4 Best Park and Garden Tours in Rome

Rome has the Colosseum, the Forum, the Palatine Hill and an innumerable list of millenary attractions, but it also has beautiful parks and gardens that will not only allow you to get in touch with nature in the Italian capital, but will also give you the perfect excuse to take a break in the middle of your tour. It is well worth taking the time to visit them.

Visiting the gardens of Villa Borghese, visiting the papal parks in Castel Gandolfo and marveling at the meadows adjacent to Via Appia are some of the best things to do in Rome. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy tours of the Roman parks and gardens.

One of the most outstanding alternatives to get to know one of the best attractions in Rome is to opt for a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery and its adjacent gardens. These experiences, which combine art, history and nature in the same tour, will allow you to visit one of the largest art collections in Italy, but also the surrounding natural area.

The Borghese Gardens were created in the 17th century as part of the landscaping project of the villa of the same name and offer a green oasis in the midst of urban chaos. Along its natural paths you will discover fountains, statues and a variety of exotic plants that were brought from all over the world to adorn this space and demonstrate Rome's influence on every continent. In addition, the gardens offer panoramic views of the city from various vantage points.

With tickets to the Borghese Gallery, which is also included in the tour itinerary, you can view works by Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael and Titian. Many of the iconic sculptures of the Renaissance, such as Bernini's Apollo and Daphne or the canvas of Sacred Love and Profane Love by Titian, are the protagonists of these rooms, which are among the best museums in Rome.

During this experience, you will also learn about the history behind the Villa and Borghese Gallery, which was promoted by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, who ordered the construction of the villa, gathered the art collection and transformed the surroundings of the complex into one of the most outstanding gardens in Rome.

Details of interest

• Price: about 95 euros.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can combine a cultural tour with the relaxation of the gardens of the villa, which offers a path full of statues and some of the best panoramic views of the city.

If you want to see one of the most popular sites in and around Rome, then you can't miss the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo and, above all, its gardens. This summer residence located about 25 kilometers from the center of Rome is a place full of history and natural charm. In addition to the architecture of the palace, you can marvel at the tranquil atmosphere of the surrounding park.

The Gardens of Castel Gandolfo are considered one of the most beautiful and best preserved in the Roman region. This green space covers more than 55 hectares and sits on the ruins of the ancient villa of Domitian, a first-century Roman emperor known for his paranoia and temper.

From the gardens, built in height, you can also contemplate the views over Lake Albano and its surroundings, but also some fascinating sites that make up the complex, such as the Grotto of the Madonna or the geometric labyrinth. If after visiting Castel Gandolfo you want to delve into the history of the Vatican and its influence on art and culture, you can buy tickets for the Capitoline Museums.

Strolling along these paths will allow you to enjoy a unique landscape that combines classical elements, such as fountains and sculptures, with wooded areas, flower beds and orchards. Please note that although tickets to Castel Gandolfo do not include the guided tour, you can take it for an extra cost in several languages.

Interesting details

• Price: about 26 euros. The guided tour has an additional cost of approximately 15 euros.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the most architecturally beautiful palaces in Rome and its surrounding delicate gardens.

One of the most effective ways to get an overview of Rome is to take an electric bike tour of the Appian Way, the aqueducts and the catacombs. It's a tour that will also take you through the green spaces located in ancient Roman villas, which offer a respite in the midst of the historical tour. Among these sites are the gardens of the Villa dei Quintili, a residence with panoramic views and lush vegetation.

The Appian Way, known as the Queen of Roads, was one of the first and most important Roman roads. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to pedal along its ancient cobblestones, which have witnessed centuries of history. Along the way, you will discover ancient monuments, such as tombs, mausoleums and arches, which reflect the timeless grandeur of the Roman Empire.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this tour is the visit to the Roman aqueducts, which are marvels of ancient engineering. Aboard an electric bicycle, you will ride along the paths that follow the route of these aqueducts, which carried drinking water to the city for centuries. Their arches, towering over the countryside, combine with the nearby meadows, where you can take a break before returning.

Finally, in addition to the Appian Way, the aqueducts and its gardens, the tour will also allow you to visit Rome's catacombs, which are ancient subway cemeteries that offer an intriguing insight into the first centuries of Christianity. You will be able to explore these labyrinthine galleries, which served as a burial place and refuge for persecuted Christians during the Roman Empire, and get to know a space charged with mysticism.

Details of interest

• Price: about 77 euros.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can combine several attractions of Rome and make a tour in a very comfortable means of transport that requires little effort.

