Landmarks

Castel Gandolfo Palace & Secret Garden Tickets

Facade of Castel Gandolfo with fountain in Rome, Italy.

Aerial view of Castel Gandolfo's Apostolic Palace and gardens near Lake Albano, Italy.

Terracotta pots and greenery in Castel Gandolfo Garden, Italy.

Sculptures in Pontifical Villa Gardens with manicured hedges and stone wall backdrop.

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Open today

4.4/5

(1,050)

Sadie

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The tour of the gardens and residence of the Pope's summer residence was an easy and interesting experience. The WWII display was informative, and we spoke to a man later in the day who said that he was born in the refugee camp at the residence and was baptised by the pope Pius XII himself. The interiors are grand and beautifully done but the views of the lake stole the show.

Rita

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It was a unique experience and as it was in the off-season, it was also nice and empty. The audio guide was very informative (but the explanation about the popes went too fast and unfortunately had no highlights) and the view into the private rooms was very authentic. The staff were very friendly and pragmatic.

Lynn

May 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Not busy at the palazzo but traffic the usual insanity. Somehow we parked just below with a short walk up to the entrance. Fascinating building with spectacular views. After our self tour we found the perfect little restaurant off the main street, right at the commune wall overlooking the lake. Excellent food! Silly us, we did not retrace our steps back to the car but a good sense of direction got us back to it.

Discover the beauty of Castel Gandolfo with reserved entry to the Apostolic Palace and the secret garden, both now open to the public after centuries of exclusive papal use.

Explore the papal history and grandeur of the royal palace at your own pace, with the freedom of a fully self-guided visit.

Walk through the richly decorated papal apartments, where centuries of art, history, and priceless artifacts tell the story of the Vatican’s summer residence.

Unwind in the secret garden, where vibrant blooms and sweeping landscapes offer a peaceful countryside escape, just 40 minutes from Rome.

Timed entry to Apostolic Palace

Access to secret garden

Guided tour

Access to observatory domes

Minibus tour of extended gardens

Transport to and from Rome

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.4
1,050 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from France, Germany, Spain and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Romana
Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Magnificent the Vatican palace, we loved it ! The problem was to get there .... the bus from Anagnina to Castel Gandolfo left an hour late compared to the communicated time, (lane 5 of the bus depot), while on the way back we waited an hour at the bus stop but the bus did not 'pass, in order to get back to Anagnina we had to walk all the way to the appia and from there 'get on a bus that went from Albano and went to Rome. There were elderly people with us, some foreigners who didn't understand what to do, it was really an uncomfortable trip,. over three hours between waiting for buses and walking route ... without any written communication at the bus stops , luckily a gentleman who lives near the bus stop advised us to get off on the Appian Way ... Too bad because' the visit was magnificent, but day ruined by the inefficiencies of Co.tral !
Sadie
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The tour of the gardens and residence of the Pope's summer residence was an easy and interesting experience. The WWII display was informative, and we spoke to a man later in the day who said that he was born in the refugee camp at the residence and was baptised by the pope Pius XII himself. The interiors are grand and beautifully done but the views of the lake stole the show.
Rita
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was a unique experience and as it was in the off-season, it was also nice and empty. The audio guide was very informative (but the explanation about the popes went too fast and unfortunately had no highlights) and the view into the private rooms was very authentic. The staff were very friendly and pragmatic.
Branislav
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The experience was fantastic. The complex itself is beautiful, as is the view of the surroundings. The town is beautiful, but I think there are too many restaurants that are studded next to each other, I mean one on top of the other.
Gerard
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The papal summer palace in Castel Gandolfo was well worth visiting. There were no queues and the audio guide gave together with the garden and the exhibits an insight into the popes over the last 500 years.

Step inside the Apostolic Palace and stroll through Castel Gandolfo’s secret garden.

Getting started

Begin at the main entrance of the Apostolic Palace, where your ticket will be validated. After a brief security check,you can start your self-paced visit.

What to expect

Castel Gandolfo's Apostolic Palace

This historic residence has served as a papal retreat for centuries, offering a rare look into the private world of the Vatican outside Rome. The palace stands at the heart of Castel Gandolfo, a town renowned for its unique charm and scenic surroundings.

Features

Papal apartments: Walk through rooms once reserved for popes, featuring period furnishings and portraits that reflect the Vatican’s legacy.

Secret garden: Enjoy exclusive entry to this tranquil space, known for its carefully maintained greenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Vatican Museums

Monday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Tuesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Wednesday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Thursday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Friday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Saturday	08:00am - 08:00pm	last entry 06:00pm
Sunday	Closed

Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Monday	09:00am - 02:30pm	last entry 01:00pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 02:30pm	last entry 01:00pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 02:30pm	last entry 01:00pm
Thursday	09:00am - 02:30pm	last entry 01:00pm
Friday	09:00am - 02:30pm	last entry 01:00pm
Saturday	09:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	10:00am - 06:30pm	last entry 05:00pm

Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo

Monday	08:30am - 02:00pm	last entry 02:00pm
Tuesday	08:30am - 02:00pm	last entry 02:00pm
Wednesday	08:30am - 02:00pm	last entry 02:00pm
Thursday	08:30am - 02:00pm	last entry 02:00pm
Friday	08:30am - 02:00pm	last entry 02:00pm
Saturday	08:30am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm
Sunday	08:30am - 06:30pm	last entry 06:30pm

What to bring

Arrive at the venue promptly at your chosen time slot to guarantee entry.

Bring a valid photo ID that matches your booking for verification purposes.

Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the palace and gardens.

To follow Vatican dress code, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. A light scarf or shawl can be helpful.

What’s not allowed

Large or bulky bags and suitcases are not permitted inside the venue.

Pets aren’t allowed, except for registered service animals.

Food and drinks must not be brought into the palace or garden areas.

Smoking and use of e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited on the premises.

Accessibility

The site is not fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Additional information

Your ticket does not provide entry to the observatory domes, extended gardens, or guided tours.

Transportation to and from Rome is not covered. Please plan your own travel by car, bus, or train.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Please arrive at the redemption point 20 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Ticket redemption point

Show your ticket at Palazzo Pontificio.

Address: Piazza della Libertà, 00073 Castel Gandolfo RM, Italy.

Head to the ticketing desk inside the Villa, after passing the security check.

Get directions to the redemption point