Getting Galleria Borghese tickets is easier than you can imagine. Follow this easy guide and find the ones that best suit your needs and interests.
Galleria Borghese is the best museum in Rome and one of the best art galleries in the world, and if you happen to be in the Italian capital it would be a real pity to miss it. Contrary to other famous places to visit in Rome, here you won’t find any big crowds.
In fact, Galleria Borghese (or Borghese Gallery) caps the number of visitors to 100 for each time slot, which has to be booked in advance – tickets aren’t actually sold at the museum.
With such strict limitations on the number of visitors who are allowed to get in at once, in order to grab your preferred time you have to make it a point to book well ahead of time.
Visiting Rome soon? You need to buy tickets to Galleria Borghese in advance. These are the best options:
Now, continue reading as I will explain the various ways in which you can to get Museo e Galleria Borghese tickets and share a bunch of useful tips to plan your visit and make the most of it.
How To Get Galleria Borghese Tickets
Way N. 1: Use Galleria Borghese tickets official site
This is Galleria Borghese tickets official site. This is definitely the most budget friendly way of getting your tickets.
Once you click on “buy”, another page opens up and you are taken to another website. You then have to click again on “buy ticket”, and a new page opens again, and that’s where you can buy your tickets. Don’t worry, the page is in English and easy to navigate.
The calendar will show you the dates for which there is availability, you click on that and you then select the time slot and the number of tickets you wish to purchase.
What is confusing about the site is the various additional fees you have to pay – some are explained, others aren’t. Let me give you a breakdown of the Galleria Borghese tickets prices:
ADULTS – €17; It includes a booking fee and a service fee;
EU CITIZENS AGED 18 TO 25 – €6; It includes a booking fee and a service fee;
VISITORS BETWEEN 6 AND 17 – €6; it includes a booking fee and a service fee;
CHILDREN UNDER 5, DISABLED VISITORS, AND A PERSON ACCOMPANYING THEM – €2.
There also is a €1.50 insurance fee for cancellations, but this is optional. There’s also an additional €1 fee for visits between 15 June and 15 December.
Audioguides are not available via the official website but can be purchased in person for €5.
If you want your ticket to be refundable, expect to pay between €18,50 and €19,50 for adults.
Guided tours are periodically sold via the official website and cost an additional €8 per person. Tours are available every day in Italian and English and other languages upon request. There are four daily departures for tours in English: 9:10 and 11:10 am; and 3:10 and 5:10 pm. At the time of writing, it is not possible to book guided tours via the official website.
Tickets and tours sold on the official site can’t be modified or refunded, unless you also pay the additional insurance fee.
Way N. 2: Buy tickets via a 3rd party reseller
Third party booking sites are a great way of getting tickets, as they are generally more user friendly. You can do everything in one page, and the booking conditions are clearly visible and easy to understand.
One more reason to use third-party booking sites is that they often have last-minute availability, which is great if you are planning last minute and/or can’t find tickets on the official site.
Galleria Borghese tickets sold on third-party sites have a starting price of €20 and they can be modified, canceled and refunded as long as you cancel 24 hours before your visit.
There are several sites you can use to book tickets. I normally opt for Tiqets or GetYourGuide as they are both user friendly and have a good customer service in a variety of languages.
You can book your Galleria Borghese ticket on Tiqets.
I also recommend getting your tickets for Galleria Borghese on GetYourGuide.
Way N. 3: Take a guided tour of Borghese Gallery
This is my recommended way of visiting Borghese Gallery. I visited once with my sister and as soon as we stepped inside we realized there was so much to see that we were glad we had joined a guided tour.
During the tour, a local guide will take you through the gallery to explain everything you are seeing. The tour can be a group or private tour, depending on your preference and budget. Tours can be fairly interactive and last around two hours. Some tours also include a visit to the Villa Borghese Gardens.
Booking a tour via a third-party reseller is extremely easy: you literally just pick the time slot for your tour, save the email with the booking code, and show up at the meeting point a bit before the scheduled time.
Third party booking sites have very flexible cancellation policies too – so if something happens and you can’t make it to the tour, you can get a full refund in a matter o days.
Finally, there usually is a bit more availability for tours on third-party sites, which are not offered on a regular basis.
Of course, tours on third-party sites are more expensive than on the official site – but it is a small price to pay to avoid the nuisance of running around in circles trying to make a reservation.
