This magnificent public park in the heart of Rome is one of the most beautiful in the city! Villa Borghese, a green oasis of no less than 80 acres, houses the famous Galleria Borghese and numerous other special attractions. Discover our top 7 activities not to miss at Villa Borghese!
The History of Villa Borghese
In 1605, Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese, Pope Borghese’s nephew, bought a vineyard and turned it into a large park. Architects Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni Vasanzio provided the design, with fountains and statues. The work took 15 years.
The cardinal, from a wealthy family, also had a villa built, which he named Villa Borghese. It houses a large art collection.
In 1901, the Borghese family could no longer maintain the park and sold it to the state. The park became open to the public in 1903.
7 Sights to see at Villa Borghese
1. Explore the Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese, also called the Borghese Museum, houses one of the most important private collections in the world. It is one of the most beautiful museums in Rome, and perhaps even in all of Italy! Whether you are an art lover or not, a visit to the Galleria Borghese is a must-see in the eternal city. The museum offers an impressive collection of works of art from antiquity to the Italian Renaissance.
Some of the most famous works in the Galleria Borghese are “Apollo and Daphne” by Bernini, “David with the head of Goliath” by Caravaggio, and the statue of Pauline Bonaparte Borghese. You can also admire works by Titian and Raphael.
The Bioparco zoo in Rome is located in the center of the city, in the Villa Borghese, near the popular attraction Galleria Borghese. More than 200 animal species live here, including rare animals such as Sumatran tigers and Komodo dragons. It is a perfect family activity!
The zoo is strongly committed to the conservation and protection of endangered species. The animals reside in environments that resemble their natural habitats as much as possible.
Various activities are organized throughout the year, including feeding the animals and meetings with the elephants.
Opening hours Bioparco di Roma
1. From January to the end of March: from 09:30 to 17:00 2. From the beginning of April to the end of October: from 09:30 to 18:00 3. From the beginning of November to the end of December: from 09:30 to 17:00.
Admission tickets for Bioparco di Roma
To save time, it is advisable to book your tickets to the Bioparco zoo in Rome in advance. That way you can quickly enter the zoo and spend more time exploring the different animals and activities.
In the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese is an artificial lake, the Laghetto. It is the ideal place for a romantic getaway. Rent a boat and sail towards the foot of the Temple of Aesculapius.
5. Visit the Chiesa Maria Immacolata
In the Villa Borghese park you will find several interesting buildings and monuments, including the Chiesa Santa Maria Immacolata. This is part of the Casina di Raffaello, near the Piazza di Siena. Today, the building serves as a cultural center for children, offering creative and reading workshops.
The church itself still has the same function since its construction in the late 18th century, and masses and even weddings are regularly celebrated there. What makes this church special is its impressive portico, supported by four large columns.
The interior is simple, which just adds to the charm of the church. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in the Villa Borghese park.
5 . Cycling at Villa Borghese
Given the size of Villa Borghese’s gardens, it is an excellent idea to rent a bicycle. You can also rent other means of transportation, such as a go-kart or a “rosalie” that fits up to 4 people. A perfect way to entertain children!
There are 3 rental locations in the park:
1. The first is next to the Pincio Terrace 2. The second is near the Bioparco zoo 3. The third is on the east side of the park.
6. Picnicking at Villa Borghese
Escape the bustle and noise of the city by taking a walk in the garden. You can enjoy your lunch sitting on a bench or just on the grass! In case you don’t have lunch with you, there are food trucks selling ice cream, drinks and paninis at various spots in the park.
Villa Borghese has many other hidden treasures: the Pincio water clock, the Cinema dei Piccoli, the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre (a replica of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London) and several beautiful sculptures.
There are also other museums that are well worth a visit:
1. The famous Villa Medici: This palace, near the Spanish Steps, has housed the French Academy since 1803. The view from the terrace is one of the most beautiful in Rome.
2. Villa Giulia: This museum is dedicated to the Etruscan civilization, an ancient people who lived north of Rome.
3. The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.
7. Book a bicycle tour of Villa Borghese
In the gardens of Villa Borghese, you will discover numerous statues, sculptures and fountains. A tour of the park is absolutely recommended during your stay in Rome, especially if you do it by bicycle. It is a great way to fully enjoy this green oasis. Thanks to the expert guide, you can appreciate the green lung of the Eternal City even more: the 2.5 hours you spend here will fly by in no time!
The gardens of Villa Borghese are open both during the day and at night. However, we recommend not going to the park at night, as you may encounter less pleasant people there. During the day it is safe and you can enjoy yourself to the fullest, but remember that you are in a big city! There are many pickpockets and people trying to sell flowers or other items for a few euros. Our advice: ignore them! They can be quite pushy.
Where is the Villa Borghese park in Rome?
Villa Borghese is in the heart of Rome and is located on Pincio Hill. The park is near Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, on the outskirts of the city center.
How do I get to Villa Borghese?
Villa Borghese is located on Pincio Hill in Rome, close to Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, on the outskirts of the city center. You can easily reach the park by metro or bus, as there are several bus stops nearby.
We recommend walking from Piazza del Popolo to the park and taking the stairs that lead to the Terrazza del Pincio. The view of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica is truly breathtaking!
1. By metro to Villa Borghese: Red line A / stops “Spagna” or “Flaminio”
2. By bus to Villa Borghese: Bus lines 61, 89 / stops “S. Paolo Del Brasil,” “Victor Hugo” or “Del Fiocco.”
Special offers to visit Villa Borghese park in Rome
Are you going on a city trip to Rome and would like to visit the Villa Borghese park, take advantage of the offers below!
