In a nutshell
- Beyond the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, you’ll find some of the best museums in Rome waiting to be explored. Whether you’re into art, history, or culture, there’s something here for everyone.
- Two especially fun and interactive museums in Rome for kids are the Welcome to Rome and the Leonardo da Vinci Experience.
- A Rome City Pass is a great way to save, giving you free or discounted entry to many of the top museums in Rome.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums are an absolute must see and one of Rome’s top attractions. You’ve surely heard of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel or Raphael’s Rooms – both are true highlights of these famous museums in Rome.
With more than 1,300 rooms filled with art and ancient treasures, there’s an endless amount to discover. Plan at least three hours for your visit.
The Vatican Museums are always busy, so it’s best to book your ticket online in advance. You’ll find all the details you need in our full guide to visiting the Vatican Museums.
Get your Vatican Museums tickets
Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese is one of the best museums in Rome and home to one of the most impressive private art collections in the world. Inside you’ll find sculptures like Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne and paintings by Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rubens.
The building itself is stunning, and it’s surrounded by the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens – perfect for a relaxed stroll before or after your visit.
Note: You must make an online reservation to visit the Galleria Borghese. Tickets aren’t sold at the entrance. Since it’s one of the top museums in Rome, book at least a week ahead. Entry is limited to a two-hour slot, with only 180 visitors allowed at a time.
Book your ticket for the Galleria Borghese
The Castel Sant'Angelo
The Castel Sant’Angelo is a circular fortress on the banks of the Tiber River. Built more than 2,000 years ago as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, it later became a papal residence.
Today, the Castel Sant’Angelo Museum is one of the most fascinating museums in Rome, blending history and art. You can explore the ancient mausoleum, treasure chambers, weapon collections, and even the old prison. There are also beautiful frescoes, sculptures, and artworks on display – and from the rooftop, you’ll enjoy one of the best views in Rome.
A special highlight is the secret passage to the Vatican, the Passetto di Borgo. You can visit it, but sadly you can’t walk through it – though it would be pretty amazing if you could.
Book the Castel Sant’Angelo Skip-the-Line Ticket
€16
MAXXI - Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo
If you’ve had your fill of ancient statues and frescoes, head to MAXXI – one of the best contemporary art museums in Rome.
MAXXI was the first museum in Italy dedicated to modern art, and we love how it combines art, architecture, and design. Expect everything from light installations to cutting-edge sculptures.
Even better, there’s none of the usual stiff museum vibe. MAXXI encourages interaction, and if you’re lucky, you might even see artists at work.
The building itself is a masterpiece too – one of the most futuristic structures in Rome, built on the site of former military barracks. With construction costs of around 150 million euros, it’s not without controversy, but it’s definitely worth seeing.
The Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are among the top museums in Rome and a true highlight for anyone who loves art and history. Located on the Capitoline Hill – the smallest of Rome’s seven hills – this is actually the oldest museum in Rome. It dates back to 1471, when the Pope donated a collection of ancient bronzes to the city. Almost six centuries later, it’s grown into one of the most impressive art collections in the world.
Don’t miss the Palazzo dei Conservatori, one of the three main buildings. Here you’ll see the famous Capitoline She-Wolf statue, said to have nursed Rome’s legendary founders, Romulus and Remus, along with the monumental remains of the Colossus of Constantine.
The buildings themselves are stunning too. The elegant Capitoline Square that connects them was designed by Michelangelo – a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in its own right.
€15
Centrale Montemartini
Centrale Montemartini is one of the most unusual museums in Rome – and one of the coolest hidden gems. When the Capitoline Museums were renovated in the 1990s, part of the collection was temporarily moved to this former power plant in the Ostiense district.
The result? Ancient marble sculptures surrounded by steel engines and turbines. The contrast between industrial machinery and classical art turned out to be so striking that it became a permanent exhibition.
If traditional art museums aren’t really your thing, Centrale Montemartini will definitely change your mind – it’s one of the best small museums in Rome for something completely different.
