Most beautiful gardens and parks worldwide
Most beautiful gardens and parks worldwide
Beautiful public parks and gardens worldwide
Some places are worth visiting just to stand still for a while. Gardens and parks don't always make it onto the classic travel itineraries, but they're often where a city's character shows up most clearly in what it chooses to cultivate, preserve or let grow wild. A formal French garden says something different about a place than a sprawling urban park or a hillside of terraced rice fields.
The destinations on this page were chosen because the outdoor spaces are genuinely central to the experience, not just a nice add-on. That might mean a botanical garden that draws visitors from across the world, a national park that defines an entire region or a quiet city park that locals treat like a second living room. The scale varies a lot.
Gardens and parks also tend to reward slower travel. They're not always the flashiest reason to visit a place, but they're often the part people remember longest. Seasonal changes can shift the whole atmosphere and a lot of what makes these spaces worth visiting doesn't show up in photos.
Lists by region
City in Germany
Potsdam
Prussian palaces and lakes near Berlin
Sanssouci Park stretches across roughly 700 acres, built as a summer retreat for a Prussian king in the 1740s. Terraced vineyards climb the hill beneath the palace, following a design the king reportedly sketched himself. Fountains, follies and a Chinese-style teahouse dot the grounds. UNESCO recognised the palace and park in 1990.
City in Germany
Hanover
Baroque gardens, lakeside walks and big fairs
Herrenhausen Gardens here holds one of Europe's best-preserved Baroque gardens, laid out in strict geometric precision. Fountains throughout the grounds include one that shoots water over 80 metres into the air. A maze and grotto sit tucked within the garden's formal hedges. Summer concerts and light shows draw crowds to the grounds most weekends.
City in France
Paris
The city of love, art and history
Chairs sit scattered freely around a pond at the Luxembourg Gardens, free for anyone to move. Statues of French queens line the paths alongside an orchard growing rare apples. Children have sailed toy boats on the pond here since the 1920s. Beekeepers still maintain hives within the grounds, a tradition dating back over a century.
Town in Netherlands
Lisse
Blooming tulip paradise in Dutch countryside
Keukenhof opens for just eight weeks each spring, planted with seven million tulip bulbs. Workers replant the display by hand every autumn using a fresh design each year. Windmills and canals sit tucked among the flower beds, giving the park a classic Dutch look. Millions of visitors time trips around the garden's short blooming season.
City in France
Versailles
Royal grandeur just outside Paris
Andre Le Notre designed these gardens for Louis XIV, laying out fountains and canals in a strict grid. Over 200,000 trees fill the grounds, replanted periodically as older ones reach the end of their lifespan. Musical fountain shows recreate displays first staged for the king's court. Walking the grounds can take most of a day.
Village in France
Giverny
Monet's living canvas of inspiration
Claude Monet designed and painted this garden repeatedly during his final decades. A Japanese-style bridge crosses a pond covered in water lilies, the scene in dozens of his paintings. Flower beds throughout the grounds were planted to bloom in overlapping waves through the growing season. The artist's house sits just steps from the entrance.
City in Japan
Nara
Giant Buddha, tame deer and ancient temples
Over a thousand deer roam freely through Nara Park, considered sacred messengers in local tradition. Isuien Garden nearby uses the surrounding hills as a backdrop, a technique called borrowed scenery. Temples and shrines dot the wider park grounds alongside lawns where the deer graze. Vendors sell crackers that visitors can feed directly to the animals.
Town in Italy
Ravello
Romantic Gardens Above the Amalfi
Villa Cimbrone's garden ends at the Infinity Terrace, lined with marble busts overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Villa Rufolo nearby holds a separate garden that inspired part of a Wagner opera. Concerts are still staged on the Rufolo grounds each summer in tribute to that link. Both gardens sit a short walk from each other.
City in Canada
Victoria
Garden city by the Pacific
Butchart Gardens began as an attempt to fix an eyesore, a quarry left barren after limestone mining. A family filled the pit with topsoil and planted a sunken garden that still forms the centrepiece. Fireworks and music fill the grounds on summer evenings. A million bedding plants get replaced each season to keep it blooming.
