Innsbruck University Botanic Garden

Innsbruck University Botanic Garden occupies about 2 hectares with six greenhouses holding over 5000 plant species from various climates around the world. The layout separates tropical, subtropical, and alpine plants in different sections, with each building recreating specific environmental conditions.

The garden was established in 1793 and relocated to its current Hotting site in 1913. Extensive renovations between 1948 and 1965 upgraded the facilities for modern botanical research after World War II.

The space serves as a working study site where researchers and students observe plants in controlled environments, while visitors can see how different species thrive in their adapted climates. This active role as a research center means you walk through areas where ongoing botanical work shapes what you see.

The garden is free to visit on any day, though greenhouse tours run Thursday afternoons for a modest fee. Wear comfortable shoes since you walk between different sections and greenhouses across the grounds.

Austria's first sensory garden for smell and touch opened here in 1999, offering plants you can feel and scent. Plant labels throughout include Braille text, making the experience accessible to visitors with vision loss.