Castel Sant'Angelo
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Recommended Reviews - Castel Sant'Angelo
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I'm not into touring monuments, crowds, lines, tourists or tours. However, I enjoyed my 30 or 40 minutes at Castel Sant' Angelo on a beautiful day in February. The crowds were on their tour busses somewhere else, and the castel itself was fun to stroll through, checking out both the fortifications and the opulence. Photo opportunities from the top floors were inspiring. Work up an appetite at Castel Sant' Angelo and walk into the Centro Storico for lunch at Coline Emilane.
Great medieval castle very interesting to see the construction and design. There is a nice cafe where you can coffee and paninis. I also enjoyed the smaller installations in some of the rooms--one featuring photos the last pope, another one about Italian cinema. The rooftop with the bronze statue is where Tosca's ending is set.
We went around 6pm and it was a perfect time. It was cooler and less crowded. We weren't really sure what to expect but it's quite comprehensive inside. Unfortunately we were both jet lagged which likely impacted our experience. Loved the views at the top. Would have enjoyed drinking an aperol spritz up there but we were too tired.
Stunning castle!!!! I mean, wow. It's beautiful! What a magnificent museum in Rome. I'm surprised this isn't a more popular destination. You always hear about Trevi Fountain, the Vatican and the Colosseum. But you don't hear about Saint Angelo's Castle. And that's unfortunate because it is just is cool as some of those other places. I'm so glad we had to see this museum!
The Castel Sant'Angelo, aka the Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a towering cylindrical building. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family, and the popes later used the building as a fortress and castle. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome, I like it as you can explore the different sides of Rome city views and the river of Tiber, also overlook the Vatican City.
This is worth a trip to go into it has a lot of history. It was a prison, palace, and a fortress. There is definitely a level of walking going up and down stairs and pathways until you reach almost the very top and you have an awesome view of Roma. There is also a cafe on the top where you can eat and drink and soak in teh view. There is a lot of history and items to look at here. Inside and out.
We walked here as there was no convenient metro stop close by. There may be a city bus route...? Afterwards we had access to a hop on / hop off bus that had a stop just across the Tiber. We arrived here around 4 p.m. as this was a covered stop on our city pass. A bit earlier, a company rep at the Pantheon had called ahead to put us on the list for this site (it hadn't seemed like it required an advance reservation, but it might be worth checking on). We crossed the bridge over the Tiber that leads directly to Castel Sant'Angelo. The statuary on the bridge is worth checking out, and the view of the castle is great for photos as you approach. We made it to the entrance, but didn't initially see a company rep with an orange umbrella, as expected. However, we turned around and found her off to the side next to the river. We then had to negotiate the ticket-generation process. She apparently wanted to use a couple of messaging apps that none of us had. In the end, she just kept the tickets on her on phone and escorted us in so that she could show / explain to the staff that we should be admitted. It seems like there could be a better way than this, but it worked... The main draw here turned out to be the views from the top. The architecture is interesting - this began as Hadrian's tomb and originally multiple emperors' ashes were stored here. Then it evolved into a papal fortress and treasury. Most of the artifacts have been removed, so what you are left with is a formidable building without much inside. Don't expect galleries of statues, artwork, etc. There are a few exhibits here and there along your ascent. The only elevator was for staff only. You first walk most of the way around the circular base and then begin your ascent. You climb a long ramp, which leads to another ramp that traverses the center of the building. You eventually exit out onto a series of terraces and continue climbing stairs. At one point there is a small restaurant / bar with some nice views, but we were not yet hungry. You eventually come out onto a rectangular space close to the top of the castle. From here you have nice views of the city in 3 directions (the 4th is blocked by some remaining structure of the castle). We were fortunate enough to visit a bit before sunset, so the views were enhanced by the late afternoon lighting. It got a bit crowded here, but with a bit of patience it wasn't hard to get to whatever area of the perimeter you wanted for photos. This is definitely worth a stop, as long as you know what to expect at the outset. It is close to the Vatican, so you may want to combine visiting both on the same day (we did not).
Let's just say that I never thought that a savory meal and drinks in a cemetery could be cool! Yet, Castel Sant'Angelo changed my mind. I became aware that the place was actually built as a mausoleum for a Roman Emperor and his family. It is also the site of an old prison, where a number of executions took place. Yet, I also found that it is also a place with an AMAZING view of Rome! Please don't miss this stop on your trip to Rome! Please! Please! Please, visit the rooftop restaurant for amazing food and drinks while you admire the amazing views! You can thank me later!
