Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
4.5
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission tickets
from
AU$24.94
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4.5
1,065 reviews
Excellent
532
Very good
369
Average
103
Poor
33
Terrible
28
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milaschoen
Pavia, Italy221 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
THE museum/palace, despite some valuable pieces, is nothing more than a self-celebration of the Popes and the Papacy, where, moreover, if there is confusion, it doesn't even go well. I didn't like it at all. The gardens (not those outside the palace) but those located further down from the palace are very beautiful. I recommend the visit on foot or by minibus, with one complaint, the ticket being too expensive for the duration of the visit and the timing of the stops and also the fact that you can't get around without having the 'guard' who tells you here yes or here no. I understand that groups must be 'led' but we are not children or hooligans.
In short, everywhere you can feel the usual arrogance of the Church which constantly looks down on everyone.
In short, everywhere you can feel the usual arrogance of the Church which constantly looks down on everyone.
Written 3 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela-Carlo_Udine
Udine, Italy4,621 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Pope Francis has opened to the public the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, so dear to his predecessors Benedict XVI and John Paul II. Overlooking Lake Albano, this resistance enjoys the extra territoriality of the Holy See, and is even larger than the Vatican itself. The visit route is divided into the palace, where you can also visit the private papal apartments and the gardens of Villa Cybo. The residence, heavily renovated after the signing of the Lateran pacts, is all in all quite "simple", with the exception of the polychrome marble floors. The visit to the garden can be done either on foot, accompanied by a person who briefly explains what you are seeing, lasting about 1.5 hours or by bus, lasting 50 minutes. We opted for the first option and were extremely satisfied, of course the tour is a little shorter and all in all you have to "keep up", but breathing the air scented by the plants is priceless. The immense garden partially incorporates the much larger villa of the emperor Septimius Severus, with important remains of the theater and the crypto portico with an elegant coffered ceiling.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monyb2011
Pietrasanta, Italy1,481 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We went to visit Castelgandolfo expressly for the visit to the Pope's Villa but we were disappointed as the pass is expensive for the service offered, i.e. a walk with the guide who obviously had limited time and for which we were anxious to follow him in that which was the immense park (gardens), very beautiful and well-kept but they were hoping to also see something inside but it wasn't possible. In short, it all boils down to a "walk" in a beautiful park, with a wonderful view of Rome, but especially in the hot months, bring water with you because it's tiring.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ennio M.
Imola, Italy2,744 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
My wife, I and 5 year old daughter both visited the gardens by bus and visited the pontifical palace. Everything costs €27 per person with the child free. The tour of the gardens is very nice, even on a cloudy and sunless day they are beautiful. The building isn't bad either, very interesting
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G_astronomo68
Monza, Italy3,508 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
From Grottaferrata the tour was , Castelgandolfo - Ariccia - Nemi
Without running, half a day. Excluding gardens, of course.
We made tickets, directly there to enter the summer residence of the popes.
Zero queue, early August.
The audio guide is useful, although it is more interesting to hear the anecdotes of the various guards who accompany you in small groups. In fact , the tour is still compulsory , but with correct timing .
The place is worth a visit.
Opulence. 😎
Clean bathrooms near the ticket office.
Average price .
Without running, half a day. Excluding gardens, of course.
We made tickets, directly there to enter the summer residence of the popes.
Zero queue, early August.
The audio guide is useful, although it is more interesting to hear the anecdotes of the various guards who accompany you in small groups. In fact , the tour is still compulsory , but with correct timing .
The place is worth a visit.
Opulence. 😎
Clean bathrooms near the ticket office.
Average price .
Automatically translated
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula J
Kihei, HI5 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
This was a highlight of our vacation in Italy.
Castle Gandolfo is a small village above Lake Albano.
It is so picturesque.
We arrived early in the morning and enjoyed the beauty and quietness.
Enjoyed a cup of Italian coffee and a cornetto.
