The two Oriental plane trees at the entrance are over 400 years old and measure over 5 meters in diameter.
It served as the primary filming location for the 'King's Landing' palace gardens in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
The garden was established by the noble Gozze (Gučetić) family, who required all captains of their ships to return with seeds and plants from their voyages.
The 18th-century aqueduct that supplies the Neptune fountain is still partially functional.
The arboretum includes a unique collection of rare plants like the giant sequoia and various species of bamboo.
It contains a fully restored Renaissance villa, a chapel, and an olive mill.
The site was once a center for humanistic intellectuals who gathered at the villa during the Renaissance.
A significant portion of the garden was damaged by forest fires in 2000, leading to a long-term replanting project.
Trsteno Arboretum is the oldest Renaissance botanical garden in the Adriatic, dating back to 1492. It is situated on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, surrounding a historic 15th-century summer villa built by the Gozze family. The grounds house a massive collection of exotic trees and plants gathered by ship captains from across the globe over centuries. A central feature is the 18th-century Baroque fountain depicting Neptune surrounded by nymphs. The estate covers 25 hectares, blending structured gardens with a managed forest preserve. It was heavily damaged during the 1991 Croatian War of Independence but has since undergone extensive restoration. The site is a protected monument of garden architecture. It serves as a living museum of Mediterranean and exotic flora, including plane trees that are over 400 years old.
The elevated stone terrace overlooking the Neptune fountain with the Adriatic Sea visible in the background.
Wear sturdy walking shoes as the terrain is steep and features uneven gravel paths.
Bring water, as there are limited facilities once you descend toward the coastal cliffs.
Plan for significant uphill walking when returning from the lower garden areas to the entrance.
Avoid visiting during the peak heat of mid-afternoon in July and August, as the garden offers limited shade in the lower sections.
Stick to marked paths to protect sensitive vegetation; climbing on stone structures is prohibited.
