10 Best Museums in Rome

From the iconic Vatican museums to the cluster of National Museums and the contemporary ones designed by modern architects of the 21^st century, the best museums in the world are in Rome. So if you are into the Renaissance masterpieces, ancient sculptures, arrested paintings, intricately painted frescoes, archaeological find or just modern age photography, then the below guide of the top 10 best Rome museums should be able to help you make the right choice.

Perched on Rome’s Capitoline Hill, the Musei Capitolini is considered to be one of the world’s first museum. One of the unique Rome museums, it contains treasures from ancient eras and also archaeological finds from Rome and the vicinity environs. Some of the collections date way back to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a huge collection of bronze statues to the citizens of Rome. The museum then grew to bring in countless pieces of art, and in 1734 it was declared open to the public by Pope Clement XII. Apart from the incredible and awe-inspiring collection of ancient Roman marble and bronze statues, Renaissance and medieval art and ornate frescoes, the museum offers one of the best views of the Roman Forum. The most famous collections are the fragments and a bust from a colossal statue of Constantine, an ancient sculpture of Romulus and Remus (twins) sucking the She-Wolf. The museums also have displays of ancient epigraphs, sarcophagi, coins and a picture gallery that has a painting from Titian, Rubens and Caravaggio. The Musei Capitolini is spread over two building: Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nu.

Where: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Open on all days – Sunday to Saturday from 9.30 am – 7.30 pm

Located approximately 40 meters above the Roman Forum, the Palantine Hill is a central hill among the seven in Rome and one of the oldest parts of the city. The hill is home to several ancient parts of Rome, and the Museo Palatino is a small museum that traces the chronology of events of development of Palatino. The displays are made of model, archaeological finds and video presentations. The several discoveries and excavations carried out during excavations of the Palatine Hill are on display here. The golden age of Palatine Hill was when sculptures, mosaics, objects and frescoes were made or discovered and they are on the exhibit here. The main attraction is the busts of the imperial family, a room which is dedicated to Augustus and a pair of Ali di Vittoria (Victory Wings) in marble. One of the Rome museums, located on a hill, entry is via a Super ticket that needs to be bought in advance.

Where: Via di San Gregorio, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Open on all days – Sunday to Saturday from 9.30 am – 6 pm

This is one of the Rome museums dedicated to the epic work and creations of the mastermind Leonardo Da Vinci. It is an exhibition that is located between the iconic Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori squares and covers over 500 square meters. The surface has been divided genuinely into four parts to represent the four elements of nature- air, water, fire and earth. You can interact with the exhibits by touching them and trying over 37 machines in life-size. You can experience the breadth of the work by Leonardo with the 9 holograms and also view artefacts from the archaeological era that dates back to 43 B.C. A place where you can finally get close to the work and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. You can also see the reproduction of the famous Mona Lisa painting and The Last Supper in a path that is immersing and engaging. You can live the painting through a multimedia experience that has paintings, mechanics, projections, holograms and audio with educational bits. This museum is a thematic and interactive experience and must be visited of you love ancient art and collections.

Where: Via Della Conciliazione, 19, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Open on all days – Sunday to Saturday from 9 am – 7.30 pm

Palazzo Venezia was one of the first Rome museums that were also a renaissance palace. Built between 1455 and 1465, the structure served as the embassy of the Venetian Republic from where it gets its name. However, it is primarily associated with Mussolini who has set up his office and made his famous speeches from the balcony of the Sala del Mappamondo, which is the Globe Room. It is now home to the Museo Nazionale del Palazzo Venezia and boasts of an eclectic collection of Byzantine, ceramics, bronze figures, weaponry, armour and early Renaissance paintings. The palazzo is the main draw apart from the museum’s exhibits. The halls of the Apartamento Barbo is the most dramatic part, which is the core of the palace that is now used to stage temporary exhibitions. Earlier it served as the venue for the Venetian cardinal Pietro Bargo. There is a monumental two-tiered cloister outside that hosts the museum’s lapidarium and is a striking feature of the museum.

Where: Piazza di S. Marco, 49, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday: 8.30 am – 7.30 pm. Closed on Monday

The newest addition to the list of Rome museums, MAXXI- Museo Nazionale Delle Arti del XXI Secolo was designed by Zaha Hadid, a star architect and opened in 2010. Located in the Northern part of Rome it predominantly features art from the 21^st century. The place was formerly a barrack and is now a contemporary art gallery with a curved concrete structure that is equally striking on the inside and outside. With a multi-layered geometric façade and resonant lighting in the interior that lights up serpentine walkways and staircases, the museum is as much a highlight as the art contained in it. The museum has architectural archives that are a testimony to the contributions from the 20^th century till date. With an exquisite display from the two centuries on display in Gallery 1, there are works by William Kentridge, the South African artist who created the Triumphs & Laments mural. There are also Japanese domestic architecture exhibits along with international artefacts on display.

