Updated October 22, 2026
If you're in Rome this fall, you're in luck. The city's Rose Garden, the Roseto Comunale, opens again for its autumn bloom from October 25 to November 8, 2026. It's open every day from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and just like in the spring, it's free.
A lot of visitors only know about the spring season, so this short fall window is easy to miss. John and I visited in late spring, about a week before it closed for the season.
Late spring is a beautiful time to visit Rome, for the gorgeous weather and also because it’s not quite yet the full-blown tourist season. And there is also a very special treat - for only a few weeks each spring, the Rome Rose Garden is open to the public and is an oasis in the heart of the city. It’s an easy visit and it’s free.
There is just something about late May and June that I adore. School’s out, summer is just waking up, days are getting longer and joy is in the air. We have happy graduates and cookouts honoring dads. The planets are lining up in the sky, and the earth is getting ready to balance on its end for the Summer Solstice. Strawberries are in season, fireflies are starting to dance their nightly love tango, and all seems to be right with the natural world.
And of course, there are the roses.
Late spring is the time for roses everywhere, from the White House gardens to bridal bouquets, but nobody does it quite like Rome. During this beautiful season, there just seem to be blooms of all kinds everywhere; lemon and orange tree blossoms, brilliant vermillion roadside poppies, and the Roses of the Roman Rose Garden are on full display for a tiny window of time like a fragrant breeze through this hot, vibrant, busy city.
| Rome Rose Garden Quick FactsUpdated for fall 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Cost | FREENo reservation needed |
| Fall 2026 | October 25 to November 8, daily 8:30 am to 5:30 pm |
| Spring season | Usually mid April to mid June, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm |
| Address | Via di Valle Murcia 6 (second entrance at Clivo dei Publicii 3) |
| Metro | Circo Massimo, Line B |
| Guided tours | Free. Book ahead at rosetoromacapitale@comune.roma.it or 06 5746810 |
| Official info | Turismo Roma |
Roses - an Italian tradition
Along with the lily, the rose has long been a favorite in Italy. Red roses often symbolize love and passion, while white can signify new beginnings; yellow for friendship, and pink for grace and admiration. Italians often give roses in odd numbers; except for the number 12, which is meant to be for marriage and lasting relationships. And show me a group of Italian women, and I’d bet that at least some of them have “Rose” in their name in some form. Italians do love their roses.
Visiting the Rome Rose Garden (The Roseto Comunale)
And so in tribute to this longtime love of roses, Rome's municipal rose garden, or Roseto Comunale, is located on the eastern side of the Aventine Hill, overlooking the Circus Maximus.
Entry is free, and you don't need a reservation. The catch is timing, since the garden only opens twice a year. The spring season traditionally starts on April 21, the birthday of ancient Rome, and runs until mid June. In 2026 it opened a little early, on April 11, and closed June 14.
Then the gates close again until the fall bloom. The autumn opening usually lasts about two weeks between late October and early November. For 2026 it runs October 25 to November 8.
The Rome Rose Garden boasts over 1,100 varieties of roses, many of them gifts from countries all around the world. The site was once Rome's Jewish cemetery, which moved to the Verano monumental cemetery in 1934.
Rome's first public rose garden was on the Oppian Hill near the Colosseum. It was the idea of an American, Countess Mary Gayley Senni, who loved roses and convinced the city to create one in 1932. That garden was destroyed during World War II. In 1950 the city brought the tradition back here on the Aventine.
As a thank you to the Jewish community, for allowing the once sacred land to be used for this purpose, a stele was placed at the entrance of the garden in memory of its origin, and the paths that divide the flower beds are arranged in the shape of the menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum, a symbol of Judaism.
The garden is divided into two sections: the higher section features a collection of classic specimens while the lower garden contains the roses reserved for the Premio Roma, a prestigious international contest.
The upper section opens first. The lower section, where the Premio Roma competition roses grow, opens after the judging in mid to late May.
The park also has an experimental section where new varieties of roses are grown and tested for their suitability for public and private gardens in Italy.
