Palace of Castel Gandolfo: Tickets, Hours, and Visitor Information

Visit the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, featuring beautiful gardens and historic rooms. Make sure to book tickets in advance for a stress-free tour.

Castel Gandolfo, or the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, has been the pope’s summer residence since 1596, and it provides a stunning getaway 15 miles southeast of Rome.

Offering breathtaking views of Lake Albano, Castel Gandolfo was thrown open to the public in 2016, and the palace and its beautiful gardens (Villa Barberini) now invite visitors to explore centuries of papal history.

Here’s everything you need to know before booking your Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo tickets. 

Top Tickets

# Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Walking Tour
# Castel Gandolfo Kayak and Swimming Lake Tour
# Castel Gandolfo: Kayak Food and Wine Tour

It’s highly recommended to book your Palace of Castel Gandolfo tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Key takeaways

Castel Gandolfo has been the popes’ summer residence since 1596. Its beautiful Papal Gardens overlook Lake Albano, a small volcanic crater lake

Book your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines at the venue. It also ensures you secure your preferred time slot, as tickets can sell out quickly

You can choose from several tour experiences, such as the Pontifical Villas walking tour, a kayak tour on Lake Albano, or a unique Kayak Food and Wine tour

Adult ticket prices start from €24, and children aged 6 to 17 are eligible for a discounted ticket of €12. Kids under 5 can enter for free

Arrive early to make the best of your visit. The palace opens at 9 am, and at this hour, the attraction isn’t crowded, allowing you ample time to enjoy Gandolfo’s serene atmosphere

What’s ahead

Things to know before booking tickets

You can book Castel Gandolfo tickets online or at the venue, but buying them at the attraction may involve long wait times, especially during peak hours. Online tickets help you skip the queue, are often cheaper, and allow you to choose a preferred time slot in advance. Booking online also ensures availability and prevents last-minute sell-outs. After the purchase, the tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.

Castel Gandolfo’s Villa Barberini was built on the ruins of a villa belonging to the Roman emperor Domitian. It’s now home to the Vatican Observatory.

Palace of Castel Gandolfo tickets

There are different ways to explore this attraction. You can purchase tickets for a walking tour, a swimming lake tour offering a pristine view of Castel Gandolfo from a Kayak, or a Kayak Food and Wine Tour. 

Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Walking Tour

Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo Walking TourPin
Image: GetYourGuide.com

The tour starts with a Vatican staff leading you on a walking tour to the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo’s “green heart,” the famous gardens of the palace, Villa Barberini.

Enjoy your stroll around these botanical and architectural treasures and view the beautiful vineyards and orchards here.

You can further explore and enhance your trip by adding two attractions on your stroll: 

Pope’s Summer Residence

Adding this to your trip lets you explore the Papal Apartment and learn about the history of the Pope’s beloved summer residence. 

Get a chance to wander between the studio and the library and from the pope’s bedroom to the private chapel. 

Look out from the balcony where the Popes once led the Angelus every Sunday during summer. 

Picnic in the Papal Gardens 

Have a fun lunch in the garden picnic area. Enjoy a vegetarian or porchetta sandwich with bottled water, beer or wine, and traditional wine biscuits. 

The tour takes about 90 to 150 minutes (depending on the option selected) and is a must-visit on your trip to Rome. 

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): €24
Child (6 to 17 years): €12
Infant (up to 5 years): Free

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Recommended


Castel Gandolfo Kayak and Swimming Lake Tour

Castel Gandolfo Kayak and-Swimming Lake TourPin
Image: GetYourGuide.com

Take a kayak tour with many educational stops in the tranquil Albano Lake. 

Once you reach the meeting point, you will get a brief paddling, navigation, and communication tutorial.

Look at the Roman port of the Villa of Domitian, the Trampoline of the Pope, and a stunning beach only accessible by kayak. 

You can swim in the lake if the weather is cooperative. 

After this, you will pass the Popes’ vacation home along the journey, perched atop the Castel Gandolfo mountain and surrounded by unspoiled wilderness. 

Hearing the sound of the ocean lapping and the wildlife in the area is a singular and unforgettable experience.

Throughout the tour, your guide will aid you technically and provide tales and anecdotes about the lake. 

You can shower when you return to the starting location before returning to the capital.

The tour lasts for about 3 hours and starts at 10.30 am and 3.30 pm.

