Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens are located on the southeast corner of the Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus. The gardens are home to over 5,000 species arranged according to geography. These sections include plants native to the Mediterranean region, Central and Southwest Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, and South Africa. It also has a large collection of bonsai trees, a tropical conservatory, and an herb and medicinal plant garden. If you’re wondering what to do in Jerusalem this weekend, visiting the botanical gardens is truly one of the best free things to do in Jerusalem.

Educational and Conservation Efforts of the Botanical Gardens

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens feature a “Bible Path” planted with species many believe are referenced in the Bible. This is part of an effort to reach broader audiences, including religious and interfaith visitors. The Gardens’ education and outreach team also works with community and school groups (including children from underserved neighborhoods) to bring nature- and plant-oriented learning to a wide range of social communities. Staff have in the past assisted with establishing school and community gardens in various neighborhoods, including religious communities that otherwise have limited access to nature studies. The Gardens continue to host a variety of public courses and workshops, from medicinal-plant cultivation to sustainable gardening, offering accessible and hands-on experiences for people of different ages and backgrounds.

History of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Though the current Jerusalem Botanical Gardens opened in 1985, its roots go back much farther. The garden was established in 1931 under the direction of Alexander Eig, then chairman of the Hebrew University botany department, on a plot of land near the university’s Mount Scopus campus in northeast Jerusalem. When access to the campus was cut off during the 1948 War of Independence, the garden was planted anew at the newer campus, beginning with North American conifers.

In 1994, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens became a nonprofit enterprise. Representatives from the Hebrew University continue to sit on its board, along with representatives from the Jerusalem municipality, the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeYisrael, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Kaplan-Kushlik Foundation, and the Society of Friends of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

More About the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens maintain a rich global collection of plants, arranged in geographic zones from around the world, including a tropical conservatory and specialized plant sections. The Gardens continue to function as a center for plant conservation, scientific research, and educational outreach. They often run guided tours, workshops, and community programs aimed at diverse audiences-families, schoolchildren, volunteers, and visitors of different backgrounds. A “Discovery Trail” offers an interactive, child-friendly way to explore plant life and ecology. Through its outreach efforts, the Gardens collaborate with schools and community organizations to promote environmental awareness and access to horticultural learning.

For more information about the gardens, visit the official Jerusalem Botanical Gardens website. Be sure to explore Jerusalem on our Jerusalem Tours, such as our Best of Jerusalem Day Tour - perfect for first-time visitors, where you’ll experience the city’s rich history and cultural landmarks. If you’re eager to journey across the rest of the country, book one of our Israel Package Tours, in which we cover all the logistical details. You’ll focus on fully enjoying everything Israel has to offer, while we plan all the inclusive transfers, spectacular hotels, exciting itineraries, and expert guides.

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