Galleria Borghese

Photo from Wikipedia

Calling for a Reservation

Why must I have a reservation for this museum? Other museums in Rome do not require reservations. Certainly this is true. The Galleria Borghese is quite small and thus limits the number of entries to approximately 360 guests during set, 2-hour windows. The entry times are slotted as 09:00-11:00, 11:00-13:00, 13:00-15:00, 15:00-17:00, and last, 17:00-19:00. To hold your spot you have to either pre-purchase, thus taking slots, or you have to get a reservation.

In previous years, the Galleria Borghese sponsored a call-back feature. You’ll see it referenced on many travel boards. Unfortunately, that option is no longer available (as of January 2012). So if you want to gain access, but do not want to pre-pay, you’ll have to call to secure a reservation. The official ticketing agency for the Galleria Borghese ticket office is Ticketeria.it.. To get a reservation only, contact them at +39 06 32 810. You must call the ticket office during their Rome business hours… Their listed hours of operations in Rome are:

• MON – FRI 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• SAT 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• SUN Closed

To save you money and the hassle of an International call, you can email your hotel or B&B and have them call for you. Either way you contact the ticket office, to get a reservation, you will need to provide:

• The DATE you want to go to the Galleria
• The NAME to put the reservation under
• The TIME you want to go (2 hour periods starting at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3PM, and 5 PM – pick your time)
• The NUMBER of tickets you will need

Making reservations can sometimes be frustrating. At times, you can make a reservation six weeks in advance. Other times, the ticketing office limits reservations to a 2-3 week period. There seems to be no set policy on how far in advance you can make a reservation. Suffice to say, anything further out than six weeks is probably not available.

If possible, to save you money on an international call, again have your hotel or B&B call for you. When you (or your hotel) makes the reservation, you’ll receive a code. This code will be necessary to pick up your reserved tickets, or to use in conjunction with your Roma Pass. Don’t forget your code – you won’t get into the Galleria Borghese without it. You won’t need to pay any money or give a credit card number as a deposit to get a code… getting a reservation code is free.

Maria Paulina Borghese as Venus

Arriving at the Galleria Borghese With a Reservation Code

The website also says you’ll be required to present identification with your “code” when you arrive but I’ve never had to so. Better to make sure you do have some ID! When making the reservation the operators will tell you to be at the Museum ticket office thirty minutes in advance. This is very important. You may notice when you arrive to use your reservation code people waiting near the entrance of the Galleria Borghese. These folks DO NOT have a reservation. They are hoping you don’t show up!

For example, say you have an 11:00 reservation. Starting after 10:30 AM, thirty minutes prior to your scheduled entry time, the Galleria Borghese will start issuing tickets to these folks in line… as they perceive you, and other guests with codes that have not arrived yet, are not coming. Because there is no financial penalty for NOT showing up to utilize your reservation, there are folks who do not come. So if you want in, be on time – which is 30 minutes or more BEFORE your entry time.

Once you get to the counter present your code and your Roma Pass, and you’ll get your entry tickets. If you’re not using the Roma Pass, but just using the reservation function, you can pay with cash or credit card at this time.

Purchasing online with a Credit Card

If you want to go ahead an pre-purchase your tickets, you can do so online with a credit card – no phone call necessary. To use a credit card, head to the Ticketeria.it Galleria Borghese reservation page. When you pull it up, it will look like this:

This page contains the rules and policies of purchasing a ticket online including:

- A web transaction fee of 1€ will be added to the cost of each ticket.
- Only Visa and Mastercard are accepted for on-line transactions.
- After the purchase a confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address indicated in the transaction.
- Tickets can be collected at the box office of the Museum or at the automatic kiosks the day of the visit.
- Online transactions are not refundable under any circumstance.
- Tickets are valid only for the choosen day and the time slot.
- After the purchase it is not possible to modify nor the day neither the time slot.
- After the payment is made it will not be possible to cancel the purchase.

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After you read this page, click on the OK-NEXT button to move forward in the purchasing process. Once you do, you’ll get this page opening:

Now you can select the date you want to purchase your tickets for. All “available” dates will be listed. In my example, I was given the option to pre-purchase tickets up to 10 weeks in advance. The time-frame does vary, but generally you can pre-purchase far more in advance than you can when calling and seeking a reservation. Paying in advance does have its advantages. Note, you will see no Mondays listed as the Galleria Borghese is closed on Mondays. To proceed, simply click Buy next to the date you would like to visit.

Now you will enter your name. This name should match the identification you will be carrying. Then click next to continue.

On this screen, you will enter the number of tickets you need (inside the yellow circle, next to “NUM”). You’ll also select the time of day you want to visit the Museums. Remember, these are non-refundable so make sure you all agree on when you’re going. Click on the pul-down bar (marked in red in the picture) and the times available will be displayed. In addition, you can see how many slots are still available for each time frame. Make your choice by clicking on it… and make sure you have your number of people entered… then click NEXT.