The Castle of the Holy Angel was built in 123 AD. initially it was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome. The top statue is of Michael the Archangel, the angel from whom the building derives its name. This Amazing the castle is opened in the evening, admission is €12 and they have concerts and all kinds of things happening. The castle is Spectacular during the day and at night it was magical and lights up the sky. The huge stone wall and surrounding moat are very impressive.
I loved coming here and walking along the bridge of angels over the Tiber River. Another must do when in Rome. Architecture is amazing, standing in the presence of this beauty is breathtaking Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a towering rotunda in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The popes later used the building as a fortress and castle, and it is now a museum. read more
5 months ago
Castel Sant'Angelo Castel Sant'Angelo is absolutely breathtaking. From the moment you see it, it feels powerful and full of history. Walking through the castle, you can really feel how much this place has witnessed over the centuries. The views from the top are unreal. Seeing Rome and the Vatican from the terrace is one of the most beautiful sights I experienced on my trip. The architecture, the details, and the atmosphere all come together perfectly. This is one of those places that surprises you in the best way and leaves a lasting impression. A must-visit in Rome. Rating: 10/10 read more
Castel Sant'Angelo was one of the sites I most wanted to see in Rome. I had read a little about it beforehand and looked at some photos, but seeing it in person--and then exploring inside--was a completely different experience. We visited on one of our last days in the city, and I'm so glad we made time for it. The fortress stands tall along the Tiber River, its round shape unlike anything else in Rome, and the views from the top are breathtaking, especially looking toward St. Peter's Basilica and across the city's rooftops. Originally built around 135 AD as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, Castel Sant'Angelo has had many lives over the centuries. It was later converted into a military fortress, then into a papal refuge connected to the Vatican by a secret passage called the Passetto di Borgo. It eventually became a prison and museum. Walking through its spiral ramps, ancient chambers, and papal apartments feels like traveling through layers of history, Roman, medieval, and Renaissance all blended. It's one of those rare places that tells the story of Rome's resilience and reinvention. If you are visiting, set aside enough time to explore all the little corners and read the texts about them. read more
I'm not into touring monuments, crowds, lines, tourists or tours. However, I enjoyed my 30 or 40 minutes at Castel Sant' Angelo on a beautiful day in February. The crowds were on their tour busses somewhere else, and the castel itself was fun to stroll through, checking out both the fortifications and the opulence. Photo opportunities from the top floors were inspiring. Work up an appetite at Castel Sant' Angelo and walk into the Centro Storico for lunch at Coline Emilane. read more
This place is underrated but full of history. It also happens to be one of the few sites in Rome where you can get tickets at the door. The structure was not only a castle but a prison as well. You can walk through the place in a little over an hour but there's plenty to see. read more
6 months ago
Great medieval castle very interesting to see the construction and design. There is a nice cafe where you can coffee and paninis. I also enjoyed the smaller installations in some of the rooms--one featuring photos the last pope, another one about Italian cinema. The rooftop with the bronze statue is where Tosca's ending is set. read more
7 months ago
We went around 6pm and it was a perfect time. It was cooler and less crowded. We weren't really sure what to expect but it's quite comprehensive inside. Unfortunately we were both jet lagged which likely impacted our experience. Loved the views at the top. Would have enjoyed drinking an aperol spritz up there but we were too tired. read more
2 years ago
Stunning castle!!!! I mean, wow. It's beautiful! What a magnificent museum in Rome. I'm surprised this isn't a more popular destination. You always hear about Trevi Fountain, the Vatican and the Colosseum. But you don't hear about Saint Angelo's Castle. And that's unfortunate because it is just is cool as some of those other places. I'm so glad we had to see this museum! read more
9 months ago
Great trip for the family! My 11 year old son loves it! They have a great cafe too with views of the Vatican. Staff are friendly and the food at the cafe is awesome! Try the pistachio cannoli, it's heaven!! read more
The Castel Sant'Angelo, aka the Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a towering cylindrical building. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family, and the popes later used the building as a fortress and castle. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome, I like it as you can explore the different sides of Rome city views and the river of Tiber, also overlook the Vatican City. read more
11 months ago
This is worth a trip to go into it has a lot of history. It was a prison, palace, and a fortress. There is definitely a level of walking going up and down stairs and pathways until you reach almost the very top and you have an awesome view of Roma. There is also a cafe on the top where you can eat and drink and soak in teh view. There is a lot of history and items to look at here. Inside and out. read more
