Best Art Museums and Galleries in Rome

1. MAXXI National Museum of the 21st Century Arts

MAXXI, more popularly known as the National Museum of Art of the 21st Century is considered as Italy’s melting pot of contemporary and modern art. It’s the first ever Roman museum dedicated to contemporary art and is home to a vast collection that includes the works of world-famous contemporary artists in the likes of Kara Walker, Alighiero Boetti, William Kentridge, and Ed Ruscha. The magnificent building itself is an icon. It’s the masterpiece of world-renowned Iraqi architect, Zaha Hadid.

TIPS:Make sure you keep your entrance tickets until you exit out of the building. Museum staffs may ask to see the tickets as you explore through the museum.

Address:Via Guido Reni, 4/a, 00196 Roma RM

2. Vatican Museums

You can never leave Rome without visiting the Vatican Museums. In fact, you should allocate at least a day to check out this famous museum in Rome. It will take you to an exciting trip towards 20 centuries of astonishing collections of history and art in a hastening sequence of emotion that will surely leave you speechless. Some of the art collections that are on display are those art pieces collected by popes all throughout the centuries, which include several world-renowned Roman sculptures, along with significant masterpieces of the Renaissance art. As one of the most popular museums in the world, you can expect a long queue at the Vatican Museums so you better get your ticket in advance.

Address:Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy

3. Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, also known as the MACRO, is a museum that’s dedicated to showcasing the numerous national and international contemporary arts that were put together through an expressive mosaic of various languages. Designed by French Architect Odile Decq, the museum’s new building covers almost 4,350 square meters of space. It also includes a general public zone that consists of a terrace, bookshop, conference hall, restaurant, car park, bar, and a teaching area.

Address:Via Nizza, 138, 00198 Roma RM

4. National Roman Museum

The National Roman Museum comprises of four different museums scattered across the various places in the city. This group of museum was established in 1889 and was inaugurated after a year during Italy’s unification, with the goal of gathering antique collections from the 5th century BC until the 3rd century AD. The four museums that make up the National Roman Museum are the Thermal Baths Of Diocleziano, Palazzo Massimo, Crypta Balbi, and Palazzo Altemps.

TIPS:When visiting the area, make sure you check out the other attractions nearby, such as the Navona Square, a square used in the ancient times for sports competitions, etc.

Address:Viale Lincoln, 3, 00144 Roma RM, Italy

5. Galleria Borghese Museum

The Borghese Gallery features a noteworthy art collection that dates back to the 15th and 18th century. It’s housed in a beautiful mansion known as the Villa Borghese. The mansion’s garden is also a popular attraction in Rome and is considered the third largest park in the city. Borghese Gallery also features an important part of collection that Cardinal Scipione Borghese has started around 1576 and 1633. Aside from being an avid collector of the work of Caravaggio, the cardinal is also a big fan of Bernini. Thus, the museum showcases an extensive collection of both of the famous artists’ works.

TIPS:As one of the most popular museums in the world, the Borghese Gallery is extremely popular. Thus, booking your ticket in advance is necessary and only those that have prepaid ticket will be allowed in. To book your ticket, check out Skip The Line Borghese Gallery And Gardens Walking

Address:Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5, 00197 Roma RM

6. Capitoline Museums

Established in 1471, the Capitoline Museum is said to be the world’s oldest national museum. It consists of two buildings that are facing each within the Piazza del Campidoglio. The museum houses interesting sculptures and there are also art galleries at the second floor. Most of the collections in the museum are linked to Rome and most of the temporary exhibits came from the city itself.

TIPS:Check out the popular rooftop restaurant that opens to the impressive views of the city.

Address:Piazza del Campidoglio, 1, 00186 Roma RM