Looking for the best museums in Rome? You’re in the right place.
Rome as a whole feels like a living museum. The ancient city is ripe for exploration, from the majestic Colosseum to the sacred depths of the Vatican crypts, there’s no shortage of historic sites to discover firsthand.
Whether you’re interested in uncovering the secrets of Roman engineering or looking to admire masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, there’s no shortage of museums worth knowing about. But you know the drill: Museum fatigue is a real thing!
As such, I thought it’d be helpful to roundup my favorite museums in Rome. I lived in Rome for a few months this past summer and spent a ton of time musuem hopping. By sharing this knowledge, my hope is to make it easier for you to narrow down a list of museums that pique your interest.
Regardless of the museums you choose to visit, I suggest purchasing admission as soon as narrow down your list! Rome has seen a surge in tourism and the most popular sites are known to sell out, I’d hate for that to happen to you! With that said, let’s cover the best museums in Rome for first (or 100th!) time visitors.
The Best Museums in Rome, Italy
(Table of Contents)
Rome Museums (Table of Contents)
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Holy cow. If you only have time to check out one museum while visiting Rome, make a beeline for the Borghese Gallery and Museum. Often hailed as the best museum in Rome, this place is a masterpiece!
Once the villa of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the museum is found within the confines of Villa Borghese, the 3rd largest public park in Rome. It captures the essence of the Renaissance and Baroque periods through world-class paintings, sculptures and antiques.
Cardinal Borghese was an avid art collector and spared no expense acquiring whatever his heart desired. He was also a highly controversial man. The nephew of Pope Paul V, he aroused a great deal of resentment for leveraging “gifts” (more like bribes, really) from the papal government to fund his investments.
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying he amassed one of the great art collections in Rome. Masterpieces from Caravaggio, whose mastery of light and shadows is known the world over, to Bernini, whose sculptures became the most iconic focal points in Rome. This is a can’t-miss museum in Rome for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.
I couldn’t get over Bernini’s sculpture depicting Pluto’s kidnapping of Proserpina, which was completed when Bernini was only 23 years old. In my opinion, this sculpture alone cements the Borghese Gallery as one of the best museums in Rome.
Helpful Advice: If you plan to swing by the Borghese Museum while visiting Rome (as you should!) book your tickets as soon as possible. It’s not uncommon for tickets to book out two weeks in advance.
Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums have an impressive claim to fame: It’s the oldest museum in the world.
The museum is nestled atop Capitoline Hill, it was founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of important ancient bronze sculptures to the people of Rome. The museums are a treasure trove of art and archaeology, spanning from ancient Roman times to the Renaissance.
Visitors wander through a complex of buildings designed by none other than Michelangelo, coming face-to-face with masterpieces like the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius and the ruins of the ancient Temple of Jupiter. Most impressive (to me, at least) is the Capitoline Wolf, which depicts the she-wolf Lupa suckling the twins Remus and Romulus (Rome’s formidable founders).
The museums pay homage to Rome’s rich history, showcasing an impressive array of statues, busts, frescoes, and mosaics that tell the city’s story. But the focus isn’t strictly set on ancient history, far from it. The Capitoline Museums also celebrate Rome’s enduring influence on art and culture, blending the storied past with a more modern future.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma, Italy
The Vatican Museums
Now, you may be wondering why I didn’t list the Vatican Museums first on my list of the best museums in Rome. The reason is two-fold, first, I chose not to number this list because it’s hard to rate museums without knowing personal interests. Secondly, visiting the Vatican Museums is a study in patience, the experience is a madhouse, truly.
On average, 25,000 people visit the Vatican Museums daily (imagine!). With more than 4-miles of artwork, there’s no denying that it’s one of the top Rome museums to visit, but I couldn’t get out fast enough (it was so packed!).
Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio headline the museum’s collection, but there’s a few modern twists as well, with Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso making small appearances.
The center point of the musuem is the world-renowned Sistine Chapel, which is the final stop on the tour. Adorned with two magnificent frescoes painted by Michelangelo in the early 16th century, the scenes depict stories from the bible, including the Second Coming of Christ.
Helpful Advice: We opted for a guided tour to avoid waiting in a 2+ hour line. However, it was clear our tour guide was overworked and lacked interest, so we handed him our audio sets pretty early on into the tour and explored on our own. I suggest opting for the guided tour to skip the line alone, even if you don’t end up touring this popular Rome musuem with a guide.