Tours of Galleria Borghese start at €55 per person for a small group tour, and can be as expensive as €130 per person for a private tour.
My recommended tour is this Borghese Gallery Tour & Tickets: With Bernini, Caravaggio & Raphael run by Walks of Italy, one of the best tour companies that use exclusively local guides. It’s the tour we took and loved.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly tour, I found this Borghese Gallery Masterpieces & Gardens: Skip-the-Line Tour which is another excellent option.
If you would rather opt for a private tour, I suggest this well-reviewed tour here. It’s not cheap, but worth it as you’ll have the guide all to yourself.
Way N. 4: Get the Roma Pass
Galleria Borghese is one of the attractions included in the 48 and 72 hours Roma Pass.
If you have a Roma Pass, to visit Borghese Gallery you will have to book a time slot in advance and pay the €2 booking fee.
To book your time slot, you have to visit the Galleria Borghese tickets Roma pass website. This is the only recommended option on the official Galleria Borghese website, but you can also call the number +390632810, active from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
You will have to show your card at the ticket office for validation.
I recommend getting the Rome Explorer Pass if you intend to visit many attractions during your trip to Rome.
If you only wish to visit a few places, I recommend getting the Rome Tourist Card – you can pick up to 4 attractions which include the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery, Castel Sant’Angelo or St. Peter’s Basilica. The main advantage of this option is that you can pick a date and time slot for your visit directly on the booking site.
Read my post How To Make The Most Of The Roma Pass.
Way N. 5: Call or email the museum
For the old-fashioned reading this post, or if you don’t want to get Galleria Borghese tickets online, you can actually talk to a real person (if you call) and ask questions about your visit and even book a ticket.
The number to call is +390632810. Press 2 for support in English.
The Call Center is open Mondays to Fridays, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm – all timings are intended as CET so make sure to verify the time difference with your time zone.
Way N. 6: Get your Galleria Borghese tickets in person at the ticket office
Yes! There is a physical ticket office at Galleria Borghese. Getting tickets in person is a bit more budget friendly as you don’t have to pay the online booking fee, but it doesn’t come at no cost.
Indeed, you may get all the way there only to find out that there are no tickets left for the day – you may at most be able to purchase tickets for one of the following days. With this in mind, you are definitely better off getting tickets online and well ahead of your intended day of visit.
Anyhow, for clarity, this is the Galleria Borghese tickets price as on sale at the physical ticket office:
- Adults €15;
- EU citizens between 18 and 25 years old €4;
- Minors and disabled visitors €2.
Way N. 7: Get your tickets from “bagarini” outside the museum
If you forgot to make reservations for Borghese Gallery and can’t find last minute tickets via one of the above-mentioned options, you may want to try this method, which is less than guaranteed and certainly more expensive than all other options.
In fact, the official website of Galleria Borghese warns visitors against it.
If you head to the museum, you may occasionally find people standing outside trying to sell their tickets. They are called “bagarini” (resellers) in Italian. These are people that may on occasions buy tickets by the bulk and then try to resell them for a higher price.
They obviously take advantage of tourists who have failed to plan their visit – so try to avoid them unless it’s really a last resort!
Q&A About Visiting Galleria Borghese
Book in advance
The first thing you need to consider when looking into how to get Galleria Borghese tickets is that you need to book a time slot for your visit. Indeed, the museum works on a time slot system and only 180 visitors are allowed during each time slot.
Visitors can stay inside the museum for up to two hours, after which they will be required to leave.
Although there is a physical ticket office at Galleria Borghese, reservations are highly recommended if you want to secure your visit. All visitors should specify a time slot for their visit to Galleria Borghese.
If you are visiting Rome during peak season, book your tickets and time slot at least a month in advance.
Make sure to arrive to the gallery a bit before your scheduled visit. If you show up late you will be denied entry.
Once you get to the museum, head to the counter located on the left side of the main stairways and show your voucher. That will be exchanged for a physical ticket which will be scanned as you enter the museum.
What to do if Galleria Borghese tickets are sold out
If you haven’t reserved your Galleria Borghese tickets and booked a time slot, or if nothing is available for the day and time you wish to visit, you may be unable to visit the museum.
I suggest searching third-party booking sites to see if any tickets are available. You could also book a guided tour – these are more expensive so there usually is more availability. You could also call the booking center at +39 0632810 to see if there are any last-minute cancellations.
