Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets: how it works

The Borghese Gallery is a must–see for any art lovers. The building itself is impressive enough from the outside, but once you step inside you’ll be fully immersed in art.

To make the experience truly special though, visitors are limited to 360 people at any one time.

Whilst the limit on people allowed in the gallery makes for a nicer visit, it means you’ll want to secure your ticket in advance. As a popular attraction, queues can be extensive and can result in disappointment for those that haven’t pre-booked.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning your visit and booking your Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets.

What is the Borghese Gallery?

The Borghese Gallery is an art gallery in Rome. It’s located at the heart of the Villa Borghese Gardens, so the walk to its entrance is a treat in itself.

The Gallery dates back to 1660, when it was built as the private home of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Borghese was the biggest art fanatic you can imagine. He collected rare and expensive art works from artists past and present, and displayed them all around his home.

He threw parties to show off his art collection and invited artists to view and contribute to his collection. In particular, Borghese focused on growing his collection of Bernini works.

Now, several hundreds of years later, Scipione Borghese’s home is a public art gallery, which is home to the greatest collection of Bernini masterpieces in the world. It also houses famous works by artists such as Titian, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

What can you see during a Borghese Gallery tour?

The Borghese Gallery is packed with masterpieces dating back to the Roman era. The most impressive collection in the gallery is the Bernini collection. You’ll find more Bernini works at the Borghese Gallery than anywhere else in the world.

Bernini’s sculptures

Two of the most famous Bernini masterpieces are the sculptures Apollo and Daphne, and The Rape of Proserpina. These two Baroque marble sculptures were actually commissioned specifically for the Villa Borghese by Scipione Borghese.

Canova

Another famous sculpture that you’ll find in the gallery is Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix. Canova sculpted this piece in 1804, and sparked a lot of controversy by depicting the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger sister as the Goddess of Love, posing half naked.

Caravaggio

Whilst the gallery is famed for its Bernini collection, it also has a very impressive collection of Caravaggio works. There are six Caravaggio paintings in the Borghese Gallery, including the famous Boy With A Basket Of Fruit and David with the Head of Goliath.

Titian

Titian was one of the most experimental painters of the 16th century, painting portraits, landscapes, mythological and religious subjects. He played with colour and contrast, so no two of his paintings look the same.

The Borghese Gallery is home to his famous and ambiguous painting Sacred and Profound Love.

Raphael

The gallery is also home to one of Raphael’s most famous works, The Deposition. The dark painting shows the death of Christ and the anguish of his mother the Virgin Mary and those around him, whilst the crucifix looms in the background.

How to visit the Borghese Gallery ?

Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets

The gallery only allows 360 people in at any one time, which means it’s best to book in advance. Whilst you can queue on the day, and try to buy tickets on the door, it’s much easier to buy Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets.

You can easily book Borghese Gallery fast line tickets online, and this means you won’t have to worry about being turned away on the day. You’ll just need to choose tickets for a certain time slot.

Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets: Time slot reservation

Your ticket will give you two hours to explore the gallery, so if you choose 9am, your visit will last until 11am.

Having allocated time slots means there’s hardly any waiting around. You can simply turn up half an hour before your time slot, and use your Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets to avoid the ticket queues.

The only reason you’ll need to arrive half an hour early is because you’ll still need to go through a couple of security checks. You might also want to leave your belongings in one of their lockers.

Free and discounted Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets

If you’re aged 18-25 and you’re from the European Union, you’ll qualify for a discounted ticket. Rather than paying €15,50 + €5 reservation fee, you’ll pay €9,50 + €5 reservation fee.

Anyone under the age of 18 qualifies for a ‘free’ ticket, meaning they’ll just pay a €6 reservation fee. But those under 4 years old don’t have to pay a penny, and they don’t need to reserve a ticket either.

If you’ve booked a free or discounted ticket online in advance, your tickets will still be Borghese Gallery fast line tickets.

Should you book a Borghese Gallery guided tour?

Another way to buy Borghese Gallery fast line tickets is to book a guided tour. Tour guides are able to slip their group past the queues and into the gallery. And you’ll get the added bonus of having an expert explain the history and meanings of the gallery masterpieces.

So if you want to make the most of your time at the gallery, it can be worth booking a guided tour. Not only will your tour include Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets, but you’ll also learn more about the artworks. And if you have any questions, you’ll have your own personal guide to answer your queries.

What you need to know before visiting the Borghese Gallery ?

Day trips always run more smoothly when you know what to expect and how to prepare, so here are some tips for visiting the Borghese Gallery.

Tip 1 – Allow time for security checks

Even if you’ve bought Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets, you’ll still need to go through security. The Borghese Gallery contains some of the most valuable art in the world, so there are security measures in place to keep the gallery and its masterpieces safe.

This is why even Borghese Gallery fast line tickets advise you to get there half an hour before your time slot. Arriving 30 minutes early gives you time to get through security before your allocated two hours.

Tip 2 – Make use of the cloakroom

When you arrive at the Borghese Gallery, you’ll have the option to leave belongings in the cloakroom. It’s definitely worth making use of the cloakrooms if you want to fully enjoy the gallery. If you’re laden down with bags, coats and whatnot, it’s going to ruin the experience.

Tip 3 – Make use of the restrooms

Many people plan on exploring the Villa Borghese Gardens after their gallery visit, but there aren’t any toilets in the Gardens. So it’s a good idea to make use of the restrooms before leaving the gallery.

Tip 4 – Explore the Villa Borghese Gardens

The Borghese Gardens are almost as beautiful as the Borghese Gallery itself. So when planning your day, allow extra time for a stroll through the Gardens.

You’ll need to walk through them anyway to get to the gallery, but there’s so much to see and do that it’s worth setting aside at least an hour or two. You can see the Temple of Asclepius, the Shakespearean Globe, the Fountain of the Sea Horses, the Secret Gardens and more.

If you want to make the most of the gardens, click here to find out how to visit the Villa Borghese Gardens.

Is a Roma Pass worth it ?

The Roma Pass used to be a great way to get a Borghese Gallery skip the line ticket. But since Summer 2019, the pass doesn't include a free admission to both the gallery…

What might be interesting, on the other hand, is the Rome Tourist Card. You can get 20% off your entrance ticket. Check card here.

Conclusion to the Borghese Gallery skip the line tickets

If you want your day at the Borghese Gallery to run as smoothly as smoothly as possible, you’ll want to book skip the line tickets. By booking tickets you won’t have to wait in line when you arrive at the gallery. You’ll save time that can be better spent exploring the rest of Rome.

And if you’re planning on visiting the gallery, don’t forget to allocate some time to see the Villa Borghese gardens!