City in Australia
Perth
Sun, surf and city style collide
Kings Park ranks among the largest inner-city parks anywhere, larger than New York's Central Park. A raised walkway lifts visitors above the treetops for views across native eucalyptus woodland. Wildflower displays each spring draw crowds from across Western Australia. A war memorial sits at the park's highest point, overlooking the skyline below.
Region in Australia
Victoria
Diverse Landscapes and Cultural Richness
The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria spans two sites, one central and a second devoted to native plants. Black swans and waterbirds nest around the lake within the Melbourne grounds. A herbarium here holds millions of preserved plant specimens used for research. Guided walks run daily, pointing out trees planted since the garden's founding in 1846.
City in Japan
Kitakyushu
Castle, retro port and steel heritage
Kawachi Fuji Garden here fills tunnels with hanging wisteria blossoms each spring. Over 20 varieties of wisteria bloom in overlapping waves across the private garden's slopes. Photos of the tunnels have circulated widely online, drawing visitors from well beyond the region. The garden limits daily visitor numbers to manage crowds during peak bloom.
City in Austria
Vienna
A Symphony of Culture and Elegance
Belvedere Palace holds a garden that steps down a hillside between two Baroque palaces built for a commander. Sphinx statues and clipped hedges line the axis connecting upper and lower grounds. Klimt's The Kiss hangs inside the upper palace, drawing crowds into the gardens afterwards. Volksgarten elsewhere holds one of Europe's oldest public rose gardens.
Country in United Kingdom
England
Historic Nation of Timeless Charm
Kew Gardens near London holds the largest collection of living plants anywhere in the world. A Victorian-era glasshouse called the Palm House recreates tropical conditions under curved iron and glass. A treetop walkway lifts visitors above the canopy for views across the grounds. UNESCO recognised the gardens as a World Heritage Site in 2003.
City in Australia
Adelaide
Festivals, wine and laid-back charm
The Adelaide Botanic Garden holds one of the largest Victorian-era glasshouses in the Southern Hemisphere. Its Bicentennial Conservatory recreates a humid rainforest climate under a single sweeping glass roof. Rows of Moreton Bay fig trees line several of the garden's main paths. The gardens sit within easy walking distance of the city centre.
City in United States
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
Cherry trees ringing the Tidal Basin here were a gift from Japan in 1912, meant to strengthen ties. Peak bloom lasts only about a week, drawing crowds who track forecasts closely each spring. The US National Arboretum elsewhere holds columns salvaged from the Capitol's original portico. Both sites offer a break from the surrounding monuments.
Village in Portugal
Furnas
A Geothermal Wonderland
Terra Nostra Park holds a heated pool coloured orange by minerals from the volcanic springs feeding it. Ferns, camellias and tall trees from across the world fill the rest of the grounds. Steam vents nearby slow-cook a local stew buried underground for hours. This garden ranks among Portugal's oldest, with roots dating to the 1800s.
City in Japan
Okayama
A castle, a garden and Momotaro's legend
Korakuen ranks among Japan's three great gardens, built for a feudal lord in the late 1600s. A technique called borrowed scenery frames the nearby castle as part of the garden. Wide lawns set it apart from more enclosed Japanese gardens elsewhere. Tea fields and a small rice paddy sit tucked within the ornamental grounds.
City in Iran
Shiraz
Poetry, Gardens and Persian Splendor
Eram Garden here follows the classic Persian layout, split into four sections by water channels. Cypress trees line the central path, framing a Qajar-era mansion at its heart. UNESCO recognised this style of Persian garden design across several Iranian sites in 2011. Roses grown throughout the grounds gave this city its lasting reputation for flowers.
Island in Portugal
Madeira
Dramatic Cliffs and Eternal Spring
Palheiro Gardens combine English-style landscaping with subtropical plants suited to a mild climate. A former aristocratic estate, the grounds include a maze, a lake and rare trees from across the world. Golf courses sit next to the gardens on the same rolling hillside. Views from the property stretch down towards Funchal and the coast below.
City in Netherlands
Amsterdam
Canals, culture and a vibrant spirit
Vondelpark draws more visitors each year than any other park in this city, filled with cyclists and picnickers. Open-air concerts and theatre run through summer on the park's stage. Ponds and winding paths cut through the greenery, laid out in an English landscape style. The park opened in 1865 and has expanded several times since.
