Relax on a bus journey to Castel Gandolfo, just 25km from Rome, and visit the exclusive Papal Palace and Barberini Gardens with an audio-guided tour.

About this ticket

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Duration 3.5 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
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Audio guide included: English

Highlights

Travel by comfortable bus to the charming town of Castel Gandolfo
Visit the recently opened Apostolic Palace with an audio-guide
Tour the Barberini Gardens in an eco-friendly golf cart

Full description

Enjoy a unique half-day tour from Rome that will take you to the lovely town of Castel Gandolfo where you will visit the Papal Palace and its stunning landscaped gardens. Castel Gandolfo, built on the site of the legendary ancient settlement of Alba Longa, is one of Italy’s most picturesque towns and has been home to the Papal summer retreat since 1596. Situated in the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani, it enjoys splendid views over the beautiful Lake Albano, which you will be able to admire from the grounds of the Apostolic Palace. On this tour, you will be able to explore the up-to-now hidden gems of this glorious private residence with an audio-guide in the language of your choice. Following this, you will have the opportunity to see the gorgeously manicured Barberini Gardens and the impressive ruins of Emperor Domitian’s villa, before enjoying a lunch prepared with fresh produce from the palace farm! If you have not already done so, you will have the chance to add a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica with your fantastic guide onto your experience, in which case, upon your return to Rome, you will be dropped off right outside the Vatican.

Includes

Admission fees to the Papal Palace and gardens
Ecological golf car for the Papal gardens
Audio guide in your selected language
Small group (20 people maximum)
Lunch
Bus or minivan from the meeting point and back

Pick-up and drop-off from hotel
Live tour guide for the Castel Gandolfo Papal Residence

Covid-19 precautions

You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask
You will receive a mandatory temperature check
All participants who are over 12 years old must present proof of full vaccination
All participants are required to bring and wear FFP2 masks. Blue surgical masks will not be accepted

Meeting point

Via Cavour 222, Rome

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Important information

Know before you go

Please note: Papal palace and Gardens have security restrictions. Due to metal detectors at the entrances it is forbidden to bring the following: Weapons and blunt objects (knives, long umbrellas, etc.), glass bottles, aerosol sprays, and alcohol, bicycles, skates, segways, luggage, and pets

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 25 reviews

Review summary

Transportation
3.6/5
Value for money
4.4/5
Safety
4.8/5
Service
4.8/5

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Uninteresting palace if you are not devotee, beautiful view of the lake. Very nice bus ride in the vast gardens, nice picnic, but we are quickly escorted to the exit. We have an hour to see the center, have a dessert, drink a coffee, it's very pleasant. Why a driver, who did everything (tickets, etc.) and an attendant, obviously useless?

August 22, 2021

It was a great experience. Especially the visit to the gardens and the lunch in these gardens. The time for the visit to the palace was unfortunately far too short. We had to hurry to be on time for the gardens. As a result, many halls and historical objects have been missed.

September 25, 2019

Relación calidad-precio muy buena. Merece la pena. Se ve Castel Gandolfo (el pueblo) y la residencia papal. It is guia, pero con un audioguía en varios idiomas que es más que suficiente. Visit the de jardines hay un almuerzo allí mismo (en los jardines) realmente muy bueno. Una pena que no ofrezcan café (sólo de máquina y de pago). Toda la excursion sin prisas, merece la pena.

September 15, 2019

Pope’s Summer Residence Tour with Lunch

Pope’s Summer Residence Tour with Lunch

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