Timed-entry ticket
Borghese Gallery Entry Ticket with Escorted Entrance
The cheapest way into the gallery among these options, and the simplest choice for a New Year's Eve morning if you already know what you want to see.
The short answer
Plan on 31 December, and treat 1 January as unconfirmed
Thursday 31 December 2026 falls on a regular museum opening day, so the Borghese Gallery is expected to keep its usual hours unless a special holiday notice says otherwise. Friday 1 January 2027 is different. The official visiting page lists 1 January as a closure day, but the museum ran a special opening on New Year's Day 2026, and nothing has been announced for 2027 yet. Don't assume the gallery will be either open or closed on 1 January 2027 until the museum confirms it.
That distinction matters if you have only two or three days in Rome over New Year. The gallery is one of the city's most sought-after art museums, and its timed-entry system leaves little room for last-minute changes to your plans. Aim for 31 December if tickets are available, and if visiting on 1 January is essential, wait for the official notice before making non-refundable plans. If you are in Rome for the days before, our Christmas 2026 guide covers 23 to 29 December; for the rest of January, see Borghese Gallery in January 2027.
New Year dates go early · check yours
Borghese Gallery Ticket + Audioguide or Guided Tour
$90 · 4.5★ (3,703 reviews) · 1 – 3 hrs · Reserved timed entry, with the audio guide or a live guided tour chosen at booking. The calendar shows whether 30 December, 31 December or 2 January can still be booked.
30 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
Borghese Gallery New Year opening hours, 2026–27
These are the gallery's regular rules applied to the New Year dates. Open days are expected regular opening days, not a confirmed holiday announcement.
| Date | Day | Current status | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 December 2026 | Wednesday | Normally open, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | A sensible alternative to New Year's Eve; reserve a timed slot |
| 31 December 2026, New Year's Eve | Thursday | Normally open, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; a holiday change is not ruled out | Check the museum's official notices and book ahead |
| 1 January 2027, New Year's Day | Friday | Listed as closed; a special opening for 2027 is not confirmed | Don't count on admission until the museum announces it |
| 2 January 2027 | Saturday | Normally open, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | A good fallback, but reserve early |
| 3 January 2027 | Sunday | First Sunday of the month: free admission, reservation required | Watch for the free-ticket release, 10 days before |
The gallery's standard schedule is Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last admission at 5:45 p.m. It normally closes on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January, but special openings can override those dates, so check the official visiting page before you settle a New Year itinerary. Every slot and closure is listed in our opening hours guide.
Listed as closed, opened in 2026
Why 1 January 2027 needs special attention
The museum announced a special opening on Thursday 1 January 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the last entry at 12:45 p.m. Reservations were compulsory. It was a one-off exception, not a standing promise that the gallery opens every New Year's Day.
When we checked on 4 November 2026, the official site still listed 1 January as a closure and had published nothing for 2027. Check the gallery's announcements and its ticket calendar in late December. Be wary of any third-party article that repeats the generic "closed on 1 January" rule without mentioning the exception, and of one that assumes the 2026 opening will happen again.
If a 2027 opening is announced and follows the 2026 pattern, expect a short window: four hours of opening leaves only a handful of entry slots, so book the moment tickets appear.
31 December
Should you visit on New Year's Eve?
Yes, if the museum confirms its hours and you can reserve the time you want. New Year's Eve suits visitors who want a substantial indoor art visit without giving up the whole day. A standard ticket allows a visit of about two hours, so you can see the collection in the morning or early afternoon and still have the evening free for dinner and the celebrations elsewhere in Rome.
The gallery is compact enough for a morning, and its draw is the concentration of major works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Canova and Raphael inside the historic Borghese villa. A guided tour helps first-time visitors who want to understand what they are seeing without reading up on each room beforehand.
A few practical cautions:
- Book the museum before your evening plans. Secure the gallery slot first, then arrange the rest of the day's sightseeing around it.
- Allow extra travel time. Holiday timetables, traffic controls and festivities can slow journeys across central Rome; check local transport information closer to 31 December.
- Don't confuse the park with the gallery. You can walk through Villa Borghese without a museum ticket, but the Borghese Gallery itself needs a separate timed reservation.
- Avoid the last slot if you want a full-length visit. The 5:45 p.m. admission ends at 7 p.m., less time than the regular two hours.
