Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Castel Sant'Angelo

    4.4 (160 reviews)
    Closed • 9:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Castel Sant'Angelo Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Castel Sant'Angelo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Afshin A.

    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.

    A view of St Peter's
    Phil G.

    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.

    Raven R.

    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.

    Tiber river next to the Castle
    Gingerlily L.

    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.

    Josue B.

    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

    Artifact
    Cassandra H.

    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.

    So cool
    Britney M.

    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!

    Annei B.

    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!!

    Travis P.

    Tons of history and another beautiful piece of architecture. The land surrounding the area is nice with a river/water running nearby. Took a few pictures outside and was worth the travel.

    Chris J.

    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!

    Maruko X.

    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.

    Homer S.

    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.

    View from the top, 3. St. Peter's.
    Jim W.

    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).

    Moat

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 22
    Thanks 9
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 7
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will S.
    1070
    842
    8871

    2 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 6
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Annei B.
    43
    181
    900

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A C.
    4307
    931
    21

    1 year ago

    Helpful 43
    Thanks 11
    Love this 41
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 16
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great even while in Rome. Can do this in about an hour and get a great view of Rome from the rooftop. Kids are free and adults 16 Euro

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Michael S.
    4858
    3215
    31647

    5 years ago

    Helpful 73
    Thanks 0
    Love this 72
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark M.
    497
    3984
    28417

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Very delicious meal. Waiter greeted us as soon as we sat down and took our order quickly. Food was served quickly too.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tairyn A.
    818
    1503
    17106

    8 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kerry O.
    298
    24
    28

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee M.
    495
    530
    9777

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike F.
    2089
    985
    11456

    10 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Castel Sant'Angelo Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Castel Sant'Angelo

    “Seeing Rome and the Vatican from the terrace is one of the most beautiful sights I experienced on my trip.”

    Mentioned in 50 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola - Outside of Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola in Rome, Italy  (pic taken on Tues. 09/30/2025)

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola

    4.9(30 reviews)
    1.2 km•Centro Storico

    Honestly, save your time and your one euro coin. The church…read moreitself is beautiful, but the entire experience has been completely ruined by social media hype. We waited in line for a literal hour just to reach the famous "selfie mirror" to get a photo with the ceiling fresco. When you finally get to the front, you have to pay 1 euro, and you're rushed through it so fast you can barely even check if the photo turned out.

    To think, I almost avoided visiting this STUNNING 17th-century church - Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di…read moreLoyola, when visiting Rome, Italy (09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025) because it is Tik-Tok and IG "famous" for being the "mirrored church" to take an iconic selfie... yes, you read that correctly..iconic selfie. I was for sure it was going to be crowded w/ social media influencers and I was correct..it was crowded but don't let that deter you from seeing this historical beauty! Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola is known as the "mirrored church" because it has a mirror strategically placed to see the beautiful painted ceiling fresco. (see pics & videos included in this review from my visit on Tuesday 09/30/2025 - at 10:56am) It also has a painted illusion of having a real soaring dome on a flat ceiling - very cool for sure and does make you look twice just to confirm it's indeed an illusion! Here are a few helpful fyi(s) that I wanted to pass along: --- - long line for the mirror right as you enter the church - if there is a line of people waiting for the mirror, you don't have to wait in that line if you don't want to take a selfie w/ the mirror and are only wanting to see the church...as someone else mentioned in a previous review, you can get creative w/ taking a selfie w/ the beautiful ceiling. My hubby & I took our selfie pic while we were sitting in the pew and used a timer on our phone (see pic included). ---- visit early to avoid the crowds & to fully enjoy your experience at this church Avoid the crowds so you can really take in how detailed and beautiful the architecture and paintings are. Trust me, you'll enjoy your experience so much more w/ less people. ---- it's free to visit but do bring some money w/ you to give as an offering --- just a reminder to be respectful when visiting because it is a holy place Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola truly is something special and of the MANY Rome basilica's I've explored during my 2 visits to Rome, it is now my FAVORITE basilica thus far. Hope this info helps. :)) Rebecca visiting Rome, Italy from Austin, Texas (USA) 09/25/2025 - 10/01/2025

    Photos
    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola - Inside lighting

