Biennale Gardens

Heart of La Biennale

Venice's earliest public gardens, now the main stage for La Biennale di Venezia's celebrated international exhibitions of art and culture.

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Giardini Biennale

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What makes this place special

A first for Venice

Napoleon created the gardens by draining a marshy area, marking the creation of Venice's first public green space.

30 national pavilions

The gardens are home to 30 national pavilions, which form the central hub of the Biennale's exhibition grounds. Set among the greenery, they are mostly located inland, away from the lagoon. The pavilion area is open to visitors with a valid Biennale ticket during the exhibition, but closed outside the Biennale dates.

Waterfront greenery and views

The strip along the lagoon, extending toward Via Garibaldi, is always open to the public. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views across the San Marco Basin, with Venice's landmarks stretching across the water and beautiful sunsets over the lagoon.

A place to recharge

Shaded paths and benches offer a welcome chance to rest your feet after exploring Venice, especially if you've walked all the way along the Riva degli Schiavoni to get here.

Biennale Gardens : And the wide paths contrast with the city's narrow alleys.

Discover more about Biennale Gardens through 12 photos with explanations.

Open gallery

What to experience here

Explore the Biennale pavilions if you're interested in art, architecture, and international culture.
Take a break from Venice's bustle in the shade of the gardens.
Walk along the waterfront for open views across the lagoon, especially beautiful around sunset.

Getting to the Gardens

Coming from St. Mark's Square, follow Riva degli Schiavoni all the way along the shore until you reach the Gardens.

Riva degli Schiavoni : At its eastern end, the promenade remains wide, but it has significantly fewer people

It's a rewarding walk, with sights and lagoon views unfolding along the way, many of which we cover in our full guide to the Riva.

Riva degli Schiavoni : full guide

If a 30-minute walk feels too far, or you'd rather avoid a stretch that's fully exposed to the sun, you can always hop on a vaporetto and get off at the 'Giardini' stop.

Vaporetto : how to use it

Don't miss La Partigiana

Before leaving the waterfront, look for La Partigiana, a haunting bronze tribute to Venetian partisans executed by the Nazis during World War II.

Biennale Gardens : Before leaving the waterfront, look for 'La Partigiana': a haunting bronze tribute to Venetian partisans executed during WWII.

The statue depicts a lifeless woman with her hands still tied, resting on an irregular concrete base designed by Carlo Scarpa.

As the tide rises and falls, the figure is alternately submerged and revealed by the lagoon.

La Partigiana : view location

Visit the Biennale

La Biennale is one of Venice's most important international cultural events, bringing together six disciplines: art, architecture, cinema, theatre, music, and dance.

Biennale Gardens : The entrance to the central pavilion during the 2022 Biennale.

The International Art Exhibition and International Architecture Exhibition alternate between even and odd years, while the Biennale's other four events take place annually.

They are held at different times throughout the year, with the major Art and Architecture exhibitions typically running from late April to November.

Together, they bring exhibitions, performances, screenings, and other cultural events to venues across Venice, including the 30 national pavilions in the Giardini.

Some of these pavilions have a long and sometimes controversial history, such as the Russian pavilion, which dates back to 1914.

Biennale Gardens : Built in 1914, the historic Russian pavilion has survived the fall of empires, the Cold War, and modern-day strikes, standing today as the most enduringly controversial pavilion

Early-bird tickets are usually available until the end of March at a discounted price.

Go a little bit further

If you've made it this far, cross the Rio dei Giardini to reach another tranquil waterfront park, where umbrella pines give the landscape a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

Parco delle Rimembranze : The park is characterized by its unique umbrella pine trees, which offer a shaded retreat in the midst of a bustling urban setting

Parco delle Rimembranze offers a glimpse of everyday Venetian life, along with plenty of greenery and shade.

Traveling with younger kids? They'll also find a large playground here, perhaps one of the best-equipped in the city.

Parco delle Rimembranze : And one of the city's best-equipped playgrounds, with more swings and fun beyond what you see in the photo.

Your questions, answered

Common questions about visiting Biennale Gardens, answered to help you plan your visit.

Are the gardens worth visiting outside of the Biennale?

Yes. Many visitors don't realize that trees are actually quite rare in Venice. Visiting a park like the Giardini, or the nearby Parco delle Rimembranze, is a great way to reconnect with nature. In summer, the shade is especially welcome, and the sunsets truly fabulous.

Can I visit the Giardini for free?

Yes. The public gardens along the waterfront are free to visit year-round. However, the fenced Biennale area and access to the pavilions require a ticket during the Biennale period (usually from late April to November). Some pavilion exteriors can still be seen from outside the ticketed area, for example the Russian pavilion with its interesting architecture.