Things to do in Rome, Lazio: The Best Museums

October 8, 2021 Margarita Chappel

Rome wasn't built in a day--and you'll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.
Restaurants in Rome

1. Palazzo Colonna - Galleria Colonna

Via della Pilotta 17, 00187 Rome Italy +39 06 678 4350 [email protected] http://www.galleriacolonna.it/
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 813 reviews

Palazzo Colonna - Galleria Colonna

Right in the center of Rome, close to Piazza Venezia, Palazzo Colonna is one of the greatest Barocco Palaces of the eternal city. The impressive Colonna's Collections of paintings, sculptures and furniture from the 14th to the 18th century are unique and part of the roman history. The Colonna Gallery is open to the public every Saturday morning from 9 am to 1,15 pm (last entrance) from Via della Pilotta 17. All other days, including Saturday afternoon, private visits by appointment. Free guided tour (every Saturday): - in Italian at 10.00 And 11.00 Am - in French at 10.30 Am - in English at 12 am Private visits on request are available every day of the year. We also recommend a visit to the stunning Princess Isabelle Apartment with its incredible Van Wittel and Flemish Collections and the Pinturicchio frescoes.

Reviewed By Danielbb - Zurich, Switzerland

Recommended for the ones who have visited all the major attractions in Rome and are looking for THE insider tip. Not a cheap attraction but every euro worth (EUR 25). For a full-mind-blowing experience, do it with the guided tour IT-EN named “Isotta”. This is a privately owned palace of the Roman aristocracy that turned into a gallery opened for visiting on Saturdays only (or private tours). Impressive main gallery with frescos, paintings, sculptures, mirrors and many other beautiful decorating objects. Resembles Versailles without the mass-tourists. The Palace looks good on pictures but live it is definitively much better. The apartments contain many other impressive rooms, with centuries of history and other curious remarks, just like in a fairy tale or children book. The palace itself was beautiful, but the guide turned the experience mind-blowing. Our guide, Isotta, an English-fluent local, impeccably guided us through the marvelous palace and the private apartment rooms, cherry-picking the most important and astonishing art pieces. She also informed dates, styles, artists and commissioners that let me jaw-dropped, specially baring in mind that the whole tour took more than 1h30min. Five star gallery with a five star guide! Highly recommended.

2. Welcome to Rome

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 203, 00186 Rome Italy +39 06 8791 1691 [email protected] http://www.welcometo-rome.it
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,013 reviews

Welcome to Rome

An emotional multimedial experience through the history of Rome. Welcome to Rome is a new multimedial space where you can live a unique experience: to dive into 2700 years of history of the Eternal City. Spectacular video projections on the walls, ceiling and floor accompanied by a narrative voice. A great plastic that lives up to the evolution of the city over time. Holograms, projections and interactive exhibits that tell the story of important monuments. A cinema with a 4D video, together with 4 exhibitions will make you live an amazing and immersive experience through the history of one of the most beautiful city in the world. This space represents the first ideal stop for all the turists but also a special place for the Roman people where to live the past of their city and know many curiosities.

Reviewed By jvaldez1984 - Ozone Park, United States

Came here during a rainy day which we didn’t really have anything planned to do anyway just wanted to escape the rain more than anything else. It’s a really nice and well organized place where you can see 4 small 3-5 minute 3D videos on Rome’s history and then you go to the main theater where you can watch the main show. I left this review very limited because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. But if you have 30 minutes to burn and will be in central Rome I highly recommend this place.

3. Palazzo Barberini

Via delle Quattro Fontane 13, 00184 Rome Italy +39 06 6880 2323 [email protected] http://www.barberinicorsini.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,057 reviews

Palazzo Barberini

Roman palace worth visiting for its splendor and collection of art, especially its gigantic ceiling fresco of clouds and swirling figures by Italian painter-architect Pietro da Cortona.

Reviewed By AndreaF_11

The place offers an extended timetable. The building itself is made by famous Italian artist. The pictures2 collection is a must for any Italian art lover. Pictures are allowed and picture2s display is very attractive and done with charm. Guercino and Piero di Cosimo pictures as Medieval display are quite attractive. Do not miss if you love Italian art.

4. Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Largo di Villa Peretti 2 Museo Nazionale Romano, 00185 Rome Italy +39 06 480201 [email protected] http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,342 reviews

Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme was built between 1883 and 1887 by the architect Camillo Pistrucci in a sober neo-Renaissance style. He was born as a Jesuit college and remained so until 1960. In 1981 it was acquired by the Italian State and became one of the four National Roman Museum places. The collections are distributed in the four floors of the building according to a chronological and thematic criterion: the ground floor, the first and second floors are dedicated to the ancient art section; the basement houses the numismatic and goldsmith sections.

Reviewed By SPSS_11 - Melbourne, Australia

The Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Massimo is just one of the sites of the Museo Nazionale Romano. You can buy a great value combination ticket that allows you to visit the other sites (the visits need to occur within a certain timeframe that I can't remember off the top of my head - their website will tel you). The Palazzo Massimo site houses sculpture, mosaics and frescos including the frescos from the garden room of the Villa of Livia and the Boxer at Rest sculpture. The museum is located almost directly opposite the Roma Termini train station, with one of their other sites (Baths of Diocletian) located within a 2 minute walk. There is a small cafe onsite which does light lunches, coffee etc. The audioguide is well worth hiring as some of the signage can be a bit sparse.

