Rome: Borghese Gallery & Gardens Small Group Guided Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Appreciate art like a collector with a visit to the Borghese Gallery and Gardens. Carefully controlled entry means that unlike the nearby Vatican Museums, this collection of masterpieces is never crowded. The gallery includes pieces by Raphael and Bernini, and the tour includes the Borghese Gardens: a peaceful oasis amid the chaos of the capital.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

All personal belongings must be left on arrival at the reception of the Borghese Gallery

We regret that we are unable to accommodate pushchairs or strollers on our group tours

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Galleria Borghese

Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned both the Villa Borghese itself and many of the great works still on display in its gallery. Works by Bernini, Caravaggio and Titian remain in their original settings, as envisioned by the Cardinal, a fiercely determined collector. Strictly controlled entry to the Villa and Gallery can make booking difficult and complicated. On this fully-guided tour you’ll hear more about Cardinal Borghese’s quest to complete his collection, and the stories behind the artworks themselves, including Bernini’s ‘Apollo and Daphne’, Canova’s ‘Pauline Bonaparte’, Caravaggio’s ‘St. Jerome’ and Raphael’s ‘The Deposition’. Your guide will be an English-speaker and an expert on the collection, and audio headsets ensure you’ll hear every word they say.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

Villa Borghese Gardens

Included in this tour is a visit to the Borghese Gardens: once the Cardinal’s private park, now a favorite spot for locals to relax among sculptures, plants and water features and get away from it all.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Expert, English-speaking tour guide

Villa Borghese Gardens Visit

Headsets so you can always hear your guide

Small group of no more than 15 people

Entry ticket to the Borghese Gallery

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour

Group Tour - English: Guided tour of the Borghese Gallery and Gardens with small groups of no more than 15 people.

Reviews

4.55

2,169 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1651

286

Villa Borghese - The perfect afternoon
Victoria D,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Sal was an amazing guide. His passion for the artwork was inspiring and made for a perfect afternoon. Informative and beautiful.
Stunning sculptures & history
Jean S,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Francesco is an amazing guide, he’s so incredibly knowledgeable. We learned so much about the history of this family and how important it was to Roman history. The sculptures were stunning, and Francisco explained so much about the work and the sculptors.
Excellent tour
Angela B,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Really interesting and informative tour. Francesco was a knowledgeable and entertaining guide to the collection
It was worth it!!!
Allison W,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
I was really not sure if I wanted to go to another gallery in Rome but so glad I did. Eric was an amazing and knowledgeable guide who was able to give us insight on so many pieces of art.
Insightful Tour but Storytelling Could Be Sharper
dariobt,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
We joined the Borghese Gallery & Gardens Small Group Guided Tour, and our guide—an American researcher whose name I unfortunately missed—was clearly passionate and very knowledgeable about the art and history housed in the gallery. Our group consisted of my family and an American couple, and while he seemed to focus a bit more of his attention on them, he was still considerate of everyone’s needs. I had a knee injury during the tour, and he made sure I could navigate the gallery comfortably by assisting me with the elevator up and down, which I truly appreciated. However, his storytelling could use some fine-tuning. He tended to ramble and dive deeply into details without checking whether the group was still following along, and I found that both myself and the kids got lost at certain points. Overall, it was still a worthwhile visit thanks to his expertise and the beauty of the Borghese Collection, but a bit more structured narrative and balanced engagement with all guests would have made the experience even better.
A most enjoyable and informative tour
ZihuaMitch,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lorenzo gave a most enjoyable and informative tour. We learned so much about the beautiful pieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, and many more.
Great tour
Cassandra V,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great tour guide. She was knowledgeable and had the best accent. She made sure we were all comfortable before leaving a room and the ROOMS!’ My gosh! They were incredible!! So much history! Very pleased
Superb and fascinating!
Docgl123,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a fantastic experience at the Borghese with our guide, Federica. She was very knowledgeable and personable, and explained the incredible art and contextual history. The earpieces assured we heard everything. The gardens were lovely! Strongly recommend this tour as it was a trip highlight.
Well worth the...
Amy B,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Well worth the experience. Our guide, Frederica, was excellent…her knowledge and passion shown through!
A Gem of a Guide
Adventure660130,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Frederica has a wealth of information about the artists, their works and those who sponsored them. She deeply understands the context of the Borghese collection and shares that willingly!! It was a joy to hear all of these elements in our special group! Thank you, for a wonderful tour!!