Bergen Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Milde

The Arboretum and Bergen Botanical Garden are two neighbouring gardens at Milde, about 23 km south of Bergen city centre in the Ytrebygda district. Both are part of the University of Bergen's university gardens, and you can easily visit them on a single trip.

Is admission free, and when can I visit?

Admission to both gardens is free. The outdoor areas are open all year, so a walk is possible in any season, though the gardens change a great deal through the year. Flowering makes the biggest impression, including the large peony display in the botanical garden and the rhododendrons in the arboretum.

What is there to see in the Arboretum?

The Arboretum officially opened in 1971, when Crown Prince Harald planted a "royal oak" on 27 May. Today it is a large living collection of trees and shrubs from Norway and from other parts of the world. It is known for its rhododendrons, a heather garden and the Rosarium, Norway's largest rose collection. It is a good place for a long walk among plants you rarely see gathered together.

What is there to see in the Botanical Garden?

The University of Bergen's botanical garden was established at Milde in 1996 and covers roughly 7 hectares. It consists mainly of herbaceous plants, with collections arranged in themed sections. These include the Useful Plants Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Alpine Garden. The garden serves research and education and works to conserve endangered plant species, so beyond its scenery it has a real scientific role.

How do I get there from Bergen?

Bus 53 runs from central Bergen via the Bybanen light rail and Birkelandsskiftet. For the Botanical Garden get off at Milde snuplass; for the Arboretum, at Fana folkehøgskole. If you drive, free parking is available at Dalsmyra, Mildevågen and by Vågelva.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a ticket? No, admission to the Arboretum and the Botanical Garden is free.

Are the gardens open in winter? The outdoor areas are open all year round.

Can I see both gardens in one day? Yes, they lie side by side at Milde, so combining them in one visit is easy.

Where can I park? Free parking is at Dalsmyra, Mildevågen and by Vågelva.

How do I get there without a car? Take bus 53 from Bergen, with stops at Milde snuplass (botanical garden) and Fana folkehøgskole (arboretum).

What should I look for first? If you like flowers, look for the peonies, the roses in the Rosarium and the rhododendrons. If you are curious about plants from other countries, visit the Japanese Garden and the Alpine Garden.

Who is this place for?

The gardens at Milde suit anyone who enjoys a quiet walk, plant lovers, photographers and families looking for a free attraction outside the city. Because part of the collections is scientific in nature, it is also a chance to see how a university combines research, education and conservation with opening its grounds to visitors. Plan a few hours so you can walk both gardens at an easy pace, especially in the flowering season, when the colours are most intense and the stroll between the two gardens becomes a real pleasure.