Now you are at the summary page which confirms your date, time of entry, number of tickets requested and cost. Note, the cost in this example is calculated at €14.50 per person. That’s because there is a “special” exhibit which costs €5 going on during the time I am visiting. Whether you choose to go and see this section of the museum, you’ll be charged this fee. In addition, when using online purchasing, you are accessed the €1 booking fee.

On this page, you’ll confirm your name and enter your email address. Again, make sure your email address is correct as this will be your confirmation and receipt. The red box with arrow is added by me just to make you aware that if you’re not there 30 minutes before entering – despite already paying – your “slot” can be given away to someone else! So be at least 30 minutes early, especially if you’ve already paid for the tickets! When you’ve entered your email and verified all the information, click on the Refresh and Recalculate box to move you to the payment page.

And this is the last page before you pay… click on Purchase confirmation to enter your credit information and purchase these tickets. You’ll get an email confirmation. Bring it with you when you head to the museums… and be EARLY!

Visiting the Museum

The Museum is not very large and two hours is sufficient for most folks to see all of the collection easily. Many of the most famous sculptures are on the first floor. Know that you CANNOT take pictures inside the Galleria. If they see a large camera bag – or anything larger than a standard purse – you will have to check that bag. Bag check is easy, free, and to the left of the counter where you get your tickets. There are no exceptions – take a larger bag, purse, backpack, etc… and you WILL have to check it.

The Audio Guides are very informative and in many languages. There are also over-sized laminated “info sheets” in each room that you can read. They provide info similar to the Audio Guide, so whichever way works for you. If you do rent the guide, get there in time to pick it up BEFORE your entry time.

Because you’re getting there early… there is a small cafe’ in the Entry Area of the Museum. You can certainly head here before your entry and have a coffee, pastry, or treat. After your visit you might want to hit the gift shop which is just as you come into the Museum Entry Area. It has all the books, postcards, and momentos you would expect. The Museum does provide guided tours, which you have to reserve when you arrive – not online. These tours are conducted by curators of the Museum and are usually very informative. For more info, see the Galleria Borghese website info below.

Outside the Galleria Borghese, you can walk through the Gardens adjacent to the Museum. They are quiet, serene, and while not overly abundant, quite beautiful.

Galleria Borghese Facts and Info

From their website: Galleria Borghese

The original sculptures and paintings in the Borghese Gallery date back to Cardinal Scipione’s collection, the son of Ortensia Borghese – Paolo V’s sister – and of Francesco Caffarelli, though subsequent events over the next three centuries entailing both losses and acquisition have left their mark.

Cardinal Scipione was drawn to any works of ancient, Renaissance and contemporary art which might re-evoke a new golden age. He was not particularly interested in medieval art, but passionately sought to acquire antique sculpture. But Cardinal Scipione was so ambitious that he promoted the creation of new sculptures and especially marble groups to rival antique works.

Borghese Gallery and Museum
Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5
00197 ROMA
Tel. +39 06 8413979

Information and tickets booking – tel. +39 06 32810
Groups booking – fax +39 06 32651329
Guided tours – fax +39 06 8555952
Opening time – Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Closed – Mondays; December 25th, January 1st

Admission is strictly reduced at only 360 persons every 2 hours (mandatory exit at the end of time slot). Access up to half hour before the closing time

Tickets – Ticket reservation needed
Ticket office close at 6.30 p.m
No exchange, refund or cancellation of tickets is allowed. Service charges are not refundable under any circumstance.

Reservations can be made, as long as ticket availability lasts. It is compulsory to collect reserved tickets 30 minutes before your time slot. Failure to purchase the tickets half an hour before your scheduled admittance time may result in the loss of your reservation. Tickets may also be purchased the days before if available.

Full price € 8,50
Reduced € 5,25
- European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old
- European Union full-time public school teachers

When a special exhibition is held in the Museum, the price of the ticket may be increased.
The price difference must be paid at the ticket office.

Audio guides
Available in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish
€ 5,00 + entrance ticket

Guided tours
In English: 9.10 a.m. – 11.10 a.m.
In Italian: 11.10 a.m. – 3.10 p.m. – 5.10 p.m.
€ 5,00 + entrance ticket

You can’t reserve a guided tour, online or any other way. They are given at 9:10 am and 11:10 am in English. When you pick up your admission tickets, you can pay for the guided tour. It’s 5.00 Euro in addition to the ticket.

Cloakroom
It is compulsory to deposit every kind of bag, purse, camera, video camera, umbrella. They have a free bag check. You give them your bag and they give you a numbered tag to claim. No problems.

Museum shop
Situated on the ground floor, next to the cafeteria, carries several guide books, art books, catalogs, postcards, posters and items inspired by and dedicated to the masterpieces of the Gallery. Shop hours are the same as those of the ticket office. Tel. +39 06 8557377

It is forbidden
- to take photographs and videos
- to smoke within the Gallery
- to eat inside the Gallery

When a special exhibition is held in the Museum, the price of the ticket may be increased.
The price difference must be paid at the ticket office.

