Exclusive Tour of the Pope's Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo

This unique tour begins with the most exclusive half-day trip from Rome – to the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo, including a visit with an audioguide to Villa Barberini gardens and to the apostolic Papal Palace, overlooking the lake Albano.

Discover one of the most exclusive destinations recently opened to the public by Pope Francis
Enjoy a full view of Lake Albano during the visit to the Apostolic Palace with your audioguide
Explore the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo
Admire Pope’s private gardens on an ecological golf car using your audioguide
Have lunch inside the Papal gardens area at the Papal “Padiglione del riposo”

itinerary

This exclusive half-day trip from Rome begins with a bus ride from the meeting point at Via Cavour building 224 to the Pope’s Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo. One of Italy’s most scenic towns, located only 15 miles southeast of Rome, it is understandable why Popes have chosen this spot as their sanctuary for hundreds of years.
Recently opened to the public by Pope Francis, the Papal Palace – also known as the Apostolic Palace was designed by Carlo Maderno - the same architect as St. Peter’s Basilica’s facade. Previously off-limits, you can now discover the rare history and treasures contained in this extravagant yet intimate interior, including the works of Bernini.
You arrive to the top of this secluded, charming town, where your exclusive Apostolic Palace sightseeing audio guided tour begins. This audioguided tour will last about an hour. From the Apostolic Palace you will head towards Pope’s private and luxurious Barberini Gardens where you will have the chance to explore them by an ecological golf car for about one hour, using your audio guide. After your visit to the Pope’s gardens, you will have about an hour lunch break to taste some delicious food chosen for you directly from Pope’s Residence fresh products.
Around 1:00 PM your driver will pick you up to ride you back to Rome (dropping you at the same point of the departure).

what's included

Admission fees to the Papal Palace and gardens
Ecological golf car for the Papal gardens
Audio guide in your selected language
Small group (25 people maximum)
Lunch
Bus or minivan from the meeting point and back

what's not included

Pick-up and drop off from hotel
Live tour guide

meeting point

Your meeting point is at the bus stop, right under Via Cavour building 224 (take Metro CAVOUR stop on Line B). Please arrive 25 minutes before the start of your tour to check-in with a member of our staff.

ending point

Same location as the meeting point - Via Cavour 224 at the bus stop.

important information

Please note - Papal palace and Gardens have security restrictions.

Due to metal detectors at the entrances it is forbidden to bring the following: Weapons and blunt objects (knives, long umbrellas, etc.), glass bottles, aerosol sprays, and alcohol, bicycles, skates, and segways, luggage, pets