University of Basel Botanical Garden

The University of Basel Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten der Universität Basel) is a green retreat beside the old Spalentor city gate, a short walk from the historic centre. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, and a place where serious plant science meets an easy city stroll.

How did the garden begin?

The garden dates back to 1589, when Caspar Bauhin, the first professor of anatomy and botany at the university, founded it. The original garden was mainly a medicinal herb garden, used to teach future physicians and apothecaries. It stood near the Rheinsprung, close to the old university buildings. Over the centuries its site and role changed, and in 1898 the university laid out the garden you can visit today by the Spalentor.

Today the garden belongs to the university and is tied to its botanical institute. It is a tourist-friendly spot, but also a working teaching and research collection: students learn to recognise species here, and researchers observe plants in cultivation.

What can you see?

The garden covers roughly 8,000 square meters and holds more than 7,500 plant species from the world's major climate zones and biomes. Part of the collection grows outdoors, and part is housed in four greenhouses that provide conditions for tropical and subtropical plants. In a single afternoon you can move from temperate vegetation to species that normally grow thousands of kilometers from Switzerland.

Notice how the beds are organised. Plants are grouped by theme and geographic origin, and many carry labels with their Latin names. That makes it easier to grasp the diversity of the plant world, even if you are not a botanist.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The address is Spalengraben 8, on the western side of central Basel. From the market square and the cathedral area it is a walk of around fifteen minutes, and city trams stop near the Spalentor. The garden fits naturally into a sightseeing day, for example after the Natural History Museum or a stroll through the Old Town.

When should you visit?

The garden is open to visitors all year round, which helps when the weather is unpredictable. In spring and summer the flowering outdoor beds make the biggest impression. In autumn and winter, when it is cold and grey outside, the greenhouses offer green shelter and warm air. Opening hours for the greenhouses and the outdoor area can differ, so check current information on the university website before you go.

Who is it for?

• Plant lovers and photographers will find hundreds of species and appealing compositions.
• Families with children can turn the visit into a lively nature lesson.
• Anyone looking for a quiet moment in the city can enjoy the shade of the trees and calm paths.
• Travellers interested in the history of science will see a place with roots in the late 16th century.

Frequently asked questions

When was the botanical garden in Basel founded? The university garden goes back to 1589, and the current site by the Spalentor dates from 1898.

How many plant species grow here? More than 7,500 species across about 8,000 square meters.

Is the garden open all year? Yes, it is open to visitors throughout the year, helped by its greenhouses.

Where exactly is it? At Spalengraben 8, near the Spalentor gate in Basel.

How much time should I plan? A relaxed visit to the grounds and greenhouses usually takes one to two hours.