Who has not heard about the beautiful Boboli Gardens? This historical park of Florence is an open-air museum maintained from the age of the Italian Renaissance, dating back to the 12th century. The Boboli Gardens are a popular attraction in the city, located just behind the Pitti Palace. Fountains, caves, statues and a wide variety of flora make up this splendid garden spread across 45,000 square metres that has more than 800,000 visitors every year.
You will also find a grotto built by the renowned Italian artist and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti in the 16th century inside the Boboli Gardens. The main attractions are the Fountain of Neptune, Fontana del Bacchino, the Isolotto, Bathing Venus by Giambologna, Boboli Gardens Amphitheatre, Paris and Venus by Vincenzo de' Rossi and spectacular views of the culturally rich city of Florence. On your visit to Florence, make sure to visit the Boboli Gardens and witness the beauty of this picturesque park.
Boboli Gardens entrances - The 4 entrances explained
The Boboli Gardens are just behind Pitti Palace. The Pitti Palace entrance is from the left of the gardens, towards the courtyard. After exploring the Pitti Palace, you can get direct access to Boboli Gardens without any extra cost. However, the Pitti Palace entrance is the most crowded of all the entrances. You will also have difficulty finding a parking spot near this entrance as it is always busy. Expect queues here as Pitti Palace is also among the popular attractions in Florence.
Timings: The Pitti Palace is open from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week.
Average Waiting Times: Quicker access through priority tickets, but generally about 20-30 minutes.
After being closed for two years, since July 2022, an entrance for Belvedere Fort, located on one of the hills at Boboli Gardens, has been opened to enter the Boboli Gardens. You can enter directly using this gate after you're done seeing the Belvedere Fort. You will find this entrance less crowded than the one at Pitti Palace. Enter from here to avoid large queues. If you're travelling by car, you can park it at the Belvedere Fort parking spot. Here, you can also get a beautiful view of the gardens.
Timings: The Belvedere Fort is open from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week.
Average Waiting Times: Quick access through priority tickets, 5 to 10 minutes otherwise.
Porta Romana is another entrance made to make access for visitors to the gardens easy. Reducing your travel on the city streets, you can just enter the Boboli Gardens from Porta Romana. This is a huge ancient gate which is also a place you should visit, especially if you're going to the Pitti Palace. Built in the 13th century, it is a stunning example of classic Italian architecture. Admission to the Boboli Gardens is free from the Porta Romana. It is also less crowded as not many people know about it.
Timings: The Porta Romana entrance is open from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week.
Average Waiting Times: 2 to 5 minutes
Also known as the Annalena entrance, it is located near the Boboli Gardens amphitheatre. The Annalena entrance is located at the Via Romana. However, it is not wheelchair accessible, especially the last pathway, making it difficult for people with disabilities to enter the Boboli Gardens. With a 20% gradient, it is curved as you proceed further. The last entry to the Boboli Gardens is around 5:30, one hour before the open-air museum closes. You can easily arrive at this entrance if you are travelling to the Boboli Gardens by road.
Timings: The Via Romana entrance is open from 8:15 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week.
Average Waiting Times: 15 to 25 minutes Quick access through priority tickets
Boboli Gardens entrances
Getting there
By Bus
Buses C3, C4, D, 11, 12 and 13 will drop you right outside the area. Borgo S. Jacopo is the nearest bus stop to the Boboli Gardens. Piazza San Felice, San Frediano Serragli and Pescaia Di Santa Rosa are also nearby. You will find buses from Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station, Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte. From Firenze Santa Maria Novella Bus Station, the distance is about 11 to 15 minutes.
By Train and Tram
Florence is well-connected via trains and trams. Trams are also called Light Rail in Italy. You can take Line R via train, and the closest train station is Santa Maria Novella Station. The station is about a 15-minute walk from the Boboli Gardens. You can take the Line T1 light rail and get down at Unità. Alamanni and Valfonda are also close to the park. Trains and trams are the fastest and the most economical commute options to travel.
By Car
If you feel like enjoying the scenic views of the city on your way to the Boboli Gardens, you can rent a car and self-drive to the Boboli Gardens. Taxis are also available throughout the city. Taking Florence city centre as the starting point, the distance is just about 6.2 km. You will love the view along the road. However, renting a car or getting a taxi is the most expensive travelling option. If you're on a budget trip, you should avoid travelling by car. Finding a parking space is also a hassle.
Boboli Gardens Entrances - FAQs
In total, there are four entrances to the Boboli Gardens. They are from Pitti Palace, Belvedere Fort, Porta Romana and Via Romano. The Belvedere Fort entrance is less crowded than the others. The Via Romana entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
You can buy combined tickets to Boboli Gardens from counters outside other attractions like Pitti Palace and Belvedere Fort. You can also buy entry tickets outside the Boboli Gardens. However, the most convenient way is to buy it online. You can find different options here.
The Pitti Palace entrance and the Via Romana entrance have the longest queues. Pitti Palace is among the most visited attractions in the city, while Via Romana is one of the busiest streets in Florence. The Belvedere Fort is comparatively less crowded. If you get a priority access ticket, your entry will be faster.
The entry and exit points are the same, depending on which gate you enter from. You can also get in from one entrance and exit the Boboli Gardens using another exit. Just remember to carry your ticket.
Yes, you will find parking outside all entrances to the Boboli Gardens. The Pitti Palace entrance is a little busy. You will find parking easily outside the Belvedere Fort.
