Vilnius City Municipality
Vilnius
Lithuania's largest botanical garden by the former Kairėnai manor
Kairėnų g. 43, Vilnius
54.73350, 25.40450
2-4 hours
spring and summer for flowering, autumn for dendrology colours
Vilnius University Botanical Garden, Kairėnai Botanical Garden
The largest botanical garden in Lithuania
Vilnius University Botanical Garden in Kairėnai is the largest botanical garden in Lithuania. It spreads across about 191 ha in the Kairėnai area of eastern Vilnius, and together with the Vingis Park section its holdings reach almost 199 ha. This space allows the garden to grow more than 10,000 plant species and varieties from around the world.
The garden occupies the former Kairėnai manor lands, so among the collections the old manor park survives with a system of ponds. A roughly 3.5 km circular route runs through the garden and connects different plant displays, making a visit feel like a calm walk through a large landscape park.
The tradition of Lithuania's oldest botanical garden
Although the Kairėnai garden itself is relatively recent, its roots are very old. VLE states that Vilnius University's botanical garden was founded in 1781 by Jean Emmanuel Gilibert beside the Medical College, making it the oldest botanical garden in Lithuania. It later moved several times: in 1799 to Sereikiškės, today's Bernardine Garden, and from 1919 it was restored in Vingis Park.
In 1974 a new site in Kairėnai was allocated for garden expansion. Roads, ponds, and displays were gradually created there, and in 1997 the garden grew to 191 ha. Kairėnai opened to visitors in 2000, joining more than two centuries of scientific tradition with a spacious contemporary territory.
What to see in the garden
The garden is known for rich thematic collections: rhododendrons, lilacs, peonies, irises, dahlias, lianas, and park and garden roses. The dendrology collection contains thousands of tree and shrub taxa, making autumn especially colourful. A separate visitor favourite is the Japanese Garden, opened in 2012.
Beyond cultivated plants, Kairėnai also preserves natural habitats: deciduous and wetland forests, pine forest, and ponds with hundreds of wild plant species. The garden is therefore interesting both as a botanical collection and as living nature on the city edge.
How to visit
Vilnius University Botanical Garden in Kairėnai is visited in the warm season and has its own season, opening hours, and tickets. Because the area is very large, allow 2-4 hours and wear comfortable shoes. The 3.5 km circular route is well suited to a slow half-day walk.
Opening hours and ticket prices depend on the season and change, so check the official garden page before travelling. For flowering, the best time is spring and early summer, with rhododendrons, lilacs, irises, and peonies; roses and dahlias are at their best in mid and late summer.
