These Are the Botanical Gardens in Europe to Visit for a Relaxing Stroll

Traveling can be hectic and stressful, which is why sometimes you just can't help but yearn for calm, relaxing time.

For those who want to include a leisurely stroll in their Europe itineraries in particular, botanical gardens are attractions that are worth visiting.

What Exactly Are Botanical Gardens?

EBSCO defines a botanical garden as "a dedicated space showcasing a diverse collection of living plants, organized primarily to highlight their similarities and connections."

"Typically, these gardens label their specimens with both common and scientific names, along with information about the region of origin and ecological significance," EBSCO adds.

This shows that botanical gardens are not only good to look at, but they are also very educational for those who visit.

Botanical Gardens in Europe Worth Visiting

Europe is home to a number of botanical gardens that tourists should include in their bucket lists. Here are some examples.

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

One of the world's oldest botanical gardens, Hortus Botanicus is known for its collection of well-known plants and trees. Some of them are even already considered endangered.

Tourists visiting Hortus Botanicus should make sure to check out its collection of carnivorous plants, including the Venus flytrap and bladderworts. Don't forget to check out the Palm House as well, which houses the 350-year-old Encephalartos altensteinii.

Kew Gardens

Located in southwest London, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to 50,000 living plants. Founded in 1759, there is much to see in the 121 hectares it covers.

Among the attractions found within the Kew Gardens is the Palm House, which is an indoor rainforest, and Davies Alpine House, which houses plants that thrive in high-altitude territories.

Meise Botanic Garden

Also known as Plantentuin Meise, Belgium's Meise Botanic Garden is one of the world's largest botanical gardens. It was previously known as the National Botanic Garden of Belgium, but the name change took place in 2014.

The Meise Botanic Garden covers 92 hectares and showcases around 18,000 plant species. Among the attractions that can be found within this botanical garden is the Balat Greenhouse, a greenhouse made of glass and steel that is considered one of the oldest greenhouses in the whole of Belgium.

There is also the Culinary Garden, which is dedicated to the Belgian food culture and also serves as a community garden.

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

If you come to Belgium at the right time, then you may be lucky enough to access the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken. Part of the Royal Domain of Laeken, the gardens are part of the active and private residences of the Belgian royal family, which means they are only open for a couple of days per year, typically in April and May.

The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken houses special plants and trees in its collection. For example, plants from the original collections of King Leopold II can be found within the gardens. King Leopold II was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909.