These wonderful city gardens cover a huge area, comprising of woods, lakes and lawns. Any visitor to Rome should seek them out as a great place to relax and wander freely, not having to care about the chaotic Roman traffic and busy streets.

The Borghese Gardens are the third largest in Rome and are a haven of peace and tranquility, although not an intensely botanical experience, there are a plethora of trees, shrubs and smaller plants to enjoy.  This is a place of perambulation rather than a garden of plants.

Within the gardens are three areas worth visiting:

1. The Garden of Bitter Oranges with its eagle fountain

2. The Flower Garden - a formal garden

3. The 'secret garden' infront of the Aviary

To see the whole garden in a morning or afternoon it is possible to hire bikes from the main visitors centre and there is also row boat hire on the small lake.

The most prolific plants on display are the famed Roman Pines (Pinus pinea) which provide splendidly graphic variation, wherever you look.

Positioned just at the top of the Via Veneto and a stone's throw from the River Tiber, these gardens are a delight to wander slowly through, especially on a warm day when the shade will be most welcome. 

They also offer great views across the city to the many famous landmarks including the Vatican.