Updated November 2026 The National Botanical Garden of Iran remains one of west Tehran’s best green escapes; we have updated the details on its layout, location and how to plan a visit.
The National Botanical Garden of Iran is a vast research garden and arboretum on the north-western edge of Tehran, and one of the best places in the city to get away from traffic and pollution for a few hours. Covering around 150 hectares at the foot of the Alborz mountains, it recreates landscapes from across Iran and the wider world, from the Hyrcanian forests of the Caspian to the Himalayas, with lakes, waterfalls and long, quiet walking paths in between.
The garden was established in 1968 as part of the country’s main research institute for forests and rangelands, and it is still first and foremost a scientific institution: it houses Iran’s national herbarium and a large specialist library. Since 2011 it has also been open to the public, partly to help fund its upkeep, and many Tehranis are surprised to learn it is there at all. It is a rewarding outing for families, keen gardeners and anyone who simply wants space and fresh air.
What you will see
The layout is organised around habitats. One part of the garden is devoted to Iran’s own landscapes, including the green Hyrcanian forests, the oak woodland of the Zagros, the slopes of the southern Alborz, the dry Irano-Turanian steppe and a greenhouse for the plants of the hot south. Another reproduces regions further afield, including Europe, the Caucasus, the meadows of North America, China, Japan and the Himalayas.
In between are themed collections: a systematic garden laid out by plant family, a garden of medicinal herbs, rock and ornamental plant gardens, a rose garden and a traditional Persian chaharbagh, the four-part garden design that inspired gardens from Isfahan to the Taj Mahal. Six lakes, two rivers and two waterfalls tie the whole site together, and the hills built to suggest mountain ranges give you some gentle climbs and good views back towards the city.
The arboretum is the most important in Iran, and among the trees and shrubs to look out for are the chestnut-leaved oak of the Caspian forests, the Caucasian zelkova, English yew, ash, the Caspian honey locust and the silk tree, with its pink powder-puff flowers in early summer. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit: April and May for blossom and green growth, and October and November for autumn colour in the forest sections.
Practical information
- Location: Pajoohesh Boulevard, off the Tehran–Karaj freeway, near Chitgar Park in the north-west of the city.
- Getting there: It is easiest by car or ride-hailing app; ask for Bagh-e Giah-shenasi-ye Melli (National Botanical Garden). Public transport leaves you with a long walk.
- Opening hours: the garden opens during the day and closes in the early evening, earlier in winter. Times change with the seasons, so check before you set out.
- Tickets: there is a modest entrance fee, paid at the gate. For an idea of everyday costs in the city, see our Iran price trackers.
- Time needed: allow at least half a day. The site is large, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Food: there is a picnic area and simple refreshments, but bring water and snacks, especially in summer.
Weekends and public holidays bring families with picnics, so for a quieter visit go on a weekday morning. On hot days the shaded forest sections and the lakeside paths are the most comfortable places to walk.
If you are in the west of Tehran for the day, you can combine the garden with a visit to Ghazali Cinema Town, or browse our city guide for more ideas on Tehran’s parks and amenities.
