Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Blooms to Global Fame

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town has earned a spot in The New York Times Style Magazine’s list of the Top 25 Gardens Around the World.

This iconic South African garden is featured alongside some of the world’s most celebrated green spaces, including Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Cranbrook, England, and Giardino di Ninfa in Cisterna di Latina, Italy.

The Decision Process

The team at The New York Times assembled panel of six horticultural experts for the latest installment of their T25 series to “debate and ultimately choose the places that’ve changed the way we look at — and think about — plants.”

Kirstenbosch featured among the Top 10.

One of the panelists Tim Richardson has dubbed it as “maybe the most spectacular botanical garden in the world.”

He said: “It’s not really a botanical garden in a normal sense but more like a mountainside. You can’t do it all in one day… you do bits and then come back another day and do other bits. It’s really quite wild.”

Why You Should Visit

Discover the magic at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. This iconic World Heritage Site is home to over 22,000 plant species, which are some of the rarest and most breathtaking blooms you’ll ever see. It’s a paradise for nature lovers, garden geeks, and birders alike, with more than 200 bird species calling the garden home.

But it’s not just about the plants and birds. Kirstenbosch is also a key player in conservation, working to protect endangered species and preserve South Africa’s incredible biodiversity. The garden spills out onto the slopes of Table Mountain, so you can take a hike with epic views or simply wander the beautifully landscaped paths at your own pace. Throughout the year, Kirstenbosch also plays host to concerts, art exhibitions, and seasonal events, so there’s always a reason to come back. Whether you’re chasing Instagrammable moments, fresh air, or floral inspiration, Kirstenbosch is an absolute must-visit.