Tours throughout Europe allow us to see many amazing sites on this much-loved continent, including relics from its long and rich history. The 12 beautiful gardens below are all must-sees, but they're not as well-known as you might imagine. Nevertheless, they allow you to enjoy spectacular vistas, as well as plants and beautiful flowers in a kaleidoscopic array of colors that make for a truly unforgettable visit. Take a look:
Prague is a favorite destination with tourists from all over the world that enjoy visiting it again and again to take in the local culture, food and its famous tourist destinations. One of the sites recommended for your next trip in Prague is the Petřínské sady Gardens, located on the famous Petřín Hill. The Petřínské sady Gardens complex includes five gardens that are difficult to decide which out of them is most beautiful. These gardens include The Rose Garden full of roses and lavender flowers that emit amazing smells, a steel tower called the "Little Eiffel Tower," a maze of mirrors you can get lost in, and views from which you can look down from the quiet hill at the lively city life beneath it.
Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland are the Powerscourt Gardens, which are especially popular with walking enthusiasts because of their impressive size. Due to the fact that the gardens are spread over a large area, you can find a variety of attractions, from an indoor garden with a variety of plants and ornamental ponds, to water caves and a gallery of sculptures. The Powerscourt Gardens are near the largest waterfall in Ireland, meaning that it's entirely feasible to see both attractions in one day should you wish to.
The well-known Italian Boboli gardens, which were continuously expanded between the 15th and 19th centuries, are a great place to visit if you have a deep appreciation for aesthetics and art. In these gardens, there is an extensive collection of sculptures that people come especially to see, such as "Bathing Venus" by the sculptor Giambologna (Giovanni Bologna) and "Paris and Hellen" sculpted by Vincenzo de Rossi. The gardens' symmetrical layout also continues through to a lane of straight and well-tended cypress trees where you can sit on stone benches and take in the beauty the place has to offer.
Bodnant Garden, which spans about 20 acres, holds collections of plants from all over the world and not only from Wales. Many visitors enjoy exploring the variety of plants and taking in views from the gardens of the Carneddau and Glyderau mountain ranges. Along Bodnent Garden you can walk through shady tree streets, open spaces and even see the waterfall in it. In the center of the garden is the River Hiraethlyn and many consider this area to be the best spot in the garden for rest because the landscape and abundance of vegetation create a calm atmosphere that is difficult to describe in words.
The Gardens of New Garden, only an hour's drive from the capital of Germany, Berlin, are known not for their abundance but for their soothing minimalism. New Garden has green lawns perfect for walking through and it’s close to Heiliger See and Jungfernsee Lakes which only increase the sense of relaxation in the area. After strolling through the green gardens, you can visit sites within walking distance of them, such as the Gothic library, pyramid structure and magnificent Marble Palace that definitely break New Garden’s minimalism.
One of the most famous Impressionist artists, Claude Monet, drew his inspiration from his surroundings and from the breathtaking garden that later was named after him. The Claude Monet Garden was actually designed by the painter who was also an amateur gardener, and he certainly did a professional job that enabled the preservation of the garden to this day. In the area adjacent to his home, Monet built a water garden so that the plants in the area could thrive, and you can see colorful flowers and a variety of plants in the unique garden that was inspired by the imagination of a talented and beloved painter. Click here to learn more about Claude Monet Garden and enjoy more pictures of the site.
On the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle are the gardens named after them that were also masterfully designed. The former poet, writer, and tenant of the castle, Vita Sackville-West, designed Sissinghurst Castle in 1930 and also the gardens surrounding it. The garden is full of white dahlia flowers, roses, irises, gladiolas and other beautiful flowers. Apart from these flowers, Sissinghurst also has an herb and wildflowers garden that adorn the castle with great grace and give it a particularly romantic atmosphere.
In the center of the island of Capri, Italy, are the Augustus Gardens from which you can look out over the clear Tyrrhenian Sea next to them. The gardens have special terraced structures on which flowers grow in a variety of colors and when you arrive, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole island. In these gardens, there is also a sundial designed by Emperor Augustus of Rome who lived in the 1st century BC. Within walking distance of the gardens, you can tour the Giacomo Monastery and finish the day at local restaurants in the area which complement the experience of the trip.
The Vigeland Park, which houses gardens under the same name, is the largest sculpture park in the world, named for Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. In the vast area of this park, you can see over 200 sculptures by Vigeland depicting life in general and the struggles of family life in particular. In the spring the garden where the statues stand blooms in many colors, you can tour it and see the contrast between the hard and gray sculptures and the colorful blossoms that surround them in all their splendor.
If you are looking for a variety and abundance of plants, these are the gardens for you! The Geneva Botanical Gardens have over 16,000 species of trees and flowers. This variety includes the largest collection of herbs and plants collected from all over the world. In the Geneva Botanical Gardens, there are also plants that carry many kinds of fruit, with each planting of all the plants carefully monitored for growth and deviations when they occur.
The Monserrate Gardens, which are located next to the Monserrate Palace, are a magnet for the country's residents and many tourists flock to them. The 19th-century palace was designed in both Indian and Gothic style, which is a special combination, and the fact that it is surrounded by relaxing gardens brings a surprising contrast to its impressive appearance. The gardens of the Monserrate Palace hold plants and flowers from all over Europe, which are a pleasure to stroll through and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere they create.
Botany enthusiasts are familiar with these lush gardens, but for those who haven’t heard of them, the Benmore Gardens definitely require a visit. These gardens are renowned for the great selection of trees and flowers that adorn every corner of the gardens of Benmore. Just to explain, these gardens have more than 300 species of the rhododendron plant! A visit to Benmore Gardens allows you to enjoy the sight of its unique plants. Thanks to its location in Highlands, Scotland, there is a spectacular mountain view from the gardens and a trail of redwood trees that can be explored allowing you to enjoy the tranquility of nature.
image source: Jose A., Carmelo Bayarcal, Joseph Mischyshyn, Ed Webster,
BodnantGarden, petrOlly, Shambhavipriyam, Andy Hay,
JThomas, GraceKelly, Deror_avi, Mentnafunangann,
