Plantentuin

Plantentuin, also known as Den Botaniek, is a small botanical garden tucked right in the heart of Antwerp, on Leopoldstraat. Covering just under a hectare, it packs in roughly 2,000 plant species, making it a surprisingly dense green pocket for such a compact spot in the middle of a busy city.

How did this garden come to be?

The site's history goes back to the late 18th century, when it served as a plant garden for the École Centrale. It was later taken over by the neighboring Sint-Elisabethgasthuis hospital, which used it first as a medicinal herb garden and then as a vegetable garden for its own needs. The garden took its present form in 1825, established at the initiative of Dr. Claude-Louis Sommé, who used it to support lessons in external pathology at the local école de médecine (school of medicine). A year later, in 1826, the garden gained its striking entrance gate, designed by architect Pierre Bruno Bourla — the same architect behind Antwerp's Bourla Theatre.

What is there to see in Plantentuin?

Within its modest grounds stands a gardener's house dating back to 1870, along with a small greenhouse holding a collection of cacti and other exotic plants. Walking its paths, visitors can take in a collection of nearly 2,000 plant species, including some protected varieties. The garden's layout has kept its 19th-century, intimate character — it feels more like a hidden green corner than a sprawling city park.

What is the garden's status today?

The garden is managed by the city of Antwerp and has been protected as a landscape monument since 1950. In 2020, part of the grounds was renamed "Tuin der Poeten" (Garden of Poets), hosting poetry events — a nod to the site's quiet, contemplative atmosphere, well suited to a slow stroll and a break from the surrounding city noise.

Where exactly is Plantentuin located?

The garden sits at Leopoldstraat 24 in central Antwerp, close to the Antwerpen Mechelseplein tram stop, served by lines 4 and 7. Its location right in the city center makes it easy to reach both for tourists exploring downtown Antwerp and for locals looking for a quiet green break among the historic buildings.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the garden free? Yes, entry to Plantentuin is free of charge.

What are the opening hours? Opening hours change with the season — the garden stays open longer during summer (June–August) and has shorter hours in winter (December–February). It's worth checking the current schedule before visiting, since the garden isn't open around the clock.

How much time do I need to see it? Given its small size (under a hectare), a visit typically takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how much time you want to spend looking at the plant collection and the greenhouse.

How does Plantentuin differ from larger botanical gardens like the one in Meise? Plantentuin in Antwerp is an intimate, urban garden of less than a hectare, centered on its plant collection within a historic, protected setting in the city center. That's a very different scale and character from the large, research-oriented botanical gardens typically located outside city centers.

Are there events held in the garden? Yes, since 2020 part of the grounds has functioned as "Tuin der Poeten" (Garden of Poets), hosting poetry-related events.