University of Tartu Botanical Garden

The greenhouses of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden have historically been a resource for teaching about tropical and near-tropical plants and an exotic destination for visitors and residents alike. The greenhouses are open daily from 10-17. Entrance with ticket.

The greenhouses are divided into four sections with different climates - the palm house, the hot and humid tropical house, the near-tropical house and the drier desert plant section above the visitor center.

The greenhouses have a total of more than 700 square meters of growing space, with exciting and exotic plants from almost every continent. The diversity of tropical American flora is particularly rich.

In addition to plants, visitors will also find turtles, fish, parrots and giant grasshoppers.

The open-air collections of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden are divided into eleven different gardens, designed under the direction of world-renowned botanists, Professors Ledebour and Bunge. The gardens are a fascinating place of discovery and free to enjoy for all passers-by and walkers.

Come for a walk, read a book or escape the city noise to our own paradise - the University of Tartu Botanic Garden is a green oasis where time stops.

The garden is open:

• from 16. October to 14. April from 7 to 19
• from 15. April to 15. October from 7 to 21

Please pay attention when walking on the botanic garden's roads, as there are also machines working in the garden.

Discount applies to schoolchildren, university students, seniors, holders of international student cards (ISIC Scholar, ISIC Student) or teacher cards (ITIC Teacher), UYTC Youth Travel Card holders and Estonian conscripts.

Free admission on presentation of a certificate:

Museum Card is valid at the University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden.

There is a fee for a photo session with a photographer (i.e. taking a photo on commission) or for a photo session and video production for commercial purposes in the Botanic Garden (both in the open and in the greenhouse). If the session is carried out in the greenhouse, the price of a visitor's ticket per person is added to the service price.

All photo sessions, photo shoots and video shoots must be arranged in advance at botaed@ut.ee or by calling 737 6180.

University of Tartu Botanical Garden is located at Lai Street 38. See the location on map.

You can visit us: 

• on foot. The Botanical Garden can be accessed from three gates – Lai, Emajõgi and Kroonuaia streets. The gate on Lai Street opens at 7 and closes at 19 during the winter season (and at 21 in summer). The gate on Vabaduse Street is open Mon–Fri 7–18, Sat–Sun 10–18. The gate on Kroonuaia is open Mon–Fri 7–18. You can enter the Botanical Garden with a stroller from Vabaduse puiestee (the gate by the river Emajõgi).
• by car. Parking is available on Lai Street, Magasini Street, Munga Street or Vabaduse puiestee. There is a parking fee.
• by bike. You can get to the Botanical Garden from Vabaduse puiestee (the gate by the river Emajõgi). There is a small bicycle park in the Botanical Garden where you can lock your bicycle. You can also use Tartu Smart Bike. Tartu Smart Bike Share is a public, self-service bike share system for short trips. Nearby stations are Vabadussilla, Delta and Rüütli. More information can be found on the Tartu Smart Bike website.
• by public transport. The nearest bus stops are Palmihoone (bus lines 6 and 13), Kroonuaia (bus lines 6 and 13), Lai (bus line 6), Vabadussilla (bus line 7) and Vene (bus line 4, 7, 8 and 25). You can check bus timetables on the Peatus.ee website.

Parking near the Botanical Garden is chargeable. Parking is available on Lai Street, Magasini Street, Munga Street or Vabaduse puiestee in the A area on weekdays from 8.00–19 and on Saturdays from 11–17. 

Parking fee: 3 euros per 1 hour, free for 15 minutes from the marked start time. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays.

The nearest parking machines are located on Lai Street and Munga Street. 

Check out the parking information on the Tartu City website.

• For wheelchair users, the entrance to the botanical garden is from the street Vabaduse puiestee, through the gate on the Emajõgi side;
• there is a ramp for wheelchair access to the building;
• the botanical garden greenhouse has an elevator for wheelchair users
• the accessible toilet is located at the back of the palm house with access from the courtyard.