Rome is absolutely overflowing with history. You can’t stroll far without stumbling upon ancient ruins or landmarks that tell stories of the distant past.
While the city itself is a marvel, don’t let that stop you from stepping inside a few of its museums during your visit. I’ll admit, it took me several trips to Rome before I started prioritizing museums over ancient sights. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Eternal City boasts an equally impressive collection of museums.
From opulent palazzi to repurposed factories, here are the 17 best museums in Rome to add to your itinerary. If you’re short on time, I’ve listed my top 5 must-sees at the end to help you decide.
Best Museums in Rome
1. Vatican Museums
There are a total of 54 Vatican Museums. These are all of the museums inside Vatican City.
They vary greatly and include everything from the Jewish Lapidirum — a collection of ancient Jewish inscriptions, to The Room of the Aldobrandini Wedding — a small room filled, floor to ceiling with frescoes.
It would take quite a chunk of time to see all of the 54 museums in the Vatican — it is estimated that there are about nine miles of art in total, but a day in the city will allow you to see the highlights of a few different museums, so check the official website to see which you might be most interested in.
A few pieces around the various museums not to miss include Giuseppe Momo’s spiral staircase, Caravaggio’s Deposition which hangs in The Pinacoteca, and of course the work of art that is The Sistine Chapel.
Based on my experience, the best way to see the Vatican Museums is by booking a guided tour. I easily get overwhelmed in large museums like this. A knowledgeable guide can help you focus on the most significant artworks and share the history behind them, making the experience far more manageable and enjoyable.
Recommended Vatican Tours:
- Book this 3.5-hour early morning group tour or private tour to visit the Vatican museums before they open to the public for a crowd-free experience.
- For a regular daytime tour, book this 3.5-hour guided experience of the museums.
Tickets: A full price ticket which includes the Vatican Museums and The Sistine Chapel costs €20. Children 7-18 years old can get a ticket at a reduced fee of €8. There are also add-ons available to your ticket purchase including an audio guide for €7. Note that all tickets are timed and no re-entry is allowed.
Book your fast track tickets in advance online to avoid the long wait times. I’ve heard that crowds are more manageable if you visit later in the afternoon instead of first thing in the morning.
Opening Hours: The Vatican Museums are open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The last entry is at 5:00 PM. The museums are also open on the last Sunday of every month from 9:00 AM to 2.00 PM with a free guided tour.
For further information about the museums and collections and to book your tickets direct, check the Vatican Museums official website.
2. Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums)
The Capitoline Museums, housed within three palaces, are definitely among the best museums in Rome. The museums primarily showcase remarkable sculpture work by Italy’s most renowned artists.
One of the standout works on display is the famous Lupa Capitolina, a life-sized sculpture of the wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. This iconic scene symbolizes the legendary childhood of the brothers who founded ancient Rome.
As well as the statues, there are a myriad of busts, artwork, mosaics, and more on display.
Tickets: A ticket to the museums is €14 full price and can be purchased online. Outside of high season you can buy same-day tickets, but purchasing them online allows you to avoid waiting in a line when you arrive.
Opening Hours: The museums are open from 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM, seven days per week. The last entry of the day is always at 6:30 PM.
3. Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery)
The Borghese Gallery is considered to be one of the top museums in Rome. Housed in the Borghese family villa, it was built in the 17th century and features incredible frescoes splashed across the ceilings and walls.
There are 20 rooms in the villa and these rooms are filled with sculptural masterpieces and renowned artworks by some of the Italian greats, such as Raphael, Titian, and Giovanni Bellini.
Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, depicting Daphne’s metamorphosis from nymph to laurel tree, is an absolute wonder and is even more incredible in person.
Note that due to the size of the property, all visits are limited to just two hours and are timed. Therefore, it’s extra important to arrive promptly at the time listed on your ticket so as not to miss out on anything during your visit.
Tour: If you’re debating between a guided or self-guided tour, go for the guided option. I recently took a guided tour here, and it was one of my favorite museum experiences. The detailed explanations of the sculptures added so much to the visit.
Tickets: A full price ticket to the museum is €13, discounted tickets at just €2 are available for anyone ages 18 – 25 and entrance is free for all visitors under 18. Book tickets online at the official website. Reservations are mandatory to confirm time slot.
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, last visit at 5:45PM. The museum is closed on Monday.
