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Castel Gandolfo

Visit the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, the former summer residence of the popes, set amidst the charm of the Alban Hills. Explore its elegant rooms, admire the rich art collections, and discover the deep connection between papal tradition and cultural history.

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Castel Gandolfo
Terraced gardens with hedges and flower beds in Castel Gandolfo park, Italy.
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.
Stone steps leading to Castel Gandolfo's Secret Garden entrance, surrounded by manicured hedges.
Tourist couple at Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano.
castel gandolfo palace & secret garden tickets-8
Young woman using audio guide on phone during Carcassonne walking tour.
Cobblestone path with flowers overlooking Lake Albano near Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Book now, pay later
1 hr 30 min
Audio guide
  • 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.

  • Upgrade your experience with an audio guide in English or Italian that reveals hidden stories, papal traditions, and artistic details often missed on a casual visit.

More details

  • 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.

  • Upgrade your experience with an audio guide in English or Italian that reveals hidden stories, papal traditions, and artistic details often missed on a casual visit.

from
€16
Facade of Castel Gandolfo with clock tower, Italy.
Ornate hallway inside Castle Gandolfo with frescoed walls and marble floors.
Tree-lined path in Pontifical Villa Gardens, Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Telescope inside the Castle Gandolfo Observatory with wooden dome ceiling.
Woman enjoying brunch with friends in a bright cafe.
Vatican Observatory dome viewed from a narrow street in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Castle Gandolfo garden with manicured hedges and central statue, overlooking scenic landscape.
Terracotta pots and greenery in Castel Gandolfo Garden, Italy.
Painting and ornate table inside Castle Gandolfo with elegant chairs and wallpaper.
Elegant interior of Castle Gandolfo with ornate chair and mural.
Statues and manicured hedges in the Gardens of Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Castle Gandolfo garden with manicured hedges, fountains, and scenic pathways.
Pontifical Villa Gardens at Castel Gandolfo with manicured paths and cypress trees.
Stone steps leading to Castel Gandolfo's Secret Garden entrance, surrounded by manicured hedges.
Aerial view of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano near Rome, Italy.
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
5 hr
2 more
  • Experience Castel Gandolfo in its entirety, from papal history and astronomy to lush gardens and the welcoming charm of a picturesque Italian town, all in one day.

  • Take an eco-minibus tour through the villa’s expansive gardens, discovering peaceful landscapes and hidden corners.

  • Enjoy reserved entry to the Apostolic Palace, exploring grand papal apartments filled with history and art.

  • Gain exclusive access to the historic observatory domes, where centuries of astronomical study come to life.

  • Explore at your own pace with an insightful audio guide in multiple languages, and choose to upgrade your visit with a delicious porchetta sandwich for lunch.

More details

  • Experience Castel Gandolfo in its entirety, from papal history and astronomy to lush gardens and the welcoming charm of a picturesque Italian town, all in one day.

  • Take an eco-minibus tour through the villa’s expansive gardens, discovering peaceful landscapes and hidden corners.

  • Enjoy reserved entry to the Apostolic Palace, exploring grand papal apartments filled with history and art.

  • Gain exclusive access to the historic observatory domes, where centuries of astronomical study come to life.

  • Explore at your own pace with an insightful audio guide in multiple languages, and choose to upgrade your visit with a delicious porchetta sandwich for lunch.

from
€70
Ornate hallway inside Castle Gandolfo with frescoed walls and marble floors.
Piazza in front of Castel Gandolfo with cobblestone streets and surrounding buildings.
Telescope inside the Castle Gandolfo Observatory with wooden dome ceiling.
Vatican Observatory dome viewed from a narrow street in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
castel gandolfo observatory domes tickets-5
Visitors using audio guides at Montserrat Monastery entrance.
45 min
  • Visit the twin domes of the third-floor observatory, now open after almost 100 years, to explore the spaces where papal astronomers observed the stars.

  • Discover fascinating exhibits on celestial mapping, historic instruments, and meteorites, revealing the Vatican’s long-standing engagement with astronomy.

  • Take in sweeping views of Lake Albano from the domes, blending historical discovery with breathtaking scenery.

  • This self-guided experience lets you journey through centuries of astronomical discovery and the Vatican’s fascination with the cosmos.

More details

  • Visit the twin domes of the third-floor observatory, now open after almost 100 years, to explore the spaces where papal astronomers observed the stars.

  • Discover fascinating exhibits on celestial mapping, historic instruments, and meteorites, revealing the Vatican’s long-standing engagement with astronomy.

  • Take in sweeping views of Lake Albano from the domes, blending historical discovery with breathtaking scenery.

  • This self-guided experience lets you journey through centuries of astronomical discovery and the Vatican’s fascination with the cosmos.

from
€11
Main entrance of the Vatican Museums in Rome with ornate sculptures above the doorway.
Terraced gardens with hedges and flower beds in Castel Gandolfo park, Italy.
combo (save 21%): castel gandolfo palace + vatican museums & sistine chapel entry tickets-3
Vatican Museums gallery with classical statues and ornate ceiling.
Visitors exploring the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museum, admiring detailed frescoes.
Tourist couple at Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano.
Sculptures in Pontifical Villa Gardens with manicured hedges and stone wall backdrop.
Terracotta pots and greenery in Castel Gandolfo Garden, Italy.
Stone steps leading to Castel Gandolfo's Secret Garden entrance, surrounded by manicured hedges.
Tourists in Vatican Museums courtyard with Sphere Within Sphere sculpture, Rome, Italy.
Tourists on the spiral staircase in Vatican Museums, part of the Sistine Chapel tour.
Statue of river god Oceanus surrounded by figures in Vatican Museums.
Laocoön and His Sons sculpture in Vatican Museums, Rome.
Flexible duration
  • Discover two papal landmarks in one seamless combo, the Vatican’s artistic heart and the Pope’s summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.

