University Botanical Garden

It was created for scientific purposes in 1892 by the first Bulgarian professor in botanics, doctor Stefan Georgiev. At its opening, tsar Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg-Gotha planted an oak twig, in whose roots he put a time capsule for memory and a golden coin for luck. The tree is already a century-old oak that stands there today. Additionally, you should not miss the tree of life – the big gingko-biloba, you could recognize it by the typical leaf shape. You could buy its seedling at the entrance.

In the open part there are two rock gardens with rocky pathways, grass and shrub areas, a small pond with water plants and lilies. The garden is proud with its collection of peonies and irises, as well as with its bed of seasonal flowers. The small house with grassy roof is Grandma’s garden. There they rear herbs, vegetables and edible plants, and behind it there is a hotel for insects.

Outside, right at the entrance of the greenhouses, there is a beautiful big wisteria and inside you could take a look at the collection of cacti, drought and moisture loving plants, exotic and ancient Mediterranean species – such as olive trees, mirth, citruses and even bay leaves. 

You must look for the beautiful rosarium. Its entrance is hidden behind the vestibule with the palm trees. In it we rear more than 40 rose species that start blooming since the end of May – among them, you should pay attention to the world famous fragrant Bulgarian sorts. 

While you are walking around, you will see lots of birds that had found a shelter there. 

It is a perfect place for walk, short rest and photos. It would not take you long, it is not overcrowded and definitely not to be missed, especially in May and June. 
In order to find your way and take a look of everything, you could take a map at the entrance. On Monday and Tuesday it is closed.