17 Best Palaces in Rome

There's no doubt that the next time you're in town, you should make sure to include some of these palaces in your itinerary. I guarantee that it will be a very rewarding experience and you won't regret it at all, as visiting the palaces is undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Rome.

Rome has many incredible palaces, many of which house famous art galleries. However, there are also other palaces that may be the city's best-kept secret, but are definitely worth a visit. Without further ado, let me show you the 17 best palaces in Rome and share some tips to help you plan your visit.

The Villa Borghese, located at Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5, is one of the most iconic palaces in Rome, known for its extensive public gardens. This site was built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V. Scipione, who sketched the ideas, worked with architect Flaminio Ponzio on the design of the palace, which began construction in 1633, just outside the city walls.

The villa also houses a magnificent art collection that includes works by famous artists such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Bernini, among others. There are many things to do at Villa Borghese, for example, the site also has an impressive gallery of paintings from the Roman school and an extensive collection of Egyptian art. This is also, without a doubt, an opportunity to see the 10 best sculptures in Villa Borghese.

The Palazzo Altemps, built in the 15th century, is home to the National Museum of Rome and is located in Piazza di Sant'Apollinare 46, very close to Piazza Navona. This place houses an impressive collection of sculptures by Ludovico Ludovisi, nephew of Pope Gregory XV, who accumulated a large number of these works of art throughout his life.

In the Altemps Palace, you will find impressive sculptures such as the figure of Apollo the Lyric, the Ludovisi Athena, which displays great beauty and strength, and the Throne of Ares, with its majestic design.

If you love European architecture, painting, and sculpture, don't miss out on tickets to the Capitoline Museums, one of the most incredible art spaces in the Eternal City. Discover its 10 best works of art, some of which are considered true masterpieces.

The Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, located at Via del Corso 305, near Via della Gatta, is one of Rome's most outstanding palaces still owned by an aristocratic family. Since the 16th century, the family has assembled an impressive collection of sculptures, paintings, and furniture that can be viewed in the palace.

This extraordinary collection is based on the inheritance of Pope Innocent X, who left it to his nephew, Camillo Pamphilj. Over time, the collection has grown and is now considered the largest private art collection in Rome.

You can enjoy an impressive collection of antiques, including the mummified body of the family's patron saint. There are also pieces of medieval and Byzantine art, as well as portraits by famous Renaissance artists such as Bernini, Raphael, and Caravaggio. The palace has over 1,000 rooms, outnumbering Buckingham Palace.

If you are interested in the history and archaeology of Etruscan civilization, you cannot miss Villa Giulia. This place houses the Museo Nazionale Etrusco and is located at Via di Villa Giulia 9, very close to the Borghese Gallery.

This palace was once the summer residence of Pope Julius III and was designed in the 16th century by various artists and architects, including Michelangelo. Once inside, don't miss the sarcophagus of the spouses, considered the best piece in the gallery.

To continue admiring Etruscan art, I recommend combining your visit to Villa Giulia with the National Museum of Tarquinia and the Tarquinia Necropolis. You won't regret learning more about this fascinating civilization.

The Palazzo Merulana, located on Via Merulana, houses more than 90 paintings and sculptures belonging to 20th-century Roman modern art, created by such important artists as Antonietta Raphaël, Dongui, Lucio Fontana, and De Chirico.

Each floor of the Palazzo contains different exhibitions, as well as places to rest and relax. In addition, the venue hosts temporary exhibitions and various cultural activities, such as talks, literary events, film screenings, and even concerts.

On the ground floor, Palazzo Merulana has a beautiful urban garden where you can stroll and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Rome.

The Lateran Palace is located in the historic center of Rome and was formerly the official residence of the popes.

Opened in 1586, today it remains a building linked to Christian history and art. Thus, both in the private chapel and in the ten rooms that make up the papal floor and the rest of the palace, you can admire countless works of art.

This building not only holds historical events dating back centuries. In 1929, the Lateran Pacts were signed here, thanks to which the Vatican recognized the legitimacy of the Italian state.

Palazzo Corsini is a must-see destination if you are an art and architecture lover passing through Rome. Located at Via della Lungara 10, right in front of the Villa Farnesina, this late Baroque palace was owned by the Corsini family and has been home to illustrious personalities such as fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

In its art gallery, you can admire masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Van Dyke, Rubens, and Fra Angelico, but the highlight is undoubtedly Caravaggio's impressive painting of John the Baptist from 1604. In addition, the palace library is a marvel in itself, with frescoes on the ceiling, columns, and statues adorning the room.

The Farnese Palace is one of Rome's most impressive architectural gems. Its exact location is Piazza Farnese 67, in the heart of the historic city center, near Campo de' Fiori.

The interior of the palace is absolutely stunning. The highlight is undoubtedly The Loves of the Gods, a ceiling fresco that has been recently restored by artist Annibale Caracci. Also not to be missed are the Hall of Hercules, which once housed the original statue of Hercules (now in Naples), and the statues by Giacomo della Porta that adorn a beautiful fireplace.

Although it is currently the seat of the French Embassy, the Palazzo Farnese is open to the public and can be visited on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tours, available in English, French, and Italian, last 45 minutes, and reservations are recommended at least one week in advance.

Located in the central Piazza Capo di Ferro, 13, the Spada Palace is an architectural masterpiece originally built for Cardinal Girolamo Recanati Capodiferro in the 16th century, who later became Pope Paul III in 1534.

A unique feature of this palace is that, in 1635, Cardinal Bernardino Spada hired renowned architect Francesco Borromini to improve the garden design and make the Palazzo Spada appear larger. Borromini achieved this effect by creating an impressive column that tricks the eye and makes the courtyard appear to be 37 meters long, when in reality it is only 8 meters.

