There I was, among flowers of Palazzina del Cavaliere ( Genleman’s Pavilion), surrounded by a gorgeous scent of roses and other flowers. It wasn’t overpowering but it was strong and beautiful and I wanted to have a perfume which would smell so divine. I felt at ease, sun on my face, a breeze through my hair and that divine scent.

The Boboli Gardens or Giardini di Boboli is a historical park directly behind the Pitti palace. The gardens were established in the 16^th century for Medici family who ruled over Florence and Tuscany for centuries. The name Boboli probably originates from the name of the family (Bogoli or Borgoli) who previously owned the land which was transformed into a marvelous garden and a kind of open-air museum filled with sculptures, fountains and grottos. The garden was already opened to the public in the second half of the 18^th century.

There are many ancient and Renaissance sculptures throughout the park as well as several beautiful fountains such as the Fountain of Neptune. Considering the fact that the park doesn’t have its own natural water source but that all water comes from the nearby Arno river is just one of the amazing engineering feats of this park. There’s even a kind of tiny island (Isolotto) in the park as well. There are several beautiful houses in the park too such as the building of the Lemon house and the Kaffeehaus. Boboli gardens is a great refuge from the hustle and bustle of Florence. Yes, there will be many people in the park but you can always find a corner just to yourself, a bench or a chair under a tree and just relax, read a book or take in the views. Boboli gardens is also famous for its wonderful views of Florence and its cathedral. Please click here on the official website for information about ticket prices, opening hours and other important information for your visit to Boboli gardens.

Exploring the Boboli Gardens: A Florentine Oasis

I spent several hours wandering around Boboli gardens. I first visited it 21 years ago during my first trip to Florence. Now, older but not much wiser, I was there again. I have been to Florence in the meantime but not to Boboli gardens. It was as beautiful as I remembered it. The magnificence of the Cypress lane, the sweet smell of the lemon trees, pretty, small botanical gardens and various sculptures among which the school kids ran and tourists took photos…it was the same and yet somehow different. I walked through the courtyard of Pitti palace up through the amphitheater and towards the Fountain of Neptune with a quick stop to take the photo of the views and to take the photo of the garden’s map too. I took a short break near the fountain and sat for a while in the shade and then walked upwards to the Gentleman’s Pavilion. That was my favourite part of the whole Boboli gardens. The scent of roses and other flowers in the Gentleman’s Pavilion was absolutely divine. Unfortunately, the pavilion itself wasn’t opened.

Then, I walked towards the Cypress lane. I walked on that lane for a while and then I walked under the branch archways until I reached the ornate gates of the tiny island (Isolotto). There, I read for a while and just enjoyed the fact that I was in Florence on a sunny, warm day. I saw the meadow of the columns as well before I proceeded to the Lemon house and its wonderful garden. After that, I went through upper botanical garden and got back to the Cypress lane. I wanted to visit the Buontalenti Grotto but in the end I didn’t do it because I was already at the Kaffeehaus and the exit near the Belvedere fortress.

I bought just a 10 EUR ticket for the Boboli gardens. I didn’t visit the Pitti palace. However, my ticket also included a visit to the Bardini garden so that’s why I didn’t get to see the grottos because I also wanted to explore the Bardini gardens. Once you leave Boboli gardens at Belvedere exit you cannot go back in. I followed the yellow line on the floor of the parking, turned into some street and soon found myself at the entrance of Villa Bardini. I presented my Boboli gardens ticket and got inside. The views of Florence from Bardini gardens are breathtaking. I wish I had more time to spend in the Bardini gardens. I could have had a drink with a view and explore the gardens but it was getting late and I had to get back to the city center.

I enjoyed immensely my walk around the Boboli gardens and the Bardini gardens. It was a very relaxing afternoon spent wandering around trees and flowers and reading a good book. I highly recommend visiting the Boboli gardens while you’re in Florence.

I visited Boboli gardens in May 2025.