Rome is one of the most historical cities in Italy, having many art and religious museums and other architectural treasures.
The essence of the Renaissance and other ages is perfectly captured in the displays and artifacts of these Roman Museums!
Visitors planning to have a complete experience in Rome must visit some of these top ten museums to have a memorable experience and learn more.
In this article, let’s look at what makes these Roman museums unique and discover price and location details so you can plan your itinerary in advance!
Vatican Museum- A Pilgrim’s Favorite
The Vatican Museum is one of the best art museums in Rome, attracting over five million visitors every year.
The museum is a collection of 54 galleries housing art pieces from around the world in the Vatican City.
You can see a stunning Papal collection of over 20,000 artworks from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance period on display.
One of the most iconic highlights of the museum is the Sistine Chapel, known worldwide for its beautiful ceiling covered in masterpiece frescos by Michelangelo!
Some other attractions include the philosophical frescos by Raphael, the Egyptian collection at the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, and more.
Timings: 8 am to 7 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
Ticket Price: €31
Address: 00120 Vatican City. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Ottaviano S. Pietro Metro Station, an 8-minute walk away.
Borghese Gallery- Best Art Museum
The Borghese Gallery houses one of the best artistic collections in Rome, displaying works by famous artists like Caravaggio, Bernini, and more!
The gallery was built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1613 to display his private collection and now attracts 400,000 visitors every year.
It is filled with beautiful 17th-century artworks and sculptures that are a must-see for all budding artists.
Some of the best art pieces in the Borghese Gallery include Apollo and Daphne and Rape of Proserpina sculptures by Bernini and Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath Painting.
This gallery is also a part of the larger Villa Borghese, which has a beautifully landscaped garden and the Biparco di Roma zoo with endangered animals.
Timings: From 9 am to 7 pm, with the last entry at 5.45 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Ticket Price: €30
Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Pinciana/Allegri bus stop, a 5-minute walk away.
Capitoline Museum
Standing at the peak of Capitoline Hill, the scenic Capitoline Museum is Rome’s oldest and most iconic museum!
It houses a marvelous 15th-century art collection by famous artists like Caravaggio, Titian, and more.
You can see the oldest art of Rome in this museum, dating from ancient Rome to the Renaissance.
The most famous sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf, showing the founders Romulus and Remus, stands right at the entrance of the Capitoline Museum in Rome.
One of the other main reasons for the museum’s popularity is the stunning view of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill it offers!
Timings: 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
Ticket price: €33
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Colosseo Metro Station, a 14-minute walk away.
National Roman Museum
The National Roman Museum has four different galleries located in other parts of Rome, offering an in-depth look at the history and art of ancient Rome.
The Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme houses many sarcophagi from Egypt and even stunning artifacts and fresco paintings from the houses of Roman Emperors.
The Palazzo Altemps showcases a massive display of Renaissance and Eastern deity sculptures.
The Cripta Balbi has a unique coin and token collection from ancient Rome and other art collections from the Roman Forum.
The Baths of Diocletian, designed by Michelangelo, is a collection of bathhouses that is now transformed into a Church with a beautiful garden area.
Inside this museum is a collection of written communication and the written history of the Latin people.
Timings: 2 pm to 7.45 pm, with the last entry at 7 pm, from Tuesday to Friday. 10.30 am to 7.45 pm on weekends.
Ticket Price: €38
Address:
- Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme: At Largo di Villa Peretti, 2 – Roma. Get Directions.
- Palazzo Altemps: Piazza S. Apollinare, 46 – Roma. Get Directions.
- Cripta Balbi: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31 – Roma. Get Directions.
- Baths of Diocletian: Via Enrico de Nicola, 78 – Roma. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation:
- Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme: Repubblica Metro Station, a 3-minute walk away.
- Palazzo Altemps: Spagna Metro Station, a 17-minute walk away.
- Cripta Balbi: Arenula/Cairoli tram stop, a 5-minute walk away.
- Baths of Diocletian: Termini Metro Station, a 5-minute walk away.
Castel Sant’Angelo
The Castel Sant’Angelo is also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, attracting over a million visitors yearly for its architecture and exciting collection!
Since it is a mausoleum, every hallway of the attraction holds deep historical significance and is a paradise for history lovers.
Michelangelo and many other famous Italian architects worked on its beautiful facade, with a mighty sculpture of Archangel Michel standing at the top.
The Castel also has a massive collection of ancient artifacts, weapons, and artwork from ancient Rome.
Many music shows and theatre performances are also held at the attraction, making it a great family outing spot!
Timings: 9 am to 7.30 pm, with the last entry at 6.30 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Ticket Price: €27
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Piazza Pia bus stop, a 10-minute walk away.
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National Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art
The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art has displayed foreign and Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries since 1883.
It is one of the most popular sites among young artists, having over 20,000 artworks on see, including paintings, sculptures, and other art mediums.
You can see Neo-classical, Impressionism, Avant-garde, futuristic art, and other movements famous in the 1920s to 1940s.
