A Guide to Royal Gardens Around the World
From Versailles to Kyoto, royal gardens have long reflected the power, taste, and legacy of dynasties past. These spaces are not only beautiful—they tell stories of empires, art, architecture, and horticultural innovation. Here’s your guide to some of the most iconic royal gardens across the globe.
🇫🇷 Versailles Gardens – France
Location: Versailles, near Paris
Era: 17th century, under Louis XIV
Style: French formal garden (Jardin à la française)
Highlights:
Grand Canal and fountains powered by hidden hydraulic systems
Mythological statues and ornate parterres
Best viewed from the Hall of Mirrors for a majestic panorama
Tip: Visit during the Grandes Eaux (musical fountain shows) for a glimpse of the gardens as they were meant to be experienced.
🇬🇧 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – United Kingdom
Location: London
Founded: 1759
Style: Botanical garden with royal patronage
Highlights:
Temperate House – the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse
Japanese garden and Pagoda
UNESCO World Heritage status
Fun Fact: Though not a palace garden per se, Kew was royal property and is now a scientific haven with over 50,000 living plants.
🇯🇵 Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens – Japan
Location: Kyoto
Era: Edo period
Style: Japanese strolling garden
Highlights:
Carefully placed stones, bridges, and seasonal flora
Calm reflective ponds and ancient cherry trees
Home to traditional tea houses and sacred architecture
Cultural Insight: Japanese imperial gardens emphasize harmony, asymmetry, and the changing seasons.
🇦🇹 Schönbrunn Palace Gardens – Austria
Location: Vienna
Era: 18th century
Style: Baroque
Highlights:
The Gloriette overlooking the gardens
Neptune Fountain and maze
Palm House with exotic flora
Royal Tidbit: These gardens were the summer playground of Empress Maria Theresa and her court.
🇮🇳 Shalimar Bagh – India
Location: Srinagar, Kashmir
Built By: Mughal Emperor Jahangir (1619)
Style: Persian-Mughal garden (Charbagh)
Highlights:
Terraced layout with cascading water channels
Chinar trees and serene pavilions
Set beside Dal Lake with mountain views
Mystique: Known as the “abode of love,” it was a romantic gift from Jahangir to his wife, Nur Jahan.
🇨🇳 Summer Palace Gardens – China
Location: Beijing
Era: Qing Dynasty (18th century)
Style: Chinese imperial garden
Highlights:
Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill
Long Corridor painted with thousands of scenes
Secluded temples, bridges, and pagodas
Philosophy: Designed as a retreat to mimic natural landscapes in miniature—balance, symbolism, and tranquility at the forefront.
🇪🇸 Royal Palace of Aranjuez Gardens – Spain
Location: Aranjuez, near Madrid
Era: 16th–18th centuries
Style: Renaissance and Baroque blend
Highlights:
Island Garden (Jardín de la Isla) flanked by the Tagus River
Prince’s Garden (Jardín del Príncipe) with exotic trees
Musical fountains and ornate sculptures
Legacy: Declared a Cultural Landscape by UNESCO for its blend of architecture and nature.
🇲🇦 Agdal and Menara Gardens – Morocco
Location: Marrakech
Era: Almohad dynasty (12th century)
Style: Islamic garden
Highlights:
Reflecting pools and olive groves
Irrigation system (khettara) still in use
Atlas Mountains in the background
Spiritual Note: Islamic gardens often symbolize paradise—a sacred space of order, reflection, and abundance.
Travel Tips:
Many royal gardens have specific blooming seasons—check the timing for cherry blossoms, tulips, or fall colors.
Early morning visits usually offer the best light and fewest crowds.
Guided tours often provide fascinating historical context, especially in larger estates like Versailles or Beijing’s Summer Palace.
