Are Boboli Gardens Worth It? The HONEST Truth 2024

Are the Boboli Gardens worth visiting while you’re in Florence, Italy? It’s a question Jack and I were asking ourselves when we started planning our Florence Itinerary. 

We weren’t sure what they would be like visiting in late October, but we decided to give them a go after someone on a food tour we had done a few days earlier told us they were really nice. 

The Boboli Gardens are meant to be one of Florence’s must-see attractions, featured on most itineraries and things-to-do guides. So, we thought they must be good…but, in all honesty, we were left unimpressed. 

So, are Boboli Gardens worth visiting? If you ask us, we’ll tell you no. In this post, I’m going to share my views and tell you why I don’t think the Boboli Gardens are worth it.

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Is Boboli Gardens Worth Visiting?

In our opinion, the Boboli Gardens aren’t worth visiting. 

By the time we arrived in Florence, we’d been travelling around Italy in our campervan for almost seven weeks. We visited lots of beautiful places, including one of our favourite botanical gardens.

The Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens in Verbania at Lake Maggiore in North Italy were some of the prettiest we’d visited. So, when we entered the grounds of the famous Pitti Palace’s gardens, we had high expectations. Maybe that was the problem; we had expected too much.

What Were The Gardens Like?

We were expecting a beautiful garden, well-maintained with pretty greenery, paths, fountains, ornaments and statues. Albeit we did visit in late October, so the Boboli Gardens weren’t in their full bloom and glory, but it was an underwhelming experience nonetheless. And, with an entrance price of €10 each, I think the statues should have at least been kept clean.

As we walked around, it was quickly clear that the gardens were not being maintained. We knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty flower garden, but even the paths were bumpy and filled with potholes and rubble; there were random rocks and pieces of bricks sticking out from the ground along the Viottolone (the cypress-lined path), which we thought quite dangerous.

The statues, including the Pegasus that I was looking forward to seeing, were dirty and covered in black mould. The fountains, such as the Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune Fountain), were not running and were decaying with huge limestone build-ups.    

We noticed the untidiness of the shrubs and overgrown hedges and how ugly the back of Pitti Palace actually is. I wasn’t too impressed by the so-called amazing views of Florence, either. Although, perhaps by this point, we had a bad taste in our mouths that everything was disappointing us.

If you’re looking for amazing views over Florence, climb to the top of the Bell Tower!

We didn’t see any staff or gardeners, which was a surprise since, on a site this size, I would expect gardeners to be running around. It explains why the Boboli Gardens are falling into disrepair. 

Overall, we found them boring and rather dull. So, if you’re expecting a gorgeous garden to walk around in, with impressive statues and idyllic views, you’ll be left wanting at Boboli Gardens. 

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The Attractions We Did Enjoy At Boboli Gardens

All of that said, there were a few things about the Boboli Gardens that we did enjoy.

I also think that a visit during spring/early summer would have been much nicer, especially if you need somewhere to take the kids for a run around. Although the garden would still be unkept, at least the possibility of sitting on the grass and seeing bursts of colour would brighten the vast space.

Fountain Of The Ocean

On our way out of the Boboli Gardens, we found the Fountain of the Ocean. It’s near the exit (or entrance) of the gardens and is a large fountain with a central statue of the sea god Neptune. 

The fountain is surrounded by smaller statues and water features that create a serene and picturesque setting. It’s probably one of the nicer spots to rest and take in the beauty of the gardens before exiting.

The Parrots

We also noticed quite a few parrots squawking and chattering away. They were flying between the trees and had beautiful green plumage and long tails; I think they are the same species we get in Hyde Park in London. 

We spotted them on our way out at the Prato delle Colonne, just after the Fountain of the Ocean. The parakeets added a unique touch of wildlife to the gardens, which we really enjoyed and made our final moments in Boboli Gardens worth it.

The Views From Fontana Delle Scimmie

Although not the view we were expecting. We had been told the views over Florence city were spectacular from the Boboli Gardens, but we disagree. The views from the Fontana Delle Scimmie over the Tuscan countryside south of Florence were much more spectacular. 

It was really beautiful, and even the cloudy skies couldn’t dampen the mood. You might want to consider wearing wellies if you’re visiting outside of the summer months, as the paths around this area are very muddy!

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If You Still Want To Visit Boboli Gardens…

In the end, it’s your decision if you think the Boboli Gardens are worth it. I’ve read some people have enjoyed the attraction immensely. If you do decide to visit, I’ve included some useful information to help you plan.

The Best Time To Visit Boboli Gardens

Going on what we saw, the best time to visit the Boboli Gardens has got to be spring and early summer (April to June) when the gardens are in full bloom and the weather is pleasant. The gardens have plenty of shaded areas to keep away from the sunshine but keep in mind that summer can get very hot in Florence.

Early Autumn might also prove to be a good time, although late autumn, when we visited, was dreary and muddy. It’s probably not a good idea to visit just after it’s rained, either. Weekends will always be busier than the weekdays, too.

Where To Purchase Tickets

There are a number of options for purchasing tickets to the Boboli Gardens; we got them at the gates for €10 each, but there are also combination tickets available.

⭐ Pro tip >> You can purchase an online ticket using this link: Boboli Gardens Florence Reserved Entrance.

There are also days when you can visit for free. The first Sunday of the month is open to all and free, Liberation Day (25th April), Republic Day (2nd June) and National Unity Day (4th November). 

What Are The Opening Hours

The Boboli Gardens are open every day all week except for the first and last Monday of every month and on Christmas Day (25th December) – the hours change according to season.

• Off-season (November to February): 8:15 am to 4:30 pm
• High-season (March to October): 8:15 am to 5:30 pm (6:30 during Daylight Savings)
• Summer (June to August): 8:15 am to 7:10 pm
• The last admission is an hour before closing.

How Long Do You Need

Depending on what time of the year and activities you plan to do at Boboli Gardens will affect the amount of time you need there. We spent about an hour strolling around; however, we had put aside two hours as we thought we would be spending longer. 

In summer, I think you will need more time, but in autumn and winter, an hour should be enough. 

Entrances

• From Pitti Palace: The Pitti Palace entrance gives access to Boboli Gardens free of cost, but it is the most crowded of all the entrances.
• From the Belvedere Fort: The Belvedere Fort was opened in July 2022 and gives access to Boboli Gardens via the Belvedere Fort.
• Via Romana: This entrance is near the Boboli Gardens amphitheater. However, it isn’t wheelchair accessible.
• From Porta Romana: Porta Romana is an ancient gate built in the 13th century. It is an example of classic Italian architecture but is rarely used.

Map Of Boboli Gardens, Florence

FAQs: Is Boboli Gardens Worth It? 

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In Summary: Is Boboli Gardens Worth It?

As always, I leave you with a few final thoughts about visiting Boboli Gardens. Sometimes, it’s hard to make a decision whether to visit somewhere or not, especially when everyone is telling you it’s a must-visit attraction. It’s quite possible that you would enjoy the Boboli Gardens, and the only way to truly know is to visit. 

If you have enough time, it’s an attraction you can easily add to your itinerary. If you’re only in Florence for a short period, I honestly believe that the Boboli Gardens are not worth visiting. There are plenty more attractions to do in Florence, which are incredible, than visiting these gardens, and Florence as a whole is a city certainly worth visiting!