Giardino Bardini Cozy Apartment

It’s a pleasant break from busy Florence, with trees along the uphill path providing some shade and keeping the walk cooler. The climb to the café isn’t especially steep, just steady. A drink there costs about €3.50, and the view from the top is nice if that’s your thing, though the dome and Palazzo Vecchio are partly blocked. Entry was €10. For the gardens alone, I wouldn’t say that was worth it; the café view is part of the appeal.

The fountains and lemon trees were my favorite parts. If you keep walking beyond the fenced-off main area, there’s more of the garden to see, and you can leave farther down to get back into the inner city. It’s a beautiful garden just past the Palazzo Pitti gallery and museum. What was open was fantastic, though some areas were under renovation, and all the fencing at the main opening takes away a little from the natural beauty.

The walk up takes maybe ten slow minutes, and there’s a bar at the top with food, cocktails and good service. Sitting on the grass upstairs with a cocktail was lovely. The view isn’t as good as from piazzale Michelangelo, but it’s still amazing, and the atmosphere felt better to me. Adults pay 10 euros, while kids get in free. Such a beautiful place!

Even before the garden was in full bloom, it was breathtaking. The gravel path is a steep climb, with beautiful views as you go. At the top you can get drinks and sit in chairs to take in the scenery.