We walked here as there was no convenient metro stop close by. There may be a city bus route...? Afterwards we had access to a hop on / hop off bus that had a stop just across the Tiber. We arrived here around 4 p.m. as this was a covered stop on our city pass. A bit earlier, a company rep at the Pantheon had called ahead to put us on the list for this site (it hadn't seemed like it required an advance reservation, but it might be worth checking on). We crossed the bridge over the Tiber that leads directly to Castel Sant'Angelo. The statuary on the bridge is worth checking out, and the view of the castle is great for photos as you approach. We made it to the entrance, but didn't initially see a company rep with an orange umbrella, as expected. However, we turned around and found her off to the side next to the river. We then had to negotiate the ticket-generation process. She apparently wanted to use a couple of messaging apps that none of us had. In the end, she just kept the tickets on her on phone and escorted us in so that she could show / explain to the staff that we should be admitted. It seems like there could be a better way than this, but it worked... The main draw here turned out to be the views from the top. The architecture is interesting - this began as Hadrian's tomb and originally multiple emperors' ashes were stored here. Then it evolved into a papal fortress and treasury. Most of the artifacts have been removed, so what you are left with is a formidable building without much inside. Don't expect galleries of statues, artwork, etc. There are a few exhibits here and there along your ascent. The only elevator was for staff only. You first walk most of the way around the circular base and then begin your ascent. You climb a long ramp, which leads to another ramp that traverses the center of the building. You eventually exit out onto a series of terraces and continue climbing stairs. At one point there is a small restaurant / bar with some nice views, but we were not yet hungry. You eventually come out onto a rectangular space close to the top of the castle. From here you have nice views of the city in 3 directions (the 4th is blocked by some remaining structure of the castle). We were fortunate enough to visit a bit before sunset, so the views were enhanced by the late afternoon lighting. It got a bit crowded here, but with a bit of patience it wasn't hard to get to whatever area of the perimeter you wanted for photos. This is definitely worth a stop, as long as you know what to expect at the outset. It is close to the Vatican, so you may want to combine visiting both on the same day (we did not). read more
Let's just say that I never thought that a savory meal and drinks in a cemetery could be cool! Yet, Castel Sant'Angelo changed my mind. I became aware that the place was actually built as a mausoleum for a Roman Emperor and his family. It is also the site of an old prison, where a number of executions took place. Yet, I also found that it is also a place with an AMAZING view of Rome! Please don't miss this stop on your trip to Rome! Please! Please! Please, visit the rooftop restaurant for amazing food and drinks while you admire the amazing views! You can thank me later! read more
The Castle of the Holy Angel was built in 123 AD. initially it was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome. The top statue is of Michael the Archangel, the angel from whom the building derives its name. This Amazing the castle is opened in the evening, admission is €12 and they have concerts and all kinds of things happening. The castle is Spectacular during the day and at night it was magical and lights up the sky. The huge stone wall and surrounding moat are very impressive. read more
This cool vantage point allows 360 degree views of the eternal city. Built originally as a tomb for the emperor Hadrian, the castle has served as a prison, armory, and home to the Popes. It's an amazing journey in time, and the views of the Tiber and Vatican from the roof are amazing. read more
3 years ago
A short distance from the Vatican is Castel St. Angelo. You can't miss this iconic, round, castle just over the Tiber river. It calls to you as you are tooling around that area of Rome. We enjoyed the self guided tour of the site. At every step you felt the history and heard the stories that that building could tell over its 1800 year existence, built as a mausoleum for an emperor of the day, but used to keep Popes safe during invasions, it was also used as a prison and was the site the archangel Michael was seen to note the end of a plague. It's kind of built like a ship and has a deck all the way around with amazing views of Rome, after you climb through the dreary, circular, cobbled entrance. There are also special rooms with art and tapestries tucked in to the middle deck area, that were created for Popes that entertained while kept safe. Interesting site! read more
This was one of my favorite parts about Rome. We climbed our way to the top and saw the most beautiful views. I'm not big on museums when I'm on vacation but my daughter dragged me along and we had a lot of fun. It wasn't too packed and although it was extensive, it was the perfect amount of views. Could spend hours there. read more
Just come! It's 12 euros and you can get tickets at the entrance, you don't need to book in advance. It's a small castle given the size of other things in Rome, but it's worth the visit. It's definitely different in its design and function. There are some stunning views of Rome's skyline, including Vatican City if you're standing on the Angel's Terrace. There's also a cafe if you're wanting to dine with a great view. read more
11 months ago
4 years ago
This castle is an example of the greatness in history. The entire experience was worth it. Ensure you see everything as there is much to see and admired. The food at the Bar was quite simple and tasty. However complimenting the view makes it exceptional. The roof top view is perfect to what was the tallest building of its era. A great experience overall. read more
1 year ago
