One of Hamburg's largest parks has the ingenious name Planten un Blomen — translated from the Lower German dialect, it means 'plants and flowers'. It's true that most of the park is a botanical garden, but the southern side is taken up by playgrounds. The park's picturesque natural setting and children's playgrounds make it a popular recreational area for Hamburg residents and visitors. The wide, well-maintained avenues are ideal for walking and cycling.
The park covers an area of 47 hectares. If you head north to the Botanical Gardens, you can take a trip to the Mediterranean or East Asia. Hamburg has some southern plants such as cypresses, hibiscus and figs, some of which can even be planted outdoors. In the Japanese Landscape Garden you can relax by the pond, listen to the babbling brook and admire the unusual rock formations. Under the roof of the conservatory you will find warm loving exotic, desert and tropical plants.
And in the pharmacy garden, you can see the plants used in official and popular medicine to treat various ailments. The rose garden is also exceptional, with 300 varieties of roses. Many people dream of coming here when they are in bloom. In the botanical garden, however, a variety of flowering plants delight visitors from March to October.
Planten un Blomen in the south has a different rhythm. Children play and there are more playgrounds here than anywhere else. One of the rope climbs is more like a spider's web, while the slides look like tracks in a real mountain. Skaters can take a ride on a giant rollercoaster, which is transformed into an ice rink in winter. There are also mini golf courses, trampolines, giant chess and other attractions.
As darkness falls, colourful musical fountains come into play. The water jets dance to the music and the artistic lighting adds to the atmosphere.
There are also many events, concerts and competitions, including one for children. Hagenbeck Zoo is half an hour's walk from the park and the two can be combined. There are several cafes and restaurants in Planten un Blomen.