Ticket, audio guide, small group or private
How to book Borghese Gallery tickets over New Year
Advance reservation is compulsory for every visitor, including those entitled to free entry. Admission runs in timed shifts of up to 180 people, so you cannot plan to turn up on 31 December and buy a ticket at the door.
| Ticket type | Best for | Check before you pay | Our pick on GetYourGuide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timed-entry ticket | Independent visitors on a budget | You reserve a specific entry time; nothing here implies live availability | Entry ticket with escorted entrance ($44 · 4.6★, 2,759 reviews) |
| Entry with audio guide | Travellers who want explanations at their own pace | Whether the guide is an app or a device, and which languages it covers | Entry ticket and audioguide app ($50 · 4.7★, 863 reviews) |
| Small-group guided tour | First-time visitors and art lovers | Guide language, whether admission is included, meeting point and cancellation terms | Guided tour with skip-the-line ticket ($169 · 4.7★, 2,836 reviews) |
| Private guided tour | Couples, families and travellers who want a tailored visit | Usually costs more; compare group-size limits and what is included | Private guided tour ($280 per group · 5.0★, only 3 reviews so far, so read them first) |
According to the official ticket page, standard adult admission is €16 plus a €2 reservation fee, and the final 5:45 p.m. slot is €11 plus the fee. Exhibition-related price changes can apply. These are the published prices at the time of writing, not a quote for 31 December or January 2027.
Start with the official Borghese Gallery ticket information. If you compare third-party tours, make sure the price includes admission and not only the guiding. A "skip-the-line" label does not let you bypass the compulsory timed entry or the museum's security checks. Our tickets guide explains how far ahead to book, and the tour comparison lines up the options for first-time visitors.
Ticket with audio guide
Borghese Gallery Entry Ticket and Audioguide App
A reserved slot plus commentary on your own phone, for visitors who want context for Bernini and Caravaggio but would rather not keep pace with a group on a busy holiday day.
Small-group guided tour
Borghese Gallery Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry
Fifteen people at most, with the entry slot included and a guide who links the sculptures to Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The gallery and gardens small-group tour ($63 · 4.7★, 2,892 reviews) adds a guided walk through Villa Borghese.
31 December, one clear plan
A New Year's Eve itinerary with the Borghese Gallery
A timed visit works best when it has one clear place in the day, not squeezed between several distant attractions.
Option A: an art-focused morning
- 1
9 to 11 a.m. · The Borghese Gallery
Choose a morning entry if one is available. Focus on Bernini's storytelling in marble, starting with Apollo and Daphne, the gallery's Caravaggio paintings and Canova's portrait of Pauline Bonaparte.
- 2
11 a.m. to noon · Villa Borghese
Step outside for a winter walk in the gardens. If the weather is poor, shorten this part rather than rushing the museum.
- 3
Lunchtime · A café or restaurant nearby
Take a relaxed break before carrying on, and confirm the venue's holiday hours directly.
- 4
Afternoon · The Spanish Steps and central Rome
Head down towards the historic centre at an easy pace, allowing for changed pedestrian routes and holiday events.
- 5
Evening · Dinner and the celebrations
Book the restaurant and choose your celebration separately from the museum; reserve ahead and check the event programme and transport closer to the date.
Option B: keep 31 December flexible
If you already have a late breakfast, family plans or an early dinner, choose a midday or early-afternoon gallery slot instead. Timed admission does not give you unlimited flexibility, though: arriving late can mean missing your visit. For the walk in from the centre, see how to get to the Borghese Gallery, and for the rest of the season, our winter guide.
New Year's Day plan B
What if you are in Rome only on 1 January?
If the museum announces a special opening for 1 January 2027, check the exact times, the ticket release and any special conditions. A shortened opening day means fewer entry slots to choose from.
If there is no special opening, make New Year's Day an outdoor day in Rome, weather permitting:
- 1
Villa Borghese park
Walk through Villa Borghese and take in the view from the Pincio terrace. The park is separate from the gallery and needs no ticket.
- 2
The Spanish Steps
Explore the steps and the streets around them at your own pace.
- 3
The Trevi Fountain
See the fountain and the surrounding historic centre, checking any access arrangements that apply on the day.
- 4
A long lunch
Choose a restaurant that has confirmed it is open on 1 January.
Some churches, museums and attractions keep shortened hours on New Year's Day, and transport can run differently from a normal Friday. Don't assume a ticketed attraction will open just because it usually opens on Fridays; check each venue's holiday schedule first. If your trip runs to Saturday 2 January, the Borghese Gallery's normal Saturday schedule makes that the better day to aim for, subject to ticket availability.
First Sunday of January
Is 3 January 2027 a free museum day?
Sunday 3 January 2027 is the first Sunday of January. Under the gallery's published first-Sunday policy admission is free, but booking is still compulsory and the €2 reservation fee applies unless you qualify for an exemption.
The museum releases first-Sunday tickets 10 days before the date. For 3 January that points to 24 December 2026, if the same release policy stays in place. Check the official booking system instead of assuming a release time or guaranteed stock.
