The Hortus Botanicus, at Plantage Middenlaan 2a, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world: it was founded in 1638. On a compact site in the Plantage district, it brings together an outdoor garden, a three-climate greenhouse, a butterfly house and a large palm house. It opens every day from 10am to 5pm, and an adult ticket costs €14.75. A visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The garden combines easily with the Dutch Resistance Museum, Artis Zoo or the Jewish Cultural Quarter, all a few minutes' walk away.
Highlights
The outdoor garden
Flower beds, a pond, a kitchen garden, a dune area and a carnivorous plant bed are laid out between the greenhouses. The garden remains a quiet spot in the heart of the city, and Café De Oranjerie serves lunch and cakes.
The three-climate greenhouse
Opened in 1993, the Klimatenkas takes you through three climates: tropical rainforest, desert and the Cape region of South Africa. Renovated and insulated in 2025, it is now heated without gas. In the tropical section, an underwater window lets you see the leaves of the giant Victoria water lily from below.
The Palm House
Built in the early 1910s by the architect Johan Melchior van der Mey, this listed greenhouse holds tall palms and ancient cycads. Among them is an Encephalartos altensteinii, an Eastern Cape giant cycad more than three centuries old, which stays indoors all year round. The roof, whose 1,304 panes are being replaced, is under restoration until November 2026; the greenhouse remains open most of the time.
The Butterfly House
Tropical butterflies fly here all year round, among their host plants and useful tropical plants such as coffee and cacao.
Opening hours and tickets
Open every day from 10am to 5pm; closed on 25 December and 1 January. Adults €14.75; students, CJP cardholders and children aged 5 to 17 €8.50 from 1 October 2026; free up to age 4 and with the I amsterdam City Card. The Museumkaart is not accepted. Card payment only, no cash.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Bring a bank card: the Hortus does not accept cash. The Museumkaart is not valid here, unlike the I amsterdam City Card, which gives free entry. There is no luggage storage (prices checked in October 2026).
How to get there
Plantage Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD Amsterdam. Tram 14, Mr. Visserplein stop; metro 51, 53 or 54 to Waterlooplein (wheelchair accessible). From Central Station (Amsterdam Centraal): metro 51, 53 or 54 to Waterlooplein, or tram 14 to the Mr. Visserplein stop.
Opening hours
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