Island in United States
Oahu
Hawaii’s Vibrant Island Adventure
Foster Botanical Garden holds trees planted in the 1850s. Some rank among the oldest and largest of their kind on the island. A section devoted to poisonous plants draws curious visitors alongside the typical displays. Orchids and palms fill greenhouses among the older specimen trees. Downtown Honolulu's skyline rises just beyond the garden's edge.
Region in United Kingdom
Cotswolds National Landscape
Honey-Colored Villages and Rolling Hills
Hidcote Manor Garden is divided into outdoor rooms, each with its own distinct planting style. Hedges and stone walls separate the sections, a design that shaped English garden style through the 20th century. Rare plants gathered from expeditions abroad fill several of the garden's beds. The garden sits within a landscape of honey-coloured stone villages.
Town in Italy
Peschiera del Garda
Fortified Canals Meet Lake Magic
Sigurta Garden Park nearby covers 60 hectares beside Lake Garda, with a tulip display drawing crowds each spring. A labyrinth of yew hedges sits within the grounds, planted in a pattern seen best from above. Electric golf carts and bicycles help visitors cover the sprawling property quickly. Avenues of ancient trees shade the park's pathways.
City in Canada
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
Ten themed gardens spread across this city's botanical complex, including a large Chinese garden outside Asia. A Japanese garden nearby holds a teahouse used for ceremonies through warmer months. An insectarium sits within the same grounds, drawing a different kind of visitor. Winter turns part of the site into a lantern festival lit after dark.
Region in France
French Riviera
Glamorous Mediterranean Getaway
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild sits on a peninsula here, surrounded by nine themed gardens built in the early 1900s. Each section follows a different style, from Japanese to Spanish to French. A baroness commissioned the estate, reportedly inspired by ocean liners she travelled on. Fountains throughout the grounds are choreographed to music during scheduled shows.
City in Kenya
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
Nairobi Arboretum holds over 350 tree species planted across a former forest reserve near downtown. Joggers and picnickers share the grounds with birdwatchers tracking migrating species. This green space sits a short drive from Nairobi National Park's open savanna. Paths wind beneath a canopy that offers a break from the city's traffic and noise.
Region in France
Loire Valley
Châteaux, vineyards and riverside charm
Chateau de Villandry holds gardens laid out like an open-air textbook, with vegetables in precise geometric beds. Renaissance-era design rules shaped the layout, treating cabbages and herbs like ornamental flowers. Love-themed hedge patterns fill one section, each symbol clipped from boxwood. Dozens of other chateaux across the valley maintain their own historic gardens nearby.
Town in Portugal
Funchal
Island Charm with Lush Landscapes
Monte Palace Tropical Garden climbs a hillside above this city, reached by cable car from the harbour. Koi ponds, azulejo tiles and plants gathered worldwide fill the terraced grounds. A toboggan ride made from wicker sleds once carried visitors down the hill. Views from the garden stretch across the city towards the Atlantic.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Shinjuku Gyoen blends French, English and Japanese garden styles across grounds near the city centre. Cherry blossoms here draw dense crowds each spring, with over a thousand trees blooming at different times. Hamarikyu Gardens elsewhere sits beside Tokyo Bay, its tidal pond rising with the ocean. Teahouses at both sites serve matcha with water views.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Stanley Park wraps almost entirely around this city's downtown peninsula, its seawall trail drawing walkers year round. Totem poles stand within the park, carved by First Nations artists and moved here in the 1920s. VanDusen Botanical Garden elsewhere holds a maze and plants from six continents. Rainfall keeps both sites lush most of the year.
City in Israel
Haifa
Terraced Gardens, Seaside Views, Harmony
Nineteen terraces climb a mountainside here, forming the Bahai Gardens around a golden-domed shrine. Precisely trimmed hedges and flower beds line the terraces in a strict geometric pattern. The gardens serve as a pilgrimage site for followers of the Bahai faith worldwide. UNESCO recognised the site as a World Heritage Site in 2008.
Island in South Korea
Jeju Island
Nature's Island Paradise
Hallim Park combines botanical gardens with volcanic caves formed by ancient lava flows. Palm trees and subtropical plants fill the grounds, unusual for a region this far north in Korea. A folk village recreates island homes built from volcanic stone. Cave systems beneath the gardens remain a rare example of lava tubes open to visitors.
