10 Must See Gardens in Europe

It’s #FriFotos again on Twitter. What is #FriFotos all about? Each Friday a popular themed photo sharing hashtag called #FriFotos takes over the Twitterverse. It’s really fun to participate in and you don’t need to be a blogger to take part. This week’s theme is gardens, so just tweet your best garden photos and be sure to include the hashtag #FriFotos. You can even tag us and we’ll retweet your photos. And if you are on Twitter, are you following us? We were recently named as a one of Twitter’s 40 Most Influential Bloggers! But back to gardens. We’ve admired our fair share, as recently as last week in Russia. In no particular order, here are 10 must see gardens in Europe that are definitely worth a visit:

‘The Sun’ at Peterhof

1. Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia

Freshly back from Russia, St. Petersburg is top of my mind. The gardens filled with golden fountains at Peterhof are simply stunning. And the fountains are each creative and unique like the “Sun”, which a disk radiating water jets from its edges appears to make and image of the rays of the sun.

Alexandrovsky Gardens

2. Alexandrovsky Gardens, Moscow, Russia

Moscow is famous for being one of the greenest capital cities in the world with over 100 parks and gardens within the city limits. One of my favorites were the Alexandrovsky Gardens that stretch the length of the walls of the Kremlin. The gardens were one of the first public parks in Moscow and with colorful flower beds, beautiful fountains and sculptures, and impressive Kremlin views, it’s a favorite place for strolling for tourists and Muscovites alike.

Augustus Gardens Capri

3. Augustus Gardens, Capri, Italy

Close to the center of Capri, the Augustus Gardens offer day trippers easy viewing for the famed Faraglioni rocks that thrust out of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The flora of Capri form ornate picture frames for Capri’s breathtaking panoramas and you can even take the scents home with you in a perfume from Carthusia handmade by Carthusian monks from the Certosa of San Giacomo (Carthusian Monastery).

View of Florence from Boboli Gardens

4. Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy

The Boboli hill offers spectacular views over Florence and labyrinthine avenues of cypress trees lead to bubbling fountains and grottoes. The Boboli Gardens are a peaceful escape just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Ponte Vecchio.

Borghese Gardens

5. Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy

The Borghese Gardens are Rome’s version of Central Park and stretch for 226 ares from Piazza del Poppolo to the top of Via Veneto. Once a private vineyard only for the most privileged, today the Borghese Gardens are a tranquil escape from vespas zipping by and crowds descending on Rome’s landmarks.

Gardens of Versailles after a winter snow

6. Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France

In addition to the meticulous manicured lawns, parterres of flowers, and sculptures, are the fountains, which are located throughout the Gardens of Versailles. Dating from the time of Louis XIV and still using much of the same network of hydraulics that were used during the Ancien Régime, the fountains contribute to making the Gardens of Versailles unique. Look for the hot potato carts and purchase a cheap lunch of a heaping chili topped potato to enjoy the beautiful views in one of our favorite must see gardens in Europe.

Geneva Flower Clock

7. Jardin Anglais, Geneva, Switzerland

The Jardin Anglais is located below the Vieille Ville (Geneva’s Old Town) and was created in 1854 on the ancient harbor. The park not only contains the famous flower clock, but also a carved Sequoia stump, a large bronze fountain from 1862, and a Giant Sequoia tree.

Chinese Pavilion at the Chateau de Laeken Gardens

8. Chateau de Laeken Gardens, Brussels, Belgium

A trip to the royal residences in the suburbs of Brussels is worth the trek, and easy using the hop on hop off bus. On the northern corner of the royal park two monuments, totally unusual and unexpected in Belgium, are fun to visit. The Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion practically transport you to the Far East, just as King Leopold II intended.

Ludwigsburg Gardens

9. Schloss Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany

From the end of August to the beginning of November each year, the gardens of Schloss Ludwigsburg are home to the World’s Largest Pumpkin Festival. More than 400,000 pumpkins fill the gardens in impressive sculptures. Fall is a beautiful time to go with the leaves in shades of orange and gold.

Enjoying the Queen’s Garden at Buckingham Palace

10. Buckingham Palace Gardens, London, England

The London residence of the Queen of England opens to visitors in August and September each year. I may never be invited to the Queen’s Garden Party, but I can pretend with a cappuccino capped with a royal crown and a mini chocolate biscuit cake just like was served at Wills and Kate’s wedding at the cafe while looking out over the Queen’s Garden.