouse complex. Not all garden paths are passable (historic grounds, slopes); a map showing accessible paths is available at the entrances. Free loaner wheelchairs at the entrances (reserve by phone). Accessible restrooms at the scent and touch garden and in the greenhouse area (key at the ticket desk). No accessible parking spaces. Dogs are not allowed, only guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Dedicated tips for family visits, such as the walk-in grotto with a waterfall in the Great Tropical Greenhouse, carnivorous plants and the scent and touch garden. A leaf scavenger hunt and a fruit scavenger hunt are available at the ticket desk (€2 each). Guided tours for families and children as well as family birthday parties as a private tour (90 min.) on request, plus daycare and school programs and holiday activities. Some paths in the Alpinum and along the streams are narrow and uneven.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

During the 2026 season, a coffee truck from Berliner Kaffeerösterei on the terrace in front of the greenhouses (opening hours page: Wed–Sun 10:00–18:00; FAQ: Thu–Sun 10:00–20:00). Café Victoria and Restaurant Landhaus currently closed. Picnics allowed on the lawn in front of the greenhouses.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

Due to renovation work, no venue rental until further notice (rooms such as the Rousseausaal, the Blütensaal in the museum and the Mediterranean House).

Plan your visit