City in United States
Chicago
Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights
The Chicago Botanic Garden spreads across nine islands connected by bridges over man-made lakes. A Japanese garden within the grounds is designed to be viewed from three vantage points. Millennium Park downtown holds the Lurie Garden, planted with prairie species native to the region. Both sites draw large crowds during the short growing season.
Town in Portugal
Sintra
Fairytale Palaces in Misty Hills
Tunnels and hidden staircases wind beneath Quinta da Regaleira, a garden built around symbols tied to alchemy. A spiral well descends nearly 30 metres underground, once used for secret ceremonies per local lore. Grottoes and follies scattered across the grounds add to the theatrical feel. Thick forest keeps much of the estate hidden from view.
Town in Italy
Bellagio
Pearl of Lake Como’s Shores
Villa Serbelloni's gardens climb a hillside above this lake town, mixing formal terraces with wooded paths. Villa Melzi nearby holds a separate garden filled with azaleas, camellias and centuries-old trees. Views from both properties stretch across Lake Como towards the surrounding mountains. Boats connect the town to other lakeside villages within a short ride.
City in New Zealand
Rotorua
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Steam rises from geothermal vents across the Government Gardens here, mixing volcanic activity with flower beds. A Tudor-style bathhouse sits at the centre, built when the springs were marketed for healing. Sulphur fumes drift across the grounds, a reminder of the geology beneath. Rose gardens and bowling greens sit steps from the steaming vents.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
A bamboo grove near Arashiyama towers over a narrow path, filtering sunlight into shifting patterns. Wind through the stalks creates a sound distinct enough to be named a Japan soundscape. Temples throughout the city maintain their own gardens, many centuries old. Moss gardens, dry rock gardens and pond gardens all appear across the temple grounds.
City in Morocco
Rabat
A Hidden Gem with Royal Flair
Andalusian Gardens sit beside this city's kasbah, laid out in the French colonial era in a style borrowed from Spain. Orange trees and bougainvillea fill the terraced beds in view of the Atlantic. Cats roam freely among the fountains and walkways. The gardens offer a quiet contrast to the busy medina beyond the kasbah walls.
City in Thailand
Chiang Mai
Ancient temples and mountain escapes
Royal Park Rajapruek here was built for a horticultural exposition, filling its grounds with gardens from other countries. A Thai-style pavilion sits at the park's centre, surrounded by lotus ponds and flowers. Doi Suthep mountain nearby holds forest trails and a temple reached by a long staircase. Both sites offer views across the valley below.
Island in Australia
Lord Howe Island
Secluded paradise with crystal reefs and cliffs
Kentia palms grow wild across this remote island, a species now exported to gardens worldwide from nurseries here. Steep, forested peaks rise directly behind pristine beaches, packing rainforest and coastline into a tiny footprint. Strict visitor limits keep the island's ecosystem largely undisturbed. You can walk trails through native forest found nowhere else on Earth.
City in Morocco
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
Cobalt blue walls surround Jardin Majorelle, a garden painter Jacques Majorelle designed over four decades from 1920. Cacti and bamboo fill the grounds beside a small museum on Berber culture. Yves Saint Laurent later bought and restored the property after years of disrepair. His ashes were scattered in a memorial garden here after his death.
City in Australia
Canberra
A cultural hub surrounded by nature
The Australian National Botanic Gardens here holds the largest collection of native Australian plants anywhere. A rainforest gully within the grounds recreates conditions found in wetter parts of the country. The National Arboretum nearby covers a hillside with forests planted from around 100 tree species. Both sites overlook the city's planned lake and government district.
City in Sri Lanka
Colombo
A Colorful Blend of Old and New
Viharamahadevi Park sits across from this city's town hall, filled with tropical trees and lawns. A flower show each April draws large crowds during the traditional New Year period. Statues and fountains dot the grounds alongside playgrounds and walking paths. The park is one of the few large green spaces in the dense city centre.
Island in Tanzania
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
Spice farms across this island let visitors walk among cloves, vanilla and cinnamon trees planted since the 1800s. Guides crush leaves and bark, asking visitors to guess each plant by smell. Coconut palms and banana trees grow in the same plots as the spice crops. Tours end with a fruit tasting picked from the farm.
