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Rome - choosing between museums

Posted by on

Hello! I'm trying to avoid becoming too "museumed out", so I was hoping to get some input on the following museums. Between the Galleria Borghese, Capitoline Museum, and National Museum of Rome, which two would you go to, and why?

For reference, we would probably be hitting up them up on a Sunday in June. I know that we have to make reservations for the Borghese, which is why I'm trying to figure this out now, I also know that none of these are near each other, but that's fine with us. We would probably do one in the morning, eat lunch and then make our way to the other.

Thank you!

Posted by
147 posts

For me, this is easy: the Borghese Gallery and the National Museum of Rome. The Borghese is easily our favorite art museum experience during our entire trip in July of this year (two week trip to Rome, Florence, Venice and more). Spectacular Art in a lovely setting without crushing crowds - it may be our favorite art museum anywhere. The National Museum of Rome is actually three museums but the main one is near Termini. I think you can easily do both in one day. We went to the Borghese at 3pm and it was great, but I don't actually think it matters what time you go since they enforce the limits so strictly. The National Museum is very interesting and also not crowded and contains items you really can't see anywhere else.
Rome is wonderful - I want to go back!

Posted by
16775 posts

Same two as Jane: Borghese Gallery and the National Museum of Rome.

Posted by
14995 posts

Actually, I enjoyed the Capitoline Museum more than the National Museum of Rome. I went to the Palazzo Massimo alla Terme.

Posted by
33 posts

Borgese is tops. National was just okay to me and we are going to Capitoline in November.

Posted by
15799 posts

Borghese for sure.

The National Museum of Roman is in 4 separate buildings. [1] The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is near Termini and has some very fine mosaics and frescoes, including "Livia's Garden," from ancient Rome. [2]The Palazzo Altemps has mostly marble sculptures from ancient Rome. I haven't been to [3] Crypta Balbi, didn't sound as interesting. [4] The Baths of Diocletian are a short walk from [1] and are a very large Roman bath complex.

If I remember well, the Capitoline Museum has more to offer and that's the one I would recommend. I return to the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme for the mosaics and frescoes when I'm in Rome, but that is a purely personal preference.

Posted by
73 posts

the Borghese is breathtaking. If you are not a lover of sculpture now, you will be afterwards.

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