The Most Beautiful Parks in Rome
Villa Doria Pamphili
In case you were wondering what is at the top of my goals list for 2025, it’s creating healthier coping mechanisms for any emotion. Feeling sad? Go hug a tree. Feeling angry? Go for a walk, my preferred method being a stroll through a park. In Rome, you even get the added bonus of encountering historical artifacts for free along the way!
In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to some of the most beautiful parks in Rome. Whether you’re an international student, an expat living in the city, or just a tourist, visiting these parks offers a fantastic way to explore Rome from a new perspective. From perfectly manicured gardens to untamed natural landscapes, there’s a park here for everyone.
Villa Borghese
Let’s start with the most famous one: Villa Borghese. I want to say Villa Borghese is overrated, but in reality, it comes close to being the perfect city park. Located in the centre of Rome, with its main entrance near Flaminio metro station, it’s the park most visited by tourists.
If you’re looking for the untamed vibes of a wild nature park, this may not be the spot for you. Villa Borghese is a romantic garden with perfectly landscaped fountains, charming paths, and a picturesque little pond where you can rent adorable boats. The park is undeniably romantic—and fittingly, it’s even shaped like a heart!
Because it’s so central, Villa Borghese is my go-to meeting spot to hang out with friends. In summer, the park comes alive with countless picnics, making it an especially vibrant place to visit. Personally, I’ve spent countless hours here, chatting, laughing, or engaging in intense, life-or-death badminton matches.
If you’re exploring Rome, I definitely recommend taking a stroll here. You’ll probably pass it anyway, and it features plenty of beautiful landmarks worth checking out, such as the pond, the Terrazza del Pincio (with an amazing view over Piazza del Popolo), and the Orologio ad Acqua del Pincio.
Villa Borghese is also home to the renowned Galleria Borghese, a stunning museum showcasing masterpieces by artists like Bernini and Caravaggio.
In my opinion, this park truly has something for everyone. It’s hopelessly romantic for couples, especially at sunset, and ideal for families with young children. Kids will love the rentable go-karts, the charming carousel, and the frequent live music performances. With its entertainment options, museums, scenic pond, and beautiful surroundings, it’s just a great place to spend your time.
Parco dell’ Appia Antica
While I’ve been on record saying Villa Ada Savoia is my favourite park in Rome, I’m currently leaning towards a different number one. Parco dell’ Appia Antica is one of Rome’s most unique and historically rich parks, and lately, I find myself visiting a couple of times a month. The park is located in the southeastern part of Rome and stretches along the ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), one of the earliest and most important roads of the Roman Empire, dating back to 312 BC. It encompasses both the road and the surrounding landscape, offering visitors the chance to step back in time while enjoying nature.
Because the Appian Way was such an important road, the park contains numerous archaeological sites from a variety of periods, such as the temple of the god Redicolo, the Ninfeo di Egeria, the Church of Sant’Urbano, the Tombe Latine, and the Parco degli Acquedotti.
Ninfeo di Egeria
I love this park because it is huge and feels really ‘untamed’ to me. Once, I even came across a flock of sheep and a shepherd, which made me feel like I was in the countryside. There are multiple places to rent a bike, and the park is perfect for cycling, allowing you to explore everything.
To visit Parco dell’Appia Antica, I recommend taking the metro A and getting off at Colli Albani station. From there, it’s only a five-minute walk to the entrance at Via Latina.
Villa Ada Savoia
Villa Ada Savoia is the second-largest park in Rome (after Villa Doria Pamphili) and is located in the northeastern part of the city. Though it’s not in the centre, Villa Ada is easy to reach via the Sant’Agnese–Annibaliano metro station on Line B.
I’ve talked about Villa Ada Savoia before in this blog, and what makes it special is its untamed, natural feel compared to some of Rome’s other parks. It’s a place where you can truly escape the chaos of the city and immerse yourself in greenery. The park is a favourite among locals for jogging, picnicking, or simply relaxing in nature.
Villa Ada also has historical significance, it was once owned by the Savoy royal family and served as a royal estate. Today, it offers a peaceful retreat and hosts occasional cultural events, especially during the summer months. For families, the park has several playgrounds and a charming little pond where turtles and other animals swim. If you’re looking for a quieter, more local experience, Villa Ada is a fantastic choice.
Villa Doria Pamphili
Villa Doria Pamphili is Rome’s largest park, located to the west of the Trastevere neighbourhood. I have to confess: I’m obsessed with this park, but it’s so far away. So far, in fact, that I’ve only visited it once since moving to Rome. If anyone has the perfect public transport option to travel to Villa Doria Pamphili, please hit me up!
If I had to describe the vibe of this park in one word, it would be fairytale. The park has stunning natural scenery, majestic fountains, classical statues, and its famous centrepiece: Villa Doria Pamphili, a historic residence surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
What sets Villa Doria Pamphili apart for me is its size and the atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to jog, bike, or simply escape the chaos of the city for some peace and quiet, this park is the perfect destination.
Villa Torlonia
Villa Torlonia is smaller than some of the other parks on this list, but it has a charm all its own. Located in the Nomentano neighbourhood, it’s easy to reach from the city centre.
This park is a blend of nature and history, as it’s home to a beautiful villa that once served as the residence of Benito Mussolini. Today, the villa has been transformed into a museum, and its surrounding gardens are open to the public.
One of the highlights of Villa Torlonia is the whimsical Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls), a fairytale-like structure featuring stunning stained glass windows and intricate architectural details. The park itself is well-maintained, with shady paths, open lawns, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it perfect for a quiet stroll. While it’s significantly smaller than the other parks on this list and doesn’t offer the feeling of being fully immersed in nature, the historical value of this park makes it absolutely worth visiting!
Casina delle Civette
Tip: This park is located very close to one of my favourite sandwich shops, so feel free to pair your visit with an amazing lunch!
Villa Sciarra
Villa Sciarra is a hidden gem in the Trastevere neighbourhood, often overlooked by visitors. Its intimate and romantic atmosphere, however, makes it a standout for me.
The park is relatively small, but it’s full of charm. It features beautiful gardens, decorative fountains, and classical statues scattered throughout. Villa Sciarra is also a haven for birdwatchers, as it’s home to a variety of bird species.
What I love most about this park is its peaceful vibe, it’s the kind of place where you can sit on a bench with a book or enjoy a quiet moment under the shade of a tree. In fact, it’s one of my favourite places to read in Rome, as I mentioned in a previous blog post. It’s a great idea to combine a visit to this park with exploring the Trastevere neighbourhood. You can bring along a pre-packed lunch to enjoy in the park or simply soak in the quiet atmosphere.
Conclusion
I hope that by the end of this blog post, you’ve come to realize that Rome has beautiful parks to offer for everyone. Looking for the full nature experience? I recommend Parco dell’Appia Antica and Villa Ada Savoia, both very easy to reach with public transport. Want more of a stroll-through-a-beautiful-garden-with-activities vibe? Head to Villa Borghese, Villa Torlonia, or Villa Sciarra. Villa Doria Pamphili is somewhere in the middle for me, but I’m still on the hunt for a better public transport route to get there.
If you’re planning to visit one of these parks or have a favourite park of your own in Rome, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear about your experiences, and if you have any tips for getting to Villa Doria Pamphili, hit me up! Don’t forget to share this post with friends who love nature, history, or simply need a peaceful escape in the Eternal City.
