Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese)
The Basics
Advance reservations are required to visit the Borghese Gallery and numbers are limited at any given time, so it’s best to book tickets in advance. Travelers can opt for skip-the-line tickets, a private or small-group tour, or a Segway tour of the greater Borghese Villa. Art historians often lead small-group tours, which add context to the artwork you’re seeing. However, even without a tour, you'll be able to appreciate Raphael’s impressive The Deposition and Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath, two of the museum’s most famous works.
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Things to Know Before You Go
The Borghese Gallery is a must-see for art lovers in Rome.
Even with a required advance-purchase ticket, there can be long entry lines; to avoid the wait, consider a private, skip-the-line guided tour.
With limited entry and a time limit on your visit, the Borghese Gallery is a great place to enjoy art without the large crowds found at most Roman art museums.
Wi-Fi is free to all visitors.
The Borghese features accessible restrooms and a small elevator to the second floor.
How to Get There
The Borghese Gallery is situated in central Rome, within the Villa Borghese. You’ll find the Villa Borghese up the Spanish Steps and on the path to the left. The closest metro station to the Borghese Gallery is Flaminio, on Line A.
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When to Get There
The Borghese Gallery is open from 8:30am to 7:30pm Tuesday through Sunday. Like most Roman attractions, the Borghese is at its busiest in summer. It’s best to purchase your ticket for early in the morning, as that's often when it's quieter.
The Borghese Family Effect
The Borgheses were a powerful Italian family who rose to prominence and wealth after one member became Pope Paul V in 1552 and gave power and titles to other family members. One such was the pope’s nephew, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who built the Villa Borghese and Borghese Gardens in the 17th century to hold parties and house his private art collections. He was a patron of the famous artist Bernini, so many of Bernini’s sculptures—including Apollo and Daphne and David—are held in the Borghese collection.
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