What to Do in Villa Borghese: 10 Activities in Rome's Most Beautiful Park
In the past, whenever I visited Rome as a tourist rather than as someone who lives here, I always skipped Villa Borghese, and looking back, I think this was a huge mistake. Villa Borghese, as I have mentioned before on my blog, is one of the most beautiful parks in Rome, and you can easily spend 1–3 hours here, or even more.
It is very centrally located and easily accessible from the centre of Rome. Besides that, entering the park is completely free. In this blog post, I will tell you all about what to do in Villa Borghese, as this park has many activities to offer.
Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or small children, Villa Borghese has something for everyone and offers the perfect green escape from the crowds of Rome.
Take a walk through the Villa Borghese gardens
To start with the most obvious activity, taking a walk through Villa Borghese is a wonderful way to spend your time. The gardens are quite large, and there are many statues and fountains to admire along the way.
It is also very common to see people exercising here, so if you are a runner looking to train without having to worry about Rome's traffic, this is the perfect place to do so.
Have a picnic
My favourite way to spend time in Villa Borghese is to have a picnic. I spend many mornings, afternoons, and even evenings here on a cute little blanket, surrounded by friends or simply by myself. As Villa Borghese is a highly romantic place, I would also recommend visiting with your partner.
Rent a boat
You might think renting a boat in a park sounds a little weird, but Villa Borghese has a little pond where you can rent small rowboats. In the centre of the pond, there is an ancient-looking temple called the Temple of Aesculapius, which is actually not that ancient, as it dates back to the 18th century.
To rent a boat, you have to pay €5 per person for 20 minutes, while children under 1.10 metres only pay €3.
Watch the view over Piazza del Popolo at the Pincio terrace
By now, you probably know about my love for viewpoints, and if you want to know everything about the most beautiful viewpoints in Rome, I highly recommend checking out my previous article.
The Pincio is one of the most famous viewpoints in the city, and especially during sunset, it is stunning here. From the Pincio, you have a view over Rome and Piazza del Popolo while music plays in the background.
Okay, besides the music, you will probably also encounter lots of other people and street vendors that might ruin the romantic vibe just a little, but hey, I think it's totally worth it.
Drink some coffee
In Villa Borghese, you can find several spots to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. One example is Casino del Lago, located close to the small lake where you can rent boats.
Casino del Lago has a lovely terrace, but throughout the park you can also find more kiosk-like spots where you can make a quick pit stop.
Visit museums
This is where it gets interesting, as Villa Borghese is home to more than one museum. The most famous one, and the one that is, in my opinion, the most worth visiting, is the Galleria Borghese.
Galleria Borghese is a famous art gallery in Rome with a very impressive collection, including works by some of the most influential artists, such as Bernini, Caravaggio, and Raphael. What I love about the gallery is its size. Because it is so compact, you won't feel totally overwhelmed, which can be the case when visiting the Vatican Museums, for example.
Tickets for the Galleria Borghese can be quite hard to get, since the gallery is very popular. They are often sold out weeks in advance, so if you have your heart set on visiting this gallery (which, honestly, you should), make sure to check the official website and book your tickets in time.
A ticket to visit the gallery costs €16 plus a €2 reservation fee, and comes with a designated time slot that you can choose yourself. This way, the gallery never becomes too crowded and you can enjoy all the masterpieces at your own pace.
Other, more low-effort museums in Villa Borghese are the Museo Pietro Canonica and the Museo Carlo Bilotti. These museums are smaller in scale than the Galleria Borghese, and you can simply buy a ticket at the counter. Both museums cost €7.50, making them a much cheaper option as well.
Rent a bike or cart
If you would rather do something more active instead of visiting a museum, I have the ideal tip for you. In Villa Borghese, there are several spots where you can rent either a bike or a cart for 2 or 4 people.
These carts are the kind that you have to pedal yourself, so keep that in mind, especially during summer. Prices for a 2-person cart are around €15 per hour, while a 4-person cart costs around €25 per hour.
The paths in Villa Borghese are mostly paved and wide, making them perfect for these types of activities.
See the Pincio Water Clock
Starting with a little storytime: when I first arrived in Rome, I had a roommate who was from here, so naturally I asked her what her favourite spot in the city was, something I absolutely couldn't miss. She told me her favourite spot in Rome was the Pincio Water Clock, or, in Italian, the Orologio ad Acqua del Pincio. At first, I was kind of surprised, but after visiting it myself, I completely understand why she loves it so much.
The Pincio Water Clock is a unique outdoor clock in Rome that works through a special hydraulic system. The clock is just a couple of minutes away from the Pincio viewpoint, so if you are visiting the park, it is definitely worth stopping by and taking a few minutes to admire this fascinating mechanism.
Visit the Rome zoo
On the edge of Villa Borghese, you can find the Bioparco di Roma, Rome's zoo. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an extensive article about the zoo and my experience there, so if you are curious, I highly recommend reading that one.
While it is not the most amazing zoo you will ever visit, I do think it is a great attraction, especially if you are visiting Rome with children.
Go to do Casa del Cinema
Last but not least is the Casa del Cinema, an arthouse cinema located inside Villa Borghese. The screenings here are mostly in Italian, but they also show movies in their original language (usually English) with Italian subtitles.
I think it is totally worth checking their programme on the official website, especially because during the summer they offer free outdoor screenings.
If you love cinema and want to know where to watch English movies in Rome, I have also written a cinema guide.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit Villa Borghese and admire everything this beautiful park has to offer.
I haven't posted on my blog for a couple of weeks (something to do with work, graduating, and health issues all happening at the same time), so I am very excited to get back into it. I have many more stories to share with you, and I can't wait to help you further on your Rome journey.
I wish you a wonderful time in Rome, and I hope to see you again soon!
With much love,
Juliette
