Rome Museums

Rome is home to some of the world’s most renowned museums. Though contemporary exhibits do occasionally pass through the city, permanent masterpieces have been secured through the wealth and influence of prominent Roman families and the Vatican. Reserving or buying tickets in advance saves time. Keep your eyes on the ceilings—in many museums they are covered in frescoes. For more info on Rome’s museums, visit www.beniculturali.it.

Centro Storico

Musei Capitolini ☎ 06 82 05 91 27; www.museicapitolini.org. Open Tu-Su 9am-8pm. Last entry 1 hr. before closing. Musei Capitolini’s wheelchair-accessible entrance at V. del Tempio di Giove ...more

Vatican City

☎ 06 69 88 49 47; www.vatican.va. From P. San Pietro, walk 10 blocks north along the Vatican City wall. From Ottaviano, turn left on V. Ottaviano to reach the Vatican City wall; turn right and follow ...more

Trastevere

V. della Lungara 230, just across from Palazzo Corsini. Bus #23; get off between Ponte Mazinni and Ponte Sisto. ☎ 06 680 272 68; www.villafarnesina.it. Open M-Sa 9am-1pm. Last entry 12:40pm. €5 ...more

Villa Borghese

Ple. Scipione Borghese 5. A-Spagna; take exit labeled “Villa Borghese,” walk to the right past the Metro stop to V. Muro Torto, and then to P. Pta. Pinciana; Vle. del Museo Borghese is ahead ...more

Termini

Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Roma (Macro). Rome’s primary home of contemporary artwork was formed with the 1999 reconstruction of what used to be the Peroni brewery, which stopped production ...more

Ostiense

Museo Centrale Montemartini. Electric generators and Classical sculpture are strange bedfellows, but Athena never looked so good. Montemartini, the first Roman power plant, was converted ...more

The museums are splayed about Mussolini’s obelisk in P. Guglielmo Marconi. One morning is enough to see them all. Museo Della Civilta Romana. If ever there was an intimidating museum facade ...more