Botanical Garden

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Innsbruck Botanical Garden: A Green Oasis in the City

If you’re looking for a place to truly unwind in Innsbruck, the Innsbruck Botanical Garden in the Hötting district (Sternwartestraße 15) is a fantastic recommendation. Part of the University of Innsbruck, this two-hectare site feels like a small world tour—taking you through various climate zones, from the local Alps to the tropical rainforest.

With more than 7,000 plant species, the garden is a paradise for nature lovers, offering both educational value and relaxation. It serves as a research and teaching facility for the Institute of Botany but is free and open to the public.

A History of Botany

Founded in 1793, the garden moved to its current location in 1913. It saw a significant upswing after 1860 under the leadership of Anton Kerner von Marilaun, who created the world’s first Alpine plant garden, featuring over 800 species. Today, the university also maintains the Alpine Garden at Patscherkofel, which showcases high-altitude plant communities in their natural habitat.

Highlights of the Garden

  • The Arboretum: The largest part of the park, featuring trees and shrubs primarily from the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, including magnolias and tulip trees.
  • Fragrance and Touch Garden: Located in the center of the arboretum, this area is specially designed for visually impaired visitors. It features raised beds (85 cm high) and signage in Braille, allowing everyone to experience plants through smell and touch.
  • The Alpinum: Covering over 2,000 m², the Alpinum houses plants from all the world’s major mountain ranges (excluding the tropics). It is organized geographically and geologically, featuring four interconnected ponds and streams.
  • The Show Greenhouses: At the northern edge, you’ll find the glasshouses. Highlights include the Cactus House (650 species), the Succulent House, and the Orchid House, which was completed in 2002 and houses over 2,000 orchid species.

Good to Know

  • The Innsbruck Botanical Garden is open year-round, and admission is free. While the outdoor gardens are accessible daily, the tropical greenhouses have specific viewing hours: every Tuesday and Thursday, and the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
  • How to get there: Link to Google Maps.

Opening Hours

  • November – February: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • March: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM | Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • April – October: Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM | Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Useful Links for Nature Lovers

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