We are processing your request.
Please, don't close or refresh the page.
Tickets Help
Home » Plan Your Visit to Capitoline Museums, Rome: Tips & Info
Capitoline Museums Rome 3
The right hand of the Colossus of Constantine: the marble fragments of the Colossus of Constantine were placed by Michelangelo in the Palazzo dei Conservatori

Capitoline Museums – Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to The Capitoline Museums

Preparing for your visit to the Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums) helps ensure a rich and rewarding cultural experience at the world’s oldest public museum. Below you will find essential information to assist you with planning your trip, including ticket options, visitor guidelines, amenities, accessibility, and tips for making the most of your visit.

Capitoline Museums – Ticket Information

Purchase Options: Tickets for the Musei Capitolini can be bought online in advance or at the museum entrance. Booking online is advisable to guarantee entry at your preferred time and to avoid waiting in queues.

Types of Tickets: This site offers 2 types of tickets:

Museum of the Roman Empire (Capitoline Museum) + Multimedia Experience of Ancient Rome
Capitoline Museums and Centrale Montemartini with multimedia video

Capitoline Museums – Location & Hours

The Capitoline Museums are centrally located atop the historic Capitoline Hill in Rome, providing easy access from all major parts of the city.

Official Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.

Regular Operating Hours: The museums are open every day of the week, from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

Last Admission: Visitors are admitted until one hour before closing time, at 6:30 PM.

Closed Days: The Museums are fully closed on May 1st (Labor Day) and December 25th (Christmas Day).

Reduced Hours: On December 24th (Christmas Eve) and December 31st (New Year's Eve), the museums close early at 2:00 PM.

Capitoline Museums - Tips for Visitors

Allocate Sufficient Time: The Capitoline Museums are extensive, and we highly recommend setting aside two and a half to three hours for a complete visit to appreciate all the main works without rushing.

Prioritize Online Booking: Secure your admission and enjoy a priority entrance by purchasing your ticket online, which helps you avoid potential waiting times at the ticket office.

Enhance Your Exploration: When booking online, you can also reserve essential resources like audio guides or video guides in your preferred language, or arrange for accompaniment by an expert museum guide.

Utilize the Cloakroom: Immediately upon entering the Palazzo dei Conservatori, use the convenient checkroom to store bulky items like backpacks and jackets, ensuring you can explore the galleries unencumbered.

Take a Scenic Break: Plan a stop halfway through your route at the panoramic terrace equipped with a bar at Palazzo Caffarelli to enjoy a moment of refreshment and breathtaking city views.

Accessibility and Mobility: The museum complex has made specific provisions for visitors with reduced mobility, installing elevators and stairlifts to access all visitable floors. Additionally, video guides in sign language can be reserved for deaf visitors.

Capitoline Museums - Accessibility

View of the Foro Romano from the Capitoline Museums

The museums are committed to providing an inclusive experience, with routes specifically designed to accommodate visitors with mobility impairments.

Although the historical nature of the palace buildings presents unique challenges, the site is equipped with elevators, ramps, and stairlifts to connect the different floors and wings, including the Galleria Lapidaria and the Tabularium viewpoint.

Visitors with disabilities and their accompanying companions are generally granted free admission upon presentation of the required documentation.

For convenience, the museum provides a limited number of wheelchairs for loan; it is advisable to contact the museum in advance to reserve one.

Special resources like LIS (Italian Sign Language) video guides and tactile aids are available to enhance the experience for deaf or visually impaired guests.

Capitoline Museums - Additional Info

The Capitoline Museums offer essential services to enhance the comfort and convenience of your visit. A complimentary cloakroom service is available, and for the security of the artwork, staff may require that large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas be checked. Visitors should also note that the use of baby strollers is typically permitted within the museum premises.

The museum complex also features key logistical aids, including a main ticket counter where staff can provide information regarding various admission options, guided tours, and video or audio guide rentals. Dedicated room assistants are stationed throughout the galleries to provide general information about the exhibits and to ensure the proper preservation and protection of the collection.

A dedicated bookshop or souvenir store is located within the museum complex, offering a curated selection of items related to the collections and the history of Rome. This is the ideal place to find high-quality educational materials, including museum guides and exhibition catalogues in various languages, as well as specialised texts on Greek and Roman art and history.

The shop also features a selection of unique mementos and gift items, often inspired by the iconic masterpieces displayed throughout the galleries, such as the Capitoline Wolf or the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. It serves as a comprehensive resource for visitors wishing to take home a piece of the world's oldest public museum.

For a relaxing break during your visit, the Capitoline Museums feature a Cafeteria located on the scenic Terrazza Caffarelli. This spot offers standard refreshments, including coffee, snacks, and light meals. Access to this dining area is typically available both to museum visitors and those coming directly from the street.

