Orto Botanico

The Orto Botanico di Roma is the botanical garden of Sapienza University — a 12-hectare historic park climbing the slopes of the Janiculum Hill in Trastevere, on the former private grounds of the 17th-century Palazzo Corsini and the gardens of Queen Christina of Sweden. Founded in its current location in 1883 and home to over 3,000 plant species, the garden combines a working scientific collection with one of the most peaceful green spaces in central Rome. Wander through the authentic Japanese garden created with the Embassy of Japan in 1994, climb the Renaissance Scalinata delle Undici Fontane designed by Ferdinando Fuga in the 1730s, lose yourself in the bamboo grove and the giant California sequoias planted in the 1880s, and end at the 19th-century glasshouses with their tropical and orchid collections. Open every day, including Sundays and holidays, 09:30–18:30 (last admission 17:30) — check the official Sapienza garden calendar for any specific dates.

Why visit the Orto Botanico?

Most Roman attractions are crowded and indoors. The Orto Botanico is the opposite — a quiet, outdoor 12-hectare green space climbing the Janiculum slopes, where you can spend two hours without seeing a tour group, recharge between museum visits, and discover one of the great hidden corners of Renaissance and 19th-century Rome.

• Authentic Japanese garden: a dry-and-water garden created 1994 with the Japanese Embassy and designers from Kyoto. Spectacular in sakura (March–April) and momiji (November) seasons.
• Ancient sequoias and bamboo grove: California giant sequoias planted in the 1880s — now the largest trees in central Rome — and a 15-metre bamboo forest that delights children and photographers.
• Renaissance Eleven Fountains: Ferdinando Fuga's 1730s Baroque cascade staircase climbing the Janiculum — the architectural backbone of the garden, restored 2018–2020 and once again fully flowing.
• 3,000 plant species: including the Italian rose garden (350 varieties), the medicinal herb garden, the sensory garden for visually impaired visitors and the historic glasshouses with their orchid collection.
• Almost no crowds, picnic-friendly: a fraction of the visitors of any other major Roman attraction, picnic lawns, perfect for families and a perfect break from museum-heavy days.

Quick facts

A brief history

Rome's first botanical garden was the medicinal-plant garden created in the Vatican in 1278 by Pope Nicholas III — a precursor to all later European botanical gardens. The collection was expanded under successive Renaissance popes, with separate beds for medicinal, culinary and ornamental plants and the first attempts at scientific classification.

The future site of the Orto Botanico — the eastern slope of the Janiculum, behind Palazzo Corsini in Trastevere — has been a garden for over four centuries. From 1659 the gardens were the private grounds of Palazzo Riario (later Palazzo Corsini), residence of Queen Christina of Sweden after her 1654 abdication and conversion to Catholicism. In 1736 Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini, the new owner, commissioned the architect Ferdinando Fuga to redesign both palace and gardens. Fuga created the magnificent Scalinata delle Undici Fontane (the Eleven Fountains cascade) climbing the hillside — still today the architectural backbone of the garden.

In 1820 the first University of Rome botanical garden was established at Panisperna in central Rome, separate from the future Trastevere site. The collection grew steadily but the location proved cramped. In 1883, after the Italian state's expropriation of the Palazzo Corsini estate, the gardens were gifted to the new University of Rome and the botanical collection was transferred from Panisperna. The Orto Botanico in its current form was born.

The garden suffered significant damage in the Second World War — bombing scars, requisition for food production and loss of staff. A major 1960s restoration recreated the lost greenhouse collections, expanded the Mediterranean and palm sections, and opened the garden to the wider Roman public. The authentic Japanese garden was added in 1994 with the assistance of the Embassy of Japan in Rome and a team of landscape designers from Kyoto.

A four-year restoration of the 19th-century glass-and-iron greenhouses (2010–2014) recovered the tropical, orchid and succulent collections. The Baroque Eleven Fountains cascade was restored in 2018–2020, with the water flow re-established and the Travertine basins consolidated. A new dedicated sensory garden opened in 2024 for visually impaired visitors. Conservation and maintenance work continues on the historic greenhouses — check the official Sapienza garden calendar for any current partial closures.

The themed gardens — what to expect section by section

Japanese Garden (1994)

Authentic dry-and-water garden created with the Embassy of Japan and designers from Kyoto. Koi pond, ornamental bridges, Japanese maples, stone lanterns. Spectacular in sakura (March–April) and momiji (November).

Bamboo grove & sequoias

A wide-aisle forest of 15-metre Phyllostachys bamboo, plus the California giant sequoias planted in the 1880s — now over 30 metres tall and the largest trees in central Rome.

Italian rose garden

Over 350 varieties of roses arranged in formal beds — peak bloom May–June. Includes historic Roman cultivars, modern hybrids and rare 19th-century specimens preserved as living heritage.

Eleven Fountains cascade

Ferdinando Fuga's 1730s Baroque staircase climbing the Janiculum. Eleven small basins step up the hillside, fully restored 2018–2020. The view from the top is the photo of the day.