5. Centrale Montemartini

Via Ostiense 106, 00154 Rome Italy +39 06 0608 [email protected] http://www.centralemontemartini.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 680 reviews

Centrale Montemartini

The history if the new exhibition space for the Musei Capitolini in the former Giovanni Montemartini Thermoelectric Centre, an extraordinary example of industrial archaeology converted into a museum, began in 1997 with the transfer of hundreds of sculptures to the new location during the restructuring works carried out across much of the Capitoline complex. In an atmospheric game of contrasts, the old machinery of electricity production became the backdrop for masterpieces of ancient sculpture and precious goods found in the excavations of the late nineteenth century and the 1930s. The display reconstructs some of the great monumental complexes and illustrates the development of the ancient city from the Republican era to the late imperial age.

Reviewed By serenagrimaldi

It's a wonderful ex-industrial space filled with lots of lovely ancient Roman stuff!, The sculptures themselves make this worth visiting. I thank Mary Beard for highlighting this on one of her great programmes about Rome, I would never have heard of it otherwise. Easy to find on th Via Ostiense, lots of busses and a tram go there, or you can walk up from Ostiense metro about 10 mins, or Garbatella metro a bit quicker.

6. Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Altemps

Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46 accanto Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome Italy +39 06 684851 [email protected] http://www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 486 reviews

Museo Nazionale Romano - Palazzo Altemps

The Museum of Palazzo Altemps houses absolute masterpieces of ancient sculpture belonging to famous and valuable noble collections received in state ownership. The installation aims to integrate - in a harmonious combination - the marbles in the decorative context of the rooms, having in mind and proposing solutions adopted in the arrangement of antique collections. The visit, on two floors, reveals a succession of decorated rooms, a maze of stairs and corridors leading to the discovery of the ancient works of art.

Reviewed By JonathonGreen

Housed in a splendid 15th century palazzi.Houses the best of rome's classical sculptures.Many pieces from Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi's collection.Houses the amazing Trono Ludovisi,a marble sculpture of Athrodite.Has a grand central courtyard and frescoed rooms.Also has a good Egyptian collection.

7. Musei Capitolini

Piazza del Campidoglio 1, 00186 Rome Italy +39 06 0608 [email protected] http://www.museicapitolini.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,757 reviews

Musei Capitolini

The creation of the Capitoline Museums has been traced back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a group of bronze statues of great symbolic value to the People of Rome. The collections are closely linked to the city of Rome, and most of the exhibits come from the city itself.

Reviewed By GreenThumb331 - San Fernando, Philippines

It is surprising that the Capitolini Museum is not at the top list of one of the most popular things to do on the tripadvisor list. It should be at least in the top 20. We bought a Roma pass in order to enter this museum. The pass includes the Capitolini Museum as one of the options for entrance access. Once you enter, you will see the courtyard with ancient scultures most notably the Head of the colossal statue of Constantine I. The second floor of the Palazzo dei Conservatori is occupied by the Conservator's Apartment, housing such famous works as the bronze she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, which has become the emblem of Rome. The Conservator's Apartment is distinguished by elaborate interior decorations, including frescoes, stuccos, tapestries, and carved ceilings and doors. The third floor of the Palazzo dei Conservatori houses the Capitoline Art Gallery which houses the museums' painting and applied art galleries The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is the stand out attraction inside the Capitoline Museum. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. The one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio is a replica made in 1981 when the original was taken down for restoration.

8. Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo

Lungotevere Castello 50, 00193 Rome Italy +39 06 681 9111 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/MuseoCastelSantAngelo/
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 14,236 reviews

Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo

The Museum is divided into four sections, the history of Castel Sant'Angelo is illustrated by vintage prints, scenic views and interesting reconstructions ideals of the monument, as suggested by the imagination of artists and architects of the Renaissance, from its construction until the nineteenth century, in a path that highlights the intense and ongoing.

Reviewed By ClaraBqwerty

A great attraction to visit with kids. A beautiful castle with lots of rooms to visit and a magnificent view of Rome from the top. We went early and there wasn't much of a queue but it was a lot longer by the time we left. It has a lovely cafe near the top with what must be some of the best views in Rome. If you have young kids you need to keep an eye on them as there are a lot of gaps and small spaces on the walkways that they would be able to squeeze through if you're not alert. It keeps you on your toes. In the gardens behind the castle is one of the few playgrounds in Rome which was great for the kids to burn off some energy.

9. Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia

Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, 00196 Rome Italy +39 06 322 6571 [email protected] http://www.museoetru.it/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 718 reviews

Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia

A beautiful 16th century palace housing a world-famous collection of ancient Roman and Etruscan sculpture and artifacts.

Reviewed By Margo7850p

The Etruscan Museum is located in Villa Julia. It is one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to Etruscan civilization and the most important Etruscan museum in Italy, housed in a magnificent Renaissance villa. The museum contains works of great value. The structure in which it is located is beautiful. When it comes to Etruscan art, there are absolute masterpieces such as Sarcophagus of Spouses and Apollo of Veia here. The works are very well arranged with clear paths. The museum staff are very friendly. Absolutely to visit.

10. Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna E Contemporanea

Viale delle Belle Arti 131, 00196 Rome Italy +39 06 3229 8221 [email protected] http://www.gnam.beniculturali.it/
Excellent
59%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 930 reviews

Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna E Contemporanea

This contemporary art gallery features works from the late 19th century to 1945.

Reviewed By Margo7850p

The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art is a museum in Rome, located in the Palazzo delle Belle Arti, designed by architect Cesare Bazzani. The Gallery houses a really good collection dedicated to Italian and foreign art from the 19th century to today. The National Gallery is a great place and a great museum. The permanent exhibition has small and large masterpieces that are really worth seeing.

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