USD ($)
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JPY (¥)A visit to the Eternal City would not be complete without visiting some of the renowned museums in Rome Italy. This city offers a variety of museums with different collections that range from classical art to modern history. Visiting these museums provides an excellent way for visitors to learn more about Rome’s vast cultural heritage.
In this article, we’ll give you a look at seven of the best museums in Rome. We have options for the first-time traveler and the seasoned critic. No matter your interest, you’re sure to find one that gives you some unique knowledge to bring home with you.
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery and Museum is one of the most popular art museums in Rome. This gallery houses some of the finest artworks from the Renaissance to Baroque periods. It is located in Villa Borghese, a park that was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese and designed by architect Flaminio Ponzio in 1613.
Visitors can admire works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian, to name a few. The Villa Borghese Gallery also has a large collection of ancient sculptures as well as modern works of art. A great way to experience it all is with our Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens Guided Tour. This gives you access to a knowledgeable guide and skip-the-line Borghese Gallery tickets.
Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm
Castel Sant’Angelo
The Castel Sant’Angelo National Museum is located in what was once the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian and his family. After being converted into a fortress, it became one of Rome’s most imposing monuments. Nowadays, this museum houses some of the finest works from the Renaissance period. Inside Castel Sant’Angelo, you’ll find paintings and sculptures by masters like Michelangelo, Jacopo Sansovino, Andrea del Sarto, and others.
Visitors can also explore the impressive architecture of Castel Sant’Angelo Rome, which includes a spiral staircase leading up to a terrace with stunning views over Rome. You can get an inside look with the Castel Sant’Angelo of Rome Exclusive Tour. This tour includes skip-the-line museum access with Castel Sant’Angelo tickets and is led by an expert guide.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7:30 pm
Palazzo Colonna
Palazzo Colonna Rome was built in the Middle Ages and is located in the heart of the Eternal City. It houses one of the best hidden art museums Rome has to offer called Galleria Colonna.
The gallery contains works from the 15th to 20th centuries. Artists featured include Caravaggio, Sebastiano del Piombo, Luca Giordano, and Francesco Albani. The gallery also holds some ancient Roman sculptures dating back to antiquity. Palazzo Colonna tickets are hard to come by, so be sure to book online ahead of time if possible,
Address: Via della Pilotta, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Friday upon request, Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:15 pm
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a large archaeological site located in the center of Rome. It was once the political, religious, and commercial center of Ancient Rome. Now, visitors can explore this historic area and learn more about its history.
You can view ancient ruins such as temples, arches, basilicas, and other monuments. The museum also exhibits artifacts from the era, including jewelry, coins, sculptures, and pottery. Roman Forum tickets are included with our Rome in a Day Walking Tour, as are tickets to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.
Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 7 pm
MAXXI
MAXXI National Museum was the first national museum of contemporary art among the Rome art museums. It was opened in 2010 and showcases modern art from all over Italy and beyond. The MAXXI museum building itself is considered a work of art, as it was designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Inside MAXXI Rome, you can find pieces from artists such as Mario Merz, Lucio Fontana, Michelangelo Pistoletto, and Gino De Dominicis.
Address: Via Guido Reni, 4a, 00196 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are located on the Campidoglio Hill. They overlook the Roman Forum and are the oldest museums Rome or Europe have to offer. These museums house a unique collection from Ancient Rome.
Visitors can view sculptures such as The Dying Gaul and The Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus. This museum also features Renaissance artworks by Michelangelo and paintings by Caravaggio, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, and more. Tickets for the Capitoline Museums are easy to purchase online or in person.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: Daily 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums Rome are a must-see when visiting the city. They house some of the most renowned works of art in the world, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibit and the Raphael Rooms. The museums also feature impressive collections of ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance paintings, maps, tapestries, and more.
Vatican City is an incredibly popular tourist site year-round, so you should either prepare to wait in long lines or book your Vatican Museums tickets ahead of time. The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour takes you to all the museums in just a few hours with included tickets for the Sistine Chapel and other sites. You can also journey beyond Vatican City with the Ancient Rome and Vatican Treasure Tour, which also includes Sistine Chapel tickets and access to the Raphael Rooms Vatican.
Address: 00120 Vatican City
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, Friday to Saturday 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Experience Museums in Rome and Beyond with Tourist Italy!
All of the museums in Rome are unforgettable, but Tourist Italy can help you create an experience that will last a lifetime. With our tours of Rome and package tours throughout Italy, you’ll get to spend your vacation relaxing instead of planning. And with skip-the-line access to Rome Italy museums included, you’ll maximize your fun time! Tourist Italy’s website isn’t just for tours – we also give you lots of helpful travel advice! From Rome airport and transportation guides to travel and tour recommendations, we have all the information you need to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy.