Doria Pamphilj Gallery
There’s something irresistible about touring private collections that have turned into public museums. The wealth of notable Romans during the city’s heyday is mind-boggling! Enter: Doria Pamphilj Gallery, where you’ll be privvy to the opulence and splendor of one of the city’s grandest private art collections.
The gallery is owned by the Doria Pamphilij family and is housed in a palatial 16th-century building that has been the Pamphilj family home for centuries. Touring this important musuem in Rome offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of Rome’s nobility, adorned with antique furnishings and stunning artworks.
Each room is elegantly decorated and stuffed the brim with paintings and sculptures that span the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Highlights include masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, and Velázquez, including the famed portrait of Pope Innocent X by Velázquez. The painting is considered to be among the greatest portraits ever made.
Address: Via del Corso, 305, 00186 Roma, Italy
Local’s Advice: Admission is €16 per adult, €17 if booking online. Free audio guides are offered in English and included in the entrance ticket. Don’t sleep on this! It’s a great way to get an in-depth self-guided tour of the musuem, highly recommend.
National Museum of Rome, Palazzo Altemps
Originally constructed in the late 15th century for Girolamo Riario, a nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, the estate was later purchased by Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps (for whom the museum is named), nephew of Pope Pius IV.
The building and its collections remained in the hands of the Altemps family until the 19th century, when they were eventually acquired by the Italian state. In 1982, the Italian government purchased the palazzo to house part of the National Roman Museum’s collection, focusing specifically on classical sculptures.
Home to an impressive collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, the most remarkable exhibit is the breathtaking Ludovisi Collection. The Boncompagni Ludovisi family donated 104 statues to the state, and hell, that collection alone would qualify as one of the best museums in Rome.
Whatever you do, don’t miss Ludovisi Gaul (The Galatian Suicide), a striking marble sculpture depicting a man holding the dying body of his wife while plunging a sword into his own heart. The sculpture is unique for its time because it was more common to depict victors, but Ludovisi Gaul kept the focus on the defeated.
The man is believed to be a chieftain who lost a battle and was forced to kill himself and his wife to prevent getting captured by the enemy. It’s one of the most beautiful statues you’ll find in any of the Rome museums.
Address: Piazza di Sant’Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma, Italy
Centrale Montemartini
The Centrale Montemartini, set within a converted early 20th-century power plant, blends industrial archaeology with ancient art. This unexpected setting creates a captivating backdrop for the classical statues and artifacts it houses, originally part of the overflow from the Capitoline Museums’ collection.
Explore Roman history through marble statues, intricate mosaics, and ancient inscriptions, all juxtaposed against the original machinery of the power station, including massive diesel engines and boilers, telling the broader story of Rome’s continuous evolution.
The museum’s layout encourages reflection on the passage of time, as ancient gods and goddesses seem to preside over the machinery of modern progress. There’s no denying that the Centrale Montemartini is one of the most unique museums in Rome.
Address: Via Ostiense, 106, 00154 Roma, Italy
Galleria Spada
The Galleria Spada is an intimate gallery housed in the beautiful Palazzo Spada. It showcases a remarkable collection of Baroque art, featuring works by masters like Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens.
However, what truly sets the Galleria Spada apart is the fascinating perspective gallery designed by Borromini. This corridor uses forced perspective to create the optical illusion of a 121-foot-long gallery in a space that is actually only 26 feet long, a testament to Borromini’s ingenuity.
The gallery’s collection was amassed by Cardinal Bernardino Spada in the 17th century and reflects the Cardinal’s ambition to elevate his family’s status through the acquisition of prestigious works. All told, Galleria Spada is one of the smallest museums in Rome but admission is a mere €5 per adult, so there’s no excuse to skip it!
Address: Piazza Capo di Ferro, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Colosseum Museum
What makes this museum truly special is the setting (it’s located within the Colosseum!). It’s easy to imagine the echoes of gladiators and the roar of ancient crowds while touring one of the most underrated museums in Rome.
You’ll be treated to a fascinating array of exhibits that highlight the engineering marvels behind the Colosseum’s construction and the daily lives of gladiators.
Highlights include artifacts recovered from the site, detailed models that reconstruct the amphitheatre in its glory days and a handful of interactive displays. The museum also offers insight into the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the Colosseum for future generations.
All this to say, the Colosseum Museum is one of the best museums in Rome for history buffs or anyone interested in the complexity of Roman civilization.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
MAXXI Museum
The MAXXI Museum, officially known as the National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, distinguishes itself from most of the museums in Rome because of its focus on contemporary art and architecture. Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the museum’s architecture is half the draw, the building won the prestigious Sterling Prize for Architecture.
