Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Gothenburg: Visitor Information and Tickets
- Morten
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Gothenburg Botanical Garden (Göteborgs botaniska trädgård) is a large hillside garden in the southwest of Gothenburg, with long walking routes that move from formal beds into wilder woodland edges. You can enter the garden without a ticket, then choose whether to pay for the glasshouses and spend more time indoors.
Last update: 2026
Quick overview and key details
Best for: plant collections, long walks, spring blooms
Time needed: 1 to 4 hours (more if you add the nature reserve trails)
Ticketing: no ticket for the garden; paid entry for the glasshouses
Transport: tram to Botaniska trädgården stop, then a short walk
Key facts
Address: Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22A, 413 19 Gothenburg
Main garden entry: voluntary admission (no fixed ticket)
Glasshouses admission: about EUR 3 (SEK 30); under 18 free
Garden access: open every day, all day (outdoor areas)
Visitor centre and shop hours: seasonal (see the official Facilities page)
Dogs: not allowed 1 March to 30 September; allowed on leash 1 October to 28 February
Cycling and driving: not allowed inside the garden
Luggage storage: not available on site
Wheelchair loan: available April to October by advance booking (limited supply)
Handy GPS (WGS84): 57.68177, 11.95370
Gothenburg Botanical Garden tickets
You do not need a ticket to enter the outdoor garden. The garden operates on a voluntary admission model, so you can walk in and decide whether to donate on site.
The part you may pay for is the glasshouses. Treat that as a separate, quick decision: if the weather turns or you want a warm, indoor plant stop, buy a glasshouses ticket on arrival and go straight in. If you are visiting on a busy spring weekend, do the opposite: start with the outdoor highlights first, then come back to the glasshouses later in your visit when the entrance area is quieter.
If you want a smooth day in Gothenburg, pair this with a second, non-timed attraction that is easy to adapt if you stay longer than expected, such as Aeroseum, Gothenburg tickets and visitor information.
Opening hours and best time to visit
The outdoor garden stays accessible around the clock, which makes it one of the easiest Gothenburg sights to fit around your day. The practical limitation is not the gates, it is what you want open while you are there: the visitor centre shop runs on seasonal hours, and the glasshouses follow set opening times.
For the most reliable experience, aim for late morning on a weekday, when staff are on-site and the visitor centre is running. Peak pressure is usually weekends in spring and early summer, especially when rhododendrons and other headline blooms draw locals. If you prefer quieter paths and cleaner photos, arrive early in the day and walk uphill first, then drift back down toward the entrance.
If you are building a wider Sweden itinerary, use the planning context in Stockholm Travel Information 2026: Transport, Costs, Seasons, and Areas to Stay to set expectations for daylight and seasonal crowd patterns. For other Gothenburg-focused reads on the site, see the Gothenburg tag page. If you are unsure about entry requirements, start with Sweden visa and entry rules.
How to get there
The easiest approach is public transport. Take a Gothenburg tram to the Botaniska trädgården stop, then walk a few minutes along Carl Skottsbergs Gata toward the main entrance. From the stop, follow the signs for Botaniska and keep the main road on your right until you see the entrance area and the visitor centre.
If you prefer to plan with live service updates, use Västtrafik route planning and check for diversions on event weekends.
The visitor experience and highlights
Start at the entrance area and orient yourself at the visitor centre. If you want a structured route, walk straight into the garden on the main path, then work uphill toward the signature hillside collections.
A strong first loop looks like this:
Rock Garden: the garden lays out plants by geographic origin, so you move through Europe, Asia, and the Americas in one climb.
Rhododendron Valley: plan this for peak spring bloom if your dates align.
Japanese Glade and nearby themed areas: good for a calmer, shaded break after the more exposed rock garden paths.
Glasshouses (optional): use this as your weather backup or your warm indoor stop.
A practical trade-off: if you have limited time, skip the longer woodland edges and save your steps for the Rock Garden plus one more highlight area. If you have half a day, extend your walk into the Änggårdsbergen Nature Reserve and Arboretum, which connects directly to the garden and gives you longer trails beyond the formal collections.
Planning your time
45 to 75 minutes: entrance area plus a short loop to one highlight section.
2 to 3 hours: Rock Garden, Rhododendron Valley, and a relaxed walk back down.
3 to 4 hours: add the glasshouses and slower photo stops.
Half day or more: add the Arboretum and nature reserve trails for a longer hike style visit.
Accessibility and constraints
The garden works well for a gentle visit if you stay on the main paths, but several signature sections sit on a slope. Expect uneven surfaces and steeper grades in parts of the Rock Garden and the uphill routes.
If you need mobility support, plan for a wheelchair loan by calling ahead during the April to October loan period, because supply is limited. Also plan your breaks: indoor seating and shelter are concentrated around the visitor centre and paid glasshouse areas.
Not ideal for: visitors who need a fully flat route without slopes, or anyone arriving with large luggage, since the garden does not store bags.
Rules and security
The garden’s rules focus on protecting plant collections and keeping paths safe. Do not pick plants or plant material, do not cycle or drive inside the garden, and do not light fires or use disposable barbecues. Keep children supervised, and avoid ball games like frisbee.
Dog access changes by season: dogs are not allowed 1 March to 30 September, then allowed on leash 1 October to 28 February.
Costs and site spending
You can keep this visit low-cost.
Outdoor garden access: EUR 0 (voluntary admission)
Glasshouses admission: about EUR 3 (SEK 30)
On-site spending is mostly optional: guidebooks and plants from the shop, plus food and coffee at the restaurant near the entrance area. If you are visiting in peak bloom season, plan for higher demand at lunch and coffee times.
Practical tips for your visit
Start uphill first, then walk back down to the entrance to avoid finishing with the steepest sections.
If you want the glasshouses, go at opening or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday pinch point.
Bring a light layer even in summer; Gothenburg weather changes fast.
Use the free garden app if you want a structured walk and plant context.
Leave large suitcases elsewhere; the garden does not store luggage.
Check dog rules before you bring a pet, because the restriction covers most of the growing season.
FAQ
Do I need a ticket to enter Gothenburg Botanical Garden?You do not need a ticket for the outdoor garden. You can enter freely and donate voluntarily if you want.
Do I need to pre-book the glasshouses?No, most visitors buy entry on arrival. Treat it as an on-the-day decision based on weather and time.
Is the garden open year-round?Yes for the outdoor areas, including winter. What changes is what is comfortable to see and which facilities operate on seasonal hours.
What is the best season for blooms?Late spring is the peak for many headline flowering areas. Weekdays are calmer than weekends during bloom peaks.
Can I bring a dog?Not from 1 March to 30 September. Dogs are allowed on leash from 1 October to 28 February.
Can I cycle through the garden?No. The garden bans cycling inside to reduce conflicts on narrow paths.
Is it stroller-friendly?Yes on the main routes near the entrance and wider paths. Some highlight areas are steep or uneven, so plan a route that avoids the more rugged sections.
Is the garden accessible for wheelchair users?Partly, with the best access on the main paths near the entrance. Steeper sections and uneven ground can limit access, so plan a flatter loop and call ahead if you want to borrow a wheelchair.
Are there toilets and a place to buy food?Yes. Facilities cluster near the entrance, with a shop and a nearby restaurant.
Can I store luggage at the garden?No. The visitor centre does not offer luggage storage, so plan to leave bags at your hotel or a station locker.
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