Best Gardens in the World to Visit

The best gardens in the world reward the journey. Whether you fly two hours to the Mediterranean or twelve hours to Cape Town, a garden built over centuries offers something no beach resort or city break can match. These are living landscapes shaped by history, climate, and the vision of gardeners who planted trees they would never see mature.

This guide covers 15 gardens across 12 countries. Each entry includes a description of what makes the garden special, the nearest airport, travel advice, nearby holiday destinations, and a direct link to the official website. Use the comparison table to plan your trip around the best visiting months.

Which gardens should every gardener visit at least once?

Three gardens appear on almost every “best in the world” list: Kew Gardens in London, Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Each represents a different approach to horticulture. Kew preserves 260 years of botanical research across 300 acres. Kirstenbosch showcases 9,000 species of South African flora against Table Mountain. Gardens by the Bay uses technology to create controlled environments for plants from every climate zone.

If you draw inspiration from Japanese garden design, add Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto to your list. If Mediterranean planting is your passion, the Alhambra in Granada and Park Güell in Barcelona deliver it on a scale impossible in the UK.

Best gardens to visit in the UK

Kew Gardens, London

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew hold UNESCO World Heritage status and house over 50,000 living plants across 300 acres. The Victorian Palm House, Temperate House, and Princess of Wales Conservatory showcase tropical, temperate, and arid plants in stunning glasshouse architecture. The Treetop Walkway rises 18 metres above the woodland canopy.

Kew runs seasonal exhibitions, a winter lights trail, and the world’s largest collection of living orchids. The rock garden, Japanese gateway, and rhododendron dell give structure to what could otherwise feel overwhelming.

Getting there: Kew Gardens station (District line, London Overground) is a 5-minute walk from the Victoria Gate entrance. From Heathrow Airport, take the Piccadilly line to Hammersmith, then the District line to Kew Gardens — about 50 minutes total.

Nearby holidays: London offers endless options. Combine Kew with the Chelsea Physic Garden (30 minutes by Tube) and Hampton Court Palace Gardens (20 minutes by train from Kew). Windsor Castle and its gardens are 45 minutes west.

Entry: Around £15 adult. Book online in advance for a small discount.

Best months: April-June for spring colour. November-January for the winter lights trail.

Visit the Kew Gardens website

Eden Project, Cornwall

The Eden Project turns a former clay pit into the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Two enormous biomes — the Rainforest Biome (covering 1.5 hectares at temperatures up to 35C) and the Mediterranean Biome — sit alongside extensive outdoor gardens demonstrating sustainable horticulture. The project grows over 135,000 plants representing 5,000 species.

Getting there: Fly into Newquay Airport (30 minutes by car) or Exeter Airport (90 minutes). By train, the nearest station is St Austell (7 minutes by bus or taxi). From London Paddington, the train takes around 4.5 hours.

Nearby holidays: Cornwall’s coastline offers beaches at Polzeath, Padstow, and the Roseland Peninsula. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are just 15 minutes away — book both on the same trip. Combine with the Tate St Ives gallery and coastal path walking.

Entry: Around £15 adult. Annual membership pays for itself in two visits.

Best months: Year-round (the biomes are climate-controlled). Outdoor gardens peak June-September.

Visit the Eden Project website

If you enjoy the UK garden scene, our guide to the best open gardens to visit in the UK covers dozens more domestic options.

Best gardens to visit in France

Palace of Versailles Gardens, near Paris

The gardens at Versailles cover 800 hectares of formal parterres, fountains, canals, and woodland groves. André Le Nôtre designed the landscape in the 1660s for Louis XIV, creating the template for formal French garden design that influenced estates across Europe for centuries. The Orangery holds over 1,000 citrus trees in wooden tubs, some over 200 years old.

The formal gardens at Versailles stretch across 800 hectares of parterres, fountains, and woodland groves.

The Musical Fountains Show runs on weekends from April to October, bringing the 1,400 fountains to life with baroque music. The Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon offer quieter gardens away from the main crowds.

