Ranked as one of the greatest museums, Galleria Borghese is one of Rome’s must-visit art galleries housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana.
Practical details
- Name: Galleria Borghese
- Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Rome RM, Italy
- Official Website: galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it/
- Opening Hours: Galleria Borghese is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. The last admission is normally at 5:00 pm.
Tickets and prices
To enter Borghese Gallery and Museum, a full-price ticket is around €13, €2 for those aged 18-25 and free of charge for those under the age of 18. To take a guided tour, it is an additional €8.
Access to Villa Borghese Gardens is free of charge.
Dress code
There is no strict Borghese Museum dress code.
Why should I visit?
Visiting Galleria Borghese will allow you to see historical works by some of the greatest artists to ever live. After checking out the paintings and sculptures at this gallery, you can also check out Villa Borghese Gardens —a zoological garden that features elephants, lions, and more than 200 species.
How to get to Galleria Borghese
The main entrances to Villa Borghese are the gate a short distance from Porta Pinciana and the gate in Piazza del Popolo. To travel to them, you can board a bus, metro train, or tram. The cheapest and fastest way to travel to this attraction from other parts of Rome is by metro.
Metro
Villa Borghese is served by two metro stations, Spagna and Fiaminio. Spagna is near the entrance near the Spanish Steps, while Fiaminia is near the entrance at Piazza del Popolo. Since the Gallery Borghese is close to the entrance near the Spanish Steps, it’s recommended to alight at Spagna.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay close by, check out hotels near Galleria Borghese.
Background of Galleria Borghese
The Borghese Gallery began in the 17th century when it was the private residence of Scipione Borghese, an Italian cardinal, art collector, and patron of the arts. Over the years, he bought several masterpieces and coerced creatives into giving him others.
The Villa Borghese was a thriving party house for four centuries. It remained the property of the Borghese family until 1903 when the Italian government bought it and opened it as a gallery.
Who should visit Galleria Borghese?
Galleria Borghese is the perfect place to visit if you’re an art lover. At this esteemed gallery, you’ll spot ancient paintings by artists such as Canova, Raphael, and Caravaggio, and sculptures in the spaces for which they were originally intended.
Should I book in advance?
If you intend to visit Galleria Borghese at a given time, you should book your ticket as early as you can. This is because tickets for each time slot are limited and sell out rather quickly.
Best time to visit
The best time to Galleria Borghese is early in the morning before crowds begin streaming in. You should avoid visiting this attraction during weekends, especially on the first Sunday of the month when entrance is free, given that weekends at this gallery bring the most visitors.
Is it accessible?
Galleria Borghese provides guided tours for guests with disabilities free of charge. The tours are conducted by Associated Volunteers for Italian museums. It also has an elevator that persons with disabilities can use to get to the second floor. Because the elevator does not allow the entrance of large wheelchairs, the gallery provides sizeable wheelchairs that those with limited mobility can use while on its premises.
Top tip for a first-time visitor
At Galleria Borghese, luggage storage for items such as bags, backpacks, selfie sticks, and umbrellas is mandatory. You can’t cancel a standard entry ticket but can cancel the other exclusive tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins.
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Italy? Find more things to do in Rome.
Disclaimer: prices and information are correct as of 14.06.2023 and may vary with time.
