National Roman Museum – Tickets and Guide
National Roman Museum – Tickets and Guide
Tourist Information for visiting the Museo Nazionale Romano
The National Roman Museum, also known as Museo Nazionale Romano in Italian, is a prestigious museum complex in Rome. It is spread across four locations: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps, and Crypta Balbi.
Together, these sites present a glimpse into ancient Roman civilization, covering aspects of daily life, religion, art, and architecture.
In this article, you will find everything you need to plan your visit.
National Roman Museum – General Information |
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Location |
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2, 00185 Roma RM, Italy |
Opening Times |
Tuesday to Sunday 9:30AM – 7:00PM (last admission 6pm) |
Entry and Tickets |
You can book your tickets online on their official website or purchase them on-site. |
Table of Contents
Visiting the National Roman Museum
If you purchase a combined ticket for €12, which covers all four sites, keep in mind that visiting all of them in a single day might be overwhelming. The tickets are valid for one week from the date of purchase so I’d personally advise to spread your visits over a couple of days.
If you have chosen to buy you entry tickets on-site, please note that the ticket office closes at 6pm and they don’t accept payments by cash.
The entrance to the museum is free of charge on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on Liberation Day (25th April) and Republic Day (2nd June).
The only site with a cafeteria is the Palazzo Massimo, which you can access both from inside the museum and from the outside. There are toilet facilities in all four locations.
National Roman Museum Tickets and Tours |
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Please note that the National Roman Museum is temporarily not providing audio guides so if you would like to get insights during your visit, you may need to book a guided tour. |
Palazzo Massimo Guided TourPowered by GetYourGuide |
Palazzo Massimo and Baths of Diocletian Guided TourPowered by GetYourGuide
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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 Museo Nazionale Romano
Whether you are visiting just one site or all four locations that are part of the National Roman Museum network, here are some details that you can’t miss:
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is a neo-Renaissance palace located very close to Termini station.
You will find at this museum an impressive collection of Roman sculptures, including the Boxer at Rest, the Hellenistic Prince and a variety of portrait busts of emperors. These collections are displayed in chronological order, spread over four floors and one underground.
Don’t miss the set of frescoes from the Villa of Livia, which provides a valuable insight into Roman wall painting techniques and domestic decoration.
Baths of Diocletian
The Baths of Diocletian are an ancient Roman bath complex which were commissioned by Emperor Diocletian in 298 AD. The complex included various facilities such as cold, hot, and warm baths, gymnasiums, and libraries, all of which you can still visit today.
The baths remained in use until the 6th century AD. The aqueducts that supplied water to the baths were damaged during the invasions by Germanic tribes, which led to their decline.
You can also visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri built on the remains of the baths – it was commissioned by Pope Pius IV to commemorate the Christian martyrs who died during the baths’ construction.
Palazzo Altemps
Palazzo Altemps houses an impressive collection of classical sculptures and Egyptian objects, many of which were acquired by the Altemps family and other Roman nobility.
The building, just a few meters away from Piazza Navona, is a stunning example of Renaissance architecture with beautiful interiors decorated with frescoes.
Within the building, you can also find a small chapel, la Chiesa di Sant’Aniceto, as well as a beautiful three-story courtyard.
Crypta Balbi
The museum includes the remains of Crypta Balbi, a porticoed courtyard attached to the Theatre of Balbus, which was commissioned by Lucius Cornelius Balbus in 13 BC. You can visit the remains of the theatre in the basement.
The upper floors of the museum present the findings from the excavations on this site, showcasing the changes in urban life, trade, and culture over the centuries.
Crypta Balbi is temporarily closed due to some renovations.
History of the National Roman Museum
The National Roman Museum was originally located in a small section of the Baths of Diocletian complex when it opened to the public in 1889. Over the years, the museum expanded to include three additional sites and was reorganized to display objects and archaeological findings in a more comprehensive manner.
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme was originally built between 1883 and 1888 as a Jesuit seminary. It was acquired by the Italian state in the 20th century and opened to the public as a museum in 1998, after undergoing significant restorations.
The Palazzo Altemps was given to the Italian state in 1982 and opened to the public in 1997, after 15 years of restoration. It is named after Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps, who purchased the palace in the 16th century.
The Crypta Balbi site became part of the National Roman Museum in 2001 to showcase the findings from the archaeological excavations that started in the late 20th century.
Today the National Roman Museum is considered one of the best museums of ancient Greco-Roman art in the world.
You can find more information about any of the sites on the official website.
Locations of National Roman Museum and How to Get There
The buildings of the National Roman Museum are centrally located and well-served by Rome’s public transportation network. You can use any of the following means of transport:
| Site | Metro | Bus | Tram |
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| Palazzo Massimo alle Terme / Baths of Diocletian | Line A or Line B (stop Termini) | Line 40, 64, 70, 75, and 492 | Line 5 or 14 (stop Termini) |
| Palazzo Altemps | Line A (stop Spagna) | Line 30, 70, 81, 87, 492 and 628 | Line 8 (stop Venezia) |
| Crypta Balbi | Line B (stop Colisseo) | Line 40, 64, 70, 87 and 492 | Line 8 (stop Venezia) |
For detailed information about public transport prices and travel passes check my Rome transport page.
It’s worth noting that there are a few Hop On Hop Off tourist buses in Rome that will stop near the sites of the National Roman Museum.
FAQs
Is the National Roman Museum free?
The National Roman Museum offers free entry on the first Sunday of each month, Liberation Day (25th April) and Republic Day (2nd June). It is also free for anyone under 18 years old.
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