{"id":63477,"date":"2023-06-02T07:13:47","date_gmt":"2023-06-02T11:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italyperfect.com\/blog\/?p=63477"},"modified":"2023-06-02T07:13:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T11:13:47","slug":"discovering-florences-most-beautiful-parks-and-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.italyperfect.com\/blog\/discovering-florences-most-beautiful-parks-and-gardens.html","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Florence’s Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Florence

Beautiful views overlooking Florence from the Boboli Gardens.<\/p><\/div>\n

Florence\u2019s color palette is one of soft yellows, sky blues and\u2014thanks to the rolling hillsides, olive groves and clusters of cypresses surrounding the city\u2014glorious greens. When you\u2019re ready to emerge from art-filled museums and cozy trattorias, you\u2019ll find that going outside is one of the best free things to do in Florence<\/a>. Whether you prefer to meander uphill toward unforgettable Florence views<\/a> or enjoy a leisurely picnic in the shade, these are our favorite ways to enjoy a breath of fresh air in the Renaissance city.<\/p>\n

The Best Free Green Spaces in Florence
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\"Florence

Take in views of Florence’s iconic landmarks from the Piazzale Michelangelo. (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Walk to Piazzale Michelangelo<\/h3>\n

The best known vantage point to admire not only Florence\u2019s Duomo and skyline, but also its surrounding hillside villages, is Piazzale Michelangelo. There are many ways to get there, including our go-to unforgettable Florence views walk<\/a>, a 2-mile route that starts at the Ponte Vecchio and winds along Via de\u2019 Bardi and Via di San Niccolo before the grand finish.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, for those craving a walk in solitude, there are also some lesser known \u201curban hikes\u201d toward Florence\u2019s most famous viewpoint. One route passes by the Forte Belvedere<\/a>\u2014a 1500s fortress that now serves as an exhibition space\u2014and traverses winding streets lined with stone walls and enviable villas. Using Signorvino<\/a> (Via de’ Bardi, 46\/R) as your starting point and facing away from the Arno, turn left and you\u2019ll see a tunneled street heading upward: That\u2019s Costa dei Magnoli, the only uphill portion of this walk. Climb this quiet residential road and feel an immediate sense of calm, passing Villa Bardini<\/a> on your left before running straight into Forte Belvedere. When it\u2019s open in the summer months, stop by for a coffee on the incredible panoramic rooftop. Otherwise, keep walking along a twisting road called Via di San Leonardo, where your only companions are chirping birds and olive trees. After 15 minutes, you\u2019ll reach Viale Galileo, a busier road with a beautiful, tree-lined walkway for pedestrians. Now you\u2019ll be able to appreciate that steep climb from the beginning of the walk: Turn left on the path, and you\u2019ll have spectacular views of the city below. Your first glimpse of the Duomo will guide you from here; keep following the path, and you\u2019ll reach Piazzale Michelangelo within 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"Florence

Catch glimpses of Florence on the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo. (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Another way to reach Viale Galileo and Piazzale Michelangelo begins in Porta Romana, also in the Oltrarno neighborhood<\/a>. Beginning at the neighborhood\u2019s namesake 13th-century gate, turn left onto Viale Machiavelli. This popular walking path is lined with trees on both sides, giving runners a respite from the sun. It also passes by the perfect pit stop for a picnic or a rest: Giardino del Bobolino, not to be confused with the Boboli Gardens. This grassy park has a turtle pond, fountain and lots of tall trees welcoming you to lounge under the shade. Spend some time here before continuing along Viale Machiavelli, which then becomes Viale Galileo as it heads toward Piazzale Michelangelo.<\/p>\n

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Beautiful views from the Rose Garden (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Have a picnic and smell the flowers at the Rose Garden<\/h3>\n

Just below Piazzale Michelangelo is the Giardino delle Rose<\/a>, Florence\u2019s best place to admire flowers for free. Open year-round, the garden is at its peak from May to June, the most impressive time to see the more than 300 rose varieties while they\u2019re in bloom. No matter the season, it\u2019s a lovely place to have a picnic, catch up with a friend or take in a flower-framed view of Florence from 9 a.m. until sunset.<\/p>\n

