Wander through magnificent papal apartments, admire centuries of artistic heritage and stroll among perfectly maintained Renaissance gardens overlooking the spectacular waters of Lake Albano. Today, these extraordinary Vatican properties are open to the public, offering a unique cultural experience in the heart of the Roman countryside.
BOOKING DETAILS – this booking includes the ticket to visit the Papal Palace and the Secret Garden of Castel Gandolfo without queuing
Availability: every day except Sundays and religious holidays.
Available times: from 9:00 to 12:30. Entrance bookable every 30 minutes
Duration: approximately 2 hours and is recommended.
Full ticket price: 16.00 euros per person (including the agency fee for online booking)
Meeting point: directly in Castel Gandolfo, at the main entrance of the Papal Palace. Please arrive 20 minutes before the booked time.
DISCOUNTS
Reduced ticket: 9.00 euros – between 6 and 18 years old and students up to 25 years old with a student card.
Children from 0 to 5 years old are free.
ATTENTION: these tickets, once purchased, are not refundable or cancellable for any reason. Italy Travels is not responsible in case of closures due to force meajeure decided by the museum management.
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THE PONTIFICAL RESIDENCES OF CASTEL GANDOLFO
The Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo have served as the Popes’ summer residence for centuries. Covering an area of approximately 55 hectares, the estate is located in the picturesque Castelli Romani, just outside Rome.
The history of the Pontifical Villas dates back to the Middle Ages, when the original fortress belonged to the wealthy Gandolfi family, from whom the town takes its name. However, it was during the 17th century that Castel Gandolfo became the papal summer residence we know today.
Pope Urban VIII was the first Pope to spend the summer months here and commissioned a major expansion of the complex. A new wing overlooking Lake Albano was added, together with the elegant gardens behind the palace, which visitors can still admire today in much of their original appearance.
The estate also includes several remarkable buildings, such as the Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana) and Villa Cybo, designed by the architect Francesco Fontana. Other important buildings within the Pontifical Villas include Villa Barberini, the Propaganda Fide Summer College, the former Convent of the Friars Minor, and the Convent of the Poor Clares of Albano.
