Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens), Florence

Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens), Florence

The Boboli Gardens, situated behind the Pitti Palace, are renowned as one of Florence's most exquisite and historically significant gardens. Originating in the 16th century, they were commissioned by Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I of Medici, and involved the collaboration of esteemed landscape architects of the time.

Niccolo Tribolo, one of the notable architects, contributed to the gardens until his passing in 1550. Following his tenure, Bartolomeo Ammanati and Bernardo Buontalenti took over, credited with pioneering the Mannerist style that succeeded the Renaissance period in Florence. Replete with long axial developments, wide gravel avenues, a considerable stone element, lavish employment of statuary and fountains, and a proliferation of detail manifested in the classical accents such as grottos, nymphaea, garden temples and the like, the Boboli Gardens thus represent an ideal showcase of the Mannerism in all its diversity. Their unique openness, providing expansive views of the city, defied convention and served as an inspiration for many European royal gardens, notably Versailles.

Over time, the Boboli Gardens underwent large-scale reconstructions, expanding to cover approximately 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of land. They are often regarded as an outdoor museum, housing a collection of art, sculptures, and antiquities ranging from the Roman era to the 16th-17th centuries.

If you seek respite from the noise, crowds, and queues, the Boboli Gardens offer a serene retreat surrounded by natural beauty. While the entrance fee of 10 euros may appear steep, it is well worth it, particularly if you pack a picnic and spend ample time immersing yourself in the atmosphere. Exploring the gardens requires some stamina, as they are hilly and encompass various staircases; however, the reward includes magnificent vistas of the city and delightful discoveries along the way. The gardens provide recommended walking paths catering to different abilities.

Upon concluding your visit, you can exit through the northern gate to visit Fort Belvedere or the southwestern gate to explore La Specola, home to the Museum of Zoology and Natural History. The choice is yours!

Tips:
Entry is included in the FirenzeCard, and cardholders can skip the queue by proceeding directly to the bookshop inside the Pitti Palace for access. Plan for approximately two hours to fully explore the gardens, and remember to bring snacks, water, and comfortable footwear for an enjoyable experience.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens) on Map

Sight Name: Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Arno South Bank Walking Tour

Arno South Bank Walking Tour

The area south of Arno river, also called Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno"), is a quieter place but not less interesting. Here you can find the Pitti Palace whose collection of paintings is second only to the Uffizi, and the vast Boboli Gardens once enjoyed by the Medici and the royal family. One of the first and most important examples of "Italian Gardens", they later served as...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.

Designed by...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour

Duomo Walking Tour

Located in the very heart of historic Florence, the Duomo area is deservedly considered the city’s religious and civic center, replete with numerous landmarks. Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the two most important squares in the city, are steeped in history and the sights and activities found here are truly endless.

The most prominent of these, undoubtedly, is the breathtaking...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour

Florence Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison – with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means “flowering” or “flourishing”.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Food Tour

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Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.

In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

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