Enter through Palazzo dei Conservatori on Piazza del Campidoglio. Start with the ceremonial rooms and archaeological displays, then continue to the Hall of the She-Wolf and the Marcus Aurelius Exedra. The Pinacoteca is also in this building, so allow extra time if you want to see paintings by Caravaggio, Guercino, and other Italian masters.
Explore the Capitoline Museums map before your visit
The Capitoline Museums span two main buildings, Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, linked by the underground Galleria Lapidaria beneath Piazza del Campidoglio. The route also includes the Tabularium viewpoint and exhibition spaces in Palazzo Caffarelli, making a map useful for planning your visit.
Capitoline Museums map
Navigating the Capitoline Museums
Begin in Palazzo dei Conservatori
Cross beneath Piazza del Campidoglio
From Palazzo dei Conservatori, follow signs to the Galleria Lapidaria. This underground passage connects the museum’s main buildings and contains inscriptions and stone monuments. Partway through, the Tabularium opens onto a direct view of the Roman Forum, making it a useful stopping point before continuing.
Continue into Palazzo Nuovo
The passage leads towards Palazzo Nuovo, where the visit shifts mainly to ancient sculpture. Key rooms include the Hall of the Emperors, Hall of the Philosophers, and the galleries containing the Dying Gaul and Capitoline Venus.
Plan breaks around the route
The complex involves corridors, stairs, and several floors, with seating available in selected galleries. There is no shuttle service. For refreshments, finish near Palazzo Caffarelli and Terrazza Caffarelli rather than leaving the museum route midway.
Visitor facilities
- Ticket and information desk: Located at the museum entrance in Palazzo dei Conservatori, with assistance on tickets, access conditions, audio guides, and visitor routes.
- Cloakroom: A free self-service cloakroom is available for bulky bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and other items that cannot be carried into the galleries.
- Accessible facilities: Platform lifts, elevators, ramps, and stairlifts support movement through much of the complex. Wheelchairs can be requested at the ticket office or from museum staff.
- Baby strollers: Prams and pushchairs are permitted inside the museum.
- Cafeteria: Terrazza Caffarelli at Piazzale Caffarelli 4 offers drinks, light refreshments, and city views, with external access from the Campidoglio steps.
- Bookshop: The museum shop stocks guidebooks, exhibition catalogues, books on Roman history and art, children’s titles, and souvenirs inspired by the collections.
- Gallery assistance: Room attendants can help visitors with directions, museum services, exhibitions, and accessible routes.
Must-see highlights
Capitoline Wolf
One of the museum’s best-known works, this bronze sculpture shows the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus and is displayed in Palazzo dei Conservatori.
Tips for your visit
- Follow the one-way flow: Begin in Palazzo dei Conservatori, cross through the Galleria Lapidaria, and continue into Palazzo Nuovo to avoid retracing your route.
- Pause at the Tabularium: The viewpoint sits along the underground connection, so stop there before moving on rather than trying to return later.
- See priority works first: Visit the Capitoline Wolf and Marcus Aurelius before crossing to Palazzo Nuovo for the Dying Gaul and Capitoline Venus.
- Save Palazzo Caffarelli for last: Temporary exhibitions and Terrazza Caffarelli work best as the final stop, especially if you want a break after the main galleries.
Frequently asked questions about the Capitoline Museums map
The Capitoline Museums are located on Piazza del Campidoglio in central Rome, on Capitoline Hill.
You can use the downloadable map on this page or ask for visitor information at the museum entrance.
The main visitor route covers Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, connected by the underground Galleria Lapidaria.
Start in Palazzo dei Conservatori, continue through the Galleria Lapidaria and Tabularium, and then explore Palazzo Nuovo.
The Capitoline Wolf and Marcus Aurelius are in Palazzo dei Conservatori, while the Dying Gaul and Capitoline Venus are in Palazzo Nuovo.
Yes, the visit includes several floors, long galleries, staircases, and the underground passage between the two main buildings.
