Spring is fast approaching, and there is no better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in Europe’s finest gardens. There are spectacular gardens located throughout the continent that are easy to reach by train. In fact, you will find pristine parks and flourishing flowerbeds in most capitals. Here are ten gardens in Europe worth going out of your way for.
@andrewthompsonsa
Giverny inspired dozens of French artist Monet’s most famous works. It is a beautifully maintained garden in Normandy, set out in a pleasing grid with a wide range of plant life. Most visitors head here to witness first-hand perhaps the most famous garden cliché of all time ― the green arch bridge. Few leave disappointed.
More info: giverny.org
How to get to Giverny by train: There are regular trains from Paris St Lazare to Vernon that take 50 minutes. From there, a short bus ride will get you to Giverny.
Granada’s ancient Alhambra and the Generalife gardens that surround it are an incredible sight. They may not be as traditional as other gardens in Europe such as France or the United Kingdom, but the views of Granada, use of water fountains, and exquisite greenery are remarkable.
More info: alhambradegranada.org
How to get there by train: Most trains to Granada go via Antequera-Santa Ana. There are up to five daily trains between Antequera-Santa Ana and Granada that take approximately 60 minutes.
Paris is not short of parks. In spite of this, the capital’s La Bagatelle still manages to stand out. It is an English-style garden set around a small chateau that dates back to the time of Marie-Antoinette. The biggest drawcard of the garden lies at its heart, where you will find a beautiful flourishing rose garden designed in 1905.
More info: parcbagatelle.com (in French)
How to get there by train: The park is on the western edge of Paris, with the entrance on Route de Sèvres À Neuilly. There are regular trains to Paris from throughout France and from neighbouring countries.
Isola Bella is a stunning garden accessible only by boat. You will find it in the middle of Lake Maggiore. It is the country’s second largest lake, which extends across the border to Switzerland. The villa and garden took 40 years to complete. The unique design, features, and style make it a worthy destination to visit.
More info: isoleborromee.it
How to get there by train: There are five daily trains from Milan to Isola Bella that take over an hour.
The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz is a 300-acre garden near Dessau, southwest of Berlin. It is a vast English landscape garden that oozes British charm and transports visitors through a range of views and emotions. Almost one third of the garden is water, creating a tranquil escape from the bustling capital which is just a short drive away.
More info: woerlitz-information.de/woerlitz-en/ho/index.php
How to get there by train: There are daily trains between Berlin Hbf and Worlitz, connecting at Wittenberg. The total journey time is approximately 2.5 hours.
The Netherlands is not short of green-fingered citizens. This is most obvious during the spring, when the tulip season splashes colour across the country. The best place to witness this is the incredible Keukenhof Garden in Lisse. There you will find more than seven million bulbs of hundreds of varieties set across almost 80 acres of land. Tulips are not the only species on display ― you will also encounter dozens of flowers sure to inspire even the most jaded traveller.
More info: keukenhof.nl
How to get there by train: You can reach the gardens by taking a short train from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport, and then connecting to Lisse via the hourly 361 bus.
The funicular ride to Petrin Gardens may offer some of the best sweeping views of Prague, but once inside the tranquil space you will forget all about the bustling city below. There are five gardens on Petrin Hill, including the famous rose and lavender garden, an enchanting mirror maze, and even an observatory.
More info: prague.eu
How to get there by train: Petrin Gardens are in Prague, which is a major rail hub in the Czech Republic. There are regular trains to Prague from throughout the Czech Republic and long-distance trains from most neighbouring countries.
Fans of trimmed hedges and precisely pruned bushes have been making the trip to Eyrignac Manor Gardens in Dordogne for several years. These sculptured gardens feature an array of shapes and designs inspired by the Italian Renaissance. There are also more natural gardens that feature fruit and vegetables, as well as a wide range of roses, dahlias, and cosmos.
More info: eyrignac.com
How to get there by train: There are regular trains to Dordogne from Bordeaux that take approximately 2 hours. Most trips connect in Perigueux and arrive at Niversac.
Oslo’s Vigeland Park is one of the world’s largest sculpture gardens dedicated to a single artist. There you will find hundreds of Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland’s works set across the 80-acre estate. Though it is less a flourishing garden and more an outdoor museum, this is one carefully curated attraction worth dedicating a morning to.
More info: vigeland.museum.no
How to get there by train: Oslo is a major rail hub in Norway, and there are several trains to the city from throughout the country, as well as its neighbours.
There are few floral sights as impressive as France’s lavender fields. Though there are dozens of places in Provence from which to explore these fields, the Sénanque Abbey is an understated yet enthralling focal point. Monks who live at Sénanque grow lavender on the estate, and, in June and July, it extends as far as the doors of the abbey.
More info: senanque.fr/en/
How to get there by train: There are regular trains from throughout France to the city of Avignon. From there, hire a car or catch a bus to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. You will need to do the final stretch to the Abbey by taxi.
If you are a fan of parks, then you will be spoilt for choice with these beautiful gardens in Europe. Most towns and large cities have at least one that you can visit on your Interrail trip, and they are truly unmissable attractions as spring spreads through the continent.
You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.
