Day Trip from Rome by Car: A Fairytale Visit to the Giardino di Ninfa

Beautiful view of Giardino di Ninfa, one of the most stunning gardens in Italy

I must say, I have never received more DMs on Instagram than when I posted pictures of Giardino di Ninfa on my stories. Minutes after posting, I received a flood of messages asking me where this amazing place was, a place that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. I am the first to admit that those messages were really my fault, because professional blogger that I am, in my haste to share so much beauty with the world, I completely forgot to tag the location.

You might think I was trying to gatekeep, but the opposite is true, so to make it up to you, I am sharing this extensive article.

In this blog post, I will tell you all about Giardino di Ninfa, why you should visit, when the best time to visit is, where to buy tickets, and how to get there. I hope after this you will feel inspired to visit for yourself, because spoiler, it is really worth it.

Why you should visit Giardino di Ninfa

Fairytale garden scenery at Giardino di Ninfa during spring bloom

Around an hour and twenty minutes from Rome by car, under the cliff of Norma, which we will get to later, you can find the stunning Giardino, or garden in English, di Ninfa, one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. In 2019, the New York Times called this the most beautiful garden in the world, and I think that is completely fair. In 2000, the garden was declared a national monument by the Lazio region, due to its exceptional historical and landscape value.

Lush greenery and river in Giardino di Ninfa garden Italy

Today, the garden extends over more than 8 hectares and hosts more than 1300 plant species. There are more than 100 species of birds recorded in the garden, and I can attest to the fact that while walking through it, you are overwhelmed by all the beautiful sounds they make. In addition to typical European garden flora, Ninfa also hosts tropical plants such as avocado and banana trees, and I just had to think of my mother, who is absolutely obsessed with banana plants.

Tropical banana plants in Giardino di Ninfa near Rome

The Giardino di Ninfa is filled with ancient ruins, because the current garden is located in the former settlement of Ninfa. To avoid falling into lecture territory, I would highly recommend reading the official website if you want to learn more about the extensive history of the place. The one thing I will say is that the garden constructed around these ruins creates a super romantic atmosphere. It gives Romeo and Juliet, without the tragic ending of course.

When to visit Giardino di Ninfa

Spring blossoms in Giardino di Ninfa garden Italy

The Giardino di Ninfa has published their calendar for 2026, and they will be open from the end of March until the eighth of November. They are open every Saturday and Sunday, and on holidays. In winter, they close the garden to make sure they can preserve its extraordinary beauty and take good care of it.

Romantic ruins and flowers in Giardino di Ninfa near Rome

Personally, I have visited in spring, which I think is the best period to visit this fairytale like garden. The flowers are in bloom, and especially the blossoms on the trees make for the most beautiful experience. A friend of mine also visited at the end of October last year and said the different shades of orange in autumn were also a stunning sight. Plus, the groups were much smaller than the ones we encountered. So if you want to enjoy your walk through the garden in smaller groups, autumn might be a better option for you, since spring is the busiest period.

Where to buy tickets to Giardino di Ninfa

Historic ruins and river inside Giardino di Ninfa garden Lazio

When buying tickets to Giardino di Ninfa, make sure to do so through the official website online. Tickets cost 15,75 and include a guided tour through the garden, which takes around an hour and a half, since it is not allowed to walk through it by yourself. It is required to buy a ticket beforehand, as you need to book a specific time slot during which you and the rest of your group will have a tour through the park.

Blossoming trees in front of ancient ruins Giardino di Ninfa

Giardino di Ninfa specifies that if you show up without a ticket, the possibility of purchasing one at the ticket office is not guaranteed. If you are lucky, someone may have cancelled or there might be a last minute drop out, in which case you could buy a ticket for the next group. However, I would not recommend relying on this and would suggest booking your preferred time slot in advance.

Roses in front of an ancient castle tower in Giardino di Ninfa close to Rome

Another tip from me is to download your tickets beforehand or print them, because I have noticed that service in and around Giardino di Ninfa is almost nonexistent. I would hate for you to end up in a situation where you cannot access your tickets, so make sure to check that you have them downloaded in advance.

The majority of the guided tours at Giardino di Ninfa are in Italian, but they do offer English tours as well, both at 10:30 and 15:30. If you are interested in an English tour, make sure to select this when buying your ticket.

White blossoms on a tree in giardino di Ninfa

Tip: when buying your tickets, you might notice that you can also buy tickets for the nearby Castello Caetani and the Pantanello park. Both the garden and the castle are connected to the same Caetani family, which makes visiting them together even more special. Personally, I did not have time to visit them yet, but if you are up for a full day trip, it might be a great idea to combine multiple visits.

How to get to Giardino di Ninfa

River and pink blossom tree in front of an ancient castle tower in Giardino di Ninfa

Unfortunately, for people without easy access to a car, like me, getting to Giardino di Ninfa by public transport is quite difficult. From Rome, it is around an hour and twenty minutes by car, and the garden has a very large parking area, so you can park right next door. Overall, I would say that visiting Giardino di Ninfa by car is by far the easiest option.

If you do not have a car and want to get there as cheaply as possible, I would suggest taking the train from Rome to Latina, and from there taking a taxi, which takes a little more than 10 minutes. My Google Maps also suggests that from Latina station there is a bus option, with a regional line from Latina to Norma. Personally, I have never taken this line, so I cannot tell you if it runs regularly or if it is suited for a day trip to Giardino di Ninfa.

Tip: if you are looking for day trips from Rome by public transport, I have plenty of easy day trips by train on my blog. From beaches to towns like Tivoli, feel free to explore more and get inspired.

Norma

As I mentioned above, the Giardino di Ninfa lies in the shadow of the cliff of Norma, and if I can give a little tip, it is to include a visit to this small town after your trip to the Giardino di Ninfa. Here, the main attraction is the Parco Archeologico dell’Antica Norba, which preserves the remains of Norba, a settlement founded and developed by Latin and Roman communities during the Republican period.

Panoramic view of the Lazio plains from the town of Norma

Access to the archaeological park is completely free and, besides an amazing step back in history, it also offers stunning views over the plain, and from here you can even see the sea. An extra bonus tip, in Norma you can also find a chocolate museum, so if you are a foodie like me, enjoy!

Conclusion

I hope after this blog post you feel inspired to visit the Giardino di Ninfa for yourself. I have honestly never visited a more beautiful garden in my life, and if you ask me, spring is the perfect time to go. The nearby town of Norma offers a great addition if you want to turn it into a full day trip, and if you end up visiting both, let me know in the comments. And of course, next time I go somewhere pretty, I will make sure to tag the location on Instagram.

Much love,
Juliette