The history of the Botanical Garden of Buenos Aires dates back to 1898, when the then Director of Public Parks of Buenos Aires, the French landscaper Charles Thays, proposed the creation of a Botanical Garden in the terrains it occupies today, bounded by Santa Fe Ave., Las Heras Ave. and Republica Arabe Siria St., for educational and conservation purposes.

The red brick English style building that already existed in those terrains was occupied by Charles Thays and his family. Today this building, that was declared National Monument, is the main building of the complex and serves as an art gallery and exhibition hall. There is also a Gardening School, a Library, and several greenhouses. The main greenhouse in Art Nouveau style, received a prize in the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1889.

There are more than five thousand species of plants and trees from all over the world, from Asia to Africa to America. There are small examples of three different styles of gardens: a French Garden, a Roman Garden, and a Japanese Garden.

As you walk the trails of the garden, you will find some beautiful marble sculptures, such as “Spring”, “Mercury”, “Venus”, and the group representing the movements of the VI Symphony of Beethoven, called “La Pastoral”. There is also a monument entitled “Weather Indicator”, designed by José Markovich, and presented by the Austro-Hungarian Empire community.

This garden is so peaceful that once you cross the gates and get inside, you instantly forget that you are in the middle of the city and surrounded by two of the noisiest streets in Buenos Aires.

Address: Santa Fe and Las Heras Ave., Plaza Italia. Subte station: Plaza Italia, Line D.

Opening Times: 

Summer (September 22nd to April 21st): Tuesday to Friday, 8 am to 6.45 pm - Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays: 9.30 a m to 6.45 pm.

Winter (April 22nd to September 21st): Tuesday to Friday, 8 am to 5.45 pm - Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays: 9.30 a m to 5.45 pm.

MONDAYS CLOSED

January 1st, Good Friday, May 1st, September 21st, and December 25th: CLOSED

On days of extremely bad weather (intense winds, persistent rain) the garden will remain closed for safety reasons.

FREE ENTRANCE

For more pictures of the Botanical Garden, visit my Botanical Garden Photo Gallery on Facebook.

In a corner of the large Parque Tres de Febrero, on Av Casares and Av Figueroa Alcorta, lays the Japanese Garden of Buenos Aires, an oasis in the middle of the city. In 1967, the city government lent this piece of land to the Japanese immigrants in Buenos Aires, who in return made this beautiful garden for all the inhabitants of the city.

Its ponds are filled with large koi fish, which can be fed with the koi food sold at the kiosks, making this a perfect place to visit with small children.

The park is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is in early spring (September-October), when the multicolored azaleas are in full bloom.