As part of my farewell to Utrecht, I’ve created a bucket list of local spots to visit on foot before we pack up and move to our new home in the countryside of North Brabant.
Despite having lived in Utrecht for more than 20 years, I only stumbled upon this next location recently by pure chance. It is a genuine hidden gem that I can’t believe I missed for over two decades! Naturally, I knew I had to share it with everyone—especially fellow nature and garden lovers. It was high time to finally visit the Botanical Gardens of Utrecht University.
True to my commitment to walk to my destinations, I had to make a slight logistical compromise. Instead of walking the entire way, I walked five kilometres from my house to the city centre tram station, where I caught a ride to the university. After studying the map, walking the whole distance wasn’t advisable anyway; there aren’t easy pedestrian paths connecting the city centre directly to the university grounds. Plus, adding those extra seven kilometres would mean a 12-kilometer journey one way—or a staggering 24 kilometres round-trip! That is a bit much, considering how much walking there is to do inside the gardens themselves.
How to get there: From Utrecht Central Station, you simply take tram 22 toward P&R Science Park. The journey takes about 19 minutes total, and you get off at the final stop, Utrecht Science Park, just outside the city. It runs frequently—roughly four to six times an hour, depending on the time of day—making it incredibly convenient.
It was my first time on this particular campus, and it was lovely to see the students bustling about. It brought me right back to my own college days (which, to be honest, I am quite glad are long over!). I actually studied advanced Dutch for a brief period about 20 years ago at Utrecht University’s James Boswell Institute, but that campus was located right on the edge of the historic city centre. Utrecht University actually spans three main locations: the city centre campus where I took my evening classes, the historic old town buildings, and the expansive Science Park campus here in De Uithof.
The Botanical Gardens are just a short walk from the tram stop. Most visitors enter using a Museumkaart or a similar pass. Students and staff of Utrecht University get in for free, which is a fantastic perk. I can only imagine how nice it must be to slip away between lectures and soak in the nature during a study break.
Here are a few quick facts: The Botanical Gardens cover 10 hectares in the heart of the Science Park and are home to approximately 10,000 plant species. The grounds feature a lovely souvenir shop and a garden cafe with outdoor seating. They also host guided tours, horticultural courses, and even mushroom excursions. Beyond being a peaceful retreat, the garden serves an important academic purpose, supporting education and research at the Fort Hoofddijk research facility. Certain areas can even be rented out as unique event venues with catering.
I decided to take things slow, starting my visit with tea and cake at the garden cafe. Sitting at my table, I looked out over the greenery with growing excitement. It wasn’t a crowded day, but there was a pleasant buzz of people exploring. I could already see why this place makes for the perfect half-day outing.
Here were some of my personal highlights:
- The Tropical and Butterfly Greenhouses: The tropical greenhouse boasts a massive collection of vibrant plants from Central and South America. I absolutely adored the butterfly greenhouse—you step inside and are instantly surrounded by butterflies fluttering through the air. One stunning butterfly with a brilliant blue hue even landed right on my hat and refused to budge! Note: This historic greenhouse complex is currently being replaced by a much larger, state-of-the-art facility designed for modern biodiversity research and mini-ecosystems. The plants and butterflies have been safely moved to a temporary location, and the brand-new greenhouse is set to open in 2028.
- The Bamboo Walk and Taxodium Marsh: This area is dedicated to Asian flora. I loved how lush and dense the bamboo was, beautifully flanking the pathways. It is an absolute haven for photo opportunities.
- The Rock Garden and Waterfalls: Built on a historic fort hill, this rock garden features winding streams that culminate in stunning waterfalls. Who would have thought you’d find a waterfall hidden in Utrecht? There are plenty of quiet seating areas tucked away here, making you feel completely hidden from the rest of the open landscape. Near the edge, a grove of Magnolia trees was in full bloom—a fairy tale-like pocket of pink and white petals.
The gardens also feature an insect meadow complete with bee hotels, a North American woodland garden, an Evolution garden, observation shelters for bird watching, and a Discovery garden dedicated to medicinal plants. I also passed a beautiful arched gateway covered in wisteria. I was just a week or two too early, as they were still in the bud phase, but I know that in full bloom, it must be a breathtaking sight.
It was a beautiful, peaceful day trip, and a memory I will cherish long after I leave Utrecht. I highly recommend visiting Utrecht’s Botanical Gardens!
See my other “Saying Goodbye to Utrecht” series post:
A Visit to the Rietveld-Schröder House
Happy Travels!
With love from Jo
Visit Period: April 2025
Botanische Tuin van Utrecht Universiteit (Botanic Gardens of Utrecht University), Utrecht, the Netherlands