Moments of tranquility – my favourite parks in Rome
As much as I love the vibrant city life of Rome, I sometimes feel the need to escape to nature. Actually, there is no need to leave the city, because Rome has many beautiful parks to enjoy the day. These three are my favourites – all located in the middle of Rome.
Orto Botanico di Roma
Flowers, butterflies and palm trees – Orto Botanico di Roma (Botanical Garden of Rome) is a hidden gem right next to the busy life of Trastevere. The garden is operated by the Sapienza University of Rome and has an impressive collection of over 3000 plant species. Relax in the Japanese garden, walk through the bamboo forest and stop by the greenhouses to see tropical flowers.
I come here usually on weekday mornings when the park is often silent. I love to sit under the palm tree, read something or daydream and write down my ideas and thoughts.
The little butterfly house, Butterfly Eden – Una casa delle farfalle, located inside the botanical garden, is a must-visit. They have tens of exotic butterfly species, and it is incredible to see the complete metamorphosis of how these little beauties get their colorful wings.
Orto Botanico di Roma: Largo Cristina di Svezia, 23 A - 24, 00165 Rome. Open every day from 9:00 to 18.30. Butterfly Eden is open from Tuesday to Sunday by appointment.
Daydreaming under the palm trees in Orto Botanico Roma.
2. Villa Borghese
Love is in the air in Villa Borghese, the most famous park in Rome. Lovers walk hand in hand and friends and families gather for picnics in the gardens. Villa Borghese is ideal for people visiting Rome since it´s located in the very center of Rome.
The park has nine entrances. I like to start the visit from Terrazza del Pincio (Pincian Terrace) and enjoy the iconic view over to Gianicolo Hill and St. Peter´s Basilica. You can get to Pincian Terrace in five minutes by walking up the Spanish Steps and then walking towards Terrazza del Pincio, or by climbing a little hill from Piazza del Popolo.
From the terrace you can enter Villa Borghese and its picturesque gardens and villas. If you visit with your loved one, take a romantic walk, rent a rowing boat on the Villa Borghese lake or have an aperitif or dinner in one of the restaurants. My favourite place for an elegant aperitif or dinner is restaurant Casina Valadier. It´s located in Terrazza del Pincio, and it´s one of the most beautiful places in Rome to watch the sunset.
Kids will love Rome´s oldest zoo, Bioparco. Art lovers are pampered with art galleries like Villa Medici and Galleria Borghese where you find works by masters like Raphael, Caravaggio and Tizian. Villa Borghese is ideal also for jogging especially in early mornings when the park is almost all yours.
Villa Borghese: Doria Piazzale Napoleone I, 00197, Rome (the park has nine different entrances).
3. Villa Doria Pamphili
Gorgeous gardens and an iconic landscape of roman stone pines reaching the skies – Villa Doria Pamphili is one of the most flamboyant green oases of Rome. With 184 hectares, it is also the biggest park in the center of Rome.
The park is located next to the quarter of Monteverde, a few kilometers away from the center of Rome, so this enormous park is mostly enjoyed by the locals. It´s an excellent spot to experience the real Roman lifestyle, where locals enjoy their daily jogs or take their dates out for lovely walks.
The park is split into two sections. Both sides are stunningly beautiful, but different: the west side is more rural, and the east side has historic gardens, fountains and villas like the richly decorated Casino del Bel Respiro, built in the 17th century, nowadays used by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Government. One of my favourite areas of the park is also a beautiful little lake, Lago del Belvedere. This side of the park has also an idyllic restaurant, ViVi Bistrot, where you can get organic food from early morning until midnight, sit in their beautiful garden or have some takeaway for your own picnic in the park. In summer evenings, the restaurant arranges free yoga sessions for their regular customers in their yard.
Whether it´s a quick stop for a morning coffee or a date with someone special in one of these parks, being surrounded by nature, art and beauty in a historic environment makes any moment magical.
Villa Doria Pamphili, 00152 Rome (four different entrances). The park is open from 7:00 until sunset.
Text by Hertta Hiltunen. Pictures by Rosario Curia