A must-see in Rome, Castel Sant'Angelo is an amazing architectural feat and is well worth the visit. Not only are there great views of the city from the top walls, there's also a bar and restaurant and such great historical information. While there are plenty of monuments to visit in Rome that are free, it's worth the small entry fee to see this one! read more
Just after completing the tour of Museums, we came here. It's right in front of St Peter's Square and you can have a great view of Basilica from Castle. It is a circular fort and castle complex that was once the tallest building in Rome. It was built in 129 AD, the castle is truly ancient and was originally intended to serve as a Mausoleum for the Emperor (a building, housing a tomb or tombs). Now, this castle is part of the Vatican state and is connected to St. Peter's Basilica via a huge corridor named the Passetto di Borgo. In the past, It also served as a prison, but today the castle is a museum. Among the most well-known sights in Rome, film buffs will recognize it as a setting from "Angels and Demons". It's fun to see all the locations which you saw in the movie. I watched the movie again after coming from Rome. read more
5 years ago
The self-guided walking tour takes 1-2 hours depending on your interest, energy, and what's limited (closed) by safety protocols. Since May 8, 2021 the cost of entrance has been subsidized to just €12 instead of €15. Whatever the ticket price, the views of Rome from the top of the 5-story building are a real attraction while the history lessons about the original purpose and use by Popes and the military is truly educational. Built in 135-139 AD as the original mausoleum of the Roman emperor Hadrian, this impressive structure along the Tiber River was first known as the Hadrianeum. He was emperor for 21 years when some famous construction feats of Rome included "Hadrian's Wall" in Britain, the Pantheon, and the Temple of Venus and Roma. It makes sense that Rome created an ornate stone and marble site that protected the ashes of Hadrian and his wife. The beauty of those days are long gone, but the significance of the structure evolved over the years. Later, it was called Sepulcrum Antoninorum as the burial place of the Antonine emperors until Caracalla (217 AD). The urns and tomb contents were lost after it was converted into a fortress in the 5th Century to guard the critical city bridge Ponte Sant'Angelo. Hence, the name we all know it by today: Castel Sant'Angelo. The fort is a circle surrounded by a rectangle with corners protected by barbicans. In the lofty central cylinder is where you'll explore the salons, chapels, apartments, prison cells, and courtyard. The building is crowned with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel to honor the vision Pope Gregory I had in 590 of the saint on top of the castle to signal the end of an epidemic that had devastated the city. It is relatively easy to walk from Vatican City to the castle. In fact, there used to be an 800-meter fortified corridor connecting the 2 locations (built in 1277) so that Popes could escape the Vatican when in danger. This was famously used in 1527 when Pope Clement VII sought refuge during the sack of Rome by the Holy Roman emperor Charles V. Military use ended in 1901 and restoration has been underway since. The beauty of the art in the Papal residences, the inspirational rooftop panoramas, quaint military museum, and sheer significance of this impressive structure built almost 2,000 years ago all make Castel Sant'Angelo a memorable part of our most recent visit to Rome. read more
This is an interesting old fortress that was once Hadrian's tomb. It has a lot of artifacts to look at & just the architecture alone is a marvel. We came here to kill time before going to the Vatican. We went as far as the mid-level where is cafe is located. Amazing views from there but also elsewhere in the castle. When you first enter it looks like a little village inside. Be prepared for lots of stairs. I didn't see any elevators or escalators built in. So this is not a tourist spot for those with mobility problems. Outside of the walls you'll find musicians playing for change. There are also those hustlers trying to sell you useless Knick knacks like bracelets, wooden bowls, and toys. Avoid them as they can be very aggressive & some will try to put a bracelet on you saying it's free then come back to you & ask for money. Others will also try to pickpocket you. If you want souvenirs better to buy from the actual gift & souvenir shops. It will be a little more pricey but you don't have to worry that you'll regret it. read more
We walked in here not expecting much, but once you starting walking up an, wow what an experience, and view. You can see all over Rome from here at the top. They have a nice little cafe where you can relax and admire the view. Going down was twice as fun, especially the tunnel to the bottom! The only hassle was trying to download their tour app and get it working at the beginning of our expedition--it was super slow and cumbersome. read more
7 years ago
