1. Villa d’Este Gardens
The Villa d’Este Gardens at Tivoli are said to be the model for which all formal gardens across the world are based on. The grounds are divided up into separate areas where the highlight of each is a fountain. One of the garden’s biggest draws is the Fontana dell’Organo, a water-powered organ.
2. Villa Carlotta
This garden, located in Tremezzo on Lake Como, spans 17 acres of land. The garden was built in Lombard baroque style but was redesigned slightly in 1801 to resemble an English garden. Visitors will find over 800 species of flowers, including over 1,000 trees.
3. Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens
Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens has over 80 gardens on the property. They are organized by region and includes both local and exotic plants from places like South Tyrol and Japan. This garden was also voted Italy’s Most Beautiful Garden in 2005.
4. Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens in Florence are one of the most celebrated Renaissance gardens in Italy and boasts over 111 acres of plants. The garden is so massive and elaborate it took almost a century to complete. Some of the garden’s highlights include Neptune’s Fountain and the Grotta del Buontalenti.
5. Giardini La Mortella
This garden is located on the volcanic island of Ischia in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The garden was created in 1946 and has over 800 rare plants from four continents. There is even a Greek theater where orchestral performances will often take place.
6. Gardens of Ninfa
Found in the region of Lazio, the Gardens of Ninfa has been dubbed the Most Romantic Garden in the world. The garden was built on the medieval town of Ninfa, and visitors are only allowed on the gardens on certain days of the year. Once inside, you will find 8 acres of land with almost 1,300 species of plants.
7. Valsanzibio Gardens
Located south of Padua, these gardens were built in the late 1600s. The Barbarigo family built the garden as a way to give thanks that they survived the plague of 1630. There are over 800 plants and trees with most having originated in the garden when it was first created.
- Garden of Ninfa [Italia.it]
- Most Beautiful Gardens of Italy [You Guide to Italy]
- Gardens of Italy [Planet Ware]
- Feature Picture [Flickr]