The works by famous artists Van Gogh and Claude Monet are also on display in the National Gallery of Contemporary and Modern Art!
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm, with last entry time at 6.15 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Address: Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, 00197 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Galleria Arte Moderna bus stop, a minute’s walk away.
MAXXI Museum
The best Roman spot to see contemporary art and architecture is at the MAXXI Museum!
The MAXXI Musuem also has a stunning avant-garde facade crafted by architect Zaha Hadid.
It is the newest museum in Rome, opened in 2010, housing a variety of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia artworks.
This museum is perfect for all visitors, as the art here covers social and cultural awareness topics and urges visitors to protect the environment.
Some of the most famous artists are Maurizio Cattelan, Kiki Smith, and other Italian, African, and German artists.
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm, from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Ticket Price: €14 (Online from official website)
Address: Via Guido Reni, 4a, 00196 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Apollodoro Tram Stop, a 4-minute walk away.
Museo e Cripta Cappuccini/ Capuchin Crypt Museum- For Horror Fans
The Capuchin Crypt, which is part of the Roman Catacombs, is a haunting and historical museum to pay respect to the Capuchin Friar Monks.
The Crypt houses the remains of over 3,700 monks, arranged in a design on the walls and even as chandeliers in this attraction!
You might wonder why such a gruesome scene is worth seeing, but the Crypt Museum teaches valuable lessons on life and spirituality.
Visitors can enjoy seeing a blend of art and religion in this museum and explore the Catacombs if they have time later!
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm.
Ticket Price: €45
Address: Via Vittorio Veneto, 27, 00187 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Barberini Metro Station, a minute walk away.
Hendrik Christian Anderson Museum
The Hendrik Christian Anderson Museum was constructed in 1981 as a space to display all the artwork of famous American sculptor and painter Hendrik Anderson.
The museum has a vast collection of his paintings, sculptures, belongings, and sketches, which show visitors his creative process.
Anderson fans can also learn more about his personal life and career from the photographs and documents displayed.
The museum’s main theme is based on Anderson’s concept of the World City, having over two hundred paintings and sculptures and over three hundred graphics.
Roman sculptures inspire most of the art displayed in this collection and are a must-see for realism fans!
Timings: 9.30 am to 7.30 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Ticket Price: Free!
Address: Via Pasquale Stanislao Mancini, 20, 00196 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions.
Closest Public Transportation: Flaminio Station, a 6-minute walk away.
Explora Museo di Bambini di Roma- Family-friendly
If you are exploring Rome with kids, the best museum to keep them engaged and entertained is the Explora Children’s Museum!
It offers an educational and fun experience, with many science and society-based interactive games and activities.
Children of all ages can find things to play with in the museum, allowing parents to take a small break.
Some of the most exciting exhibits at the Explora Museum include a wind exhibit, a Feed My Emotions AI exhibit, and a unique cooking kitchen exhibit.
Timings: 45-minute shifts with 15-minute breaks from 10 am to 6.45 pm.
Ticket Price: €8 (Prices change as per the day of slot booked)
Address: Via Flaminia, 80/86, 00196 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions
Closest Public Transportation: Flaminio Metro Station, a 4-minute walk away.
FAQs on Top 10 Best Museums in Rome
1. What museum not to miss in Rome?
You must explore the Vatican Museum, Borghese Gallery, and Capitoline Museum in Rome for the best and most fulfilling experience. These are some of the most famous art and history museums worldwide.
2. What museum is worth going to in Rome?
You must visit the Borghese Gallery in Rome. It is a paradise for art lovers, with stunning paintings and sculptures by Bernini, Titian, Caravaggio, and more.Â
3. What are the four national museums of Rome?
The National Roman Museum is divided into four museums: Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Cripta Balbi and the Baths of Diocletian.
4. Which is the cheapest Musuem to explore in Rome?
You can explore the Hendrick Christian Anderson Museum for free in Rome. Some museums, like the Vatican Museum, also have dates on which they allow visitors to explore for free. Check out their official websites to know more.
5. Which museum has a modern display of art?
The MAXXI Museum and National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art have recent art displays from the 21st century. This art shows you the advancement of techniques of the past.Â
6. Which museum in Rome is also a mausoleum?
The Castel Sant’Angelo is a museum and a mausoleum built by Emperor Hadrian.Â
7. Which is the oldest museum in Rome to explore?
The Capitoline Museum is the oldest in Rome and was the only museum to open its doors to visitors in the 15th century.Â
8. What are some religious museums in Rome that are among the best?
The Vatican Museum in the Vatican City, which is very close to Rome, is the most religious. It houses a vast collection of Christian art, inscriptions, and other displays.Â
9. Where are the best paintings in Rome?
It depends on the kind of art you want to see. If you want to see Bible-themed art, the Vatican Museums are the best option. Visitors interested in contemporary art should visit the MAXXI museum or the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. For classical art, we highly recommend the National Roman Museum.Â
Featured Image : Stock photos by Vecteezy
