Grasagarður Botanical Garden
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About Grasagarður Botanical Garden
Grasagarður, the Reykjavík Botanical Garden, is a free, open garden in Laugardalur, the green valley east of downtown Reykjavík. It has labeled beds of perennials, trees and shrubs plus a collection of Iceland's native flora, and it shows how much can grow this close to the Arctic Circle.
The garden dates from 1961, when the city received 200 Icelandic plants to conserve, and that native collection is still at its heart. Today the plants are arranged in eight collections, from a tree collection and woodland floor plants to a rock garden and a vegetable garden. Everything is labeled, so even a casual stroll teaches you which hardy species survive Reykjavík winters.
The grounds are open at all times, and there is no admission fee. The greenhouse and summer house are open 10:00 to 18:00 in summer and 10:00 to 15:00 in winter. Kaffi Flóra, the café in the greenhouse, runs from May through August and closes for the winter, so time a lunch stop accordingly.
Summer is the season to come, when the beds are in full growth and free 30-minute guided tours in English start at the main entrance every Friday at 12:40 in June, July and August. In winter the beds are bare, though the paths still make a quiet walk when you need a break from downtown. Allow about an hour, then pair the Reykjavík Botanical Garden with the Family Park and Zoo next door or a soak at Laugardalslaug.
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Good to know
Is the Reykjavík Botanical Garden free?
Yes, entry to the garden is free, and the grounds are open at all times.
What are the Reykjavík Botanical Garden opening hours?
The outdoor garden is always open. The greenhouse and summer house are open 10:00 to 18:00 in summer and 10:00 to 15:00 in winter.
Where is the Reykjavík Botanical Garden?
It is in the Laugardalur valley east of downtown Reykjavík, next to the Family Park and Zoo and a short walk from Laugardalslaug.
Is there a café at the Reykjavík Botanical Garden?
Yes, Kaffi Flóra is in the greenhouse. It is open from May through August and closed in winter.
Are there guided tours of the Reykjavík Botanical Garden?
Yes, free 30-minute tours in English start at the main entrance every Friday at 12:40 in June, July and August.
Is the Reykjavík Botanical Garden worth visiting in winter?
It is a pleasant, quiet walk in winter, but the beds are bare. Come between June and August to see the plants at their best.
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