Ultimate Guide to Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese Gardens are the third largest public park (148 acres) in Rome and are one of the ‘must see’ things when you are in the city, even for a few days. It is a huge park and very difficult to navigate when visiting it for the first time. But if you have proper maps and guides in hand, then you will find your way around easily. In fact, this particular attraction can be seen in just one morning or afternoon.
If exploring Rome on foot is your main agenda, then you should start walking from the famous Spanish Steps. After enjoying a breathtaking view of Rome from the Pincian Hill in Viale del Belvedere, walk through the city center towards one of its most fascinating tourist attractions.
Landscaping of the Gardens was commenced in 1605 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who commissioned the gardener Domenico Savini da Montepulciano. He successfully turned his vineyard into one of the most beautiful gardens in Rome. It was opened to the public only in 1903. Apart from Galleria Borghese, the Gardens house the Villa Giulia, Villa Medici, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art).
The “Temple of Aesculapius” and the Siena Square are also worth a visit as is every nook and cranny of these beautiful gardens.
How to get to Villa Borghese
You can reach Villa from Termini station by taking bus #92, 910 or 360.
Galleria Borgese
Villa Borghese Pinciana was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who appointed the architect Flaminio Ponzio to design and oversee its construction. Upon Ponzio’s death, another architect Giovanni Vansanzio (real name Jan van Santen) continued in his stead. Construction commenced in 1606 and was completed in 1633. While the villa was under construction, Borghese started systematically collecting works of art making his collection one of the most important of its time. In fact, the villa today is the seat of Galleria Borghese.
Everyone should make an effort to visit the Gallery as it is home to one of the largest private art collections in the world. It is definitely one of those places to see when you are wondering what to do in Rome. It is a perfect place for art connoisseurs as you can see Titian’s “Sacred and Profane Love”, Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne”, “Pluto and Proserpina”, “Truth Unveiled by Time”, “David” and, some of Caravaggio’s early works. It will take you about two hours to complete the full tour.
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00-19:00 (visitors are admitted every 2 hours)
Closed: Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Gallery Tours
Please note: only 360 people are permitted per 2 hour tour, so book in advance to avoid being disappointed.
Storage Room Tours
Please note: only 18 people are permitted per 1 hour tour starting times – 15:00 and 16:00
Entrance Fees
EUR 15
Free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, subject to booking at least 2 months in advance.
Temple of Asclepius Villa Borghese
You will instantly recognize the temple from the many photographs of the Villa. Overlooking a large pond, it was designed and built by Antonio and Mario Asprucci in 1786. Inside the temple you can see a large statue of Aesculapius. The temple serves as a decorative feature in the Gardens.
Villa Giulia
Pope Julius III commissioned architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola to design and build the villa, which was completed around 1553. However, Bartolomeo Ammanati designed the nymphaeum. Large sums of money were spent on decorating the villa, making it a fine example of Mannerist architecture. Today the villa houses the National Etruscan Museum that has collections of artefacts dating back to the pre-Roman Etruscan civilization. Its most famous exhibit is the Sarcophagus of the Spouses (late 6th Century BC).
Opening Hours
Tuesday-Sunday: 08.30 – 19.30 (last admission 18.30, closing of rooms 19.00).
Monday: closed
How to get there
Tram stop: Museo Etrusco Villa Giulia, Line 19
Buses: 52, 88, 95, 490, 495 or 926
Entrance Fees
Adults: EUR 10
Reduced price: EUR 2
Piazza Di Siena Villa Borghese
Located in the Villa Borghese Gardens, this large square was built in 1792 by Antonio Asprucci and was inspired by the Palio di Siena as the Borghese family relocated to Rome from Siena. In fact, this square was the arena used for the equestrian dressage event in the Rome Olympic Games in 1960. It is used annually to host the Piazza di Siena International Horse Show, a great competition for show jumpers.
Villa Medici
Designed by architect Annibale Lippi, the Mannerist style Villa Medici was built for Card. Ricci da Montepulciano in around 1540. It was purchased by the Medici family in the latter half of the 16th Century. The villa has a magnificent view overlooking the Eternal City from its perch upon the Pincio Hill. Napoleon relocated the French Academy to the Villa Medici in 1803 as a precautionary measure against the revolution. Today, the villa plays host to numerous important exhibitions and is the temporary home of aspiring artists.
Opening Hours
Wednesday – Monday: 10:00-19:00 (18:30 if there is an exhibition)
Closed: Tuesdays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Guided Tours
Wednesday – Monday
Entrance Fees
EUR 14 (EUR 11 reduced) – the tour includes the villa, gardens and temporary exhibition.
Temporary Exhibitions
Open every day, except on Tuesday, from 10 am to 7 pm. Last admission at 6.30 pm.
Galleria Nazionale D’Arte Moderna
The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts (Palazzo delle Belle Arti), which was designed by architect Cesare Bazzani, that was constructed in 1915. You can see 19th and 20th Century works of art by Italian artists such as Alberto Burri, Antonio Canova, Giorgio de Chirico and Amedeo Modigliani. Foreign artists are represented by Cèzanne, Degas, Kadinsky, Mondrian, Jackson Pollock and Rodin.
How to get there
Metro: Line A – Flaminio stop
Tram stop: Viale delle Belle Arti, Lines 3 and 19
Buses: 61, 89, 160, 490, 495, M, Piazzale del Fiocco
Train: Line Rome – Viterbo – Flaminio Station
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00-19:00 (last admission: 45 mins. before closing)
Closed: Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, 1st May
Entrance Fees
Full price: EUR 10
Reduced: EUR 2-EUR 7
Free of charge: children under the age of 18
Please note: keep your ticket with you at all times during the visit.