Venice isn’t just about narrow streets, canals and palaces. Tucked away between bridges and waterfronts, you’ll also find historic gardens, shaded parks and small green spaces where you can stop, slow down and discover the city from a different perspective.
Some are located in the heart of the best-known sestieri (districts), while others remain more hidden and off the beaten track. These are places reveal a quieter, more unexpected side of Venice.
Which are the most beautiful public parks and gardens to visit in Venice?
Each green space reveals a different facet of Venice: there are gardens linked to its history, places where nature, architecture and contemporary art come together, and simpler parks.
Here are six parks and gardens in Venice to include in your itinerary:
- Biennale Gardens, Castello
- Royal Gardens, San Marco
- Papadopoli Gardens, Santa Croce
- Savorgnan Gardens, Cannaregio
- Marinaressa Gardens
- Villa Groggia Park, Cannaregio.
Biennale Gardens, Castello
In the eastern part of Venice, the Biennale Gardens are a place where history, nature and architecture come together. Created in the early nineteenth century, during the Napoleonic era, they have hosted the Biennale since its first International Art Exhibition in 1895.
Today, they are home to 29 foreign pavilions, built at different times and, in some cases, designed by leading figures in twentieth-century architecture. During the Biennale events, strolling among these buildings is like walking through a showcase of international architecture, set amidst lush greenery.
The combination of landscape, architecture and contemporary art makes the Giardini an especially fascinating destination during exhibition periods, when the pavilions and exhibition spaces are open to the public.
Before your visit, it is advisable to check the calendar, access details and admission fees on the official website.
Royal Gardens, San Marco
Overlooking St Mark’s Basin, the Royal Gardens are a small green oasis in the historic heart of the city, just a stone’s throw from St Mark’s Square.
Their history stems from Napoleon’s plan to transform the St Mark’s area: following a long period of gradual decline, the Venice Gardens Foundation spearheaded their restoration and reopening to the public in December 2019. Landscape architect Paolo Pejrone oversaw the botanical restoration, while architect Alberto Torsello was responsible for the architectural restoration and the greenhouse.
Today, pergolas, blooms and shaded areas create an intimate space, all the more surprising given its proximity to one of Venice’s busiest areas. It is the ideal place to enjoy a break amidst the greenery without straying far from St Mark’s Square, and to see how a historic garden can be given a new lease of life through a landscape restoration project.
Entry to the Royal Gardens is free of charge. However, for groups of more than 10 people, it is necessary to book the visit in advance by email, following the instructions on the official website.
Papadopoli Gardens, Santa Croce
The Papadopoli Gardens are situated in the Santa Croce district, just a short walk from Piazzale Roma. The location is particularly convenient for those arriving in or departing from the city, but they are also well worth a visit as a refreshing green spot during your stay.
The original design dates back to 1834–35 and was entrusted to Francesco Bagnara, who envisaged a garden in keeping with the Romantic style of the time, characterised by winding paths and a rich variety of plants.
During the 20th century, the area underwent significant changes, particularly following the construction of Piazzale Roma, but even today the dense canopy of trees creates ample shade and a cosy atmosphere.
Access to the Papadopoli Gardens is free of charge. The currently published opening hours are from 7.00 am to 8.30 pm from 1 April to 30 September and from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm from 1 October to 31 March.
Savorgnan Gardens, Cannaregio
Just a short distance from Venice Santa Lucia station and the Ponte delle Guglie, the Giardini Savorgnan are an easily accessible green space, away from the busy streets.
Their history is linked to the palace of the same name and spans several centuries: the garden was extended in the 18th century and subsequently redesigned in the English landscape style.
Today, it is one of the city’s largest parks, featuring large trees, benches, drinking fountains, a children’s play area and fitness equipment. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it a pleasant place to stop and discover a more everyday and relaxed side of Venice.
Marinaressa Gardens
Overlooking the Riva dei Sette Martiri, the Marinaressa Gardens are a small public park in the Castello district, easily accessible on foot from St Mark’s Square.
Four entrances connect Via Garibaldi to the waterfront and, inside, shaded paths and benches offer a peaceful spot to stop for a while during your visit. Their proximity to the water and their atmosphere make them a pleasant stop on the way to the eastern part of Venice.
The space also hosts exhibitions linked to the Biennale, creating an interesting fusion of public green space and contemporary art.
Opening hours vary according to the season: currently, the park is open from 7.00 am to 8.30 pm in summer and from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm in winter.
Villa Groggia Park, Cannaregio
Villa Groggia Park, in the Cannaregio district, preserves traces of a more secluded and lesser-known Venice.
In the 16th century, Palazzo Donà stood on this site, surrounded by gardens and vegetable plots. In the late 19th century, Giuseppe Groggia had a majestic villa built there, set within a romantic garden. Even today, as you stroll along the paths, you’ll come across statues, arches, capitals and columns that bear witness to the site’s various transformations.
Among the most distinctive features are a greenhouse and the Teatrino Groggia, which hosts cultural events and activities designed for children and families.
The best time to visit Venice’s historic gardens
Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times to visit Venice’s gardens, thanks to the mild temperatures and the colours of the landscape.
In summer, however, the parks become ideal spots to enjoy a break in the shade on sunny days.
Parks suitable for children and families in Venice
Some parks are particularly well-suited to those visiting Venice with children: Savorgnan Park, for example, also has a playground, while Villa Groggia is worth a visit for its little theatre and peaceful atmosphere. The Papadopoli Gardens, on the other hand, are a convenient spot for a break thanks to their proximity to Piazzale Roma.
Which of Venice’s hidden gardens can be visited?
Venice is also home to less visible gardens, sheltered behind walls and within convents: they are not always freely accessible and, for this very reason, require a little more planning.
Among the most interesting is the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites, in Cannaregio, near the railway station. It is a hidden garden within the ancient convent of the Discalced Carmelites, a space linked to the history of the order and the botanical tradition of the site. The official website states that booking is required to visit the church and the garden.
It is also worth discovering the Hortus Redemptoris on Giudecca, a kitchen garden housed within the Convent of the Redentore. Following its restoration, this space is once again open to visitors and boasts a rich botanical heritage, featuring fruit trees, olive trees, cypresses, aromatic plants, vegetable plots and a pond with water lilies.
On the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, you’ll also find the Borges Labyrinth, a garden run by the Giorgio Cini Foundation and dedicated to the writer Jorge Luis Borges. It consists of over three thousand boxwood plants, arranged along paths that fork and form a design rich in symbolism. To visit it, you need to book a dedicated tour, but it’s well worth making the effort: walking through its paths is an unusual experience, suspended between nature, art and literature.
How to get to the gardens of Venice from Cavallino-Treporti
If you’d like to alternate between the sea and the natural surroundings of Cavallino-Treporti and strolls through the gardens and streets of Venice, Camping Ca’Savio is a convenient starting point from which to explore the city. The Punta Sabbioni ferry terminal is just 5 km from the campsite, and the 40-minute boat journey takes you directly to St Mark’s Square, crossing the lagoon and passing close to the Biennale Gardens.