The Palmengarten is Frankfurt's great green escape, a botanical garden in the Westend that opened in 1871 and still combines grand glasshouses with open parkland. The Palm House, which dates from 1869, is among the largest of its kind in Europe, and the Tropicarium has 14 greenhouses with humid and arid tropical plants. The Flower and Butterfly House has a warm house where butterflies fly from early October to about mid April, which makes it a winter highlight, and there are also subantarctic and alpine houses and a display house with carnivorous plants. Outdoors there are lakes, rose and rock gardens, and lawns where locals picnic in summer. In winter the garden is open daily from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, the show houses close an hour later, and the garden is closed on 24 and 31 December. The adult ticket is ten euros at a special rate from 16 October 2026 to 7 February 2027, and children and adolescents up to seventeen enter free.
What to see in winter
This is the best season to treat the Palmengarten as a greenhouse visit. Start in the Palm House for the tall tropical canopy, then continue through the Tropicarium, which moves from damp jungle to dry desert, and finish in the Flower and Butterfly House, where the warm house is a delight on a cold day.
The shorter days mean less time for the open grounds, so keep the outdoor walk for the middle of the day when it is light. The garden often stages a winter light event, but the dates change each year, so check the website for the programme.
Practical details
The garden is open from November to February between nine and four, with last entry in good time, and the show houses close one hour after the garden. It is open on holidays other than 24 and 31 December. Adults pay ten euros during the winter special-rate period, reduced tickets cost five, seniors eight, groups of twenty or more eight each, and children up to seventeen are free. After-work tickets are not much use in winter because the garden closes at four. A cafe and a restaurant offer a warm pause.
Getting there and pairing it
The garden is in the Westend, a short walk from the Westend U-Bahn stop and not far from the Senckenberg Museum. A morning at the Senckenberg and an afternoon in the glasshouses is an easy family day. In the warmer months the garden can be combined with a stroll through the leafy Westend streets and the nearby Grüneburgpark. If you are visiting in Advent, the garden's greenhouses offer a quiet break from the Christmas market crowds.
What to expect
The experience
A self-paced walk through historic glasshouses and parkland, with a butterfly house that stays warm all winter.
Best time
Midday in winter, when the grounds are lightest and the greenhouses are at their warmest, and weekdays for fewer crowds.
How long
Two hours for the glasshouses and a lap of the grounds, longer with a cafe stop.
Tips
Bring a light layer for the hot houses, keep outdoor time for midday, and check the website for any winter light event.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, families and anyone who wants a warm, green escape on a cold day.
- Families
- Children up to seventeen enter free, and the butterfly house and the big tropical plants delight younger visitors.
- Couples
- Wander the Palm House on a grey afternoon, then have coffee in the garden cafe.
- Pair with
- The Senckenberg Museum and the Westend cafes.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
What are the winter opening hours?+
From November to February the garden is open daily from nine to four, and the show houses close one hour later. It is closed on 24 and 31 December.
How much does it cost in winter?+
Adults pay ten euros at a special rate from 16 October 2026 to 7 February 2027, with reduced tickets at five euros and free entry for children up to seventeen. The price returns to nine euros from 8 February 2027.
Are the butterflies there in winter?+
Yes, the Flower and Butterfly House is open daily and butterflies fly there from early October to about mid April. It is included in the entrance fee.
How long should I allow?+
Two hours is enough for the main glasshouses and a walk around the grounds. Allow longer in spring and summer when the gardens are in bloom.
Can I combine it with another sight?+
Yes, the Senckenberg Museum is a short walk away, making a good half-day or full-day pairing. The Westend streets between the two are pleasant to walk.
