My DW and I will be spending a few days in Rome pre-cruise, and one of my must do's is a visit to the Borghese. The ship departs Civi at 7:00 pm, so I thought it might be possible to tour the Borghese on the morning of embarkation and still give ourselves plenty of time to make our way to the port without fear of missing the boat.
How much time should we allow at the gallery to properly appreciate it?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
According to the gallery's website, you don't have a choice: Everyone is admitted for a two-hour time block. The first two options are 9-11 AM and 11AM-1 PM.
Unless things change between now and your visit, the Borghese continues - as they long have - to issue timed entry tickets for specific entry times. Each group of people (currently a maximum of 100 people) is allowed no more than two hours in the Gallery. At the end of two hours, guards sweep the rooms to usher out any stragglers before the next group enters. It is imperative to buy your tickets ahead of time on their website. Also note: get there well ahead of your entry time in order to pick up your tickets and to check all purses, handbags, backpacks, etc. They are quite strict about this! Current entry times are:
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. -7 p.m.
It’s a wonderful place. May I suggest a guided tour? Look at RS Rome book for ideas. It’s not large but you’ll see the high points, get great background and then have time to see more, have a snack at the very good snack bar.
The Borghese Gallery is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. Do try to visit, but heed everyone's warnings. Two hours max, timed entry, reservations required. And don't wait: reservations are often sold out long in advance.
This policy isn't Covid related; we've been visiting the Borghese since 2010, and it's been like this at least since then.
It's worth the trouble.
Thanks all, just booked our tickets. Only three months to go!
Another tip if you do the tour on your own: go upstairs first and work your way down.
Less people that way, although nowadays it might make no difference!
