Who said that you can’t visit parks and gardens in winter? Indeed, there are some that acquire more charm this season. So put on your hat and gloves and set off to discover the parks and gardens to visit in Italy even in winter.
Why visit parks and gardens in winter?
Advantages and disadvantages
Visiting the parks in winter offers the opportunity to enjoy an experience away from the hustle and bustle of the busier seasons. In this season you will hardly find crowds and crowds, the winter parks allow you to immerse yourself in a dimension of peace, with muffled sounds. Also this season you will be able to witness unexpected blooms, and enjoy the colors of the hellebores and calicantes, but also exotic collections protected in the greenhouses. Furthermore, the absence of summer foliage highlights the architectural structures and elements of the designed landscape, while the winter light offers perfect scenarios for those who love photography.
As in everything, obviously there are also aspects that require greater organization. Short days reduce the time available for visits, and many places are accessible only by appointment or with limited opening hours. It is therefore essential to plan carefully, consulting the official websites to check opening times, any seasonal closures and the need for reservations.
Which gardens to visit in winter?
La Venaria Reale, Turin
La Venaria Reale, a few kilometers from Turin, is one of the most majestic and fascinating Savoy residences, a UNESCO heritage site since 1997. This complex, known as the “Italian Versailles”, proves to be an unmissable destination even in winter. The cold season transforms its gardens into an enchanted landscape, where the frost and winter shades create an almost fairy-tale atmosphere.
The outdoor spaces are embellished with water features that take on crystalline shapes, with spectacular views of the Alps. Inside, the Palace with its sumptuous halls, the famous Diana Gallery and the temporary exhibitions offer a journey into history and art. A walk in the Venaria Reale in winter is an experience that combines the beauty of nature and the magnificence of the cultural heritage.
Sempione Park, Milan
Sempione Park, the green heart of Milan, is an unmissable stop at any time of the year. This iconic space, located a few steps from the historic center and the imposing Sforzesco Castle, transforms in winter into an oasis of peace, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The calm of the cold season makes the park even more fascinating, allowing you to appreciate the rich botanical variety and the details that often escape during the busiest periods. Among the winter blooms, the evocative Calicanto stands out, with its delicate scented flowers, already visible in the courtyards of the castle, almost a prelude to the discovery of the natural beauty of the park. Walking here, among the tree-lined avenues and small hidden corners, is an experience that combines nature and history in a unique context.
Padua Botanical Garden
A UNESCO heritage site, it is the oldest university botanical garden in the world. In winter, its historical routes and its collections of rare plants offer an experience of great scientific and cultural fascination.
Villa Caprile, Pesaro
The garden of Villa Caprile, in Pesaro, is a place of rare beauty, capable of enchanting visitors with its historical and landscape charm. It is divided into three terraces, each with its own identity: the first level welcomes an elegant Italian garden, embellished with suggestive water features, which however may not be active during the winter. The subsequent terraces host spaces once dedicated to the orchard and the collection of aromatic plants, now transformed into gardens that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Among the wonders to discover, the Secret Garden, the fountains, the caves, the enigmatic Devil’s Cave, the Teatro di Verzura, the suggestive Viale dei Tassi and the Rose Garden, full of varieties of ancient roses, stand out. Even in winter, Villa Caprile offers a unique experience, between history, nature and postcard views.
Boboli Gardens, Florence
Symbol of the Italian Renaissance, the Boboli Gardens are an open-air museum that does not lose its charm even during the coldest months. The classical statues, tree-lined avenues and terraces are dressed in a different light, allowing you to admire architectural details often hidden by summer vegetation.
Among the main attractions are:
The garden also offers panoramic views of Florence and numerous fountains, caves and terraces. It is open every day with variable hours depending on the season, and there is an entrance fee.
Villa Lante, Bagnaia
Villa Lante in Bagnaia, near Viterbo, is one of the greatest examples of a Renaissance Italian garden. Famous for its perfect symmetry and extraordinary fountains, such as the evocative Fontana dei Mori and the refined Giardino delle Fountains, this place combines nature and architecture in a harmonious balance. Even in winter, its terraces and water features, framed by the surrounding landscape, offer a unique and contemplative atmosphere, making it an unmissable destination for lovers of art and beauty.
Villa d’Este, Tivoli
The Villa d’Este in Tivoli, a UNESCO heritage site since the 16th century, is one of the most extraordinary Renaissance masterpieces in the world, a place where architecture and nature blend in perfect harmony. With its 35,000 square meters of gardens, enriched by a spectacular choreography of 250 jets, 255 waterfalls and 50 fountains, this residence is a sublime example of hydraulic engineering and artistic beauty.
Designed to amaze, Villa d’Este remains a unique experience in any season: even in winter, the charm of its water features and the majesty of its centuries-old plants enchant visitors. Every corner of its avenues and terraces offers a different perspective.
Botanical Garden of Rome
In the heart of the capital, this scientific garden offers a unique experience. The greenhouses host collections of plants from all over the world, allowing you to immerse yourself in tropical and subtropical microclimates even when it’s cold outside.
Gardens of the Royal Palace of Caserta, Campania
An absolute masterpiece of European landscape architecture, the gardens of the Royal Palace of Caserta extend for over 120 hectares, offering a feast for the eyes even in winter. The perspective is majestic, with its straight avenues, fountains and sculptures, acquiring an almost metaphysical dimension when the snow or fog allow you to appreciate the perfect geometry of the place.
La Mortella Gardens, Ischia
The La Mortella Gardens, on the island of Ischia, are an enchanting botanical paradise designed by Susana Walton and landscape architect Russell Page. This place is home to a rich collection of tropical and Mediterranean plants, which thrive thanks to the island’s mild climate. Even in winter, the gardens offer a unique spectacle with seasonal blooms, panoramic views of the sea and suggestive corners that evoke exotic atmospheres. A journey through nature, art and tranquility that does not disappoint in any season.
Palermo Botanical Garden
The Palermo Botanical Garden boasts an extraordinary variety of flora, with its 10 hectares of extension and over 5,000 species of plants from all over the world. Founded over two centuries ago, this historic garden is the largest botanical garden in Europe and represents a true open-air museum. Thanks to Sicily’s mild climate, it is an ideal destination to visit even in winter, when it is possible to admire the beauty of its botanical collections in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
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