Getting there: Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly. Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche — 40 minutes from Saint-Michel station. The palace is a 10-minute walk from the station.

Nearby holidays: Paris itself is the obvious base. Versailles combines easily with a city break covering the Jardin du Luxembourg, Tuileries Garden, and Giverny (see below). Stay in Versailles town for a quieter alternative to central Paris.

Entry: Around £22 for the full estate pass (palace + gardens + Trianon). Gardens only are free except on Musical Fountains Show days (about £10).

Best months: May-June for roses and parterres. April-October for the fountain shows.

Visit the Palace of Versailles website

Claude Monet’s Garden, Giverny

The garden that inspired Impressionism. Monet designed two connected gardens at his Giverny home: the Clos Normand (a formal flower garden bursting with colour) and the Water Garden (featuring the famous Japanese bridge, weeping willows, and water lily ponds that appear in his most celebrated paintings). The garden maintains the same planting schemes Monet established in the 1890s.

Getting there: Fly into Paris CDG or Orly. From Paris Saint-Lazare station, take the train to Vernon (45 minutes), then a shuttle bus to Giverny (15 minutes). Alternatively, drive from Paris — about 75 minutes via the A13 motorway.

Nearby holidays: Combine Giverny with Versailles and central Paris gardens. The Normandy coast (including the D-Day beaches) is 90 minutes north. Rouen, with its medieval centre, is 60 minutes east.

Entry: Around £12 adult. No pre-booking required but queues form by mid-morning in summer.

Best months: May-June when the wisteria blooms over the Japanese bridge and water lilies appear. The garden opens April to November only.

Visit the Fondation Monet Giverny website

Best gardens to visit in Southern Europe

Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy

A UNESCO World Heritage Site 30 kilometres east of Rome. Cardinal Ippolito d’Este built the villa and gardens in the 1560s, creating one of the earliest and finest examples of Italian Renaissance garden design. Hundreds of fountains, water jets, pools, and cascades operate entirely by gravity. The Fountain of the Organ once played music through water pressure. Terraced gardens descend the hillside with formal hedging, mature cypress trees, and panoramic views.

Getting there: Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Take the regional train from Roma Tiburtina to Tivoli — about 50 minutes. The villa is a 15-minute walk uphill from the station. Alternatively, drive from Rome in 45 minutes.

Nearby holidays: Rome is the obvious base. Tivoli also has Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana), another UNESCO site, just 5 kilometres away. The Amalfi Coast is 2.5 hours south for a combined garden-and-coast holiday.

Entry: Around £12 adult.

Best months: April-June and September-October. Avoid July-August when temperatures exceed 35C and crowds peak.

Visit the Villa d’Este website

Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain

Antoni Gaudí designed Park Güell between 1900 and 1914 as a housing development that became a public park. The Monumental Zone features his famous mosaic benches, the dragon fountain, the Hypostyle Room, and colonnaded walkways. Beyond the Gaudí structures, the park covers 17 hectares of Mediterranean planting: Aleppo pines, cypresses, palms, carob trees, rosemary, and lavender. The hilltop position gives views across Barcelona to the sea.

Getting there: Fly into Barcelona El Prat (BCN). The park is 30 minutes from the airport by taxi. By public transport, take Metro L3 to Lesseps or Vallcarca, then walk uphill for 15 minutes.

Nearby holidays: Barcelona has architecture, beaches, and food. Day-trip to Montserrat monastery (1 hour). The Costa Brava coastline starts 70 kilometres north. Combine with Girona’s old town and the Dalí Museum in Figueres.

Entry: Around £10 for the Monumental Zone (book a timed slot online). The wider park is free.

Best months: March-May and October-November. Summer is hot and crowded.

