Hortus Botanicus Leiden

Nature and Parks in Amsterdam

"One of the world’s oldest botanical gardens has roots that go back to 1638 when it was established as a medicinal herb garden in East Amsterdam. Four centuries later, more than 6,000 different indigenous and non-native trees and plants — many unknown in Europe until they were imported from all over the world by Dutch East India Company traders — flourish in its lush greenhouses and outdoor gardens. Hundreds of butterflies fly around in one greenhouse while a giant hothouse creates conditions for three different tropical climates. Visit at dusk to witness a 154-year-old lily open its flower. Even if plants aren’t your passion, Hortus’s airy café, The Orangery, is a cozy spot for lunch or drinks with a large outside terrace that opens to the garden." - MATADOR_NETWORK