The Getty Villa is a museum of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities set inside a recreated first-century Roman country house in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. This guide covers current opening hours, admission, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for a first-time visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. One point worth flagging: the Villa closed for nearly six months after the January 2025 Palisades Fire and lost roughly 44% of its trees, so the gardens visitors see today look noticeably different from photos taken before 2025, even though the museum buildings themselves were undamaged.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm; closed Tuesdays |
| Admission | Free (timed-entry reservation required); parking $25, $15 after 3pm |
| Address | 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 |
| Nearest transport | Public bus routes along Pacific Coast Highway; no direct rail |
| Typical visit length | Two to three hours |
Getty Villa opening hours
The Villa is open daily, from 10am to 5pm, except Tuesdays, when it is closed. It is also closed annually on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
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Getty Villa ticket prices
Admission to the Villa is free, though every visitor needs a timed-entry reservation, made online or by calling (310) 440-7300.
Opening hours and prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. Parking costs $25 per car or motorcycle, dropping to $15 after 3pm; evening event parking costs $10 after 6pm. Parking fees are cashless, and all major cards are accepted. Visitors arriving by public bus, bicycle or on foot do not need to reserve parking.
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How to get to the Getty Villa
The Villa is on Pacific Coast Highway, about one mile north of Sunset Boulevard, roughly 25 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and 13 miles from the Getty Center. Public buses along Pacific Coast Highway stop near the entrance; bus passengers must have their admission ticket punched by the driver before entering.
Bicyclists can park for free at racks inside the main entrance, and visitors can also be dropped off directly at the entrance.
Parking at the Getty Villa
On-site parking is available in the South and Central parking structures, each with designated accessible spaces. Parking is limited to standard-sized vehicles up to 6 feet 10 inches tall; there is no space for RVs, motorhomes or limousines.
Electric vehicle charging is available on a first-come, first-served basis in both structures for visitors who need it during their visit.
How long to spend at the Getty Villa
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the galleries and gardens. Visitors adding a guided tour, the Garden Tea or a longer look at the temporary exhibitions should allow closer to four hours.
Accessibility at the Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is fully ADA accessible, with elevators connecting all levels and free wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Entry Pavilion. Assistive listening devices are free for tours and the Orientation Theater, and ASL interpretation can be arranged by emailing visitor services at least two weeks in advance.
Inside the Getty Villa
The Villa is built as a re-creation of an ancient Roman country house, and its Outer Peristyle, the largest of the site’s gardens, centers on a 300-foot reflecting pool lined with bronze statues.
The permanent collection covers Greek, Roman and Etruscan art from about 6,500 BC to AD 400, including the debated Getty Kouros, a Roman-era mummy, and an extensive collection of engraved gems and vases.
The Herb Garden supplies the flavors behind the museum’s Garden Tea, offered Thursdays and Saturdays by reservation, featuring savory sandwiches, scones and a selection of teas.
The Family Forum gives younger visitors a hands-on space to learn how Greek vases were made and decorated, since they can’t touch the art in the main galleries.
A live performance, Antigone: In the Language of Kings, a retelling of Sophocles set in pre-conquest Mexico, is scheduled to run from 10 September to 3 October 2026 at the Villa’s outdoor theater.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Book reservations as early as possible, since weekend and holiday slots can fill up weeks in advance. |
| Crowds | Arrive close to opening for a quieter first hour before tour groups build up. |
| Layout | Pick up a Villa map at the entrance, since the galleries and four themed gardens spread across multiple levels. |
| Entry process | Bring a printed or digital copy of your reservation confirmation and arrive within your timed window. |
| On-site logistics | Personal food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in public seating areas, useful if you’d rather skip the café. |
Frequently asked questions about the Getty Villa
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Getty Villa free to visit? | Yes, admission is free, though a timed-entry reservation is required. |
| Do you need a reservation for the Getty Villa? | Yes, every visitor needs a free, timed reservation made online or by phone. |
| Is parking free at the Getty Villa? | No, parking costs $25, or $15 after 3pm; visitors arriving by bus, bike or on foot avoid the fee. |
| Is the Getty Villa wheelchair accessible? | Yes, the site is fully ADA accessible with elevators and free wheelchair loans at the Entry Pavilion. |
| Is the Getty Villa open on Tuesdays? | No, the Villa is closed every Tuesday. |
Things to do near the Getty Villa
Will Rogers State Historic Park, a short drive inland, offers hiking trails and the former ranch grounds of the humorist Will Rogers. Topanga State Park, a short drive further along Topanga Canyon Boulevard, protects a large wildland area within the Santa Monica Mountains.
Palisades Park, along the Santa Monica bluffs, is a short drive south and offers ocean views and walking paths. Malibu Pier, a short drive north along Pacific Coast Highway, has dining and fishing over the water.
What to visit tomorrow
The Getty Center, in Brentwood, is about 25 to 30 minutes’ drive and pairs European art and design with modern architecture and gardens designed by Robert Irwin.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), in the Mid-Wilshire area, is around 30 to 40 minutes’ drive and holds one of the largest encyclopedic art collections in the western United States.
The Norton Simon Museum, in Pasadena, is about 40 to 50 minutes’ drive and focuses on European Old Masters alongside Southeast Asian sculpture.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, in San Marino, is a similar distance and combines rare books and art with more than a dozen themed gardens.
The Bowers Museum, in Santa Ana, is about an hour to an hour and a half’s drive and focuses on the art and culture of the Pacific Rim, Latin America and the American West.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Joining the runners at Runyon Canyon.
- Griffith Park attractions What to expect at Griffith Observatory, the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum.
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum of Tolerance.
- Exposition Park attractions: How best to tackle the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center and California African American Museum.
- Key information for visiting the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.
