There are many gardens and parks in Rome, the most famous one of which is the Villa Borghese, mainly because it is in a fairly central position on most city maps. However, there are numerous beautiful parks and gardens in Rome, several of which are fairly easy to reach by bus (Villa Ada, Villa Pamphilj), metro (Parco Appia Antica and Parco degli Acquedotti) or even on foot (Villa Celimontana, the Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden and the Orange Garden).
Best Gardens and Parks in Rome
Rome‘s best known parks are the villas that were built by the aristocrats in the Renaissance period. Unfortunately, many of these parks and gardens were destroyed at the end of the 19th century. After Rome became the capital of the new Italian state, many new inhabitants arrived. Of course these people needed to live somewhere, so new houses needed to be constructed. For this, space was needed and many parks were demolished.
Villa Borghese
The Villa Borghese is the most famous park in Rome. It is located on the north-east side of the center. In the park there are a number of museums including the famous Galleria Borghese, the Etruscan Museum and the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna. The zoo of Rome is located north of the park.
Botanical Garden
Rome‘s Botanical Garden is located at the back of the Palazzo Corsini along the Via Lungara in the picturesque Trastevere district. The garden is maintained by the Faculty of Biology of the La Sapienza University of Rome. April, when the Japanese cherry trees are in bloom, and May are good months for a visit.
Villa Celimontana
The Villa Celimontana is one of the least landscaped and most unspoilt parks in Rome. This central park is also known for the annual jazz festival that is held in the month of June. Although very centrally located (no more than a 10 minute walk from the Colosseum), it is hardly visited by tourists.
Roseto Comunale (Rose Garden)
The Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale) is located on the Aventine hill. Every year a major international rose competition is held here. In addition to the garden itself, the view is also a major attraction. On the other side of the Circus Maximus you can see the beautiful skyline of the Palatine.
Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)
The Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Rome. The official name of this beautiful garden is Parco Savello, but the Romans hardly ever call it that. The main attraction of the garden, apart from the orange trees, is the beautiful view over the city.
Colle Oppio Park
The Colle Oppio Park is located across the road from the Colosseum. It contains number of ruins, including the Domus Aurea and the Terme di Traiano). The main attraction, however, is the view: On the south side of this hill one looks down on the Colosseum itself.
Villa Ada
The Villa Ada is the largest park in the city, and contains some ancient ruins and the Catacombs of Priscilla. In the summer the Villa Ada forms the background of the famous World Music Festival “Roma Incontra il Mondo”.
Parco degli Acquedotti
The Park of the Aqueducts didn’t get its name for nothing. In some places in this park, which is especially popular on Sunday afternoons, you can walk for miles along an old Roman aqueduct. In the shadow of the monuments, Romans are picnicking.
Villa Sciarra
The Villa Sciarra is a not too large park on the foothills of the Gianicolo hill in Trastevere. It is full of sculpture groups and was donated to Mussolini in 1930 by the American owner, on the condition that he would turn it into a public park.