The terrace seating is a significant draw, providing spectacular, panoramic views over the rooftops of Rome, the Vittoriano monument, and the surrounding city centre. It offers a unique opportunity to rest and recharge while enjoying one of the city's finest vantage points.

Things to Know Before Visiting the Capitoline Museums

Book your tickets online in advance, especially during peak season, to guarantee entry and bypass long queues.

Photography is generally permitted for personal use, but flash photography and the use of tripods are strictly prohibited.

The collection is spread across two main buildings, the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, connected by an underground tunnel.

The visit requires a significant amount of walking and standing, so wearing comfortable shoes is highly recommended.

Large bags, backpacks, and bulky umbrellas are not permitted inside the galleries and must be deposited in the complimentary cloakroom.

Plan for at least two to three hours to fully appreciate the major artworks and the architectural design of the complex.

Be sure to locate the Tabularium viewpoint for an unmissable panoramic view overlooking the Roman Forum.

The museum complex is situated on the Capitoline Hill, which requires an uphill walk via the Cordonata or the nearby access road.

Capitoline Museums - Nearby Attractions

Due to its prime location in Rome's historic centre, the Capitoline Museums are surrounded by some of the world's most famous ancient and architectural sites.

Piazza del Campidoglio: The museums are situated directly on this magnificent piazza, which was entirely designed by Michelangelo.

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: The museums’ Tabularium offers a spectacular, elevated view directly overlooking these vast archaeological ruins.

Altar of the Fatherland (Vittoriano): This immense national monument to Victor Emmanuel II is located immediately at the base of the Capitoline Hill on Piazza Venezia.

Santa Maria in Aracoeli: This ancient basilica is located on the adjacent peak of the Capitoline Hill and is accessible via a long, steep staircase.

Trajan’s Column and Markets: Located near Piazza Venezia, these well-preserved structures offer further insight into the architecture of Imperial Rome.

4.7
(6)

Museum of the Roman Empire (Capitoline Museum) + Multimedia Experience of Ancient Rome

Highlights

Gain expedited access to the Capitoline Museums without waiting in lines.

Discover exclusive temporary exhibits included in your visit.

Watch a captivating multimedia presentation about Ancient Rome.

Receive assistance at the designated Touristation Aracoeli office.

Benefit from a downloadable audio guide app focused on Rome.

4.6
(7)

Capitoline Museums and Centrale Montemartini with multimedia video

Highlights

Avoid queues with skip-the-line access to two notable Roman sites.

Explore extensive collections of art and artifacts at your own pace.

Experience an engaging multimedia video about ancient Rome.

Visit the Centrale Montemartini’s display of classical sculptures within an industrial setting.

Receive customer assistance at the Touristation Aracoeli office.

FAQs about Visiting the Capitoline Museums

Should I buy my ticket online or at the museum?

Booking online is strongly advised to guarantee your entry time and to avoid waiting in long queues at the museum.

How long should I plan to spend at the museums?

It is recommended to set aside two and a half to three hours to fully appreciate all the main works in the extensive complex.

Are there specific days the museums are closed?

Yes, the museums are fully closed only on May 1st (Labor Day) and December 25th (Christmas Day).

What are the regular opening and closing times?

The standard operating hours are 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM every day.

What is the best way to get to the museums?

The museums are centrally located near Piazza Venezia, which is well-served by bus and the Colosseo Metro stop.

Can I bring my large backpack inside?

No, large bags, backpacks, and bulky umbrellas are not permitted and must be stored in the complimentary cloakroom.

Are there resources for visitors with hearing impairments?

Yes, special video guides recorded in Italian Sign Language (LIS) can be reserved for deaf visitors.

Can I take a break and get a coffee during my visit?

Yes, there is a Cafeteria located on the scenic Terrazza Caffarelli, which offers snacks and light meals.

Are audio guides available for rent?

Yes, audio guides, video guides, and expert-led tours can all be reserved, especially when booking your ticket online.

Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, despite the historical architecture, the complex is equipped with elevators and stairlifts to connect the different floors.

Do visitors with disabilities receive free entry?

Yes, visitors with disabilities and their accompanying companion are generally granted free admission with the required documentation.

Is photography allowed in the galleries?

Photography is permitted for personal use, but please note that flash and tripods are strictly prohibited.

Where can I go to find souvenirs and books?

There is a dedicated bookshop and souvenir store on-site offering guides, exhibition catalogues, and unique mementos.

Are there any famous sites located immediately nearby?

Yes, the museums directly overlook the Roman Forum and are steps away from the Altar of the Fatherland (Vittoriano) in Piazza Venezia.

This website sells official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

The images and videos on this website may contain visual elements that have been created or enhanced using AI technology. They are provided for illustrative purposes only.