4. MAXXI (National Museum of 21st-Century Arts)
Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the National Museum of 21st Century Arts is a must-visit for both architecture and contemporary art enthusiasts. The building itself is a striking example of modern design.
Pieces in the art collection span the last decades — from the 1960s through the early 2000s. They focus on Italian artists of this period including Alighiero Boetti, William Kentridge, Gerhard Richter, and more.
Tickets: Full price tickets are €15 with a €1 discount when bought online. There are also reduced price tickets at €12 for anyone between the age of 18 and 25.
Opening Hours: MAXXI is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
5. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
The Doria Pamphilj Palace and its collection remain privately owned by the Doria Pamphilj family, but they have been opened to the public for viewings.
By Rome standards, this palace is a quieter spot to visit — so it’s a great opportunity to wander the rooms and admire the artwork at your own pace.
While the walls are adorned with endless paintings, including masterpieces by Titian, Raphael, and Velázquez, the palace itself is stunning. I loved the Hall of Mirrors, lined with glittering chandeliers and baroque details, as well as the state rooms with floral wallpapers and ornate furnishings.
Make use of the audio guide, as it helps to explain the stories behind many of the paintings and sculptures throughout the palace.
Tickets: Either book online in advance or in person. Full price tickets are €17 online and €16 in person. Children under 12 have free access.
Opening Hours: The palace is open from Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and from Friday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There are some days throughout the month when public access is closed, so make sure to check the official website.
6. Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Gallery of Modern Art)
With a permanent exhibit of over 20,000 pieces, a visit to the National Gallery of Modern Art is a great way to get an overview of art all the way from the 1800s through to modern day.
The pieces on exhibit include paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more. While the focus is on Italian artists, there are also many pieces by international artists housed in the space. Works on display include pieces by the likes of Cezanne, Monet, and van Gogh — just to name a few.
Tickets: Tickets are €10 full price and can be bought online.
Opening Hours: The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. For more information, check the official website.
7. La Galleria Spada
The Galleria Spada is located in what is often considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Rome — the 16th-century Palazzo Capodiferro — best known for its stunning facade.
Throughout the four rooms of the gallery you’ll not only find an extensive collection of Baroque paintings, but also a fine collection of Baroque furniture.
The gallery also houses quite a few portraits as well as other pieces. You’ll find works by artists such as Titian, Andrea del Sarto, Guido Reni, and more.
Be sure to stop by Borromini’s Perspective in the courtyard before you leave. This incredible optical illusion dating back to the 17th-century creates a fascinating visual trick, something I had never seen before and a highlight of my visit.
Tickets: Full price tickets are €6 and can be bought online or in person.
Opening Hours: The gallery is open Wednesday through Monday from 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM. There are often special hours for holidays, so make sure to check the official website before your visit.
8. Palazzo Altemps
The Palazzo Altemps was once a privately owned and occupied mansion — home to several cardinals and noblemen over the years. These aristocrats built out an impressive art collection which is now owned by the Italian government.
The primary pieces on display here are Greek and Roman sculptures. Although, I came here specifically to see the frescoed loggia in the photo above.
Tickets: €8 full price and can be bought online or in person, anyone 18 or under gets in for free. You also have the option of buying a combined ticket which includes entry into three museums of the Roman National Museum: Terme di Diocleziano, Palazzo Massimo, and Palazzo Altemps. This combined ticket is €16 full price.
Opening Hours: Palazzo Altemps is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
9. Palazzo Massimo
While this palace was built to replicate the palaces of 16th-century Rome, it was actually built much more recently than that, just in the late 19th century, by Jesuit priests.
It was originally designed to serve as a Jesuit school. Now, it is one of the sites of the Roman National Museum and it houses an amazing collection of archaeological finds alongside classical art.
In the extensive exhibits you’ll find precious gems, Roman coins, sarcophagi, sculptures, mosaics, and more. Pieces in the collection date as far back as the first and second centuries BC.
Tickets: €8 full price and can be purchased online. All tickets are timed, so make sure to arrive promptly at your designated entry time. You can also get a combined ticket which includes this and the other sites of the Roman National Museum — that combined ticket is priced at €16.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
10. National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
The Etruscans were an ancient people who inhabited Italy from 900 to around 27 BC. This museum is dedicated to their civilization, and it is considered to be the most important Etruscan museum in the world.
You’ll find sarcophagi, a collection of terracotta pieces, metal bowls, tablets, statues, and so much more. There is a lot of pottery on display, but overall, it’s an interesting museum to visit.