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Cherry trees burst into pink bloom each spring across the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's cherry esplanade. A Japanese hill-and-pond garden nearby dates to 1915, among the oldest of its kind here. Rose gardens and a native plant collection round out the grounds. You can walk the site in an afternoon or linger over one section.
City in Japan
Kanazawa
Samurai streets, gold leaf and Kenrokuen garden
Kenroku-en ranks as one of Japan's three great gardens, built by feudal lords over two centuries. Its name translates to garden of six qualities, traits deemed key to an ideal landscape. A stone lantern with two uneven legs, one submerged in a pond, marks the garden's signature image. Plantings shift its character across the seasons.
City in Australia
Hobart
Coastal charm meets historic streets
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens rank among Australia's oldest botanic gardens, founded in 1818. A Japanese garden sits beside a separate subantarctic plant house, recreating conditions found much further south. Convict-built walls still enclose parts of the historic grounds. Views from the gardens stretch across the Derwent River towards the city.
City in Germany
Constance
Lakeside old town on the Swiss border
Mainau Island sits in Lake Constance, covered almost entirely in gardens kept by a Swedish noble family. Palm trees and Mediterranean plants grow here despite the cooler climate, aided by the lake's moderating effect. A butterfly house on the island holds tropical species. Flower displays shift with the seasons, from spring tulips to summer roses.
City in China
Kunming
Spring City with Eternal Blossoms
Green Lake Park sits at the centre of this city, its walkways lined with willow trees and lotus ponds. Black-headed gulls migrate here each winter from Siberia, drawing crowds who feed them. Teahouses along the park's edges overlook the water. Kunming's mild year-round climate earned it a nickname as the City of Eternal Spring.
City in Japan
Himeji
Famed white castle and samurai gardens
Koko-en Garden sits beside this city's castle, made up of nine walled gardens in different styles. Each section recreates a different era or theme, from a tea garden to bamboo groves. Carp swim through ponds connected by small waterfalls throughout the grounds. The garden opened in 1992 on the site of a former samurai residence.
Park in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay
Futuristic Garden Oasis in Singapore
Tree-like structures called Supertrees rise across this park, some reaching over 50 metres. Solar panels built into the structures help power lighting displays each evening. Two climate-controlled domes recreate cooler growing conditions for plants from mountain regions. The gardens opened in 2012 as part of a broader effort to green Singapore's skyline.
Botanical Garden in Thailand
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Vibrant oasis of tropical flora and fauna
Cultural dance shows run daily here, staged inside a garden holding one of Asia's largest cactus collections. French-style topiary sits alongside a section built to resemble Stonehenge, planted with palms instead of stone. Elephants perform in a separate show elsewhere on the grounds. The property covers roughly 500 acres outside Pattaya.
Botanical Garden in Wellington
Wellington Botanic Garden
Tranquil Urban Oasis in Wellington
A cable car carries visitors up to this garden's entrance, with views over the city and harbour. Native New Zealand plants grow alongside roses across the sloped grounds. A seismograph and small observatory sit tucked within the garden, tied to its earlier scientific use. Paths wind downhill through the garden towards the city centre.
Palace in Lisbon
Pena Palace
Majestic hilltop palace with eclectic charm
Brightly coloured towers rise above this hilltop palace, painted red and yellow against the forest. A king built the estate in the 1840s atop an old monastery, blending several styles into one. Exotic trees gathered worldwide fill the park, planted to resemble a romantic wilderness. Coastal fog often wraps the palace in mist.
Palace in Seoul
Changdeokgung Palace
Seoul's harmonious royal retreat
A rear garden here called Huwon was once reserved for the royal family and guests. Pavilions and ponds followed the natural contours of the land rather than reshaping it. This set it apart from more formal, symmetrical palace gardens elsewhere in Asia. UNESCO recognised the palace and garden as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Lake in Italy
Lake Como
Alpine elegance meets Italian charm
Villa Carlotta's terraced gardens rise above the water here, planted with azaleas and camellias that bloom in spring. Marble statues line the paths between citrus trees and centuries-old cedars. Boats crossing the lake pass close enough to see the gardens from the water. Several other villa gardens dot the shoreline within easy reach by ferry.
