Botanical Garden St. Gallen

Botanical Garden St. Gallen (Botanischer Garten St. Gallen) is a free green retreat in the Neudorf district, at Stephanshornstrasse 4. Outdoors and inside several greenhouses it holds around 8,000 labeled plants from across the globe. It makes a calm break from sightseeing in a city best known for its abbey and library.

Does it cost anything to visit?

Both the park and the greenhouses are free during opening hours. There is no ticket to buy and no slot to book. Check the garden's official website for current hours before you go, since they can change with the season.

What is there to see outdoors?

The open-air grounds are arranged in roughly 20 sections. The layout follows several logics: plants grouped by world region, themes familiar from school biology, and useful crops. There are also dedicated collections, including a maple garden and a fern garden. Every plant carries a label, so a walk here works like a self-guided botany lesson. The outdoor area was thoroughly renewed in 2011.

Which greenhouses are worth visiting?

• The Alpine House, built in 1993, is often noted for its architecture and shows mountain plants.
• The Tropical House, built in 1998, shelters rainforest plants, succulents, crop plants and orchids.
• The Orchid House, added in 2007, expanded the orchid collection.
• Separate houses are devoted to carnivorous plants and to living stones (Lithops), which look remarkably like pebbles.

What is new?

In 2020 a timber building with a lecture hall opened in the garden, replacing three dilapidated nursery greenhouses. The garden therefore serves education as well as visitors, with talks and events held in the hall.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission free? Yes. The park and greenhouses are free during opening hours.

How many plants can I see? About 8,000 labeled plants, both outdoors and under glass.

Where is the garden? In the Neudorf district of St. Gallen, at Stephanshornstrasse 4.

How long should I plan for a visit? One to two hours is comfortable for the outdoor sections and a walk through the greenhouses, and plant lovers may want longer.

Is it worth visiting outside summer? Yes. The tropical and Alpine houses let you enjoy plants whatever the weather, and a rainy day in eastern Switzerland is a good excuse to shelter among orchids and ferns.

Who is it for?

Families with children will enjoy the carnivorous plants and living stones, photographers will find colorful scenes, and anyone wanting a rest from city traffic will appreciate the quiet. Since entry is free, you can drop in for a short while even if you are only passing through St. Gallen.