Located close to the city center, the Copenhagen Botanical Garden is a botanical garden that's part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark and associated with the University of Copenhagen. It was first established in 1600 but was moved twice before it was ultimately given its current location in 1870. The garden was laid out in 1874 and it houses a diverse collection of plants from Denmark and around the world.

Copenhagen Botanical Garden

Here's a quick guide if you plan to visit the garden.


What to See in the Copenhagen Botanical Garden

The Palm House

The Palm House in the Copenhagen Botanical Garden is a captivating structure that dates back to 1874. It houses thousands of plant species across diverse sections, including Danish plants, perennial plants, annual plants, rock gardens featuring flora from mountainous regions in Central and Southern Europe, and a Conifer Hill adorned with coniferous trees. 

It features an iconic cast-iron spiral staircase that towers at an impressive height of 16 meters. As you make your way up the spiral staircase, you'll be surrounded by the lush greenery and vibrant foliage that characterize the tropical and subtropical plants within the Palm House. This experience offers a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of plant life.

Copenhagen Botanical Garden
the Palm House

Butterfly House

The Butterfly House is located right next to the Palm House. It houses numerous species of butterflies and moths and provides a close-up encounter with the life and transformation of butterflies as they flutter amid orchids and vanilla plants. Take note that the Butterfly House is open during the summer season only.

Outdoor Gardens and Park

The garden complex is located inside a gated area that's open to the public. Apart from the Palm House, there are outdoor gardens filled with flowers and lush greenery. You'll also find a lake, a park, and lots of space for locals and tourists to relax and unwind. There's also a flower shop and a café.

Copenhagen Botanical Garden
inside the dome structure of the Palm House, featuring tropical plants

Where to Get Tickets to the Copenhagen Botanical Garden

The gardens are free to visit but you have to pay to enter the Palm House and the Butterfly House. Tickets for the Palm House start at DKK60 while visitors aged 17 and below can get it at a discounted rate. You can also purchase combo tickets to the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Palm House. If you have the Copenhagen Card, then entry to the Palm House is free.

How to Get to the Copenhagen Botanical Garden

If you're coming from anywhere in the city center, then you can walk to the Copenhagen Botanical Garden by simply following directions on Google Maps or any similar navigation app. It's also accessible via public transportation. The garden is conveniently located near Nørreport Station, which is a major transportation hub in Copenhagen. From Nørreport Station, you can either walk to the garden or take a short public transportation ride.

Copenhagen Botanical Garden
the Greta oto, one of the many species of butterflies in the Butterfly House


While I'll admit that the Copenhagen Botanical Garden isn't as impressive as other tourist spots in Denmark, it's a nice place to visit. I like how it gives locals and tourists a nice little getaway from city life without having to travel far.