Rome: Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour & Baroque Art

Summary

Baroque masterpieces and quiet corners in Rome’s Borghese Gallery

You’ll join a small group to explore Rome’s Borghese Gallery with an expert guide who brings Bernini and Caravaggio alive through stories you won’t find on plaques. Enjoy reserved entry (no waiting), then stroll through Villa Borghese gardens at your own pace — maybe with a gelato in hand. Expect moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think I’d get nervous before a museum tour, but standing in front of the Borghese Gallery in Rome with just five other people felt oddly intimate. Our guide, Alessia, greeted us with this kind of warm Roman energy — she joked about how even locals can’t get last-minute tickets here (so yeah, I was relieved I’d booked ahead). The morning air smelled faintly like pine needles from the Villa Borghese gardens all around us. There was this hum of anticipation as we handed over our pre-reserved tickets and stepped inside.

The first thing that hit me was the light — soft and golden, bouncing off marble floors and making Bernini’s Apollo & Daphne almost shimmer. Alessia had this way of pausing mid-sentence to let us really look at things; she pointed out tiny fingerprints left by Bernini on the sculpture’s bark. “He wanted you to see his hand in it,” she said. I caught myself reaching out (didn’t touch, promise) just to imagine that texture. We moved slowly through rooms packed with Caravaggio’s wild shadows and Raphael’s calm faces. At one point, someone asked about Canova’s Paolina — Alessia grinned and told a story about Roman gossip that made us all laugh, even if my Italian is still pretty rough.

Afterwards, we wandered out into the Villa Borghese gardens on our own — no guide now, just the sound of fountains and kids kicking a football somewhere behind the hedges. My feet hurt a little but I didn’t care; there was something calming about sitting under those old trees with all that art still swirling in my head. Honestly, I still think about Bernini’s Daphne whenever I see sunlight through leaves. If you’re curious about Baroque art or just want to feel like you’re part of a secret club for a couple hours, this small group tour is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Borghese Gallery and Gardens

• Meet guide at Piazza Scipione Borghese
• Learn about Villa Borghese Gardens history
• Tour Borghese Gallery artworks with guide
• Admire Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael pieces
• Stroll self-guided through Borghese Gardens

Top questions

How many people are on the Borghese Gallery tour?

The group size is limited to 6 people maximum.

Is entry to the Borghese Gallery included?

Yes, pre-reserved entrance tickets are included in the tour.

Does the tour include Villa Borghese gardens?

You can stroll through Villa Borghese gardens on your own before or after the guided gallery visit.

Which artists’ works will I see?

You’ll see pieces by Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, Canova, and Titian among others.

Where does the tour start?

You meet your guide in Piazza Scipione Borghese inside Villa Borghese gardens.

Are there any areas closed during restoration?

The second floor of the Borghese Gallery is closed from March 29th to June 30th, 2024 for restoration.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No meals are included; you’re free to eat before or after your visit.

How far in advance should I book?

Tickets are very limited; booking at least one week ahead is recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes pre-reserved entrance tickets to the Galleria Borghese so you skip any lines, a guided small-group tour covering masterpieces by Bernini (like Apollo & Daphne), Caravaggio’s Head of Goliath and Boy with a Basket of Fruit, Canova’s Paolina Bonaparte, Titian’s Sacred and Profane Love plus ancient sculptures and Raphael paintings — then time for a self-guided stroll through Villa Borghese gardens afterwards.