Your guide to skipping the lines at Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery in Rome limits entry to strict 2-hour timed slots with very tight visitor caps. Even with a booked slot, you can face 30–60 min ticket line waits at peak hours, and 10–20 min security screening before entry, especially in spring and summer. Advance reservations are essential because official slots sell out weeks ahead and there is no general walk-up entry without a ticket.

• Direct timed-entry tickets (From €25): Book your official skip-the-line ticket in advance to avoid the long ticket redemption queue. You still go through standard security but walk straight to entry at your reserved time. Slots sell out quickly.
• Small-group guided tours (From €36): Small group tours include priority access and expert commentary on the gallery’s highlights. They typically have a dedicated or faster entry lane.
• Combo tickets (From ~52): Combine Borghese Gallery skip-the-line access with other Rome highlights (e.g., Castel Sant’Angelo) for a broader day itinerary with one booking. Availability varies and often sells out.

See all your options to skip the queues at Borghese Gallery ↓

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the ticket redemption queue which can take 30 minutes to 1 hour even with advance bookings.

With skip-the-line access, you’re ushered through a priority entrance and into the Borghese Gallery in just 10–20 minutes—no hour-long queues.

All visitors must still go through a brief security check. Depending on your ticket type, you’ll either use a dedicated timed-entry lane or join a small group tour with fast-track access.

The Borghese Gallery admits just 720 pre-booked visitors every two hours, making advance reservations essential. Without a booking, you risk being turned away or waiting for the next available slot.

  • Even with reserved tickets, the entry line during peak season (April to October) can take 30 to 60 minutes, especially between 10am and 1pm.
  • Off-season (November to February) waits of 30–45 minutes are still common. 

These lines begin forming nearly an hour before each entry wave, especially mid-morning and late afternoon. Without skip-the-line access, long queues are almost guaranteed.

Ticket redemption queue

  • Location: Main entrance at Porta Pinciana / Piazza del Popolo
  • Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
  • Avg wait time: 30–60 mins
  • Who it’s for: All visitors with reserved time slots

Security queue

  • Location: Immediately inside the entrance
  • Skip-the-line? ❌ No
  • Avg wait time: 10–20 mins
  • Who it’s for: Mandatory for all

Guided tour queue

  • Location: Escorted tour lane
  • Skip-the-line? ✅ Yes
  • Avg wait time: 5–15 mins
  • Who it’s for: Guided tours with skip-the-line access
Skip the 1-hour queue. Savor 100 masterpieces without the wait.

With strict capacity limits and high demand, lines at the Borghese Gallery can be frustratingly long. These skip-the-line tickets let you enter at your reserved time through a faster line, so you can spend more time with Bernini and Caravaggio, not waiting at the gate. Most guests are inside within 15–20 minutes.

Borghese Gallery interior with classical sculptures and Renaissance paintings in Rome, Italy.

1. Book skip-the-line tickets in advance

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the onsite admission queue and enter directly at your reserved slot. These tickets often sell out 2–3 days in advance.

2. Use a hosted entry ticket

A local rep meets you outside and escorts you through the ticket check and entry process. Ideal for first-timers or anyone looking for a hassle-free experience.

3. Choose a guided tour

Guided tours use a separate group entrance and offer faster access along with expert insights into the artwork. Great if you want to skip the lines and deepen your visit.

Explore guided tours

4. Book combo tours

Combo tickets to Borghese Gallery include skip-the-line access to the museum along with access to top attractions like Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon. They offer great value and a hassle-free way to explore more in less time—ideal for a well-rounded day in Rome.

5. Visit during early or late hours

The first and last time slots of the day (9am or 5pm) are usually less crowded. Afternoon slots between 1pm and 3pm tend to be the busiest.

Best time to visit the gallery

6. Avoid weekends and public holidays

Weekends, especially Saturdays, and holidays like Easter or Ferragosto see the biggest crowds. Book midweek if you can. Avoid the first Sunday of each month too, when entry is free; even though slots are timed and pre-booked, visitor numbers surge and queues are significantly longer.

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Hear from our guests

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Christina Victoria Hiromoto
US

Christina

United States
Jan 2026

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#I've been to the Vatican Museums before, and both times have really been a great experience. The first time I had a 4:30pm booking on a weekday and the crowds were very little. There was still a line outside the museums we had to wait in, and another line inside to scan our passes. This time we booked with Headout for 8:30am on a tuesday morning. It felt much easier as we were escorted as a group through the lines by simply scanning our tickets. It was also not too crowded during that time! We personally wanted to have an entire morning and Headout had tickets left (The Vatican website did not) for those times. It was nice because we were not rushing at all. Definitely avoid the lunch hours to beat the crowds! Also they have a cafe/food area--lifesaver!
Jordi Chaparro Gonzalez
JP

Jordi

Japan
Jan 2026

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+2 more

Here's a professional reviewer. This is my third visit to the Vatican, and I'm really delighted. There were hardly any lines, the staff was super friendly, and everything was much better organized than I remembered. If I could add anything, it would be a couple more signs to guide people when leaving the museum, which would be great. Also, the prices weren't too bad in the cafeteria. I highly recommend a visit, but I did go during the off-season.
Fucci Mauro

Fucci

Jan 2026

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It was a good experience, it was easy to make reservations, and the convenient queue skipping saves you long waits to get in to visit the desired places...
Eraldo Perini

Eraldo

Jan 2026

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Palazzo Barberini is a beautiful palazzoe kept really very well. Beautiful ceiling frescoes in some of the rooms. Very beautiful paintings by Caravaggio
Maximilian Mucke

Maximilian

Dec 2025

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We had a guided tour at the Galleria Borghese yesterday and it was excellent. Our guide, Lorenzo, spoke perfect English and was very easy to understand. The tour was very interesting, and he showed us all the highlights and explained everything clearly. There were no regular tickets available, so we booked the guided tour instead - and we absolutely did not regret it. It was worth every cent and we would definitely recommend a guided tour to anyone who really wants to get the most out of the Galleria.
Valentina Scida

Valentina

Dec 2025

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We arrived at the entrance of Castel Sant'angelo and got in in no time, just enough time to show the digital tickets to the attendants. Really positive experience . It was worth it .
Piotr Pawłowski
PL

Piotr

Poland
Dec 2025

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If you are thinking about buying a ticket, it is really worth it. It will allow you to go to the queue, where you will wait a maximum of 30 minutes. Without a ticket, the queuing time is more than 4 hours
Jamier Isabelle

Jamier

Dec 2025

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+2 more

A sumptuous palace, probably the most beautiful in Rome, that I never tire of visiting, brimming with works of art, each more magnificent than the last. The limited number of visitors makes the experience all the more enjoyable!

They help you save up to 1–2 hours during peak times. You’ll secure a guaranteed time slot, avoid long lines, and even have the option of joining a guided tour for deeper insight into the artwork.

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