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Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace tickets
- Escape the busy streets of Rome to enjoy the countryside of Castel Gandolfo and visit the Papal Palace complex and its Secret gardens.
- Walk up the stairs of the palace, to see a courtyard of the past Pope's cars on display and receive an optional audio guide that takes you through 500 years of history.
- From rich paintings to portraits of Popes starting from Pope Julius II, elected on November 1st, 1503, and ending with Pope Francis, see it all!
- After an artistic tour, see the beautiful chambers, halls, and library. Don't miss the Gallery of Alexander VII, packed with frescoes by Pierleone Ghezzi.
- Plant lovers, the lush Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo houses hedge mazes, a variety of flowers, sculptures, fountains, and tree-lined avenues.
- Escape the busy streets of Rome to enjoy the countryside of Castel Gandolfo and visit the Papal Palace complex and its Secret gardens.
- Walk up the stairs of the palace, to see a courtyard of the past Pope's cars on display and receive an optional audio guide that takes you through 500 years of history.
- From rich paintings to portraits of Popes starting from Pope Julius II, elected on November 1st, 1503, and ending with Pope Francis, see it all!
- After an artistic tour, see the beautiful chambers, halls, and library. Don't miss the Gallery of Alexander VII, packed with frescoes by Pierleone Ghezzi.
- Plant lovers, the lush Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo houses hedge mazes, a variety of flowers, sculptures, fountains, and tree-lined avenues.
Inclusions
- 1.5-hour self-guided tour of Apostolic Palace & Secret Garden
- Entry to Papal Apartments
- Entry to Secret Garden
- Audio guide (optional)
- Tip: Car enthusiasts, don't miss out on the car collection at the palace where you'll see vehicles from a Lamborghini Huracan to a Nissan Leaf and even a Ferrari Enzo.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
- Ages 5 years and below go free. Ages 6-18 years and college students up to 25 years of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail).
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Vatican TicketsCastel Gandolfo Papal Palace
Top things to do in Rome
Why visit the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo?
- Walk through 20 beautifully preserved rooms, including the papal apartments, portrait gallery, and summer office.
- View exquisite paintings, relics, and unique artifacts such as Pope Pius IX’s sedan chair and Pope John Paul II’s BMW.
- See the 50-acre farm that supplies fresh produce and handmade cheeses to the Vatican.
- Enjoy the lush Barberini Gardens with its hedge mazes, fountains, and ancient ruins, and discover the tranquil Belvedere Gardens.
What to see at the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace?
Here are the top highlights of the Pope's summer residence.
The Apostolic Palace
This papal summer retreat was designed by Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII in the 17th century. The Apostolic Palace opened its doors to the public in 2016 when Pope Francis decided to forego it as his residence and chose a Vatican City guesthouse. The Papal Palace has now been turned into a museum which has Vatican-related artifacts, such as the costumes and cars of former popes. Tourists have access to the papal apartments with marble flooring, the papal portrait gallery, the summer office and even the private bedroom.
Villa Barberini Gardens
Built on the grounds of the splendid Roman villa of Emperor Albanum Domitian, Barberini Gardens is an amalgamation of archeological ruins and luxurious as well as natural beauty. It’s a true reflection of the traditional Italian garden style with its carefully tended hedge mazes, fountains, dazzling geometric plant beds, sculptures, and ancient ruins. Barberini Gardens have been open to the public since 2014. Similar to the Papal Palace, it’s closed on Sundays and prior booking is necessary.
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Belvedere Gardens
Meaning ‘beautiful view’, the Belvedere Gardens were also built on Emperor Domitian’s grounds. You will find the famous cryptoporticus or covered passageway of the emperor here. Dozens of plants and vines creep up against it, but the architectural feat of its design is clearly visible as you step inside. In fact, this 300-meter long covered walkway served as shade when Domitian went for a walk, and was also responsible for providing shelter to those who fled to Castel Gandolfo from the Nazis.
Pope's Farm
The Pope’s Farm inside the palace is a 50-acre, family-run farm that produces everything that the Pope eats. Fresh produce, including handmade cheeses such as pecorino, mozzarella, and ricotta, yogurts, eggs, milk, cauliflower, and broccoli, is shipped on a daily basis to the Vatican. This organic farm is beautifully maintained with over 1,000 olive trees. These trees are tangible history as half of them have been standing since 1200. You can also walk through several orchards and vineyards on the grounds.
