Bonus trip · Family Walk
Botanical Garden
University of Szeged Botanical Garden · Lövölde út 42 · since 1922
The lotus lives in a pond heated by thermal water, and tropical butterflies land on the visitors.
Why go: in late July and early August the Indian lotus blooms, and pink flowers cover almost the whole pond. In the tropical butterfly house blue butterflies fly free and often land on people.
In 1922, when the University of Kolozsvár moved to Szeged, the city gave 20 cadastral acres for a botanical garden. In 1925 director István Győrffy began planting.
The lotus arrived in 1932 from the lake of the Návay mansion in Óföldeák. Thermal water of about 22°C flows across the pond bottom all year, so the plant can survive the winter. According to the city's tourism site it is the largest outdoor lotus stand in Central Europe.
Since 2008 Lotus Days have been held every summer with Indian dance, yoga and concerts. In 2026 for the nineteenth time.
There's a Japanese garden, rose garden, rock garden, orchid house, 59 kinds of carnivorous plants, and since 2014 a tropical greenhouse of more than 500 square metres, at least 7.5 metres high. The butterflies arrive as pupae from breeding stations in Costa Rica.
On the Path of Women Scientists, ceramic sculptures honour the university's women researchers, starting with Katalin Karikó. In 2024 more than 50,000 people visited.
Open in the app →Animated scene, old photos, stamps and the full map. Free, nothing to install.Facts and labels
- TrueSince 1922; first director István Győrffy.
- TrueLotus since 1932, in a pond heated by thermal water. Blooms late July to early August.
- TrueTropical butterfly garden since 2016, tropical greenhouse since 2014.
- True2024: more than 50,000 visitors.