We took a leisurely tour of the Papal summer home which is open to the public now.
We ended our visit with an open bus ride through the acres of Papal gardens.
We stoped midway through our papal Garden tour for a beautiful and delicious Italian feast in the middle of the gardens. There were approximately 11 others at our luncheon from Canada, Europe and Germany. We were not rushed at all. The tour was truly magical with memories and new friendships we will always cherish.
Castle Gandolfo is a small village above Lake Albano.
It is so picturesque.
We arrived early in the morning and enjoyed the beauty and quietness.
Enjoyed a cup of Italian coffee and a cornetto.
We took a leisurely tour of the Papal summer home which is open to the public now.
We ended our visit with an open bus ride through the acres of Papal gardens.
We stoped midway through our papal Garden tour for a beautiful and delicious Italian feast in the middle of the gardens. There were approximately 11 others at our luncheon from Canada, Europe and Germany. We were not rushed at all. The tour was truly magical with memories and new friendships we will always cherish.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rc
5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Castel Gandolfo is a beautiful town of the Roman castles, full of breathtaking views, as soon as you arrive in the square you perceive the beauty and majesty of the place.
From the central square you enter the beautiful, sumptuous pontifical palace.
The visit was very interesting in the historical part where you can admire the various paintings of the popes over the centuries, then, having arrived in the private rooms of the Popes, a guide, hasty and voiceless, made us visit these rooms very quickly.
Always with the minutes counted, a small tourist bus literally flew us through the palace gardens, making us take photos from the bus, with the explanation left to the interactive guide.
It would have been very nice to be able to take a walk in the garden while also being able to admire the view from where, in the distance, you could see the sea.
All for €30, proportionately the Vatican museums should cost a few thousand euros.
From the central square you enter the beautiful, sumptuous pontifical palace.
The visit was very interesting in the historical part where you can admire the various paintings of the popes over the centuries, then, having arrived in the private rooms of the Popes, a guide, hasty and voiceless, made us visit these rooms very quickly.
Always with the minutes counted, a small tourist bus literally flew us through the palace gardens, making us take photos from the bus, with the explanation left to the interactive guide.
It would have been very nice to be able to take a walk in the garden while also being able to admire the view from where, in the distance, you could see the sea.
All for €30, proportionately the Vatican museums should cost a few thousand euros.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy Days
Durban, South Africa45 contributions
Jan 2023
The gardens are so beautiful. We were there in January, and even so, it was a nice day for a walk in these beautiful surroundings. Our guide was Alessandro. He walked at a leisurely pace, and gave us the space and the time to stop and look, and take photographs. If you would like, you can travel by golf-cart. But walking gives you more time to really take in the atmosphere. The neatly trimmed hedges and the well-kept gardens are a delight to see. Highly recommended. It's perfect if you feel like a while away from the city.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ISyzigi
New York City, NY157 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
I must disagree with the Conde Nast article I read that said "If you thought the Vatican was grand, wait until you see the Papal Summer Palace on Lake Albano." It is orders of magnitude less ornate, impressive, and grand than the Vatican. If you are serious about Papal history, then the display of vestments, busts, and Swiss Guard uniforms on mannequins could be satisfying. Otherwise, I found the place underwhelming, especially the "secret garden." The guards who shepherd you through provide no commentary, and disrupt any pleasure that could be had by rushing you from room to room. It's a lovely palace and I'm very grateful that it has been opened to the public, but its appeal is limited. Great gelato in town though.
Written 24 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea
377 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The possibility of visiting this place is due to Pope Francis, who refused to use the Palace and Gardens of the Villa Barberini as his holiday residence.
The visit is highly recommended, both for the Papal Palace and the Gardens.
The latter can be visited either with a tour on board a small bus or on foot (walking for about 1 hour).
Very knowledgeable and courteous staff who accompanies visitors along the entire route.
The visit is highly recommended, both for the Papal Palace and the Gardens.