Sensory garden (2024)

A dedicated garden for visually impaired visitors, opened 2024. Fragrant plants, tactile labels in Braille, low-positioned beds and audio guides. A model project in European botanical-garden accessibility.

Historic greenhouses (1877+)

Four 19th-century glass-and-iron greenhouses with the tropical collection (orchids, palms, banana trees) and the cactus collection from the Americas.

The Japanese Garden — sakura, koi and serenity in Trastevere

The Japanese garden was created in 1994 in a formal collaboration between the Embassy of Japan in Rome, the City of Rome and the Department of Environmental Biology of Sapienza University. A team of Japanese landscape designers from Kyoto, working with Italian garden architects and the Sapienza botanists, designed an authentic dry-and-water garden following the traditional principles of harmony (wa), balance (kin) and natural beauty (shizen).

The garden combines two of the classic Japanese garden traditions. The water section features a koi pond crossed by ornamental wooden bridges, with marginal plantings of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), iris and bamboo. The dry section uses raked gravel beds, carefully placed rocks and stone lanterns to suggest mountains, islands and water — a meditative space designed for contemplation rather than active circulation.

The garden has two great seasonal moments. In late March and early April the cherry trees (Prunus serrulata) come into flower for the sakura — the only place in central Rome where the Japanese cherry blossom tradition can be experienced authentically. In early-to-mid November the Japanese maples turn through gold, scarlet and crimson for the momiji autumn-foliage season — also unique in central Rome.

For photographers, the soft early-morning and late-afternoon light is essential — the koi pond and the maples both photograph poorly in direct midday sun. Aim for a 09:30 visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the best chance of having the garden almost to yourself.

The Eleven Fountains cascade — Fuga's Baroque masterpiece

The Scalinata delle Undici Fontane (the Staircase of the Eleven Fountains) is the architectural backbone of the Orto Botanico — a monumental Baroque cascade staircase climbing the eastern slope of the Janiculum from the lower garden to the upper terrace. Eleven small basins step up the hillside, fed by a single source at the top, in a design that combines the late-Renaissance villa-garden tradition with mature 18th-century Baroque sensibility.

The cascade was designed in the 1730s by Ferdinando Fuga (1699–1782), the Florentine architect commissioned by Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini to redesign Palazzo Corsini and its gardens. Fuga is also responsible for the Palazzo della Consulta on the Quirinale, the facade of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Palazzo della Reggia di Caserta in southern Italy — one of the great architects of the late Roman Baroque.

The cascade fell into partial disrepair during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the water flow stopping by the 1960s and the Travertine basins eroding. A 2018–2020 restoration by the Sapienza Department of Environmental Biology, with funding from the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Sovrintendenza Capitolina, fully consolidated the masonry, re-established the water supply from the original Acqua Paola feed, and restored the cascade to its full 18th-century operation. Check the official garden calendar for any current flow interruptions.

From the top of the cascade, the view back over the lower garden, the rooftops of Trastevere and the dome of St Peter's in the distance is the single best photograph in the Orto Botanico — and one of the underrated views of central Rome.

Orto Botanico walking itinerary

A 4-hour, 7-stop walk covering the Orto Botanico and lunch in the heart of Trastevere. Total distance ~2 km with a moderate climb up the Janiculum slope inside the garden, in the most beloved neighbourhood in Rome.

Walking route map

Click on markers for stop details. Numbers indicate the walking order.

Ponte Sisto (start)

Start at Ponte Sisto — the elegant Renaissance pedestrian bridge built 1473–1479 by Pope Sixtus IV. From Campo de' Fiori it is a 5-minute walk south. Cross the bridge into Trastevere.

Via della Lungara walk

Turn right onto Via della Lungara — the Renaissance papal road built by Julius II to connect the Vatican to Trastevere. Walk 8 minutes north past Villa Farnesina on your left.

Orto Botanico entrance

The entrance is at Largo Cristina di Svezia 24, on the left just past Villa Farnesina. Pay at the gatehouse (check the official ticket page for current prices), pick up the free trail map.

Japanese Garden & rose garden

Walk straight ahead and slightly left to the Japanese garden (20 minutes by the koi pond) and the adjacent rose garden (peak May–June, 350 varieties).

Eleven Fountains & Janiculum slope

Climb the Renaissance Scalinata delle Undici Fontane up the hillside. Stop at the top for the view back over the garden and the rooftops of Trastevere.

Bamboo grove, sequoias & greenhouses

Walk through the bamboo grove and the giant sequoia collection on the upper terrace, then descend to visit the historic 19th-century glasshouses with the tropical and orchid collections.

Lunch in Trastevere

Exit and walk 10 minutes south to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere. Da Enzo al 29 (booking essential), Da Teo or Spirito Divino serve Roman classics — €30–45 a head.

Orto Botanico vs Villa Borghese — which Roman garden?

Verdict: do both. Villa Borghese is a free public park ideal for cycling, jogging and the Galleria Borghese visit; the Orto Botanico is a paid scientific garden ideal for plant-lovers, photographers and a contemplative Trastevere morning. They complement rather than compete.

