21 Best Museums in Rome to See on Your Next Visit

Rome is a city rich in history and culture. Although you can argue that Rome itself is an open-air museum, it is also home to some of the world’s most famous treasures. Yes, there is the Vatican, but that’s not the only museum you should have on your Rome itinerary.

Rome is known for its architecture, art and history. Whether you’re interested in classical sculptures, Roman artifacts, Renaissance paintings or the paintings of Italian masters, there’s sure to be a museum that will capture your imagination. I try to visit at least one museum on every visit. Here are some of my favourite museums in Rome that I think you should visit.

Museums in Rome you should visit

When looking at museums in Rome, there are a lot of places that can be on this list. However, I decided to omit those that are not archeological sites or outdoor excavation areas. While sites like the Pantheon and the Colosseum can be considered museums, I consider them monuments more than stand-alone museums. So, I’ve decided to exclude them from this list of museums in Rome.

Capitoline Museums / Musei Capitolini

If you’re looking for a museum that’s not too busy and offers a bit of everything, then this museum is for you. Rome’s Capitoline Museums are located in two stunning buildings in Piazza del Campidoglio, on top of Capitoline Hill. Both buildings are linked by the Galleria Lapidaria, an underground tunnel beneath the piazza that overlooks the Roman Forum.

Here, you’ll find the city’s finest collection of ancient sculptures, including Greek and Roman statues, the enormous bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback, and the famous sculpture of Romulus and Remus suckling a she-wolf. The collection also features Etruscan artifacts and masterpieces by Titian, Rubens and Caravaggio. Visiting here will give you a better insight into Roman history and art.

Galleria Borghese

The Borghese Gallery is one of the most famous museums in Rome, and for good reason. This gallery houses an impressive collection of Italian and European art, including works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Rubens. The collection was started by Cardinal Scipione Borghese (Pope Paul V’s nephew), an avid art collector and Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s first sponsor.

The Villa Borghese is located in a park of the same name, the third-largest green space in the city of Rome. The surrounding gardens are also impressive and make it the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring the museum and the grounds. Advance reservations are required for a museum visit.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is another must-see destination for art lovers. It’s also one of the few private museums in Rome open to visitors. This gallery is home to an incredible collection of Italian and European art, furniture, and sculptures collected by different family members over the centuries. You can admire more than 500 paintings, including works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, and Titian, as well as sculptures by Bernini.

The family still lives on-premises. While you can’t visit that part of the building, the galleries have changed little over time, preserving their historical charm. This stunning late-Baroque palace is an architectural masterpiece that adds to the experience. Don’t miss the Villa Doria Pamphilj and the surrounding park once owned by the same family during your visit.

National Roman Museum/Museo Nazionale Romano

The National Roman Museum has one of the largest museum collections in Rome, with an incredible collection of Roman art and artifacts. The museum’s exhibits are spread across four different palazzos, each offering a unique perspective on Roman history. If you have time, the combined admission ticket allows access to all four locations:

Palazzo Altemps

Palazzo Altemps is a stunning 15th-century building built by the Riario family. It was refurbished a century later under the orders of Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps. It officially opened as part of the National Museum of Rome in 1997.

With stunning staircases and other intricate features, the building is worthy of admiration for any architecture lover. Many rooms feature frescoes on walls and ceilings, wood beams and intricately tiled floors. Here, you’ll find Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian art and other notable works.

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

This beautiful Renaissance-style palace houses some of the best archaeological and classical art collections in the world, displayed across four floors. Here, you’ll find treasures from the Greek and Roman world, including frescoes from the ruins of Roman villas, which were found during the excavation that began in 1870. You can also marvel at the numerous sculptures, mosaics, sarcophagi and reliefs, and portraits of famous figures from the past.

Baths of Diocletian

The Baths of Diocletian was once the largest bath complex in ancient Rome. The museum highlights the grandeur of Roman engineering and includes historical documents and artifacts from the second century. The Baths of Diocletian are located inside the Thermae Diocletian, a large complex of ruins worth exploring.

Crypta Balbi

The Crypta Balbi is a museum located inside the ruins of an ancient Roman theatre. This museum contains a collection of artifacts from the theatre excavation and a reconstruction of what it would have looked like in its heyday. The Crypta Balbi is worth visiting for history buffs and anyone interested in ancient Roman architecture, as it offers insight into life in Rome through the centuries.

