Thing to do
Trastevere
Rome's 13th rione, across the Tiber from the centre, is a web of cobbled lanes, ancient churches and trattorias that comes alive in the evening.
Giardino degli Aranci
Officially Parco Savello, this small orange-tree garden on the Aventine Hill was laid out in 1932 and offers one of Rome's best free panoramas.
At a glance
- Type
- Viewpoint garden
- Area
- Aventino, Rome, Italy
- Official site
- turismoroma.it
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Free entry
- Panoramic terrace
- Orange trees
Why we recommend it
Laid out in 1932 by Raffaele De Vico on the site of a medieval Savelli family fortress, the Giardino degli Aranci is a compact garden of bitter orange trees on the Aventine Hill. A central avenue leads to a terrace with a wide view across the Tiber to Trastevere, the domes of the centre and St Peter's on the skyline.
It sits beside the early Christian basilica of Santa Sabina, worth a few minutes for its carved wooden doors. Continue a short walk along Via di Santa Sabina to Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, where visitors queue to peer through the famous keyhole that frames St Peter's dome. Sunset is the most atmospheric time, though also the busiest; the climb from Circo Massimo metro takes around 15 minutes.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Giardino degli Aranci FAQs
Is the Giardino degli Aranci free?
Yes, it is a public garden with free entry.
What is nearby?
The basilica of Santa Sabina is next door, and the Knights of Malta keyhole is a short walk along the hill.