Pound-for-pound, the Borghese Gallery is one of the most significant collections of baroque sculptures on Earth. For many reasons, it’s also one of the most pleasant museum experiences you may ever have. In this guide, find out why and how to visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
The BEST Ways to Visit the Borghese Gallery
I have personally given dozens of tours inside this monument and visited over a hundred times. Here is my abbreviated advice on visiting the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
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You’re Guide to the Borghese Gallery in Rome
What We’ll Cover
During the 15th century, the Borghese family rose in stature and power. The wealthy family, headed by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, built Villa Borghese as their private residence in Rome. A passionate art collector, Cardinal Scipione used the villa to display and preserve the family’s fine art collection.
Today, you can visit the gallery to appreciate one of Earth’s greatest collections of baroque sculptures. Getting tickets can be difficult as the gallery restricts the number of visitors per day and the amount of time you can spend inside.
Here is what you need to know in order to not miss out:
The Borghese Gallery is amazing because they only let 180 visitors in at a time for two-hour time slots. Time slots run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two-hour intervals. The gallery closes at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm, last entrance at 5 pm.
Entrances every two hours on the hour starting at 9 am.
Closed on Mondays.
Tickets:
Regular ticket: €13 (at times there will be an exhibition or mostra, which increases the ticket price)
Reduced ticket: €2 (for 18-25 year olds)
Free for under 18s (Tickets must still be acquired)
Subject to availability, you can reserve your tickets on the official website. An additional €2 reservation fee will be added to all tickets. You can also call +39 068413979 and reserve tickets over the phone between Monday and Friday.
Due to the complexities and incredible stories of these masterpieces, I highly recommend a tour of this museum. It will be one of the most memorable experiences of your trip.
1.Borghese Gallery “Story Tellers” Small Group Tour For a quick but enriching experience, the Express Tour offers a concise yet thorough introduction to the gallery’s highlights. Guests appreciate the concise commentary and the ability to see key artworks without spending hours. This option is praised for delivering quality in a short time, ideal for a busy schedule.
2. Skip-the-Line Borghese Gallery Tour This tour combines fast entry with insightful commentary, ideal for those who want a hassle-free visit. Reviewers highlight the efficiency of skipping long lines and the guide’s engaging storytelling. It’s perfect for a comprehensive yet time-efficient exploration of the gallery’s treasures and the surrounding gardens.
3. Borghese Gallery & Gardens Private Tour The pinnacle of Roman art tours, this exclusive experience offers an intimate look at masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. Reviews praise the knowledgeable guides who bring the art to life, and the private access ensures a serene, uncrowded experience. This tour is celebrated for its depth and personalized touch, making it a must-do for art aficionados.
Each tour is well-reviewed for its unique approach, ensuring that every visitor can find an option that suits their preferences.
The Borghese Gallery limits the number of people who can visit on any given day. If you manage to get tickets, we recommend spending your full two-hour time slot in the gallery.
It will also be a rare opportunity in Rome to see world-class artwork by the likes of Bernini, Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael with far fewer other people compared to the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, for example.
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This list is not in order of importance but in the order you’ll see the works on your visit—you don’t want to be running around crossing things off a list. When you walk into the front entrance of the gallery, be sure to enjoy the first room and then turn left and head into the room dedicated to Caravaggio.
This is more of an itinerary list of things you should see. If you’re searching for more detailed descriptions, take a look at our in-depth article on the top things to see at the Borghese Gallery.
Entrance Hall
This is a beautiful welcome area of the palace. Keep your eyes peeled for:
Ancient Roman mosaics roped off on the floors. The mosaics were believed to have come from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.
An amazing rococo-style vaulted ceiling depicting different pagan scenes.
Marcus Curtius Leaping into Chasm by Pietro Bernini, father of the great Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio (Room VIII)
This 1593 oil on canvas was done by Caravaggio, aka Michelangelo Merisi, at 22 years old. He was living in Milan at the time where he was from. The work now lives in Room VII of the Borghese Gallery for your viewing pleasure.
Young St John the Baptist (Room VIII)
Right next to Boy with a Basket of Fruit is Caravaggio’s John in the Wilderness. Here you’ll find a tired and frail St. John the Baptist. The overwhelming sadness of this painting draws you in and pushes you away.
St. Jerome by Caravaggio (Room VIII)
St. Jerome by Caravaggio is a wonderful painting that shows one of the most important events in Christian history: the translation of the Bible into Latin from Greek.
Palafrenieri by Caravaggio (Room VIII)
Directly across from St. Jerome, you’ll see a massive painting known as Palafrenieri also by Caravaggio. Basically, you see Jesus, his mother Mary, and Mary’s mother Anne. The work was originally created to be a centerpiece in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome but was seen as too vulgar.
David with the Head of Goliath (Room VIII)
David is a heavily portrayed figure due to his importance in biblical history. This particular version by Caravaggio shows David beheading Goliath as he looks down in triumph. The Head of Goliath is a disturbing self-portrait of Caravaggio.
Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio (Room VIII)
Sick Bacchus is another famous painting by Caravaggio found in Scipione Borghese’s former estate. It features a very sickly version of Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture, wine, and fertility. It displays Caravaggios depleting mental state.
Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius by Bernini (Room VI)
Completed in 1619, Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius is one of the lesser spoken about Bernini sculptures. It’s a beautiful portrayal of Aeneas’ flight from Rome, as described in the “Aeneid” after Troy was sacked by the Greeks.
The Rape of Proserpina by Bernini (Room IV)
This really shows Bernini’s engineering marvel. The statue was literally designed for the room—it’s a beautiful baroque touch to tie in your surroundings and features a violent twisting scene of Pluto coming to claim his wife Proserpina.
Apollo and Daphne by Bernini (Room III)
Bernini started to work on this sculpture in 1622 under the commission of Scipione Borghese and he finally ended his work in 1625. It’s considered one of his masterpieces. The statue is an incredible work of art for more reasons than simply good old-fashioned sculpting, which is an understatement. Walk around the sculpture counter-clockwise to see Daphne transform into a tree.
David by Bernini (Room II)
Creating a David scene after Michelangelo creates the David is very difficult. Michelangelo did David after victory—relaxed and confident. Bernini decided to do David before the fight in a fully tense state.
Pauline Bonaparte by Canova (Room I)
Canova dedicated an entire side of his atelier to this project, where Paolina used to go and pose for the artist. The woman is portrayed as a winning Venus, showing an apple in her hand, a symbol of Venus’s victory after Paris’s choice.
The Deposition (of Christ) by Raphael (Room IX)
Raphael’s Deposition is a wood panel painting commissioned by the Baglioni and completed in 1507. The painting depicts a family feud that ended in a mother losing her son. The story is filled with remorse. Be sure to read our extended descriptions in our article top things to see at the Borghese Gallery for the full version of the heart-wrenching story.
Lady with Unicorn by Raphael (Room (IX)
The Archery Contest of Diana and Her Nymphs by Domenichino (Room XIV)
This 1616 painting is a lovely full-featured painting that was stolen from Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. It’s a complex story and warrants the explanation of a local guide!
Places To Eat Nearby
The Borghese Gallery is situated in Villa Borghese, in the northern part of Rome. The north of Rome is known for being the wealthier part of the city, with its high-end neighborhoods like Parioli. Villa Borghese, a very beautiful and luxurious park, is very likely to be the reason these neighborhoods formed.
Below are some great restaurants nearby. That said, if you are in Rome for a few days, I recommend eating near the Spanish Steps to breath in the beauty of the city. Here is a list of our favorite restaurants near the Spanish Steps.
Kilo Restaurant: €€ | Steakhouse—Known for their steaks and cuts of meats served in traditional Italian style. Great reviews.
Marziale 1922: €€ | Lighter Meals and Snacks—This would be best described as sophisticated casual. A few tables and a cool bar, this restaurant has great salads, appetizers, and even a good burger.
La Vineria di Mastroccia: €€ | Wine Selection—Pretty much amazing everything. They serve typical Roman cuisine including seafood. The muscle and clam pasta is a must.
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The Borghese Gallery is located in the Villa Borghese, a scenic 25-minute walk from the Spanish Steps through the villa gardens.
If you’re already in the city center, you might find it easier to reach the Borghese Gallery by climbing the stairs in Piazza del Popolo and entering the villa directly. In this case, take a moment to enjoy the view of the city from above, then keep walking in the park until you reach the gallery.
If you prefer more direct access, head instead to Via Pinciana, situated in the north of Rome, and find the gallery directly at the entrance. You can also get there by taxi and metro.
By Taxi:
Search for the museum when you’re connected to Wi-Fi if you’re not using your service abroad. Your GPS will still work when you leave Wi-Fi as long as you hit go beforehand.
When you get in the taxi, tell them, “Galleria Borghese” or hand them a piece of paper with “Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5 (Galleria Borghese)” on it. They’ll drop you off in a small car park off Via Pinciana and probably point to the museum. At this point, you should see a big black gate for the gallery and probably the all-white facade of the museums.
They may drop you off at the front of Villa Borghese. You’ll know the difference because you won’t see the white facade of the museum and there’ll be a big intersection. Taxi drivers rarely speak English in Rome, so pay and get out. You’ll see signs for the Borghese Gallery, which will read, “Galleria Borghese” or “Museo.”
By Metro:
I’ll explain below, but you should find the museum on your phone map while you’re on Wi-Fi. You can leave your phone on airplane mode, but GPS still works as long as you hit go while you’re still on Wi-Fi. This is a lifesaver.
Going by metro can be a little more confusing. You need to make your way to the red line or metro A. Get off at “Spagna” but don’t head out to Piazza di Spagna. When you get off the subway, stop following the foot traffic and look for signs that say “Via Venetto”. You’ll go through a very, very long underground tunnel with moving walkways until you reach Via Veneto.
The rule of thumb is if you’re in huge crowds after you go up the big escalators, you’re going the wrong way. As soon as you go up the big escalators you’ll turn right and right again. Everyone else will turn right and go straight.
Once you get to the exit on the top of Via Veneto, you should exit the city walls, you’ll see them straight away. Head into the Borghese Gardens and look for signs to “Galleria Borghese” or “Museo.”
