A Trip to the Bardini Gardens

By Meredith Pollock, MA 2015-16

One of the best parts about living in Florence is exploring the hidden treasures of the city and finding new favorite places. The Bardini Garden is one of Florence’s best kept secrets, and it is the perfect place to spend a sunny autumn afternoon.

The Garden is located south of the Arno and immediately east of the Boboli Garden. The Boboli and Bardini Gardens connect, and your ticket to the Bardini Garden is also valid for the Boboli. Tickets are €10, but it is free on the first Sunday of the month. For an additional €6 you can also visit Villa Bardini, which was constructed in 1641 and is in the middle of the Garden.

When you enter the Garden you’ll encounter one of the best views of Florence. It is just as good as the view from Piazzale Michelangelo and not nearly as crowded. It’s a perfect spot for photos and there are benches you can relax on and take in the scenery. From there you follow a clear path that takes you through the Garden, which has many interesting classical and contemporary statues. Budget at least an hour so you can completely unwind and enjoy your surroundings.

The Garden is open from 8:15am to 4:30pm from now until February. Head across the Arno for a relaxing stroll and some beautiful scenery!

Photos by Meredith Pollock