City in China
Hangzhou
A Timeless Blend of Serenity
West Lake here has inspired Chinese poets and painters for over a thousand years. Causeways lined with willow trees cross the water, connecting small islands and pavilions. Lotus flowers cover parts of the lake's surface each summer. UNESCO recognised the lake and its surrounding gardens as a World Heritage Site in 2011.
Garden in Shanghai
Yu Yuan Garden
Serene oasis amid Shanghai bustle
A Ming dynasty official built this garden in the 16th century for his ageing parents. Rockeries, ponds and pavilions fill the compact space, feeling larger than its actual size. Zigzagging bridges cross the ponds, based on a belief that evil spirits cannot turn corners. The garden sits within walking distance of Shanghai's old bazaar district.
City in China
Suzhou
Gardens, canals and silk dreams
Classical gardens throughout this city pack miniature landscapes into small walled spaces. Rocks, water and plants combine to suggest a larger world. The Humble Administrator's Garden, the largest, covers roughly 13 acres divided into distinct sections. Scholars built many starting in the Ming dynasty as private retreats. UNESCO recognised nine classical gardens here in 1997.
Botanical Garden in London
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Serene green oasis amid bustling cityscape
A seed bank here stores samples from roughly 40,000 plant species, insurance against extinction or crop failure. The Great Pagoda rises ten stories above the treetops, built in the 1760s as a folly. Researchers based here work on projects spanning conservation and climate science. A canopy walkway lifts visitors 18 metres up for grounds views.
City in United States
St. Louis
Gateway to the West's Soul
The Missouri Botanical Garden ranks among the oldest botanical institutions still operating in the US, founded in 1859. A Japanese garden within the grounds spans 14 acres, among the largest outside Japan. Climatron, a geodesic dome greenhouse, recreates a tropical rainforest year round. Researchers based here study plant conservation projects worldwide.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
Giant water lily pads, wide enough to hold a small child, float across ponds at Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. Spice trees and palms fill the rest of the grounds, planted starting in the 1700s. This ranks among the oldest botanical gardens south of the equator. Tours point out which plants produce vanilla and cinnamon grown on-site.
Region in Malaysia
Penang
Heritage charm meets foodie heaven
Waterfalls run through Penang Botanic Gardens, giving its older nickname drawn from a cascade that once powered a reservoir. Long-tailed macaques roam freely through the grounds, sometimes approaching visitors carrying food. Colonial-era trees planted in the late 1800s still tower over newer plantings. Joggers use the looped paths early each morning before the day's heat.
Palace in Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna’s Majestic Habsburg Retreat
Formal gardens stretch behind this former imperial residence towards a hilltop pavilion called the Gloriette. Precisely trimmed hedges and gravel paths follow a strict geometric layout typical of Baroque design. A maze and labyrinth sit within the grounds, rebuilt based on historical plans. The palace and gardens became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Amusement Park in Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens
Historic amusement with magical charm
This amusement park opened in 1843, among the oldest still operating anywhere. Flower beds and illuminated pavilions fill the grounds alongside rides and open-air stages. Walt Disney reportedly visited before designing Disneyland, drawn to its mix of gardens and entertainment. Lights strung through the trees give the park a distinct glow after dark.
Palace in Beijing
Summer Palace
Imperial Garden of Tranquil Beauty
This imperial retreat centres on Kunming Lake, dug largely by hand to create the artificial waterway. A 728-metre covered walkway holds thousands of painted scenes from Chinese legend. Empress Dowager Cixi reportedly diverted naval funds to rebuild the palace in the late 19th century. UNESCO recognised the site as a World Heritage Site in 1998.
City in Sri Lanka
Kandy
Sacred Temples, Misty Hills, Tea Trails
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya cover more than 140 acres beside this city's river. An avenue of towering palms planted in the 1800s still lines one main path. Orchid houses here hold hundreds of species gathered from across Sri Lanka. Giant bamboo and fig trees planted by visiting dignitaries dot the grounds.
City in New Zealand
Christchurch
The Garden City of Adventure
This city earned the nickname the Garden City for its extensive parks and tree-lined streets. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens sit along the Avon River, holding collections gathered since the 1860s. Rose gardens and a fernery draw steady crowds through spring and summer. Punting tours on the river pass directly alongside the garden's edge.
