Villa Borghese gardens – with kids or without

Borghese Park, Rome

Located right above some of the main sights in Rome, such as the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, it offers a quiet alternative to the busy streets below. Worth even only for the view from the terraces, either you go up from the Spanish Steps or Piazza del Popolo. A short and nice walk would be to go up at one of these locations, and come down at the other. The park can be approached from the top of the Monti area as well, and you could take shorter or longer walks in the tranquil gardens. Apart from the shady trees, ponds, fountains, monuments and sculptures, there are several museums and galleries, including of course the Borghese Gallery. There is also a zoological museum and an animal friendly and educational biopark – it’s not even called a zoo to make a point. You can get around on foot, on hired pedal-powered cars, segway (electronic two-wheeler) or a little train. There are carousels, a toddlers playhouse (maybe closed in winter), kiosks and cafes so you can easily spend a whole day up in the Villa Borghese gardens – with kids of any age, or even without.

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood” Tom Robbins

Monuments and sculptures

Tempietto di Minerva

Monuments and sculptures

Two-wheeler gadget: segway

Pedal-powered car

Little train and carousel

View on center with the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

View on Rome and the Vatican in the distance

Approaching the gardens from the Spanish Steps

Approaching the gardens from Piazza del Popolo

Approaching the gardens from top of Monti

Borghese Park, Rome

Map of Villa Borghese gardens

Directions in Villa Borghese gardens

Wild species in Villa Borghese gardens

Further information:

Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery) official website: http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm

About the Villa Borghese gardens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Borghese_gardens

Bioparco (Biopark) official website: http://www.bioparco.it/en/bioparco-in-rome.html

More about Rome: Rome attractions pictures & videos

Recommended hotel in the area:

L’Hotel Cinquantatre ***

Via di San Basilio, 53 00185 Rome, Italy
Tel/Fax : (+39) 06 42014708

Official site: http://www.hotelcinquantatrerome.com/

See blog post: 53 – L’Hotel Cinquantatre