Villa Borghese: 7 Sights to Discover
This magnificent public park in the heart of Rome is one of the most beautiful in the city! Villa Borghese, a green oasis of no less than 80 acres, houses the famous Galleria Borghese and numerous other special attractions. Discover our top 7 activities not to miss at Villa Borghese!
The History of Villa Borghese
In 1605, Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese, Pope Borghese’s nephew, bought a vineyard and turned it into a large park. Architects Flaminio Ponzio and Giovanni Vasanzio provided the design, with fountains and statues. The work took 15 years.
The cardinal, from a wealthy family, also had a villa built, which he named Villa Borghese. It houses a large art collection.
In 1901, the Borghese family could no longer maintain the park and sold it to the state. The park became open to the public in 1903.
7 Sights to see at Villa Borghese
1. Explore the Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese, also called the Borghese Museum, houses one of the most important private collections in the world. It is one of the most beautiful museums in Rome, and perhaps even in all of Italy! Whether you are an art lover or not, a visit to the Galleria Borghese is a must-see in the eternal city. The museum offers an impressive collection of works of art from antiquity to the Italian Renaissance.
Some of the most famous works in the Galleria Borghese are “Apollo and Daphne” by Bernini, “David with the head of Goliath” by Caravaggio, and the statue of Pauline Bonaparte Borghese. You can also admire works by Titian and Raphael.
2. Bioparco di Roma: Rome's Best Zoo.
The Bioparco zoo in Rome is located in the center of the city, in the Villa Borghese, near the popular attraction Galleria Borghese. More than 200 animal species live here, including rare animals such as Sumatran tigers and Komodo dragons. It is a perfect family activity!
The zoo is strongly committed to the conservation and protection of endangered species. The animals reside in environments that resemble their natural habitats as much as possible.
Various activities are organized throughout the year, including feeding the animals and meetings with the elephants.
Opening hours Bioparco di Roma
1. From January to the end of March: from 09:30 to 17:00
2. From the beginning of April to the end of October: from 09:30 to 18:00
3. From the beginning of November to the end of December: from 09:30 to 17:00.
Admission tickets for Bioparco di Roma
To save time, it is advisable to book your tickets to the Bioparco zoo in Rome in advance. That way you can quickly enter the zoo and spend more time exploring the different animals and activities.
3. Rent a boat on the Laghetto of Villa Borghese
In the beautiful gardens of Villa Borghese is an artificial lake, the Laghetto. It is the ideal place for a romantic getaway. Rent a boat and sail towards the foot of the Temple of Aesculapius.
5. Visit the Chiesa Maria Immacolata
In the Villa Borghese park you will find several interesting buildings and monuments, including the Chiesa Santa Maria Immacolata. This is part of the Casina di Raffaello, near the Piazza di Siena. Today, the building serves as a cultural center for children, offering creative and reading workshops.
The church itself still has the same function since its construction in the late 18th century, and masses and even weddings are regularly celebrated there. What makes this church special is its impressive portico, supported by four large columns.
The interior is simple, which just adds to the charm of the church. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in the Villa Borghese park.
5 . Cycling at Villa Borghese
Given the size of Villa Borghese’s gardens, it is an excellent idea to rent a bicycle. You can also rent other means of transportation, such as a go-kart or a “rosalie” that fits up to 4 people. A perfect way to entertain children!
There are 3 rental locations in the park:
1. The first is next to the Pincio Terrace
2. The second is near the Bioparco zoo
3. The third is on the east side of the park.
6. Picnicking at Villa Borghese
Escape the bustle and noise of the city by taking a walk in the garden. You can enjoy your lunch sitting on a bench or just on the grass! In case you don’t have lunch with you, there are food trucks selling ice cream, drinks and paninis at various spots in the park.
Villa Borghese has many other hidden treasures: the Pincio water clock, the Cinema dei Piccoli, the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre (a replica of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London) and several beautiful sculptures.
There are also other museums that are well worth a visit:
1. The famous Villa Medici: This palace, near the Spanish Steps, has housed the French Academy since 1803. The view from the terrace is one of the most beautiful in Rome.
2. Villa Giulia: This museum is dedicated to the Etruscan civilization, an ancient people who lived north of Rome.
3. The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.
7. Book a bicycle tour of Villa Borghese
In the gardens of Villa Borghese, you will discover numerous statues, sculptures and fountains. A tour of the park is absolutely recommended during your stay in Rome, especially if you do it by bicycle. It is a great way to fully enjoy this green oasis. Thanks to the expert guide, you can appreciate the green lung of the Eternal City even more: the 2.5 hours you spend here will fly by in no time!
Opening hours Villa Borghese
The gardens of Villa Borghese are open both during the day and at night. However, we recommend not going to the park at night, as you may encounter less pleasant people there. During the day it is safe and you can enjoy yourself to the fullest, but remember that you are in a big city! There are many pickpockets and people trying to sell flowers or other items for a few euros. Our advice: ignore them! They can be quite pushy.
Where is the Villa Borghese park in Rome?
Villa Borghese is in the heart of Rome and is located on Pincio Hill. The park is near Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, on the outskirts of the city center.
How do I get to Villa Borghese?
Villa Borghese is located on Pincio Hill in Rome, close to Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, on the outskirts of the city center. You can easily reach the park by metro or bus, as there are several bus stops nearby.
We recommend walking from Piazza del Popolo to the park and taking the stairs that lead to the Terrazza del Pincio. The view of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica is truly breathtaking!
1. By metro to Villa Borghese:
Red line A / stops “Spagna” or “Flaminio”
2. By bus to Villa Borghese:
Bus lines 61, 89 / stops “S. Paolo Del Brasil,” “Victor Hugo” or “Del Fiocco.”
Special offers to visit Villa Borghese park in Rome
Are you going on a city trip to Rome and would like to visit the Villa Borghese park, take advantage of the offers below!
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