Discover the green heart of Rome: Villa Borghese, one of the city’s largest parks, will amaze you with its art treasures and romantic settings.
The Capital offers super-romantic views, extraordinary works of art and enchanted parks where you can find harmony. Rome’s Villa Borghese combines all of the above: a great green lung – to be precise, the third largest park in Rome – and a treasure chest of precious treasures.
An absolute must for those who visit Rome: Villa Borghese, in fact, is a place loved by everyone, including children. There’s so much to do and see for an entire day – time flies like magic!
- Villa Borghese Tickets and Opening Hours
- The Park of Villa Borghese and the Temple of Esculapio
- Terrazza Borghese: the Pincio promenade
- The Borghese Museum and Gallery
- The Villa Borghese zoo and play area
Villa Borghese Tickets and Opening Hours
Villa Borghese itself is a large public park in Rome, and access to the park is free and open to the public year-round. However, there are certain attractions within the park that do require tickets. Here’s what you need to know about tickets for those attractions:
1. Galleria Borghese
- Tickets: Required.
- Cost: Approximately €13 to €20 for adults, depending on the time of year and any discounts. Limited last-minute tickets are also available, but reservation is strongly recommended (prices from €13, extra reservation fee €2).
- Reservations: Strongly recommended, as entry is limited to timed slots and often sells out days or even weeks in advance.
- What to See: The gallery houses a remarkable collection of art, including works by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian.
- Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
- Last Entry: The last entry is at 5:45 PM, with visitors needing to leave the gallery by 7:00 PM.
2. Bioparco di Roma (Rome Zoo)
- Tickets: Required.
- Cost: Around €16 for adults and €13 for children (ages 4-10). Children under 4 enter free.
- What to See: The zoo is home to a wide variety of animals and offers educational exhibits on wildlife conservation.
- Opening Hours:
- January to March & October to December: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- April to September: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
- June, July, and August: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Closed: The zoo is open every day, but hours may be shorter on holidays.
3. Civic Museums within Villa Borghese (e.g., Museo Carlo Bilotti)
- Tickets: Many of these smaller museums, like Museo Carlo Bilotti, offer free entry to their permanent collections, but temporary exhibitions might require a ticket.
- Cost: Varies; temporary exhibition prices are usually modest.
- Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Closed on Mondays.
- Last Entry: Typically 30 minutes before closing.
4. Cinema dei Piccoli
- Tickets: Required.
- Cost: Varies depending on the film; generally around €5 to €7.
- What to See: This is the smallest cinema in the world, often showing films for children and families.
- Opening Hours: Varies based on the film schedule. Typically, shows are in the afternoon and evening. It’s best to check the specific schedule for the day you plan to visit.
5. Globe Theatre (Silvano Toti Globe Theatre)
- Tickets: Required for performances.
- Cost: Prices vary depending on the production.
- What to See: Modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, this venue offers a variety of theatrical performances, often in Italian.
- Opening Hours: The theater operates primarily during the summer months with evening performances. Hours vary depending on the showtimes.
The Park of Villa Borghese and the Temple of Esculapio
Centuries-old trees, sculptures, graceful ponds and Italian gardens: this is the setting that welcomes families, lovers and tourists when visiting Villa Borghese. One of the most loved places is undoubtedly the Lake Garden, with the Temple of Aesculapius overlooking the water.
Are you searching for that perfect Rome weekend romantic idea, a Valentine’s Day treat, or, more simply, a magic moment with your sweetheart? Here’s an ideal setting – you can also rent a rowboat to enjoy it to the fullest.
Terrazza Borghese: the Pincio promenade
Framed by the Villa Borghese park, the Pincio Terrace is another great classic for couples. Would you like to make a scenic entrance? If you do, we recommend that you start from Piazza del Popolo and walk up the hill that leads to the monumental access to the Pincio Hill.
You will reach the famous Terrazza del Pincio, one of the world’s most romantic terraces. Walking along the Pincio promenade, you will come across the magical Water Clock, which overlooks a pond surrounded by greenery.
The Borghese Museum and Gallery: the works of Caravaggio and more
In the Eternal City, beauty is everywhere, from the most famous monuments to alternative itineraries, including contemporary art museums and neighborhoods of Rome with unusual charm. A must-see destination is the Museum of Villa Borghese, with its collection of masterpieces embracing Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Bernini, Canova, and many other masters.
At the Borghese Gallery, for example, you can admire Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne” dual sculpture, or Caravaggio‘s “David with the Head of Goliath”, not to mention temporary exhibitions. The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, with evening openings on Thursday evenings.
The Villa Borghese zoo and play area
Do you enjoy spending free time with your family? Also in this case, Villa Borghese offers many ideas. The Villa Borghese Biopark is one of the top destinations for little ones – by the way, remember our suggestions for enjoying Rome with kids, going to the zoo, museums, and playgrounds?
The zoo offers an experience that is both fun and educational, including large green spaces and direct encounters with animals. Did you know that in the heart of Villa Borghese, there is a play area for children aged 3 to 10? Yes indeed: it’s the Casina di Raffaello.
To Rome with Italo
Getting to Villa Borghese by public transportation is very easy, just take the metro to the Flaminio and Spagna stops. Reaching Rome is easy too, thanks to Italo’s numerous super-fast high-speed trains. Are you ready to spend a day immersed in nature, a few steps from Rome’s downtown?
How to get to villa borghese from Rome Termini?
Walking (Approximately 20-30 minutes.): The walk from Termini to Villa Borghese is pleasant and takes you through some interesting parts of the city. Exit Rome Termini from the main entrance; Head northwest on Via Marsala; Continue onto Via Volturno, then turn right onto Via Cernaia; Continue straight onto Via Piemonte.
You’ll reach the southern entrance of Villa Borghese near Via Veneto.
Public Transportation (About 15-20 minutes.): The bus and metro are both easy and convenient, especially if you’re not up for walking.
- By bus: From Termini, take Bus 910 towards “Piazza Mancini”. Get off at the stop “Pinciana/Museo Borghese,” which is right next to the Galleria Borghese inside the park.
- By Metro: Take Metro Line A from Termini Station towards “Battistini.” Get off at the “Spagna” stop (Spanish Steps). From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the southern entrance of Villa Borghese via Via Veneto.
Taxi (Approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic.): This is the fastest option but also the most expensive. Typically around €10-€15, depending on the time of day and traffic. Taxis are readily available outside Termini Station. You can simply tell the driver “Villa Borghese” or a specific location within the park, like “Galleria Borghese.”