  • Enjoy timed entry to Castel Gandolfo’s Apostolic Palace and wander through its tranquil Secret Garden dotted with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic lake views.

  • Skip the lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with reserved entry to explore centuries of art, from ancient relics to Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece.

  • Experience the striking contrast between Rome’s grandeur and the peaceful charm of the Alban Hills, just 40 minutes away.

More details

  • Discover two papal landmarks in one seamless combo, the Vatican’s artistic heart and the Pope’s summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.

  • Enjoy timed entry to Castel Gandolfo’s Apostolic Palace and wander through its tranquil Secret Garden dotted with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic lake views.

  • Skip the lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with reserved entry to explore centuries of art, from ancient relics to Michelangelo’s ceiling masterpiece.

  • Experience the striking contrast between Rome’s grandeur and the peaceful charm of the Alban Hills, just 40 minutes away.

from €57.90
€45.50

21% off

Vatican Museums Pinecone Courtyard with bronze sphere sculpture in Rome.
Ornate hallway inside Castle Gandolfo with frescoed walls and marble floors.
Castle Gandolfo garden with manicured hedges, fountains, and scenic pathways.
Visitors exploring the ornate Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums.
Tour group observing ancient sculptures in the Vatican Museums.
Aerial view of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano near Rome, Italy.
Telescope inside the Castle Gandolfo Observatory with wooden dome ceiling.
Tree-lined path in Pontifical Villa Gardens, Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Castle Gandolfo garden with manicured hedges and central statue, overlooking scenic landscape.
Tourists with guide near Statue of Apollo Belvedere, Vatican Museum.
Visitors exploring sculptures on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
Free cancellation
2 hr
Audio guide
  • Experience the richness of papal heritage with guided Vatican Museum tour paired with full access to the Pope’s summer residence.

  • Explore the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, tour the villa’s gardens by eco-minibus, visit secret gardens and observatory domes, all with a multilingual audio guide.

  • Discover masterpieces on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, including the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms, with headsets for clear commentary.

  • Deepen your understanding of papal history through this curated combo, offering an immersive journey across iconic papal art, architecture, and tranquil gardens.

More details

  • Experience the richness of papal heritage with guided Vatican Museum tour paired with full access to the Pope’s summer residence.

  • Explore the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, tour the villa’s gardens by eco-minibus, visit secret gardens and observatory domes, all with a multilingual audio guide.

  • Discover masterpieces on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, including the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms, with headsets for clear commentary.

  • Deepen your understanding of papal history through this curated combo, offering an immersive journey across iconic papal art, architecture, and tranquil gardens.

from €129
€108.54

16% off

Visitors on a guided tour of Vatican Museums with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.
Ancient Roman Catacombs with detailed carvings, part of the Jubilee Silver Pass tour.
Tourists on Ponte Sant'Angelo with Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, Italy.
Aerial view of Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano in Rome.
Courtyard of the Vatican Museums in Rome with the Pinecone Sculpture.
Crowds exploring ancient ruins and catacombs in Rome on a guided tour.
Tour group with guide overlooking Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo rooftop.
Statues and fountains in the gardens of Villa Barberini, Castel Gandolfo.
Tour group observing ancient sculptures in the Vatican Museums.
Visitors exploring ancient catacombs in Rome, part of the Jubilee Gold Pass tour.
Vatican Museums ornate frescoed room with detailed ceiling and wall art.
Castel Gandolfo facade with clock tower in Vatican City.
Flexible duration
Audio guide
Transfers included
  • Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel and gaze at Michelangelo's vibrant murals of biblical heavens.

  • Let your guide take you through the Catacomb's eerie tunnels with skulls and bones of the buried, peeking through the walls, created by Roman Christians 2000 years ago.

  • Step into Hadrian's Mausoleum and be greeted by the cylindrical building topped by a golden quadriga that later turned into a prison.

  • Wander through the Castel Gandolfo where colorful houses hug the shores of the serene Lake Albano and the papal palace stands as a historic centerpiece.

  • Fun fact: Some catacombs were used as secret meeting places during times of religious persecution, to hide from the Roman authorities!

More details

  • Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel and gaze at Michelangelo's vibrant murals of biblical heavens.

  • Let your guide take you through the Catacomb's eerie tunnels with skulls and bones of the buried, peeking through the walls, created by Roman Christians 2000 years ago.

  • Step into Hadrian's Mausoleum and be greeted by the cylindrical building topped by a golden quadriga that later turned into a prison.

  • Wander through the Castel Gandolfo where colorful houses hug the shores of the serene Lake Albano and the papal palace stands as a historic centerpiece.

  • Fun fact: Some catacombs were used as secret meeting places during times of religious persecution, to hide from the Roman authorities!

from €149.03
€104.95

30% off

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About Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Perched atop the Alban Hills, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo has been a papal retreat since the 17th century. Built over the ruins of Emperor Domitian’s villa, it blends Renaissance elegance with centuries of religious heritage, offering a glimpse into the Pope’s life beyond the Vatican walls.


Address
Piazza della Libertà, 00073 Castel Gandolfo RM, Italy
Also known as
Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Year opened
1596
Founded by
Carlo Maderno
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Why visit Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo?

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