How to get to the Galleria Borghese!

The following are some basic directions to the Galleria Borghese. To see a more in-depth explanation, complete with more maps and photos, go to the article Getting to the Galleria Borghese.

The Galleria is located on the northeast side of the Villa Borghese park, one of the most beautiful places in all of Rome. See the maps below.

The “A” marker represents the Museo Borghese. B, C, and D are the three bus stops that surround the Villa Borghese Park. The closest bus stop is the PINCIANA/MUSEO BORGHESE, letter B in the map above – Use the map features to zoom in on the letter B. The top right stop is frequented by buses #’s 52R, 53R, 53RD, 910R. The 910 is perhaps the most frequented bus on this route. You can take the 910 from Termini Station to the Galleria Borghese. It’s about five stops from Termini to the Pinciana/Museo Borghese stop.

This is the Google Map Streetview of the entrance to the Museo from the Via Pinciana. The bus stops JUST past this gate, so if you see this on your let, hit the button to jump off at the next stop!

This is the bus stop, PINCIANA/MUSEO BORGHESE, which is the closest to the Museo (yellow sign on the right side of this picture). Villa Borghese is to your left on this picture. You would jump off the bus, and head back in the direction from which this Google Map Streetview picture was taken. I’s only 100+ yards so very easy… and you’ll see the Museo gate entrance – as is shown on in the top Google Map Streetview picture!

The other way to come on the bus is to head to the top of the hill of the park and then walk down. In the two Google Maps posted above, this is the CENTER blue circle, located toward the bottom center of each map. This stop is San Paolo del Brasile – a huge stop with multiple bus options. You could ride the metro to Flaminio (BLUE circle on the LEFT in each map) and then ride a bus up to the top of the hill…. or you can ride buses from the other direction, coming up Via Veneto through the Aurelian Walls to the San Paolo del Brasile bus stop – either way works. At the San Paolo del Brasile stop buses are coming from either direction and include these bus options: 5, 19, 63, 86, 88, 92, 95, 116, 204, 217, 231, 360,490, 491, 495, 630, 926. So as you can see, there are many ways to get to this stop!

Here is a Google Map Streetview close-up of the San Paolo del Brasile bus stop. It is on the Viale San Paolo del Brasile just before this road runs into the Corso d’Italica …if you’re coming from Flaminio. From the other direction, the buses would come up Via Vittorio Veneto, through the Aurelian Walls, and across the Corso d’Italica onto Viale San Paolo del Brasile. The bus routes for either direction are listed above. You would walk to the NE on the path, designated on this map as Viale del Museo Borghese.

The following are a series of photos from the San Paolo del Brasile bus stop headed towards the Galleria Borghese on Viale del Museo Borghese:

Head northeast from the San Paolo del Brasile bus stop – You’ll see this sign above.

Even though it’s designated as a “road” on the map, this is a picture of the
Viale del Museo Borghese as you head toward the Museum!

Walking STRAIGHT down the Viale del Museo Borghese,
you will see the Galleria Borghese Museum directly in front of you!

Here is a view of the front of the Galleria Borghese Museum,
coming up from Viale del Museo Borghese.

Coming from the Metro…

Many travel books suggest coming from the Metro to Villa Borghese. The primary suggestion is to come from Spagna Metro on Line A. I find this one of the most confusing ways to come… and one of the longer walks… but it is an option. Inside the Spagna Metro Station follow the signs labeled VIA VENETO — NOT VILLA BORGHESE!!!!

If you follow the Villa Borghese signs, you will end up in the middle of the park, far away from the Museum. If you follow the Via Veneto signs you come out near the San Paolo del Brasille bus stop and then follow the directions above. This is QUITE a walk, and it is all underground until you come up at the Corso d’Italica, fronting Via Veneto.

Villa Borghese

The Villa Borghese is a HUGE and wonderful park. It has a lake, a zoo, fountains, footpaths, green spaces, paths to roller blade or skate on, and even a running track. This estate, located just north of the “Centro” district is a great place to unwind after a long day of touring. Do what many locals do – bring a picnic! Enjoy these pictures of Villa Borghese!

Photo Credits:
Header: Villa Borghese – Photo by Vincenzo Surace
David – from the Galleria Borghese; Maria Paulina Borghese as Venus – from triviumproject.com; Apollo and Daphne – from F&K: Fiktion & Kultur; Galleria Borghese Gardens – from The Leisurely Traveler; Info Map – from the Galleria Borghese website;

If you are interested in more travel support, contact me – Ron in Rome – at:

Ron Phillips Travel
An Independent Advisor for Brownell Travel – A Virtuoso® Agency

Website: www.ronphillipstravel.com
Email: info@ronphillipstravel.com
Phone: (404) 474-3851
FAX: (678) 528-2672
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