Best time to visit

Time of day

Morning (09:30–11:00)

Best — opens at 09:30 and the first hour is quiet. Soft morning light is ideal for the Japanese garden and the rose garden.

Late afternoon (16:00–17:30)

Excellent in summer — cooler, gentler light, fewer visitors. Last admission is 17:30; the garden closes at 18:30. Check the official calendar for any seasonal exceptions.

Avoid midday in summer

July–August midday sun is harsh, the climb is exhausting and the photography is poor. Aim for 09:00 or 16:00.

Best days & seasons

March–April

Cherry blossom (sakura) in the Japanese garden, wisteria in flower, early roses. The most photographically rewarding season.

May–June

Peak rose-garden bloom (350 varieties), full greenery throughout. The most colourful season.

November

Spectacular Japanese maple foliage (momiji) — the only place in central Rome to see authentic Japanese autumn colour.

Weekday mornings

Arrive at the 09:30 opening for the quietest visit — the garden is large enough to never feel crowded.

Getting there

Walking from the centre (best)

From Campo de' Fiori or Piazza Farnese walk 5 min south to Ponte Sisto, cross the bridge into Trastevere and turn right onto Via della Lungara. The Orto Botanico entrance is at Largo Cristina di Svezia 24, an 8-minute walk along the river. The most scenic approach.

Bus to Lungotevere Farnesina

Bus 23 or 280 along Lungotevere — get off at Lungotevere Farnesina, the entrance is 100 metres away. Bus 23 runs from Piazzale Clodio (Vatican area) to Piramide; bus 280 from Ponte Mammolo to Piazza Mancini.

Tram 8 from Largo Argentina

From central Rome take tram 8 from Largo di Torre Argentina to Trastevere/Mastai stop, then walk 8 minutes north to the entrance.

From the Vatican

15-minute walk south along Lungotevere from St Peter's Square. Pleasant riverside walk passing Castel Sant'Angelo. Perfect for combining with a morning Vatican visit and a late-morning garden visit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming seasonal or Monday-closure hours

The Orto Botanico is open every day, including Sundays and holidays, 09:30–18:30 (last admission 17:30). Specific exceptions are published for August 2026 — always verify on ortobotanicodiroma.it before travelling.

Confusing it with Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is a free public park in northern Rome with the Galleria Borghese inside. The Orto Botanico is a paid scientific botanical garden in Trastevere with 3,000+ labelled plant species. Completely different experiences — both worthwhile, but for different reasons.

Wearing the wrong shoes

The garden climbs the steep eastern slope of the Janiculum with gravel paths, stone steps and uneven Renaissance staircases. Trainers or sturdy walking shoes are essential — leave the heels and dress shoes at the hotel.

Skipping the climb to the top of the cascade

Many visitors stay in the flat lower garden (Japanese garden, rose garden, greenhouses) and miss the climb up the Eleven Fountains cascade. The view from the top — over the lower garden, Trastevere rooftops and St Peter's dome — is the photo of the day.

Not bringing water in summer

The garden has only a small café near the entrance and very few drinking-water fountains. From May to September bring at least one litre of water per person — the climb and the heat add up.

Expecting a free first Sunday

This is a university garden managed by Sapienza, not part of the municipal first-Sunday-free programme — no monthly free-entry day applies here. Check the official ticket page for current prices before visiting.

Insider tips from locals

Visit at 09:00 sharp on a Tuesday or Wednesday

The garden opens at 09:00 and the first hour is virtually empty. Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest days. The Japanese garden in soft morning light, alone — one of the most peaceful experiences in central Rome.

Pair with Villa Farnesina + Palazzo Corsini

Three world-class sights within 200 metres on Via della Lungara — and almost no one does all three. Villa Farnesina (09:00, Raphael frescoes) → Palazzo Corsini (10:30, Caravaggio) → Orto Botanico (12:00) → lunch in Trastevere. The most underrated morning in Rome.

Time the Japanese garden for sakura or momiji

Late March–early April for the cherry blossom (sakura) and early-to-mid November for the spectacular Japanese maple foliage (momiji). These are the only two weeks each year when the Japanese garden becomes a photographic destination in its own right.

Pack a picnic and use the upper-terrace lawn

Picnics on the lawns are permitted (no glass, no alcohol, no barbecues). Pick up bread, cheese and prosciutto from Antico Forno Roscioli (Via dei Chiavari 34, 10 minutes east) before crossing Ponte Sisto, and have an open-air lunch on the upper terrace with a view over Trastevere.

Arrive at opening for the quietest visit

The garden opens at 09:30 daily and the first hour is quiet. As a Sapienza University garden, it is not part of the municipal first-Sunday-free programme, so there is no crowd spike on that day here.

Climb to the Janiculum after the visit

From the top of the Eleven Fountains cascade you are 5 minutes from the Janiculum panoramic terrace (Piazzale Garibaldi) — the best free view of Rome. Exit the garden, walk up Via Garibaldi to the top — the perfect 30-minute coda to the visit, and totally free.

Frequently Asked Questions

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