What are the most beautiful gardens in the world? We recommend Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery in San Francisco, Medellín Botanical Garden in Medellín, Colombia, Château de Versailles in Versailles, France, Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England and Villa d’Este, in Tivoli, Italy. Why them? Find it out in this article!

Our World’s Most Beautiful Gardens

There are many wonderful gardens in the world, and visiting one of the best should definitely make it onto your spring bucket list. Which gardens are absolutely amazing and why? Here’s our opinion.

Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa, Japan

Regarded as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is a masterpiece of traditional Japanese landscaping. Every season brings a new kind of beauty: cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant maple foliage in autumn, and a magical snowscape in winter. The garden is designed with the six fundamental qualities of an ideal garden—spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, water features, and stunning views—making it a timeless oasis of tranquility. If you’re looking for a serene, historic, and breathtakingly beautiful garden, Kenroku-en should be at the top of your list.

Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery, San Francisco, USA

Located in Walnut Creek near San Francisco, the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery is a stunning display of drought-tolerant plants and succulents. This unique garden spans 3.5 acres and features an impressive collection of cacti, agaves, and aloes arranged in vibrant, artistic landscapes. Interestingly enough, the garden embraces sustainable gardening methods, mostly by displaying water-wise plants—this realization adds to its beauty. After all, not every garden could be so beautiful with such limitations!

Medellín Botanical Garden, Medellín, Colombia

Nestled in the heart of Medellín, the Medellín Botanical Garden is a lush oasis with over 4,500 plant species spread across 34 acres. Its iconic Orquideorama, a stunning architectural structure, serves as both an orchid exhibit and a space for community events. The garden is a testament to Colombia’s rich biodiversity and commitment to preserving its natural heritage, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, USA

For a truly magical garden experience in the heart of a metropolis, Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers breathtaking seasonal beauty year-round. In spring, the garden becomes a dreamlike landscape of cherry blossoms, rivaling those found in Japan. The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and lush Rose Garden provide endless variety, making this one of the most beloved urban gardens in the world. If you love a mix of nature, culture, and history in a garden setting, BBG is a must-visit destination.

Château de Versailles, Versailles, France

The Old Continent can also offer some of the most beautiful gardens in the world, with Château de Versailles taking the lead. These stunning gardens reflect the grandeur of French landscape design and span nearly 2,000 acres—their magnitude is a great accent, adding even more to their beauty. Have you ever dreamt of being like the royalty in movies, relaxing in gardens with perfectly trimmed hedges and diverse flora? Then you absolutely have to visit Château de Versailles!

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England

The fact that the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are a UNESCO World Heritage site speaks volumes about them. This place is the home of the most diverse collections of living plants in the world. While they span only 300 acres, which might feel insignificant compared to Château de Versailles, believe us—they’re extremely fun to visit and truly beautiful!

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

If you’re looking for a garden that blends nature with cutting-edge innovation, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a must-visit. This breathtaking destination is famous for its Supertree Grove, a collection of towering, tree-like structures covered in lush greenery that come alive with a dazzling light show at night. The Cloud Forest, home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls, and the Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse, create an immersive, otherworldly experience. As a symbol of Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and green urban planning, this garden is a stunning masterpiece of modern horticulture.

Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy

Last but not least we’ve got Villa d’Este in Tivoli. Renowned for their stunning Renaissance architecture and terraced gardens, these gardens are a masterpiece of Italian landscape design. They’re mostly famous for their elaborate network of fountains, waterfalls, and pools, including the spectacular Fountain of Neptune. Plus, like the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, they are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Find the Most Beautiful Gardens in the World with YouMap

Are you looking for other beautiful gardens? Perhaps you’ve already seen all the places from our list? In that case, download YouMap—our social mapping app! In it, you’ll find a plethora of maps that display the most wonderful gardens in all corners of the world.

Did we mention that these maps are user-created? You can contribute to one of them! We also recommend checking the Gardens Map, as it lists all the most beautiful gardens in Europe, the Americas, and Asia!

 

The Takeaway

You know which gardens are, in our opinion, the most beautiful in the world—it’s time to visit them! Remember to check the Gardens Map for more inspirations and follow other maps in YouMap to find other attractions and hidden gems on your garden-touring trip!

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