Among the roses and sculptures by Belgian artist, Jean-Michel Folon, is a spot which should not be missed and where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Treat yourself to a walk through the Rose Garden to breathe in a bit of spring. A stone's throw from San Niccolò, here you will find 370 different varieties of roses, with the oldest species dating back to 1500, and a large part of the sculptures by Folon which the artist donated to the city. In addition to his ‘Partir’, the ship-suitcase, here you can see 12 of his statues in bronze and two plaster casts.
Admission is free, and the garden is open 3 months a year until July 31 from 8:00 am till 8:00 pm.

For all photography enthusiasts, this is the best time of the year to go to Villa Bardini in order to see the flowering wisteria in full bloom. And the breathtaking panoramic view of the city as a backdrop will leave you amazed.

Another hidden springtime-treasure, just 2 steps from Piazzale Michelangelo, is the Iris Garden. Open for only 1 month, from April 25th to May 20th, it was created in 1954 as the location to host the annual International Competition for the best Iris varieties. The garden runs for two and a half hectares, winding along stone paths filled with intermediate and dwarf bearded irises and is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 am till 1:00 pm and then again from 3:00 pm till 7.30 pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am till 7.30 pm.

Also unmissable is a stroll through the Boboli Gardens, the “green lungs” of the city center. And for an unusual walking tour we recommend stopping by to see the Roster Tiepidarium in the Horticulture Garden, a beautiful Art Nouveau style greenhouse conservatory, and the Parnaso Gardens just above it with the characteristic serpent-shapedfountain.