Riga’s cooler months still have room for a green escape. At the University of Latvia Botanical Garden, the restored Palm House brings subtropical plants into a glasshouse setting, with the outdoor garden available for a stroll around the visit.
It is an appealing change of pace between Old Town walks, museums and concerts: choose a daytime slot, take your time with the plants, and leave the rest of the afternoon flexible. Here is what to check when planning a late-autumn or winter visit.
📍 The garden at a glance
| Place | University of Latvia Botanical Garden — LU Botāniskais dārzs |
|---|---|
| Current official address | Jāņa Šteinhauera iela 2, Riga |
| Cold-season hours | 10:00–16:00, Monday–Sunday, for the outdoor exhibitions, Palm House and Azalea House |
| Cold-season adult admission | €6, October–February |
| Best planning approach | Make the Palm House the main stop; check current access to other plant spaces separately |
Use the garden’s current contact details and live opening-hours table before setting out, particularly around holidays.
🌴 A Palm House with a new chapter
The Palm House reopened in December 2025 after a five-year break. Its restoration renewed the structural framework and glazing and introduced modern systems for heating, misting, lighting and air exchange.
The building reaches 24 metres in height and houses much of the garden’s subtropical collection. The garden’s post-renovation introduction describes more than 200 plant taxa, including palms from different parts of the world.
For a visitor, the pleasure can be in the details: compare the shapes of the leaves, look at how the plants occupy the height of the space, and use the labels to follow something unfamiliar. You can enjoy the visit without being a plant specialist or trying to identify every specimen.
Read the garden’s Palm House introduction
🦋 Choose the plant spaces for your season
The Palm House, Azalea House and Tropical Butterfly House are separate spaces. The garden’s current seasonal timetable lists the Tropical Butterfly House from 10:00–16:00 in October and November, with closure shown for December through March. Recheck the live table if butterflies are the main reason for your trip.
Access also varies between greenhouses: the garden currently lists the tropical-plant and succulent/cactus exhibitions as closed to visitors. Make the Palm House your main stop, and check any other section you particularly hope to see before travelling.
Official greenhouse collections and access notes
🎟️ Tickets for a cooler-month visit
For October–February, the published standard prices are €6 for adults, €5 for students and seniors with valid identification, and €4 for school pupils.
The garden lists a 30% Monday discount, except on public holidays falling on a Monday, and a 30% senior discount on Thursdays with valid identification. Discounts cannot be combined. Check the official price list for the conditions that apply to your party, including family tickets and free-admission categories.
🚋 Find the garden and visit comfortably
Use the current address, Jāņa Šteinhauera iela 2, when planning your journey. Older maps and visitor information may show Kandavas iela 2; search for the garden’s full name and compare the official location link if your navigation service uses that older address.
The garden’s transport information lists tram routes 1 and 5 among the options. Check your departure point and current service before travelling, allowing time for the visit before the 16:00 closing time.
The visitor rules ask guests to leave pets at home and bicycles or scooters at the entrance. Ordinary private photography is permitted; commercial photography needs separate arrangements. Greenhouse paths can be narrow, so contact the garden in advance if you need specific access information.
For the outdoor part, follow current signs and keep out of restricted restoration areas. The garden has asked visitors to respect these while work continues. Read its visitor rules before going.
🍃 Give the garden its own part of the day
A late-morning visit leaves room for lunch afterwards. Start with the Palm House, then decide how much outdoor walking suits the weather and your energy. Bring a layer for the journey and garden paths, even if the glasshouse is your main destination.
Keep any evening plans separate. Our November Riga guide can help you choose a concert or another cultural stop for the same trip. Leave enough time between activities to enjoy both.
🏡 An apartment for your Riga days
Explore MIRO Rooms Center, Skolas and French when planning your city break. Compare each apartment’s location and facilities with the places you want to visit, including your route to the garden.
Find your MIRO Rooms apartment in Riga
Visitor information checked on 31 October 2026. Hours, prices, seasonal openings and access arrangements can change; use the garden’s official pages for the latest details before your visit.