The largest collection of plants in Denmark is housed in historic greenhouses and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Occupying a central position in the heart of the city, Copenhagen’s world-famous Botanical Garden is a popular spot to take a break from the daily grind and rediscover the revitalising power of nature.
The garden covers 10 hectares of impeccably landscaped parkland with a spectacular complex of 19th-century glasshouses as its dramatic centrepiece. Dating back to 1870 on its current site, the collection is part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark and is maintained as a world-class research facility by the University of Copenhagen.
Separate areas are laid out according to plant type and comprehensively labelled in Latin and Danish. The Danish garden is of particular interest, with many hundreds of native species represented, including Denmark’s national flower, the Marguerite Daisy, as well as an important collection of indigenous medicinal plants. Wander at will through the artfully arranged displays of perennials, annuals, rock gardens and coniferous trees, not forgetting the spectacular rhododendron garden which is a more recent addition to the collection.
The striking greenhouses were inspired by the Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibition in London and were funded by Carlsberg founder J. C. Jacobsen. These elegant glass structures contain many exotic species within a range of temperate zones, from the chilly Arctic to the humid rainforest. Take a dizzying walk high above the lofty palms, then see how many varieties of desert cacti you can spot.
Complete your visit with a tour of the botanical museum and herbarium, which contains over two million dried plant specimens used extensively for research, then shop for seeds and souvenirs or enjoy a snack in the on-site café.
Copenhagen Botanical Gardens are on Gothersgade, around a five-minute walk from Nørreport metro station. On-street pay parking is available nearby around the university. The gardens are open seven days a week from May to September and closed on Mondays for the remaining months. Admission is free.
