Most beautiful gardens in Florence to visit
At first glance, Florence is a city of stone. However, hiding behind its thick walls and massive buildings lie gardens both public and private, seemingly invisible except from above. Boboli is the first that comes to mind when thinking of Florence’s historical gardens, but there are also many other ones. All of these gardens are proving Florence’s critical role in the diffusion of ideas and grand projects in the field of garden architecture in Italy and Europe. Before listing all my favorite and most beautiful gardens of Florence, let me introduce myself.
My name is Claudia, I have a master’s degree in history of architecture, and specialized in historical gardens. I work as a licensed tour guide in Florence, since more than 10 years. Take a look at my private Florence guided tours!
Most beautiful gardens to visit in Florence
First of all I want to remind you that summer in Florence is really hot, with temperatures even above 38 °C (100 °F). Unfortunately, due to global warming, the hot season is getting longer and longer. It can even start in June and last until August.
You will have to take this into account when considering to visit a garden, because you will have to walk outdoors, under the sun, and often on sloping terrain. And due to the opening hours, it’s impossible to take advantage of the very early hours of the morning to visit the gardens when it is not yet too hot.
Having said that, let’s talk about the most beautiful gardens in Florence to visit: I dedicated the first chapter to those gardens which are just like museums, so there is an entrance ticket.
Boboli Gardens
The most famous Renaissance garden in the world is today an open-air museum, which is part of the Pitti Palace complex. Eleanor of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici, commissioned the gardens in 1550. Then the park has been filled with ancient statues, green architectures and archaeological finds from Rome and ancient Egypt, and expanded several times.
One of the things I love most about the Boboli Gardens is the citrus collection that belonged to the Medicis. The plant collection is still here, so it lasted longer than the Medici family! In winter the citrus plants are housed inside the orangery. While from spring to autumn you can find them on the artificial island in the center of the large ocean fountain. Half of the citrus collection is in Boboli, the other half in the garden of Villa di Castello (see below).
The entrance ticket to the Boboli Gardens costs 10 euros and also includes entry to the nearby Bardini Gardens on the same day. There is also a combined Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace combined ticket (22 euro). And then a 5 days pass that combines the Boboli Gardens with Pitti Palace and the Uffizi (called passe-partout). You can learn more about the passe-partout (and much more) in my blogpost with all my tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery.
To visit all the Boboli Gardens it takes at least a couple of hours. If you don’t have enough time, skip the second axis (that goes on the right from Pitti Palace). The first axis (central from Pitti) is more important.
Bardini Gardens
The gardens take their name from Stefano Bardini, a Florentine antiques dealer. In the 19th century he bought two adjacent ancient gardens and transformed them into a magnificent open-air showroom. One of them was a baroque garden from the XVII century, while the other one was an English garden. You can still clearly see the difference. Among olive trees and roses, Bardini displayed statues and architectural pieces from the past which he then sold to foreign collectors.
The Bardini gardens are known for the gorgeous view of Florence that can be enjoyed from the terrace at the top of the baroque staircase, where there is a café. But above all they are famous for the wisteria pergola, which blooms in spring, turning into a fragrant violet tunnel. Spring is of course the best time to visit this place, when colorful irises are blooming at the sides of the baroque staircase. But actually it’s enjoyable at any time of the year, thanks to the view of the city.
The Bardini Gardens are located on the opposite side of the same hill where the Boboli Gardens are, and can be visited with the same ticket. Each of the two gardens has a secondary entrance near the exit of the other, to shorten the route for those who want to visit both. Read more about the Bardini Gardens here.
Medici Villa of Castello
Villa di Castello belonged to the Medici since 1400, but it was in 1500 that Cosimo I had the villa renovated and the wonderful garden created. The garden of Villa di Castello is one of the first Italian Renaissance gardens, and it’s full of symbolic meanings. Its architecture is a green allegory representing Tuscany and celebrating the power of the Medici family. Even though it has been modified over the centuries, the garden still looks very similar to the original one. Giorgio Vasari designed it in the 16th century, and decorated with statues, fountains and geometrically shaped flowerbeds. Like the grotto decorated with animals, or the monumental statue of Gennaio (January) sculpted by Niccolò Ammannati.
Don’t miss the secret garden, called ortaccio, a small garden surrounded by high walls, located inside the main garden. Here Cosimo III de’ Medici, in the 18th century, cultivated his precious collection of exotic jasmine. Today in the secret garden, in addition to jasmine, aromatic Mediterranean herbs are also grown. The garden of the Villa of Castello houses half of the citrus collection of the Medici (the other half is in Boboli). Again, the plants are placed inside the orangery in winter, still inside their traditional Tuscan terracotta pots.The villa itself houses the Accademia della Crusca, an important academy studying the Italian language. Only some rooms are open to visitors, only on Wednesdays and Thursdays, by appointment.
