Botanical Garden in Jerusalem

Hidden away in the bustling heart of Jerusalem lies a 30-acre oasis that most tourists never discover. The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens isn’t just another green space – it’s a carefully curated journey through six continents without leaving the Middle East. Whether you’re escaping the summer heat or seeking a peaceful morning walk, this comprehensive guide will help you make the most of your visit.

What Makes This Place Special

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens houses over 6,000-10,000 plant species from around the world (sources vary on exact count), thoughtfully organized by geographical regions across 30 acres. Think of it as botanical diplomacy – where Australian eucalyptus trees coexist peacefully with North American oaks, and desert cacti share space with tropical orchids.

The crown jewel? The tropical conservatory, complete with a waterfall and butterfly exhibit that feels like stepping into another climate entirely. Many visitors specifically praise this greenhouse as the highlight of their trip, especially during Jerusalem’s scorching summers.

• Address: Zalman Shneur 5 (Yehuda Burla Street entrance), Jerusalem

Prices and Hours: What You Need to Know

Admission Fees:

• Adults: 40 NIS per person
• Senior citizens (65+): 25 NIS
• Children up to 18 who live in Jerusalem: Free (with ID)
• Special events (like Winter Lights Festival): Up to 55-89 NIS per person
• Annual membership available for frequent visitors

Operating Hours: Winter (October-March):

• Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Summer (April-September):

• Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Important: Always check the official website (botanic.co.il) before visiting, as hours and prices change for special events and seasonal programming. Recent visitors have reported pricing discrepancies and changed hours during special exhibitions.

Pro tip: The entrance fee might seem steep for what some consider a “glorified park,” but the tropical greenhouse alone justifies the cost, especially during extreme weather.

Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires.

Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.

During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp.

Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation.

Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.

More Info

Best Time to Visit (And When to Avoid)

Prime seasons:

• Spring (March-May): Absolutely magical. Cherry blossoms, almond trees in bloom, and perfect temperatures
• Early autumn: Beautiful fall colors, especially in the North American section

Summer reality check: Jerusalem summers are brutal, and the gardens offer limited shade. While the tropical greenhouse provides air-conditioned relief, outdoor exploration can be uncomfortable during peak heat.

Winter considerations: Many flowering plants are dormant, but the evergreen sections and greenhouse remain interesting. Some visitors find winter visits underwhelming.

Navigation and Layout

The 30-acre garden is divided into distinct geographical sections:

• North American zone: Stunning oak trees and seasonal colors
• European section: Familiar yet exotic plantings
• Australian area: Unique flora Down Under
• African collection: Desert-adapted species
• Tropical conservatory: Climate-controlled paradise
• Biblical garden: Plants mentioned in religious texts

Heads up: The garden lacks clear maps and signage, which can be frustrating. Plan to wander rather than follow a strict route – sometimes the best discoveries happen by accident.

Hidden Gems and Must-Sees

The tropical greenhouse: Don’t rush through this climate-controlled wonder. The orchids, papyrus plants, and cascading waterfall create an almost mystical atmosphere.

Lotus pond at entrance: Time your visit right, and you’ll catch these magnificent water lilies in full bloom – a photographer’s dream.

Cherry blossom season: Brief but spectacular, usually occurring in early spring.

Educational water features: Kids love the interactive water wheels and hands-on science stations scattered throughout.

Practical Visitor Tips

Getting there: The entrance can be tricky to locate – look for the unassuming entrance between the supermarket and gas station on Yehuda Burla Street. The entrance is pretty distant from the main road, so arrange pickup transportation in advance. Use Waze navigation and expect some confusion on your first visit.

Public transport: Buses 17, 19, 31, and 32 serve the area.

Parking: Turn left into the Botanic Gardens parking lot, just before the Supersol supermarket. Convenient parking available, though it can fill up during special events.

What to bring:

• Water bottle (though drinking fountains are available throughout)
• Comfortable walking shoes for uneven paths
• Hat and sunscreen for outdoor sections
• Camera for the Instagram-worthy spots

Food and amenities:

• Caffit café on-site with standard Israeli dairy menu
• Clean restrooms strategically placed throughout (surprisingly well-maintained even during crowded events)
• Plant nursery adjacent to gardens for garden enthusiasts

Family-Friendly Features

The gardens excel at entertaining kids without feeling like a theme park. Water play areas, sand pits, and educational stations keep young visitors engaged while parents enjoy the botanical displays. The wide, stroller-friendly paths make it accessible for families with small children.

Special events: Watch for seasonal festivals, light shows during winter holidays, and occasional outdoor concerts that transform the gardens after dark.

Honest Assessment: What to Expect

The good: Genuine diversity of plant life, peaceful atmosphere (especially on weekdays), excellent tropical greenhouse, and educational value.

The challenging: Premium pricing for what some consider limited content, navigation difficulties, seasonal limitations, and summer heat issues.

Maintenance reality: Reviews are mixed regarding upkeep. Some visitors find certain areas well-maintained, while others note neglected sections and inconsistent care.

Money-Saving Strategies

• Special considerations for pricing:
• Advance booking required: As of recent updates, tickets must be purchased in advance to limit visitor numbers
• Event pricing varies dramatically: Special exhibitions can cost 55-89 NIS instead of regular admission
• Jerusalem residents: Children up to 18 get free entry with Jerusalem ID (adults still pay)
• Off-season visits: Potentially lower crowds and better parking
• Weekday timing: More peaceful experience with minimal crowds
• Combined activities: Pair your visit with the adjacent nursery and café for a full morning or afternoon

Special Considerations

Accessibility: Generally wheelchair and stroller accessible, though some paths may be challenging.

Weather dependency: This is fundamentally an outdoor experience. Check weather forecasts and dress accordingly.

Realistic timing: Most visitors spend 2-3 hours exploring thoroughly, though you could easily stretch this to a full day with café breaks and careful observation.

What we propose

Emma Heidi

Customer Experience Manager

Take all the stress out of planning your trip!

With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs.

We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey.

We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients.

Discover our clients’ experiences here

 Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary.

 A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide.

 Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars.

 We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time.

 Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go.

Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.

Want to know if it’s really worth it?

Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us.

Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection.

Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever.

Contact us via email

Chat with us on WhatsApp
Callback from the expert

How it works

• You are welcome
to contact us
• We discuss
your trip
• You fill out a special form
• We create
your itinerary
• You get it with all useful tips
• We are in touch with
you all the time