MAXXI stands as Italy’s first national museum dedicated to contemporary art, offering art and architecture from the late 20th century to the present. The museum’s collections and exhibitions feature a wide range of media, including visual arts, photography and architecture, highlighting the work of established and emerging artists.
Address: Via Guido Reni, 4A, 00196 Roma, Italy
Castel Sant’Angelo
Originally constructed as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century, this remarkable structure has evolved over time, serving as a fortress, a papal residence and now a museum.
The museum houses a fascinating collection of artifacts, including Renaissance paintings, ancient military weapons, and papal apartments adorned with frescoes. Perhaps the most captivating feature is the panoramic terrace, which offers breathtaking views of the Eternal City.
Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the best museums in Rome because it offers glimpses into the past while providing epic panoramic views of modern city with a bright future. I enjoy visiting the terrace cafe for an espresso while soaking up the views, it’s very memorable.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma, Italy
National Museum of Rome, Crypta Balbi
The National Museum of Rome’s Crypta Balbi stands out as a fascinating window into the layered history of Rome, offering a unique glimpse into the daily life of ancient Romans.
Situated on the site of a historic theater complex dating back to the time of Emperor Augustus, this is a subterranean excursion through ancient Rome. What makes Crypta Balbi so captivating is its focus on archaeology and the evolution of the city’s urban landscape.
As you wander through the museum, you’ll discover artifacts that tell the story of Rome’s continuous change, including everyday items, ancient inscriptions, and remnants of the medieval and Renaissance periods. This is one of the most unique museums in Rome because it moonlights as an archaeological site.
You’ll get an opportunity to make tangible connections to Rome’s past by exploring the remnants of the ancient theater and the subsequent layers of buildings that rose atop the ruins.
Something to Note: The National Museum of Rome Crypa Balbi is temporarily closed for renovations. I’ll update this when more info is available!
Address: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, 00186 Roma, Italy
National Museum of Rome, Baths of Diocletian
The National Museum of Rome, Baths of Diocletian is inside ancient Rome’s largest bathhouse. These baths, the largest ever built in Rome, dating back to around 298 AD under Emperor Diocletian, could accommodate up to 3,000 people at a time!
Today, you can explore the remnants of this vast complex, which has been ingeniously repurposed to house part of the National Museum of Rome’s collection. The museum displays a wide array of ancient artifacts, including sculptures, inscriptions, and mosaics that tell the story of Roman daily life, art, and religion.
One of the highlights is the Aula Ottagona (Octagonal Hall), part of the ancient bath complex, which now showcases stunning examples of ancient statuary.
While walking through the museum, you’ll find yourself marveling at the scale of the Baths and the sophistication of Roman engineering. This blend of architectural masterpiece and archaeological treasures makes the Baths of Diocletian one of the most interesting museums in Rome.
Address: Viale Enrico de Nicola, 78, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
National Etruscan Museum
Housed in the beautiful Villa Giulia (built for Pope Julius III), the museum takes a deep dive into the mysterious world of the Etruscans. This civilization, which flourished in Italy before the rise of Rome, has left behind fascinating artifacts that provide insights into their culture, religion, and daily life.
The museum’s collection is centered around understanding the Etruscan world, featuring stunning examples of pottery, sculpture, metalwork, and the exquisite sarcophagi that highlight the Etruscans’ beliefs in the afterlife.
One of the museum’s most famous pieces is the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, a remarkable terracotta work depicting a reclining man and woman in an intimate pose, which speaks volumes about the Etruscan views on life and death. Any way you slice it, this is one of the best museums in Rome for history buffs.
Address: Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, 00196 Roma RM, Italy
Best Museums in Rome (Post Summary)
In sum, here is a list of the best museums in Rome.
- Borghese Gallery and Museum
- National Museum of Rome, Crypta Balbi
- MAXXI Museum
- National Museum of Rome, Palazzo Altemps
- Capitoline Museums
- Doria Pamphili Gallery
- Galleria Spada
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Centrale Montemartini
- The Vatican Museums
- Colosseum Museum
- National Museum of Rome, Palazzo Massimo
- National Etruscan Museum
- National Museum of Rome, Baths of Diocletian
- Palazzo Bonaparte
Best Rome Museums (Map)
And there you have it! A post covering all the best museums in Rome. I hope you found the article helpful in planning out your trip to the Eternal City.
Cheers.