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Best Parks in Rome
Timings, Things to do, Tips & More

The entire city of Rome is home to an endless variety of breathtaking architectural marvels. Travelers from all over the world have always been enchanted by and fascinated by Rome. The parks in Rome are marvels in addition to all the historical sites, galleries, and fountains. Read on to find out about the best parks in Rome that you can visit.

Best Parks in Rome

Rome is among the greenest cities in all of Europe because of its renowned seven hills and numerous villa parks. All trips to the Eternal City will undoubtedly feature beautiful umbrella pines and shaded palm trees. Rome is a gorgeous city with a unique blend of nature, culture, history, and beauty; be sure to visit some of the most stunning parks in Rome.

1. Villa Borghese

Garden | Sightseeing

The grounds of the Villa Borghese have several statues, lakes, fountains, and mini-museums and are planted in a naturalistic English style. The Galleria Borghese museum, an extraordinary art collection started by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, is located in this exquisite park and is its most well-known feature.

Timing: Tuesdays to Sundays 9 AM to 7 PM

Location: Piazzale Napoleone I, 00197 Roma RM, Italy Find on map

Things to do: Meditation, walking, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: April, May, September, and October

Handy Tip: The Piazza di Siena horse track, a small lake with an Ionic temple, and boat rentals are important sights that shouldn't be missed.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at Victor Hugo/Museo Bilotti bus stop

2. Villa Doria Pamphili

Garden | Sightseeing

It was formerly a suburban home with a garden that belonged to the papal Pamphili family, just like all of Rome's villa parks. The grand Casino del Bel Respiro palace from the 17th century, with its surrounding planted parterre gardens, serves as the garden's focal point. When a roadway was constructed for the 1960 Olympic Games, the expansive park was divided in half.

Timing: Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 7 PM, Fridays to Sundays 10 AM to 9 PM

Location: Via di S. Pancrazio, 00152 Roma RM, Italy Find on map

Things to do: Meditation, walking, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: April, May, September, and October

Entry: from €14

Handy Tip: This garden is the largest landscaped park in Rome so make sure you take full advantage of your visit and click great photos when you are there.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at Leone XIII/Spina bus stop

3. Orto Botanico di Roma

Garden | Nature

A magnificent natural hideaway in the center of Trastevere with views of the 17th-century Palazzo Corsini is the frequently disregarded Botanical Garden of Rome. More than 3,000 different plant species, including a Japanese garden, bamboo forest, and rose garden, can be found in the garden, which was founded in 1883.

Timing: Daily 9 AM to 6:30 PM

Location: Largo Cristina di Svezia, 23 A - 24, 00165 Roma RM, Italy Find on map

Things to do: Walking, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: April, May, September, and October

Entry: from €13

Handy Tip: Get a fantastic overview of Rome peeking out from behind the luxuriant vegetation by climbing to the top of the garden.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at P.Le G. Garibaldi bus stop

4. Giardini Vaticani

Garden | Sightseeing

When Pope Nicholas III moved the papal residence from the Lateran Palace to the Vatican in 1279, the gardens were already there. The gardens have numerous terraces that have been manicured, fountains, and views of Michelangelo's dome. Keep in mind that the Vatican Gardens are only accessible to the general public from June through August.

Timing: Mondays to Saturdays 9 AM to 6 PM

Location: Via Paolo VI, 29, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City Find on map

Things to do: Walking, picnic, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: June, July, and August

Entry:

Handy Tip: The Vatican Gardens are a beautiful place to spend a day away from the crowds of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. They are a well-kept secret in Rome.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at V.Le Vaticano/Pisani bus stop

5. Giardino Degli Aranci

Garden | Sightseeing

Although there are a good number of umbrella pines in this little walled garden that frame a view of St. Peter's dome, it is named for its distinctive orange trees. The orange trees were erected as a tribute to St. Domenico, who established the basilica of Saint Sabina, a monastery just next door, and is credited with planting a bitter orange tree there in 1222.

Timing: Daily 7 AM to 9 PM

Location: Piazza Pietro D'Illiria, 00153 Roma RM, Italy Find on map

Things to do: Walking, picnic, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: April, May, June, September, and October

Entry: Free

Handy Tip: The Orange Garden, which is one of the city's loveliest green spaces and boasts one of the most breathtaking vistas of Rome, is situated atop Aventine Hill.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at Emporio bus stop

6. Parco Degli Acquedotti

Garden | Historic

Part of the Acqua Claudia, one of the four major aqueducts of ancient Rome, is located in the vast Park of the Aqueducts in the city's southern region, close to the ancient Appian Way. It was built between 38 and 52 AD.

Timing: Open all day

Location: Via Lemonia, 00174 Roma RM, Italy Find on map

Things to do: Walking, picnic, reading, sightseeing, photography

Best Time to Visit: April, May, June, September, and October

Entry:

Handy Tip: The park has appeared in numerous well-known Italian movies, including La Dolce Vita and La Grande Bellezza, because of its picturesque appeal and proximity to Rome's Cinecittà Film studios.

Transport: By Bus: Get down at Anicio Gallo/Appio Claudio bus stop

Tips for Visiting Parks in Rome

Pincio Hill Gardens is one of the best parks in Rome to get a view of the city skyline. Approach it from the top of the Spanish Steps for an easier entry.
Villa Borghese Gardens and Villa Doria Pamphili Gardens are some of the places where you can make a day out of your visit because of the adjoining attractions.
Inquire in advance if the park allows outside food because some gardens and parks have eateries on-site.
To have any time to tour the grounds, arrive at the parks at least an hour before closing.
Bring a book with you if you want to unwind at a park during the day. Rome's parks and gardens are the ideal locations for reading.
If you are in Rome in the spring, research unusual and less visited parks to visit instead of the more well-known ones because the latter is likely to be overrun with tourists.
Take advantage of the various parks in Rome that provide cheap tickets or free admission for young people and the elderly.

Rome Travel Tips