from
$78
Skip-the-Line Borghese Gallery Tour
Join a small group to see famous works by Bernini, Caravaggio, and Canova with an expert guide
In the early 1600s, Cardinal Scipione Borghese assembled one of Rome's most remarkable private art collections, filling his hilltop villa with masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio. This small-group tour gets you inside the Borghese Gallery with skip-the-line tickets to witness works spanning from Baroque icons to Canova's famous neoclassical sculptures. With an expert guide and personal audio headsets provided, you'll better understand the technique and stories behind each masterwork.
What's included
Study Baroque masterpeieces
Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line Borghese Gallery tickets
Borghese Gallery guided tour
Radio headsets
Access to temporary exhibitions (when available)
Bernini’s sculptures, Caravaggio’s paintings, Canova’s sculptures & Raphael's masterpieces
Small group experience
Guide tips
Itinerary
Your tour begins near the Borghese Gallery
Meet your guide near the entrance to the Borghese Gallery, a 17th-century villa tucked within Rome's Villa Borghese gardens. Pick up your radio and get ready to step inside one of Italy's most prized art collections.
Skip the line and enter the Borghese Gallery
Skip the long ticket lines and walk straight into security to enter the Borghese Gallery with your reserved group access. Outside, general admissions lines can take up to an hour. Inside, the frescoed ceilings and gilded halls await.
Marvel at Bernini's Baroque sculptures
Take in Gian Lorenzo Bernini's breathtaking masterpieces, including the dramatic Apollo and Daphne and The Rape of Proserpina. Listen as your guide shares fascinating stories about how Bernini brought marble to life with movement and emotion during the height of the Baroque period.
Explore Caravaggio's dramatic paintings
Next, you'll encounter the powerful works of Caravaggio, known for his dramatic use of light and shadow. See the introspective Sick Bacchus and the vibrant Boy with a Basket of Fruit, both reflecting the artist's turbulent genius and revolutionary style.
Encounter Canova's Neoclassical masterpieces
Continue to Antonio Canova's stunning sculptures, featuring the famous reclining Paolina Bonaparte. You'll appreciate the lifelike details and refined beauty that define Canova's departure from Baroque exuberance into Neoclassical grace.
Your tour finishes at the Borghese Gallery
After the guided tour concludes, you're welcome to stay and wander the galleries independently. Revisit a Bernini sculpture up close or take your time in front of a Caravaggio canvas before heading out into Rome.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Fri, 18 Sep 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Comfortable shoes are recommended since you will be standing for most of the tour. Only small fanny packs and purses (max 21 x 15 cm) are allowed in the museum. Larger bags/personal items must be left at your accommodation.
Accessibility: The Borghese Gallery is wheelchair accessible, but if you have any doubts about your mobility, please contact us beforehand so we can best cater to your needs.
Tour Changes: Some rooms of the Gallery may be closed to visitors due to renovation works. Your guide will ensure you see the best works available.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entrance to the Borghese Gallery
Guided tour of the Borghese Gallery
Radios for a more intimate tour experience
Access to temporary exhibitions (when available)
Bernini’s sculptures, Caravaggio’s paintings, Canova’s sculptures, Raphael's masterpieces, and more
Small group experience
What to bring:
Valid ID
Comfortable shoes
Camera
See what people are saying
4.98
354 Ratings
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Terrific tour and tour guide
Laura R.
September 15, 2026
The Borghese Gallery is a must see and Monika our tour guide was absolutely terrific. Knowledgeable, engaging, humorous, attentive and courteous. She took great care of our group and was truly one of the best guides I have ever had on any tour anywhere. Highly recommend!!
Possibly the best art gallery in Italy
Heather W.
September 15, 2026
We loved this tour, especially the time to wander around the rooms after the tour was over. It’s the perfect amount of time to see amazing works of art.
Steve K.
September 13, 2026
Absolutely Stunning Borghese Gallery Tour
Sue B.
