15 of the Top-Rated Garden Tours, According to Viator Travelers

Nothing screams “The Netherlands!” like tulips and windmills, so combine these two Dutch delights on a day trip to Keukenhof Gardens and Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.

Close to 7 million flower bulbs, including about 800 varieties of tulip, are planted every year at the enormous Keukenhof Gardens, and between mid-March and mid-May it becomes a sea of color.

What one reviewer said: “From start to finish, a wonderful day! Our tour guides, Diana and Denis, were excellent and kept us all entertained and well informed during the bus ride. [...] We hit Keukenhof at the perfect time and everything was in full bloom. Just breathtaking.” Colleen_T, April 2026

While many visitors to Paris head to the Palace of Versailles, some treat Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles) as an afterthought. Big mistake, huge! The vast gardens were thoroughly renovated in the late-17th century, and despite years of French royal upheaval, they still largely maintain King Louis XIV’s vision.

Leave plenty of time to stroll past the baroque canals, statues, fountains, geometrically shaped hedges and lawns. Skip-the-line entry to Versailles is ideal for maximizing time at what might be one of the best garden experiences around the world.

What one reviewer said: “Wonderful, immersive experience with a patient guide that answered all our questions. Stunning palace and incredible gardens. I could have spent two days exploring the gardens.” Michelle_D, April 2026

You don’t need to be an art historian to be familiar with Claude Monet’s waterlilies, and you can see the gardens that inspired them on a trip to Giverny from Paris.

This top-rated garden tour takes you to the small village of Giverny, to see where the French impressionist painter lived and worked for more than 40 years. A day of quiet contemplation in the beautiful gardens may even inspire your own masterpiece.

What one reviewer said: “Etienne was our tour [guide] and he was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. It was a small group tour and he answered all of our questions. I highly recommend the tour. Giverny and the Monet house and gardens are the best I have seen.” Allen_M, April 2026

London’s Kew Gardens is a UNESCO–listed World Heritage Site thanks to its contribution to the study of ecology and botany since the 18th century. There’s a lot to explore here, including a treetop walkway, Victorian glasshouses, and a fantastic children’s garden.

Secure your admission ticket in advance to wander the vast grounds at your own pace—you can easily spend a day among the trees, plants, and blooms.

What one reviewer said: “Beautiful day to walk in a garden and to see Henry’s castle. Wear your walking shoes because there is a lot of ground to cover, and bring water! We decided that if we lived near this garden, we would buy a year round pass.” Joanie_M, April 2026

London’s part Tudor, part baroque Hampton Court Palace was home to the notorious King Henry VIII in the 16th century. Nowadays, the whole palace complex is a delight for history enthusiasts, one which can be explored on a guided Hampton Court Palace tour.

Families especially enjoy the Hampton Court Maze within the gardens, which is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the UK. It’s full of hilarious twists and dead ends but only takes around 20 minutes to complete.

What one reviewer said: “We had a very rewarding guided tour at Hampton Court Palace. Sheila was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and even though our group consisted of people from different generations with varying levels of interest in history, everyone enjoyed the tour.” Sanna_R, March 2026

While many formal gardens around the world try to imitate the elegance of Italian Renaissance gardens, few live up to the grandeur of the real thing, of which Villa d’Este in Tivoli is the perfect example.

Laid out on slopes and terraces, highlights include the fountains and water features. Plus, it’s an easy day trip from Rome.

What one reviewer said: “This was one of the highlights of my trip! Alicia was a fantastic guide. She was so engaging and knowledgeable about the places we went and the area as a whole. I really loved her energy and storytelling style. I also enjoyed the flow of the tour itself, and it made me want to spend more time in Tivoli.” Jennifer_S, April 2026

The Majorelle Garden in Marrakech was bought by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, but it was originally owned by landscape painter Jacques Majorelle. The vivid blue art deco studio home at the garden’s center houses the Berber Museum, while the gardens outside contain hundreds of species of cacti from all over the world.

Naturally, it’s one of Morocco’s most famous garden tours, so buy combo tickets to the museum and gardens in advance to save time.

What one reviewer said: “It was an excellent trip and a convenient way to visit the museums and gardens. Our driver was punctual and polite and picked us up at our hotel. It was a hot day and the gardens and the museums were very busy.” Gerry_G, February 2026

If you can’t make it to North Africa or the Middle East but have a fascination with perfectly geometric Islamic gardens, don’t overlook Spain. The 13th-century Alhambra and Generalife Gardens in Granada were built by the Nasrids, the last Islamic dynasty to rule the Iberian Peninsula.

