Cities
Netherlands Leiden South Holland Botanical Garden

Hortus Botanicus Leiden

About

Hortus Botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world, offering a serene retreat in the heart of the historic city. Founded in 1590 as a scientific garden for Leiden University, it has grown into a lush landscape of themed gardens, ancient trees and elegant greenhouses filled with orchids, ferns, carnivorous plants and rare species from across the globe. Visitors can wander through the Japanese Garden, explore Mediterranean plant collections or relax beside tranquil ponds framed by centuries‑old greenery. The garden’s long history of botanical research is still evident today, with ongoing studies into biodiversity and plant conservation. Blending academic heritage with natural beauty, Hortus Botanicus Leiden remains a peaceful and inspiring place to discover the richness of the plant world.

Leiden Netherlands
Hortus Botanicus Leiden
Location

Hortus Botanicus Leiden is located at Rapenburg 73 in the heart of Leiden's historic city centre, hidden behind the University Academy Building along the picturesque Rapenburg canal, a 10-15 minute walk from Leiden Centraal station. Founded in 1590 as the Netherlands' oldest botanical garden, it spans nearly 4 hectares of lush grounds surrounded by water, with tropical greenhouses and monumental trees amid the university district's elegant gabled houses. Nearby, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and Japanmuseum SieboldHuis sit along the same canal just steps away, Museum De Lakenhal graces Oude Singel a short stroll south, lively Breestraat market street and Pieterskerk lie to the east, plus parking at Morspoort garage and shuttle from Haagweg, blending botanical wonders with Leiden's academic canalside heritage.

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Museum Naturalis Biodiversity Center Naturalis Biodiversity Center Museum Wereldmuseum Leiden Wereldmuseum Leiden Museum Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Museum Museum De Lakenhal Museum De Lakenhal Museum Japanmuseum SieboldHuis Japanmuseum SieboldHuis Museum Molenmuseum De Valk Molenmuseum De Valk Museum Young Rembrandt Studio Young Rembrandt Studio Museum Leiden American Pilgrim Museum Leiden American Pilgrim Museum Museum Leidse Schouwburg Leidse Schouwburg Theatre Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden Theatre Theater Ins Blau Theater Ins Blau Theatre Scheltema Leiden Scheltema Leiden Theatre Burcht van Leiden Burcht van Leiden Fortress Oud Poelgeest Castle Oud Poelgeest Castle Castle Pieterskerk Leiden Pieterskerk Leiden Church Hooglandse Kerk Hooglandse Kerk Church Marekerk Marekerk Church Hartebrugkerk Hartebrugkerk Church Heilige Lodewijkkerk Heilige Lodewijkkerk Church St. Joseph Church St. Joseph Church Church Leiden City Hall Leiden City Hall City Hall Morspoort Morspoort Historical Landmark Zijlpoort Zijlpoort Historical Landmark Koornbrug Koornbrug Bridge Rembrandtplaats Rembrandtplaats Monument Van der Werfpark Van der Werfpark Park Plantsoen Plantsoen Park Polderpark Cronesteyn Polderpark Cronesteyn Park Old Observatory Leiden Old Observatory Leiden Museum