Knowing the Galleria Borghese opening hours is essential when planning a visit to one of Rome’s most important museums. The museum is not open every day and entry is only by reservation in two-hour time slots. On this page you will find up-to-date information on opening days and times, visiting slots, holiday closures and tips for choosing the best time to visit.
Opening days and hours
The Galleria Borghese is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 19:00. The museum is closed on Mondays, except for possible exceptions on public holidays or special events (check the official website). The weekly Monday closure is common for many Italian state museums and allows for maintenance and care of the collection. The last entry is allowed within a set time before closing (usually about 30 minutes before 19:00), so it is important to arrive on time so as not to miss your slot.
Hours may change for temporary exhibitions, events or decisions by the Ministry of Culture. Before buying tickets we recommend checking the official Galleria Borghese website for current hours for your visit. If in doubt you can contact the ticket office or the museum call centre.
Time slots and mandatory booking
Access to the Galleria Borghese is not drop-in: visitors enter in two-hour slots. The standard slots are: 9:00–11:00, 11:00–13:00, 13:00–15:00, 15:00–17:00, 17:00–19:00. Each slot has a maximum number of visitors (around 360) to ensure a comfortable visit and protect the works. For this reason booking is mandatory: you cannot turn up at the ticket office without a prior reservation unless there are free places for the current slot (rare, especially in peak season).
When you buy a ticket you choose your preferred slot. Once inside you have two hours to see all the rooms; at the end of the slot you must leave so the next group can enter. If you arrive late you may not be admitted or may have less time; we recommend arriving a little early and allowing time to reach the museum from the Villa Borghese park entrance.
Holiday and special closures
The Galleria Borghese is closed on some public holidays: 25 December (Christmas) and 1 January (New Year’s Day). On other Italian holidays (e.g. 15 August, 1 May or national events) hours may be different: always check the official calendar before booking. In case of special closures or changes, tickets already purchased may be refunded or moved to another date according to the seller’s terms (official site or partner).
During special maintenance or exhibition set-up some rooms may be temporarily closed. This is usually announced on the museum’s official website. If you have already booked for a date when a closure is announced, the customer service of the channel you used will contact you about refund or rescheduling.
First Sunday of the month and free admission days
On certain dates (e.g. the first Sunday of the month in some periods, or days such as 25 April, 2 June or 4 November) Italian state museums may offer free admission. Even then, the Galleria Borghese requires booking and may charge a reservation fee (about €2). Dates and rules can vary: we recommend checking the Ministry of Culture or Galleria Borghese website to see if your date is included. Note: on these days demand is very high and places sell out quickly.
Best time to visit
If you can choose, morning slots (9:00–11:00 or 11:00–13:00) or late afternoon (17:00–19:00) are often less busy than early afternoon. Avoiding weekends and bank holidays can make it easier to find availability and a quieter visit. In peak season (spring and summer) we recommend booking several weeks ahead. In low season (autumn and winter, except the Christmas period) it is often easier to find places at short notice.
Allow time to reach the museum: the Galleria is at Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5, inside Villa Borghese. From Flaminio metro (Line A) it is about 1.5 km through the park; allow at least 15–20 minutes on foot. If you have booked the 9:00 slot, leave home or your hotel in good time to arrive before the slot starts.
Summary: Galleria Borghese opening hours
In short: the Galleria Borghese is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–19:00, with access in two-hour slots and mandatory booking. It is closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January. Always check the official website for any changes and special closures. On our site you can check availability and buy tickets through the partners we link to; remember to choose the slot you prefer and to arrive on time at the entrance.
Frequently asked questions about opening hours
Can I enter at any time during the two-hour slot?
Entry is at the start of the slot. You can usually enter within a short window from the start (e.g. the first 30 minutes), but not halfway through. Arrive at the time shown on your ticket.
Is the Galleria open on Easter Monday?
Generally Monday is always closed. Check the official Galleria Borghese website for any exceptions.
How far in advance should I book?
In peak season we recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks ahead. In low season you can sometimes find places a few days before, but it is not guaranteed.
For information on prices and reductions see the ticket guide and the student tickets page. To contact us: info@galleriaborghese.guide. Remember: we are not the official Galleria Borghese website; we are an independent guide and bookings are handled by the partners we link to.