Visit the Park Güell website

Alhambra Gardens, Granada, Spain

The Generalife gardens at the Alhambra palace represent the finest surviving example of Islamic garden design in Europe. Water channels, fountains, and reflecting pools create cooling effects that have worked since the 13th century. The Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel) is the centrepiece, flanked by clipped hedges, citrus trees, and roses. Myrtle, jasmine, and oleander scent the air.

Getting there: Fly into Granada (GRX) for the shortest transfer (30 minutes). Alternatively, fly into Málaga (AGP) — 90 minutes by car or direct bus. Madrid is 4 hours by high-speed AVE train.

Nearby holidays: Granada itself merits 2-3 days. The Sierra Nevada ski resort is 45 minutes away. The Costa Tropical coastline is 60 minutes south. Combine with Córdoba’s Mezquita (2.5 hours) for a wider Andalusian trip.

Entry: Around £16. Book online weeks in advance — daily visitor numbers are strictly limited and tickets sell out fast.

Best months: March-May and September-November. Avoid July-August (40C+ temperatures and sold-out tickets).

Visit the Alhambra website

For design ideas inspired by these southern gardens, see our water feature ideas for UK gardens and cottage garden planting plan.

Best gardens to visit in Portugal

Madeira Botanical Garden, Funchal

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Atlantic, the Madeira Botanical Garden grows over 2,000 species of trees, plants, and shrubs in terraced gardens. Subtropical climate means year-round flowering. Aloes, succulents, hibiscus, bird of paradise, and camellias bloom when mainland European gardens rest through winter. The garden also holds collections of endemic Macaronesian species found nowhere else on Earth.

Getting there: Fly into Funchal Airport (FNC). Direct flights from most UK airports take around 3.5 hours. The garden is 15 minutes by taxi or bus from Funchal centre. A cable car from the Old Town adds a scenic approach.

Nearby holidays: Madeira is a holiday destination in itself. Levada walks through laurel forests (UNESCO World Heritage), volcanic peaks, banana plantations, and wine tasting in Funchal. Stay for a week rather than a day trip.

Entry: Around £6 adult — one of the best-value gardens on this list.

Best months: January-March for subtropical blooms when the UK is dormant. Madeira is pleasant year-round.

Visit the Madeira Botanical Garden website

Best gardens to visit in Africa

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch showcases 9,000 of South Africa’s 22,000 native plant species across 36 hectares. The Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway — a curved steel and timber bridge through the treetops — offers aerial views across the Cape Flats to False Bay. The garden won International Garden of the Year in 2015 and is the only botanical garden in the world to form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Cape Floristic Region).

Kirstenbosch botanical garden with proteas flowering beneath Table Mountain — voted International Garden of the Year in 2015.

Proteas, pincushions, Cape heaths, and king proteas flower spectacularly from August to November. Summer evening concerts (November-March) are a Cape Town tradition.

Getting there: Fly into Cape Town International (CPT). Direct flights from London take around 11.5 hours. The garden is 25 minutes from the airport by car. Uber and metered taxis are readily available.

Nearby holidays: Cape Town is one of the world’s best holiday cities. Table Mountain, Camps Bay beach, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are 45 minutes away), and the Cape Peninsula drive past Boulders Beach penguin colony. Allow at least a week.

Entry: Around £5 adult (about 100 ZAR). Free on Tuesdays for South African residents.

Best months: August-November for spring wildflowers and proteas. November-March for summer concerts.

Visit the Kirstenbosch website

Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco

French artist Jacques Majorelle spent 40 years creating this 1-hectare garden of cobalt blue buildings, desert plants, and reflecting pools in the heart of Marrakech. Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé restored it in 1980. Today it holds 300 plant species including giant cacti, bougainvillea, bamboo groves, and towering palms. The Berber Museum inside displays North African artefacts. The combination of intense colour, exotic planting, and Moorish design makes it unlike any other garden in the world.

Getting there: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Direct flights from the UK take around 3.5 hours. Budget airlines serve this route frequently. The garden is in the Ville Nouvelle district, 15 minutes by taxi from the airport.