    Inside lighting

    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola
    Chiesa di Sant' Ignazio di Loyola

    See all

    Piazza San Pietro - Fountain

    Piazza San Pietro

    4.8(158 reviews)
    0.8 km•Città del Vaticano, Prati

    Being located in front of Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the cobble stone square…read morein front of this massive structure matches its grandeur of scale. 140 saints from the Catholic tradition, sculpted from travertine ranging from 10 to 11 feet in height, encircle the piazza as part of Bernini's Colonnade. The red granite obelisk jutting out in the center is much older than all the structures surrounding it, originating around 1900 BCE in Egypt, traveling to Italy and then to Rome in 37 CE, finally moving most recently to its present position in 1586. This massive feat to move the 330-ton tower of stone 260 meters to the center of the square required 900 men, 75 horses and complex, engineered crane systems. Two granite fountains--one north of the obelisk, one south--were signatures left by the master architects of St Peter's. The north one by Carlo Maderno, who designed the monumental facade and nave and the other by Gian Lorenzo Bernini who designed the Piazza San Pietro with its colonnade of saints. On any given day prior or during a mass, there are 20,000 chairs set up in a space that holds 60,000 people comfortably standing though history has known crowds of up to 100-130K. Tickets are free for papal audiences though need to be booked in advance for seated sections. There's not much "to do" per se, though walking here (and in many places in Rome), once you look past the hoards of visitors it's awe-inspiring to contemplate the history that's taken place here, and take a break from your Vatican exploration. From the piazza, a pleasant, less crowded stroll east down Via della Conciliazione (which has obelisk-shaped street lampposts) brings you to Castel Sant'Angelo, a 2nd century fortress with a museum inside and beautiful panoramic views of the city.

    When we were in Vatican City in the afternoon, we skipped the plaza. We came back in the early…read moreevening and it was much less crowded. The square is directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Both are named after Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus whom Catholics consider the first Pope. There is an obelisk in the center and 284 columns that create the elliptical shape of the square.

    Photos
    Piazza San Pietro - Piazza San Pietro

    Piazza San Pietro

    Piazza San Pietro - Seats set up the day prior for mass on Sunday

    Seats set up the day prior for mass on Sunday

    Piazza San Pietro - Fountain

    See all

    Fountain

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - stunning

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres

    4.7(483 reviews)
    1.0 km•Centro Storico

    Realizing I may have left my review for the Pantheon in the wrong spot, and now I feel a bit more…read moreconfident I have found the right Yelp business... I am re-posting it here while we figure it out! Would take a lot for me to not give one of the oldest standing structures (still in use by the way) in the entire world a 5 star review right? Quite frankly, walking in and looking up is just enough to bring you to a state of awe at the massive freestanding dome, still completely open in the middle, where the sun moves about the room throughout the day. Over the years it has taken on both a secular and religious bent. There are several people buried there with large monuments, the most recent was the man who brought Italy out of monarchial rule. It appears Catholic services are still held here on occasion, and there are pews for prayer and places to light a candle for blessings. It's no longer free to get in, you can wait in a first come first serve line, or try your luck at buying tickets online... though we tried several times and the online payment system would not work for us. All in all, it's a 30 minutes stop to see one of the oldest intact structures in the world, and that is always worth it to me.

    While visiting Roma , this was one of our stops. No time to…read morevisit inside since our time was limited as our stop in Roma was during our Mediterranean cruise. Beautiful structure on the outside so grand, it's nice to see one of these days maybe next time we will be able to go inside.

    Photos
    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - In front of the Pantheon

    In front of the Pantheon

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - Pantheon Rome, Italy on Friday, 09/26/2025 at 09:32pm

    Pantheon Rome, Italy on Friday, 09/26/2025 at 09:32pm

    Pantheon - Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - Front far away

    See all

    Front far away

    Piazza Venezia - April 2026 construction in front of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

    Piazza Venezia

    4.4(40 reviews)
    1.5 km•Centro Storico

    This is another one of these spots in Rome that is a must see! This is a truly historic building…read moreand there is so much history here. If you don't have time to stop in and do everything they have inside, it is still great to walk around and take if the beautiful building with the incredible horse statues at the top. Be careful when walking around though. There is a large street with multiple crossings but cars fly by. So double check when crossing the street and don't get too distracted that you put yourself in danger.

