The Botanical Garden: Kraków’s Oldest Green Hideaway

A short walk east of the Old Town, behind quiet walls, lies the oldest botanical garden in Poland — a peaceful enclosure of ancient trees, glasshouses and ponds that most visitors to Kraków never discover. For a calm hour away from the crowds, the Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden is hard to beat. For the wider picture, see our Kraków travel guide and green Kraków guide.

The oldest garden in Poland

Founded in 1783 as part of the Jagiellonian University, the garden has been growing and teaching for over two centuries. Its grounds hold a collection of venerable trees — some among the oldest in the city — along with rock gardens, an arboretum, lily ponds and formal beds laid out for study as much as for pleasure.

The glasshouses

The historic glasshouses shelter palms, cacti, orchids and tropical plants, including some remarkable specimens that have been cultivated here for generations. A giant Amazonian water lily and a collection of insect-eating plants are perennial favourites, and the Victorian-era palm house is a delight in itself.

Practical tips

• Seasonal. The garden is open from spring to autumn; the glasshouses have their own hours. Check current opening before you go, as it closes over winter.
• Tickets. A modest entry fee, with the glasshouses sometimes ticketed separately.
• Find it on Kopernika Street, a 10–15 minute walk east of the Main Market Square.
• Combine it with a relaxed day exploring green Kraków; it is best enjoyed slowly.

Frequently asked questions