European botanical gardens are anchored by historic university and royal collections.
Tier 1 — destination botanical cities
- London (Kew Gardens): 50,000 species. UNESCO World Heritage.
- Madrid (Real Jardín Botánico): Adjacent to Prado.
- Berlin (Botanischer Garten): 22,000 species + tropical greenhouse.
- Edinburgh (Royal Botanic Garden): Free entry; rock garden famous.
- Vienna (Schönbrunn Botanical Gardens): Imperial-era greenhouse.
Tier 2 — strong botanical gardens
- Lisbon (Jardim Botânico de Lisboa): University collection.
- Geneva Botanical Gardens.
- Brussels Meise Botanic Garden.
- Padua Orto Botanico: Oldest academic botanical garden (1545, UNESCO).
- Coimbra Botanic Garden: University-attached.
Tier 3 — niche but rewarding
- Madeira Botanical Gardens.
- Tenerife Botanical Garden: Tropical species.
- Trondheim, Norway: Northern collection.
Strategy
Spring (April-June) is peak bloom; autumn (September-October) for foliage. Many gardens free or under €10.