Borghese Gallery Rome – Tickets and Guide
Borghese Gallery Rome – Tickets and Guide
Tourist Information for visiting the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese Rome
The Borghese Gallery Rome is an art museum located within the Villa Borghese Pinciana containing twenty rooms spread across two floors.
The museum is home to a large collection of paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and combined with its architecture and gardens, is one of the top tourist attractions in Rome.
In this article you will find everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Borghese Gallery Rome – General Information |
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Location |
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy |
Opening Times |
Tuesday to Sunday 9:00AM – 7:00PM (last entrance at 5:45PM). |
Entry and Tickets |
Please note that tickets reservations for this museum are obligatory. The public park and gardens are free to visit, although there are also guided tours that include both the museum and the gardens |
Table of Contents
Visiting the Borghese Gallery Rome
If you are planning to visit the Borghese Gallery, please note that there is a maximum limit of 180 people admitted at a time for two-hour visits, so online ticket reservations are obligatory.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the crowds were managed with this 2-hour shifts system. It was quiet, and I didn’t feel rushed between the rooms, unlike the experience at the Vatican Museums.
If you are carrying a small purse or backpack, you will have to check it in through security at the entrance. Larger bags or umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom service.
It’s not possible to enter with food or drinks (even water) but once inside, there is a café. You will also find toilet facilities on the ground floor.
If you are an art enthusiast, you are in for a treat – do not miss some of the most important works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, such as ‘Apollo and Daphne‘, as well as paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael, including ‘Boy with a Basket of Fruit‘ and ‘The Deposition‘, respectively.
Borghese Gallery Rome Tickets and Tours |
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Due to the limited capacity every hour booking tickets online is obligatory. There are several ticket options depending on your interests. Here are my top recommendations: Fast-track ticketFast-track ticket with guided tour |
Borghese Gallery and Gardens Guided Tour |
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Pro Tip » If you are also planning to visit other landmarks, such as the Colosseum or Castel Sant’Angelo, you may want to consider booking the Roma Pass to save some time and money. You can check more information about the different card options on my Rome City Passes page. |
What to see in Villa Borghese Rome
If you are planning a visit to the Borghese Gallery, make sure not to miss the Villa Borghese. Covering an area of approximately 80 hectares and considered the largest park in Rome, it includes various attractions.
Besides admiring Roman art while strolling or biking through its 17th-century gardens, here’s a list of what you can see and do when visiting Villa Borghese:
Bioparco di Roma – Rome Zoo
This zoo in Rome is located within Villa Borghese and dedicated to education and conservation of the species. It is a great place to visit, especially if you are in Rome with kids, as it is an oasis of exotic animals from around the world. You can book online your tickets for Bioparco di Roma.
National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art
Also known as Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Italian, this art museum located within Villa Borghese in Rome, houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.
You can find more information on the official website.
Villa Medici
This Renaissance villa was founded by the Grand Duke of Tuscany. It is now property of the French State and home to the French Academy in Rome. You can visit its historical buildings, art collections and gardens with a guided tour only.
Pincio Terrace
Pincio Terrace, also known as Terrazza del Pincio in Italian, is situated within the Villa Borghese gardens in Rome. It offers panoramic views of the city, including the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
If you are looking for a good photo opportunity, this is one of my top recommendations. Try visiting at sunset, the views are especially stunning.
Temple of Aesculapius
This 18th-century temple is dedicated to Aesculapius and located on a small artificial island in the lake of Villa Borghese gardens. Don’t miss the opportunity to rent a rowboat and paddle around the lake —it’s only €3 per person (with a reduced price for kids) for a 20-minute slot. Tickets can be purchased in a little house by the lake.
Secret Gardens of Scipione Borghese
The Secret Gardens are a lesser-known part of Villa Borghese that many tourists overlook.
They were created by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th-century with an Italian Renaissance style. You will find a variety of citrus trees and exotic flowers, geometrically arranged and with symmetrical designs.
You can access this garden with the same entry ticket for the Borghese Gallery museum.
History of Borghese Gallery Rome
The Galleria Borghese, or Borghese Gallery in English, was built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio as a private villa for the Borghese family in the suburbs of Rome in the early 17th century. It was used by the Cardinal Borghese to exhibit his extensive collection of art, including pieces from Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Bernini.
Over the years, the Borghese family continued adding more art pieces to their collection and expanding the villa with other buildings and an English-style park with ponds and fountains. However, due to some family financial difficulties in the 19th century, a big portion of their art collection was sold the Italian government.
In 1902, the Italian government acquired completely the villa, including the surrounding gardens and parkland and turned it into a public museum. The park is now the largest park in Rome.
You can find further information on the official website.
Location of Borghese Gallery and How to Get There
You can easily reach the main entrance of the Borghese Gallery walking through the Villa Borghese Gardens. To get to the Villa, use the metro line A:
- Stop at Spagna, reach the top of the Spanish Steps and then turn left, walk along the road to enter the Villa and then you can reach the Gallery.
- Stop at Flaminio, go to Piazza del Popolo and then climb a few steps until the Pincio Hill garden. After that, you should reach the Borghese Gallery in 10 minutes.
You can also use the tram line 19 or any of the following bus lines: 52, 53, 63, 83, 360 and 910.
For detailed information about prices and travel passes check my transport page.
FAQs
Can you enter Borghese Gardens without ticket?
Yes, Villa Borghese is a public park so you can visit its gardens and lakes free of charge.
How to rent a rowboat in Villa Borghese in Rome?
To rent a rowboat in Villa Borghese, simply head to the little kiosk by the lake and purchase a €3 ticket.
Is Villa Borghese worth visiting?
Yes – personally, I think it’s a must-see when visiting Rome. Not only can you visit the Borghese Gallery, but you can also explore and relax around the Villa Borghese gardens. You can rent a rowboat on the lake by the Temple of Aesculapius and enjoy the views of Rome from the Pincio Terrace. Additionally, you can visit the Bioparco (Rome’s zoo) and the Secret Gardens. There is a lot to see and do at Villa Borghese.
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