The Museo Nazionale Romano – Palazzo Altemps is a state-owned archaeological museum housed in a Renaissance mansion, located in the Campo Marzio district of Rome. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 and reflects the ongoing temporary closure of the Crypta Balbi, which currently affects the standard four-site combined ticketing structure of the National Roman Museum.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 09:30 to 19:00; Monday: Closed |
| Ticket prices | Adults: €15; EU citizens (18-25): €2; Under 18s: Free |
| Address | Piazza di Sant’Apollinare 46, 00186 Rome, Italy |
| Nearest public transport | Zanardelli or Senato bus stops |
| Typical time needed | 90 minutes to two hours |
Palazzo Altemps opening hours
Palazzo Altemps opening hours run from 09:30 to 19:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. The final entry of the day is permitted at 18:00, exactly one hour before the building closes to the public.
These core opening hours operate year-round with no seasonal variations, but the facility is permanently closed on Mondays. The museum also operates restricted hours or closes entirely on major national holidays, specifically Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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Palazzo Altemps ticket prices
General admission ticket prices for the Palazzo Altemps are €15 for adults, while European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 pay a reduced rate of €2. Children and young people under the age of 18 enter for free, regardless of their nationality.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. This €15 entry fee functions as a combined ticket valid for one week, granting one entry to the Palazzo Altemps alongside the Baths of Diocletian and Palazzo Massimo. The attraction is included in the official Roma Pass city card scheme, which also provides access to other major historical sites such as the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, the Capitoline Museums, and Castel Sant’Angelo.
How to get to the Palazzo Altemps
The most direct way to reach the Palazzo Altemps using public transport is via the city’s bus network, as the museum is located in the historic centre where metro stations are limited. Multiple bus routes, including the 70, 81, 87, 492, and 628, stop near the museum at the Zanardelli or Senato stops, which are both a brief walk away.
For visitors travelling from the Termini railway station or the Vatican, taking a bus to the adjacent Piazza Navona provides the closest drop-off point. The building is situated near the left bank of the Tiber River, making it easily accessible on foot for visitors already exploring the Campo Marzio or Pantheon districts.
Parking at the Palazzo Altemps
There is no dedicated visitor parking at the Palazzo Altemps, as the museum is situated within Rome’s Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), which legally restricts unauthorised vehicles during daytime hours. Street parking in the surrounding medieval alleys is strictly prohibited or reserved exclusively for residents holding specific municipal permits.
Visitors who must drive should use paid commercial car parks located outside the ZTL boundaries, such as the underground facility at Piazza Cavour, and walk across the river to the museum. Relying on public transport, taxis, or walking remains the most practical method for reaching this specific location.
How long to spend at the Palazzo Altemps
Most people spend between 90 minutes and two hours at the Palazzo Altemps. This duration allows visitors to navigate the two primary floors of exhibition space, view the permanent classical sculpture collections, and walk through the central courtyard at a steady pace.
Visitors planning to read the informational plaques detailing the provenance of the specific noble collections or observe the painted frescoes on the walls and ceilings may require the full two hours. The museum is generally quieter than other major Roman attractions, which prevents delays caused by crowding in the galleries.
Accessibility at the Palazzo Altemps
Palazzo Altemps is fully accessible for wheelchair users, featuring step-free access points and an internal elevator that connects the ground floor courtyard to the upper exhibition levels. The museum provides clear pathways through the historical rooms, and the staff can assist with navigating minor architectural threshold changes between the galleries.
Visitors with limited mobility can request the use of a manual wheelchair directly at the ticket desk upon arrival. Accessible restroom facilities are located on the ground floor near the main entrance and cloakroom area.
Inside / what to see at the Palazzo Altemps
The permanent exhibits at the Palazzo Altemps focus on the history of classical art collecting, displaying ancient Greek and Roman sculptures that once belonged to prominent Italian noble families. The museum is housed in a 15th-century aristocratic mansion, meaning the archaeological artefacts are displayed alongside Renaissance frescoes and painted wooden ceilings.
The primary collection is the Boncompagni Ludovisi Collection, which features several notable marble pieces. The Ludovisi Sarcophagus, a large Roman tomb depicting a battle between Romans and Germanic warriors, is a central display on the upper floor.
Other pieces include the Galatea statue and the Suicidal Gaul, which are positioned throughout the decorated rooms to recreate the aesthetic of a private 16th-century antiquities collection. The remaining exhibits encompass pieces from the original Altemps Collection, the Mattei Collection, and the Egyptian Collection.
The Egyptian Collection occupies a dedicated section and contains artefacts related to the eastern cults that spread through Rome, including statues of deities such as Isis and Serapis. Visitors can also view the private chapel of San Aniceto, which is integrated into the mansion’s architecture.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Practical tip |
| Timing | Arrive when the museum opens at 09:30 to view the main sculpture halls before the mid-morning tour groups arrive. |
| Crowds | Visit on a weekday afternoon for a quieter environment, as the museum experiences lower foot traffic than the larger Vatican or Capitoline museums. |
| Layout | Follow the sequential numbering of the rooms to ensure you view the collections in order without getting lost in the mansion’s floor plan. |
| Entry process | Purchase your combined ticket at the on-site ticket office upon arrival, as walk-up entry is available without the need for advance online booking. |
| On-site logistics | Deposit bulky backpacks, trolleys, and large umbrellas in the mandatory lockers provided in the ground floor cloakroom before proceeding to the exhibits. |
Frequently asked questions about the Palazzo Altemps
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Palazzo Altemps suitable for children? | Yes, children under 18 enter for free, and the museum has wide spaces, though it lacks dedicated interactive exhibits for younger visitors. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Palazzo Altemps? | No, visitors can purchase standard admission tickets directly at the ticket office on the day of their visit. |
| Is the Palazzo Altemps open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open on Sundays from 09:30 to 19:00, with the final entry permitted at 18:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Palazzo Altemps? | Small day bags are permitted, but large backpacks and suitcases must be left in the on-site cloakroom lockers. |
Things to do near Palazzo Altemps
- Piazza Navona: Located a two-minute walk away, this large public square features three fountains, including Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
- The Pantheon: Situated a 10-minute walk southeast, this ancient Roman temple features a massive unreinforced concrete dome and a central oculus.
- Church of San Luigi dei Francesi: A five-minute walk away, this 16th-century church houses the Contarelli Chapel, which contains three paintings by Caravaggio.
- Castel Sant’Angelo: Located a 10-minute walk across the river, this cylindrical fortress was originally commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum.
- Campo de’ Fiori: A 10-minute walk south brings visitors to this rectangular square, which hosts a daily open-air produce market.
More Rome travel
Other Rome travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How Julius Caesar’s assassination site became a cat sanctuary.
- Can you take photos inside Rome’s Capuchin Crypt?
- A practical guide to visiting the Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum.
- Why a private tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum is often the best choice.
- What to expect at the Baths of Caracalla and Circus Maximus.
