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Castel Gandolfo's Apostolic Palace & Secret Garden Ticket

View of Apostolic Palace from Saint Peter's Square in Vatican
Tourists exploring Vatican Museums with Jubilee Gold Pass, viewing ancient artifacts and art, with a visit to Catacombs, Castel SantAngelo, and Castel Gandolfo
View of the gardens of Villa Barberini
Tourists exploring Vatican Museums with Jubilee Gold Pass, viewing ancient artifacts and art, with a visit to Catacombs, Castel SantAngelo, and Castel Gandolfo in Rome, Italy

Visit the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Palace of the sleepy town of Castel Gandolfo, and stroll in the lush Secret Gardens to be one with nature.

Highlights

  • Visit the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the exclusive residence of the Pope, for centuries prior, and admire its extravagance.

  • See the large display of cars at the palace, and marvel at paintings, frescoes, and portraits that add a lot of character to the arches and pillars.

  • Venture into the lush gardens of Villa Barberini or Secret Gardens to see its trimmed hedges, mazes, and flowers in bloom making this garden a beautiful escape.

  • Enjoy the sparkling waters and the lush green countryside of Castel Gandolfo and see for yourself why this place was chosen by emperors and popes as a summertime residence.

  • Did you know that Michaelangelo’s awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel also lies within The Apostolic Palace?

Inclusions

  • 1.5-hour self-guided tour of Apostolic Palace & Secret Garden

  • Entry to Papal Apartments

  • Entry to Secret Garden

  • Audio guide (optional)

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

4.5
842 ratings
5/5
608
4/5
162
3/5
10
2/5
9
1/5
53
  • Germany
  • United States
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom
  • Vatican
  • Australia
  • Poland
Guests from Germany, United States, Spain and over 8 countries have loved this experience
GIUSEPPE CUCCARO

Giuseppe

3/5

Oct, 2024

I had three tickets that also included a tour of the gardens but an attendant at the entrance did not authorize me to enter I made inquiries and that was not the case I am sorry to pay the entire ticket and not be able to use it because of the unprofessionalism of your employees.
View original review in Italian
Roberta Degrassi

Roberta

5/5

Sep, 2024

The ticketing process was supereasy and Castel Gandolfo is spectacular, it is such a beautiful historical site would recommend to anyone.
Emanuele Tirelli

Emanuele

5/5

Sep, 2024

Everything! THE palace is splendid, and the contents you visit are culturally enriching. The gardens then so manicured make you imagine the various successive Popes walking around holding surely religious books in prayer and reflection..........
View original review in Italian
Iris Naegel

Iris

5/5

Oct, 2024

The Papal Palace is uniquely beautiful!
View original review in German
Marcy Ross

Marcy

5/5

Oct, 2024

The Raphael Tapestry The guides were nice.

Explore the summer residence of the Pope

Head to Castel Gandolfo. Lying on the edge of Lake Albano, in the Alban Hills just south of Rome, this place is commonly known as the Pope’s city, housing the Pope’s summertime residence - The Apostolic Palace. This was the place the Pope escaped to when Vatican pressures built up. The palace dominates the town and is seated on a scenic spot overlooking the lake, with picturesque gardens built on the site of the ancient villas. Displaying a mixture of Medieval and Baroque architecture, the palace is a sight for sore eyes! Meanwhile, enjoy a multilingual audio guide upon an upgrade, that will narrate a 500-year history of various popes. Drown yourself in history as you experience a holy detour.

The Papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo

The Papal Villas are styled gardens of Italian wonder consisting of archaeological treasures and works of art. Enjoy a regenerating walk in the vast gardens of Villa Barberini. This was the private garden of the Pope himself. A close relationship with nature is ever-present across the decorations found in the gardens with cascades of flowers and reflections on the passage of time. The Papal Villas extend over the remains of the famous Villa of Domitian. Equipped for cold and harsh weather, rich in natural beauty, sumptuous buildings, monuments, and works of art, this was the villa that once housed emperor Domitian. The villa was once a huge complex that was built on three terraces, with three courtyards, some water features that looked out on the Avenue of Nymphaea, a cryptoportico (covered passage), a theatre, and a circus.

Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Monday09:00 AM - 02:30 PMlast entry 01:00 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM - 02:30 PMlast entry 01:00 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM - 02:30 PMlast entry 01:00 PM
Thursday09:00 AM - 02:30 PMlast entry 01:00 PM
FridayClosed
Saturday09:00 AM - 05:30 PMlast entry 04:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM - 06:30 PMlast entry 05:00 PM

Papal Gardens of Castel Gandolfo

Monday08:30 AM - 02:00 PMlast entry 02:00 PM
Tuesday08:30 AM - 02:00 PMlast entry 02:00 PM
Wednesday08:30 AM - 02:00 PMlast entry 02:00 PM
Thursday08:30 AM - 02:00 PMlast entry 02:00 PM
Friday08:30 AM - 02:00 PMlast entry 02:00 PM
Saturday08:30 AM - 06:30 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
Sunday08:30 AM - 06:30 PMlast entry 06:30 PM

What's not allowed

  • Strict dress code: visitors must cover their knees, arms and back.

Accessibility

  • This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
  • 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

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