A free ticket still has to be booked: the gallery states that no last-minute tickets are sold on free Sundays. If 3 January fits your trip it is a useful option, but if you want certainty, a standard paid slot on another day is the safer booking. The other free days of the year are listed on our best time to visit page.
Guide, audio guide or neither
Is a guided tour worth it over New Year?
A guided tour makes a difference if Rome is busy, your time is short, or the Borghese will be the only major art museum of your trip. A good guide connects Bernini's sculptures with the patronage of Cardinal Scipione Borghese and explains the dramatic choices Caravaggio made in his paintings. The small-group guided tour ($169 · 4.7★, 2,836 reviews) caps groups at fifteen.
You don't need a guide to get in, though. If a lower total cost and time to look at the art on your own matter more, book a normal timed-entry ticket and consider an audio guide, such as the entry ticket and audioguide app ($50 · 4.7★, 863 reviews).
Choose a guided tour if you value interpretation and a set route; choose self-guided admission if you already know the highlights or prefer to explore without a group. Our audio guide review covers visiting without a guide, and guided tours explained compares small-group and private visits.
Late December, early January
Practical tips for a New Year visit
- Dress for indoors and out. The museum is indoors, but reaching it means some walking through or around Villa Borghese, and Rome can feel chilly or damp in winter.
- Travel light. The museum restricts bags: only small bags within its published size limit go into the rooms, and cloakroom space is limited.
- Check any unfamiliar reseller. The museum warns visitors about unofficial sellers and overpriced tickets.
- Look at the exhibition calendar. Temporary exhibitions are usually part of the museum route and can affect ticket prices or which rooms are open.
- Respect your admission time. A Borghese ticket is for a particular entry slot, not a day-long window.
- Check the official site again near the holiday. Opening hours and special-event arrangements can change.
Frequently asked questions
New Year at the Borghese, answered
Is the Borghese Gallery open on 31 December 2026?
New Year's Eve 2026 is a Thursday, inside the gallery's regular Tuesday to Sunday schedule, so it is expected to open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No special holiday hours had been published when we checked on 4 November 2026. Confirm the schedule and book a timed slot before you rely on it.
Is the Borghese Gallery open on 1 January 2027?
Not confirmed. The official visiting page lists 1 January as a closure day, but in 2026 the museum ran a special New Year's Day opening. No notice for 2027 had been published by 4 November 2026, so check the official site in late December before planning a visit.
Was the Borghese Gallery open on 1 January 2026?
Yes. The museum announced a special opening on Thursday 1 January 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the last entry at 12:45 p.m. That announcement covered 2026 only, not every New Year's Day.
Do I need a reservation on New Year's Eve?
Yes. The gallery requires a timed reservation for every ticket category, free tickets included. A guided tour should clearly include a reserved admission time.
Can I visit Villa Borghese park if the gallery is closed?
Yes, the public park is separate from the ticketed museum. Check local access conditions, and remember that a walk in the park is no substitute for seeing the Borghese collection.
Is 3 January 2027 a free-entry Sunday?
It is the first Sunday of January 2027, so it falls under the museum's free first-Sunday policy as long as that policy stays unchanged. A reservation and the €2 booking fee are still required, and free-day tickets go on sale 10 days ahead, which points to 24 December 2026. Confirm on the official site.
Is the last entry slot good for New Year's Eve?
The 5:45 p.m. slot ends at 7 p.m., so it is shorter than the usual two-hour visit. If you want time for all the major highlights, choose an earlier slot, and check that no shortened holiday hours have been announced.
What is the safest alternative if 31 December tickets sell out?
Try 30 December or 2 January if your itinerary allows, once you have checked actual availability. If neither works, keep the Borghese Gallery for a future trip and use your New Year days for Rome attractions with confirmed opening hours.
Before you book
The bottom line
New Year's Eve, 31 December 2026, is the safer New Year date to plan for, because it is a normal opening day. New Year's Day 2027 is still uncertain: the gallery lists 1 January as closed, but its special opening in 2026 shows that exceptions happen. If the Borghese is a highlight of your Rome holiday, secure a confirmed entry slot and arrange the rest of your sightseeing around it.
For more seasonal planning, see our Borghese Gallery in winter guide, Borghese Gallery at Christmas 2026 and the best museums in Rome for a rainy day.
Sources, checked 4 November 2026
- Galleria Borghese: official visiting information, for opening hours, timed entries, closures and access rules.
- Galleria Borghese: official ticket information, for rates, the reservation fee and free-day bookings.
- Galleria Borghese: special opening on 1 January 2026, for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. New Year's Day hours.
- Holiday hours for 31 December 2026 and any 1 January 2027 opening had not been published on these dates; recheck them in late December. This page does not claim live ticket availability.