Villa di Castello is located outside of the city center, in the neighborhood of Firenze Castello, almost at the border with the neighboring municipality, Sesto Fiorentino. What was once open countryside is now the outskirts of the city. You can get there by public transport by taking the tram line T1.3 and then bus no. 2 or 28.
Medici Villa La Petraia
Villa la Petraia is right next to Villa di Castello, at a walking distance. The garden is a big park that spans over three levels, and that opens up to a stunning view of the city and its surroundings. The garden is a mix of different scenarios such as Italian parterre, pools, fountains, and even an English garden. Although we have lost much of the original architectural shape, is still one of the most beautiful gardens in Florence. Especially in spring and summer time, when flowers are blooming into bright patches of colors.
You can also visit the interior of the Medici Villa, with guided tours lasting half an hour. The interiors, however, are not original from the Medici era, they have been renovated several times in the following centuries. But are still very enjoyable if you like old, fancy mansions.
Directions to get to Villa la Petraia are the same of Villa di Castello. You can check the opening hours of both Villas of Castello and La Petraia on the official website of the Medici Villas.
Orto dei Semplici botanical garden
Founded by Cosimo de’ Medici in 1545, this is the third oldest botanical garden in the world, and today is part of the Natural History Museum of Florence. The Orto dei Semplici garden has impressive collections of both edible and medical plants. And also some themed gardens, from zen garden to the Italian one. There are also some ancient trees such gymnosperms and other plants which are considered living fossils of the botanical world.
The botanical Garden Orto dei Semplici is centrally located in via Pier Antonio Micheli, very close to piazza San Marco and the Accademia Gallery museum. There is a 6 euro entrance ticket to get in. It’s open every day except for Mondays, from 10 am to the sunset.
Medici park of Pratolino
This huge park is located a little outside of Florence, but if you have enough time and you love historic gardens, I really recommend you do not miss it. Once upon a time there was a magnificent villa, built by order of Francesco I de ‘Medici, with a huge park full of wonders and a large forest where he could hunt. Francesco loved to amaze his guests with automatons, bizarre caves, fountains and water games scattered throughout the park. The villa was demolished in the 18th century, and the park was heavily modified, so many of its wonders are unfortunately lost.
But something of its ancient splendor remains: the most spectacular thing of the Park of Pratolino is the gigantic statue of the Appennino (the Apennines), created by Giambologna at the end of the 16th century. A stone giant covered in stalactites, encrustations, marine sponges and shells, crouched in front of a small lake.
The Park of the Villa del Pratolino is in the small village of Vaglia, on the hills north of Florence. You can get there by car in 20 minutes from the center of Florence, or by bus in 45 minutes (line 25). The opening hours vary according to the season, you can check them on the official website. Don’t look at the opening hours on the English page, as they are incomplete. Refer to the opening hours on the Italian page). Entrance is free.
Free gardens and parks in Florence, Italy
If you want to take a breath of fresh air, and a walk among plants and singing birds without having to pay, there are quite a few options. Even in the historic center, that apparently looks entirely made of stone, there are some free parks and gardens where you can relax. Some of them are almost unknown, even to Florentines, for one reason or another.
Roses garden
The Roses Garden of Florence (Giardino delle Rose) is very close to Piazzale Michelangelo, the panoramic terrace with the most beautiful view of the city. It is a public garden with free entry that develops on the side of the hill, and one of the two entrances is located right next to Piazzale Michelangelo, on the left side of it. The Roses Garden has the same stunning view of piazzale Michelangelo, but framed with roses. It’s definitely one of the best view points in Florence.
As the name suggests, this garden is dedicated to the queens of flowers, roses, and there are hundreds of different species, which bloom from March to October. Roses surround the beautiful view of Florence and the dome of the cathedral. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic! The Roses Garden is decorated with bronze statues by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. His sculptures are deamy and fantastic figures popping out from the plants. Sleeping cats, fish-men, birds and the famous suitcase that frames the view of Florence.
The Garden of Roses is open every day from 9.00 am to the sunset.
Iris garden
Close to the Roses garden, on the opposite side of Piazzale Michelangelo (the right side), the Iris Garden is the kingdom of irises of every color, shape and species. The reason why Florence has such a garden is because the symbol of the city is a red iris flower on a white background. Even if many ones call it “lily of Florence” it’s not a lily, but an iris.
Since the end of the 1800s there is an international competition for iris collectors and growers, who constantly create new species, which are then planted in the garden.
The Iris garden is only open for 20 days of the year, from April 25th to May 20th, which is for the blooming season of these flowers. Entrance is free, so don’t miss the chance to visit one of the most beautiful garden of Florence, if you are in town at the right time. Learn more about the Iris Garden in Florence in the blogpost.
Orto di Francesco (Garden of Saint Francis)
In the heart of Florence, behind the Basilica of Santa Croce, there‘s a secret garden that very few people know about. The Orto di Francesco (Garden of Francis – But Orto in Italian refers specifically to a vegetable and herbal garden) was born in 2024, thanks to scholars and researchers of botany and medieval history, who recreated an ancient monastic garden from the 14th century. The information comes from sources such as ancient manuscripts, paintings and illustrations, and ancient botanical manuals.
