Zagreb's Botanical Garden has about 10,000 plants, as well as numerous ponds, flowerbeds, rock gardens and an arboretum. Providing a lovely tranquil space in the center of the city, the well-maintained gardens attract walkers, city workers and tourists, all looking for peace and relaxation. Escape here for a quiet stroll and check out the colorful flora.
The plans for this garden were established in 1889 by Professor Antun Heinz of the University of Zagreb based on the English landscape garden style. Work began on the land in 1891 and planting started soon after. Stroll around the garden today and note the naturalistic style and irregular lines and shapes, both of which are typical features of English landscape style.
The garden spreads across nearly 5 hectares (12 acres), with the arboretum making up the largest portion of the site. Walk along the curving paths and check out the huge variety of leafy trees and shrubs. Among these are Persian ironwood, conifers, bald cypress and Sophorajaponica (pagoda tree). Other sections particularly worth seeking out include the three rock gardens, which have a valuable collection of indigenous Croatian plants.
Find an empty spot on a bench near the idyllic ponds, where lily pads float on the surface. Looking around, you're likely to see painters and photographers who often come here to capture the beautiful colors, textures and patterns of the various flowers, trees and shrubs. The park is also home to several greenhouses used by the university however, these are not open to the public.
Pay for a guide at the kiosk near the main entrance for additional information about the plants found in the garden. Purchase souvenirs, including postcards and stationery here. Some of the best times of the year to visit are in spring and autumn, when the garden is particularly colorful.
The Botanical Garden is open to the public from April through the end of October, with shorter opening hours on Mondays and Tuesday. To get here, take the tram to Botanički Vrt station. Entrance to the garden is free.
