Borghese Gallery

Reservations absolutely! Unless it is an off day in the off season, do not chance it, and even in off season it can be sold out.

Yes, you can take pictures now. No selfie sticks, though, and as bags, even purses, must be checked, no equipment.

Thanks Laura. We will be there on the weekend of Oct. 7-8th. I have read on a couple forums where sometimes, if you get there early i.e early AM on Sunday in our case, then the extra costs for buying a ticket online prior versus at the ticket office there is not worth the additional costs.
Glad to hear they now allow cameras.

Pre-reservations for timed-entry, 2-hour visiting slots are MANDATORY for the Borghese. You must make them even if using a Roma Pass.

This is where you do it:
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/en/home_en/borghese-gallery-and-museum

Cameras (no flash) are supposed to be allowed but that may vary depending on special exhibits.
You must be at the gallery at least 30 minutes before your time slot to check most of your other belongings. I recommend being there even earlier than that as the check-room line can be long.

I'm not sure what the extra costs are for an advance reservation, but the Bernini sculptures are so wonderful that I wouldn't want to take a chance on not being able to get a ticket, even early on a Sunday morning. Going back to see them again is a prime reason why I'm planning on a return trip to Rome. Guess it depends on how much it would matter to you if you weren't able to get in.

I visited the website...and it says that Roma pass holders cannont make online reservations and one needs to call to confirm and take the tickets from the desk...is there a chance that if one holds a Roma pass, and tries to get reservations one or two days before visiting, the reservations will be full ?

is there a chance that if one holds a Roma pass, and tries to get
reservations one or two days before visiting, the reservations will be
full ?

Yes, it absolutely will be booked full on that short a notice. I would make your October reservations as soon as tickets become available, and, yes, with a Roma Pass you can only do that over the phone.

The Borghese is one of Rome's top attractions and only allows a limited number of visitors for each 2-hour time slot. They completely clear the galleries in between. That's why reservations are necessary. The beauty of this is that you can enjoy the galleries without being completely overrun like people are at the Vatican Museums. :O)

Editing to add: the website isn't showing ticket sales open for October yet but should be very soon. Keep checking over the next few days to see when it shows tickets as available.

Thanks a Lot, Kathy. Will do as you advise.

Kathy,

That website you mentioned above mentions "seats" when you purchase the tickets to the Gallery.

I thought that you bought the tickets on line, show up 1/2 hour before the designated time, bypass the ticket line and walk around the gallery at your own leisure for two hours and then leave. Not sure what the seat assignment is for on that website??
Thanks

gpsaba, don't worry about seats. The website manages tickets for multiple venues so that option only applies to those venues/events which require a seat selection.

You aren't the first to ask this question! :O)

Thanks Kathy.

If you walk up to the Galleria Borghese ticket window there will be a sign stating when the next available time slot is - usually several days later.

The only way to get a walkup ticket is to hope that someone missed their reservation time.

I just purchased our tickets for the Borghese Gallery online. Initially I wasn't able to complete the purchase using the Safari browser. As soon as I switched to Chrome everything went through and I was able to print out my confirmation. This isn't the first time this has happened when trying to book online for events or attractions in Europe. Not sure I know why but at least now I don't panic - I just try Chrome.

Note that you do NOT need to have your Roma Pass in hand to make the telephone reservation -- you can buy the Pass when you arrive in Rome and just tell the (English-speaking) person on the phone that you will have a Roma Pass. And make sure you're calling during Rome business hours.

When I visited using the Roma Pass, my hotel made the reservation for me. I gave them the date and time I wanted. Cameras are allowed, as are small bags. If there is a temporary exhibition, then photos are not permitted even in the galleries that aren't part of the exhibit.

And be sure to get there early, as they won't necessarily accommodate late arrivals.

Does anyone know what is meant by pick up at the venue, instead of paying 10 euros to have the tickets sent? Do they mean you can buy the tickets in advance and pick up your tickets at the Borghese Gallery before your entry time? Also, I picked 9AM, but under the reservations it says 12AM, but it has the correct date.

Pick up at the venue means that you take your confirmation email to the entrance about 30 minutes before your appointment time and get your ticket.

Mailing actual tickets might work within Europe, but I wouldn't take a chance, and I think there's an additional fee. I go to the Galleria Borghese fairly often and just show the voucher.

The folks where we will be staying at [Rick Steves-recommended] Nicolas Inn B&B were kind enough to call for a reservation for us for September 21, as we plan to use the Roma Pass. Your hotel would probably do the same.

" We will be there on the weekend of Oct. 7-8th"

Us too! Same time frame...well we will either go to Borghese on 5th, 6th or 7th. Wondering if 5th or 6th is better because it is Thursday or Friday instead of weekend? Or does that not matter at all?

we will either go to Borghese on 5th, 6th or 7th. Wondering if 5th or
6th is better because it is Thursday or Friday instead of weekend? Or
does that not matter at all?

Wendy, it doesn't matter because the museum observes strict crowd control EVERY day the museum is open. There are only 350-360 or so tickets pre-sold for every 2-hour time slot, and when they're gone, they're gone. Make your advance booking for any day/time that has openings at this point.