Best Art Galleries In Rome To Soak Up Some Culture

Rome holds a high reputation for the art galleries it inherited from its rich past. Lost and reincarnated in the depths of time, the galleries tell tales of Rome’s incomparable history and will truly stand the test of time.

Rome has magnificent attractions to begin with; rolling vineyards, historic monuments, great archaeological ruins, eye-popping coastal towns and at the culmination of it, its art galleries. A trip to Rome is officially incomplete without paying a visit to one or two of these art galleries that are beautiful inside out.

Also Read: Most unique things to do in Rome

History of Rome art galleries

Italy has had major political breakthroughs throughout the 19th century, and what ensued were more artistic revolutions than any of its European counterparts. From Byzantine to Ottonian art, Venetian to Renaissance art, Rome has seen a series of art movements that are worth preserving souvenirs for. Then came a period when cultural tourism flourished in Italy, throwing light on the medieval Italian artists and also emerging artists of the present. With a good mix of primaeval and contemporary arts, we have picked the top art galleries you should visit on your next big vacation to Rome.

Top art galleries in Rome

1. Borghese Gallery and Museum

Set against a beautiful garden, the Borghese Gallery and Museum or Galleria Borghese captivates the senses of art-lovers through intricate designs, mythological artefacts, artisanal mosaics and works of renowned artists such as Giovanni Bellini and Gian Lorenzo Bernini under one roof.

Entry Fee and Timings:

Borghese Gallery and Museum costs up to 21.7 USD for entry, and free for people under 18 years of age. You can visit the museum between 8:30am – 7:30pm from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.

2. Macro

Abbreviated as Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, Macro was a beer factory that brewed the famous Peroni until it was converted into a museum in the late 1990s. Housing some of the best art pieces of present-day artists, this museum is a must-visit place.

Entry Fee and Timings:

The entry into the art gallery is free and stays open between 11am – 7 m from Tuesday to Sunday and 11am to 10pm on Saturdays.

3. Capitoline Museums

Set in the iconic plaza of Capitoline Hill whose layout was designed by Michelangelo himself, Capitoline Museums is the first museum in the world and hence the oldest. The museum is a brewery of intriguing stories not only about the historic artefacts and sculptures it hosts but also about what led Rome to open its museum to the public.

Entry Fee and Timings:

The ticket to Capitoline Museums costs 13.06 USD and it can be visited between 9am to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday. By default, Capitoline is closed on Mondays, Christmas, 1st January and 1st May.

4. Maxxi

Abbreviated as National Museum of 21st Century Art, Maxxi itself is a piece of art. Its modern architecture speaks volume about the impact of the art research this museum swore to dedicate itself to, and the place is clearly more than a place that “collects art items”. This art gallery is a must-visit if you want to learn where the present-day Italian art is headed towards.

Entry Fee and Timings:

The entry fee for Maxxi is 22 USD. The museum stays open for visitors between 9am to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday. And it is closed on Mondays, 25th December, 1st January and 1st May.

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Inspired to take a cultural tour around Rome? Take a look at the best Rome holiday packages and book your vacation.

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