Calming, relaxing, full of greenery and beautiful plants, and usually with water features or other wonderful decorations thrown into the mix–that’s botanical gardens in a nutshell. But some botanical gardens are more beautiful than others, and that’s what this post is all about.
What Are Botanical Gardens?
Botanical gardens bring together collections of cultivated plants and flowers that are looked after by master gardeners and other experts.
Many botanical gardens are used for conservation and research: to catalog local flora and present it in wonderful arrangements.
The best botanical gardens have luscious greenery, breathtaking views, and spectacular colors. And then there’s the breezy air caressing your cheeks.
These are just a few of the reasons why you want to add botanical gardens to your bucket list whether you’re a globe trotter or less frequent traveler.
Most Popular Botanical Gardens
There are over 1,770 botanic gardens all over the world and many are still under construction. Which ones should you visit? Well, all of them.
But since that’s not the most practical approach, we’ve put together a list of the best botanical gardens in the world right now. Each of these botanical gardens is too beautiful for you not to visit.
Explore them now!
1. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (NY, USA)
Do you want to experience cherry blossoms in New York? If so, the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden built-in 1910 is the perfect one for you.
This wonderful place treats its 900,000 annual visitors with more than 200 cherry trees and a wide range of plant species every spring.
Tip: Make sure you go to the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden resembling classic Japanese gardens as well as the Cranford Rose Garden that boasts an enchanting field of roses.
2. Atlanta Botanical Garden (Georgia)
Indulge yourself in a realm of fantasy meets tranquility at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown. You will be amazed at the unique display of the biggest orchid collection in the country, which nestles in the Fuqua Orchid Center.
During the holiday season, wonderful garden lights make this place a festive place fit for any fairy revels.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Is there a reason not to include the first and only tropical garden that is on the UNESCO World’s Heritage list? If you visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, make sure to explore the National Orchid Center.
The pathway to the center is surrounded by greenery and the sight of more than 1,000 species of colorful orchids to which it leads is truly captivating. The arches hugged by plants look wonderful.
4. Chicago Botanic Garden (USA)
The Chicago Botanic Garden consists of a collection of 27 alluring gardens covering 385 acres and exhibiting millions of flowers, trees, and plants. Many hues of pink, purple, and yellow will make you fall in love with it at first glance.
Tip: One of the things to adore about it is the Krasberg Rose Garden. It’s a foolproof spot for a romantic walk, or even just for a dreamy unwind.
5. Denver Botanic Garden (USA)
The Denver Botanic Garden is another leading botanical garden in the United States and one you don’t want to miss if you’re in the area.
Feeling adventurous and quirky? This one got a high rank in our hearts! The Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms garden is so unique. You can immerse yourself in a 7-acre field of corn plants and try to navigate your way out.
6. Montreal Botanical Garden (Canada)
The Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de Montréal) is a well-known haven for nature lovers. It’s considered one of the world’s finest gardens.
It brings together more than 21,000 plant species and has greenhouses and thematic gardens.
Tip: The Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and The First Nations Garden can take you on a rich cultural tour.
7. New York Botanical Garden (NY, USA)
The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre botanical garden in the Bronx that more than deserves a place on our list. This garden was built in 1891 and is now a National Historic Landmark.
It’s one of the largest and most diverse gardens in the world. You’ll love its extensive collections.
8. Ljubljana Botanical Garden (Slovenia)
This garden is also known as the University of Ljubljana Botanical Garden. It’s been around for over 200 years. It covers 2 hectares of land and hosts more than 4,500 plant species.
Tip: You can view plants and forests from all over the world in a huge elegant tropical glasshouse, so make sure you check that out.
9. San Francisco Botanical Garden (California, USA)
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is home to numerous types of plants from around the world. It’s near the Golden Gate Park and stretches over 55 acres of lush gardens and spacious fields.
Tip: The open spaces are good for leisure like yoga or walking meditation, so bring your mindfulness with you!
10. Oslo Botanical Garden (Norway)
The Olso Botanical Garden (Norwegian name: Botanisk Hage) is the oldest scientific garden in Norway. It’s a feature of the Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo.
The Scent Garden was designed especially for the blind and wheelchair-bound. It gives them an easier opportunity to smell and touch the plants and flowers.
11. Jardim Botânico (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden or Jardim Botânico is considered one of the most important gardens in the world. The tall trees surrounding the main pathway create a wonderful atmosphere.
In this garden, you’ll find wooded trails to the Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue, and the tropical forest of Tijuca National Park. The area also has sleek bars and fine dining places.
12. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (Chonburi, Thailand)
Thailand is known for its engaging culture, traditions, and structures. This botanical garden in Pattaya stretches over 500 acres and, many would say, captures the spirit of the country.
People flock to this beauty for the synergy of the Thai landscape with European-style gardens.