The crew will provide a kayak, paddle, life jacket, waterproof bag, and bottled water. 

You will also get transportation from Rome. 

Ticket Prices

Adult (14+ years): €36
Child (8 to 13 years): €28

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Kayak Food and Wine Tour

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Image: Book.tourdesk.it

Your tour will begin with you being helped with all the safety devices and the techniques for paddling and using the kayak.

Your first break will be at the village of the millstones, which consists of submerged stilt houses that you will see from your kayak.

After your break, you will engage in another stretch of paddling and admire the Pope’s summer residence on the Castel Gandolfo mountain.

You will then take a second break at the Roman port of the Villa of Domitian.

Your third stop will be the Pope’s Trampoline, where you can admire the old structure on the lake shore with the ancient papal coat of arms.

Later, you will dock on an uncontaminated beach reachable only by kayak, where, if the season allows, you will also dive and swim.

Ticket Price: €65 (per person)

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Buy a Roma Pass and visit one or two of Rome’s top attractions with access to public transport. Choose either a 48-hour or a 72-hour pass and get direct entry into the city’s famous gems. 


Frequently asked questions

Here are some questions tourists frequently ask before purchasing their tickets for Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace in Rome.

Does the Palace offer free tickets?

Yes, entry to the attraction is free for children aged five years and younger.

Can I buy tickets at the venue?

Yes, tickets are available at the venue’s ticket office. However, the popular timeslots may sell out due to high demand, so getting them online in advance is better.

Do we need to print online tickets?

Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at the Papal Palace.

What is the Palace’s arrival time?

When you book the attraction’s tickets, you must select a preferred time of visit. Keeping the security check in mind, you must arrive at least 15 minutes before your chosen time slot.

What is the Palace’s late arrival policy?

Entry to the attraction within one hour of closing time will not be allowed under any circumstances.

Does the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo offer discounts for locals?

Yes, the attraction offers discounted tickets to children between six and 18 years, individual students up to 25 years, individual priests, men and women religious seminarians and novices.

Does Roma Pass include access to the attraction?

The Roma Pass does not include the attraction in its go-to sightseeing list.

What is the Castel Gandolfo’s refund policy?

This attraction of Rome has a flexible cancellation policy. You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund.

How to reschedule the Palace’s ticket?

The attraction does not allow you to change the date and time of your visit under any circumstances.

What is the Palace’s rain policy?

The attraction is an all-weather experience, so all tickets are final.

Is there an age limit or restrictions for visitors to the Papal Palace of Castle Gandolfo?

There might not be strict age limits, but certain parts of the palace or estate might not be suitable for very young children or individuals with mobility issues due to staircases or uneven terrain.

Timings

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Image: GetYourGuide.com

Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. The last entry to the palace is at 4 pm.

The castle is closed on Sundays, except on every last Sunday of the month, when it is open from 9 am to 2 pm, with the last entry at 12.30 pm.

Other holidays are 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 10 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November, 8  December, 25  December, 26  December, and 31 December.

How long does the tour take

The Palace of Castel Gandolfo tour takes about 2 hours if you rush through the castle. 

Depending on the tour you choose, the time taken can vary. 

It can take longer than 2 hours if you plan to cover the palace at your own pace. 

Some people take a whole day to explore this magnificent castle. 

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo is as soon as it opens at 9 am. 

Morning is one of the best times to visit the palace, as the crowd has not yet reached the palace, and you can explore the place at your own pace. 

Get Instagram-worthy pictures as you stroll in the corridors of Pope’s summer residence.

How to reach

The Papal Palace is located in Castel Gandolfo, a small town 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Rome. 

Address: Piazza della Libertà, 00073 Castel Gandolfo RM, Italy. Get Directions

You can reach the location either by public transport or by car. 

By Bus

If you’re taking the Frascati – Ardea # CN924A, Frascati – Genzano di Roma # VL71A, Frascati – Pomezia # SG023A, Frascati – Pomezia # SG23A, etc., get off at ​Castel Gandolfo | Palazzo Apostolico

From there, take a 2-minute walk to the Palace of Castel Gandolfo. 

By Train 

If taking the REG red train, get off at ​Castel Gandolfo

From there, it is an 11-minute walk. 

By Car

You can take your car or rent a cab.

Put on Google Maps and get started!

There are many parking lots around the attraction. 

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Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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