Borghese Gallery and Gardens Tour: Small Group and Skip-the-Line Entrance

One of Rome’s richest and most interesting villas, the Borghese Gallery houses a vast and diverse collection of sculptures and paintings produced by masters such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio and Titian. Once home to Cardinal Scipione Borghese, many of the beautiful Rennaissance artworks inside this villa were commissioned by the Cardinal himself, a dedicated patron of the arts. 

Experience a rare treat as you wander the vast, luxurous rooms of Cardinal Borghese’s villa, viewing these groundbreaking masterpieces in their original setting – just as the artists intended us to see them. With his eye for beauty, the Cardinal collected an impressive collection, from a number of Caravaggio’s earlier pieces to Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s ‘Apollo & Daphne’, Canova’s shocking ‘Pauline Bonaparte’ and Raphael’s ‘The Deposition’. [readmore] With an expert, English-speaking guide on hand to walk you through the collection, you’ll get the most from your visit and from the surprising peace that reigns over this incredible gallery. Set in its own vast gardens near the center of Rome, Villa Borghese is worth a visit for it’s architecture and setting as much as its artwork. 

You’ll take advantage of this on the second half of your tour when your guide leads you into the magical Villa Borghese Gardens. With its manicured lawns, fountains, lakes and monuments, this truly is a rare (and central!) escape from the bustle of the city – Eden in the heart of Rome. The tour ends with a breathtaking view from the top of the Pincio Terrace. 

NOTE: for the tours starting after 19:00 Gardens are not included.