Castel Gandolfo Tour: Explore Papal Summer Palace
4.3
32 Ratings
Castel Gandolfo

Immerse yourself in the life of Popes with a walking tour of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo. Explore botanical wonders, visit the Papal Apartment, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the Papal Gardens.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo - Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Secret Garden with a knowledgeable Vatican staff member.
  • Pontifical Palace - Explore the Papal Apartment independently and delve into 500 years of history. Stroll through the bedroom, private chapel, library, and study. Admire the balcony where Popes delivered the Angelus each summer Sunday.
What's Included
  • Secret Garden entry ticket
  • Papal Apartments entry ticket
What's Not Included
  • Food and Drinks
  • Guided tour
  • Transportation to Castel Gandolfo
  • Audioguide
Additional Information

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome by exploring the captivating Italian countryside, a true haven of art and history. Discover the charming village of Castel Gandolfo, which overlooks the serene blue waters of Lake Albano and is centered around the Pope’s Summer Palace.
Accompany a Vatican staff member on a guided walking tour of the Secret Garden….

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Location
Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(32 Ratings)
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1 star
Okezie_n
Jul 24, 2025
Fun with the Popes - I loved this self-paced tour of Castel Gandolfo and the Papal Palace. It was so historical and fun. I learned a lot about the popes as well as the astronomical tower/telescope.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_l
Jun 16, 2025
Best Of The Best - Excellent service from start to finish. Andrea knew so much of the history and explained it in a way that wasn't like sitting in a classroom but came alive. His choices of locations to visit were the "best of the best"! He was also extremely flexible! It simply couldn't have been better.
Review provided by Viator
Joseph_a
May 23, 2025
Very peaceful and very... - Very peaceful and very clean. Good for family and friends. Highly recommended to others. We will be back
Review provided by Viator
Simonc813
May 14, 2025
Not been here since i was 10 (a looong time ago when the Pope (Pius VI) was in residence. - Something different to do around Rome. Catching the train to Castel Gandolfo, walking up to the Papal Apartments (steep), the tour round the apartments where all the staff were more than helpful and the beautiful setting for lunch in one of the local restaurants made this a really enjoyable day out. On a May weekday the place was empty and I would recommend the visit for a break from the hustle of Rome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robertacj6026zy
Apr 11, 2025
Borgo and specola - Papal summer residence overlooking the village and the lake in which the landscape is reflected. Interesting the specola with astrophysical telescope of the 30s, but still working and the walk to the station in the middle of the Mediterranean scrub with the borage in bloom. The village deserves, the overall visit a day from Rome
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherpa57794104694
Mar 17, 2025
The interior ticket is absolutely worth it - We visited both the outdoor area and the indoor apartments. The history that accompanies the interior apartments is the result of much, much love, especially as regards the welcome made during the bombings of the Second World War. The first part really touches your soul. A visit to the quarters of the popes, on the other hand, allows you to reconstruct the beauty and history of the Roman curia up to the present day. A real treat for the eyes. Thanks to the guide Valentina Puglia for her skill and her fascinating and engaging explanations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mauriziovi3919ob
Mar 16, 2025
As expected - Sightseeing tour as expected. Very nice view of Rome. Affordable accessibility, nothing challenging even with slight motor problems.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cymricj
Oct 31, 2024
Lovely way to spend a quieter day near Rome - What a nice way to spend part of a day. We took the train from Rome ( trains leave about once an hour) and really enjoyed spending a quieter day seeing a beautiful site. We visited both the Papal Apartments and Garden ( these gardens are lovely but not too big) and we took the separate tour of the Barbarini Gardens which were large and beautiful. The two sites are very close to each other in this small town but they are two separate tickets. Make sure to get your return tickets ordered before going to Castel Gadolfo since there is no one selling tickets there. You can buy on line but take in to consideration that cell service might not be good. The train tickets from Rome were very reasonable - something like 4 Euros each.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lana_m
Jun 20, 2025
Beautiful experience - This is a very beautiful place in a spectacular landscape. The palace is full of amazing art and historical pieces. It is mostly silent which lends to the feeling like you must whisper. The guards outside were very friendly and helpful to my mother who walks with a cane and gave her a ride in the golf cart to the secret garden.
Review provided by Viator
Dominique
Jun 20, 2025
Tickets not delivered on time - I didn't get the tickets in time! TripAdvisor's service was not there! I am disappointed by TripAdvisor
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $28
From $28
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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