Here, admire the exquisite courtyards, orchards, fountains, canals, and viewpoints on a guided tour that'll help streamline your visit to this very popular attraction.

What one reviewer said: “The tour was fantastic. It's a long half day but worth every minute. Our guide, Antonio, was excellent and very attentive to each member of our group. The pace was very good and allowed us to see everything we needed to see.” Nicole_B, April 2026

Table Mountain provides a beautiful backdrop for the South African city of Cape Town, and beneath the mountain’s eastern slopes sits the scenic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. With hiking trails through collections of thousands of southern African plants, Kirstenbosch is one of the top garden tours for nature lovers.

The garden is outside central Cape Town, so taking a guided tour—especially one that includes other area highlights, such as the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and penguin colonies—offers welcome convenience.

What one reviewer said: “We had an amazing Cape Peninsula tour today with Tania and couldn’t recommend it more! [...] The journey was very comfortable and relaxed, and Tania shared fascinating facts about the area—it felt like she knew something interesting about every street we passed. [...] One of the highlights was seeing wild ostriches on a beautiful beach, and we were the only people there.” Kay_W, March 2026

San Diego’s Balboa Park is a major destination in the Southern Californian city, as it’s home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, plus museums, gardens, and other attractions.

Taking a guided tour is a convenient way to navigate the huge park, or you can wander the many impressive garden areas on your own, including a cactus garden, medicinal plant garden, rose garden, and butterfly garden (which, incidentally, used to be a nudist colony).

What one reviewer said: “We very much enjoyed the Balboa tour. Jennifer was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. The speed of tour allowed us all to enjoy the tour and no one was left out.” Stacey_J, March 2026

The Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, are delightful year-round: Admire colorful flowers in spring and summer, the changing leaves in fall, and the Japanese-inspired gardens in winter.

While Victoria is a worthwhile travel destination in its own right, many people visit the city, and the Butchart Gardens, on handy day trips from nearby Vancouver or Seattle.

What one reviewer said: “Tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming, and funny! If you want to experience Vancouver Island, this is a tour for you.” Rosemary_p, April 2026

Singapore is one of many cities around the world nicknamed “The Garden City,” and it’s easy to see why at Gardens by the Bay. Tropical plants flourish in Singapore’s tropical climate—and futuristic “Supertrees” blend right into the super-sized cityscape.

While it’s free to visit many parts of the gardens, admission to the greenhouse domes, OCBC Skyway, and some other attractions is ticketed, so simplify your entry with pre-purchased tickets.

What one reviewer said: “We visited Gardens by the Bay and the best experience was the Jurassic Park section with moving dinosaur models set in a rainforest.” Brian_C, March 2026

Hear us out: The Hobbiton Movie Set™ on New Zealand’s North Island might not technically be a garden, but it really is. The faux English-country-village film set is where parts of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed, and all Tolkien fans should visit.

The vegetable gardens here are tended by real gardeners, who get to take the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor home with them. Explore them on a full-day tour from Auckland.

What one reviewer said: “This trip was great! I liked that we didn’t have to worry about car rentals or driving on the left side of the road (which is nervewracking for me). [...] We loved the caves and loved Hobbiton! The driver was very friendly and entertaining.” Angela_S, April 2026

It doesn’t take long for visitors to Japan to encounter a formal Japanese garden—they’re attached to almost every shrine and temple. However, traditional Japanese garden landscaping has its own vocabulary and symbolism.

Gain a better understanding of these aesthetics on a dedicated tour of some of Tokyo’s top gardens, including the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, Shinjuku Park, Ueno Park, and more.

What one reviewer said: “My husband and I enjoyed a full day tour with Noripy. She was outstanding, [...] professional, pleasant, patient, and kind. Along the way, she provided information and insight info Japanese history and culture. She knew that we wanted to see cherry blossoms, and [...] took us to places where some of the later-blooming varieties were still beautiful.” Sherri_W, April 2026

You don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth to find a stunning garden: the Longwood Gardens, outside Philadelphia, has been ranked among the world’s most beautiful gardens. Unlike some gardens that only come into their own in certain seasons, Longwood is wonderful year-round thanks to its glasshouses.

The orchid garden is an especially good place to shelter from Philly’s frigid winter. Take a guided tour (subject to seasonal availability) to simplify your travel from the city.

What one reviewer said: “The conservatory was a welcome refuge from the freezing weather. See the organ and the singing quartet there but enjoy the beautiful outdoor displays too. Scooters are based on availability, but you can usually get one. Tour guide Marty went above and beyond.” Susan_S, December 2024