Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Tour

Did you know that Castel Gandolfo is famous for being the Pope's summer residence? With your ticket, you'll be able to tour the gardens and rooms of these pontifical villas belonging to the Vatican.

Tour Options

When booking, you can choose between the following options:

Papal Palace & Secret Garden Ticket

At the indicated time, you'll enter the Castel Gandolfo Palace in Piazza della Libertà. The complex was transformed into a museum by Pope Francis, allowing public visits to the Pope's historic summer residence.

The ticket grants access to the Secret Garden and the Apostolic Palace or Papal Palace, including rooms such as the throne room, the hall of the Swiss guard, the astronomical observatory, and the gallery of Benedict XIV. You will also see the balcony from where the Popes prayed the Angelus every Sunday in summer. The visit lasts for one hour.

Castel Gandolfo Pontifical Villas Tour

For a more comprehensive experience, the tour starts in Piazza della Libertà, where you'll board a vehicle to explore the 55 hectares (135 acres) gardens of the papal villas.

Along the way, you'll view the remains of the Roman villa of Emperor Domitian while utilizing an audio guide to learn about various Popes. Stops will be made at places of historical and artistic importance, including the Villa Barberini, the Garden of the Moor, and the Villa Cybo, concluding the tour after one hour back at the starting point.