According to some estimates, there are nearly 60 museums in Rome, so referring to the city as an ‘open-air museum’ is not as far-fetched as it sounds. The number includes historic, scientific and artistic types, as well as those that are plain weird or just fun to explore. In this article, we’ll sample the lot and provide you with a listing of the most engaging museums to pass your time in Rome.
Describing our selection process
Rome is one of the world’s most visited cities, with millions flocking to its premier attractions each yearly. You can find a plethora of material online about the most famous museums in Rome, so we’ll focus instead on the ones where quality time can be spent being informed, engaged and entertained. Some of them are free admission, but most require an entry fee. Enjoy.
Museums of Rome where history and archaeology come alive
Museum of Roman Civilisation
The ideal place to begin is by visiting the museum that chronicles the city’s ancient history. This complex has dozens of sections (nearly 60!) dedicated to the period from origins up to the 4th century. Scale models of Archaic Rome, a fully-restored Roman library, and stunning visual reproductions provide a lively perspective of early Roman life.
- Location: Piazza G. Agnelli. Free admission
- Opening hours: Every day from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Castel Sant’Angelo
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, or Castel Sant’Angelo as it is popularly known, is one of the more intriguing museums in Rome. Once the tallest building in the city, it previously served as a tomb, papal castle and prison before its present incarnation as a chamber of artistic treasures. The famous bronze statue of Archangel Michael is just one of the several angelic sculptures you can find here, which give the structure its name.
- Location: Parco Adriano. Fee required
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
- Ticket office closes at 6.30 p.m. Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
National Roman Museum
We were impressed by the fact that the National Roman Museum is actually a group of four separate buildings and between them they curate several thousand sculptures, frescoes, artefacts and other objets d’art. Tour the epigraphic section and the Cloister of Michelangelo at the famous Baths of Diocletian or ogle the amazing currency collection at Crypta Balbi before a guided tour of the archaeological excavations beneath. Palazzo Altemps is noted for its ‘Altar of Romulus and Remus’ and ‘Dionysos with a panther and satyr’ sculptures while Palazzo Massimo alle Terme counters with ‘Sleeping Hermaphroditus’ and the massive Torlonia Vase.
- Location: various. Fees required
- Opening hours: Open from 9.00 am to 7.45 pm.
- Closed on Monday, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
Capitoline Museums
You’ll have to climb the summit of prestigious Capitoline Hill and walk through the underground gallery that connects the three buildings collectively known as Capitoline Museums. Generally regarded as the world’s first purpose-built museum, all of them were designed by Michelangelo himself, which is reason alone to visit. The iconic bronze of the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus holds pride of place at Palazzo dei Conservatori, but the Capitoline Venus and the colossal Oceanus sculptures can only be found at Palazzo Nuovo. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius guards the entrance of Palazzo Senatorio where the archives of Rome were originally kept.
- Location: Piazza del Campidoglio. Fee required
- Opening hours: Every day from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. 24 and 31 December from 9.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
- Last admission one hour before closing time.
- Closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Museum of the Liberation of Rome
For some contemporary history, Museum of the Liberation of Rome details the German occupation of the city and its liberation by Allied Forces during World War II. This nondescript building once housed an SS torture chamber and there is a chilling exhibit detailing the Ardeatine Massacre, as well as documents pertaining to the persecution of Italian Jews during the war. You can also view memorabilia from the Italian Resistance.
- Location: Via Tasso 145. Free admission
- Opening hours: Every day from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Vatican Museums
It’s perhaps fitting we should complete this section with the Vatican Museums, as few others in the world rival them for pure prestige and the size of their collections. We were particularly interested in the Vatican Historical Museum with its singular collection of papal portraits and various memorabilia belonging to the old Vatican Guard. Check out the lower floor to view the famous ‘popemobiles’, carriages and other vehicles that were employed by pontiffs through the centuries.
- Location: Vatican City. Fee required
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (final entry 4.00 p.m.). Every last Sunday of the month from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (final entry 12.30 p.m.).
Museums of Rome: explore the scientific world
Leonardo da Vinci Experience
One could argue that Leonardo da Vinci was perhaps the most famous and most important Italian who ever lived. His contributions to science, the arts, philosophy, and anatomy among other disciplines, are without equal and for which he is revered the world over. The Leonardo Da Vinci Experience is dedicated to the life and lifetime achievements of the Renaissance genius, featuring several of his most important inventions and celebrated artwork.
- Location: Via della Conciliazione 19. Fee required
- Opening hours: every day from 9.00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Last entrance at 6:30 p.m.
Geological Museum of Rome
A visit to the Geological Museum of Rome is always an exciting affair, which all kids and adults can enjoy. There you can explore and investigate the geology, natural history and evolution of various species of mammals and sea life endemic to the region. The Placenzian Stratotype reveals a fascinating fossil record, and the Gulf of Whales is a true wonder, but the sight of its magnificent whale skeleton will render you speechless.
- Location: Via Sforza Caolzio 57. Free admission
- Opening hours: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry: 30 minutes before closing time). Tuesdays to Thursdays only open by appointment. Closed on Mondays (unless a public holiday).
Civic Museum of Zoology
Founded in 1932, the Civic Museum of Geology offers an impressive collection of nearly five million preserved specimens from tiny mollusc shells to gigantic whale skeletons. An extensive array of interactive exhibitions and 3-D reconstructions offer educational and informative insights into the ecosystems and environments that have shaped the city over its long history. This is another fabulous treat for the entire family to savour.
- Location: Via Ulisse Aldrovandi. Fee required
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Museums of Rome focused on the arts
National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art
If you plan to visit La Galleria Nazionale, make sure you set aside a couple of hours to visit as many of its 1,100 exhibits as possible. Housed in the Palace of Fine Arts, Galleria Nazionale focuses particularly on 19th and 20th century art and boasts the most extensive collection of its kind in Italy. Modigliani, Balla, and Boccioni are standouts on the list of local talent while Kandinsky, Pollack, and Cezanne are representative of the foreign contingent.
- Location: Via delle Belle Arti 119. Fee required
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 a.m. to 07.30 p.m.
MAXXI
To have any discussion about Rome’s art museums without mention of the MAXXI would be erroneous. The remarkable design of this museum garnered two prestigious architecture awards before you’ve even crossed the threshold, which speaks volumes in itself. This iconic structure is home to MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture, adjoined by an outdoor courtyard where larger creations can be presented. Among the permanent installations are such works as ‘Al Nati Oggi’ by Alberto Gariggi and another entitled ‘On the Spiritual Matter of Art’.
- Location: Via Guido Reni 4A. Fee required
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
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