Pincio
Rome, Italy
Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome
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Photo: Lalupa, Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
- Opening hours
- Dawn to dusk
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Rowing boats
- Hire by the Temple of Aesculapius
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Bikes and rickshaws
- Rental at the gates and on the Pincio
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Borghese Gallery
- Booking only, ≈ €18
- Location
- Above the Spanish Steps; Metro A Spagna or Flaminio
Key facts
≈ 80 haone of the largest parks in Rome
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English Wikipedia17th centurygardens laid out for Cardinal Scipione Borghese
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English Wikipedia1903the city bought the villa and opened it as a public park
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English Wikipedia1786the Temple of Aesculapius was built on the lake island
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English Wikipedia1911the zoo opened — today's Bioparco
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English WikipediaThings to do in Villa Borghese
The easiest way to cover the park is to hire a bike, e-scooter or a four-wheeled pedal rickshaw for two to four people — rentals stand by the main gates and on the Pincio. On the lake, you can row your own boat around the Temple of Aesculapius, usually for 20 minutes.
Children love the Bioparco zoo, the carousels and the puppet theatre near the Pincio. In summer the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre stages Shakespeare in Italian, and the Casa del Cinema runs open-air screenings.
A short history
Villa Borghese is a park, not a single building. In the early 1600s Cardinal Scipione Borghese turned vineyards on the Pincian Hill into gardens for entertaining and for his art collection, housed in the casino that is now the Borghese Gallery. In the 18th century the grounds were relandscaped in the English style, with a lake, pavilions and fountains.
In 1903 the city bought the villa from the Borghese family and opened it to everyone. Today it's where Romans run, picnic and stroll — some 80 hectares of avenues, lawns, umbrella pines and fountains right above the historic centre.
What to see
- The lake and Temple of Aesculapius — an Ionic temple from 1786 on an island, with rowing boats.
- Borghese Gallery — Bernini, Canova and Caravaggio; booking only.
- Pincio terrace — the viewpoint over Piazza del Popolo, the centre's best sunset.
- Piazza di Siena — an oval lawn ringed by pines, used for show jumping.
- Globe Theatre — a wooden replica of Shakespeare's playhouse, summer performances.
- Bioparco — Rome's zoo, on the park's northern edge.
- National Gallery of Modern Art and Villa Giulia's Etruscan museum — just beyond the north side.
How to get to Villa Borghese
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Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Pincio is about 9 min away on foot.
- Galleria Borghese is about 10 min away on foot.
- Villa Medici is about 13 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro line A to Spagna, then up the Spanish Steps and along to the Pincio, 10–15 minutes.
- Metro line A to Flaminio, through Porta del Popolo and up to the Pincio.
- Trams 2, 3 and 19 stop by the Bioparco and Villa Giulia on the north side.
- Buses 61, 89, 160 and 910 stop near the Borghese Gallery on the east side.
Best time to visit
Late afternoon is lovely: it's cool under the pines, and by sunset everyone gathers on the Pincio. Mornings belong to joggers, weekend afternoons to families. Wisteria and roses bloom in spring, and the plane trees turn gold in autumn.
Is Villa Borghese worth it?
Yes — on a hot day, or whenever you need a break from stone and crowds, it's a free, green and very Roman escape. Pair it with the Borghese Gallery, the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. Even an hour's walk to the Pincio is worth it.
Before you go
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Rome's parks and gardens: compare and choose
Parks and gardens in Rome rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Circus Maximus | 63 | 30 min | Free | 3.1 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Borgheseyou are here | 48 | 1 h 30 min | Free | — |
| Baths of Caracalla | 48 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €8 | 3.8 km |
| Galleria Borghese | 45 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 10 min walk |
| Pincio | 43 | 40 min | Free | 9 min walk |
| Aventine Keyhole | 42 | 45 min | Free | 3.4 km |
| EUR District | 38 | 2 h | Free | 8.8 km |
| Villa Medici | 38 | 1 h 30 min | Paid, scheduled tours | 11 min walk |
| Villa Farnesina | 37 | 1 h | ≈ €12 | 2.7 km |
| Villa d'Este | 29 | 2 h | ≈ €15 | 26.3 km |
Villa Borghese and the Pincio
The Borghese Gallery on a morning slot, a walk through the park, sunset on the Pincio terrace and down to Piazza del Popolo.
- Galleria Borghese2 h · ≈ €18
- 10 min walk from the previous stopVilla Borgheseyou are here1 h 30 min · Free
- 9 min walk from the previous stopPincio40 min · Free
- 5 min walk from the previous stopPiazza del Popolo30 min · Free
4 places · about 5 h 4 min with walks · 24 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The park is free; only rentals and museums charge.
- Sunset belongs to the Pincio terrace.
- Twenty minutes in a rowing boat by the temple is pure joy.
- A four-seat rickshaw is great fun with kids.
Questions
Is Villa Borghese free?
Yes, the gardens are free; the gallery, zoo and rentals charge.
Do you need tickets for Villa Borghese?
Not for the park; the Borghese Gallery needs a booking.
What is there to do in Villa Borghese?
Row on the lake, cycle the avenues, visit the gallery and zoo, and watch sunset from the Pincio.
How do I get to Villa Borghese?
Metro line A to Spagna or Flaminio, then walk up to the Pincio.
Can you rent bikes in Villa Borghese?
Yes, bikes, e-scooters and pedal rickshaws at the main gates and on the Pincio.
What are the opening hours?
The park is open from dawn to dusk.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours for a walk, half a day with the gallery.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Roma Capitale: Villa Borghese
- English Wikipedia, Villa Borghese gardens
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