Castel Sant' Angelo is amazing! We didn't have plans to come into this particular castle but it was included in an Italian government sponsored tourist packet we bought for €100 per person which included entrance to the Colosseum, Vatican Meseum, all public transportation, and a couple of other places which included this castle. First of all once you reach the top the view of the city is amazing!! You can just spend hours up there just looking and taking photos, but I am getting ahead of myself. Like everywhere else in Italy you can get yourself guided tours with someone with a broken English explaining cultural and historical facts about the place, but you don't really need to. There is an area that you can only access by paying for one of these guided tours however. I did not see enough of it to be able to tell you whether it's worth it or not. But there is plenty to see without it. We just followed the crowds and did all the castle in order until we reached the top. There are so many interesting things to see. There is also a restaurant near the summit of the castle which looks interesting. Their patio tables face the view of the city which is nice. Once you reach the top there are gorgeous statues and the view is fantastic we went close to Sunset so we had very nice light. On the way down you go through a different path and this is where you get to see most of the exhibits they have going on here. They are painted walls, ceilings, paintings, soldier uniforms, pieces of armor, even bedrooms and oratories. I am very glad we had these tickets included and our city pass, because otherwise we would've missed a wonderful place. read more
3 years ago
Must see attraction if you are into history! Like a walk back in time. Buy and entry ticket but don't bother with a guided tour. You'll enjoy much more at your own pace. Amazing views of Rome from the top. read more
It is a great place to have a nice view of rome at sunset. The cover for the museum is about 15€ per person. You also need to download their app through their provided wifi which does not work sometimes. The app provides the map of the museum and guide to some artworks and history. If their wifi is working, it is a great option. Unfortunately, the wifi is not working half of the time. The exhibition is limited but the view of Rome is amazing and worth the visit. This view is probably why I gave it 5 star! It is absolutely impressive and beautiful sunset 360 degree view of Rome! It does require some walking and ability to climb stairs. I saw people wearing high stiletto heels walking up the stair despite of uneven stairway, uneven floor... read more
Who doesn't love castles? Legit question, is there any person on Earth who does not dig castles? If so, get them treatment immediately as their condition may worsen to the extent of not liking air or water. The cool thing about this castle nestled in the heart of Rome is you can see all the different stages it evolved through under different regimes. At first it was just someone's digs, then the next resident improved its defensive capabilities. Then the next dude improved upon those. It's cool, really cool! And once you're finally at the top there's some amazing views! I highly recommend this castle be added to your impromptu itinerary. Cheers read more
7 years ago
Not my favorite place to visit, but worth the entry fee for the view of the Vatican and panoramas of the city. I wouldn't say it was super interesting, and the app was glitchy and basically was identical to the large posters you can read on your own, but I'd go for the scenic view. No need to stay too too long, though you can drop into the cafe if you have some time to kill too. read more
This castle had a GREAT view of the Vatican City atop its roof. Omg... it was so beautiful up there. Walking through and up the castle was very tiring though, and I didn't like the inside of it much. It wasn't as pretty inside as the Hampton Court Palace, but still nice. I appreciated the history of this castle. I took a break at the cafe inside and had some cheese, prosciutto, fruit, and water. I remember how hot yet windy it was, and I was so mad when no waiter or waitress helped me while I sat in my chair for several minutes. Once my food was served, all my napkins flew away and my kept flying all over my place, so I asked to be moved to a more blocked off section. I ended up getting a view of St. Peter's Basilica with a huge Italian flag right across my "window" (see pic, with my elbow kinda hanging out the "window"). Customer service here sucked! Nonetheless, I appreciated the view I got from this castle's roofs. So worth the visit. read more
This is another landmark we hadn't necessarily planned on seeing in Rome, but basically walked right into one day while out exploring and figured, why not?" This museum will cost you 13 euros per person. I'm not 100% sure if this was worth 13 euros or not, especially how many incredible things you can see and do around the city for free. I am glad I was able to check it out though. During different points in time of history, this was mausoleum, a fortress, a castle, a prison, and is now a museum. - Once you reach the top, you are treated to some incredible views of Rome, especially of St Peters Basilica and Vatican City. - Not overly crowded at all. I guess a lot of people didn't opt to pay the 13 euros to come inside. Made it much more comfortable to walk around and check things out. - Features the Archangel Michael in numerous places around the castle, including the statue t the very top. I was raised in a Catholic household and was named after the Archangel Michael, so I have a special fondness for him and enjoyed seeing the statues and works of art that featured him. The castle its self was pretty cool to get to check out, but I wasn't overly "wowed" like t many other places in Rome, so I'm not sure why they charge to get in here. As I said before, I am glad I can add it to the list of places I visited in Rome! 4 stars. read more
4 years ago
14 euros is the price of entry, which some might find overpriced, but as a fan of Assassins Creed, this was a must stop for me. This area was a big part of the third video game, so I had to check it out. It's a beautiful Castel and is almost like a mini maze. The path goes into two directions and you make a choice. It then goes into three different directions! Which way do you go? Either way, it was fun to explore and see something I had seen in virtual form as something tangible. A beautiful area and a great part of Rome. Check it out! read more
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Castel Sant'Angelo - museums - Updated May 2026
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