In the heart of Budapest’s 8th district, where concrete and traffic usually dominate the scene, there’s a surprising pocket of peace and green. Just a short walk from Klinikák metro station lies the Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University, known to locals as Füvészkert. It’s a living museum of plants, a place of learning and research, and a quiet escape for anyone craving some nature without leaving the city.

A rich history that goes back centuries

The story of Füvészkert goes back over 250 years. Founded in 1771 by Jakab Winterl, a chemist and botanist, it was meant to be more than just a garden – it was a living classroom. Back then, plants weren’t just pretty to look at; they were essential for medicine, agriculture and survival. Winterl’s vision was ahead of its time.

In the early years, the botanical garden moved with the university, even spending time in Winterl’s personal backyard. Eventually, after several relocations, it found its permanent home in 1847 in a 10-hectare park bought from the Festetics family, then far from the city center. The grounds included a scenic landscape with ponds and romantic ruins, and the original hunting lodge still stands at the heart of the garden today.

By the 19th century, Füvészkert was thriving. It held over 12,000 plant species and became one of the most respected botanical gardens in Central Europe. It served as a hub for research, education, and plant conservation.

As Budapest expanded, however, the garden shrank. Medical buildings slowly replaced parts of it, and by the early 20th century, it had been reduced to just over 3 hectares. Still, the garden held onto its character and purpose.

Its cultural impact deepened when Ferenc Molnár used it as a key setting in his novel The Paul Street Boys (A Pál utcai fiúk). Today, fans of the book can still spot Nemecsek’s statue beside one of the ponds – linking literature and place in a way generations of Hungarians remember.

In the decades since, Füvészkert has been officially protected, renovated and honored with national awards. It continues to play an important role in plant conservation, botanical research and environmental education, staying true to the mission Jakab Winterl set out with in 1771: to bring people closer to the living world.

More than 8,000 species of plants

Despite now covering just 3.1 hectares, Füvészkert houses an incredible variety of plants – over 8,000 species and variants. The collection is carefully organized into six main areas:

• Taxonomic section – Learn how plant families are grouped and related based on modern evolutionary principles.
• Greenhouses – Home to tropical and subtropical species like cacti, orchids, bromeliads and ferns.
• Arboretum – The oldest part of the garden, with around 3,000 types of trees and shrubs.
• Geobotanical areas – Featuring plants from Hungarian regions such as the Great Plain, Transdanubia and the Carpathians.
• Agricultural plants – Discover useful plants like herbs, food crops and medicinal species.
• Ex-situ collections – These display nearly 300 protected and endangered plants, including many native Hungarian species.

Unmissable spots inside the garden

Füvészkert isn’t just rows of plants and quiet paths – it’s full of surprises. Every path takes you closer to something unexpected, whether it’s a prehistoric tree once thought extinct, water lilies big enough to hold a child, or delicate cherry blossoms that bloom for just a few magical days.

These plants are living legends, natural wonders and rare botanical treasures that each carry their own history and charm. Some of the plants here are so rare or weird, you’d never expect to find them in the middle of Budapest. From tropical greenhouses to outdoor landscapes, these six highlights are the garden’s coolest spots – the ones you’ll want to tell people about after your visit.

The Palm House (Pálmaház)

Step into the Palm House and you’re stepping into another world. Built in 1865 and lovingly restored in recent years, this greenhouse is one of the oldest of its kind in Hungary. From the outside, it looks like a classic 19th-century glasshouse. Inside, it’s a lush, humid jungle where over 200 species of palms stretch toward the light.

There’s also a rich collection of tropical crops – banana trees, cacao, coffee and sugarcane -plants we often see only as products on a shelf. Here, you can meet them in person. The redesign improved the lighting and space, making it easier to explore and observe these rare species. It’s a quiet, steamy paradise – especially magical on a cold winter day.

The Sakura trees – a short-lived beauty

Each April, Füvészkert transforms for a short time into a scene straight out of Japan. Along the paths of the Asia Garden, rows of Prunus serrulata – Japanese cherry trees – burst into bloom, covering the branches with delicate white and pink petals.

These blossoms last only a few days, which makes their beauty even more special. During this time, the garden hosts hanami-inspired Sakura Days, where visitors come just to sit under the flowering trees and enjoy the moment. It’s peaceful, reflective, and incredibly photogenic. Some even bring picnics and poetry. If you’ve never been to a cherry blossom festival, this is Budapest’s best version.

The Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) – A living dinosaur

This tree is something straight out of a sci-fi novel. The Wollemi pine was only known from fossil records until 1994, when a park ranger in Australia stumbled upon a small grove of living specimens hidden deep in a canyon. Before that, scientists thought it had been extinct for over 90 million years.

Today, there are only about 70 mature trees in the wild. The Füvészkert’s Wollemi Pine was one of the first to arrive in Europe, gifted in 2006. What started as a seedling is now a nearly 2-meter-tall rarity. It’s carefully protected from Hungary’s cold winters and stands as a symbol of hope in plant conservation—a reminder of how much we still don’t know about our planet.

Ginkgo biloba – The timeless survivor

The Ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest tree species on Earth. It’s a botanical oddity: not quite a conifer, not quite a broadleaf. It’s the last of its kind, with no close living relatives.

The ginkgo trees in Füvészkert are over 200 years old, and walking beneath them feels like walking through history. In autumn, their fan-shaped leaves turn a brilliant gold before falling all at once, carpeting the ground in color. The tree’s symbolism in Asian cultures – longevity, resilience and peace – feels right at home in a garden meant for quiet reflection.

The Giant Water Lily – Like something out of a fairy tale

Hidden inside the Victoria House, a smaller but special greenhouse, floats one of Füvészkert’s most jaw-dropping sights: the giant water lily (Victoria amazonica). Its round, flat leaves can span up to 1.5 meters across and support the weight of a child. The garden’s record is 52 kilograms.

But the real magic happens when it blooms. The flower only opens for two nights. First, it’s white and smells like pineapple. The next night, it changes to soft pink before it closes for good. It’s rare, beautiful and a bit mysterious – just like Füvészkert itself. If you’re lucky enough to catch it during bloom, it’s unforgettable.

The Australian House – A taste of the Outback

Australia is full of plants you won’t find anywhere else, and Füvészkert’s Australian House brings them right to Budapest. This 1000 m² greenhouse is home to around 90 native Australian species, many adapted to dry, sunny, Mediterranean climates.

Here, you’ll meet:

• The “black boy” (Xanthorrhoea), with its dramatic grass skirt and tall flowering spike.
• The bottlebrush (Callistemon), known for its red, bristly flowers.
• The kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos), whose velvety petals resemble—you guessed it—tiny kangaroo feet.

These plants are survivors, evolved for fire, drought and poor soil. They’re also strikingly beautiful, in that wild, sculptural way that makes Australian flora so distinct.

Events and programs throughout the year

Füvészkert isn’t just about quiet walks. It’s also a place of events, workshops and festivals. Some of the popular programs include:

• Sakura Days – Japanese cherry blossom celebration in spring.
• Fig Day – A unique harvest and tasting event.
• Ginkgo Day – Celebrating the legendary tree.
• Tropical Winter – A winter greenhouse event featuring tropical plants.
• Researchers’ Night – Fun science-focused activities.
• Museum Night – Extended evening programs and tours.

For kids, there’s even a small “green school” called FűFa Tankert, where they can plant flowers and learn about urban greenery in fun, hands-on ways.

Garden rules – Keep it peaceful

To protect this special place, a few simple rules apply:

• Don’t pick the plants.
• Stay on paths.
• No smoking, bikes, or pets.
• No loud noise, littering, or rough play.
• Children under 14 must be with an adult.

ELTE Füvészkert may not be as flashy as Budapest’s big attractions, but it offers something just as valuable: calm, beauty, and connection with nature. It’s a perfect place for a quiet walk, a date under blooming cherry trees, or just a moment to breathe.

So next time you’re feeling boxed in by buildings and noise, remember – there’s a tiny rainforest, a prehistoric tree, and a giant water lily waiting for you just ten minutes from the metro.

• Address: 1083 Budapest, Illés u. 25.
• Official website: fuveszkert.org
• Opening hours: April to October: 9:00 – 17:00, November to March: 9:00 – 16:00
• Parking: There’s no dedicated parking, but paid public parking is available nearby.
• How to get there:
  • M3 metro – station “Semmelweis Klinikák” or “Nagyvárad tér”
  • Bus 9 or trolley bus 83 – station “Kálvária tér”