10 Best Park and Garden Tours in Florence

Florence is one of Italy's most important cities, home to countless cultural and artistic treasures of great splendour and history. But the city is also full of parks and gardens where you can breathe fresh air, relax and, of course, continue admiring the works of art on display around you.

Among the extensive list of things to see and do in Florence is a visit to its parks and gardens. You could start with the Boboli Gardens, which resemble an open-air museum. There is also the Bardini Garden, which offers beautiful views of the city. Consider seeing the extensive collection of plants in the Botanical Garden and the rose and iris exhibitions in the rose garden and the Iris Garden, respectively. I will continue with more details and options to explore.

In the heart of Florence , you can explore the Boboli Gardens. This natural space is a favourite among tourists, not only because of its easy access, but also because of the wonders it holds within. Tours of this garden are usually led by a guide, who tells the history of the place and other interesting facts.

The garden is mainly Renaissance in style and dates back to the 16th century. As you walk along the paths, you will see various sculptures and elements of great architectural value that make the place an open-air museum. You will pass through some of its caves, one of which was created by the artist Bernardo Buontalenti.

You will also see the famous fountains inside, such as the Neptune fountain, also known as the statue of the fork, as the god Neptune holds a trident in his hand. You will visit the Kaffehaus, one of the buildings inside the gardens, a spacious domed pavilion representative of the Rococo style.

Finally, if you want to get a more complete picture of court life in Florence, you can take a tour of the Boboli Gardens with a guided visit to the Pitti Palace, which is also part of this large historical complex full of beauty.

Useful information

• Price: the tour costs approximately £98 per person.
• Duration: generally, the tour lasts 1 hour and a half.

The Bardini Garden is another must-see when visiting Florence, not only because it offers beautiful views of the city and its landmarks such as the dome of Florence Cathedral, but also because of its fascinating history spanning no less than seven centuries.

You can take a tour at your own pace through these natural grounds on a hill, which will allow you to see Florence and some of its wonders. Of course, there is much to explore in these gardens. You will see traces of the Baroque style in some of its caves, statues, flower gardens and fountains.

It is also possible to see traces of its evolution with Renaissance elements. In general, the Bardini Garden has three main styles: the Italian garden, with its striking Baroque staircase; the English forest, with some exotic elements; and the agricultural park, with its orchards and wonderful wisteria, known as the plant of friendship.

In fact, if you visit Florence in March, you can see this beautiful plant in bloom. And if you are planning your itinerary, you can take the opportunity to join a guided tour of the Basilica of Santa Croce, which is only 1 km from this garden.

Useful information

• Price: general admission is usually €10 per person and free on the first Sunday of each month.
• Duration: the time for a self-guided tour is estimated at 1 hour.

A true natural treasure awaits you during your visit to the Botanical Garden of Florence or Giardino dei Semplici. This complex of just under 2,000 square metres is located in the central area of Florence, near Florence's Piazza del Duomo, making it easily accessible.

In the Botanical Garden of Florence, which is part of the Natural History Museum of Florence, you can see:

• A large collection of at least 120 specimens of cidacal palms.
• A collection of ferns and pteridophytes, with approximately 300 specimens.
• At least 140 specimens of palm trees.
• Around 60 specimens of citrus plants and 200 specimens of medicinal plants.
• Around 100 specimens of roses, 150 species of edible plants and various monumental trees.

All these plants are housed in cold and hot greenhouses and are rotated according to climatic and logistical needs. On the other hand, given the favourable location of the garden, just 1 km from Florence Cathedral, it would be a good idea to combine the tour with a guided visit to the Duomo with access to the dome.

Useful information

• Price: you can take a self-guided tour or a guided tour. Admission costs around £6 per person, while a guided tour costs £5.
• Duration: the visit can last between 1 and 2 hours.

Rose lovers will find Florence the ideal place to admire these flowers: the Rose Garden or Giardino delle Rose. This natural lung of the city is dedicated to this popular flower and is home to some 350 varieties and 1,200 plants. Of course, you can also see other plants such as lemon trees, etc.

If, for example, you are visiting Florence for two days between May and June, be sure to include a visit to this rose paradise in your itinerary, as they will be in full bloom. During the tour, which you can do on your own, you will also find 12 sculptures by architect Jean-Michel Folon.

Take a stroll through the Japanese garden, which was a gift from the city of Kyoto to Florence in 1998. All in all, this natural setting is a very relaxing experience. Thanks to its elevation, the garden offers beautiful views of Florence and places of interest such as Piazzale Michelangelo.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free and the tour is on your own.
• Duration: you can stay as long as you like during opening hours, which are usually from 9:00 a.m. until sunset.

The 118 hectares of the Cascine Park in Florence await you for a relaxing and refreshing break in the middle of a busy day. This option is ideal for summer or spring, or any day when the weather is nice enough to be outdoors.