Inside the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
What is Inside the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace?
Inside the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace, you can view its rich furnishing and decor. Peruse the papal portrait gallery. Visit the groom's room, statues and paintings of former popes, the clock parlor, and the throne room and view various pontifical artifacts. One of the 20 marble-floored rooms in the papal apartments is the gallery of Alexander VII, where you will find a bust of the late Pope John Paul II. You can even see the Pope's bedroom, believed to have been used by several Jewish women as a delivery room during World War II.
Who lives at the Papal Palace?
The 17th-century Apostolic Palace that overlooks Lake Albano used to be the summer residence of the Pope. The first pope to use it as a summer residence was Urban VIII in the 17th century. Since then, it has been used by around 15 Popes to escape the Roman summer heat. In 2016, Pope Francis, however, decided to forgo using the palazzo, finding it to be too extravagant, preferring to spend his summer at his home in the Vatican. Since it was opened to the public no one resides at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
Can visitors go inside?
Yes, your Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace tickets will allow you access to the earlier private summer residence of the Pope. Enjoy the view of the sparkling waters of Lake Albano and the green countryside. Along with the Papal Palace in the sleepy town of Castel Gandolfo, you will be able to explore the lush gardens of Villa Barberini and Belvedere Gardens. With the help of an audio guide, you will be able to explore and better understand the significance of the summer residence of the Pope.
Plan your visit to the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace
Opening hours
Getting there
Tips & rules
What are Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace timings?
August, September, October
- Monday to Friday: 9am – 2:30pm (Last entry at 1pm)
- Saturday: 9am – 6:30pm (Last entry at 5pm)
- Sunday: 10am – 6:30pm (Last entry at 5pm)
November, December:
- Monday to Friday: 9am – 2:30pm (Last entry at 1pm)
- Saturday: 9am – 5:30pm (Last entry at 4pm)
- Sunday: 10am – 6:30pm (Last entry at 5pm)
Closed: November 1, December 8, December 25 and 26
How long is a tour of the palace?
On average, you can expect to spend at least 2 hours touring the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
It is located at Piazza della Libertà, 00073 Castel Gandolfo Città Metropolitana di Roma, Italy.
Find On Map
- You can get to the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo by either train, bus or car.
- From the Roma Termini station in Rome, Castel Gandolfo is about 40 minutes away by train. Get off at the Castel Gandolfo stop and walk towards Piazza della Liberta. From here, you can walk to the entrance of the palace.
- You can take buses from Anagnina point in Rome to Castel Gandolfo. Though the buses are less frequent, you'll reach fairly quickly.
Is photography allowed at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo?
Yes, photography is allowed. However, the use of flash, tripods or selfie sticks is not permitted.
Is storage facility available at Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo?
No, storage facility is not available. Large bags and luggage cannot be carried inside, only small backpacks and handbags are allowed.
Are outside food and drinks permitted inside Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo?
No, outside food and drinks is not permitted inside the palace. A restaurant is open to visitors here.
Is the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo wheelchair-accessible?
Due to the uneven pathways and stairs, the grounds cannot accommodate wheelchairs. However, inside the museum, ramps and elevators are available for differently-abled visitors to comfortably move around.
Frequently asked questions about the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace
Is the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace open?
Yes, the Apostolic Palace is now open to to visitors.
Are tickets to the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace available online?
Yes, guests can pre-book their tickets online now to visit the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace and Gardens.
What does my Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace tour include?
You can visit the Apostolic Palace, adjoining pontifical gardens and depending on your ticket, you may have access to Villa Barberini and its gardens.
Is access to the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace included in Vatican tickets?
No. You would have to specifically book tickets that include access to the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace and its gardens.
What are Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace opening hours?
The palace welcomes visitors on Monday, and Friday between 8.30 AM to 2 PM with final entry at 1 PM and on Saturday from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM, with final entry at 4.30 PM.
What should I wear to the Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace?
Since the Palace holds significant religious and historical importance, visitors are expected to dress modestly. Shorts or sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Wear comfortable shoes for easy exploration.
