11 Most Gorgeous Gardens Around the World

From Japan to the United States, the 11 most gorgeous gardens around the world will impress you beyond words. You’ll be walking through canopies of color surrounded by palaces of gold, as you experience exotic flora and native species – pieces of nature like no other.

Before a rush of cool breeze brings with it colors of autumn, we wanted to share with you these stunning travel destinations to visit before summer ends. And, what doesn’t perfectly describe summer other than its beautiful gardens and outdoor flower displays? Here they are:

Kenrokuen, Kanazawa, Japan

Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Japan is easily one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country. You’ll be able to stroll through charming cottages, glistening ponds, and islands of flora that will all amaze you. As an ancient travel site, the Maeda family kept Kenrokuen alive and healthy and preserved throughout generations of family lines. It’s a place of history, where you’ll see flawless spectacles of nature up close.

Kenrokuen, Japan. Photo: bryan… via Flickr

There’s a stone lantern by the largest pond in Kenrokuen, one that has become a well-known symbol of its beautiful gardens. During the summer, especially, the display that you’ll want to experience is the azaleas and irises showcase, as the tranquility, artifice, and spaciousness of the landscape is a perfect combination for an incredible travel adventure. Travel to Japan to experience its culture and nature at its finest!

Kenrokuen, Japan. Photo: Andrew and Annemarie via Flickr

Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands

Keukenhof in the Netherlands is said to be the Garden of Europe, as it’s one of the world’s largest flower displays. Although Keukenhof specializes in spring flowers (with expansive arrangements of nearly 7 million tulips and hyacinths), its landscapes are just as stunning during the summer months. You’ll find different gardens and styles along the way, like the English Garden and the Historical Garden, the first which features quaint winding paths and the other that takes you through mazes of various flower species.

Keukenhof, Netherlands. Photo: Dmitry Eliuseev via Flickr

Keukenhof is in the South Holland province in the town of Lisse. So, to travel to this amazing place, you can easily take the bus or train from stations in Leiden, Schiphol, or Haarlem. You’ll have beautiful views from flower fields standing on pavilions that have stunning panoramic sights of the terrain. Travel to the Netherlands for an unforgettable green experience!

Keukenhof, Netherlands. Photo: Kent Wang via Flickr

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Pattaya, Thailand

The Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Thailand has been ranked as one of the top ten most beautiful gardens in the world. With over 5,000 unique travelers coming to see its landscapes every single day, it’s a travel destination for everyone. Several parts of Nong Nooch are set in a specific theme: the French Garden (inspired by the gardens of Versailles), the Animal Sculpture Garden, the Stonehenge Garden, and Butterfly Hill.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Thailand

Nong Nooch. Photo via Max Pixel

Nong Nooch is especially popular for its orchids, palms, and cycads flower collections. With over 650 species of orchid, 1,100 species of palm, and a vast array of cycads (a rare species that lives in tropical environments for hundreds of years), Nong Nooch is easily one of the most diverse natural landscapes for visitors to enjoy on an international scale of beauty. Travel to Pattaya, Thailand to experience this travel wonder!

Nong Nooch Flower Show. Photo: Karen Roe via Flickr

Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France

Bienvenue en France! The palace of Versailles was once a seat of power; now it’s a museum of the history of France and its people, showcasing not only magnificent sculptures and fountains and groves, but also some of the most stunning gardens found in the world today. When you travel here, you’ll be standing center-stage in collections of flora, walking through the orangery, basins, and immaculate parterres. And, the best thing about it is that admission is free!

Gardens of Versailles. Photo: Kimberly Vardeman via Flickr

This travel destination in France is open every day from 8AM to 8:30PM during the summer high season (April to October) and from 8AM to 6PM during the winter low season (November to March), with much more tourist traffic seen in warmer months. There are, of course, exceptions for scheduled events, such as the Fountains Night Show and other galleries, banquets, and flower displays shown during the year. Travel to France to see for yourself!

Versailles Gardens. Photo: Bartłomiej Koc via Pixabay

Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco

The Jardin Majorelle in Morocco is one of the most visited travel destinations in the country. With shady lanes, dreamy walkways of exotic flora, and a sugared fragrance in the air, this enchanting garden will blow you away. All of its path turn unexpectedly to a blue building with Moorish charm, as the artist, Jacques Majorelle, turned a vision into reality. The vibrant hues of its surroundings make this stunning garden one of a kind.

Jardin Majorelle, Morocco. Photo: SnippyHolloW via Flickr

Morocco’s Jardin Majorelle is a calming environment to travel to, as you’ll be immersed in a natural place of wonder and peace. It’s open every day of the year for you to enjoy, from 8:00AM – 5:30PM. The garden also houses the Berber Museum, with a collection of art that showcases the talents of Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent. Travel to Morocco to become one with nature!

Jardin Majorelle Grounds. Photo: Tracy Hunter via Flickr

Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy

The Villa d’Este in Tivoli, Italy is one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance culture at its most refined. Not only does the landscape have a gorgeous garden, but it also presents soaring palaces, decorative fountains, ornamental basins, nymphs, grottoes, as the entire terrain was an early model for the development of European gardens all over the continent. It’s too majestic not to travel to Italy to see this natural spectacle in a beautiful city in Europe.