City in United States
Atlanta
A City of Southern Charm and Surprises
The Atlanta Botanical Garden holds a canopy walkway that lifts visitors above the treeline for views across the grounds. Orchid collections inside the garden's conservatory include species gathered from rainforests worldwide. A children's garden nearby features interactive water and planting exhibits. The garden sits directly beside Piedmont Park, one of the city's largest green spaces.
National Park in Australia
Blue Mountains National Park
Majestic Views and Untamed Nature
The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah grows cool-climate plants rarely seen elsewhere in Australia. Its high elevation keeps temperatures low enough for the collection to thrive. Eucalyptus oil released into the air gives the ranges their distinct blue haze. Rock formations called the Three Sisters rise above dense forest within the park.
Palace in Russia
Peterhof Palace
Opulent gardens and imperial grandeur
Gold-covered statues line a cascade of over 60 fountains here, running without pumps through natural elevation. Peter the Great built the estate to rival Versailles after visiting France, earning it a nickname as the Russian Versailles. Samson wrestling a lion forms the centrepiece, spouting higher than any other fountain. War damage was heavy before restoration.
Park in Auckland
Auckland Domain
Historic Volcano Park Oasis
This is Auckland's oldest park, covering land that was once an active volcano. Sports fields and open lawns cover much of the crater floor today. A large glasshouse called the Wintergarden holds tropical and temperate plant collections in separate wings. War memorial museum grounds sit at the park's highest point, overlooking the surrounding city.
Temple in Kyoto
Ryoan-ji
Zen temple with Japan's famous rock garden
Fifteen rocks sit arranged across a bed of raked white gravel in this Zen temple's rock garden. No matter where a visitor stands on the viewing platform, at least one rock stays hidden. Monks have maintained the garden's design since the late 15th century. Its stark simplicity has influenced garden design across Japan and beyond.
State/Prefecture in Japan
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
Shikisai-no-oka near Furano covers rolling hills with flowers planted in bands of contrasting colour. Lavender fields nearby peak each July, drawing crowds to the region's farms and gardens. Tractor-pulled carts carry visitors across the grounds for a closer look at the blooms. Snow covers the same hills for much of the rest of the year.
Outer Territory in Australia
Norfolk Island
Untouched Paradise with Rich History
Towering Norfolk Island pines, found almost nowhere else, shape the look of this small Pacific island. A botanic garden preserves rainforest that covered much of the land before settlement. Convict-built stone ruins sit scattered near the coast, softened by decades of regrowth. Walking trails wind through the reserve past ferns found only on the island.
City in South Africa
Durban
Sunny beaches and rich culture
This city holds Africa's oldest botanic garden, established in 1849. Orchid houses and a cycad collection fill sections of the grounds, some plants dating to the garden's earliest years. Bat colonies roost in trees across the property, visible at dusk during warmer months. The gardens sit within walking distance of the city's beachfront promenade.
City in United States
San Antonio
River Walk, missions and fiesta spirit
A Japanese Tea Garden here fills a former rock quarry with koi ponds and a waterfall. Workers spent years hauling soil to turn the bare pit into a lush garden. The San Antonio Botanical Garden nearby holds a conservatory shaped like glass pyramids. Both sites sit a short drive from the city's famous River Walk.
Garden in Japan
Ashikaga Flower Park
Giant wisteria trellis and winter light show
A single wisteria tree here spreads across roughly 1,000 square metres, held up by steel poles. Its lavender blossoms peak for a few weeks each spring, drawing crowds who plan trips around it. Light displays illuminate the grounds after dark each autumn, strung through the plantings. Both events rank among Japan's most visited flower displays.
Botanical Garden in United States
Longwood Gardens
Enchanted floral landscapes await in Pennsylvania
Fountains here shoot water over 175 feet into the air, choreographed to music during summer shows. A four-acre conservatory under glass holds orchids, bonsai and a Mediterranean garden. Pierre du Pont began building the estate in 1906 to save its old trees from logging. Illuminated displays each winter draw crowds after the growing season ends.
