3 stunning Islamic gardens

Islamic gardens are designed for rest and contemplation, which makes them peaceful havens in some of the world’s busiest cities. So — in search of some quiet reflection in stunning surroundings — we’ve rounded up five of the world’s most stunning Islamic gardens.

Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, Pakistan

Just like the secret gardens from children’s literature, the intricately carved high walls surrounding the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore make the visitor feel like they are entering a hidden world. Inside the walls the rectangle-shaped gardens were designed to recreate the Persian concept of a paradise garden. The gardens are laid out in three descending terraces, from north to south, and the symmetry present in Islamic architecture can also be seen in the 410 fountains and carefully cultivated fruit trees that sweetly scent the air. Spend your time in Lahore at Luxus Grand Hotel, a building almost as beautiful and serene as the gardens themselves.

Alcázar of Seville in Seville, Spain

The Islamic fortress of the Alhambra in Granada includes some of Europe’s best known Islamic gardens, but the less-well-known gardens at Alcázar of Seville are mesmerising in their own right. Built by the Moorish Muslim kings, today the Alcázar of Seville is considered to be one of the world’s most impressive examples of Mudéjar architecture. The palace’s pleasure gardens replicate many of the architectural flourishes seen inside the structure, with the interior’s highly detailed mosaics mimicked by the carefully designed flower bed and cascading fountains. And it’s not quite a royal residence but you can wake up with a view of the equally impressive Seville Cathedral by checking into the Puerta Catedral Suites.

Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The stories swirling around the incomplete Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka include tales of lost loves, thwarted dreams, and underground tunnels that swallowed a troop of British soldiers, some dogs and an elephant before being sealed for good. While there’s more than enough to entertain history fans, the fort’s intricately mosaiced paths, verdant lawns, beautiful roof-top garden and elaborate water fountains have been attracting aesthetes for centuries. There are plenty of places to stay near the fort but many visitors choose to stay at the Lakeshore Banani, in the North of Dhaka, and to drive to Lalbagh Fort along the Hatir Jheel river.