Bergianska trädgården

A waterside botanic garden in Frescati

Bergianska trädgården is Stockholm University's botanic garden, located in the northern university district of Frescati, right on the shore of Lake Brunnsviken. The garden describes itself as a "museum for living plants" (museum för levande växter) and brings together around 5,500 plant species. It is divided into a free outdoor garden and two paid glasshouses.

That makes it a flexible destination: you can wander the extensive waterside park for free at any time, while the exotic flora under glass costs admission. Some guidebooks describe Bergianska as Stockholm's largest botanic garden – a claim that circulates in secondary sources but is not explicitly confirmed on the official site.

What to expect in the outdoor garden

The outdoor garden is open year-round and free to enter. It spreads across hilly grounds by Lake Brunnsviken and is arranged by botanical and geographic themes – from perennial and useful-plant beds to collections of trees and shrubs. In summer it's a classic spot for a walk or a picnic; in winter, a quiet green space away from the city centre.

If you're already exploring the National City Park, it's easy to combine the visit with the area's major museums: the Swedish Museum of Natural History is just a short walk away in the same district.

The two glasshouses

The heart of the garden is its two glasshouses, each with its own admission:

• Edvard Andersons växthus – the large show house, opened in 1995 and named after the Stockholm merchant Edvard Andersson (1865–1936), who left money for it in his will. It houses plants from Mediterranean and subtropical climate zones, and also contains a restaurant and café (Gamla Orangeriet) and a museum shop.
• Victoriahuset – the smaller, listed building from 1900, built specifically for the Amazon giant water lily (Victoria amazonica) and named after Queen Victoria of England. Its leaves grow up to 2.5 metres across, with flowers reaching almost 40 centimetres.

An important note on current status: as of 2026, the tropical sections of the Edvard Andersons växthus are temporarily closed, with only the Mediterranean sections open. The Victoriahuset only opens for the summer half of the year in any case.

Opening hours, admission and tickets

The outdoor garden is free to enter year-round. The Edvard Andersons växthus is open all year, Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 16:00 and at weekends 11:00 to 17:00; it's closed on Mondays, except public-holiday Mondays and 1 May. The Victoriahuset only opens during the season from 1 May to 30 September, at the same times. Both houses are closed over Midsummer, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Admission is charged per glasshouse – there is no combined ticket: Edvard Andersons växthus 100 SEK for adults (annual pass 300 SEK), Victoriahuset 25 SEK. Children up to 17 are free in both houses. Payment is by card or Swish only – the garden does not accept cash. There is no separate online ticketing, so tickets are bought on site. Current times and prices are listed at bergianska.se.

Best time to visit and getting there

The garden has the most to offer in summer, from May to September, when the Victoriahuset with its giant water lilies is also open. Over the winter half of the year, the evergreen glasshouses are especially worthwhile as a warm retreat. Depending on your interest, allow 2 to 4 hours – just the outdoor garden is quicker, while both houses plus a café break can turn into half a day.

The easiest way in is by tunnelbana (red line) to Universitetet, then about a ten-minute walk. Alternatively, the Roslagsbanan commuter train and bus routes 50 (Bergiusvägen) and 540 (Frescati) also serve the area; paid parking is available at the north entrance and beneath Roslagsvägen, with an accessible parking space on Gustafsborgsvägen 4. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are permitted, though parts of the grounds are hilly; dogs must be kept on a lead and stay outside the glasshouses.

For tips on getting around, see the guide Getting around Stockholm, and for planning your trip by season, check out the best time to visit. As a green destination away from the city centre, Bergianska pairs well with a day spent in the north – for more ideas, see the guide Day trips from Stockholm.