Park in Barcelona
Park Güell
Gaudí's Colorful Garden Wonderland
Mosaic tiles in bright colours cover benches and structures throughout this park designed by Antoni Gaudi. Curving pathways and columns mimic natural forms, avoiding straight lines. Gaudi originally designed the site as a private housing development before it opened as a public park. Views from the upper terrace stretch across Barcelona towards the sea.
Garden in Florence
Boboli Gardens
Renaissance Splendor in Florence
This Renaissance garden behind the Pitti Palace helped establish a style later copied across European royal courts. Statues, fountains and an amphitheatre sit arranged along strict geometric axes across the sloped grounds. The Medici family commissioned the garden's design in the 16th century. Views from the upper terraces stretch across Florence towards the surrounding hills.
Garden in Rio de Janeiro
Sítio Roberto Burle Marx - IPHAN
Lush oasis amid vibrant city rhythms
A landscape architect spent decades collecting rare tropical plants here, gathered from Brazilian expeditions. Sweeping curved beds replaced traditional straight rows, a style that shaped public parks worldwide. Over 3,500 plant species grow across the property, many first introduced to cultivation here. UNESCO recognised the site in 2021.
Botanical Garden in Sydney
Royal Botanic Garden
Sydney’s Serene Harbour Oasis
Views stretch across Sydney Harbour to the Opera House and bridge from this waterside garden. Convicts first cleared and planted the land in the early 1800s. That makes it one of Australia's oldest scientific institutions. Flying foxes once roosted in large numbers among the garden's older trees. Free guided walks run daily through the grounds.
Villa in Como
Villa del Balbianello
Romantic Lakeside Italian Villa
Terraced gardens step down a promontory on Lake Como here, framed by cypress trees trimmed into shapes. A Franciscan monastery once stood on the site before its conversion into a private villa. Film crews have used the grounds as a location for several major productions. Boats remain the main way most visitors reach the property.
City in Australia
Cairns
Gateway to Reef and Rainforest Wonders
Flecker Botanic Gardens here holds one of Australia's largest collections of tropical plants. A boardwalk winds through a section of rainforest and mangrove swamp within the grounds. Palms and cycads grown here trace back to specimens collected in the late 1800s. The gardens sit within easy reach of the city centre and nearby beaches.
Palace in Granada
Alhambra
Majestic Moorish fortress echoing centuries
Water channels run through the Generalife gardens here, part of a Moorish palace complex begun in the 1200s. Reflecting pools and fountains cool the air, suited to the region's hot, dry summers. Carved plaster and tilework cover nearly every surface throughout the palace halls. UNESCO recognised the complex in 1984.
Park in New York City
Central Park
Nature’s Heart in NYC
This park stretches across 843 acres in the middle of Manhattan. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux designed its layout in the 1850s. Over 18,000 trees grow across its lawns and gardens. A reservoir and several lakes sit among the paths. Millions pass through each year, making it one of the most visited parks anywhere.
Palace in Istanbul
Topkapi Palace
Ottoman Empire’s Majestic Seat
Four courtyards lead visitors deeper into this former Ottoman imperial residence, each more restricted than the last. Tulip gardens once bloomed throughout the grounds, a flower so prized it sparked a period of economic speculation. Views from the grounds stretch across the Bosphorus towards Asia. Sultans ruled the empire from here for roughly 400 years.
Landmark in Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji
Gold leaf pavilion beside a mirror pond
Gold leaf covers the top two floors of this temple, reflecting off the pond in front. Monks rebuilt the structure in 1955 after a novice set the original building on fire. Moss-covered paths wind around the pond past smaller gardens meant to be viewed from set angles. Each floor follows a different architectural style.
Museum in Rome
Villa d'Este
Lavish Renaissance gardens and timeless fountains
Over 500 fountains and water features fill this hillside garden, fed entirely by gravity rather than pumps. A cardinal built the estate in the 1500s, diverting a river to power the water system. The Avenue of a Hundred Fountains runs one terrace's length, each spout carved differently. UNESCO recognised the gardens in 2001.
Botanical Garden in Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Nature’s Cape Floral Kingdom Showcase
This garden sits at the base of Table Mountain, showing off plants found only in South Africa's fynbos region. A canopy walkway, nicknamed the Boomslang, winds through the treetops. Summer concerts on the lawns draw large crowds through the warmer months. UNESCO recognised the garden as part of a wider protected floral region in 2004.
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