Galleria Borghese tickets price
These are Galleria Borghese tickets prices via the official website:
ADULTS – Either €17 or €18.50 – it’s €13 for the ticket + €2 booking fee + €2 for the handling fee + €1.50 optional insurance fee for cancellation.
EU CITIZENS BETWEEN 18 AND 25 YEARS OLD – Either €6 or €7.65 – it’s €2 for the ticket + €2 booking fee + €2 handling fee + €0.65 for the optional insurance fee.
VISITORS BETWEEN 6 AND 17 YEARS OLD – Either €4 or €4.65 – €2 for the ticket + €2 for the booking fee + €0.65 for the insurance fee.
The prices of tickets may increase during special exhibits. There’s an additional €1 fee between 15 June and 15 December.
Audioguides are available at the physical ticket office for €5.
Group visits
A maximum of 4 groups (between 5 and 15 visitors, plus the guide and children under 15 years of age) are allowed per time slot inside the gallery. Groups need to call the Call Center at +390632810 for reservations. Each group is assigned a different route inside the gallery.
Free visits
Free visits are available for several categories, which however need to pay the €2 booking fee.
The booking fee is waived only for disabled visitors and their accompanying assistants (one per disabled visitor); officially recognized EU tour guides; accredited journalists.
Galleria Borghese is also free to visit on the first Sunday of the month.
Special exhibits
Any time there is a special exhibit at Galleria Borghese, the price of tickets may go up. Keep this in mind when purchasing your ticket directly via the website.
Opening times
Galleria Borghese is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (last entry is at 5:45 pm). The museum is closed on Mondays and on 25 December and 1 January.
Time slots
These are the available time slots to visit Borghese Gallery:
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm
The last admission is at 5:45 pm. You can stay in the museum for your entire booked time slot, after which you will be asked to leave.
How much time do you need to visit Galleria Borghese?
Visiting Galleria Borghese and Villa Borghese Gardens can take up to 4 hours.
You will need 2 hours to explore the museum as per the time slot you will be assigned. To that, you should add some time to browse the small gift shop, the gorgeous gardens and enough time to get to the museum (which obviously depends on where you are coming from).
Plan to arrive at the gallery around 30 minutes before your actual visit, so that you have enough time to pick up your physical Galleria Borghese tickets, check in your bags and use the toilets if needed.
Layout of Villa Borghese
The museum spreads over two floors. The ground floor focuses on sculptures; on the first floor, you will see paintings and statues.
The various rooms take their name from the main piece on display – so for example you will find a room that is called Sala della Paolina, which is where the sculpture of Paolina Borghese by Antonio Canova is on sight.
You will also find several statues scattered around the Giardini del Pincio (Pincian Hill) and by the pond – they are pleasant to explore and there’s plenty of shade in the summer.
Facilities at Galleria Borghese
Toilets are located in the basement.
The coffee shop is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; the souvenir shop is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm.
There also is a cloakroom where you can leave larger bags and backpacks: only small bags and purses are allowed inside the museum. Selfie sticks, food and drinks (including water) can’t be taken inside.
Guide dogs and strollers for children under 2 years of age are permitted.
Accessibility of Galleria Borghese
Visitors with reduced mobility or on wheelchairs can access Galleria Borghese from the backdoor in Piazzale Scipione Borghese n. 5.
There is an elevator to get to the upper floor, but it is very small and it won’t fit a large wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available on all floors.
Disabled visitors are advised to contact +390667233753 to plan a smoother visit.
Dogs are not allowed in the museum, with the exception of guide dogs.
Is Galleria Borghese Worth Visiting?
When I get asked “is Galleria Borghese worth visiting?” my answer is always a quick yes.
There are many museums and art galleries in Rome (the Vatican Museums are not technically in Rome) – but if you only have time to visit one, it has to be Galleria Borghese. Its history is unique, and so is its art collection.
Galleria Borghese is located in the heart of a gorgeous public park, which can be accessed from Piazza del Popolo, minutes away from the Spanish Steps. The park itself is a great place to relax away from the crowds and catch your breath.
Also known as Villa Borghese, the villa was built in the early 17th century by architect Flaminio Ponzio on land that belonged to the Borghese family, one of the most prominent in the city. It became a museum in 1903, after it was sold to the Italian government in 1902.
This is one of the best private art collections in the world, put together by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Camillo Borghese who in 1605 became Pope Paul V.
