National Museum of Rome or Capitoline Museums

I enjoyed the Capitoline Museum more than the National Museum.

There are several buildings of the National Museum and I went in to the Palazzo Massimo alla Terme. The ground and 1st floor had many sarcophagi and were not as much of interest to me. I did enjoy the 2nd floor which has parts of an ancient villa and some of the basement. There was some jewelry in the basement that was really interesting. I had not done my research and did not see the Baths of Diocletian which are on the list for next time, lol. They are nearby in a separate building.

The Capitoline Museum also has 2 buildings linked underground. I had particularly wanted to see the bronze of the She Wolf and Romulus and Remus but the thing that blew me away was the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. I did not particularly "get" how this museum was laid out so I wound up backtracking a lot which involved many sets of stairs. I had read somewhere that there was a great view from the Terrace cafe but wow, did I have a hard time finding it. The city view was really terrific up there. Capitoline is also very convenient to the Forum.

They're both great, but I would pick Capitoline over National (Palazzo Massimo). There are some great views out over the Forum from the connection between the Capitoline buildings.

As much as we enjoyed the National Museum, I'd would agree with the others. I think it may be more manageable, and a shorter visit, not as large and filled with antiquities if I recall correctly. But it is pretty cool in its own right for sure.

You will be closer to the Capotiline Museum as well.