The National Etruscan Museum/Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia

The National Etruscan Museum is located in the Villa Giulia, a beautiful Renaissance villa built originally for Pope Julius III between 1550 and 1555. Here, you’ll find a collection of Etruscan art and artifacts and a library with over 100,000 volumes. The National Etruscan Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history and culture of the Etruscans.

Villa Farnesina

The Villa Farnesina is one of Rome’s most majestic Renaissance buildings, named after its previous owner, Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. It’s located in the Trastevere district and is adorned with breathtaking frescoes by Raphael and other renowned artists. The museum contains a collection of artworks by Raphael and other Renaissance artists like Sebastiano del Piombo and Peruzzi.

Like many other museums in Rome, the building itself is worthy of admiration. The villa Farnesina is an important example of the luxury and opulence that characterized Italian society during the Renaissance and is definitely worth visiting for anyone interested in Renaissance art.

National Gallery of Modern Art/ Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna

The National Gallery of Modern Art is one of Rome’s most important museums. This museum contains a collection of over 5,000 paintings and sculptures dating from the neoclassical period to the abstract works from the 1960s, including art from the  Futurist, Cubist, Dadaist and abstract art movements.

The National Gallery of Modern Art is the perfect place to see the development of Italian and European art from the 18th century to the present day. Here, you’ll also find works by Paul Cezanne, Antonio Canova, Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh.

Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica

The Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica is Located in the Palazzo Barberini, a beautiful 17th-century palace featuring a masterpiece fresco by Pietro da Cortona. The museum contains a collection of art from the 13th to 18th centuries. Here, you’ll find works by artists like Andrea del Sarto, Tintoretto, El Greco, Tiziano, Bernini, Nicolas Poussin and Pietro da Cortona.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo is located inside the Castel Sant’Angelo. It was built as a mausoleum of the Roman emperor Hadrian some 1,900 years ago. It was fortified and converted into a castle and home to the popes during the Middle Ages.

The museum contains a collection of art and artifacts from the time of the Roman Empire, Renaissance paintings and rare pieces of medieval weaponry. Castel Sant’Angelo is worth visiting for anyone interested in ancient history and is one of my favourite museums in Rome after dark.

Once a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, then a fortress and papal residence, Castel Sant’Angelo now serves as a museum showcasing Renaissance paintings, medieval weaponry, and historical artifacts. It offers one of the best views of Vatican City and the Tiber River, making it a must-visit.

Galleria Spada

Located in the exquisite mid-16th century palazzo of the same name, Galleria Spada is home to paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. The collection includes works by great artists such as Titian, Guercino and Artemisia Gentileschi. The museum preserves the original aristocratic layout, with richly decorated rooms and paintings arranged in dense, salon-style displays, offering a glimpse into noble life during the Baroque period.

One of the museum’s most famous attractions is Francesco Borromini’s forced perspective colonnade. This optical illusion makes a short corridor appear much longer than it really is, demonstrating the architect’s genius. The palazzo itself is a masterpiece, with an elegant courtyard, intricate facade and decorative frescoes that make the visit as much about architecture as it is about art.

Palazzo Colonna

One of Rome’s grandest palaces, Palazzo Colonna opens to the public only on Saturday mornings. This lavish Baroque residence has been home to the Colonna family for centuries and features rooms filled with gold-framed paintings, elaborate frescoes and antique furniture. The Great Hall, decorated with dazzling mirrors and intricate stucco work, is a must-see and worth seeing.

The palace’s art collection includes works by artists such as Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni and Bronzino. You can also check out the palace gardens, which provide a peaceful escape from Rome’s busy streets.

Museo delle Mura

If you’re interested in Roman fortifications, head to the Museo delle Mura. It’s a small museum inside the Aurelian Walls that offers free admission. Here, you can learn about the defensive structures of ancient Rome and check out displays on the history of the walls, construction techniques, and their role in protecting the city.

Don’t miss the opportunity to walk along a preserved section of the Aurelian Walls. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Rome while imagining how soldiers once stood guard over the city. The museum also features multimedia displays that show how the walls evolved over time, making it a fascinating visit for history buffs.

