Home Palace Of Castel Gandolfo
Take a day trip from Rome to the stunning village of Castel Gandolfo and explore the Papal Palace and the Barberini Gardens. Overlooking Lake Albano, the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo is the summer residence of the Pope and is now open to the public. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding countryside.
You can customize your tour, starting from your hotel or cruise. Choose the time and what to see, such as the Villa Pontificie, also known as the Apostolic Palace.
Tour info
This historic summer residence of the Popes features a Baroque palace, the beautiful Barberini Gardens, and the ruins of the villa of Emperor Domitian.
Rome Transfer Services can organize numerous daily excursions, the most requested are: Rome City Tour, Rome: The Top 10 Reasons not to Be Missed, The 5 Best Rome Shore Excursions from Civitavecchia Cruise Terminal, Shopping in Rome Outlet Castel Romano and much more .
Starting from your hotel or cruise in Civitavecchia, our Castel Gandolfo tour begins in the morning. Our driver will take you to the village of Castel Gandolfo, which has been the summer residence of the Popes for 400 years. Until 2016, the Apostolic Palace was closed to the public, but now you can explore it with an official Vatican audio guide in your preferred language. You can admire the Palace’s architecture, its ceremonial rooms with paintings and historical relics, and even the private chapel and bedroom used by the Popes. Finally, you can stand on the same balcony used by the Pope for Sunday Mass.
Strolling through the Apostolic Palace, you will uncover the building’s role in the Pope’s daily life and its past use as a refuge. Then, our tour of Castel Gandolfo continues with a visit to the Barberini Garden, which you will explore with an electric train and official Vatican audio guide. As your guide narrates the story of the Pope’s gardens, built on the remains of Emperor Domitian’s villa, you can admire the stunning view of Lake Albano.
The gardens feature ancient ruins, lush terraces with geometric shapes, and old trees. Afterwards, we will take a walk in the picturesque village of Castel Gandolfo, one of the most beautiful in Italy. Explore the main square, where the Pope attended Sunday mass, and take in the breathtaking view of the lake, perfect for a panoramic photo.
With the help of your driver, you will be advised on the best places to visit. You will have free time to enjoy a relaxing and delicious lunch in one of the many local restaurants, and savor authentic Italian cuisine. Our Castel Gandolfo tour includes a round trip to Rome by private car and van. So, if you wish, you can take a break to explore the village before returning to the ship or hotel in Rome.
