Advertisement

17 of the most beautiful parks and gardens in Italy

Catherine Edwards
Catherine Edwards - [email protected]
17 of the most beautiful parks and gardens in Italy
Giardini di Villa Monastero, Lake Como. Photo: Stew Dean/Flickr

Spring has sprung, and all over Italy that means parks and gardens are coming alive with colour. Here are 17 that are well worth a visit, including some old favourites and a few lesser-explored gems.

Advertisement

Arte Sella, Trentino

We'll start the list with a garden that's a little out of the ordinary. Arte Sella is a museum/art gallery in a park surrounded by mountains. All the artworks are made of natural materials and have been designed to interact with their surroundings. Walking the entire route takes four to five hours.

Photo: Alessandro/Flickr

Giardini della Landriana, Lazio

Escape from Rome to visit these spectacular gardens – by car is easiest, but you can also travel by regional train and shuttle bus. The garden is split into 30 areas or 'rooms' each with a distinctive theme, offering a Mediterranean twist on the classic English style of garden. Head there in April to see the spectacular flower show.

 

A post shared by @georginapelham on Jun 22, 2016 at 12:40pm PDT

Boboli Gardens, Florence

The Boboli Gardens were the inspiration for many European palace gardens - not least Versailles - and you'll see plenty of stunning architecture as you stroll around. Work on the gardens first began in the 15th century and at one time it was the home of the powerful Medici family. Highlights include the amphitheatre, Neptune's Fountain, and the Grotta Grande (Large Cave) with spectacular sculptures and frescoes.

Photo: Eva van Wassenhove/Flickr

Palermo Botanic Gardens

This 200-year-old garden is one of the main sights in Sicily's capital, and home to many weird and wonderful plants. An oasis of peace in the bustling city - make sure to check out the various kinds of cacti.


Photo: Chris/Flickr

Villa Toepliz, Lombardy

In Varese, not far from Lake Como, you'll find this gorgeous park – one of the best examples of an Italian villa-park the country has to offer. Relax and enjoy the flowerbeds, fountains and trees, including some exotic species such as Himalayan cedars. Entry is free!

 

A post shared by Vale Silvano (@vale_silvano) on Jun 20, 2016 at 10:43am PDT

Castello Miramare, Trieste

The 19th-century castle alone is reason enough to visit, but its 22 hectare grounds include awe-inspiring cliffside views, tropical plants, and flower displays. 

Photo: fugzu/Flickr

Villa Visconti Borromeo Litta, Lombardy

If you're using Milan as a base, consider a trip to Lianate to take in this hidden gem, little known among tourists. Don't miss the grotto dedicated to water nymphs, or the recently restored greenhouse, and consider taking a guided tour to learn about the history of the 16th-century villa.

 

A post shared by Elena Svevi Muratore (@murriniii) on Oct 16, 2016 at 9:46am PDT

Parco Giardino Sigurtà, Veneto

Try out the maze, take in the landscaped gardens, and introduce your children to the farm animals at this serene spot, which is Italy's largest garden. Explore all 60 hectares on foot, by bike or on the tourist train – make sure you allow plenty of time.

Photo: Gabriele Vincenzi/Flickr

Giardino Buonaccorsi, Le Marche

These gardens were painstakingly mapped out in the 1700's, following principles of symmetry and geometry - and they remain faithful to the original design. They're free to visit, and you'll be treated to intriguing statues, views for miles, and original automata, making for an unforgettable day out.

 

A post shared by heiksb (@heiksb) on Aug 17, 2015 at 12:33pm PDT

Gardino dei Giusti, Verona

Name-checked by German literary giant Goethe, these gardens in the romantic northern city are a must-visit. It was designed to celebrate contrasts and evoke both horror and harmony. You'll find a grotto, myriad water features, and a tower – climb it for views over the entire city.

Photo: Radomir Cernoch/Flickr

Rose Gardens, Rome

Opposite the Circo Massimo lies the Roman Rose Garden, first created in the 1930s and home to over 1000 varieties of roses. It's an ideal setting for a romantic stroll, but hides a darker past: the area once formed part of Rome's Jewish Ghetto, and housed the Jewish cemetery. Look closely and you'll see that the footpaths form the shape of a menorah in a nod to the district's past.

Photo: Yannick Carer/Flickr

Giardini La Mortella, Ischia

If you're visiting bustling Naples or tourist-haven Capri, consider taking the time to explore their lesser-known neighbour Ischia, and this garden in particular. It's got plenty of character, with great views and a wide variety of plants. Music performances often take place here too, offering a treat for all the senses.

Giardini di Villa Monastero, Lake Como

You'll want to wander round these beautiful botanic gardens for hours, and they're incredibly photogenic. Plants from almost all over the world are able to grow here, and you can enjoy views over the lake.

Photo: Stew Dean/Flickr

Giardino di Ninfa, Lazio

You'll need to book a tour to see these gardens, and the guides will explain the history behind this magical spot. Prepare to be enchanted: Ninfa was at one time a busy medieval town, but was abandoned after a series of woes including struggles for ownership and a malaria outbreak. It wasn't until the 1900's that they were rediscovered and transformed into a botanical garden. Today, plants are entwined with the ruins, and you can cross the castle's moat to see inside. The only downside is that it can be tricky to get there - opening hours are limited and it's tough to reach from Rome on public transport.

 

A post shared by Michele Novelli (@michele.novelli) on Feb 9, 2017 at 2:43pm PST

Castello Ruspoli, Lazio

Yet another option for a day trip from Rome can be found in Viterbo at the magnificent Castello Ruspoli. The property still belongs to the ancient noble family, but you can explore the amazing Renaissance garden and relax by the plants and fountains.

Photo: Julia Maudlin/Flickr

Giardino Botanico Lama degli Ulivi, Puglia

Located in the town of Monopoli, the gnarled olive trees are the centre-piece of this garden. In total there are over 2000 species of plants from across the globe, and you should make sure you check out the incredible rock churches too.

 

A post shared by Thierry (@thierrywitschge) on Jul 29, 2016 at 5:04am PDT

Hanbury Botanic Gardens

Last but not least, it's another botanic garden, this one owned by Genoa's university. In addition to the incredible range of plants, you can see a Roman road, mosaics, grottos, and an unusual bronze dragon.

Photo: Tim Hage/Flickr

READ ALSO: 

This article was first published in March 2017.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also