What can I do if Borghese Gallery tickets are sold out?

How far in advance tickets are released

The museum does not publish a fixed release window for its regular slots; its booking calendar shows the dates on sale, and you book on the official site or on +39 06 32810 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 6 pm). Free-day tickets, for the first Sunday of the month, 25 April, 2 June and 4 November, go on sale 10 days before. The Roma Pass FAQ advises booking the Borghese at least 10 days ahead, and 20 days in high season. Partner tickets are on sale for dates further out, which is why they are the first place to look when the official calendar is empty.

Why slots sell out

Every slot holds at most 180 people, and there are only ten slots a day, Tuesday to Sunday. Every ticket needs a booking, including free under-18 tickets, and one buyer can book up to 5 at a time. On free days entry costs only the €2 booking fee (about $2), and no last-minute tickets are sold.

Can you buy at the door?

Sometimes, in small numbers. If the site and phone line show nothing, you can queue at the ticket office on the lower floor (open 8.30 am to 6 pm), but the museum says same-day entry is not guaranteed and waits can be long.

• When — From minute 20 of each hour; the last one at 5.50 pm
• Time inside — 1 hour 30 minutes (1 hour on the 5.50 pm ticket)
• Limit — 2 tickets per person
• Not on free days — No last-minute tickets on the first Sunday of the month, 25 April, 2 June or 4 November

Last-minute options: partner tickets and tours

Partner tickets include the official ticket in a slot the partner already holds, so they can show availability when the museum shows none. They cost more than the €18 (about $20) official ticket, and all of the options below can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before. A third reviewer of the audio-guide ticket called it good for a last-minute booking, while noting it costs more.

• Ticket with audio guide — From $44; compare the audio-guide ticket, 4.6 from 2,750 reviews of this ticket on GetYourGuide
• Reserved entry ticket — From $46; a host hands you the ticket at the entrance (see the reserved entry ticket)
• Guided tour — From $55, 2 hours with an art historian (see the guided tour)
• Gallery and gardens tour — From $60, 2.5 hours including the park (see the gallery and gardens tour)

Cancellations and same-day checks

Official tickets cannot be changed or refunded, so the museum has no regular stream of returned tickets to watch for. What changes on the day is the last-minute supply at the ticket office. Partner availability can change as other guests cancel within their 24-hour free-cancellation window, so check again the day before. When you find a date, book it on the Borghese Gallery tickets page.