The Botanical garden Ljubljana

If you are looking for a green and quiet place close to the city center Botanical garden Ljubljana is the place you will enjoy. This is the main botanical garden and the oldest cultural, scientific, and educational institution with continuous operation in the country and it is managed by the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. This garden was opened in 1810 under French rule of The Illyrian Provinces by governor Auguste de Marmont. The first manager was Franc Hladnik, active in the fields of education, botanics, and theology. He organized and later kept the garden operational after a change of rule in the country. Close by there is a street named after him and there is his statue in the garden (2020, by Lan Seušek). Also, one wildflower is named after him S. carniolica f. hladnikiana.

Here you can find 4.500 different floral species and subspecies on 2 hectares (4.9 acres). One-third of those are endemic to Slovenia and others come from different parts of the world. Garden has reduced size because of the development of railway and roads.

Opening hours are from 7h until 19h in April, May, September, October; from 7:30 until 20h in June, July, and August; from 7:30 until 17h November-March. Gates towards Orlova street are opened 15 minutes later and closed 15 minutes earlier.

This Botanical garden covers many different activities, from academic and educational, guided tours (60 €/hour), serving as a seed bank, entertainment, and congress venue (birthdays parties for kids 150 € for 3 hours, weddings 100 €/h, conferences, classroom rental 60 €/hour…), shop with books, seeds, and plants.

Location and map

It is located southeast of the city center, limited by Ig (Ljubljanica Gruber canal in behind), Karl, and Orel streets. From the main spot in the old town Triple bridge/Prešeren square, it will take you 20 minutes to walk by the river and cross the footbridge at Špica to arrive here. Buses 2,3,11 and 27 will drive you close by. The closest railways station is Rakovnik. The bike rental station is at Špica and Rakovnik.

The arboretum is the largest part and the oldest part of the garden with various representatives of trees and shrubs. The central part of the garden has flower beds. By the pools (south) and pond (north), there are aquatic and wetland plants. The rock garden to the south is home to plants used to this kind of surrounding. Next to it is the greenhouse described below. In 2017 one meadow with a beehive was annexed.

Greenhouse

The biggest building in the botanical garden is Tropical Greenhouse. A new part was built in 2010, as the garden was 200 years old. It is 15 by 36 meters with the highest point of 12 meters. There you can find around 350 species of tropical plants grouped by continent of origin (Pineapple, Cocoa tree, Banana, Coffee tree, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Monstera, …). While walking around the greenhouse on the base floor or on the gallery among treetops you will find tables with plant descriptions. Inside greenhouse temperature is around 28 C degrees and the humidity is 80%. The entrance fee is 3 €, kids in school 2 €, family 7 €; yearly 27 €. Open all days between 10:00 and 18:00. Currently, a mask is obligatory.

An older and smaller greenhouse was designed by Plečnik‘s student dr. Boris Gaberščik. It is smaller and connected to the main one. Here you can find orchids and plants that are available to buy.

The third greenhouse that is part of the Botanical garden is located in Tivoli park. It is currently closed for renovation. There you can find roses, orchids, cacti, milkweed, and deciduous trees in one part, while some tropical species bloom in the second part

The last greenhouse of Mediterranean plants and succulents is located close to ZOO.

Primula tea house

In the former administrative building today we can find a tea house. It is situated in the northern corner of the garden among tall trees. You can sit there and relax in the natural environment with coffee, tea, or some snacks. It is open all days between 11:0 and 17:00

Beehive

The last addition to the garden was a meadow where the apiary was set. As part of urban beekeeping indicative this beehive is there to help present this activity.