Palatine Museum (Museo del Palatino)

The Basics

The archaeological remains located on Rome’s Palatine Hill are among the most fascinating in Italy, but the treasures recovered during excavations here are kept inside the Palatine Museum. This hilltop museum is home to a collection of artifacts, sculptures, frescoes, and mosaics dating from long before the city of Rome was officially founded to the golden age of the Palatine Hill in the first and second centuries. Also on display is an interesting reconstruction of the huts where Romulus, founder of Rome, and his brother Remus lived.

To best understand the archaeological ruins on Palatine Hill and the artifacts inside the museum, book a private tour led by an expert guide that includes the area’s most important imperial palaces—Emperor Domitian’s Domus Flavia, the House of Augustus, the Casa di Livia, and the Domus Augustana—and the Palatine Museum. You can combine many Palatine Hill and Museum tours with stops at the nearby Roman Forum and Colosseum, with a single ticket for access to all three sites.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Palatine Hill and the Palatine Museum are especially interesting for Roman history buffs.

• Older kids can also enjoy Ancient Rome tours of the Forum and Palatine Hill, especially when accompanied by an engaging guide.

• The site offers great views over the Roman Forum, so be sure to bring your camera.

• There is a lot of ground to cover in both the archaeological site and museum, so wear comfortable shoes.

• Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the Palatine Hill site or museum.

• The site is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers due to the rough terrain, but the museum is accessible.

How to Get There

The Palatine Museum is located on Palatine Hill just above the Roman Forum, with entrance from Via di San Gregorio. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo along line B.

When to Get There

Most of the archaeological ruins on Palatine Hill are outdoors, so it’s best to visit on a clear day. The museum collections are indoors, but you should visit both the park and museum in one go.

History of the Palatino Museum

The museum was first opened in the 1930s by the Italian archaeologist Alfonso Bartoli, who gathered artifacts found in the surrounding excavation site in this former 19th-century convent. After a long closure after World War II, the museum was renovated and reopened in the late 1960s.

Ways to explore

Count on around an hour for visiting the Palatine Museum. The museum is housed inside the former Monastery of Visitation, built in 1868 over an ancient palace. The permanent exhibit spans two floors. On the ground floor, learn about the origins of Palatine Hill as the site of Rome’s earliest settlements. Upstairs, check out archaeological finds dating back to the reign of Emperor Augustus and mosaics and frescoes uncovered from Domus Transitoria. Tickets to Palatine Hill include access to the Roman Forum; most also include the Colosseum, with the option to add the arena floor or panoramic attic.

Accessibility

Palatine Museum is only partially accessible; you need to climb up steep, uneven paths to reach the archaeological site.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Refillable water bottle, sunscreen, history book about imperial Rome

What to wear

Hat for sun protection, comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Glass bottles, trekking poles, tripods, backpacks

Amenities

Restrooms, water fountains, rest areas with benches

Address

The Palatine Museum is located on Palatine Hill, overlooking Circus Maximus and near the Colosseum. The entrance is on Via di San Gregorio. Its location in the heart of ancient Rome makes it easy to reach. Here are some ways to arrive:

Driving

While it is possible to reach the entrance of Palatine Hill with a car, driving in Rome yourself isn’t recommended, unless you know the city well (and can swear in Italian) and understand the rules of Rome’s restricted driving zones. But you can have a taxi or rideshare drop you right out front.

Public transportation

The closest metro stop is Colosseo on Line B, two stops down from Termini train station. You can also take Tram 3, which passes through Trastevere and San Giovanni, or buses 75, 81, 87, 673, 175, and 204.

Best times to visit

The morning, right after opening time. That’s when you’ll find the fewest crowds.

Best days to visit

Aim for a weekday for the quietest experience. The museum closes on the first Sunday of the month.

Best months to visit

Early winter, just after the carnevale season, is when you’ll find Rome at its emptiest. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are also good options. Avoid visiting Palatine Hill in July and August, when Rome wilts under sweltering temperatures.

Special events

In the summer, Rome hosts an international literature festival on Palatine Hill.