Over 200 species grow in the garden, which were used by monks and friars to make medicines, fabrics and much more. Santa Croce is a Franciscan basilica, so the garden is dedicated to Saint Francis. The garden was also designed with the goal of creating an oasis of biodiversity in the heart of the city, full of flowers that favor pollinating insects.
Entrance to the Garden of Francis is free. It’s open every day from 9:30 to 17:30, except on Sundays and holidays, when it opens at 12:30. Access is from Via San Giuseppe, right after the entrance to the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Parco Michelangelo
Opened in the summer of 2024, Parco Michelangelo is located on the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo, where until a few years ago there was a campsite. The area was recently transformed into a large public park with a beautiful view of the historic center of Florence. Here you can walk among over 700 olive trees. Inside the park there are picnic areas, benches and a small soccer field for children.
The park (as you can guess from its name) is very close to Piazzale Michelangelo, the Rose Garden and the Iris Garden (which is right next door). Access to Parco Michelangelo is free, it is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm.
Stibbert Garden and villa
On via Bolognese, almost at the city limits, the is one of the most bizarre and fascinating museums of Florence, the Stibbert Museum. Frederick Stibbert was a British-Italian collector and dealer of antiquities, with a true passion for the Middle Ages. He had a Neo-Gothic style villa built that looks like a medieval castle, and which today houses the Stibbert museum and its many collections. The garden extends around the villa, as eclectic and bizarre as the building.
The garden of Villa Stibbert is dotted with curiosities such an Egyptian temple, a neoclassical one, a Neo-Renaissance orangery, and many other interesting artworks and little buildings. It’s a peaceful oasis where I love to take do a picnic or read a book on the grass. The Stibbert museum has an entrance ticket, but the access to the garden is free and independent from the museum.
To get there, take the tram line T1.3. Get off at Muratori stop and then walk (uphill) for about 15 minutes.
Giardino dell’Orticoltura
Close to the Stibbert Museum, the Giardino dell’Orticoltura (horticulture garden) is a large public park much loved by Florentines. The park lies on the side of a hill, and has two entrances, one at the top and one at the bottom.
Near the entrance at the top there is a bizarre sculpture of a dragon all covered in a mosaic of colored scales.
In the lower part of the park, on the plain, there is a beautiful steel greenhouse fro 1880, where plant-themed events and markets are often held. The Horticulture Garden hosts twice a year an important market and exhibition of plants and flowers.
Most beautiful Private Gardens in Florence
At first glance, the historic center of Florence seems entirely made of stone and devoid of green areas. The truth is that most of the gardens in the historic center are private, and often hidden by high walls. So it is almost impossible to notice them from the outside.
These gardens are the parks of ancient noble villas, which still belong to the same families for generations. And on some special occasions, those families open the gates of their magnificent gardens to visitors. Some of these villas have been transformed into luxury hotels, and their gardens are now accessible only to guests.
Torrigiani Gardens
Giardino Torrigiani is a hidden gem in the heart of the city, the largest private garden in Florence. It still belongs to the same family since centuries, the Torrigiani, one of the oldest noble Florentine families. The garden is a grand romantic park in an English style, filled with exotic plants, a Neo-gothic astronomical observation tower, statues in Egyptian stile and many other secret wonders. The Torrigiani Garden also houses a nursery, where hundreds of species are growing. The plants of the nursery are mostly sold and rented to companies, but once in a while they also open their green houses to visitors, who can buy plants.
The garden is only open on reservation, and the guided tours are lead by members of the Torrigiani family. You can find more information on the official website of Giardino Torrigiani. A chance to visit the garden is staying at AdAstra boutique hotel, that has a terrace with a wonderful view on the garden.
Giardino della Gherardesca
One of the most beautiful English gardens in Florence, and the largest private garden in the city, that very few are lucky enough to visit. The Gherardesca Garden has a very ancient history: in 1400 it was a botanical garden, which was then transformed into an English garden by the Count della Gherardesca. The ancient Palazzo della Gherardesca today houses the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel, and access to the garden is reserved for hotel guests.
Giardino Corsini
This beautiful baroque garden is attached to the Villa Corsini. Both the villa and the gardens were built in 1620 for the Corsini family, who still owns and lives there today. The Corsini Garden is almost a secret garden, because it is protected by high walls and from the outside you can’t imagine what is hidden inside. The Corsini Garden is used as a location for events and weddings, but is opened to visitors on some occasions, such as Artigianato e Palazzo, an event dedicated to local craftsmanship and quality handmade, or Firenze Flower Show, dedicated to plants and flowers.
I hope this post was helpful! If you have other tips about the most beautiful gardens in Florence, leave a comment and share your recommendations with other travelers and readers!