The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland is a free public visitor attraction and scientific institution located at Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63, approximately three kilometres north of Dublin city centre. This 2026 travel guide covers opening hours, admission, guided tours, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
This guide was last updated in February 2026. Many third-party travel sites list only the summer opening hours, which gives an inaccurate picture for visitors planning a visit outside the summer season. As of February 2026, the gardens are operating on winter hours: 9:00 am–4:30 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am–4:30 pm on weekends and bank holidays. Summer hours — 9:00 am–5:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am–6:00 pm on weekends — begin on Monday 9 March 2026.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 VY63 |
| Current opening hours (winter, until 8 March 2026) | Mon–Fri: 9:00 am–4:30 pm; Sat, Sun & bank holidays: 10:00 am–4:30 pm |
| Summer opening hours (from 9 March 2026) | Mon–Fri: 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Sat, Sun & bank holidays: 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Closed | Christmas Day (25 December) only |
| Admission | Free |
| Nearest bus stops | Dublin Bus routes 4, 9, 83, and 155 from O’Connell Street stop near the main entrance |
| On-site parking | Yes — paid, limited spaces |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–3 hours |
National Botanic Gardens opening hours
The gardens are open every day of the year except Christmas Day (25 December). Hours vary between winter and summer seasons.
From 9 March 2026, summer hours apply: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Until then, winter hours are in operation: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. The Visitor Centre (including the café, lecture theatre, and exhibition gallery) has its own opening times, which may differ slightly from the gardens themselves; check the official website for current Visitor Centre hours before visiting.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
National Botanic Gardens admission prices
Admission to the National Botanic Gardens is free. There is no entry fee for the gardens themselves at any time of year. Some special events, workshops, and exhibitions held within the gardens may carry a charge; these are listed on the official website and ticketed separately.
A free self-guided audio tour is available via the Guidigo app, which can be downloaded before visiting. Three routes are offered: a history-focused tour, a riverside route, and a glasshouse tour.
Admission details were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
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How to get to the National Botanic Gardens
The gardens are located in Glasnevin, three kilometres north of Dublin city centre, and are accessible by bus, bicycle, car, and on foot. There is no direct Luas or DART stop at the gardens.
- Dublin Bus: Routes 4, 9, 83, and 155 from O’Connell Street all stop near the main entrance on Botanic Road. Journey time from the city centre is approximately 20–25 minutes. Check dublinbus.ie for current timetables and stop details.
- DART: Drumcondra station is the nearest, but it is approximately a 20-minute walk from the gardens. Bus connections from the city centre are more convenient for most visitors.
- Luas: The nearest Luas stop is Cabra on the Green Line, which is approximately a 25-minute walk from the gardens. Connecting bus services are available.
- By car from the city centre: Leave Dublin via the Drumcondra Road (N1) and turn left at Botanic Avenue (at Fagan’s pub), just before crossing the River Tolka. At the end of Botanic Avenue, turn left at the T-junction. The gardens are clearly signposted. GPS coordinates: latitude 53.3717, longitude −6.2696.
- Cycling: Bike racks are available at the entrance to the Visitor Centre.
Parking at the National Botanic Gardens
On-site paid parking is available at the main entrance on Botanic Road. Spaces are limited, and the car park fills quickly on weekends and during summer. Designated accessible parking bays are available within the car park for visitors with a disability. Visiting by public transport is recommended during busy periods.
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How long to spend at the National Botanic Gardens
Most visitors spend between one and a half and three hours at the gardens. The site covers approximately 19.5 hectares of outdoor grounds, plus several historic glasshouses, and can be explored at any pace. Visitors joining a guided tour (approximately one hour) who also want to explore independently should allow at least two hours in total. Those visiting only for a brief walk through the main glasshouses and herbaceous borders can comfortably do so in 60–90 minutes.
Accessibility at the National Botanic Gardens
Most paths throughout the gardens are broad and have an all-weather surface. The glasshouses are all accessible. There are flights of steps in two locations within the grounds; an accessibility map detailing the layout of all areas is available to download from the official website and in print at the Visitor Centre.
Wheelchairs are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be pre-booked. The Visitor Centre and Library both have lifts providing access to upper floors. Accessible toilets are available on site. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not permitted. A social guide to visiting, designed for first-time visitors and people with developmental or learning disabilities, is available to download from the Heritage Ireland website.
Inside the National Botanic Gardens: what to see
The gardens are self-guided and visited at the visitor’s own pace using a map available from the Visitor Centre or downloadable from the official website.
The historic glasshouses are the most significant structures on site. The Curvilinear Range, designed by Richard Turner and completed in 1869, and the Great Palm House are the most notable; both are recipients of the Europa Nostra Award for excellence in conservation architecture. Other glasshouses include the Orchid House, Aquatic House, Cactus House, and Fern House.
