Florence Park and Garden Tours

Florence is one of the most important cities in Italy and is home to a wealth of cultural and artistic displays 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 to admire the works of art on display all around.

Among the extensive list of things to see and do in Florence is to visit 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 plant collection in the Botanical Gardens and the rose and lily exhibits in the Rose Garden and the Iris Garden, respectively. I will continue with more details and options for sightseeing.

In the heart of Florence you can explore the Boboli Garden. This natural space is a favourite among tourists not only for its easy accessibility, but also for the wonders it holds within. Tours of the garden are usually led by a guide, who tells the history of the garden 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 be able to 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 fork statue, 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 have a more complete view of court life in Florence, you could take advantage of a tour of the Boboli garden, with a guided visit to the Pitti Palace, which is also part of this great historical complex full of beauty.

Useful information

• Price: the tour costs approximately 98€ per person.
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for this tour is 1 hour and a half.

The Bardini Garden is another essential when visiting Florence, not only because it offers beautiful views of the city and its landmarks such as the Dome of Florence's Duomo, but also because of its fascinating history spanning no less than seven centuries.

You can take a self-paced tour of this natural hilltop facility, which allows you to view 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 the 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 baroque staircase; the English forest, with some exotic elements; and the agricultural park, with the vegetable gardens and the wonderful wisteria, known as the plant of friendship.

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

Useful information

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

A real natural treasure is what you will find during a 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, close to Florence's Piazza del Duomo, so it is easily accessible.

In the Botanical Garden of Florence, which in turn is part of the Natural History Museum of Florence, you will be able to 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 palms.
• About 60 specimens of citrus plants and 200 specimens of medicinal plants.
• About 100 specimens of roses, 150 species of edible plants and various monumental trees.

All these plants are housed in cold and warm greenhouses and are rotated according to climatic and logistical needs. Moreover, given the favourable location of the garden, just 1 km from the 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 do a self-guided or guided tour. Admission costs around €6 per person, while a guided tour can cost €5.
• Duration: the visit can last between 1 and 2 hours.

Rose lovers will find an ideal place to admire roses in Florence: 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 will also be able to see other plants such as lemon trees, etc.

If, for example, you visit Florence for 2 days between May and June, don't hesitate to include a visit to this rose paradise in your itinerary, as they will be in full bloom. Also, during the tour, which you can do on your own, you will find the 12 sculptures belonging to the architect Jean-Michel Folon.

Also, stroll through the Japanese garden, which was a gift from the city of Kyoto to Florence in 1998. All in all, the experience in this natural enclosure is very relaxing. In addition, the garden's relief offers beautiful views of Florence and sights such as the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free and the tour is on your own.
• Duration: You can stay as long as you wish, within its hours of operation which usually run from 9:00 am until sunset.

The 118 hectares that belong to the Parco delle Cascine in Florence await you for an experience of relaxation and recreation in the middle of a busy day. This option is ideal for summer or spring, or any day with good weather to be out in the open.

This site is the largest public park in the city and several centuries ago it functioned as an agricultural estate. When touring on your own, I recommend exploring the extensive woodland within, which is home to cedar, poplar, chestnut, pine and elm trees dozens of years old.

It is also possible to use the extensive lawns for walking or exercise, or spend a day with friends with a picnic and outdoor games. However, in the middle of the vast nature you will find art that will surprise you.

Be sure to see the pyramid in the Avenue of the Elms, built in 1796 with the function of storing food inside . Walk to the Tempietto dell'Indiano, a monument to the Indian prince Rajaram Chuttraputti, who died in Florence while travelling. Also identify the Fontana delle Boccacce and the Amphitheatre delle Cornacchie, architectural highlights in the large garden.

Useful information

• Price: you can visit on your own at no extra cost.
• Duration: It is possible to stay for as long as you wish according to the seasonal schedule.

Another place where flower fanatics can have a contemplative experience is the Iris Garden. As its name suggests, this natural space is dedicated to plants of the genus Iris, of the iridaceae family, which are popularly grouped under the name of lilies.

This natural enclosure has some particularities whose details you will discover during your visit. However, you should know that the lily is the representative flower of the city of Florence. Moreover, this garden was inaugurated in 1954 and houses at least 300 species of flowers in a range of approximately 2 hectares.

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

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 the average visit lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

About 7 km drive from the historic centre of Florence is the Giardino dell'Orticultura, a 19th century natural space that offers enchantment to visitors in all seasons, but especially in the sunnier days of summer and spring.

When you walk around it, the first thing that catches your attention is its enormous greenhouse, an Art Nouveau iron structure designed by Giacomo Roster, which caused an impact at the time of its inauguration and which today is the setting for some cultural events such as painting exhibitions and musical and artistic performances.

Also, walk towards the snake-shaped fountain, located in the highest part of the grounds, and appreciate its decoration. If you are travelling to Florence with children, you should know that inside this natural complex you will find a play area ideal for their entertainment.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: you can stay as long as you want, according to the seasonal schedule.

The Villa Strozzi Park is located about 9 km drive from the centre of Florence. Inside you can relax while walking along the paths that extend over an area of 90,000 square metres. You can take a self-guided tour of this historic space that belonged to the Strozzi family of Florence.

This natural temple is structured in two zones, the first comprises 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 the carriages used to pass, surrounded by trees. At the end of this stretch you will come to the lemon house and you will 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. In addition, there is a play area ideal for children.

Useful information

• Price: access is free of charge.
• Duration: the tour is at your own pace.

Less than 30 minutes drive from the central area of Florence is the Villa Vogel Park. It is a 5 hectare expanse of land which, due to its location, is accessible from the four streets that surround it.

Inside you will appreciate the grassy green areas and the dozens of trees all around. This open-air recreational complex is ideal to enjoy alone or with the family, as it has a playground, a skating rink and picnic tables.

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

Useful information

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

The Albereta-Anconella Park is the second largest public park in Florence. It is a wide expanse of land full of trees and green areas, ideal for various outdoor activities.

However, because of its structure, this park is much more ideal for sporting activities. This is evidenced by the fact that the park has a football pitch, long paths for walking and cycling, a skating rink, a basketball area and a climbing structure.

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

Information of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Duration: the tour is 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 carry out during your visit, there are better times than others.

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

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 the 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, I could not 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 photographic record.