Olarizuko lorategi botanikoa

Jardín Botánico de Olarizu (Olarizuko Lorategi Botanikoa) sits roughly 2 km south of downtown Vitoria-Gasteiz, in Spain's Basque Country. The garden forms part of the city's celebrated Anillo Verde — the Green Belt, a network of natural spaces ringing Vitoria-Gasteiz — and occupies land that was once the Dehesa de Olarizu, an old communal pasture.

How did the garden come to be?

Vitoria-Gasteiz had considered a botanical garden for years, but it was only in 2000 that the city council's Centro de Estudios Ambientales (Center for Environmental Studies) launched the project in earnest. The first plantings of living collections took place between October 2007 and February 2008, establishing the Arboretum of European Forests, an artificial lake, a hill and meadow devoted to orchids and geophytes, and a garden dedicated to useful and threatened plant species.

What can you see there?

The Arboretum is the heart of the garden, spreading across nearly 30 hectares and holding the site's principal living plant collection — trees and shrubs representative of Europe's different forest types. Beyond the arboretum, the grounds include a medicinal plant garden, a greenhouse, a pond, and a specialized botanical library. In 2010 the garden added a Plant Germplasm Bank, which preserves seeds of native species, and a Herbarium, both of which keep expanding through ongoing research and conservation projects. Environmental education and research activities are based at the Casa de la Dehesa, a former shepherd's farmhouse repurposed for that role. In autumn 2025 the garden opened a new attraction, a plant labyrinth that quickly became a popular draw for families with children.

How do you get there?

Since the garden lies only 2 km from the city center, the easiest way in is by bike or car along the Green Belt's network of paths connecting Vitoria-Gasteiz's surrounding parks and natural areas. Walking is also an option — it takes roughly half an hour and passes through pleasant peri-urban scenery along the way.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring is widely considered the best season, when flowering plants blanket the grounds in color and the meadows and hillsides fill with lush growth. The garden remains inviting through summer and autumn too, with picnic areas and trails designed for relaxed walks close to nature. Throughout the year it runs guided tours, botanical itineraries, talks, workshops, and courses for visitors of all ages.

What else does the garden offer?

Beyond casual visits, Jardín Botánico de Olarizu runs an extensive education program aimed at schools and organized groups, while the Casa de la Dehesa doubles as an information and exhibition center focused on the region's natural environment. The site combines the roles of public park, scientific institution devoted to species conservation, and educational space for both residents and visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Jardín Botánico de Olarizu located? It lies about 2 km south of downtown Vitoria-Gasteiz, on the former Dehesa de Olarizu pasture, within the city's Green Belt.

How large is the garden? The Arboretum alone, the main living plant collection, covers nearly 30 hectares.

Is admission free? The garden functions as a public park within Vitoria-Gasteiz's Green Belt, open to residents and visitors alike.

When is the best time to visit? Spring offers the most spectacular scenery, with plants in full bloom and green meadows, though the garden is pleasant to walk year-round.