There’s something timeless and soothing about a garden. Across the world, there are gardens that simply defy the imagination: living museums where history, science and art are inextricably linked. These green oases are far more than simply beautiful; they are alive with significance.
Whether high in the Arctic Circle or tucked behind an old castle in England, both spaces reflects a unique culture and climate. So, if you’re chasing serenity, wonder, or just a really good backdrop for your daydreams, here are 12 breathtaking gardens that deserve a top spot on your travel list.
1. Kenroku-en, Kanazawa, Japan
Kenroku-en is one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens.” Built during the Edo period, it harmoniously combines the six attributes of an ideal garden: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramic views. The garden reinvents itself with each season, but it’s especially magical during cherry blossom time.
2. Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This tropical botanical garden was founded in 1808 and sits at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, near Christ the Redeemer. It boasts over 6,500 species, rare orchids, and gigantic imperial palms. With toucans flying overhead and tropical perfumes wafting through the air, it’s a splash of color in what otherwise would be an overly busy metropolis.
3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
On the slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is among a few big botanical gardens entirely within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is exclusively devoted to the native flora of South Africa. Among the features are a treetop canopy walkway and fynbos-covered trails. It’s a horticulturist’s and hiker’s dream come true.
4. Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada
Jennie Butchart started developing a worn limestone quarry in British Columbia into a garden haven in the early 1900s. What began as a personal endeavor quickly evolved into a 55-acre masterpiece. Her dream continues to turn heads today with colorful flower arrangements, twisting walkways, and the serene and themed gardens that she had envisioned.
5. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Pattaya, Thailand
More than just a garden, Nong Nooch is actually a botanical theme park. Spanning 500 acres, it features French-style gardens, cactus areas, and even dinosaur statues. The world-renowned orchid nursery, cultural performances, and even elephant parades (although controversial) give this huge Thai attraction a theatrical twist.
6. Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco
This electric blue garden is an original creation of the work of French artist Jacques Majorelle and was refurbished by fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent. Full of exotic cacti and bamboo groves, the landscape is bright, with bursts of bougainvillea, unlike the desert hues of the rest of the city. A museum inside tells the history of the Berber culture.
7. Le Jardin de Balata, Martinique
Hidden in the hills overlooking Fort-de-France, this Caribbean secret garden is a haven for over 3,000 types of tropical flora. Wooden walkways curve through towering bamboo, colorful heliconias, and lily ponds that reflect their beauty. With hummingbirds whizzing by, it’s like walking through a dream: thick, misty, and full of life.
8. Emirgan Park Tulip Garden, Istanbul, Turkey
Every April, this serene park on the Bosphorus becomes a tulip lover’s paradise. With over 120 varieties blooming across the hillside, Emirgan’s springtime display rivals even the Netherlands. It’s a cultural nod to the Ottoman Empire’s love of tulips, once a royal symbol of elegance and abundance.
9. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, Mauritius
More commonly known as the Pamplemousses Garden, this is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. World-famous for its giant Amazon water lilies and spice garden, it’s a tranquil oasis complete with tropical palms, colorful birds, and even deer. A surprising fusion of history, botany, and colonial design.
10. Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Desert gardens don’t have to be deserts. The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix redefines beauty with over 50,000 arid-land plants from the world’s deserts. Sculptural cacti, desert wildflowers, and glass art installations punctuate the trails. The garden is educational, peaceful, and surprisingly colorful in spring.
11. Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, Tromsø, Norway
You wouldn’t ever think a garden could thrive north of the Arctic Circle, but this one will take your breath away. Featuring hardy alpine and polar flora from around the world, it’s designed more like a difficult trail than a stroll through a flower bed. In summer, the midnight sun illuminates its foliage.
12. Lotusland, Montecito, California, USA
It’s the brainchild of eccentric opera singer Madame Ganna Walska and is more of a garden-art hybrid. This estate spans 37 acres and is filled with cacti, cycads, ferns, and even a theater garden. Resembling a stepping stone into a botanical opera set, Lotusland is a true hidden gem on the West Coast.