Netherlands Amsterdam Amsterdam Botanical Garden

Hortus Botanicus

About

Nestled in Amsterdam’s Plantage district, Hortus Botanicus is one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, founded in 1638 as a medicinal herb garden for doctors and apothecaries. Today, it offers a lush sanctuary with over 6,000 plant species, including rare specimens like a 2,000-year-old agave and a 300-year-old Eastern Cape giant cycad. The garden’s Climate House immerses visitors in three distinct zones—tropical, desert, and South African Cape—highlighting biodiversity and sustainability. Historic features such as the Snippendaal Garden, Orangery café, and Amsterdam School-style Palm House enrich the experience. A single coffee plant here once seeded plantations across Central and South America, underscoring the garden’s global legacy. Open daily, Hortus Botanicus invites quiet reflection, educational exploration, and a deeper connection to nature just minutes from Rembrandt’s House and Artis Zoo. It remains a vital cultural and scientific landmark, blending history, ecology, and design in the heart of the city.

Amsterdam Netherlands

Location

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is located at Plantage Middenlaan 2a in the historic Plantage district, part of Amsterdam’s city centre. Established in 1638, it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and originally served as a medicinal herb garden for the city’s doctors and pharmacists. Today, it features over 6,000 plant species from around the globe, including tropical greenhouses and a butterfly house, offering a tranquil green oasis amid the urban bustle. Nearby, visitors can explore prominent attractions such as the Artis Zoo, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Jewish Historical Museum, and the Hollandsche Schouwburg. The lively Waterlooplein flea market and the historic Rembrandt House are also within walking distance, enriching the cultural experience of this charming, green neighbourhood in Amsterdam’s Old Jewish Quarter. The area is well-served by tram and metro stops, making access convenient.