Giardino degli Aranci — Attraction in Rome

This is one of the hidden gems within Rome. Even people visiting one of the best preserved Romesque churches from the 10th Century- the Basilica of San Saba easily miss it. There is a gate opening to the main road leading up to San Saba and another from the side adjacent to the church next to a large travertine Roman bathtub beneath an open water spot gurgling away. This area is very quiet and peaceful. The small park at first looks like any other with evenly spaced benches beneath tall pine trees. The entire walkway, as with all sensitive archaeological grounds is paved with limestone pebbles. Along the paths there are flower and orange bushes. At the end of the garden is a panoramic view of Rome. This viewing spot is one of the best in the historic centre bec it gives a snapshot of some of Rome's most ancient sites. Panning out from the extreme left you see the Ponte Sublico or the 'Pons Sublicius' supposedly, location of the first bridge in ancient Rome across the Tiber. Panning to the extreme right you see the Ponte Palatino or 'Pons Palatinus' standing next to the sole surviving arch of the ancient 'Pons Aemilianus' although the current ruin is a result of restorations going back to the 16th Century. In between you can't miss the dome of St. Peter's and rising up in front across the Tiber, the Gianicolo or ancient Janiculum Hill. To the right and beyond the Palatino bridge you can see ancient Tiber Island or Isola Tiberina. Standing here and looking down at the ancient Tiber winding upstream one is reminded of being atop one of Rome's oldest and most fashionable hills - The Aventine. If you want to avoid the crowds the best time is noon or if you want, late afternoon to enjoy the sunset albeit with couples and tourists. This location, with it's view overlooking a part of ancient Rome, the brickwork of San Saba rising behind the park and the solitude of the place makes for a special place to sit and ponder the vagaries of time. There is usually a busker present near the viewing point and the combination of views and some music go well together. It is easy to lose track of time at Giardino degli Arancia. It is best enjoyed after a visit to the silently...

Attention Thefts here. We arrived at this park because of the good reviews and we had a couple of hours to fill before we could check into our hotel. We parked on the street and paid for parking in a very nice looking area. The views were lovely and the Basilica was very pretty.

Then as we explored we saw garbage, human and dog waste everywhere! The orange trees were diseased as well. There were no washrooms and only a food truck. We came back to our closed locked car to find out the back window was smashed in and our backpack with over $400 of items ( not cash) was stolen from the trunk. We had our passports and money with us. More would have been taken if a Good Samaritan local hadn’t stopped these thieves in the broad daylight at 12pm. The police were already called.

Foolish us had even bought a parking ticket to let the thieves know we were to be gone 1.5 hours. When we went to the police station, 2 others ahead of us had the same if not worse experience. A young Norwegian male student had his passport stollen. I looked back and found this review 2 years ago. The city administration needs to stop this unnecessary harm to tourists who support their economy. 2 years ago “Attention, thefts in cars continuously, they have always been breaking the windows of the cars for a very long time now, but despite all the complaints, there are no checks.” Translated by Google·See original (Italian)

We have been all over Italy for 2weeks, in trains , boats and car and are seasoned travellers , seniors and took many precautions to avoid theft and pickpockets. We didn’t expect this!...

Finding the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) was a bit of a challenge, but it was absolutely worth the effort. Nestled atop the Aventine Hill, this tranquil park feels like a hidden gem in the heart of Rome. Unlike the city’s more crowded attractions, this spot offers a peaceful retreat with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

The garden itself is small but beautifully maintained, with charming orange trees and neatly arranged paths. It’s a perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Rome, surrounded by locals enjoying quiet moments. The highlight, of course, is the terrace at the far end of the park. From there, you can admire a stunning view of St. Peter’s Basilica and the rooftops of Rome, especially magical at sunset.

One of the best things about Giardino degli Aranci is that it remains relatively undiscovered by tourists, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a more intimate and serene experience.

Tip: If you’re visiting, pair it with a walk to the nearby Keyhole of Rome on the Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta. It’s another hidden gem, offering a perfectly framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica through the keyhole of...