September 13, 2026
Our extremely knowledgeable guide provided enough information to keep us fascinated with the story of the art while keeping the tour moving at a comfortable pace. It was a Palace so lots of stairs. Get start to our first afternoon in Rome.
Great tour of impressive art with an awesome guide
Brad A.
September 12, 2026
Elianora was one of the best tour guides I've ever had, especially for an art museum. She is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about every piece. She told us interesting stories about the artists and what was going on in their lives during the time they were creating the art. The context helped us understand so much better what each particular piece was communicating. She also described the personal connection she has with the art and how her life has been impacted by it. She spoke clearly and she was very kind and helpful. Really great tour guide - request her if you can!
Jack T.
September 11, 2026
Borghese gallery tour
Charles W.
September 11, 2026
Very nice, guide was very knowledgeable
A lovely tour!
Devin W.
September 06, 2026
We initially signed up for this tour because we couldn’t get tickets without one, but it turned out to be such an amazing experience! Our tour guide, an art historian, had amazing insight into all the art we saw. She gave historical and personal context to both the pieces and the artists throughout the tour, and obviously had a lot of passion and care for what she was showing us. It’s beautiful to experience art through the eyes of a true devotee. She also gave us time to sit with each piece, never rushing us through. She even introduced us to the director of the museum, a friend of hers from college. We are so thankful to our lovely tour guide! We wish she had been with us at the other museums we visited in Rome!
Great guide.
Peter M.
September 04, 2026
Professional Guide - outstanding under difficult circumstances!
Heather M.
August 24, 2026
We wanted to praise our wonderful guide who had to deal with not one but two people in the tour group having mobility and one medical issue during the tour. She was absolutely kind and clear about options with mobility, and gently coaxed the family of this person about stairs without compromising the rest of the group. Then another person in the tour wound up falling unexpectedly and needed medical attention, which she rushed to assist so that that personnel could take over and she could continue to move along our group. She had wonderful information and insight and we appreciated her light hearted nature despite these challenges! Brava for moving us through the museums and keeping us on track for a wonderful experience seeing these incredible works of art.
Trisha L.
August 23, 2026
Borghese tour
Thomas B.
August 10, 2026
Dimitri was our beat guide of the trip Very informative and provided a great experience
Martha C.
August 05, 2026
Lissa C.
July 22, 2026
Michael W.
July 17, 2026
Great tour experience with Ele
Charles O.
July 10, 2026
Ele was fantastic. She’s friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about art. She engages everyone. She even laughs at my Italian joke “Non capisco “.
Jana C.
July 08, 2026
Karen E.
July 05, 2026
Excellent guide! Very informative & energetic.
Must do in Rome!
Kin C.
June 30, 2026
We booked the ticket from another platform, but the trip was cancelled in last minute due to works in changing exhibition. Then we tried to find another trip and were lucky enough to get the last tickets for this guided tour. The guide is very knowledgeable and funny throughout the trip, and content and time management of the trip is one of the best!
Great tour
Diane M.
June 29, 2026
We had an expert guide and it is a beautiful museum!
Incredible
Jason D.
June 21, 2026
Me and my fiance had the most incredible experience. The art is a master class but also the guide (Elly I think) was so knowledgeable, and so passionate, she made the experience so memorable. Highly reccommend!!
Moustafa S.
June 20, 2026
Skip-the-Line Borghese Gallery Tour
Kristine H.
June 18, 2026
Terrific tour with Adriana who was articulate with her art history presentations.
Borghese Gallery
Robert K.
June 17, 2026
*Communication system was easy to use and exceptional reception. *Eleonora Fanelli, tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, spoke with enthusiasm, excellent eye contact with each visitor, and set a good pace. Encouraged and answered questions. A 10 on a 10 point scale.
Skip the Line with Ella
Jean E.
June 14, 2026
We had a fabulous tour with Ella. Ella, a Rome native, was our tour guide. As an art historian, she was very passionate and knowledgeable. Touring the gallery with Ella, gave us a lot of insight into the history behind all of the artwork. She is very personable and has a great sense of humor, which made the tour even more enjoyable.