This post covers how to plan a visit to the Borghese Gallery in Rome, including tickets, discounts, opening times, and what you will see here.
The Borghese Gallery is one of the most famous fine art displays in Europe, known for its Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings.
If you want to get up close and personal to some of the best art in Europe, make sure you visit the Borghese.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO THE BORGHESE GALLERY?
Depending on the ticket you purchase and whether or not there is a temporary exhibition, it will cost between €2 and €13 with an additional €2 reservation fee.
Every ticket purchase, even on first Sundays, carries the reservation charge. If you are ready to purchase, click here.
Villa Borghese Park and Gardens
- Free
Museum Entry
- Standard ticket: €13 + €2 reservation
- Reduced ticket (EU citizens age 18-25): €2 + €2 reservation
- Free for Youth under 18 + €2 reservation
- Ticket prices go up when Temporary Exhibits are held
- Get more information or to purchase tickets.
There are multiple ways to get into the Borghese Gallery at a discounted rate. We will cover all the best deals and some common discounts that might become available in the near future.
1. Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
Free entry to the Borghese Gallery is included with the purchase of 4 tourist attraction discount passes.
- Roma Pass
- Rome Explorer Pass
- Omnia Vatican and Rome Card
- Discounted on Rome City Pass
These passes work by bundling together ticket entry fees to several popular attractions and tours in Rome for one discounted price. They can save you up to 55%.
These passes also work by saving you time by allowing you to skip the ticket queue at several participating attractions.
Read our full review of all of the different tourist pass options available to you in Rome.
2. Free First Sundays
For years, Rome has offered free admission to a variety of their most notable and historic locations on the first Friday of every month.
While this program was recently altered to allow attractions to decide when they want to allow free admission, most sites continue to offer this service on the first Friday of each month.
As with all of their other free tickets, you still need to pay a €2 reservation fee.
In the past, the Borghese Gallery has taken part in this program, but that does not appear to be the case at the moment. Even so, if you want to make sure, we recommend contacting them before you buy a ticket.
3. Free for Youth
Whether you're an EU citizen or not, anyone under the age of 18 is eligible for free admission. Although your ticket will be free, you still have to pay their €2 reservation cost.
4. Free for Some Students and Teachers
Any EU student or teacher of architecture, cultural heritage, educational sciences, literature, or philosophy is eligible for free admission with a €2 fee for reservation.
Students and teachers of fine arts academies in the EU are also eligible for this deal.
Teaching staff in the Italian school are also granted free admission upon providing certification.
5. Free for Italians Living Abroad
If you're an Italian citizen who lives outside of the country and enrolled in the Registry of Italians Resident Abroad (AIRE), you are eligible for free admission w/ €2 reservation.
6. Military Discount
Military personnel in the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit are granted free admission w/ €2 reservation.
7. Group Tickets
Groups of 5-15 people accompanied by a professional guide need pay only €2 for the reservation fee along with the cost of their tour.
8. Reduced Tickets
If you are an EU citizen between the ages of 18-25, you are eligible for the reduced ticket price of €2 + €2 reservation.
9. Discount Sites
Websites such as Groupon usually offer discounts on popular attractions such as the Borghese Gallery, and they also offer additional coupon codes to help you save even more money.
We recommend checking these services before purchasing a ticket just to see if they are offering a good deal on this historic attraction.
10. AAA Discount
Although this insurance company is not currently offering any discounts for the Borghese Gallery, they have been known to provide deals at popular attractions like this in the past.
If you're a AAA member, we suggest checking their website before purchasing a ticket to see if they have any deals.
11. Waived Reservation Fees
The following visitors are eligible to have their reservation fee waived:
- Disabled EU Citizens & Companions
- Licensed EU Tourist Guides
- Journalists with an order card
- Children up to 5 years of age
The Borghese Gallery is one of the more popular art galleries in Rome because of the quality of works on display. And because of the 2-hour timed entry, tickets tend to sell out fast.
In the off-season, you should look to purchase your tickets a few weeks in advance.
From late May to early September, you should purchase tickets a few months in advance to make sure you get a time slot.
We suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before your entry time, to exchange your printed voucher for your entry ticket. Keep in mind, people have been turned away for only having mobile confirmation and no printed ticket.
Where is the Borghese Gallery?
The Borghese Gallery is in the Villa Borghese Park northeast of the center of Rome. It is within walking distance of several other points of interest, including Rome’s zoo.
You can get directions from this link. If you want to take public transport to reach the park, there are several bus stops and a metro stop close by.
Metro Stop:
- Spagna
Bus Stops:
- Pinciana/Allegri
- Pinciana/Museo Borghese
- Mercadante/Galleria Borghese
- Puccini
- Corso D’italia/Po
Hop-On-Hop-Off Routes
There are a few hop-on-hop-off bus tours that drive close to the Borghese Gallery.
These tours are a convenient way to see other sights nearby as well. You get transportation between the most popular attractions plus interesting commentary to teach you about the area.
- Piazza di Spagna/Spanish Steps
When is the Borghese Gallery Open?
The Borghese Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed every Monday, as well as December 25 and January 1.
Open Hours
- Tuesday - Sunday from 9:00 - 19:00 (7:00 pm)
- Last entrance is at 5:45 pm
Booking Office Hours
- Monday - Friday 8:30 - 18:00 (6:00 pm)
When is the best time go?
The Borghese Gallery is notoriously difficult to get last-minute tickets for, so you will have to purchase tickets several weeks in advance - during the off-season - to several months in advance - between June and September.
Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the time on your ticket.
How long should we stay at Borghese?
Most people stay for the duration of their 2-hour timed ticket. Keep in mind, every visitor must exit the Gallery at the end of their 2-hour time slot.
Of course, there are more things to do within the Villa Borghese Park. These include the Bioparco di Roma zoo, a playground, cinema, and gardens.
Can we bring bags into Borghese Gallery?
For safety reasons, large bags and luggage are not permitted inside.
There is a cloakroom in the basement for large bags, luggage, strollers, umbrellas, and other objects the employees deem dangerous.
What exhibits are in the gallery?
The Borghese Gallery is comprised of an entrance hall, 20 rooms, and a portico.
Each space is filled with paintings, sculptures, reliefs, and mosaics. Works displayed were created by Caravaggio, Raphael, Giovanni Bellini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini between the 15th and 19th centuries.
Can I take photos or videos?
Yes, you can take photos as long as you do not use flash or a selfie stick/another tool to hold your phone or camera.
NOTE: If there is a special exhibit, you will see signs near the temporary artwork that prohibit photography.
Will children enjoy it?
Older kids and teenagers who enjoy art might enjoy touring the gallery.
The artwork and mosaics incorporate lots of bright colors and depict legendary characters, so if they are interested in mythology and the visual representation of that, they could find some pieces of interest.
However, younger children will probably be more interested in the Villa’s playground and the nearby zoo.
Is there a Gift Shop?
Yes, there is a gift shop! You can find souvenirs and books.
Is there somewhere to eat nearby?
The Gallery has a cafe that serves coffee, juices, sandwiches, pastries, and other snacks.
There are also snack stands in the park surrounding the gallery that sell sandwiches, chips, and drinks.
Is the Borghese Gallery wheelchair accessible?
Most of the property is accessible. However, you will need to ask for assistance to use the elevator when entering or moving between levels in the building.
