Botanical Garden Münster

The basics

The free Botanical Garden Münster is owned and cared for by the University of Münster. More than 7,000 plant species are cultivated here, arranged into geographic or botanical collections. The gardens are a 15-minute walk from the center of Münster. You can visit independently or look for a tour, like photography tours or self-guided scavenger hunts that may feature it. This tranquil city spot isn't on the tourist trail, but it is worth a visit.

Things to know before you go

• Entry to the botanical gardens is free.

• The site isn’t huge but has an impressive variety of plants; an hour may be enough for some, but gardening fans may take up to three hours to see it all.

• The site is considered partially accessible for wheelchair users—access to the greenhouses is limited, but the garden’s trails are barrier-free and accessible.

• Bikes, scooters, and dogs (excluding service dogs) cannot enter.

How to get there

The garden is behind the historic University of Münster, about a 15-minute walk from downtown. Visitors can reach it by public transit via bus, getting off at the Landgericht or Neutor stops. Drivers can leave their cars in the Schlossplatz parking area, a short walk from the garden entrance.

When to get there

The gardens are open daily, year-round, even over university vacations. Visitors can head inside when it's daylight. In the warmer months between mid-March and mid-October, the gates are open from early morning until early evening. In the off-peak months, the gates close by mid-afternoon. Visit in spring or summer to catch the gardens in colorful bloom.

The greenhouses

Several greenhouses are inside the botanical gardens, many of which the public can enter. Each has its own theme and charm, and while the plants may change from visit to visit, you can expect to find plants from around the world. Look out for tropical flowers from Asia and Africa, giant water lilies, carnivorous plants, cacti, and some birds wandering around.