Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese)

A limited number of required advance reservation tickets are available at any given time, so it’s best to book in advance. Borghese Gallery tours range from private or small-group tours, Segway tours of the greater Borghese Villa, and art-historian led 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.

• 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 skip-the-line tickets or guided tours.

• 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.

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.

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 morning entry, as that's often when it's quieter.

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.

Yes, the Borghese Gallery sells limited timed tickets (valid for a 2-hour visit) each day, so they sell out quickly and must be reserved in advance. Tickets are only sold online and cannot be purchased at the museum entrance.

Yes, this small gallery is home to one of Rome’s premier collections of paintings and sculptures. It’s most famous for its marble masterpieces by Bernini, but there are also sculptures by Canova and canvases by Caravaggio and Raphael inside.

Gallery Borghese sells limited tickets for each time slot during the day, so the museum is never overcrowded. The busiest times to visit are on weekends and holidays, while weekdays (especially in winter) are quieter.

Compared to Rome’s other blockbuster art museums, the Borghese Gallery is relatively compact. Timed tickets are valid for a 2-hour visit, enough time to cover all the rooms and linger to admire Bernini’s headliners in the main hall.

Yes, the Borghese Gallery is not a sacred site, so there is no dress code to enter. Opt for comfortable clothing and shoes, since you will be on your feet during the two-hour visit, and be prepared to leave all bags and backpacks in the cloakroom.

Yes, photography without flash is permitted inside the gallery, though selfie sticks must be left in the cloakroom. Be respectful of other visitors admiring the works, and do not approach the sculptures or paintings while photographing or taking videos to avoid damaging them.