The latter can be visited either with a tour on board a small bus or on foot (walking for about 1 hour).
Very knowledgeable and courteous staff who accompanies visitors along the entire route.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallo
in den letzten Jahren als noch ein Papst im Palast war, war die Schweizergarde als einzige Garde vertreten. Wieso befindet sich keine Schweizergardeuniform im Palst??
Die Schweizergardisten sind doch auch Bürger des Vatikans!
Written 18 October 2023
A Tripadvisor member
Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Can you take a rucksack into the villa, if so what size ?
Written 2 July 2023
I would imagine that you may take small rucksacks in, but no large luggage.
Written 23 July 2023
Per cortesias mi può indicare dove bisogna prenotare e qual'è il costo.Grazie
Ivanna
Written 25 April 2022
Basta cercare in internet e si può prenotare e acquistare il biglietto. Il costo dipende se si vuole visitare solo il parco o anche il palazzo
Written 26 April 2022
Can I buy tickets to the Barberini Gardens on the day of our visit - only tickets left on 7/12/18 on Vatican Website are for apostolic villa entry, and we would also like to tour the gardens!
Written 13 October 2018
I think the gardens are closed some of December, check the website but if it's open, I would prebook
Written 14 October 2018
We are hoping to visit the Pontificial villas and Barberini Gardens in early December this year. There are no tickets on the Vatican website - are they open everyday, and can you buy tickets at the entrance?
Written 3 October 2018
Yes you can buy tickets at the Castel. It is easier to access if you catch a bus from the train station otherwise you will have a long steep climb
Written 3 October 2018
jjcgferber
California
Does the pope have audiences at Castel Gandalfo? I've been unable to find information; it does not appear that he is there from the Vatican's schedule site. Did you do the Golf cart tour, and/or how did you get around the gardens? I had hoped to schedule a walking tour of the Barberini Gardens but there are none scheduled in English (and very few others) during the 2 weeks we'll be in Rome. Is the Golf cart tour a new option? or is it the same as the bus tour, which sounds less appealing? I'm a Landscape Architect and Photographer, so the more time on the ground with options to stop for a minute, the better. We will be visiting Rome late July- early August, 2018.Thank you.
Written 25 June 2018
The pope no longer goes to the Palace, that is why it is now open to the public
Written 2 July 2018
Hi Sandra - did you buy a package to include the train and the bus ? sounds like a great day -)
Written 9 May 2018
I went to the tourism office in Rome and asked the best and easiest way to get there. There is a bus that you can take that apparently takes you directly into town, but we opted for the train. It was super easy. The hardest part is the walk up the hill to the town. There were tours that you could purchase that were 3 times what i paid for the day. I bought the tickets to the Palace online from the vatican. Don't do the last tour, they will rush you through.
Written 9 May 2018
Salve, ho effettuato la visita ai giardini con pulmino ecologico e confermo una vera delusione. Qualcuno di voi ha effettuato la visita a piedi o in altro modo che permette di fare fotografie e osservare con calma i giardini? Se si mi dite dove prenotare? Grazie
Written 3 May 2018
Hi!
How long does it take to walk from the Apostolic palace to the Barberini garden?
Can we park at the Apostolic palace?
Is there a bathroom at the Apostolic palace?
How long can we stay inside the Apostolic palace? Is it only 60 minutes?
Written 17 September 2017
The Apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo which is the Pope's summer palace is open on some days only (check online). The visit can be as long as you want within the opening hours, and there are toilet facilities. There is parking around the town which I think was free. The garden is close to the palace and accessed through the palace grounds. However you do not walk around the grounds which are huge but are taken on an escorted minibus ride. Well worth both visits!!
Written 17 September 2017
How do I get to Castel Gandolfo using public transportation? Thanks!
Written 16 August 2017
That depends where you are starting from. There are trains from Roma Termini every hour. Costs are €2.10 each way. Trains are air conditioned and have power sockets.
Written 16 August 2017
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