Galleria Corsini

This lesser-known museum is part of the National Gallery of Ancient Art and is located near the Tiber River. Housed in an elegant Baroque palace, it contains an impressive collection of works by Caravaggio, Rubens and Guido Reni. The museum also showcases pieces by Van Dyck, Murillo, and other European masters from 16th- and 17th-century art.

A unique feature of Galleria Corsini is its original 18th-century arrangement, which presents paintings in the manner of a private collection rather than a modern gallery. You can admire stunning frescoed ceilings and opulent interiors while exploring lesser-known but equally captivating artworks.

Museo Napoleonico

This small museum near Piazza Navona is home to artifacts related to Napoleon Bonaparte and his family. Here, you can find portraits, personal belongings and historical documents. The collection was donated by Count Giuseppe Primoli, a descendant of the Bonaparte family, and offers a fascinating look into Napoleon’s legacy in Italy.

Among the highlights are striking neoclassical paintings and sculptures that depict Napoleon and his relatives. Personal objects, such as Empress Josephine’s jewelry and Napoleon’s correspondence, give a glimpse into the private lives of the Bonaparte family. Admission is free, making this museum a hidden gem for history lovers.

Carlo Bilotti Museum/Museo Carlo Bilotti

Located in the Villa Borghese Park is a small museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, featuring works by artists like Giorgio de Chirico and Andy Warhol. It focuses on surrealism, metaphysical art and pop art. Here, you can see de Chirico’s dreamlike paintings and Warhol’s famous portrait of Lisa Bilotti. The collector Carlo Bilotti funded the museum and donated 23 pieces from his collection.

In addition to permanent collections, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions featuring contemporary Italian and international artists. Entry is free, making it an easy addition to any Rome itinerary.

Museo di Roma

Housed in the stunning Palazzo Braschi near Piazza Navona, the Museo di Roma explores the city’s evolution through paintings, photographs, and historical documents. Its collection spans from the Renaissance to the 19th century, showcasing how Rome changed over time. You can see depictions of historical events, portraits of important figures, and everyday scenes that bring the city’s past to life.

The museum also features an impressive collection of maps, prints, and antique furniture, helping to recreate the atmosphere of different eras. Temporary exhibitions often focus on specific aspects of Roman history, from fashion to festivals. With its grand staircases and beautiful frescoed ceilings, the building perfectly blends history and art.

Centrale Montemartini

This museum is one of Rome’s most unique exhibition spaces, housed in a former power plant. Centrale Montemartini juxtaposes ancient sculptures with industrial machinery, creating a striking contrast between antiquity and modernity. The collection includes stunning statues recovered from major archaeological sites, including the Roman Forum. It features intricate mosaics and sarcophagi that once adorned imperial palaces.

The museum’s dramatic setting enhances the experience, as classical marble statues stand against towering steam turbines and iron pipes. One of the highlights is the Capitoline Venus, a beautiful representation of the goddess of love. This unusual combination of art and technology makes Centrale Montemartini an unforgettable museum, perfect for those seeking something different from traditional galleries.

Vatican Museums

The famous Vatican Museums are one of the most visited museums in the world. Although the Vatican City is its own state, you can’t skip the Vatican Museums while talking about museums in Rome. Here, you’ll find an immense collection of art, history and religious artifacts that spans centuries. Highlights include the Raphael Rooms, where you can see stunning frescoes like The School of Athens, and the Gallery of Maps, which showcases detailed Renaissance-era maps of Italy.

The most famous attraction is the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment. The museums also contain treasures from around the world, including ancient Egyptian statues, Etruscan artifacts and Renaissance masterpieces.

Final thoughts on museums in Rome

Rome is easily one of my fave cities and offers an excellent selection of museums to get lost in. Here, you can find works of art by famous artists and walk in the footsteps of those who ruled here. Many of the museums in Rome are housed in stunning villas that are equally impressive, which only adds to the appeal.

Don’t forget that many museums in Rome offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. You can also get the MIC card, which offers discounted admission to museums across the city. If you’re looking for something different to explore during your next trip, check out some of these fantastic museums in Rome and see for yourself.