Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)

The Basics

As the legend goes, Saint Dominic planted a single bitter orange tree in the courtyard of the nearby Basilica di Santa Sabina in 1200 AD—the first orange tree in the whole of Italy. At the entrance of the Parco Savello (as the gardens are also known) is a fountain by Giacomo Della Porta, whose previous home was the Roman Forum Wander the 2-acre (7,800- square-meter) green space, taking in the sweet aroma and the sweeping city views.

Travelers have many options to discover the Garden of Oranges. Of special note amongst the half-day and full day options is a bicycles tour, which may be enjoyed during the day or in the evening. Choose a trek bike or electric bike and pedal to ancient landmarks like the Pantheon and the Colosseum, through streets to lesser known churches, finishing up with anxa0 aperitif at a local spot.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Suitable for travelers of all ages.
• Admission is free.
• Wear comfortable shoes for walking and exploring the park.xa0
• Remember to bring a light sweater or jacket since the evenings can feel fresh.
• Tours may include round trip hotel transfers. Check specific tours for details.

How to Get There

Garden of Oranges is on Via di Santa Sabina (next to Basilica of Santa Sabina), high above Lungotevere Aventino on the top of the Aventine Hill. Take a taxi, drive or take the Metro to Circo Maximo or Testaccio. Take the stairs up, which can be found on Lungotevere, not far from the Mouth of Truth, a marble mask against the left wall of the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

When to Get There

Garden of Oranges is open from dawn to dusk, and is a lovely and refreshing break from the city at any time of the day. The most romantic times are sunrise and sunset. In general, avoid Rome’s dense tourist throngs by traveling during the pleasant shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Even better for avoiding crowds is the winter, though temperatures can dip to freezing.

The Aventine Keyhole

Upon leaving the garden, go to the long white wall near Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta and look for a green door. Built by the Knights of Malta the door was the gateway to their priory. On the door find the keyhole and take a peek through it, to see a most beautiful and charming scene:xa0 the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica framed by the lush green trees of the garden.

Ways to explore

With plenty of benches for sitting, the Orange Garden is the ideal place to rest after hiking up the Aventine Hill and visiting the neighboring Knights of Malta Keyhole and Basilica of Santa Sabina. If you’d rather get there on wheels, guided tours by bike, Vespa, golf cart, and vintage car often pass by the Orange Garden. Stop there for photos while on a self-drive Fiat 500 tour of the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and other ancient sights, or hop on the back of a guide’s Vespa to see the garden in combination with famous landmarks and local aperitivo spots.

Accessibility

The Orange Garden is wheelchair accessible—just be aware that the stone paths can be uneven, and the Aventine Hill may be difficult to reach without a car.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, book or picnic for enjoying on the benches

What to wear

You’ll likely do lots of walking in and around the Orange Garden, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Not allowed

While the park’s grassy areas may look inviting, they’re barred off for a reason—don’t pick the oranges or sit on the lawn.

Amenities

Benches, drinking fountain

Address

The Orange Garden sits atop the Aventine Hill, located near the Circus Maximus in Rome’s Ripa district. The most scenic way to get there is by strolling up any of the winding streets stemming from Via Marmorata, Viale Aventino, or Via del Circo Massimo, though you can always go by car if you’d rather not walk uphill.

Driving

If you’re on a self-driving Fiat or Vespa tour, reach the garden from Via di Santa Sabina and park outside in Piazza Pietro d’Illiria. Otherwise, take a taxi or book a rideshare.

Public transportation

The garden is an approximately 10-minute walk from the Circo Massimo metro station, reachable on Line B from the Colosseum and Roma Termini train station. It’s also close to the Aventino/Albania tram and bus stop.

Best times to visit

The Orange Garden is particularly beautiful—and crowded—at sunset. If you’d rather hear birds chirping than street performers playing music, head there first thing in the morning.

Best days to visit

Most people visit the garden on Saturdays and Sundays, so stop by on a weekday for a calmer experience.

Best months to visit

The garden is most pleasant in the mild months of March–May or September–October. If you do go in the summer, it has lots of shaded benches for staying cool.