Hortus botanicus Leiden

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Leiden University laid out the Hortus in 1590 as a teaching garden, making it the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Its early years were shaped by the botanist Carolus Clusius, who cultivated medicinal and ornamental plants from around the world here and built up one of Europe's first large tulip collections.

The garden was expanded several times over the following centuries. The orangery, where the potted plants still spend the winter, was built in the 18th century. In the 19th century the physician and naturalist Philipp Franz von Siebold brought some 700 plants unknown in Europe from Japan and China to Leiden; several of his trees still grow in the garden, and a dedicated memorial garden honors him.

The grounds also include the Oude Sterrewacht, considered the oldest surviving university observatory in the world; the university has used the site for astronomy since 1633. Since 2025, the Hortus and the Sterrewacht have jointly presented an exhibition there about the origins of life.

Today the Hortus still belongs to Leiden University and serves research, teaching and conservation. The collection focuses on plants from Southeast and East Asia, Southern Europe and South Africa, including species that are nearly extinct in the wild. Tropical and subtropical greenhouses, the Victoria-Kas with its giant water lily and a climate-resilient Mediterranean garden complement the historic sections of the garden.

Highlights

• Giant water lily (Victoria amazonica) in the Victoria-Kas
• Tropical greenhouses with orchids, pitcher plants and the jade vine
• Tulip tree, the oldest tree in the garden, and the ginkgo, Tree of the Year 2024
• Japanese zelkovas from Von Siebold's time in the Von Siebold Memorial Garden
• Oude Sterrewacht with the exhibition “Planten & Planeten” and dome tours
• Monumental 18th-century orangery

Permanent exhibitions

• Tropische kassen – Greenhouses with a tropical climate where orchids, pitcher plants, ferns and the giant water lily thrive.
• Wintertuin – Subtropical greenhouse with a cooler, drier climate for potted plants, succulents and carnivorous plants.

Founded

1590

Operated by

Universiteit Leiden

Director

Barbara Gravendeel (wissenschaftliche Direktorin), Tom Schreuder (kaufmännischer Direktor)

Visitors per year

approx. 271,595 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, as well as with an ICOM card and for Friends of the Leidse Hortus. No reservation needed; cheaper online. The exhibition “Planten & Planeten” is included in the Hortus ticket. Card payment only at the ticket desk and shop; cash also accepted in the Grand Café. The Museumkaart can be purchased at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

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

Much of the garden can be explored by wheelchair or mobility scooter; not accessible are the Tropisch Terras, the walkways in the tropical greenhouse and the Wintertuin, the Victoria-Kas, and paths with soft surfaces (fern garden, Von Siebold Memorial Garden). Free wheelchairs at the entrance (reserve several in advance by email), accessible restroom at the entrance. No accessible parking spaces directly at the Hortus; four at the Lipsius building (Cleveringaplaats 1) and one in front of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. Twice a year, tours in Sign Language of the Netherlands led by a deaf guide, also on request. The greenhouses are warm and humid.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Free activity booklets at the ticket desk: “Overlevers” about carnivorous and primeval plants (ages 6–12), seasonal scavenger hunts, and a booklet for the exhibition “Planten & Planeten” (ages 7 and up). Regular crafts and workshops, plus a monthly Natuurclub (nature club) for children aged about 8 to 12. Picnics allowed in the garden; kids' menu at the Grand Café. Most of the garden is accessible with a stroller, but not the walkways, the Tropisch Terras or the Victoria-Kas.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A44 (exit 8 Leiden) or the A4 (exit 7 Zoeterwoude-Dorp). Bicycles can be parked along the Rapenburg or in the bike area next to the entrance (with an e-bike charging point), and on weekdays also in the Nonnensteeg. Boat mooring on the Witte Singel by prior reservation via email.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Hortus Grand Café in the entrance building (same opening hours as the garden; lunch and kids' menu; table reservations online) and Café Cosmos with terrace and shop at the Oude Sterrewacht (Wed–Sun 11:00–16:00). Hortus shop. Lockers in the entrance area of the Wintertuin. You may eat your own food in the garden, but not in the buildings.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 200 guests.

The 18th-century orangery (April–October; dinners up to 160, receptions up to 200 guests; official wedding venue), the Hortus Grand Café after closing time (25–90 people) and the Tuinkamer in the Wintertuin for meetings (10–40). Can be combined with guided tours or workshops. Wedding photos during opening hours by appointment at no extra charge.

Plan your visit