Botanische Tuinen Universiteit Utrecht

About the museum

Utrecht University was founded in 1636 and just three years later received a medicinal herb garden on the Sonnenborgh bastion. In 1723 the garden moved to a site between Nieuwegracht and Lange Nieuwstraat, where today's Oude Hortus arose. In 1920 the Cantonspark in Baarn, with its greenhouses, came to the university and served as a botanical garden until 1987. In the course of the university's move to the De Uithof district, in 1963 it bought the "Werk aan de Hoofddijk", a fortification of the Old Dutch Water Line, known for short as Fort Hoofddijk. Since 1986/87 the gardens and collections, previously spread over several locations, have been brought together here.

On around ten hectares lies today the largest academic garden in the Netherlands. The rock garden, begun in 1963 on top of the fort's carriage sheds and extended with more than 2,000 tonnes of Ardennes stone, is among the most species-rich in Europe. There are also, among others, the evolution garden, which shows 900 million years of plant evolution, a bamboo forest, a North American woodland garden, an insect meadow, a discovery garden and a bird-watching house. The living collection comprises over 10,000 species from more than 350 families with a focus on North and South America; with fourteen nationally recognised collections, Utrecht is among the largest participants in the Dutch Plant Collections.

The gardens serve research, teaching and species conservation alike and regard themselves as a "green museum"; they belong to the museum association. The Tropical Greenhouses and the Butterfly House have been closed since December 2025 and are to be demolished. New greenhouses are due to open mid-2028 at the earliest.

Highlights

• Rock garden, one of the largest and most species-rich in Europe
• Evolution garden with a journey through 900 million years of plant evolution
• Over 10,000 plant species with fourteen nationally recognised collections
• Historic Fort Hoofddijk of the Water Line with Tuincafé Botanica and terrace
• Discovery garden, bamboo forest, insect meadow and bird-watching house
• Puzzle trails for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Felsgarten – Just inside the entrance lies one of Europe's largest rock gardens, laid out in the 1960s on the fort's carriage sheds and built with stone from the Ardennes.
• Evolutionsgarten – A green timeline from the green algae to the flowering plants shows 900 million years of development of the plant kingdom.
• Entdeckergarten – The garden lets visitors experience the many relationships between people and plants, with raised beds and tactile edges along the paths.

Operated by

Universiteit Utrecht

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart (physical or digital card only, no photo); likewise with the Vriendenpas of the Botanical Gardens, the Universiteitsmuseum & Oude Hortus and the Utrechts Universiteitsfonds, and with a UU/HU/UMCU/HKU pass. The VriendenLoterij card is not valid. Paying with the U-Pas is not possible. Payment by card only; online ticket available without a fixed date.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Except for parts of the rock garden, the gardens are accessible to wheelchairs and prams. Wheelchair-accessible toilet with changing table in the entrance building, free loan wheelchairs ("HandyCar(e)s") next to the entrance, disabled parking opposite the main entrance. Wheelchair users enter the gardens through the automatic gate next to the entrance building. In the discovery garden there are raised planting beds and tactile edges along the paths for users of a white cane. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Four puzzle trails for children aged 4 to 13 (€2.50 each), a bird game in the observation house, the discovery garden, and the family activity "Tuinlab" on some Sundays and public holidays 12 to 3 pm, plus excursions on bees, birds and moths. Picnics in the garden are allowed. Children up to age 3 free.

Getting there & parking

Besides the main entrance there is an entrance at Harvardlaan (for holders of an online ticket, Vriendenpas, Museumkaart or campus card); its turnstiles are unsuitable for wheelchairs and prams. Bicycle parking at the main entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Tuincafé Botanica in the entrance building with terrace and a view of the rock garden and Fort Hoofddijk; 1 March to 1 December daily 10 am to 4:30 pm, kitchen 11:30 am to 3 pm, picnic bags can be ordered in advance; tables cannot be reserved. Museum shop with plants, seeds, books and gifts, accessible without an admission ticket. Lockers at the main entrance. Free Wi-Fi throughout the garden. Payment in the café and shop by card only.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Tents "Fortzicht" and "Katsura" in the garden and, in the evening, the Tuincafé Botanica; catering possible. The Serre, the Wachendorffzaal and the teaching lab can no longer be hired because of the greenhouse rebuild.

Plan your visit