    3 is for the piazza in its current state--as of April 2026 construction was very much still…read moreunderway so a large section of what is usually a very open cobblestone piazza, was cordoned off, leaving the remaining roadways along the perimeter narrow and congested. Located at the intersection of major thoroughfares Via del Corso and Via dei Fori Imperiali, without the construction, the view across the square towards the massive complex of the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II is awe-inspiring, you need to stand fairly far back towards the middle of the square to get a full look at the building. The piazza so named due to the Palazzo Venezia built here as ordered by Cardinal Pietro Barbo (later Pope Paul II) in early Renaissance times, and also because this place became the embassy of the Republic of Venice back in 1560. In 1797 this area came under jurisdiction of the Habsburg Empire and served Austro-Hungarian diplomats until Italy reclaimed it in 1916. Dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, credited with unifying Italy, the Vittoriano Monument was built between 1885-1911 and is also known as the Altare della Pàtria (Altar of the Fatherland). Later a shrine was added honoring soldiers who died in WWI without identified names.

    Photos
    Piazza Venezia
    Piazza Venezia
    Piazza Venezia

    See all

    Foro Romano - Replica of the former buildings

    Foro Romano

    4.5(269 reviews)
    2.3 km•Aventino, Centro Storico

    Any student of history will appreciate the Roman forum which was the center for the majority of all…read morethe official and major activities that incurred in ancient Rome to include speeches, debate, gladiator fights in some instances, and even the return of victorious armies and new Caesars that you see in so many movies. When I saw the ruins and what was left of the forum I had assumed that this magnificent epicenter of old Rome had been ransacked and destroyed when the Roman empire fell. In fact and unfortunately, it's slowly fell into disrepair and ruins the direct result of lack of maintenance and care by the Roman people and government over time. In addition to the remaining structural ruins and statues that currently reside here you will find placards scattered about these ruins that explain the history of the forum and what each significant ruin stood for and was used for. Very educational and not to be missed as this clearly was one of the most significant ancient centers of the old world.

    After coming back to Roma, it was nice to again take a walk around this area & just take in the…read moresites. This location was consider to be the center of ancient rome, it's nice to be able to walk around & take in the sites it's wild when u think that once upon a time this area was a busy area & life was probably just as crazy if not more than it is today, nice to see how the area is kept well after all this time, worth taking the time to check it out.

    Photos
    Foro Romano - The Roman Forum at dusk

    The Roman Forum at dusk

    Foro Romano
    Foro Romano

    See all

    Musei Vaticani - Hall of Animals in the Pio Clementino Museum

    Musei Vaticani

    4.2(546 reviews)
    1.1 km•Vaticano, Città del Vaticano

    The Vatican Museums are vast and absolutely beautiful from the tapestries, to the sculptures, to…read morethe frescoes. Pictures do not capture the beauty of the art that has been collected over the years by the Vatican. This is an extraordinary experience for people who enjoy art, history, and religion. Highly recommend doing a tour that includes the Vatican, Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The early morning tour is the best to avoid the crowds and the lines. The downside of the tour is that there is so much to see in the museums - so the tour is a great way to start and then to go back and spend time in each of the museums to fully enjoy the experience. For a full list and description you can visit the Vatican's website https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/galleria-arazzi.html

    This is of course a beautiful attraction if you're visiting Rome, and it's full of history. There…read moreare amazing statues, paintings, and tapestries throughout. I highly recommend booking a guided tour well in advance which lets you skip the massive lines to get in. Additionally, a guide will help you locate the best and most beautiful things to see inside and will help you understand the unique history of the Vatican and the museum. A big negative - nothing in here is air conditioned which I was quite surprised about. We happened to visit during a heatwave which made the experience quite uncomfortable, so bear this in mind if you're visiting in warmer weather.

    Photos
    Musei Vaticani - Vatican Museum

    Vatican Museum

    Musei Vaticani - Details of the double helix staircase

    Details of the double helix staircase

    Musei Vaticani - The Laocoon Group. Made around 40 BC in Rhodes, Greece

    See all

    The Laocoon Group. Made around 40 BC in Rhodes, Greece

    Castel Sant'Angelo - museums - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...