Nearby holidays: Marrakech is a destination city. The medina, souks, Bahia Palace, and Saadian Tombs fill 3-4 days. Day trips to the Atlas Mountains (1.5 hours) or Essaouira coast (2.5 hours) round out a week-long holiday.

Entry: Around £12 adult (130 MAD). Arrive at opening (8am) for the best light and fewest crowds.

Best months: February-April and October-November. Avoid June-August when temperatures exceed 40C.

Visit the Jardin Majorelle website

Best gardens to visit in Asia

Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden, Kyoto, Japan

The most famous Zen garden in the world. Fifteen rocks arranged in five groups sit on raked white gravel within a walled rectangle measuring just 25 by 10 metres. No matter where you sit on the viewing platform, at least one rock remains hidden. Buddhist monks have maintained this austere, meditative space since 1450. The surrounding temple grounds hold a pond garden, moss garden, and cherry trees.

A Zen rock garden with raked gravel patterns — seeing one in person turns your understanding of negative space and restraint.

If Japanese garden design inspires you at home, seeing Ryoanji in person turns your understanding of negative space, borrowed scenery, and restraint.

Getting there: Fly into Osaka Kansai (KIX). The Haruka Express train reaches Kyoto in 75 minutes. From Kyoto station, take bus 59 directly to Ryoanji — about 40 minutes. Alternatively, fly into Tokyo Narita or Haneda and take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (2 hours 15 minutes).

Nearby holidays: Kyoto has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Golden Pavilion (10 minutes from Ryoanji), Fushimi Inari shrine, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Tokyo, Nara, and Osaka are all within day-trip range by bullet train. Allow 10-14 days for a Japan trip.

Entry: Around £4 (500 JPY).

Best months: March-April for cherry blossoms. November for autumn colour. Early morning visits (before 9am) avoid crowds.

Visit the Ryoanji Temple website

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Singapore’s landmark garden covers 101 hectares on reclaimed land beside Marina Bay. The Supertree Grove — 12 tree-shaped structures up to 50 metres tall — generates solar energy by day and stages a light-and-sound show every evening. The Flower Dome (the world’s largest columnless glasshouse) recreates a Mediterranean climate. The Cloud Forest Dome houses a 35-metre indoor waterfall and aerial walkways through tropical montane planting.

Getting there: Fly into Singapore Changi (SIN). Direct flights from London take about 13 hours. The gardens are 20 minutes from the airport by MRT (metro) to Bayfront station.

Nearby holidays: Singapore works as a 3-5 day stop or a stopover en route to Southeast Asia, Australia, or New Zealand. The Botanic Gardens (Singapore’s UNESCO site), Chinatown, Little India, and hawker centres fill a short stay. Combine with Bali, Malaysia, or Thailand.

Entry: Outdoor gardens are free. Flower Dome and Cloud Forest cost about £20 combined. The Supertree light show is free nightly.

Best months: Year-round. Singapore sits on the equator with consistent 28-32C temperatures. The Flower Dome’s themed displays change seasonally.

Visit the Gardens by the Bay website

Best gardens to visit in the Americas

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada

Jennie Butchart began turning her husband’s exhausted limestone quarry in 1904. Over 120 years later, the 22-hectare Sunken Garden remains one of the world’s most photographed landscapes. The estate also includes a formal Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden (with 2,500 roses in 250 varieties), and the Mediterranean Garden. Seasonal displays rotate throughout the year — spring bulbs, summer bedding, autumn colour, and winter illuminations.

Getting there: Fly into Victoria International (YYJ) — 25 minutes by car. Alternatively, fly into Vancouver (YVR) and take the BC Ferries to Victoria (1.5-hour crossing plus 30-minute drive). Float planes from Vancouver Harbour land in Victoria Harbour.

Nearby holidays: Victoria is a charming city with a harbour, parliament buildings, and the Royal BC Museum. Vancouver Island offers whale watching, Tofino’s surf beaches, and old-growth forest walks. Vancouver itself is a world-class city 90 minutes away by ferry.