Tip: You can find here French and European gardens and a lot of tropical delights, especially a hill for ants and a valley of flowers.
13. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (Australia)
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney hosts one of the world’s largest collections of plants. It has over 30,000 plants, a large herbarium, and a library with more than 750,000 volumes–not to mention works by acclaimed botanists.
Tip: The rock garden is a wonderful place where you can unwind after your travels.
14. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Cape Town, South Africa)
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is probably the greatest botanical garden in Africa. In fact, there are only a few gardens around the world that can compete with its landscape setting.
Tip: You can make the most out of your visit by getting a panoramic view of the whole area through a steel-and-wood canopy.
15. Kew Gardens (London, UK)
You will never run out of things to do at Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.) Your dream of feeling like royalty is possible in the Victorian glasshouse.
The rainforest climate inside preserves a collection of tropical plants from some of the most threatened environments in the world.
16. Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens (Kalihiwai, Hawaii)
What about a botanical garden and beach at the same time? If you walk further from the Visitor Center at the Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Garden, you’ll reach the Wild Forest path.
What will greet you there is a hidden gem of paradise called Kaluakai Beach. Make sure to bring your bathing suit!
17. Butchart Gardens (British Columbia, Canada)
How can we not include The Butchart Gardens? Located in Brentwood Bay, near Victoria on Vancouver Island, these floral gardens took 100 years to make and now are a National Historic Site of Canada.
The pathway of arches with roses will leave you in awe with their vivid colors and aromatic scents. The Rose Garden has 2,500 rose plant varieties and 30 rose arches.
18. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (Tokyo, Japan)
Koishikawa-Kōrakuen is a garden in Koishikawa, Bunkyō, Tokyo built in the seventeenth century. It integrates both Chinese and Japanese features.
Tip: Check out the hills in the center of the garden and walk alongside the surrounding pond.
19. Monte Palace Tropical Garden (Funchal, Portugal)
The Monte Palace Tropical Garden has numerous gardens, a mineral museum, ponds, as well as African sculptures.
The waterfall crafted by José Berardo is one of the best reasons to visit this place. An aqueduct serves as a border at the rear and is also used to supply water.
Today, it is a sanctuary to animals like ducks and swans but you can still go there and appreciate the serenity of the place with them.
20. Claude Monet House and Gardens (Giverny, France)
The famed impressionist painter Claude Monet, lived for forty-three years in this cozy abode in northern France, Giverny. The flowers in the garden featured in many of his paintings.
Exploring his house and garden will take you on a tour of his daily life and roots of influence.
21. Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg (Germany)
Feeling like a royal family member by visiting the 21.20-hectare garden in the suburb of Nymphenburg. This can be a hideaway from the crowds in the city.
Make sure you have at least a few hours to visit all of this garden at a leisurely pace and enjoy it to the full.
22. Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden (Germany)
With its 43 hectares of flora, the Berlin’s Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Europe. It has an exquisite tropical house and fields with 20,000 plant species.
One cannot resist its lavish jungles and bizarre cacti. Another highlight is the garden made for sniffing and touching a variety of plants, and which is a favorite for visitors who are blind or in a wheelchair.
23. Miracle Garden (Dubai, UAE)
It’s impossible to leave out of our list the largest flower garden in the world. The Dubai Miracle Garden is located in the humid deserts of Dubai, UAE. This garden is special as it blooms in an extremely arid climate.
Spreading over seventy-two thousand square meters, it’s a paradise for travelers and a must-visit location in Dubai.
24. Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (Norway)
This botanic garden in Norway highlights plant species from the Arctic area as well as from alpine and cold climates around the world.
You can find here plants that you may not easily find in other botanical gardens, so make sure to check it out if you get the chance.
25. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (Pamplemousses, Mauritius)
This cute botanical garden in Mauritius is popular for its large water lilies and lotuses. It is located within the Pamplemousses.
Initially, it was created to grow spices but that changed over the years. It’s named after Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister after the country won its independence.
26. Oxford Botanical Garden (England)
Britain’s oldest botanic garden is in the heart of the city. It has a classic walled garden and is absolutely timeless. You can go for a walk, sit on comfortable benches, and relax under the shade of the trees.
Meadows of wildflower and bluebell woods are some of the garden’s leading attractions, but by no means the only ones, so make sure to explore it!
27. United States Botanic Garden (Washington, USA)
The U.S. Botanic Garden features a varied collection of American plants and is one of the must-see gardens in the US.
It’s not the largest garden around, but the fresh scents and the swerving paths make it a treat for any flower lover.
28. Desert Botanical Garden (Arizona, USA)
The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona puts on a wonderful light show in the evening, which, together with the desert backdrop, make it a fantastic place for an evening walk.
If you think you know all the types of cactuses around, this garden may prove your wrong!
