If you want a calm, beautiful break right in the city center, Botanical Garden Copenhagen (Botanisk Have) is one of the best “low-effort / high-reward” stops. You can wander landscaped paths, lakeside viewpoints, and themed plant areas for free, then upgrade your visit with the historic Palm House (and Butterfly House) for a paid ticket.
This guide is practical first: what to see, when to go, what costs money, and the small rules that tourists often miss.
Why Botanical Garden Copenhagen is worth visiting ✅🌿
- It’s free to enter the outdoor garden.
- It’s a “living museum” with a major scientific and conservation focus (not just a pretty park).
- The Palm House is iconic (historic glasshouses, tropical zones, and the classic Copenhagen greenhouse experience).
- Location is extremely convenient: the Parkmuseerne district and about a short walk from Nørreport Station.
What to see inside Botanical Garden Copenhagen 🌸🧭
1) The Palm House (and Butterfly House) 🏛️🦋
This is the “headline” experience: historic glasshouses with warm, humid climate zones and tropical collections. Access requires a ticket (details below).
⚠️ Good to know: the official site notes limited access to parts of the Palm House due to renovation works at times—worth checking before you go.
2) Lakeside views + greenhouse reflections 📸
The lake area is one of the best photo spots: calm water, lilies in season, and classic greenhouse lines in the background.
3) Outdoor collections (real science behind the beauty) 🌱
The garden hosts thousands of plant species and highlights conservation of rare/endangered plants, with themed areas (think: orchids, cacti, carnivorous plants, useful tropical plants, and wild Danish plants depending on season).
4) A “museum district” style break ☕
Botanical Garden Copenhagen sits in the Parkmuseerne district—easy to combine with SMK, Rosenborg, and other nearby stops in a single day.
How to get there 📍🚇🚌🚶♂️🚕
Address
Gothersgade 128, Copenhagen K is the standard visitor address for Botanical Garden Copenhagen.
Metro / Train (best option) 🚇🚆
- Go to Nørreport (major hub). The Copenhagen Metro lists Nørreport as served by M1 and M2, plus S-trains and regional trains.
- From Nørreport, it’s a short walk into the Parkmuseerne area (Botanical Garden is commonly described as a quick walk from the station).
Bus 🚌
Copenhagen bus routes change often—use Rejseplanen/Google Maps and set destination to “Botanical Garden (Gothersgade 128).”
Taxi 🚕
Tell the driver: “Botanical Garden, Gothersgade 128.”
Opening hours (Garden vs. Palm House) ⏱️
Important: the Palm House has different hours than the outdoor garden.
Botanical Garden Copenhagen (outdoor garden) — Opening hours
| Season | Hours |
|---|---|
| 1 March – 24 October | 08:30–18:00 |
| 25 October – 28 February | 08:30–16:00 |
Palm House (incl. Butterfly House) — Opening hours
| Season | Days | Hours | Last entry / ticket cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March – 24 October | Tue–Sun | 10:00–17:00 | Ticket sales + latest entry 16:45 |
| Mon (July–Aug only) | 10:00–17:00 | Ticket sales + latest entry 16:45 | |
| 25 October – 28 February | Tue–Sun | 10:00–15:30 | Ticket sales + latest entry 15:15 |
| Mon | Closed | — |
Tickets / prices / cards 💳
Outdoor garden
✅ Free admission to Botanical Garden Copenhagen (outdoor areas).
Palm House + Butterfly House
Paid entry (tickets sold at the Palm House entrance):
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 70 DKK |
| Child (3–17) | 40 DKK |
| Child (0–2) | Free |
| Student (ID required) | 40 DKK |
💡 If you’re choosing “free garden only” vs. “add Palm House”: the outdoor visit already feels complete; the Palm House is the upgrade for architecture + tropical climate zones.
Accessibility & on-site rules ♿✅⚠️
Wheelchair access
The official accessibility info notes good outdoor conditions for wheelchair users in the Botanical Garden (with some areas potentially steeper).
Rules visitors often miss
Because it’s a living museum, the official FAQ states:
- No pets (except guide dogs)
- No bicycles
- Running is prohibited
Tips & common mistakes (read this to avoid frustration) ✅⚠️
✅ Go early on a sunny weekday for the quietest paths (especially spring/summer).
✅ Treat it as two visits: outdoor garden first, Palm House second (so you don’t “overheat” early).
✅ Bring a light layer if you plan Palm House—greenhouses can feel very warm compared to outside.
⚠️ Mistake: Showing up for the Palm House on a Monday outside July/August. (It’s typically closed Mondays except summer.)
⚠️ Mistake: Assuming Palm House hours match the garden hours. They don’t.
⚠️ Mistake: Arriving close to closing time—last entry can be earlier than the posted closing hour.
⚠️ Mistake: Bringing pets/bikes or using the garden like a jogging park (it’s a museum collection).
FAQ ❓
Is Botanical Garden Copenhagen free?
Yes—outdoor admission is free.
Do I need a ticket for the Palm House?
Yes. Palm House (and Butterfly House) requires a ticket; adults are listed at 70 DKK.
What’s the easiest way to get there by public transport?
Metro/train to Nørreport, then walk. Nørreport is served by M1/M2 and multiple train services.
Can parts of the Palm House be closed?
Yes—official info can note limited access due to renovation works.
Conclusion
Botanical Garden Copenhagen is one of the best “free highlights” in the city: easy to reach, genuinely beautiful, and backed by real science and conservation work. Do the outdoor garden for a relaxed walk, then add the Palm House if you want the iconic greenhouse architecture and tropical collections—just watch the separate hours and last-entry times.
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