We will be visiting Rome this fall. In obtaining tour tickets for the Borghese Gallery, We are seeing a large discrepancy for tour tickets ($30 to over $100). The least expensive seem to come directly from the Borghese website. Third party ones are more expensive. Is there a difference in quality/size of group, reliability, etc. according to these price differences? Who has been there? Does price make a difference?
Posted by
Seattle
381 posts
When you say "tour ticket" does that mean a guided tour of the Borghese? We went on our own in October, 2023. I purchased 2 advanced tickets from the official website for 34 Euros. Since all visitors are limited to 2 hours, we felt that we didn't need a tour, whether from the Gallery itself or a 3rd party. Rick's Rome guide book has several pages on the Borghese and we used that to supplement what we were seeing. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it; the sculptures are the stars of the show in my book!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1712 posts
Note that the tours share the space with regular ticketed patrons. While attendance is strictly limited, there is a fair amount of crowding around the Bernini, and I found that the tour groups took up a fair amount of the limited space.
I was there on a standard ticket, and can't see any reason for spending more than the $30 for the official tour.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1491 posts
Buy directly from the Gallery’s website. Third parties charge a premium. Every ticket, whether bought directly or from a third party subject to the same rules regarding strict limit on the maximum number of visitors allowed for each 2-hour time slot. Large bags must the checked.
Posted by
Minneapolis
232 posts
In lieu of a tour, my brother-in-law (savvy traveller) has been there twice and says that the audioguide they offer at the gallery is excellent. You might consider this option. We went to Borghese in 2013 and absolutely loved it; but I don't think we got the audioguide.
We are going back to Rome the week of October 5 - 10 this coming fall and will go to BG again, and this time will purchase the audioguide. (FYI, I just checked the official website a few minutes ago and they are only posting ticket purchase options through mid-September 2025 at this moment in time. So I can't get my tickets yet--I'll just keep checking.)
Forum posters have commented that purchasing tix from third party vendors can be risky, especially for highly in-demand tickets to certain sites--which the Borghese Gallery apparently is.
Posted by
1 posts
I’m having trouble connecting with the Borghese’s website (https://galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it/en/). Any advice?
Posted by
25 posts
We have been to the Borghese Gallery twice. Buy your tickets on their website site and do your own tour- that way you can skirt the crowds a bit. Buy a Rick Steves Italy tour book which includes information about cost, reservations, how to get there, a floor map and important pieces to see within the collections. The Borghese is small and you don’t really need a tour if you research the art before your visit. Best wishes on your visit!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17487 posts
fourlowes, the museum's website may only be 'live' during the hours (Rome time) the museum is open. The official ticketing portal, however, is accessible 24/7. Try that?
https://www.tosc.it/en/artist/galleria-borghese/galleria-borghese-2253937/#calendar-start=2024-08
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks everyone for your comments. We have bought the regular tickets (17 euro) and intend to purchase the audio tour at the gallery (2 or 3 euro). This saves us a great deal of money. The audio tour is definitely the way to go. It has been recommended in this forum and in the Rick Steves guidebook. That was enough for us. Again thanks, all of you!