Vatican Gardens
The Vatican Gardens are the green heart of the smallest country in the world – the Vatican. They date back from the Middle Ages. In 1279, Pope Nicholas III moved his residence from the Lateran Palace to the Vatican. During that period, the creation of the first orchards and beautiful flower meadow has begun. Today, the Vatican Gardens have many fountains, sculptures, and artificial caves, honoring the Virgin Mary and other saints.
The Vatican Gardens cover an area of 57 acres, occupying most of the Vatican Hill. The Gardens have three distinct landscaping styles: an English, French and Italian. You can see there several medieval fortifications, buildings, and monuments, dating from the Renaissance and Baroque. The Gardens are accessible on foot, in the company of a Vatican-accredited guide. You can also explore them on an open bus tour, accompanied by an audio guide.
See more Top Attractions in Rome
What to see in Vatican Gardens?
The famous Italian Garden
It is a true celebration of the Renaissance. Every detail there is perfection and delight. It is not only the plants, which amaze all the visitors, but also the fountains, and its notorious statues.
The French Garden
The place has a distinctive and classical Baroque design. It has many statues, fountains and beautiful flowers.
The English Garden
In addition to the beautiful naturalistic design of the garden, you will also see many artificially created caves, streams, and temples.
The Eagle Fountain
Built in the 17th century to commemorate the return of water access in the Vatican from the repaired aqueduct of Trajan.
The Gregorian Tower
Also known as the Wind Tower. Built at the end of the 16th century. It served as an astrological observatory. Supposedly, in the Tower began the transition from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.
The St. John’s Tower
Originally built by Pope Nicholas III in the 16th century. Pope John XXIII rebuilt it after several destructions in the early 60s. It offers a magnificent view of the Gardens. Today it houses the papal apartments and rooms for special guests of the Vatican.
The Castel Gandolfo Papal Residence
Recently, the papal residence opened to the public. There you can see the papal apartment and the magnificent panorama from its window, the papal cars, papal cabinet, papal bedroom, relics, liturgical clothes, and even papal slippers, as well as other interesting things from the Pope’s life. An electric train runs from the Vatican to the Residence, and you must buy an additional ticket.
The Villa Barberin
It is the Pope’s summer residence. The Villa houses an amazing blend of natural, botanical and archeological wonders. If you want to see it, you must buy an additional ticket.
What do you need to know before visiting the Vatican Gardens?
- Book your tour online for an individual or group visit.
- In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, check the Temporary Closure Notices on the official site. Thus, you will get the latest news, before visiting the Gardens.
- You must wear proper clothes. People with short skirts and dresses, short pants, sleeveless clothes, and hats cannot enter the premises.
- Before entering, you must leave your entire luggage, as well as knives, scissors, and other metal tools at a free checkroom.
- Pets are not welcome in the Gardens, except for guide dogs with muzzles.
- The tour of the Gardens takes about 2 hours, while the bus ride takes 45 minutes.
- It is advisable to wear a hat, sunscreen, and water, during the warmest months.
- Get ready for huge crowds of people. If you have a chance to enter, without waiting on in a line, you will have to wait at the exits until you can leave.
Tour Types
- Walking tour for groups of 16+ people with a professional guide, authorized by the Vatican. You can also join a group to visit the Gardens.
- Bus Tour – An open bus allows you to explore the Gardens safely, and the audio guide will help you learn more about the tourist attraction. The tour is not available for children under 6 years of age.
- The Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of Via Triumphalis – you will have the rare opportunity to see the Galera Fountain.
- By electric train from the Vatican to the papal villas of Castel Gandolfo and Villa Barberin.
- Private tour of the Castel Gandolfo Apostolic Palace and the Gardens, out of the business hours.
- The Hidden Papal Villas – a special guided tour of the Papal Villas, which shows the “hidden” places, usually closed to the public: the Music Hall and the Chapel of Urban VIII.
Group Discounts
- For families
- For school and student groups
- For pilgrims, after submitting a letter of request from the respective religious institution
Free Admissions
- Children under 6 years of age
- Disabled with over 74% of disabilities with their accompanying
- Journalists
- Last Sunday of the month and on the World Tourism Day (the 27th of September)
Access for the disabled
Disabled are welcome to the Vatican Gardens. The tourist attraction is accessible for people in wheelchairs and their accompanying.
More Top Attractions in Rome:
Rome – the city
Colosseum
Roman Forum
Roman Pantheon
Vatican Museums
Saint Peter Basilica