The outdoor gardens are arranged into distinct zones: the herbaceous borders, rose garden, alpine yard, rock garden, bog garden, pond area, arboretum, and a walled kitchen garden with a vegetable plot. The gardens hold over 15,000 plant species and cultivars from habitats around the world, including more than 300 endangered species, six of which are already extinct in the wild.
The Visitor Centre houses a café (the Garden Restaurant), an exhibition gallery with changing displays, a lecture theatre, a gift shop, and an information desk. A short film about the gardens is available to view in multiple languages, including English, Irish, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Twelve portraits of influential Irish and international botanists, painted by Anna O’Leary, hang in the Visitor Centre.
The National Herbarium is based on the grounds and holds millions of dried plant specimens supporting ongoing botanical research. It is not a general visitor exhibit but forms part of the gardens’ scientific function.
A direct pedestrian gateway links the Botanic Gardens to the neighbouring Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, allowing visitors to move between both sites without returning to the street.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check which hours apply before you visit | Winter and summer hours differ. Summer hours begin 9 March 2026. Many third-party sites list summer hours only. |
| Book guided tours in advance | Weekday guided tours at 11:30 am and 3:00 pm have limited capacity. Sunday tours are free. Contact the Visitor Centre on +353 1 804 0319 to confirm availability. |
| Download the audio guide before you visit | The free Guidigo app offers three self-guided tour routes. Download it in advance as connectivity in the gardens can be limited. |
| Arrive early on weekends | The on-site car park fills quickly at weekends; public transport is recommended on Saturdays and Sundays. |
| Several activities are not permitted | Picnics, ball games, cycling, jogging, dogs (except guide dogs), scooters, and skateboards are all prohibited within the gardens. |
| The Visitor Centre has different hours to the gardens | The café and Visitor Centre may open later or close earlier than the gardens themselves. Check before visiting if the café is a priority. |
| Combine with Glasnevin Cemetery | A direct walkway links the gardens and the cemetery. Both can be visited in a single half-day trip without returning to the street. |
| Wheelchair users should arrive early | Wheelchairs are available from the Visitor Centre on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. |
Frequently asked questions about the National Botanic Gardens Dublin
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is entry to the National Botanic Gardens free? | Yes. General admission is free at all times. Some special events, workshops, and ticketed tours may carry a fee. |
| What time does the National Botanic Gardens close? | In winter (until 8 March 2026): 4:30 pm daily. From 9 March 2026: 5:00 pm on weekdays, 6:00 pm on weekends and bank holidays. |
| Is the National Botanic Gardens open on Sundays? | Yes. Open every Sunday throughout the year. Free guided tours are also available on Sundays at 11:30 am and 3:00 pm. |
| Is the National Botanic Gardens open on bank holidays? | Yes. Weekend hours apply on bank holidays. |
| Is the National Botanic Gardens wheelchair accessible? | Mostly. Most outdoor paths and all glasshouses are accessible. There are steps in two locations. An accessibility map is available from the Visitor Centre and online. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from the Visitor Centre on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Are dogs allowed in the National Botanic Gardens? | Only guide and assistance dogs are permitted. No other dogs are allowed on site. |
| Is there parking at the National Botanic Gardens? | Yes. Paid on-site parking is available at the main entrance, with designated accessible bays. Spaces are limited and fill quickly at weekends. |
| Is there a café at the National Botanic Gardens? | Yes. The Garden Restaurant in the Visitor Centre serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes, and hot lunches. |
| Can I visit the National Botanic Gardens and Glasnevin Cemetery in the same trip? | Yes. A direct pedestrian gateway links the two sites. |
Things to do near the National Botanic Gardens
The gardens are in Glasnevin, north of the city centre, within easy reach of several other visitor attractions.
- Glasnevin Cemetery Museum — Directly accessible through a pedestrian gateway from the gardens. A major paid attraction covering Irish history through the stories of those buried there, including Daniel O’Connell and Michael Collins. Guided tours available.
- Croke Park Stadium Tour and Museum — Located approximately 2 km south of the gardens. The home of Gaelic games; a paid stadium tour and interactive museum is open to visitors on non-match days.
- Dublin Writers Museum — Located on Parnell Square, approximately 2.5 km from the gardens. Covers the history of Irish literature.
- Hugh Lane Gallery — Located on Parnell Square North, beside the Writers Museum. Ireland‘s gallery of modern and contemporary art.
- Garden of Remembrance — Located on Parnell Square East, approximately 2.5 km from the gardens. A public memorial garden commemorating those who died in the cause of Irish freedom.
More Dublin travel
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- Practical guide to visiting Christ Church Cathedral.
- What you need to know before visiting EPIC The Irish Emigrant Museum.
- Learn about life in the tenements at 14 Henrietta Street.
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