Villa d’Este Fountain. Photo: Patrick Denker via Flickr

As a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Villa d’Este gardens are masterpiece on their own. Every piece of the architecture at this landscape brings to mind travel wonders of the ancient world: its terraces above terraces signify the hanging gardens of Babylon, its water features conjuring up the history and the engineering skills of the Romans themselves. Travel to Italy to be a part of history books and to walk in the footsteps of generations of ancient beauty.

Villa d’Este Grounds. Photo: Patrick Denker via Flickr

Summer Palace, Beijing, China

Beijing’s Summer Palace in China is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in the country. At first a luxurious, royal garden for the elite to rest and entertain, the Summer Palace went through a series of reconstructions, only to later be opened to the public in 1924. It ranks among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an extraordinary landscape to travel to and see the sights. The gardens of the palace are divided into elegant themes for all to enjoy.

Summer Palace, China. Photo: Jack Versloot via Flickr

With the Hall of Jade Ripples, Kunming Lake, the Hall of Benevolence & Longevity, the Hall of Joyful Longevity, and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, the Summer Palace has something for everyone. It’s recommended that you travel by bus or subway to the grounds. Once you arrive, you’ll have to pay an admission fee, depending on how many people come along for the travel experience. Either way, you’ll have a blast at the Summer Palace in China!

Summer Palace, China. Photo: R924 via Flickr

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Ireland

Powerscourt Estate and Gardens in Ireland is such a joy to see. With over 45 acres of gardens to explore, you’ll be surprised at every corner. The landscape separates gardens by theme: the Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, the Pets Cemetery, Tower Valley, a Statuary, and an entire section dedicated to species of trees. There’s plenty to experience at this travel wonder in Enniskerry, a place where you’ll never stop discovering new beauty.

Powerscourt Estate. Photo: William Murphy via Flickr

The gardens at Powerscourt Estate are open daily (except on Christmas and December 26) to travelers who come to Ireland to see its gorgeous landscapes. From 9:30AM-5:30PM, you’ll have the entire day to explore what the estate has to offer. Other than its gardens, the estate also offers ballrooms, terrace cafés, waterfalls, pavilions, and a river walk! Travel to Ireland to start this travel adventure to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world!

Powerscourt Estate Grounds. Photo: Barbara y Eugenio via Flickr

Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C., United States

Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. is nature at its most glorious. With over 50 acres of stunning landscape to travel past, this American garden will carry you to royalty. The grounds include the South Lawn, the Orangery (a small greenhouse that’s one of the oldest structures still standing), and the Grassy Garden (a green terrace that offers amazing panoramic views of the estate and of the surrounding area). Dumbarton Oaks is perfection in nature.

Dumbarton Oaks Grounds. Photo: Elvert Barnes via Flickr

The gardens are currently closed for renovations and advancements and will open again March of 2018; however, you’ll still be able to visit its museum, putting this travel site on your list for future garden exploring. The museum is open from 11:30AM to 5:30PM and has free admission. So, travel to the United States for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!

Dumbarton Oaks in Autumn. Photo: DC Gardens via Flickr

Sans Souci, Potsdam, Germany

The Sans Souci gardens and grounds in Potsdam, Germany is one of the most magical travel destinations. First constructed at the orders of Frederick the Great in 1744 for figs, wine, and plums, the gardens have a rich history. The grounds were later expanded and made available to the public in 1927. This natural wonder can now be shared with everyone who travels to Europe to see its hidden treasures. With baroque gardens, fountains, statues, the orangery, and baths, Sans Souci is a place like no other.

Sans Souci, Germany. Photo: mariaflorine via Flickr

Sans Souci is the most-visited travel attraction in Potsdam. Once you’re here, you can see the Palace Sans Souci or stroll past the Ruinenberg or leisurely promenade through the Sicilian and the Nordic gardens. The Marly Garden contrasts with Friedensgarten, the first that has blossoming shrubs and vibrant flowers, the other that offers a more somber atmosphere of the grounds. Whichever gardens you choose to explore, the Sans Souci is amazing at every turn. Travel to Germany to see it up close for some Instagram-worthy photos!

Sans Souci Garden Grounds. Photo: Wolfgang Staudt via Flickr

Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada

Butchart Gardens in Canada are said to be one of the world’s premier flower displays, with travelers coming back every season and every year to see them again! With the Sunken Garden, the Concert Lawn Walk, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, and the Mediterranean Garden, the grounds have so many natural wonders to experience on your travels that it’s hard to choose. You’ll be blown away at its flora collections.

Butchart Grounds. Photo: Rie H via Flickr

The Rose Garden is the most popular at Butchart. Near the Concert Lawn, rose-laden arches will greet you with bright, vibrant colors and luscious, natural scents that remind you of a perfect summer day. This garden specifically has an extensive collection of ramblers, climbers, Hybrid Tea Roses, and floribundas. You’ll be able to walk the pleasant walkways to discover the frog fountain and even a wishing well. So, travel to Canada to make your wishes come true and see one of the most gorgeous gardens in the world!