Entry: Around £28 adult in summer (CAD 45). Prices drop in winter.

Best months: June-September for peak displays. December for the winter light festival.

Visit the Butchart Gardens website

Best gardens to visit in Oceania

Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia

Founded in 1816, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden occupies 30 hectares on the harbour foreshore between the Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Point. It holds Australia’s most full collection of native and exotic plants, including ancient Wollemi pines (discovered in 1994). Palm groves, fern gullies, and the succulent garden provide shade during Sydney’s hot summers. The harbour views from the garden are arguably the finest urban garden setting anywhere in the world.

Getting there: Fly into Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD). The garden is 20 minutes from the airport by train and a short walk. From Circular Quay station (next to the Opera House), the main entrance is 5 minutes on foot.

Nearby holidays: Sydney is an ideal base. Combine the garden with the Blue Mountains (2 hours), Hunter Valley wine region (2.5 hours), and Bondi Beach (20 minutes). Allow at least a week in Sydney itself. The garden sits between the Opera House and the Art Gallery of New South Wales — an easy walking circuit.

Entry: Free.

Best months: October-April (Australian spring and summer). December-February for summer bedding displays.

Visit the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney website

Comparison table: best gardens in the world at a glance

Planning your garden holiday

Book early for the Alhambra. Daily visitor numbers are capped. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, especially in spring and autumn.

Combine nearby gardens. Kew + Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Versailles + Giverny from a Paris base. Kirstenbosch + Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands. Villa d’Este + Villa Adriana in Tivoli.

Check seasonal closures. Monet’s Garden closes November to March. Most European gardens reduce hours in winter. Tropical gardens (Singapore, Madeira) run year-round.

Wear comfortable shoes. Versailles alone covers 800 hectares. Budget at least half a day for any garden on this list, and a full day for Kew, Versailles, or Butchart.

Take plant ideas home. Many of these gardens grow plants that thrive in UK conditions. Roses, lavender, wisteria, and clematis all feature prominently in the European gardens above. Seeing them in their best setting helps you plan your own planting.

For more inspiration closer to home, browse our guides to small garden design ideas and creating a wildlife garden.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best garden in the world to visit?

Kew Gardens in London is widely regarded as the world’s finest botanical garden. It holds UNESCO World Heritage status, covers 300 acres, and houses over 50,000 living plants. Kirstenbosch in Cape Town and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore are equally impressive for different reasons.

Which country has the most beautiful gardens?

Italy has the highest concentration of world-class gardens. Villa d’Este, Giardino di Ninfa, and the gardens of the Amalfi Coast date back centuries. France follows closely with Versailles, Monet’s Giverny, and the Jardin du Luxembourg.

What is the best time of year to visit European gardens?

April to June offers the widest range of flowers across European gardens. Roses peak in June, spring bulbs in April, and wisteria in May. Mediterranean gardens like Park Güell and the Alhambra stay green year-round thanks to mild winters.

Are world-famous gardens worth visiting in winter?

Several gardens offer strong winter displays. Madeira Botanical Garden peaks in January with subtropical blooms. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is indoor-cooled and spectacular year-round. Kew Gardens runs a winter trail with light installations from November to January.

How much does it cost to visit the world’s best gardens?

Most botanical gardens charge between £8 and £20 for adult entry. Kew Gardens costs around £15, Versailles estate pass is £22, and Gardens by the Bay conservatories are about £20. Some gardens offer free entry on certain days. Kirstenbosch is free on Tuesdays for South African residents.

Can you combine a garden visit with a beach holiday?

Yes, several gardens sit near coastline. Kirstenbosch is 20 minutes from Camps Bay beach. Madeira Botanical Garden overlooks the Atlantic. Butchart Gardens near Victoria, Canada is a short ferry ride from Vancouver Island beaches. The Alhambra is two hours from the Costa del Sol.