I didn't know that this museum is so popular and that you must purchase your tickets in advance…read more Luckily, I was able to purchase tickets before our trip to Rome, but they had only a limited number of tickets available for the time that we were going to be there. So if you are planning on going to Galleria Borghese, make sure to purchase your tickets in advance. We visited the Borghese in the afternoon during the week, and I think that was a great idea because it was pretty empty, and we had yet another chance to see everything with almost no one around. I'm not sure if it's always like that or if we got lucky. Either way, I was able to take my time to look at all the beautiful art pieces. Everything was so beautiful. I recommend going to this museum if you have the time; it's definitely worth it.

The Galleria Borghese or Borghese Gallery is an art gallery in Rome, Italy, housed in the former…read moreVilla Borghese Pinciana. At the outset, the gallery building was integrated with its gardens, but nowadays the Villa Borghese gardens are considered a separate tourist attraction. Such beautiful art and sculptures. What a breathtaking selection. Another must see while visiting Rome. TIP- Need to buy tickets for the gallery in advance, or by a 3rd party company. They sell out fast.

In a city full of Renaissance art, it was awesome to have a break of that to be able to enjoy some…read moremodern art and contemporary art. The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary has all that and more. It's a large museum and there is enough here for a half day of appreciation. I'm generally not a huge fan of "contemporary" art as it is usually political and many times, the message from the artist goes over my head. That was the case for a couple of the exhibits here. And then I found the "modern" art. Paintings by Gustave Courbet, Cy Twombly, and my very favorite, Piet Mondrian. Portraits by Giovanni Boldini. Sculpture by Ercole Dante. I got well and truly lost in the museum and before I knew it, it was time to go. Wonderful time. [Review 19190 overall - 345 in Italy - 160 of 2023.]

Fantastic gallery in Rome. I came here to dive into the contemporary and modern art. This is heavy…read moreon the modern and light on the contemporary. A beautiful collection and I highly suggest a visit.

Fantastic bucket list location..when in rome.. Must…read moresee...note crowd is massive Must see

I got pregnant in 2019, and one of the last things I did before entering the baby years was…read morecomplete a 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I'd seen pictures of it, of course, but didn't realize how crazy it was until I spent who knows how many of hours of my life on that giant puzzle, which covered my entire dining room table. That was a big undertaking, but it was literally nothing compared to the once-in-several-millennia feat of the ceiling itself: 5,000 square feet of frescoes painted by Michelangelo, standing on a scaffold and working from below. The frescoes show scenes from Genesis, including the Creation of Adam, one of the most famous paintings of all time. They're colorful, energetic, and a little bizarre. I enjoyed staring at them for weeks while I worked on the puzzle. The ceiling is, of course, 1,000 times more impactful in person, a genuinely breathtaking masterpiece, unlike anything else in the world. Then there's The Last Judgment, the enormous apocalyptic fresco painted by Michelangelo on the altar wall twenty-five years after the ceiling, when he was in his 60s. It's powerful and dynamic, roaring with life, with over 300 figures in a work that encompasses the heights of heaven and the depths of hell. At its center is a buff Jesus, his physique modeled after the famous Belvedere Torso, which also resides in the Vatican Museums. We visited the Sistine Chapel under ideal conditions: a Monday morning in mid-November, with a small group tour. I gather that it gets crowded and sweaty during peak season, and I feel lucky that we got to see it in such serenity. Our tour guide prepared us for the visit by telling us the chapel's history and pointing out key points on a printed sheet before we entered. There were strict rules once we went in: no photos, no videos, and no talking. The no talking rule seemed to be the most relaxed, but the chapel felt holy and hushed even with some low chatter. We were able to find seats on one of the benches along the walls and gawk at the ceiling and The Last Judgment at our leisure. If I never see the Sistine Chapel again, I will remember the experience for the rest of my life. I hope to go back, though, even if it is a crush of bodies. It might even be fitting to view The Last Judgment while writhing in a sea of humanity.

I loved coming here and walking along the bridge of angels over the Tiber River…read more 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.

Castel Sant'Angelo…read more 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

There are a million things to do when you are in Rome & going to a museum is probably the last…read morething on your list given all the alternative awesome sightseeing options! Hubby & I always try to do three things in a new city: museum, sports event & something on the water. We figured that visiting the Colosseum was a good enough version of a sports event. We were returning from a 12-day cruise. So, next up on the list was checking out a museum. Thankfully, we were at a hotel that was around the corner from the Museo Nazionale Romano. It is a series of buildings around the Piazza della Repubblica. And as it turns out, on the first Sunday of the month, the Museo is free to the public (note: you must "purchase" tickets online in advance for a specific time to enter). This Museo feels like stepping straight into the heart of ancient Rome. The collection is extraordinary - from the iconic Discus Thrower to hauntingly lifelike statues that practically make eye contact with you. The level of detail is unreal & half the time it feels like the sculptures are standing at your height just waiting to start a conversation! The galleries are spacious, beautifully laid out & surprisingly calm compared to the big-name tourist spots. It's the perfect place to take your time, wander & really soak in the artistry. Frescoes, mosaics, portraits - every floor has something jaw-dropping (including -1 and -2!). What truly blew my mind were the tile mosaics displayed & then shown in their original settings. Seeing them arranged exactly as they would have appeared in ancient villas gives you this incredible, immersive peek into everyday Roman life. It's like stepping right into history rather than just looking at it behind glass. If you're in Rome & want an unforgettable museum experience without the crowds, do not skip this one. Palazzo Massimo is a treasure chest of ancient beauty! Highly recommend.

