VILLA BORGHESE
Visit Villa Borghese in Rome
Villa Borghese is one of the largest and most beautiful public parks in Rome, an authentic green jewel that combines history, art and nature in the heart of the eternal city. With over 80 hectares of gardens, ponds, tree-lined avenues, historic buildings and world-famous museums, Villa Borghese offers a unique experience that has enchanted tourists and Romans alike for centuries. It is much more than just a park: it is a place where art and nature coexist in harmony, offering a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city and an extraordinary opportunity to discover the cultural heritage of Rome.
La history by Villa Borghese dates back to the 17th century, when Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, decided to transform a vast piece of farmland just outside the walls of Rome into a grandiose suburban residence with splendid gardens and scenic architecture. The project was entrusted to important architects of the time, including Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni Vasanzio, who realised the Casino Nobile, now the seat of the Galleria Borghese, and other decorative structures. The villa immediately became a meeting place for artists, poets and intellectuals, as well as a symbol of the magnificence and power of the Borghese family. Over the following centuries, the park underwent various transformations and extensions, changing from a private garden to a public park in 1903, when it was purchased by the Italian State and donated to the city of Rome. Since then, Villa Borghese has become one of the most loved places by Romans and visitors from all over the world.
Activities not to be missed
Why visit Villa Borghese?
It is the ideal place for a relaxing stroll among Italian gardens, flower beds and shady avenues, to have a picnic in the open air or to enjoy a bicycle ride. The park is full of panoramic views, such as the famous Belvedere del Pincio, which offers a breathtaking view of the city, especially at sunset. But Villa Borghese is also a first-class cultural destination: it houses some of Rome's most important museums, such as the Borghese Gallery, with its collection of masterpieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael and Canova, and the Carlo Bilotti Museum, with works by De Chirico, Warhol and other contemporary artists. In short, Villa Borghese offers something for everyone: nature, art, culture and recreation.
The Biopark of Rome is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, located within Villa Borghese. With over 200 species of animals from all over the world, it offers an educational and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. The Biopark is committed to the conservation of endangered species, promoting biodiversity protection and environmental awareness. It is the ideal place to spend a day outdoors, amid nature and discovery, meeting fascinating animals in an environment recreated for their well-being.
Opening hours of the Bioparco di Roma:
The Bioparco di Roma is open every day of the year,
from 09:30 to 18:00.
Visit the Borghese Gallery
Borghese Gallery Tickets
Attention: Villa Borghese is one of the most fascinating parks in Rome, with an infinite number of beauties to discover, but its main attraction, the Borghese Galleryoften sells out well in advance. Since admission to the Gallery is limited to a small number of visitors per time slot, it is essential to book your ticket in advance to avoid arriving at the park and finding that there are no more seats available.
To grant you access to this jewel of Roman art, book now your tickets for the Borghese Gallery online. Don't risk missing the opportunity to admire the masterpieces of Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael and Canova in one of Rome's most evocative settings.
What to see in Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese offers a variety of attractions to suit all tastes, from art to nature, from entertainment to culture. Among the most interesting places to visit are:
- Borghese Gallery: Without a doubt, one of the highlights of the park is the Galleria Borghese, one of Rome's most important and fascinating museums. Inside the Casino Nobile, the gallery houses an extraordinary collection of works of art, including sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini such as 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'The Rape of Proserpine', paintings by Caravaggio, including 'David with the Head of Goliath', and masterpieces by Raphael and Titian. Each room in the museum tells a unique story, thanks to the beauty of the works on display and the elegance of the rooms decorated with precious frescoes and stuccoes.
- The Lake Garden: An enchanting place within Villa Borghese, characterised by a small artificial lake surrounded by lush vegetation. In the centre of the lake is a charming little temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, which adds a romantic touch to the landscape. It is possible to rent a rowing boat for a tour on the lake, a popular activity for families and couples.
- Piazza di Siena: An open space within the park, famous for hosting the prestigious Piazza di Siena horse competition every year, one of the most important events in the Roman sporting calendar. The square, with its elliptical shape, is surrounded by maritime pines and centuries-old trees, and is a perfect example of Italian landscape architecture.
- The Pincio: The Pincio Terrace is one of the most iconic places in Rome to admire the view over the city, overlooking Piazza del Popolo and, in the distance, the dome of St Peter's. It is the ideal place for a walk at sunset, when the golden light illuminates the rooftops of Rome, creating a magical atmosphere.
- Carlo Bilotti Museum: Located inside the Villa Borghese Orangery, this museum houses a collection of contemporary art donated by the entrepreneur and collector Carlo Bilotti. Among the works on display are paintings by Giorgio de Chirico, Andy Warhol and other modern artists. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and educational activities.
- Pietro Canonica Museum: A small hidden gem within the park, dedicated to the sculptor Pietro Canonica, who lived and worked here. The museum holds a large collection of his works, including sculptures, sketches and plaster models, offering an interesting insight into 20th century art.
- Temple of Diana and Casino dell'Uccelliera: Villa Borghese is dotted with small historical buildings and monuments that add charm to the landscape. These include the Tempietto di Diana, dedicated to the Roman goddess of hunting, and the Casino dell'Uccelliera, once used for bird breeding and now restored and open to visitors.
How to get to Villa Borghese
The main address of Villa Borghese is: Piazzale Napoleon I. However, the villa occupies a large area in the centre of Rome, and the entrance to the Galleria Borghese, one of its most famous attractions, is located at: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5. Villa Borghese ha several inputs and access points, so the address may vary depending on which part of the park you wish to visit.
Visiting the Colosseum is one of the main activities in the city of Rome, which is why it is easy to find long queues at the site to get tickets, especially in the middle of the day. Remember that Rome is in all months of the year taken by storm by tourists. Even if you try to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid long lines, you risk waiting for a long time (the average wait lasts between 45 and 60 minutes). One of the best ways to avoid long queues is to buy your tickets online, choosing between priority entrance and guided tours.
The best time to visit the Colosseum is in the morning at the time of opening, between 8.30 and 10.30 am, or in the late afternoon between 5 and 7 pm. It takes at least two hours, approximately, to visit.
There are several bus lines that stop near the Villa Borghese. These include line 360, line 116 and line 490, which can be caught at the main metro stations in the city.
Another convenient option is to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Free Now. Most taxi drivers are familiar with the location of the Villa Borghese.
If you prefer to walk, Villa Borghese can be reached on foot in about 20-30 minutes from the centre of Rome. The park is located adjacent to the Spanish Steps, the Quirinale and the Piazza del Popolo, and is easily recognisable by its large green expanse covering over 80 hectares.
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