A Segway tour of the center of Rome and Villa Borghese is an ideal experience for those who want to explore the best of the city comfortably and in less time. This type of tour allows you to move easily through the narrow streets of the historic center while witnessing the beauty of Rome's most iconic monuments and squares.

The itinerary aboard a Segway includes visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Piazza Venezia, which houses the Altar of the Fatherland, a monument commemorating the unification of Italy. However, this tour will also take you through the gardens of the Villa Borghese, one of Rome's most tranquil parks. This vast green space offers a relaxing escape from the bustling city life and has some of the best sculptures in the Italian capital

The advantage of the Segway is that you can take a relaxing ride along the tree-lined paths and discover the artificial lakes at the heart of the garden while enjoying the fresh air and the natural scenery that characterizes the villa. The park is also home to several cultural attractions, such as the Borghese Gallery, which contains one of the city's most famous art collections.

Villa Borghese is not only a natural retreat, but also the setting for some of the best views of the city. During the tour, you will be able to contemplate Rome from the Pincio Terrace, a privileged vantage point high above the Italian capital.

Interesting details

• Price: about 58 euros.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit more places in less time and in a comfortable and relaxed way.

As with other experiences in the city, you can book a tour of Rome's parks and gardens in advance online or book it once you are in Rome. Due to the usual high demand for tourist services in Rome, I advise you to reserve your spot before your trip.

Also, if you plan to visit Rome in summer, which is part of the high season of the Italian capital, you will have certain advantages by booking online in advance, such as better prices or a frozen rate at the time of hiring. This will also allow you to design a more optimal and detailed itinerary for your travel plan, which will give you the possibility to save time and make the most of your days in the city.

The answer will depend on the option you choose, but in general you will be able to see the best gardens in Rome but also the surrounding attractions, such as the Galleria Borghese or the Castel Gandolfo. On some electric bike or Segway tours you can even visit the Trevi Fountain, Via Appia and other famous monuments of the Italian capital.

Also, in these experiences you will have the possibility to rest and relax in the parks and gardens you visit and also discover some of the best views of Rome, so you will find a double benefit by participating in these excursions.

Note also that Segway or electric bike tours combine several attractions in the same tour, so they could be a good alternative if you are going to be in Rome for a short time and want to have an overview of the city. In short, they are highly recommended if you are going to be in Rome for 3 days or even less.

• If you plan to visit the city in summer, which is one of the best times to travel to Rome, I advise you to book the tours in advance, which will allow you to save money and schedule a more effective itinerary.
• Choose the combined alternatives. The most outstanding green spaces, such as the Borghese Gardens or the park adjacent to Castel Gandolfo, are located near palaces, museums or monuments that are worth seeing in Rome and are often included together in some experiences.
• If you are planning to participate in an excursion to Villa Borghese, which is located in a relatively central area of the city, keep in mind that you can take advantage of this site to participate in the nearby streets in some of the best food tours in Rome.
• Get ready to walk! They say that walking gets you to Rome, but once in the city you will also have to cover many miles and distances, especially in the parks and gardens, which offer many nature trails. Take into account the season and the weather and equip yourself with the right clothes and accessories to enjoy your experience.

Rome is known for its monumental works and for everything to see in the Vatican, but it also has a natural profile that you cannot miss and that you can get to know in the parks and gardens of the city. In addition, near these sites you will find many other activities in museums and palaces, so joining a tour in these spaces is a complete and very interesting alternative for visitors.

Keep in mind that a visit to the parks and gardens of the city will give you the opportunity to take a break between excursions. Therefore, it is also a very good alternative if you plan to visit Rome with children, as the little ones will find a place to rest and parents a safe environment.

If you opt for a guided tour, not only will you be able to get to know the parks and gardens of Rome with the assistance of an expert local guide, who will tell you the history of each site as well as anecdotes and curiosities of each space, but you can also combine these tours with other nearby alternatives that will transform the experience into a unique tour.

The Borghese Gardens, for example, can be complemented with a visit to the art gallery and its rich heritage. Meanwhile, the Castel Gandolfo Park can be combined with a tour of one of the most outstanding buildings in the city, thanks to its lavish architecture. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to visit famous sites in the center of Rome, such as the Appian Way or the Trevi Fountain, one of the most popular Roman monuments and with more myths and curiosities around it.

Finally, keep in mind that with the assistance of an expert local guide you can save time, money during the tour and also get some of the best tips for your trip, as they will point out the best places to eat, the museums that are free or low cost and the corners where you will find the most outstanding sights of the Eternal City. Are you ready to embark on the adventure?