This park is the largest public park in the city and was used as a farm several centuries ago. When exploring on your own, I recommend checking out the extensive forest inside, which is home to cedars, poplars, chestnut trees, pines, and elms that are decades old.

You can also use the extensive lawns to walk or exercise, or spend a day with friends with a picnic and outdoor games. However, in the midst of the vast natural surroundings, you will find surprising works of art.

Don't miss the pyramid on the Avenue of the Elm Trees, built in 1796 to store food. Walk to the Tempietto dell'Indiano, a monument to the Indian prince Rajaram Chuttraputti, who died in Florence while travelling. Also look out for the Fontana delle Boccacce and the Anfiteatro delle Cornacchie, outstanding architectural features in the large garden.

Useful information

• Price: you can visit on your own at no cost.
• Duration: you can stay as long as you like according to the seasonal opening hours.

Another place where flower lovers can enjoy a contemplative experience is the Iris Garden. As its name suggests, this natural space is dedicated to plants of the Iris genus, from the Iridaceae family, which are commonly grouped under the name irises.

This natural enclosure has some unique features that you will discover during your visit. However, you should know that the iris is the representative flower of the city of Florence. In addition, this garden was inaugurated in 1954 and is home to at least 300 species of flowers in an area of approximately 2 hectares.

The garden is not always open to the public. It is only open between April and May, when the irises are in bloom. This colourful place is managed by the Società Italiana dell'Iris, an organisation that promotes the cultivation of irises. During your visit, you will also enjoy beautiful views of the city.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free, although you can opt for a tour guide to accompany you.
• Duration: there is no set time for the visit, although it usually lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

About 7 km by car from the historic centre of Florence is the Giardino dell'Orticultura, a 19th-century natural space that offers charms to visitors in any season, but especially on the sunniest days of summer and spring.

As you walk around, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge greenhouse, an Art Nouveau iron structure designed by Giacomo Roster, which caused a sensation when it was inaugurated and is now the venue for cultural events such as art exhibitions and musical and artistic performances.

Walk towards the snake-shaped fountain, located at the highest point of the grounds, and admire its decoration. If you are travelling to Florence with children, you should know that inside this natural complex you will find a play area that is ideal for keeping them entertained.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: you can stay as long as you like, according to the seasonal opening hours.

Villa Strozzi Park is located about 9 km by car from the centre of Florence. Inside, you can relax as you walk along its paths, which cover an area of 90,000 square metres. You can take a tour on your own in this historic space that belonged to the Strozzi family of Florence.

This natural temple is divided into two areas, the first comprising a forest whose paths lead to the observatory, located at the top of the hill. The second area has a more modern feel and dates back to the 19th century. In this area, you can appreciate the English garden style .

Walk along the old avenue where carriages used to pass, surrounded by trees. At the end of this stretch, you will reach the lemon house and see two historic buildings in the park: the chapel and the villa.

Although there is no guided tour as such, it is possible to take a tour with access to information about the history of the park and the preservation of the environment. There is also a playground ideal for children.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: the tour is at your own pace.

Less than 30 minutes by car from the centre of Florence is Villa Vogel Park. It is a 5-hectare stretch of land which, thanks to its location, can be accessed from the four streets that surround it.

Inside, you can enjoy the green areas full of lawns and dozens of trees. This outdoor recreation complex is ideal for enjoying alone or with the family, as it has a playground, a skating rink and picnic tables.

Admire the fountain with waterfalls and jets of water and the peace monument dedicated to the martyrs of Auschwitz. Without a doubt, this is another natural destination full of history where you can have fun and relax in equal measure.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: the tour is at your own pace.

Albereta-Anconella Park is the second largest public park in Florence. It is a large area full of trees and green spaces, ideal for various outdoor activities.

However, due to its layout, this park is much more suitable for sports activities. This is evident in the fact that the park has a football pitch, long paths for walking or cycling, a skating rink, a basketball area and a climbing structure.

It also offers an exclusive area for pets, picnic tables, an amphitheatre where events are held and two fountains that embellish its interior. In short, it is a complex where nature and sport are at your disposal.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: you can take the tour at your own pace.

Many of the parks are open all year round and allow visitors to enjoy their spaces. However, depending on the type of activity you wish to do during your visit, there are some times that are better than others.

The summer, autumn and spring months can offer days with more favourable weather for enjoying the natural beauty of the parks. Also, keep in mind that if you are interested in seeing specific plants such as lilies, roses, etc., April, May and June are usually the months when they are in bloom, making them ideal for visiting.

On this type of tour, you will essentially see the natural beauty of Florence, accumulated over centuries. These are diverse collections of plants, with trees, flowers and hundreds of species preserved in various gardens and parks.

Secondly, you will also see many buildings of great architectural and artistic value, accompanied by sculptures, fountains and other outdoor exhibits of great historical and cultural importance. Finally, you cannot ignore the fact that many of the gardens and parks offer unparalleled views of Florence from different angles and over various places of interest, worthy of a good photo album.