Borghese Gallery: reviews, price 2026 and Exclusive Promo Code

+38
recs
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 situated on an estate acquired by the Borghese family in the late 16th century and purchased in 1901 by the Italian state, followed by the municipal government of Rome two years later. The villa was built at the initiative of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Camillo Borghese, who was elected pope in 1605 as Paul V; Scipione also assembled the bulk of the collections. The gallery features major artworks ranging from the Renaissance to Neoclassicism, created by Italian masters of painting and sculpture such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

Villa Borghese in Rome

Construction of the villa dates back to 1607, and its architecture was entrusted to Flaminio Ponzio. The building facade draws inspiration from the Villa Medici in Rome and incorporates characteristic elements of the Renaissance and Baroque movements, with a total of 144 bas-reliefs and 70 busts ornamenting the exterior.

The Borghese Gallery is set within one of the largest parks in Rome, spanning roughly 80 hectares. This landscape was entirely redesigned during the 19th century to incorporate English garden styling, featuring numerous fountains, ponds, and dense vegetation. Today, a zoological park called Bioparco allows visitors to observe over 200 animal species.

What to See at the Borghese Gallery

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

Tickets from $29*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 09:00-19:00
Wednesday 09:00-19:00
Thursday 09:00-19:00
Friday 09:00-19:00
Saturday 09:00-19:00
Sunday 09:00-19:00
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of the Borghese Gallery

Summary of 8 reviews
4.8/5
Average rating
+38 recs +38 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.3
As a couple
4.9
With friends
4.7

Avygeo ranking

#23
in the world
#23
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.

35
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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...

20
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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!

21
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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.

19
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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.

10
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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.

8
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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.

8
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