Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Borghese Gallery
Photos & Highlights
- Explore masterpieces by Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini
- Enjoy easy access with advance ticket reservations and a private expert in art history
Select a date
Tour Description
A triumph of gold, marble, and ostentation, during a period of enormous wealth, intrigue, and politics. This is the essence of the Roman Baroque, and this is what you will find within the walls of the Borghese Gallery.
Once the private art collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and most controversial individuals in 17th-century Rome, the Borghese Gallery is today one of the most stunning art galleries in the world, housing some of the greatest works of art ever created.
Led by an expert in art history, this in-depth Borghese Gallery guided tour features a significant portion of Cardinal Borghese's exceptional art selection. Discover masterpieces by Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Bernini, learn about the complex relationships between art, politics, and society at the time, and gain insight into Papal power and the politics of aristocratic Rome during the Baroque era.
With each step, the Borghese Gallery unveils layers of history, culture, and artistic genius just waiting to be discovered. Let yourself be captured by the dramatic work of Bernini, one of the most important artists of this era, and immerse yourself in the tension and movement of Apollo and Daphne, the dynamism and concentration of David, the exquisite detail, and emotional intensity of Proserpina's Abduction.
Experts
- You want more than simply the idea behind great works of art. You'd like to gain a better grasp of the complexities and the society that created these masterpieces.
- You've been to Rome before and you have overlooked or missed the Borghese Gallery. This time, you want to get a better understanding from an expert who can help you make the most of your visit.
- You want easy access to one of Rome's most demanded museums. You prefer the convenience of a guided tour that takes you straight to the security gates.
- Borghese Gallery
Tickets
Our visit to the Borghese Gallery includes advance entry tickets, allowing you to skip the general ticket office line. Although you can skip the main ticket line, there may still be a brief wait for security screening or ticket scanning. Please be aware that the museum enforces a strict limit on the number of visitors allowed at any given time, resulting in highly limited ticket availability. Consequently, some changes and reschedules may occur, and we appreciate your patience in these instances.
Please Note: the Borghese Gallery is undergoing works of renovation and some rooms might be closed exceptionally and unexpectedly. Your expert will adapt the itinerary accordingly if necessary.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information and inspiration while planning your travels to Rome, take a look at our other Context experiences.
Can I take photos inside?
Yes, photography is allowed during the tour, but please make sure to turn off the flash to protect the artwork.
Why isn’t this tour offered on Mondays?
The Borghese Gallery is closed on Mondays so we are unable to offer tours.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Yes, the Borghese Gallery is accessible to people with mobility issues. Wheelchair users can access a dedicated entrance, and wheelchairs are also available for rent on-site. Due to the cramped spaces, guests may occasionally be asked to temporarily swap their wheelchairs for the museum's smaller, easier-to-maneuver wheelchairs.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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587 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We are most grateful for tailoring the focus of the visit to our interests (Renaissance, Bernini) while keeping us abreast (masterpieces by other artists such as Caravaggio), expending on the history of the Borghese family, the history of the time, and architecture.
Naama
Reviewed on:
Apr 14, 2015
Lauren was the best guide we had throughout our 10 day trip to Italy (we had 2 tours with Context and 2 tours with another agency). She was a true storyteller which made the art come alive for us. We liked that she explained that artists personal lives and how this impacted their art. She also gave us advice on what works to look at during our visit to the Vatican Museum to compare it to the works we saw in the Galleria. We had four people in our group from 11 years old to 63: she made the tour interesting and fun for every single person. This was the highlight of our trip!! Thanks Lauren!
Karen
Reviewed on:
Apr 6, 2015
We appreciated the exceptional efforts that Liz, Caroline (sp?), and Lauren took to delay the start until the last possible moment so we could find the villa. The taxi driver dropped us off on the other side of the grounds with little explanation, in Italian at that, regarding how to get from there to the villa.
Lauren conducted the walk spectacularly. She brought the sculptures and paintings to life for us. Afterwards, she took an extra few minutes of her time to walk with us to catch a taxi, and recommend two restaurants.
The only suggestion that comes to mind would be to point out in the description that this walk covers the significant sculptures and paintings, and that private walks can be arranged to see one or the other more in depth.
Monique
Reviewed on:
Apr 4, 2015
