Oslo’s Botanical Garden is a free, peaceful place to walk among plants from different climates in the Tøyen area. The grounds include themed gardens, ponds, a rock garden and two plant houses, with paths and clear signs to help you explore. Look for the sensory garden, designed for visitors with visual impairments, and the small insect hotel. Early June brings many blooms; in winter, the open plant houses offer a closer look at the collections. Allow time to wander, as the grounds cover a lot of space.
A garden founded in 1814
The University of Oslo’s Botanical Garden opened in 1814 in Tøyen, making it Norway’s oldest botanical garden. The land had earlier belonged to Nonneseter Abbey. Frederick VI of Denmark acquired it and donated it to the University of Christiania in 1812.
The garden is part of the University of Oslo’s Natural History Museum. Its outdoor collections are arranged in themed areas, with an arboretum among the main sections. Plant totals vary across descriptions of the garden, so the grounds are best explored for their distinct collections rather than a single headline number.
Themed gardens and plant houses
The gardens bring together plants from different climates and regions. The rock garden, Viking Garden and Grandma’s Garden are among the sections to look for. Grandma’s Garden preserves heritage plants, including varieties that are no longer widely available commercially.
Two plant houses add an indoor stop to a walk around the grounds. The greenhouses date to 1868 and 1876, and one has a pond with lotuses. In winter, the plant houses are a useful focus when outdoor vegetation is sparse; the temperate-area trees and plants also remain worth seeing.
A garden designed for different senses
The Scent Garden was designed to let visitors with visual impairments experience the garden through smell and touch. The grounds also include areas designed with wheelchair users in mind. Paths and clear signs make it easier to find your way between the collections.
Look out for the insect hotel within the garden. Ponds, trees and quieter corners give the grounds a slower pace than the nearby city streets, while higher parts of the park provide views across Oslo.
Planning a visit
The garden is free to enter. It is open daily, and its address is Sars’ gate 1 in Tøyen. The Natural History Museum is on the grounds, but museum admission is separate from access to the garden.
The outdoor collections are at their most colourful in the warmer months, with early June a good time to see many plants flowering. In winter, focus on the two open plant houses. The garden is large enough to reward an unhurried walk, so choose the sections you most want to see if your time is limited.
FAQ
Is Oslo’s Botanical Garden free to enter?
Yes. Entry to the garden is free. The Natural History Museum on the grounds has separate admission.
How long should I spend at the Botanical Garden?
Allow about two to three hours to explore several sections of the extensive grounds.
When is a good time to visit?
Early June is a good choice if you want to see many plants in bloom. In winter, the two open plant houses are a useful focus.
What should I look for in the garden?
Look for the rock garden, Viking Garden, Grandma’s Garden, the Scent Garden and the two plant houses, including one with a pond and lotuses.