\"Florence

Catching Florence’s iris garden in bloom is a spring treat. (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

See competition-winning flowers at the Iris Garden<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to understand why the Giardino dell\u2019Iris<\/a> is so under the radar: Tucked behind Piazzale Michelangelo, this space is only open for about four weeks a year, when the Italian Iris Society gives the public the chance to view the flowers\u2019 short bloom from late April to late May. The irises\u2019 purple, blue, orange, and pink shades are so splendid, they\u2019re fit for the international iris competition hosted at Florence\u2019s very own garden. Best of all, the iris (or giglio<\/em>) is a symbol of Florence, making this free garden the perfect place to pause and appreciate the city.<\/p>\n

\"Florence

Exploring the Giardino dell\u2019Orticoltura. (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sit by the dragon sculpture at the Horticulture Garden<\/h3>\n

The focal point of the Giardino dell\u2019Orticoltura is an 1800s tepidarium built from iron and glass. Check it out in the spring and summer for flower fairs and cultural events. Another highlight of the park is a staircase flanked by a dragon sculpture with colorful stone scales. It\u2019s the perfect place to sit and eat a panino on your way to the off-the-beaten-path Stibbert Museum<\/a> showcasing historic armory, ceramics and paintings.<\/p>\n

Exercise in Florence\u2019s answer to Central Park<\/h3>\n

Covering a sprawling 395 acres, Cascine Park is by far Florence\u2019s largest green space. Originally a hunting reserve for the Medici family, it\u2019s now a local favorite for jogs along a wide, paved, dog-friendly pathway that follows the Arno. Bring a book and wander into the park for a quiet afternoon, or enjoy a little more activity with your green space. There\u2019s an open-air market on Tuesday mornings selling everything from plants to porchetta<\/em>, a bustling public pool in the summer months and even a carnival. If you have kids, bring them: Cascine has a playground and plenty of grassy areas for a game of frisbee.<\/p>\n

Gardens with Paid Entry<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Splendid fountains in the Boboli Gardens.<\/p><\/div>\n

Boboli Gardens<\/a><\/h3>\n

These must-see gardens date back to the 1500s and have as much splendor as you\u2019d expect from the Medici family\u2019s personal backyard to the Pitti Palace. Well worth the combination ticket that gets you into both the outdoor space and Palatine Gallery, these gardens have a ton of variety: Walk among fragrant lemon trees outside of the Limonaia, marvel at ornate statues and fountains and enjoy quiet tree-lined paths that open up to prime photo-ops of Florence. The best view, though, is from the highest point of the gardens\u2014which just so happens to be the Porcelain Museum. If you’re just planning to visit the gardens, avoid a wait to enter with Boboli Gardens skip the line tickets<\/a> for easy access.<\/p>\n

\"Florence

Spectacular Florence views from the Bardini Gardens.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bardini Garden<\/h3>\n

Yet another idyllic museum-and-a-garden offering in Florence can be found at Villa Bardini<\/a>. While the museum\u2019s exhibits are ever-changing, the fabulous terraced garden is a constant. Sit on a bench and let your eyes wander over the Baroque staircase and sculptures before meandering along the gravel pathway flanked by oaks and cypresses. The gardens\u2019 crown jewel is a famed wisteria pergola that begins to flower in April\u2014there\u2019s even a webcam<\/a> so you can plan your visit around its progress!<\/p>\n

\"Florence

The distinctive Gothic revival tower of the Torrigiani gardens. (credit<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Torrigiani Gardens<\/h3>\n

Though the Giardini Torrigiani<\/a> are privately owned by two families who still live on the grounds, they are indeed open to the public\u2014as long as you call ahead and reserve a tour<\/a> for your party. The largest private garden in a European city, this carefully preserved 25-acre space is replete with exotic tree species, marble artworks, lemon houses and countless stories from its 500-year history. For a guided tour, check out the excellent Secret Gardens of Florence tour<\/a> exploring parts of the Boboli and Torrigiani gardens.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Santarosa Bistrot (@santarosabistrot)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n