If you're lucky enough, as we were, to be in Rome during the spring season, the garden is usually open from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm. In the fall the days are shorter, so it closes at 5:30 pm. Hours can change from year to year, so check the Turismo Roma page before you go.
Located on Via di Valle Murcia 6, on the eastern side of the Aventine Hill, the Roseto Comunale is near the Circo Massimo stop on the Metro B line.
It was a nice break for us after several busy days of sightseeing in the bustling city of Rome, dodging cars and mixing in crowds.
Visiting the Rome Rose Garden in the Fall
The fall season is short, only about two weeks. Some roses bloom a second time once the weather cools, especially the old garden roses, tea roses and China roses. The wild roses also produce colorful rose hips this time of year, which you won't see in May.
The city offers free guided tours during the fall opening too. You'll need to book ahead by emailing rosetoromacapitale@comune.roma.it or calling 06 5746810. The announcement didn't list tour times, so ask when you book.
Looking for other things to do in Rome? Here are a few blog posts we’ve written about things to do in Rome
Circus Maximus
We took the train to Circus Maximus, and walked over to the Rose Garden. We’d seen our share of ruins at that point, but I was still glad to get a look at the Circus, which was the largest stadium in ancient Rome and built for chariot races.
We also got a great view across to the Palatine Hill, where the emperors once built their palaces. It was nice to view these impressive sights in a kind of casual way, and try to comprehend their age and history, while still having something else on the agenda to do. I’m not sure we would have made a special trip there otherwise, honestly, so it was a good excuse to go.
There was a guitarist playing sweet harmonics as we arrived in the garden and the air was beautifully scented. It definitely felt like a special place, a relaxing respite, especially knowing that would only be open for another week or so. A lovely hidden gem. We arrived at a good time of day, before dinner, when it wasn’t too hot.
This also combined nicely with an evening in the Trastevere section of Rome. It was only a short walk over the Tiber River into Trastevere, where we had dinner at Sette Oche in Altalena Pizzeria (Seven Geese on a Swing - !!!). Quiet, and with far fewer cars and noise than central Rome, Trastevere blessed us with a gentle evening to end a very active trip and we welcomed it, toasting our adventures with refreshing house wine and committing to our memories the very lovely and fleeting roses of Rome.
What to see nearby
The Rose Garden is easy to pair with a couple of other stops on the Aventine Hill. The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) is a short walk uphill and has a lovely free view over the city. Just past it is the famous Knights of Malta keyhole, where you can peek through a door and see the dome of St. Peter's perfectly framed.
Or do what we did and walk down to the river and over into Trastevere for dinner.
Rome Rose Garden FAQs
Is the Rome Rose Garden free?
Yes! Entry is free for everyone, and you don't need a reservation. Even the guided tours are free, though you do need to book those ahead.
When is the Rome Rose Garden open?
It opens twice a year. In spring it usually opens in mid to late April and closes in mid June. In the fall it opens for about two weeks. In 2026 the fall dates are October 25 to November 8, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Are the roses blooming in the fall?
Many of them are. Some roses bloom again when the weather cools, especially the older varieties, tea roses and China roses. You'll also see colorful rose hips on the wild roses.
How do I get to the Rome Rose Garden?
Take Metro Line B to Circo Massimo. From there it's a short walk to the entrance at Via di Valle Murcia 6. There's also a second entrance at Clivo dei Publicii 3.
Is the Rome Rose Garden worth visiting?
We thought so. It's not a big garden, so it doesn't take long to see, and it was a peaceful break after several busy days of sightseeing. If you're already near the Circus Maximus, it's an easy stop to add.
About the Authors
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John and Debbie O'Boyle are the team behind The Empty Nest Explorers. John is a professional photographer whose work has been published by The New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers, has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team, and has received two New York Emmy nominations. Debbie is a writer and photographer with 30+ years of experience, formerly with The Star-Ledger and NJ.com. Together, they create in-depth travel guides for couples and empty-nest travelers who want to make the most of every destination. |
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