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Capitoline Museums

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Capitoline Museums

Capitoline Museums

Located on Capitoline Hill, this art museum consists of the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo, which are linked by an underground passage. The buildings were designed by Michelangelo and house a collection of 15th- to 18th-century artworks gathered by various popes. Visitors go here to view classical sculptures and Renaissance art within a historical architectural setting.

Getting There

The museums are centrally located in Rome. From the city center, most visitors reach the site via a short walk or by using the local bus network. Depending on your starting point in the central district, the journey typically takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Visit Duration

Due to the volume of artworks and the layout of the two connected palaces, allow approximately 3 to 5 hours to explore the main galleries and collections.

When to Visit

The museums get crowded, particularly during peak tourist seasons and midday. To avoid the largest crowds, arrive early in the morning. Visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) generally offers a more manageable experience than the summer months.

Nearby Attractions

Because of its location on the hill, the museum can be combined with several nearby historical sites:

  • Santa Maria in Aracoeli (0.1km)
  • Temple of Saturn (0.1km)
  • Arch of Septimius Severus (0.2km)
  • Altare della Patria (0.2km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Capitoline Museums

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Capitoline Museums Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

Good to visit alongside

Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Temples & religious sites

Santa Maria in Aracoeli

This Franciscan church sits atop Rome's Capitoline Hill. It has long served as one of the city's principal churches and is still regarded as a symbol of Rome's city council.

0.1 km away

Temple of Saturn

Temples & religious sites

Temple of Saturn

The Temple of Saturn is an ancient temple ruin at the western end of the Roman Forum, at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. Dating back to 497 BC, it is considered a must-see stop on any tour of Rome's ancient ruins.

0.1 km away

Arch of Septimius Severus (Roman Forum)

Heritage & monuments

Arch of Septimius Severus (Roman Forum)

A white marble triumphal arch at the northwest end of the Roman Forum. Emperor Septimius Severus built it in 203 AD to celebrate victory over the Parthians, dedicating it to himself and his two sons.

0.2 km away

Altare della Patria

Museums & galleries

Altare della Patria

A monumental structure built to honor Italy's first king after unification, its grand scale immediately catches the eye. Located near Piazza Venezia in Rome, it's easy to visit together with Capitoline Hill.

0.2 km away

Roman Forum

Parks & gardens

Roman Forum

This ancient Roman site remains at the heart of Rome's historic center, once surrounded by government buildings around a central square. Walking through it, visitors can sense the traces of what was once the heart of ancient Rome.

0.2 km away

Imperial fora

Heritage & monuments

Imperial fora

The Imperial Fora are the remains of the forums built by Roman emperors in the heart of Rome, constructed over roughly a century starting in Caesar's time. Walking through the ruins, visitors can feel the site's history as the center of ancient Roman politics and administration.

0.3 km away