ELTE Füvészkert

Budapest, Hungary, Hungary

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ELTE Füvészkert, officially the Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University, is Hungary's oldest botanical garden, founded in 1771 and located in the heart of Budapest's Józsefváros district at Illés utca 25.

This three-hectare green oasis functions as both a scientific collection and a peaceful urban retreat, housing more than 8,000 plant species from around the world, including exotic and native flora. The garden features historic greenhouses, most notably the legendary Palm House mentioned in the famous Hungarian novel "The Paul Street Boys" and the Victoria House showcasing giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica), along with over 150-year-old ginkgo trees, rock gardens, and themed gardens.

Beyond its beauty, the garden plays a crucial conservation role by preserving 85 endangered Hungarian plant species and displaying 250 "red-listed" species threatened globally according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The garden is open year round, with hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during March through October and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November through February. 

Admission costs 2,200 forints for adults, 1,100 forints for students, 1,200 forints for seniors, and 5,500 forints for a family ticket (2 adults plus 2 children under 14), while ELTE and SOTE students and staff enter free except during special events. Spring and early summer offer the most spectacular displays with magnolias and Japanese flowering cherries, making it one of Budapest's most diverse and visitable green spaces.