Tickets: €12 full price and can be purchased online and in person.
Opening Hours: The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM with extended summertime hours until 8:00 PM. Make sure to check the official website for exact dates and opening hours during your visit.
11. Hendrik Christian Anderson Museum
Designed by Hendrik Christian Anderson, an American-Norweigian artist and sculptor, this small museum and former studio showcase a collection of his neoclassical sculptures.
This is a true hidden gem and while it may be off Rome’s usual tourist trail, it’s only a short 10-minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo.
Tickets: Admission is free.
Opening Hours: The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
12. Villa Farnesina
Villa Farnesina was built in the 16th century as a private residence. Its walls and ceilings are covered with frescoes by famous Italian artists such as Raphael. Beyond the stunning interiors, you’ll also have a chance to tour the villa’s gardens.
There is also always an exhibition on at the villa. To see what will be on display during your visit to Rome, check the official website.
Tickets: To get access only to Villa Farnesina are €10 with a reduction to €9 for over 65 year olds and €7 for ages 10-18. To visit the villa and the exhibition, a full price ticket is €15.
13. Villa Medici
The Medici family was one of the most powerful families in Italy, based in Florence. They expanded their reach into Rome, owning the Villa Medici — a Renaissance villa right in the center of Rome.
Surprisingly, this historic villa is now the French Academy of Arts, where artists from various disciplines (chefs, potters, painters) are hand-picked for residencies. Due to its unique nature, the only way to visit the villa is on a guided tour.
The guided tour takes you to some of the apartments, through the gardens, and other “secret” areas. You can also visit the current artist’s exhibition with your ticket. Tours last 90 minutes and are available in French, Italian, and English — make sure to pay attention to the language you select when booking.
Check the official website for more information.
Tickets: The tour is €14 full price, €11 for people aged 18-24, and free for anyone under 18. You can book a spot online. Alternatively, a ticket to an exhibition in the villa is around €10 full price.
Opening Hours: The Villa is open from Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
14. Galleria Colonna Museo e Pinacoteca (Colonna Gallery Museum and Art Gallery)
If you’re looking for absolute opulence, this is the spot to go. The Colonna Museum is housed in a former palace — one of the largest private palaces in the city.
On a visit you will walk through stately rooms, apartments, and halls — down corridors dripping in gold with walls covered in precious pieces of art, past marble columns and over marble floors.
Because the palace remains a private residence, its opening hours are limited. On Friday Mornings, you can book a 2-hour guided tour. The English tours start at 9:30 and 10:00 AM and cost €35 per person.
On Saturday mornings, you can visit without a guide. To see the Gallery, Pio Apartment, and gardens is €15, or to add on the Princess Isabelle Apartment and gardens to that is a total of €25. Reservations must be made online.
Check the official website for more information.
15. Centrale Montemartini
Centrale Montemartini is certainly the most unique museum in Rome, as it is housed within an old electrical power plant. It’s fascinating to see ancient Roman art displayed within such a modern piece of architecture — with many pieces of equipment from the original plant still in place.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are rotating temporary exhibits. Check the official website to know what is on during your visit.
Tickets: €11.50 and can be purchased in person or online.
Opening Hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
16. Palazzo Barberini National Galleries
The National Galleries, located inside the Palazzo Barberini, hosts a selection of artworks between the 13th to 18th centuries, including pieces by Caravaggio, El Greco, Raphael, Rubens, and Titian.
Tickets: €15 and can be purchased online or in person.
Opening Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
17. Castel Sant’Angelo
This museum was originally a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian. Unfortunately, much of the tomb and its original decorations were lost to time and wars. The building was used as a prison, a fortress, a castle, and now, finally, as a museum.
During a visit, you can explore the decorated interiors, old prison cells, sculptures, and art, and learn about the building’s storied past. There are several rotating exhibits annually, check the official website to see what is happening during your visit.
The castle also offers a few amazing viewpoints which look out over Rome, including one from the rooftop.
Tickets: A basic entry ticket for the castle costs €19 and can be purchased online, allowing you to skip the line when you arrive. You can also get add ons to your ticket — entry with an audio guide is €32 and entry with a guided tour is €40.
Opening Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
Rome Top 5 Museums
- Vatican Museums
- Borghese Gallery
- Capitoline Museums
- Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
- National Gallery of Modern Art
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