Florence's magnificent Renaissance garden behind the Pitti Palace covers 45 hectares and contains a rich collection of sculptures, fountains, grottoes, and rare plants. Laid out by the Medici in the 16th century, the gardens offer a peaceful escape from the city bustle and panoramic views over Florence's rooftops.
The Boboli Gardens are one of Italy's finest Renaissance gardens and the largest public green space within Florence's historic centre, covering 45 hectares on the hillside immediately behind the Pitti Palace in the Oltrarno neighbourhood. The garden was commissioned by Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, following the Medici purchase of the Pitti Palace in 1549, and was laid out and extended by a succession of court architects including Niccolò Tribolo, Giorgio Vasari, and Bernardo Buontalenti. The layout follows a central axis rising from the palace's rear courtyard up through a wide amphitheatre — the site of Medici theatrical spectacles — to an elevated plateau with a Neptune fountain at its centre. From this plateau a long cypress-lined avenue descends to the Isolotto, an oval island garden set in an ornamental lake with a copy of Giambologna's Oceanus fountain at its centre. The garden is populated with over 200 sculptures and antiquities, including the Grotta Grande of Buontalenti near the palace entrance — a theatrical baroque grotto whose innermost chamber once held Michelangelo's original Prisoners (now replaced by casts, with the originals in the Accademia). The Kaffehaus pavilion on the upper ridge, built for Pietro Leopoldo in 1776, commands a panoramic view over Florence's rooftops and Brunelleschi's dome and is the best elevated vantage point in the gardens. A combined ticket with the Pitti Palace museums and other Medici garden sites is available. The gardens are hilly and the terrain is uneven in sections; comfortable footwear is essential.
| Admission | Adult €10 (~$11 USD) (includes Pitti Palace museums) · Child Free under 18 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 8:15AM-4:30PM to 7:30PM (seasonal) |
| Typical visit | 2 hours |
| Best time | Morning or late afternoon |
| Getting there | Behind the Pitti Palace in Oltrarno; 10-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio; bus D or 11 |
| Address | Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy |
Good to know
- Best for
- gardens, sculpture, escape from city center
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Location
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
43.7649, 11.2504 View on map
Highlights
- Central amphitheatre on the main axis — a Medici theatrical performance space, now an open-air ellipse
- The Isolotto — oval island garden with ornamental lake and Oceanus fountain copy
- Buontalenti's Grotta Grande, a baroque theatrical grotto near the palace entrance
- Kaffehaus pavilion view over Florence's terracotta rooftops and Brunelleschi's dome
- Over 200 historical sculptures and antiquities distributed across the 45-hectare grounds
Tips for visiting
- Combine with Pitti Palace museums on same ticket
- The Isolotto (island pond) is a highlight
- Wear comfortable shoes - the gardens are on a hill
When to visit
Morning visits from opening at 8:15am offer the most tranquil atmosphere before tour groups arrive from the main Florence sites. Spring and autumn provide the most pleasant temperatures for extended walks. Summer afternoons can be hot with limited shade on upper paths; the gardens close earlier in winter.
Accessibility
The lower sections of the Boboli Gardens, including the main amphitheatre axis and the Isolotto garden, are navigable by wheelchair, though some paths are gravel-surfaced and slightly uneven. The upper terraces and steeper sections are not wheelchair accessible. The Pitti Palace entrance has ramp access. Contact the Pitti Palace in advance for full accessibility information.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Boboli Gardens take?
A thorough circuit of the main garden takes approximately two hours at a relaxed pace. Visitors exploring all terraces, the Isolotto, and the upper ridge paths may take up to three hours. The gardens can also be enjoyed more briefly as a thirty to sixty minute stroll.
Is the Boboli Gardens ticket combined with the Pitti Palace?
The standard ticket covers the Boboli Gardens along with the Bardini Garden, the Costume Museum, and the Silver Museum. The Palatine Gallery requires a separate or upgraded ticket. Check the current ticketing options as combinations and prices vary seasonally.
Is the Boboli Gardens suitable for children?
The gardens are suitable for children who enjoy outdoor spaces and can manage moderate walking on hilly terrain. The sculptures and grotto are particularly engaging for older children. Pushchairs can access most of the main paths but some upper terraces involve steps.