Landmarks

Castel Gandolfo Palace & Secret Garden Tickets

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

Terracotta pots and greenery in Castel Gandolfo Garden, Italy.

Terraced gardens with hedges and flower beds in Castel Gandolfo park, Italy.

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

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Open today

4.4/5

(1,019)

Maria

Jun 2025

Verified booking

4/5

The palace and the garden are both interesting and I recommend the visit both for the historical significance and the extremely picturesque location. We had a walking problem and were promptly assisted and escorted to a more comfortable route. Excellent organization and friendly and helpful staff

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.

Laura

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It was a real privilege to visit such an exclusive palace, rich in history and in a truly lovely location. My heartfelt thanks to Papa Francesco who generously opened to the public a palace to which few had access.

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
1,019 ratings
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, United States, Spain and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
David
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was very interesting to see, and an amazing setting. The WWII history section was very informative.
Simon
Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The view and the gardens we really loved
Sharon
Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
It is very interesting to walk through. The gardens are a bit of a disappointment there is so much emphasis on the gardens of the Pope but it was really very simple. Overall worth the visit
Laura
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was a real privilege to visit such an exclusive palace, rich in history and in a truly lovely location. My heartfelt thanks to Papa Francesco who generously opened to the public a palace to which few had access.
Alma
Aug 2025
Verified booking
3/5
We visited Castel Gandolfo in 2023 and were most impressed with the extensive gardens. While booking our tickets in July 2025, it was not at all clear what 'the secret gardens' entailed, and that this was not the same as the more extensive (Barberini?) gardens that were included as part of our ticket in 2023. We had promised the friends who were visiting the site with us for the first time a long walk through extensive and beautiful gardens, and we were all greatly disappointed that the 'secret garden' was only one relatively small area under the residence. I suggest that the website make it more clear that there now appear to be two different tours that need to be booked separately, and provide links to the site that people can use to book the more extensive guided garden tour.

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