Passetto di Borgo & Castel Sant’Angelo Skip-The-Line Tickets

Retrace the protected route between the Vatican and its riverside stronghold before exploring Castel Sant’Angelo on your own terms.

Getting started

Meet Touristation staff at Lungotevere Castello, 50, in front of Castel Sant’Angelo. Look for team members wearing red shirts and carrying an orange umbrella. They will redeem your voucher and escort you through the required entry process.

Passetto di Borgo

What to expect

Begin with the fortified walkway connecting Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo. Access is controlled, so visitors must enter with the designated host or guide rather than independently.

• Protected corridor: Walk through the enclosed stretch created to shield popes as they moved between the Vatican and the castle.

• Open-air ramparts: Continue across exposed sections of the passage for elevated views over Borgo and the surrounding rooftops.

• Papal escapes: With the guided option, hear how the corridor was used during military threats and political unrest.

• Rare access: Experience a part of Rome’s papal infrastructure that is not included with standard Castel Sant’Angelo admission.

Castel Sant’Angelo

What to expect

At the end of the passage, enter the fortress for an independent visit through the many periods of its history.

Imperial core: Follow the circular ramps and chambers belonging to Emperor Hadrian’s original mausoleum.

• Military stronghold: Explore walls, courtyards, defensive spaces, and former prison areas created as the tomb became a fortress.

• Papal quarters: Walk through ceremonial rooms and frescoed apartments used when the castle served as a secure papal residence.

• Upper terrace: Reach the rooftop for views across the Tiber, Ponte Sant’Angelo, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Rome’s historic center.

• Ancient Rome multimedia video: Watch an included multimedia presentation introducing key Roman landmarks and the development of the ancient city.