The spectacular Ninfa Gardens south of Rome reopen to the public on 31 March, Easter Sunday, after their annual winter closure. The gardens can be visited on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month from April to October; on the third Sunday in April, May and June; and on the first Sunday in November, after which they close again for winter. 

Situated 70 km south-east of Rome near Sermoneta at the foot of the Lepini mountains, the town of Ninfa is home to one of Italy’s most popular gardens. Belonging to the Caetani family since the 14th century, the site was abandoned in 1382 but in 1922 Lelia Caetani, the last descendant of the Caetani family, and her husband Hubert Howard, began to create the garden as it is today. Over 10,000 shrubs, plants and flowering trees from all over the world grow among the mediaeval ruins, while the river Ninfa forms a lake in the garden. 

The gardens are open 09.00-12.00 and 14.30-18.00 until the end of June, while from July to September the opening hours are 09.00-12.00/ 15.00-18.30. No pre-booking is required for public openings but it is advisable to check the website in advance of your visit as the gardens are sometimes closed due to bad weather. Entrance contributions €10.

For further information contact the Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Latina, Via Duca del Mare 19, Latina, tel. 0773695404 or the porter’s lodge at Rome's Palazzo Caetani, Via delle Botteghe Oscure 32, tel. 066873056.