Borghese Gallery: reviews, price 2026 and Exclusive Promo Code

+38
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4.8/5 8 reviews
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Rome, Italy
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Rome, Italy
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Borghese gallery rome

Visiting the Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery is a museum in Rome located on grounds acquired by the Borghese family in the late 16th century. The Italian state purchased the estate in 1901, and the local administration took over two years later. The villa was built at the direction of Cardinal Camillo Borghese, who was elected pope in 1605, while the bulk of the collection was assembled by his nephew, Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The gallery houses significant Renaissance art by Italian masters including Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

Villa Borghese in Rome

Construction of the villa began in 1607 under the architect Flaminio Ponzio. The building facade draws inspiration from the Villa Medici in Rome and features elements of the Renaissance and Baroque styles, including 144 bas-reliefs and 70 busts adorning the exterior.

The Borghese Gallery sits within one of the largest parks in Rome, covering approximately 80 hectares (about 198 acres). The gardens were redesigned in the 19th century to incorporate English-style landscaping, featuring numerous fountains, ponds, and dense vegetation. Today, the Bioparco zoo located within the grounds houses over 200 animal species.

What to see at the Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery holds collections of Italian Renaissance paintings and sculptures alongside Roman antiquities. It contains about twenty rooms spread across two floors, featuring iconic works such as Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael and Apollo and Daphne, a sculpture by Bernini that captures the moment Daphne begins her transformation into a laurel tree.

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Opening hours

Tue to Sun from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Borghese Gallery

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Summary of 8 reviews
4.8/5
Average rating
+38
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.3
As a couple
4.9
With friends
4.7

Avygeo ranking

#22
in the world
#22
in Europe
#2
in Italy
#2
in Rome

Nice visit

Visiting the Villa is really interesting and fully immerses you in Italian art. You will be able to admire many paintings, sculptures, and beautiful ceilings. The Villa is located in a very beautiful park where it is pleasant to take a walk. It is mandatory to book your tickets in advance. I booked mine several months ahead.

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Art lovers, go for it!

The Borghese Gallery is a must-see in Rome. The works of art on display (paintings, frescoes, sculptures) are really worth a look. If you especially love the Renaissance period (which I do!), you cannot miss going there during your trip to Rome. I was lucky enough to go off-season during a relatively quiet time, but I hear the experience can be unpleasant when it is too crowded.

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Must-see museum

Superb building, but also a great museum that you absolutely have to visit.
Lots of sculptures by Bernini, Caravaggio...

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The greatest Italian artists

Another magnificent museum! If you are interested in art, you might have seen some of these works (like Apollo and Daphne) online. And this is where you can see them up close. The whole place is filled with so much elegance. Visiting this museum, you understand why Italian art is so renowned! I also recommend taking a break at the cafeteria in the gardens, it is the perfect spot to catch your breath!

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Villa Borghese park, the green lung

The Villa Borghese park is the true green lung of Rome. Access is free and the park offers a thousand possibilities: renting a bike, enjoying some gelato, taking a boat ride... From its heights, the view of Rome and the Piazza del Popolo below is splendid. A peaceful and essential place to discover during a stay in Rome. A walk that I enjoyed at the end of May when it was over 85 degrees.
Unfortunately, I was not able to visit the Villa Borghese, it was too crowded. It would have been better to book in advance.

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Wonderful sculptures

Inside a villa with sumptuous decor, the Borghese Gallery displays sublime works. I was amazed by Bernini's marble sculptures, especially Apollo and Daphne and The Rape of Proserpina, whose delicacy radiates real emotion. The paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael are just as magnificent. Thinking I would avoid the crowds, I visited in the evening. Unfortunately, this shortened time slot didn't let me fully enjoy the second floor.

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A Renaissance highlight

Very beautiful garden, and a very beautiful collection of Renaissance art. A must-see if you are a fan of this era.

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Beautiful villa

This villa used to belong to an illustrious Roman family. The sculptures, paintings, frescoes, and trompe l'oeil are magnificent. The garden around it is nice, too. It is best to book your tickets online before you go. If I understood correctly, the number of visitors is limited.

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