Villa Farnesina

The basics

Villa Farnesina is open to the public. The ground-floor loggia Cupid and Psyche and the loggia of Galatea contain frescoes attributed to Raphael, while the first floor’s Hall of Perspectives features a fresco by Peruzzi depicting a colonnade overlooking the hills and the city of Rome—trompe l'oeil techniques lend the painting a 3D appearance.

Explore the interior independently with the aid of an audio guide, which is included with the admission price. Alternatively, take a guided tour. English-language tours run twice weekly on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Some guided tours of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood include entry to Villa Farnesina, as well as a guide who can speak to the luxurious lives enjoyed by Rome’s Renaissance-era elite.

Things to know before you go

• Villa Farnesina makes a quiet alternative to Rome’s busier art-filled attractions, such as the Vatican Museums.
• Guided tours must be booked in advance.
• There is little signage within the villa so it’s helpful to use the audio guide to learn about the villa and its historic significance.

How to get there

Villa Farnesina is situated near the Tiber River in the neighborhood of Trastevere. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Belli tram stop, accessible by line 8 of Rome’s tram network.

When to get there

Villa Farnesina is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, with the last entrance two hours before its 7pm close.

Explore Trastevere

While visiting Villa Farnesina, be sure to explore the surrounding Trastevere neighborhood. Historic Trastevere—with its warren of narrow, traffic-free streets—is known for its dining scene. You’ll encounter sidewalk cafés and restaurants at every turn, with Piazza Trilussa proving to be particularly buzzy at night. In the morning, Piazza di San Cosimato is the setting for a popular food market.

Ways to explore

While you’re welcome to show yourself around Villa Farnesina’s elegant galleries and gardens with an audio guide, the site’s guided tours will give you the most complete context behind its many artworks. You can also hire a private tour guide to show you the villa’s best frescoes, along with other highlights in the surrounding Trastevere neighborhood. The site is easy to follow up with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa, and the area’s signature sidewalk bars and Roman restaurants.

Accessibility

Villa Farnesina is wheelchair accessible, with designated restrooms and an elevator leading to the first-floor exhibits.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, guidebook, sun protection for the gardens

What to wear

Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the mansion and gardens on foot.

Not allowed

Flash photography, touching the artwork

Amenities

Brochures, audio guides, restrooms, cloakroom, bookshop

Address

Villa Farnesina is located along the Tiber River in Trastevere, a short walk from the Ponte Sisto bridge. It’s walkable from Campo de’ Fiori, the Jewish Quarter, and neighborhood attractions such as the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, though you can also reach it by car and public transportation.

Driving

It’s not recommended for visitors to self-navigate through busy Rome on account of traffic and tricky-to-navigate streets, but the city’s widely available taxis and rideshares can get you to Villa Farnesina.

Public transportation

The Lungotevere Farnesina bus stop is just outside the villa, and you can get there on the 23 or 280 bus. Alternatively, take tram line 8 to the Belli tram stop, about 10 minutes away.

Best times to visit

Villa Farnesina is open from morning to early afternoon; try to get there earlier in the day for the calmest experience.

Best days to visit

The museum offers guided tours in English on Saturdays, while the second Sunday of the month features a special opening with live Renaissance music.

Best months to visit

Villa Farnesina is a year-round attraction, though its gardens are best visited in the spring months of April and May.