Surrounded by manicured gardens and blue skies, the Galleria Borghese is possibly one of the most awe-inspiring galleries in Rome.
Located in the heart of Villa Borghese, the historic center’s largest park, the Borghese Gallery houses some of Rome’s greatest treasures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
If you’re an art enthusiast, this iconic gallery is a must due to its breathtaking interiors and stunningly-wonderful art pieces. Smaller than the Vatican museums, its collection of fine art is on par with some of the grandest museums in the world, making it the perfect stop if you only have a few hours to spare.
Today, we’ll let you in on our insider advice for visiting the Borghese Gallery from how to purchase tickets to our top touring tips.
Let’s get started!
Why visit Galleria Borghese?
The Borghese Gallery’s opulent art collection can first be attributed to Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a member of the Roman Borghese family and nephew of Pope Paul V, in the 17th-century.
The ornate building was designed by the famed architect Flaminio Ponzio, taking inspiration from Scipione’s sketches. Located outside of Rome’s historic center, the Borghese Gallery was originally meant to be a country home – offering respite from the chaos of the Eternal City.
Cardinal Scipione was an avid lover of the arts, volunteering as a patron of Bernini and collecting some of Caravaggio’s greatest works.
This enthusiasm for the arts is exactly what led the Borghese Gallery to carry such masterpieces as Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and The Assault of Persephone. He also boasted a collection of some of Caravaggio’s greatest paintings, such as David with the Head of Goliath and Boy with a Basket of Fruit.
The gallery also houses a collection of famed biblical paintings, like Raphael’s The Deposition, Titian’s The Scourging of Christ, and Bassano’s The Last Supper.
We also suggest making a visit to take a peak at Raphael’s iconic Young Woman with Unicorn along with Bernini’s revered Self Portrait.
Besides the brilliant art dotting the Borghese Gallery’s walls and floors, this villa’s splendid architecture and interior decor is reason enough to pay it a visit. From carved marble facades to intricately painted ceilings, every inch of this palace was hand crafted with precision and care.
Galleria Borghese tickets and reservations
Unfortunately, purchasing tickets for the Borghese Gallery can be somewhat of a challenging feat. The Gallery has a conservative number of slots each day, each lasting two-hours. These slots begin at 9 AM and end at 5 PM, proving somewhat limiting, especially in comparison to other major museums, like the Vatican or Capitoline museums.
Due to these limitations, it’s crucial to purchase your Borghese Gallery tickets well ahead of time. We recommend checking for tickets online one to two months in advance. While there is always the possibility to purchase tickets at the door, it’s best to secure them online to avoid the slots being sold out when you get there.
While the Galleria Borghese official website is the best source for reliable, up-to-date information, you can not purchase tickets directly from it. However, they do provide trusty information on the current prices so you can make an informed decision when choosing which third-party website to buy them from.
These third-party websites often supply their own discounts and deals, so we recommend shopping around before settling on one. There are also certain passes you can buy that combine several attractions’ tickets into one. For instance, the Roma Pass, which is a city-owned tourist pass boasting tickets to the Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, and more, is a great resource for purchasing tickets and finding special discounts!
How long does it take to go through Galleria Borghese?
Conveniently, it usually takes around 2 hours to explore the Borghese Gallery, since the museum allots this exact amount of time per slot.
At 20 rooms, the gallery is on the smaller side, however it is quite densely populated with some of Italy’s greatest masterpieces. So, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of awe-inspiring paintings and sculptures.
We recommend using the Galleria Borghese map to plan your time in the museum, making note of which works are most important for you to visit. This way, you can check your favorite artwork off your must-see list while still allotting enough time to peruse and other works and maybe even find your new favorite piece!
What do you wear to the Borghese Gallery?
Unlike the Vatican Museums or most churches, the Borghese Gallery’s dress code is rather lax. Feel free to wear casual yet generally modest attire. The Borghese Gallery does not have an official dress code, but we recommend wearing something respectful.
They do, however, have strict rules about which bags you can and can’t bring in. Purses or bum bags bigger than 21 x 15 cm are forbidden, and any food and drink must be left at the door.
Is it worth visiting Galleria Borghese?
If you’re a lover of beautiful art, stunning interiors, and divine gardens, the Borghese Gallery is certainly worth visiting. Its impassioned history, impressive collection of some of Italy’s greatest works, and breathtaking surroundings make it a uniquely special place in the Eternal City’s bustling central park.
The building itself is a wonder, standing stoically amid the greenery. However, as soon as you enter its monumental doors, you’re met with a burst of colors and patterns. From rich textiles to ornate frescoes, the Borghese Gallery is the best way to excite your senses on a sunny afternoon and is widely considered to be one of the best museums in Rome.
Practical tips for visitors
Luckily for tourists and locals alike, the Borghese Gallery is easily accessible thanks to its central location.
We recommend taking the Metro A line to the Barberini station. From there you can enjoy a brisk 20 minute walk to the museum or hop on the 83 or 61 bus to carry you up the hill. You can buy your ticket before-hand or pay on-board with your card/phone.
Of course, you can always walk to the gallery if you’re nearby and take the scenic route! Alternatively, ordering a taxi is a great choice, especially if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city. We strongly recommend only using official, white taxis that can be found at taxi stands posted around the city.
While the Borghese Gallery is certainly less crowded than other museums, like the Vatican, it can get a little congested. So, if you can, we recommend going during the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds.
The Borghese Gallery also has a cloakroom for your coat, cameras, and purses in the basement.
For those who want to browse, head to the gallery’s bookstore to peruse their selection of guide books, novels, and art books in English, Italian, and other languages. You can even head to their in-house café, Caffè delle Arti, which offers a lovely selection of drinks, snacks, and entrées.
While the Borghese Gallery is easy enough to get to, it’s imperative that you book your tickets in advance and plan your route carefully so you don’t miss your entrance time.
Galleria Borghese tours and experiences
While the Galleria Borghese is beautiful to explore on your own, a guided tour will allow you to learn so much more about and fully appreciate the countless artworks that line its walls. Many great artworks have hidden meanings or draw from historic traditions or myths, adding an extra layer of interest. Guides can help uncover this symbolism as well as give more information about the artists, their works, and the gallery’s history as a whole.
Walks Inside Rome’s passion for Italian art, culture, and architecture allows us to share our unparalleled enthusiasm for the Borghese Gallery and its artworks. With skip-the-line-access, we’ll make sure you can enjoy the Borghese Gallery without all the logistics of purchasing tickets.
With our expert, licensed, English-speaking guides, our experiences are perfect for art connoisseurs looking to broaden their horizons and first-time visitors dipping their toes into the art world. Immerse yourself in the Galleria Borghese experience with our Borghese Gallery tour.
