Villa Doria Pamphilj

The basics

Head to Villa Doria Pamphilj for a picnic, nap in the grass, or a peaceful walk far from the Vespa traffic of central Rome. While you’ll have fun discovering the park’s turtle ponds and elegant gardens, going with a tour guide will be much more informative. Located near the panoramic Janiculum Hill (Gianicolo), Villa Doria Pamphilj is a common stop on tours of western Rome, where you’ll be able to learn about the park’s old villas and neo-gothic chapel from your guide.

Things to know before you go

• Walking and cycling trails run through the park, while the west side consists mostly of grassy lawns and wooded areas, and the east side has the Casa del Bel Respiro, Belvedere Lake, and other points of interest.

• Guided tours of the Casino del Bel Respiro are only offered once a month and conducted in Italian, but you’ll still be able to see its statue-covered facade and manicured garden from the outside.

• There’s one restaurant inside the park and several more just outside of its bounds.

• There are a few public restrooms on the park’s border but none farther inside, so plan accordingly.

• In addition to open fields, there’s a kids’ playground on the park’s northwest side.

• Villa Doria Pamphilj is dog-friendly.

How to get there

Villa Doria Pamphilj is pretty far west from most Rome attractions, so taking a taxi or walking 30 minutes from the Trastevere neighborhood is the easiest way to get there. Your best bet for public transport is tram Line 8, which starts at Piazza Venezia, passes through Trastevere, and ends at the Casaletto stop, a short walk from the park. The full ride takes 40 minutes.

When to get there

Villa Doria Pamphilj is open daily from 7am until sunset and is always a pleasant spot for joggers, dog walkers, and families. To see the park at its freshest and greenest, aim to go in the spring between March–May, when daytime temperatures are comfortable and the hot summer sun hasn’t yet dried up the grass.

Other attractions in Monteverde

While you’re in Rome’s western reaches, take some time to explore the rest of the Monteverde neighborhood. As well as Villa Doria Pamphilj, the area is known for its artisan shops and combination of old-school and forward-thinking restaurants. Don’t miss the Church of San Pancrazio, a 6th-century church with catacombs, or Da Cesare al Casaletto, considered among the best trattorias in Rome.