This is actually spread out over 2 (or more) buildings. These are diagonally across a large…read moreintersection from each other. Both are across streets from the Termini (train) Station. Also - our city pass purported to include this place for admission. However, when we arrived they said that there had been some change and it was not covered. We paid their fee anyway. Later, we got a reimbursement from the city pass company for this. We began our tour in the building to the right when you are facing the train station. It houses mostly statuary from the period from Julius Ceasar forward. They have busts of many of the emperors from the first couple of centuries of the empire (and their families, in some cases). There are other statues as well, plus things like a huge room's preserved wall paintings that were unearthed nearby. It is definitely heavy on busts, but I thought it was interesting. We then crossed the streets to the 2nd building, which is incorporated into the remains of a vast Roman baths complex. They had a variety of different exhibits here - about the baths, some more sculptures, an odd small shrine that was unearthed during a construction project (and which was preserved in a parking garage), details about pre-Roman villages in the area, etc. You could browse through and focus on a few areas of interest. There were also multiple courtyards to examine, each with its own statuary. This set of museums is probably best viewed after touring things like the Forum or Colosseum first. You then may have some basic context of where things happened, and can then start adding details about the major figures associated with the time period (and get some idea of what they looked like too). I enjoyed spending a morning here.

This was one of my least favorite things to do on my trip. This is very much a museum and I don't…read moretypically love museums. There is much history here but I didn't love it. One of my frustrations is that I had a guided tour that was very expensive where combined with other attractions and it was a rip-off. You could save some cash and walk through yourself although one advantage with the guided tour was a priority line. Three stars for me.

My boss told me one of his favorites was the Vatican when he went to Italy last year so I couldn't…read morewait for Lisa and I to visit. We met with our amazing tour guide Roberta and headed in. First thing we explored was a replica of Michelangelo's Pieta. This is the closest you are able to get to it and see all the details as the original is protected in St. Peter's Basilica. Next we viewed artwork that represented how to get to heaven and how to get to hell, including Raphael's transfiguration which was his last piece and Caravaggio's the entombment of Christ. We moseyed through the different parts and were in awe of the sculptures, ceilings and just all the great history in this magnificent place. Of course the Sistine Chapel was magnificent and you'll have to come and see for yourself as pictures are not allowed.

The Capitoline Museum exhibits medieval art to ancient statues, and you can discover ancient Rome…read morehistory here. There are quite a few statues shouldn't be missed, such as Statue of Capitoline Venus, Bust of Medusa, Colossus of Constantine, The Capitoline She-wolf etc. The regular admission ticket cost €13, and I think it's totally worth it.

Beautiful museum with amazing works…read more It was just minutes away from our hotel and a great option filled with art wi the impactful stories.

The Villa Giulia houses the National Etruscan Museum. If you love old artifacts, make the trip here…read morewhile in Rome. Large collection of Etruscan items, including a very beautiful large sarcophagus and some amazing urns. The Etruscans lived in what is now Rome prior to the Romans. The artifacts are from the 500-700 B.C. era. All of the large descriptions are in English as well as Italian. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here and highly recommend it. It is not crowded at all, even in the high tourist season.

This museum is less known compare to other major museums in Rome. Having said this, I was…read morepleasantly surprised and find it very interesting. The collection is hugh and be sure to visit the garden as well. There is a small coffee shop and gift shop.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome's most breathtaking hidden treasures--an aristocratic…read moresanctuary of art, history, and elegance tucked just steps away from the bustling Via del Corso. Visiting this gallery feels like stepping into a private world where centuries of beauty have been lovingly preserved. The moment you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The palace itself is a masterpiece--ornate ceilings, shimmering gold accents, and hallways lined with mirrors and marble. Each room carries the quiet grandeur of a family that collected art not for prestige, but out of genuine passion. That intimacy sets it apart from Rome's larger, more crowded museums. The collection is extraordinary. You'll find remarkable works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian, each displayed in lavish, beautifully lit rooms that feel more like a lived-in palace than a museum. Caravaggio's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and the haunting "Magdalene" are highlights, while Velázquez's portrait of Pope Innocent X is nothing short of astonishing--an encounter that lingers long after you leave. What makes the experience truly special is the ability to wander the gallery at your own pace, taking in masterpieces without the rush or crowds. The audio guide, narrated by a member of the Pamphilj family, adds a personal touch and deepens your appreciation for the collection and its history. Whether you're an art lover or simply someone seeking a quiet, immersive cultural experience, Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a must-visit. It's a rare blend of elegance, intimacy, and artistic brilliance--a place where Rome's noble past comes alive in the most captivating way.

What an awesome view into the extravagant wealth of these families. We enjoyed exploring the palace!read more