April is a wonderful time to find a luxury villa in Florence or to book one of our Tuscany Villas and plan a day-trip (or two or three) to Florence for plenty of reasons! Not only do tourist crowds remain relatively smaller compared to the height of the summer but it finally starts to get a bit warmer and, importantly, the city finally goes into bloom. And, all of these flowers and this lush greenery that can be found in the gardens and parks and dotted throughout Florence only serve to make the impossible beauty of this incredible city all the more picturesque and to add splashes of colour amongst the grand architectural gems that are found all over. In particular, Florence is home to some of the world’s most famous and extraordinary historic gardens and most of them are best experienced in the spring.
Among this selection of stunning gardens that can be found by visitors who are planning on booking a vacation rental in Florence, one that is considered a must-see each April and which is regularly photographed at this time of the year is the Giardino Bardini. This is because of one particular feature: the extraordinary, “Wisteria Lane.”
Made up of a path through the garden that is covered by a series of iron arches with plants growing over it, the Wisteria Lane comes alive when these plants burst into life and reveal themselves to be vibrant purple blooms each year from mid-April to the beginning of May. This transforms the path into a magical tunnel with a lush canopy of wisteria overhead. Utterly breathtaking, the result is like something pulled from a storybook. Walking along this path, stopping to admire it, and getting some really pretty commemorative photos is a great way to experience the wonder of spring in the city if you have found a holiday rental in Florence.
Of course, there are many more reasons to plan a trip to the Giardino Bardini but those planning a spring break in Florence should definitely make a point of visiting as this particular feature is only on display for a few weeks each year. However, while in the gardens, there are some other specific highlights that you should make note of and make a point to see, although visitors could pretty easily see the entire garden in an hour of strolling around. Taking your time is highly recommended as this beautiful space is a little slice of peace and quiet. For those who aren’t in a rush, it is a perfect place to spend some time and soak up the city, especially as the garden is built into a series of terraces on a hillside that afford a rather extraordinary view over Florence.
There are two entrances but many say that coming into the garden from Via dei Bardi is preferable. This option means that you will quickly encounter the Wisteria Lane as you begin ascending the staircase through the gardens. As you continue up the stunning Baroque staircase, you will find smaller gardens on each terrace including the Anglo-Chinese garden with its Fontana del Drago (Dragon Fountain), the fruit trees remaining from the garden’s original purpose as an orchard then outside the city for the Mozzi family from the 13th century onwards, and the stunning collection of roses and irises not far from the restaurant and panoramic terrace. With each one, you will also get a slightly different view of the city and down to the Arno.
Find a villa in Florence this spring and discover the many charms of the city at this time of the year, including the lovely Giardino Bardini with its Wisteria Lane, flowers, and views!
Giardino Bardini
Via de' Bardi, 1, 50125 Firenze
Opening hours:
Open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry at 3pm).
Closed on the first and last Monday of each month.
Tickets:
Full price – €6.00
Reduced – €2.00 (for persons between the ages of 18 and 25 who are members of the European Community and for teachers with permanent state school contracts)
Free Entry – visitors under the age of 18 with an Italian Identity Card, and disabled guests.
Note: Entrance to the Giardino di Boboli also included in ticket, to be used in the same day. Additionally, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, entry is subject to the obligatory paid reservation to be made online.