At Galleria Borghese you will be able to see beautiful examples of ancient Roman art, though these are a minority.
Most of the pieces on display are from the 15th to the 18th century, with a strong focus on Renaissance and Baroque art and works of artists such as Bernini, Titian, Raphael, Caravaggio (my personal favorite), Rubens and many more.
Did you know? About 500 pieces of the collection were surrendered to Napoleon in 1807 and are now found in the Louvre. When this happened, Rome was under French rule and Camillo Borghese was married to Paolina Bonaparte.
How to get to Galleria Borghese
Galleria Borghese is located in Piazzale Scipione Borghese n. 5, inside the Borghese Gardens on the Pincian Hill.
Getting to Galleria Borghese is actually very easy, as you can access the Pincian Hill from Piazza del Popolo. Here are the best ways of getting there:
BY BUS – From Termini Station, take bus n. 92 or 910 towards Mancini / Marliana and get off at Via Pinciana (just 3 minutes away from the museum) or Piazzale Brasile, from where it is an easy 10 minutes walk. From Barberini Metro Station you can take bus n. 52, 53 or 61 towards Pinciana / Borghese and get off at Piazzale Brasile.
BY METRO – The closest metro station is Spagna, from where it you will have to follow the signs taking you to Galleria Borghese. It’s a 20 to 25 minutes walk.
Final Tips For Visiting Galleria Borghese
Bring your ID
Chances are that you won’t be asked to show your ID card to be admitted to the gallery but take it with you anyway as you never know. Your driving license is usually ok.
If you are on the last time slot, visit the gift shop first
The gift shop is located outside the museum and is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm.
If you are scheduled to get in on the last time slot (which means you will finish your visit at 7:00 pm) and think you may want to buy a small souvenir from the gift shop, head to Villa Borghese a bit earlier than your scheduled visit to browse the shop before you get in.
Check in your bags
You can’t take anything other than your camera or phone inside Galleria Borghese. You will be required to leave bags, large camera bags, selfie-sticks, backpacks and umbrellas at the cloak room – which is located outside the museum and is free.
Photography
Photography is allowed inside Galleria Borghese, but flash photography isn’t.
Don’t bring in food or drinks
Food and drinks – including water – aren’t allowed inside the museum, so leave anything you have inside the bag you will be checking in at the cloak room.
Further Readings
If you have limited time in Rome, make sure to check out my itineraries to help you plan your visit:
- The Best Things To Do In Rome
- The Perfect Itinerary To See Rome In 2 Days
- A Fantastic Itinerary For 4 Days In Rome
- A Wonderful Itinerary For 5 Days In Rome
- A Great Itinerary For A Fabulous Week In Rome
- 31 Incredible Places To Explore Rome Off The Beaten Path
- The Best Day Trips From Rome
- What To Eat In Rome
For more hacks, read the following posts:
- How To Get Tickets To The Colosseum And Skip The Lines
- How To Get Tickets To The Sistine Chapel And The Vatican Museums
- How To Get St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets And Skip The Line
- A Complete Guide To Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica Dome
- A Guide To Visiting The Pantheon, Rome
Pin It For Later!
Bit of a random question, but do you by any chance know when the on-line tickets only for the Borghese Galleria began? I’m currently writing a novel set in Rome in 2016 in which my heroine visits the Borghese Galleria, but it is some years since I last visited Rome, and I want to get every detail right. Also, does the exit from the gallery lead into the gardens at the back? Many thanks if you are able to help.
I am afraid I actually don’t know – I can’t find info about it. Perhaps try calling the ticket office and they may be able to tell you. The entrance and exit to the gallery are the same – they face the park.
Hi Claudia,
The Galleria Borghese website to buy tickets does not work. Do you know why? We will just try calling the ticket office. Thanks for your great website; we are really enjoying it!
I have no idea. I don’t work for them / with them. Perhaps the site is down? You can get tickets on third party sites as explained in the post.
Thank you Claudia, you have anticipated the queries very well.
Very informative. I do have a question about the free first Sunday tickets. I go on to their sight and that day appears to be blocked out each month.
Hello Rick. Free first Sunday tickets still require a reservation that you can do online, as you rightly observe. These are normally put on sale about 10 days in advance – so for example tickets for 2 April will go on sale on 23 March – and sell out VERY QUICKLY. All in all, you may be better off visiting on a different day!