Located near the Palazzo Farnese and Campo de' Fiori, the Spada Palace is a hidden treasure that you should not miss on your visit to Rome. It also has a vast art collection that includes works by artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Titian, and Tornioli.

The Colonna Palace is located in Piazza dei Santi Apostoli, 66, a few steps from Piazza Venezia. This majestic building once belonged to the wealthy Colonna family and features a mix of architectural styles, including elements from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Roman Rococo periods.

The palace is in excellent condition, with its antique furniture, tapestries, and marble floors impeccably maintained. However, the most impressive feature is its magnificent art collection, which includes works by masters such as Pinturicchio, Carracci, Guido Reni, Tintoretto, Bronzino, Guercino, Veronese, Vanvitelli, and others. But without a doubt, the most beautiful room in the palace is the Great Hall, lined with beautiful mirrors, sculptures, and paintings, and a ceiling with frescoes depicting the Battle of Lepanto.

You've probably never heard of the Palazzo Pallavicini Rospigliosi and its Casino dell'Aurora, but if you like visiting places that are off the beaten track and not very touristy, then you should add this place to your itinerary in Rome. Located at the highest point in Rome, at Via XXIV Maggio, 43, the casino, part of the Palazzo Pallavicini-Rospigliosi, is perfect for enjoying sublime views of the entire Eternal City. And if this sounds interesting, I recommend taking a tour of the best views of Rome.

As you enter this iconic building, you can enjoy frescoes by great artists. One of the most outstanding is the fresco by Guido Reni (1575-1642), known as "L'Aurora," which gives the casino its name. In addition, the impressive frescoes "Triumph of Fame" and "Triumph of Love" by Roman artist Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630) are also a must-see.

However, it is not only the art that attracts attention in this palace. Its halls feature a variety of marble and travertine moldings, accentuated by ancient Roman sculptures, making the visit even more impressive.

The Silvestri Rivaldi Palace is a true hidden treasure, located very close to the Colosseum. During the 16th century, this palace was abandoned for several years, but a major renovation was carried out in 2004, finally allowing it to open its doors to the public.

The interior of the Silvestri Rivaldi Palace houses unique cultural treasures, including frescoes from the school of Raphael and an impressive private collection of over 600 Greek and Roman marble sculptures. Known as the Torlonia Marbles, they date from the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD and belonged to Prince Alessandro Torlonia.

The Palazzo Barberini is one of the largest palaces in Rome, with 12,000 square meters and 187 rooms. It is located at Via delle Quattro Fontane 13 and houses the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica.

The palace features beautiful Renaissance and Baroque paintings, as well as frescoed ceilings. Here you can see Raphael's famous work, La Fornarina, the portrait of the baker's daughter, with whom the artist fell in love while working on the frescoes in the Villa Farnesina.

In addition, the Palazzo Barberini houses paintings by Caravaggio, Judith Beheading Holofernes, and the self-portrait of Artemisia Gentileschi.

The Palazzo della Cancelleria, located in Piazza della Cancelleria 1, was built in 1483 by Cardinal Raffaele Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV.

The Pope donated the palace to his cousin, Cardinal Giulio de Medici, who was the vice-chancellor of the Church, hence the name Palazzo della Cancelleria. Here you can enjoy impressive architecture and an elegant central courtyard, where the atmosphere invites you to relax and spend a peaceful moment in the heart of Rome. You can also admire the collection of ancient Roman sculptures, such as the Triton Fountain.

It is said that several sites in Rome were demolished to build the palace, including the Theatre of Pompey, from which 44 granite columns were taken, and marble from the Colosseum was used. The Hall of the Hundred Days is a must-see, as it contains an impressive work of art: a fresco painted by Giorgio Vasari in just 100 days, commissioned by Cardinal Farnese. It is also interesting to note that in the 1980s, the remains of a 4th-century basilica were discovered in the palace courtyard.

The Villa Albani-Torlonia is located at Via Salaria 92. It was built between 1747 and 1767 by the architect Carlo Marchionni, who was commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Albani.

The villa consists of a series of staircases, frescoes, statues, and fountains that reflect the Baroque taste of the mid-18th century. Due to its collection of ancient artifacts, the villa became quite a spectacle, and many English aristocrats came to know its dazzling halls.

The villa was acquired by the Torlonia family in 1866, who still own it today. Fortunately, the Torlonia family has managed to preserve the villa in its original form, which remains standing with all its original components, so that visitors can admire its grandeur. In fact, the collection of art and Roman artifacts on display here is second only to the Vatican in size.

The Palazzo Patrizi Montoro is located in the central Piazza di S. Luigi de Francesi, 37. This building is almost hidden between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and has been owned by the Patrizi family since 1642.

The interiors of this palace still retain their original furnishings. In particular, the second floor is a treasure trove of antique furniture and works of art. The architectural and interior design features, from the carved stone arches to the tiled floors, are truly impressive.

It is important to note that visits to this private property are by appointment only. Once inside, the palace's official guide will take you through the history of the place and show you the impressive collection of original paintings, sculptures, and furniture.

Here is a palace that stands out from the rest. This is the Villa Farnesina, located at Via della Lungara 230, in the Trastevere district, where there is plenty to do.

It was designed by architect Baldasarre Peruzzi and built between 1506 and 1511 for Agostino Chigi, who originally called it Villa Chigi. This place was created to impress wealthy Romans, and with its luxurious decoration and beautiful garden, it certainly succeeded.

The Villa Farnesina is a Renaissance palace that houses beautiful paintings by Raphael. The most impressive room is the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche, where Raphael and his disciples created a masterpiece. Other rooms that will leave you amazed are the Hall of Galatea, where Raphael's Triumph of Galatea is located, and the Hall of Perspectives.