• Giant water lilies fill the heated pool in the Victoria house from May to September, with leaves up to two meters across
• Free guided tours in German run regularly with no sign-up, and private tours in English can be booked by email
• Some paths are narrow and uneven, and not every greenhouse is step-free; step-free entrances are at Schönbeinstrasse 6 and opposite the Spalentor tram stop

One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, founded in 1589 and next to the Spalentor since 1898. More than 7,500 plant species grow in the outdoor beds and greenhouses.

Kids can find cocoa, bananas and coffee in the Tropical Greenhouse, giant water lily pads in the Victoria house, century-old golden barrel cacti in the Succulent House, and tiny frogs hiding among the tropical plants.