Flora and Botanical Garden Cologne

Flora and the Botanical Garden in Cologne's Riehl district make up one of the city's loveliest free green spaces: a historic park with a grand festival hall, flower parterres and greenhouses, right beside Cologne Zoo. If you want a calm walk, tropical plants or a family outing in Cologne, this is an easy and inexpensive choice. Admission is free, and new show greenhouses opened in June 2026.

A short history

Flora opened on August 14, 1864. The overall design goes back to the landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné, and Max Nohl was the architect of the glass palace. The city of Cologne took over the property in 1919 after the operating company went bankrupt. The botanical garden to the north opened on May 30, 1914, and the two parts were merged in 1920. Together they cover more than 11 hectares (about 27 acres).

An air raid destroyed the gardens on May 31, 1943. Between 1985 and 1990, the historic beds, paths, pond and cascades were rebuilt. The festival hall reopened in 2014 after renovation.

What to see

• The festival hall and the flower parterre with its fountain, just inside the entrance.
• The new show greenhouses, opened on June 12, 2026. According to the city they show more than 6,000 plant species from the tropics and deserts, with a step-free loop.
• A camellia collection of more than 650 cultivars, described as the largest in Germany.
• Ponds, flower beds and mature trees. In total, more than 10,000 native and exotic plant species grow here.

Plan one to two hours for a relaxed visit, a bit longer if you tour the greenhouses.

Opening hours and admission

As of October 2026, the garden opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. from October through March (later in summer, up to 9 p.m. in June and July). The tropical houses, desert house and subtropical house are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter. Admission is free. Dogs are not allowed, and grilling, picnics and cycling are prohibited.

How to get there

The main entrance is on Alter Stammheimer Weg in Riehl, roughly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north of Cologne Cathedral. Take tram line 18 to Zoo/Flora or line 16 to Kinderkrankenhaus; bus 140 also stops at Zoo/Flora. The Deutschlandticket is valid on these. A car park with marked disabled spaces is on site. The Cologne cable car links Zoo/Flora with the Rheinpark across the Rhine.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially in spring and summer, or if you want a free, quiet break from the city center. The entrance is fully wheelchair accessible and the paths are mostly easy to roll on. Thematic tours take place on Sundays at 11 a.m. according to the annual program.

Nearby

Cologne Zoo is next door, and the cable car takes you to Rheinpark in Deutz.