Borghese Gallery: Guided Tour
- Duration: 2h
- Live guide in English
- Group of max. 15 people
Discover the best collection of arts, sculptures, and paintings by world-renowned artists
12 options • from $23.15
+ 1 other top thing to do
Combine Borghese Gallery with other Rome favorites. Some things are better together.
Borghese Gallery tickets grant you an audience with many masterpieces by history's greatest painters, from the Renaissance to modern art, almost every era and style is represented in its permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibitions.
Some of the Borghese Gallery's unmissable paintings include The Deposition by Renaissance master Raphael; David with the Head of Goliath and The Young Sick Bacchus by Chiaroscuro king Caravaggio; Cupid Complaining to Venus by Lucas Cranach the Elder, and The Hunt of Diana by Baroque artist Domenichino.
One of the main reasons to buy Borghese Gallery tickets is to check out the museum's spectacular collection of Renaissance and Classical sculptures.
Among the most prestigious in the world, the Borghese Gallery's sculpture collection includes some of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's greatest works, including Two Busts of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, Statue of David, Marcus Curtius Throwing Himself into the Chasm, Statue of the Sleeping Hermaphroditus, and many more.
There are two main categories of Borghese Gallery tickets to consider: Self-guided tickets with an audio guide, or tickets that include a guided tour.
If you are visiting the Borghese Gallery alone, or simply prefer art appreciation as a more private and cerebral experience, Borghese Gallery tickets that include an audio guide are probably a good idea.
If you're planning to visit in a group, or are more switched on by in-person commentary, a guided tour of the museum will likely suit you more. Note, there is a difference in price between the various type of Borghese Gallery tickets, so this is another factor to consider when deciding which tickets to buy.
You do not need to buy Borghese Gallery tickets to enter the Borghese Gardens, as the gardens are a free park amenity that you are able to enter and leave at your leisure.
The park is a popular spot with local Romans for picnics, sports, and walking their pets. With around 80 hectares of lawns, walking paths, and even a small lake you can take a paddle boat out on, it's the perfect place to unwind before or after some art appreciation in the Borghese Gallery.
Due to the museum's relatively small size, and to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests at all times, there's a two-hour maximum time limit per visit in the Borghese Gallery. The venue keeps track of this by making each exit in the museum’s circuit mandatory.
Only 360 visitors are allowed into the Borghese Gallery at any given time. This policy lets you get the most out of your Borghese Gallery tickets, without being jostled by large crowds at the gallery's more famous and popular artworks.
Admire a world-class collection of Bernini statues depicting mythological stories
Admire several paintings by Bellini, Raphael, Titian, Rubens, and Caravaggio
The Borghese Gallery is adjacent to the extensive gardens sharing the same name
Considered one of the most extensive private art collections in Europe, accumulated by Cardinal Scipione Borghese
The collection is housed in an incredible early 17th-century building, built by the Borghese family
The Spanish Steps and Piazza de Popolo are within walking distance of the Borghese Gallery
Ranked as one of Rome's most popular attractions, you should book your tickets to the Borghese Gallery in advance, especially during the high season.
With timed entry and a strict visitor capacity, tickets can be difficult to come by, so don't leave your visit to the Borghese Gallery to chance – reserve tickets in advance!
Borghese Gallery tickets include:
General entry and fast track tickets are available if you have a full itinerary for your trip to Rome
Guided tours with an expert to help you make the most of your Borghese Gallery visit
Audio guides in multiple languages for a self-guided option
Discounted admission when you bundle entrance tickets with a City Card
All visitors under the age of 18 can enter the Borghese Gallery for free
The Borghese Gallery is closed on Mondays (and public holidays)
Visits are limited to two hours inside the gallery; timed entry is strictly enforced
Large bags and luggage can be left with staff in the cloakroom
Lifts and small wheelchairs are available for those with limited mobility; caretakers get free admission
Reservations are required for all visitors – make sure you book in advance!
Close to several metro stops (Lines A and B)
Due to important renovation works, some of the rooms of the Pinacoteca are closed to the public. Find most of the remarkable artworks exhibited at Palazzo Barberini
Built between 1609 and 1613, this opulent structure - fountains, gardens, pink marble walls, frescoed ceilings - seems ideally suited to house one of the world's best collections of art. And that was exactly what it was built for.
Architect Flaminio Ponzio designed it for the cardinal and art collector Scipione Borghese, who wanted a party villa on the edge of town where he could house his enormous collection of priceless art. In 1901, the collection (and the gallery, and the park that surrounds it) was acquired by the Italian government, and opened to the public.
As a museum, Galleria Borghese punches well above its weight with an impressive hit rate of masterpieces. Sculptures by Bernini and Canova, paintings, by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian... the list goes on.
Visiting what is arguably Rome's best art museum? Here's how to see the Borghese Gallery highlights, enjoy its gardens, and make the most out of your visit.