Villa Borghese Gardens: Rome’s Green Oasis of Art, History & Tranquility
Discover Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome – 200 acres of lush landscapes, iconic temples, boating lakes, art museums, and panoramic views. Plan your serene escape today.
Borghese Gardens History
The history of Villa Borghese and the gardens stretch back to the early 17th century. Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who was the patron of Bernini and Caravaggio, converted what previously were Vineyards into the most elaborate Roman gardens built in centuries.
The villa itself contains buildings, sculptures, monuments and fountains. It includes work of Baroque, Neoclassical and Eclectic artists and the grounds are surrounded by trees, ponds, gardens and large open spaces.
Camillo and Francesco Borghese expanded the park in the 19th century and in 1903 the Villa was purchased by the Italian state and has been used as a public park ever since. The most beautiful spot of Villa Borghese Gardens, for us, is the Garden of the lake where it is possible to rent boats and paddle around surrounded by the most tranquil setting in Rome.
Within the grounds of the park is also Borghese Gallery and Museum, which is in the villa and there is an art gallery originally integrated into the gardens, but today is considered a separate attraction with, of course, additional costs. For me, the Caravaggio collection is worth the price of admission but there are also works by Rubens, Titian, Raphael and the sculpture Apollo and Daphne by Bernini.
What Can I Do In The Villa Borghese Gardens?
In addition to taking a casual stroll through the Villa Borghese Gardens and seeing the museum, which you should definitely check out, it is easy to spend an afternoon in the park. I mentioned above how you can rent a boat (read: tiny 2-person rowboat) which is inexpensive and has the fantastic view of the Temple of Aesculapius.
You can also see a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, a Zoo, which was recently redesigned and a hydro-chronometer (water clock) built in 1873. If you get tired of walking, there are places to get a snack, a coffee or you can rent a bike or a cart.
What Are The Key Attractions In Villa Borghese In Rome?
The sprawling greenspace has a lot to experience. In addition to being able to rent a bike or a pedal cart, there are a number of attractions you shouldn’t miss. Here are just a few:
- Pincio Terrace – This is an overlook of Piazza del Popolo with great views of the city.
- Boating Pond – You can rent small row boats and cruise around this tranquil spot in the middle of a sea of tranquility.
- Temple of Aesculapius – Built in the 18th century, it represents the god of medicine.
- Fountains – There are a collection of amazing fountains in the gardens that you can experience as you stroll around.
- Water Clock – Known as a Hydrochronometer, it was built in 1873.
- Piazza di Siena – Grassy area dating from the 1790s, now used for al fresco performances & horse jumping competitions.
- Silvano Toti Globe Theatre – A replica of the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre built in 2003
- Bioparco di Roma – In the northern corner of the gardens is Rome’s zoo, known as il BioParco di Roma. A great spot for children.
What Are The Hours For The Villa Borghese Gardens?
The park is open from dawn to dusk and like in any big city be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and don’t go to the more desolate parts when it is getting dark. As has been said before, Rome is generally a safe city with violent crime being very rare, but petty crime like pickpockets and purse snatching is not that uncommon, especially with tourists.
I would recommend seeing the park early in the morning. It isn’t crowded, apart from dog-walkers and joggers, and you will easily be able to navigate all around the park. You will need a later start, depending on reservation times, if you plan to see the Galleria.
Galleria Borghese
The Borghese Gallery and Museum is open from 9:00AM until 7:00pm from Monday to Sunday. There is inconsistent information on their website, so it wouldn’t hurt to call: +39 06 32810 (Monday through Friday 9:30am – 6:00pm).
The tours last 2 hours and there is a limit to 180 people at a time, so plan your day accordingly and make sure you make reservations.
Where Can I Get Tickets?
Reservations for the Borghese Gallery and Museum are required and you can make them at their reservation site, or you can call them: +39 06 32810 (Monday through Friday 9:30am – 6:00pm).
There are a wide range of ticket options for groups, students, youths and people with mobility issues. Generally, tickets will cost about €17, which includes a tour guide.
How To Reach The Villa Borghese Gardens?
The Villa Borghese Gardens are located on Pincian Hill which is close to Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. There are a number of ways to get to the park, depending on where you are and what you want to see. The easiest way to reach the Gallery is walking through Villa Borghese Gardens, which is a great way to spend a morning.
You can take the subway, Metro A, and get off at the Spagna or Flaminio stops, and climb the hill to reach Borghese Gallery. If you are at Piazza del Popolo, then climb the short flight of steps to the Pincio Hill garden. You might not know the name, but it is a popular spot that overlooks Piazza del Popolo. From there you can reach the museum with a 10 minutes walk.
You can also reach the park by the #2, #3 or #19 trams that stop at a number of stops around the park. Villa Borghese has 9 different entrances, so it’s better to check Google Maps to know where to go and how to get there.
More Amazing Parks Around Rome
Visiting Villa Borghese Gardens in Rome is DEFINITELY worth it! Plan ahead and make reservations to spend a day in Rome exploring Villa Borghese gardens and the museum! If you are interested in checking out more of the beautiful parks in Rome, these posts can help:
- Exploring Rome Parks: A Guide to the City’s Greenspaces.
- Is Villa Torlonia Worth Visiting?
- The Most Secret Garden In Rome Is Villa Aldobrandini Park.
- Villa Doria Pamphili Park Is Worth A Visit For Many Reasons.
- Villa Celimontana Is A Tranquil Park With Views Of Rome.
- Colle Oppio Park Is Great For Budget Family Travel in Rome.
- EUR Lake Rome Is Great If You Are In Italy On A Budget.
- Aqueduct Park, Rome, Italy Is A Beautiful Urban Escape.