Where: Via Guido Reni, 4A, 00196 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm. Closed on Monday

The National Roman Museum is located in four places- Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemos, Crypta Balbi and the Palazzo Massimo. This features one of the most impressive archaeological and classical art collections in the world. One of the finest Rome museums, the name originates owing to its proximity to the Baths of Diocletian. Styled like a villa, it is an ethereal Neo-Renaissance styles palace that was erected between 1883 and 1887. Until 1960 it was used as Jesuit college post which it was made part of the National Roman Museum. It contains exhibit works from pre and early Roman historical era and other archaeological finds excavated in the city. It also features the bronze Boxer at rest and marble statues from the Roman Republic and Imperial Era. The museum is famous for the frescoes of the Villa di Livia that project an exotic garden against the backdrop of colourful flora and fauna.

Where: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday: 9 am – 7.45 pm. Closed on Monday

An instantly recognisable landmark, this Rome museum was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. It was then converted into a papal fortress in the 6^th century based on an angelic vision that Pope Gregory the Great has in 590. It is now a moody and dramatic house with a grand collection of sculptures, paintings, medieval firearms and military memorabilia. The military memorabilia comprise of weapons used by soldiers to protect the castle via the secret passageway to the Vatican that was provided by the sanctuary to many of the popes in danger. The upper floor of the castle is filled with gorgeous Renaissance interiors and the lavish Sala Paolina that has frescoes depicting glimpses of the life of Alexander the Great. Just go two storeys up, the terrace offers a lovely view of Rome, and Puccini has immortalised this place in his opera Tosca.

Where: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday- 9 am – 7.30 pm

Cushioned within the verdant and lush Villa Borghese Park, Galleria Borghese is one of the most noteworthy Rome museums. The commission in 1613 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to host his impressive collection of Baroque, Renaissance and Roman art it houses extraordinary Bernini sculptures and numerous paintings by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. The fine sculptures of Bernini’s delicate marble of Apollo and Daphne, David and Canova’s depiction of a reclining Pauline Bonaparte are the highlights of the museum. A jewel in the crown of Rome’s attractions, the museum depicts the power of personal taste and sponsorship of avid art collector Scipione Borghese. Cardinal Scipione Borghese, who used the villa as a summer house in the 17th century and the art is all exhibited in his former Roman garden villa. The Borghese Gallery is the perfect place for lovers of art to admire the exhibits in a beautiful space without the claustrophobia of crowds. Although the Borghese Gallery is a museum in Rome that is open to the public, reservation needs to be made to enter the museum.

Where: Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday – 9 am – 7 pm. Closed on Monday

Vatican Museums are the uncontested most popular Rome museums purely because they house one of the most famous and extensive collection in the entire world. The museum is spread across hundreds of rooms, halls and galleries which have treasures that range from antiquity to the present day. These include paintings, frescoes, tapestries and sculptures that date back to 1506. Pope Julius II in 1506 bought in ancient sculpture, Laocoon and His Sons to display at the Vatican Museum. Michelangelo’s complexly frescoed Sistine Chapel, which is a testimony to the Renaissance period and doctrines the Catholic Church and the creation of man. It also exhibits stories stated in the Old and New Testaments. You can also find Egyptian Mummies, Etruscan bronzes, ancient busts and modern paintings can be found in the hall and galleries. There are three courtyards, Cortile della Pigna, Cortile della Biblioteca and the Cortile del Belvedere.

Where: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Monday to Saturday – 9 am – 4 pm, Closed on Sunday

The National Roman Museum is one of the Rome museums that is spread across several locations that include the Palazzo Altemps, Baths of Diocletian, Crypta Balbi and the Palazzo Massimo. It is home to the world’s greatest collection of Greco-Roman art. The National Museum together preserve statues, sarcophagi, earthenware, mosaics, jewellery, frescoes, statues and other relics of Rome from the Imperial Age and the Republican periods right through medieval times. Most items that are on display were excavated from the Imperial Fora or Roman era and the greater Roman Empire Age. Together the four branches have a compelling collection of exhibits and artefacts that give you a detailed view of what Ancient Rome looked like. You can avail of combo tickets that will give you access to all the museums. You can also buy a ticket for a restricted number of days to give access to the museums.

Where: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday – 9 am – 7.45 pm Closed on Monday

Where: Via Delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday – 9 am – 7.45 pm, Closed on Monday

Where: Viale Enrico de Nicola, 78, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday – 9 am – 7.30 pm Closed on Monday

Where: Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Opening times: Sunday to Saturday – 9 am – 7.45 pm Closed on Monday

Rome museums contain everything ranging from modern art, ancient sculpture, artefacts that cater to a wide variety of visitors. To explore the different kind of art and culture that Rome museums have to offer, you would need more than a day. Each museum you pick would need one entire day dedicated to looking around the place. It is important to plan your itinerary and take your time to completely immerse and absorb the amazing information about history that the museum has on display. The whole of Rome is like an open-air museum. You turn around a corner and lift your gaze, and you will find a 2000-year-old statue, piazza or fountain – sometimes all the three that reflects the beauty of ancient Rome and its architecture. There is no denying that the city is home to one of the world’s best galleries and museums. Irrespective of whether you are a tourist or a local who has lived in the city for years, the above bunch is a well-curated list for you to make the most of your visit.