Florence offers numerous green spaces and
outdoor trails to enjoy with your four-legged friends. Historic gardens, urban
parks, scenic areas and riverside walks let you discover a different side of
the city - one that’s more laid-back and closer to nature.
Between the historic center and the hills surrounding Florence, you can
alternate moments of relaxation in
nature with itineraries that treat you to splendid views of the city. Many
of these places are dog-friendly and offer a pleasant opportunity to spend time
outdoors without straying too far from the heart of the city.
With
its wide, tree-lined avenues and large lawns,
Parco delle Cascine (Cascine
Park) is Florence’s main green oasis. Stretching along the banks of the
Arno, it is one of the most popular spots for those who want to take a walk,
enjoy outdoor activities or spend a few hours in nature with their dog. The
numerous paths within the park allow visitors to explore it in every season, in
a setting of historic trees and wide-open spaces.
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The Rose Garden and Piazzale Michelangelo
View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
At
the foot of Piazzale Michelangelo,
the Rose Garden offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city. This
green space boasts 400 varieties of roses and numerous areas where you can stop
to admire the view. Pets are allowed, but they must be kept on a leash to
protect the flower beds. You can continue your visit by moving on to
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence’s
most famous panoramic viewpoint, where you can enjoy a unique view of the
monuments in the historic center with your pet.
1.
The Botanical Garden and the Orto del Parnaso
The view from the Orti del Parnaso
For
those who prefer intimate, more peaceful green spaces, Florence offers some
truly charming places like the “Giardino
dei Semplici” Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in Italy, and the Orto del Parnaso (Garden of
Parnassus), located on the slopes of the Montughi hill. The latter treats you
to a splendid view of the city and is especially popular for its relaxed
atmosphere and the distinctive snake-shaped fountain designed by architect
Marco Dezzi Bardeschi.
1.
The city’s green spaces and dog parks
In
addition to its large historic gardens, Florence has plenty of green spaces.
Among these, there is the Villa di
Rusciano Park, which offers a large fenced-in area for dogs, equipped with
a drinking fountain and benches, and trails immersed in the greenery of the
city’s foothills, while the Nicholas
Green Gardens and the Caponnetto Gardens, located along the Lungarno del
Tempio, feature dedicated dog areas and are ideal for play and socialization.
These spaces allow you to experience the city in a more relaxed way, away from
the traffic and the crowded tourist routes.
1.
Strolling along the Arno
The banks of the Arno offer pleasant urban walking itineraries
to explore with your dog. From the historic center to the city’s greenest
areas, walks along the river combine views of monuments, historic bridges and
tree-lined areas. A different way to discover Florence, following the course of
the water that has shaped city life for centuries.
1.
The Medici Park of Pratolino
The Paggeria in the Medici Villa di Pratolino
Just
a few kilometers from the center of Florence, the
Medici Park of Pratolino, also known as Villa Demidoff, is
one of the most spectacular green areas in Tuscany. A UNESCO World Heritage
Site as part of the Medici Villas and Gardens complex, the park features large
lawns, woods, small lakes and the famous Apennine Colossus by Giambologna. The
wide-open spaces and trails surrounded by nature make it an ideal destination
for a walk with your dog, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