29. Missouri Botanical Garden (USA)
The Missouri Botanical Garden is the country’s oldest botanical garden that still operates. It has 79 acres of land. It is an oasis in St. Louis City and known for its bonsai display.
Besides, it’s a perfect place to pick up concepts for your own lawn, learn about sustainability, or just immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
30. Auckland Botanic Gardens (New Zealand)
The Auckland Botanic Gardens is just 20 minutes from the airport in Auckland. You can roam around 64 hectares of gardens and natural forests.
There are also plants for healing, food, ornament, perfume, and cosmetics. In order words, lots to see and smell!
31. Lalbagh Botanical Gardens (Bengaluru, India)
The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens (The Red Garden) are located in the south of Bengaluru, India. The glasshouse hosts two flower shows yearly.
Like a mesmerizing queen, the garden sparks elegantly and rules the whole kingdom.
32. Mirabell Gardens (Salzburg, Austria)
The Mirabell Palace is a historical building in Salzburg, Austria. It is part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fräulein Maria and the Trapp children from “The Sound of Music” ran along the area in a scene from the classic movie.
33. Your favorite botanical garden
We would love to hear which botanical garden you have visited was your favorite? Leave us a comment with the location, name, and email us your botanical garden picture to this email. We would love to feature your submission!
Your Botanical Gardens Questions Answered
Botanical gardens have much to offer. Since they are usually constructed for educational purposes, they always make for a fun trip for the whole family.
Here are some questions that we keep hearing about botanical gardens, together with our answers.
What is in a botanical garden?
Botanical gardens bring together plants, trees, and landscaping features. You can go to a botanical garden to learn about plants and take a relaxing walk. You can also study libraries of plants as well. Check out our list of the most popular botanical gardens worldwide to learn more.
Why are botanical gardens important?
Botanical gardens are important because they dedicate their existence to conserving and teaching about plants from many different corners of the globe. Scientists and people learn many things from these gardens such as how plants survive in different climates and how they might adapt to them.
Which is the largest botanical garden in the world?
The largest botanical garden is the Royal Botanic Gardens, in Kew, England. It brings together the largest collection of plants in a botanical garden on the face of the earth today. Fun fact: it’s also one of the oldest ones around! Discover now more of the world’s great botanical gardens.
Botanical Gardens: Yah or Nah?
Botanical gardens are grand works of art. They are not only a place for us to stroll around but also serve as educational centers.
They lead us into the fascinating world of plants, flowers, and trees that we never knew existed. At the same time, this is a quiet and relaxing world into which we can happily immerse ourselves.
Now, we have given our picks for the most beautiful botanical gardens. Did you find any garden that really makes your feet want to wander again?
Leave us a comment and tell us about it! We’d love to include your favorite botanical garden in this post!
We hope you’ll visit at least one of the botanical gardens we shared with you in the not-so-distant future!
The botanical garden in Christchurch New Zealand is a delightful place with a remarkable range of New Zealand plants for a relatively small space. Though it has been 40 years since I was there, the section devoted to New Zealand alpine species was a treat, and I remember well walking among the many species of the genus Hebe.
Though devoted only to temporal arborescent species and some shrubs, one should never overlook the great tree collection of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
I have also enjoyed my two visits to the Florida Tropical Botanical Garden, once with my daughter as a spring break treat and the other to participate in the remarkable, intense, brilliantly taught four-week Tropical Botany Institute of the Kampong. Lead instructor none other than Walter Judd. The FTBG has a superb collection of tropical plants with strong showings from the Caribbean flora.
I worked for years in China and was lucky enough to travel all over the country. There are amazing parks and gardens everywhere- especially in Suzhou, but my favorite is the Xiamen Botanical Garden in Fujian Province. You could easily spend a day wandering around and never get bored. It’s spacious and beautifully designed. They have a great map (also available in English) that makes navigating it easy. It’s situated on a big hill and the park spreads out below in every direction. From the peak you have an excellent view of the city and harbor.
In Mandarin it’s 万石植物园 Wànshí Zhíwùyuán.
Hi JM! We did not include any gardens in China in this article, so I am glad you mentioned your favorite ones! Thank you for the details too!
Natalia
Planted Well Team
Thank you for your compilation of botanical gardens. It may not make the grade as a botanical garden, but I definitely recommend that you visit Keukenhof Flower Garden in Lisse, Netherlands some year in the springtime when it’s open. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keukenhof. I went there a couple of times when I lived in Europe and found it a breathtaking experience.
Hey Suzie,
I LOVE the Keukenhof, and the Netherlands in general with their beautiful tulips, fields of flowers, and the markets where you can buy all the seeds and bulbs. Hopefully, all those flower growers survive during these times and more people will surprise a loved one with a thoughtful bouquet of flowers.