The Giardino Bardini occupies a steep hillside above the Oltrarno, rising from Via dei Bardi to the walls of Forte di Belvedere. Stefano Bardini, the great antique dealer, acquired and restored the garden in the early 20th century, adding a long wisteria-covered pergola that erupts in purple in late April. The terraced layout, with baroque stairways, fountains, and a 19th-century English landscape section at the top, offers multiple viewpoints over the Arno and the city.
The Bardini Gardens connect to the Boboli Gardens and are covered by the same combined ticket — which makes them excellent value, since visitor numbers here are a fraction of Boboli. The garden also contains a small villa with periodic art exhibitions, and a café near the upper terrace. Spring (wisteria) and autumn are the best times to visit; in summer the terraces bake in the afternoon sun, so aim for a morning visit.