Attraction
Colosseum
The Flavian Amphitheatre, completed in AD 80 under Titus, is Rome's defining ancient monument and the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo.
Galleria Borghese
Cardinal Scipione Borghese's villa holds Bernini's greatest marble sculptures, a room of Caravaggio paintings and Canova's reclining Pauline Borghese.
At a glance
- Type
- Art museum
- Area
- Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 09:00–19:00
- Official site
- galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it
Good to know
- Guided tours
- Timed entry
- Park setting
Why we recommend it
Galleria Borghese occupies the Casino Borghese, a villa built in the early 17th century for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V and one of the most ambitious collectors of his age. He was an early patron of both Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Caravaggio, and the villa was designed to display his sculptures, paintings and antiquities. The collection was bought by the Italian state in 1902, and the building sits within the Villa Borghese park.
The sculptures by Bernini are the main reason to come. Apollo and Daphne captures the moment the nymph turns into a laurel tree, The Rape of Proserpina shows Pluto's fingers pressing into marble flesh, and his David is caught mid-throw. Antonio Canova's reclining Venus Victrix, modelled on Pauline Bonaparte, the wife of Prince Camillo Borghese, is in its own room. Upstairs, the picture gallery holds works by Raphael, including The Deposition, Titian's Sacred and Profane Love and paintings by Correggio and Rubens. The Caravaggio room includes Boy with a Basket of Fruit, Sick Bacchus and David with the Head of Goliath.
Visitor numbers are strictly limited, and reservation is obligatory, so book a timed slot well in advance, online or by calling +39 06 32810. The gallery opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00, with last admission at 17:45, and is closed on Mondays. Guided tours in Italian and English run at 9:10, 11:10, 15:10 and 17:10 for groups of up to 15 people and must also be booked. Arrive early to collect tickets and leave bags at the cloakroom.
The gallery is compact, and a visit of around two hours is enough to see both floors without hurrying. It suits art lovers above all, but the drama of the Bernini sculptures appeals to older children too. Pick an early slot if you want the rooms at their quietest.
The gallery is on Piazzale Scipione Borghese, inside the park. From Spagna metro station, walk up through the gardens in about 20 minutes, or take a bus to Via Pinciana. After the visit, walk through Villa Borghese to the lake with its Temple of Aesculapius, or continue to the Pincio terrace for the view over Piazza del Popolo.
Galleria Borghese FAQs
When is Galleria Borghese open?
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 19:00, with last admission at 17:45. It is closed on Mondays.
Do I need to book?
Yes, reservation is obligatory; book online or by phone on +39 06 32810.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, in Italian and English at 9:10, 11:10, 15:10 and 17:10, for up to 15 people; they must be reserved.
What are the highlights?
Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, The Rape of Proserpina and David, Canova's Venus Victrix, and paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian.
How long should I allow?
Around two hours.
When does the ticket office open?
From 8:30 until one hour before closing.
How do I get there?
Walk up through Villa Borghese from Spagna metro station in about 20 minutes, or take a bus to Via Pinciana.
What is nearby?
The Villa Borghese park, its lake and the Pincio terrace.