Castel Gandolfo
The popes' summer palace above a crater lake, opened to the public when Francis decided not to use it.
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Popes escaped the Roman summer here from the 1620s, in a palace on the rim of the Albano crater looking down on the lake. Francis chose not to use it, and from 2014 the gardens and from 2016 the papal apartments opened as a museum, so the bedroom, the private chapel and the study can be seen. The gardens run over the ruins of Domitian's villa and include a working farm that once supplied the Vatican with milk and eggs. Barberini's town below has a Bernini fountain and church. The lake beneath hosted the 1960 Olympic rowing events.
What you actually see
- The papal apartments - bedroom, chapel and study, opened as a museum in 2016.
- The Barberini Gardens - terraces laid over the ruins of Domitian's villa.
- The papal farm - the dairy and gardens that supplied the Vatican.
- Lake Albano - the crater lake below, used for the 1960 Olympic rowing.
When to go
April to October; palace and gardens close Sundays and some holidays, and garden visits are timed. Summer weekends draw Roman day trippers.
Honest expectations
Garden entry is a timed guided visit and books out. The town is small and quickly seen. Lake access below involves a steep descent and limited parking.
Nearby
Ariccia lies south; Frascati is northeast.
What to pack for Castel Gandolfo
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.