Botanical Gardens in Moscow
There are numerous gardens in Moscow, and early May is a perfect time to take a stroll around one—especially when everything starts to bloom. Read on to learn about the three most prominent botanical gardens showcasing unique flora from different parts of the world
Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences
The biggest botanical garden in Moscow, the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences spans 52 hectares and contains a large collection of plants from across the globe. It is a tranquil place suitable for long walks, especially since the different areas of the garden are quite far apart from each other.
Within its bounds there is a rose garden, a lilac garden, and an arboretum, as well as two greenhouses with various tropical and subtropical plants.
One of the main attractions is the Japanese garden, which features a stone pagoda, decorative lanterns, gazebos, and an imitation of a mountain river. It is especially attractive in April and May, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Address: 4 Botanicheskaya Ulitsa
Open: 8 am to 10 pm
You can visit the garden for free. Tickets to enter a greenhouse or one of the specialised gardens (such as the Japanese garden) cost 200–300 RUB (for students), depending on the day of the week.
You can find more information on the website (in Russian).
Apothecary Garden
Originally founded in 1706, this garden was initially used for growing medicinal herbs. It is the only apothecary garden still preserved in Moscow. Although it was once on the outskirts of the city, it now remains an island of green on a busy street not far from the central part of Moscow.
While it is a compact garden, it boasts an old pond with aquatic plants and many alleyways for strolling.
Despite its size, the collection of plants is impressive—there are areas dedicated to orchids, lilacs, magnolias, ferns, conifers, birches, maples, and many more. On top of that, you can visit a palm greenhouse, a succulent greenhouse, and a subtropical greenhouse. Some of them house terrariums with small frogs and reptiles, in addition to plants.
Address: 26 Prospekt Mira
Open: 10 am to 10 pm
Entrance tickets for students cost 350–400 RUB, depending on the day of the week.
You can find more information on the website (in Russian).
Moscow State University Botanical Garden
The botanical garden near Moscow State University is another smaller garden with a variety of plants. The garden is divided into specific areas, including an arboretum and a fruit garden with trees—apricots, plums, apples, pears, and different berries.
The alpine garden, a type of rock garden where high-altitude plants are cultivated, showcases plants from Siberia, Central and Eastern Asia, Western Europe, and North America, among others.
The central part is taken up by a flower garden with peonies, phloxes, lilacs, roses, and irises. There is also an area exhibiting various ornamental plants.
Address: 1/12 Leninskiye Gory
Open: 10 am to 8 pm
Entrance tickets for students cost 250 RUB.
You can find more information on the website.
