We never tire of the iconic archeological monuments in Rome, but perhaps you are wondering about “green spaces” or parks and gardens to visit. Here are a few parks that can be visited without an entry fee and one private garden that requires a pre-arranged appointment. All are located in the historic center of Rome and reachable on foot or by Metro from Rome Termini train station.
Villa Celimontana – winding walkways, green lawns, and lush trees make this park a very pleasant place to stroll or sit on the grass to read, picnic, or take in some sun. Summertime brings musical events and shows. An added bonus is a villa dating back to the 16th Century at Villa Celimontana. The park is located in the area near the basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio in the southern section of Rome center and not far from Circus Maximus. It is open from 7 am to sunset. The Villa Celimontana was previously known as Villa Mattei. It is a villa on the Caelian Hill in Rome, best known for its gardens. Its grounds cover most of the valley between the Aventine Hill and the Caelian.
The Gardens at Palazzo Barberini – a green oasis in the heart of Rome located near Piazza Barberini and not far from Trevi Fountain. This sumptuous 17th-century palace is home to the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica. The gardens have been restored to their original design. There are external stairs of the Palazzo Barberini that lead to the secret garden. A 17th-century palace in Rione Trevi, Rome, Italy.
Villa Borghese lies in the center of Rome. It is best known for the Galleria Borghese museum which contains the art collection of Cardinal Scipione that dates back to the beginning of the 17th Century. It contains the works of Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael and Titian just to name a few. Villa Borghese gardens are surrounded by lush landscaping, temples such as Scipione Temple of Aesculapius, various lakes such as Lake Santande and some smaller museums.
Monastic Garden of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme has a story going back hundreds of years. It was restored to glory in 2004 and intricately linked to the basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (the Holy Cross in Jerusalem) and its Cistercian convert (a monastic order branching off from the Benedictines). Its unusual elliptical shape is due to it occupying an amphitheater. This once was a palatial complex going as far back as the 3rd Century CE. This garden is a place of harmony and peace, as well as beauty and symbolic meaning. The basilica is quite particular with its religious relics and lores. It is important to note that visits to the basilica and monastic garden must be pre-arranged before you visit. The Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is located in Rome, in the Rione Esquilino. It is close to the Aurelian Walls and the Castrense Amphitheater, between the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano and Porta Maggiore. Santa Croce is part of the tour of the Seven Churches that pilgrims once visited on foot.
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Rome’s gardens and parks are perfect for slow travel and picnics. For more Italy travel inspiration, see our guide to Best Food Cities in Italy and our broader guide on Common Mistakes When Traveling to Europe.