Combined ticket: Capitoline Museums and Centrale Montemartini
Welcome to Rome
At Welcome to Rome, you’ll experience the city’s history in a completely new way. It’s a multimedia time travel through 2,700 years of Roman history – an immersive and entertaining way to learn about the city.
You’ll be guided through a huge 3D projection of Rome that lasts about 30 minutes, with an audio narration that brings to life the city’s most dramatic moments – fires, battles, and the rise of the emperors. Afterward, explore four interactive models of the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo, and the Forum of Augustus.
If you’re visiting Rome with kids and want to skip the more traditional art museums, Welcome to Rome is one of the must see museums in Rome for families.
Book your ticket for Welcome to Rome
€15 (+ €3 advance booking fee)
Museo Nazionale Romano
The National Museum of Rome is one of the most famous museums in Rome and home to more than 300,000 artifacts. Few places in the city offer such a deep dive into art and history. What makes it even more special is that it’s spread across four different locations.
Your ticket is valid for seven days, so you can explore each museum at your own pace.
- Palazzo Altemps: a stunning Renaissance palace with a charming courtyard and frescoes. Inside you’ll find art from the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman eras.
- Diocletian’s Baths: once the largest and most luxurious baths in ancient Rome. The grounds are great to wander through, especially on hot days when you can enjoy plenty of shade.
- Balbi Crypt: originally a lounge for theatergoers, it now houses an exhibition that traces the city’s development from antiquity to modern times.
- Palazzo Massimo: the elegant Renaissance building is almost as impressive as its exhibits. Its collection of ancient art is among the most important in the world.
Leonardo da Vinci Experience
Leonardo da Vinci was a true genius of his time, gifted in art, science, and engineering alike.
At the Leonardo da Vinci Experience, you’ll find 50 of his most fascinating inventions — and yes, you can actually touch them! You’ll see early designs for everything from flying machines to the world’s first helicopter. One of the highlights is the Mirror Cabinet, where da Vinci’s experiments with light come to life — a concept that would later influence photography.
You’ll also see reproductions of his most famous paintings, including The Last Supper. Even though they’re replicas, the interactive machines easily steal the show here.
Our verdict: this is one of the best small museums in Rome — perfect if you’re visiting with kids or simply curious to explore your inner inventor.
Book your ticket for the Leonardo da Vinci Experience
€12
Galleria Spada
Galleria Spada is a small but captivating museum in Rome that houses works from the 16th and 17th centuries, featuring artists like Caravaggio, Titian, and Dürer.
With just three exhibition rooms, it remains one of the best hidden gems among Rome’s museums. It’s ideal if you want to enjoy art in peace, away from the crowds at the Vatican Museums.
The true masterpiece here isn’t a painting at all, but the portico in the courtyard. Designed by Borromini, it’s an ingenious optical illusion — a corridor just nine meters long that appears almost endless.
Book your ticket for Galleria Spada
The Stadium of Domitian
Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in Rome — many guided tours of Rome start here. But few visitors realize that four meters underground lie the remains of Emperor Domitian’s ancient athletics stadium. Where cafés and boutiques now stand, 30,000 spectators once watched competitions unfold.
Videos and 3D reconstructions help bring the site back to life, showing how it once looked in its prime.
Sure, it’s not as grand as the Colosseum, but it’s much quieter and, in our opinion, one of the must see museums in Rome for history lovers. Since it’s underground, it’s also a great place to visit on a rainy day or to escape the summer heat.
Book a guided underground tour with the Stadium of Domitian
€9
Extra Tip: Save Money with a Rome Pass
Rome offers several City Passes that include free or discounted entry to many top museums and attractions. Some of the best museums in Rome — such as the Vatican Museums or Castel Sant’Angelo — are already covered.
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, a City Pass can easily save you money and time.
There are several different options, though, and the best one for you depends on your itinerary. Check out our guide below to find out which Rome Pass fits your plans best.
Do you know of any more cool museums in Rome?
These were our picks for the 11 best museums in Rome. Have you been to Rome and discovered another amazing museum? Share your tips in the comments — we’d love to hear them!