Galleria Colonna is exactly the kind of place that looks suspiciously good on Instagram. In fact, I came here because of an Instagram video that was recommended by an algorithm.

I expected the reality to be weaker.

It was exactly the opposite - in reality it looks even more "wow" than in the videos.

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The current Palazzo Colonna and the gallery inside date back to the 17th century.

What awaits you inside

The Galleria Colonna is the residence of the Colonna family. The noble family still lives here today, making it the last truly functional noble palace in Rome.

The main gallery (what you know from Instagram)

• A huge hall full of paintings, gold and mirrors
• ornate ceiling
• a long perspective that creates the iconic "wow effect"

This is one of the most impressive interiors in Rome. And it was worth coming here just for this room. More beautiful than the interiors of Versailles!

The basic tour also goes through the other neighbouring halls, which are also beautiful. But not nearly as impressive as the main gallery.

The gardens and the lookout

The basic tour also includes the beautiful gardens right in the centre of Rome.

You can relax on the benches under the magnolia trees or climb the stairs to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the centre of Rome!

Valuable collections of paintings

The Colonna family has one of the most extensive and valuable collections of paintings in the world.

In all the rooms you can admire paintings and pictures by the most famous Italian artists.

The Apartments of Princess Isabella (extended tour)

If you take the longer option, you will also get to see the private areas of the palace where Princess Isabella lived.

• Historic rooms with decoration
• other valuable paintings and pictures

If you have the time, the extended option makes sense and I certainly don't regret paying the extra.

How much time to set aside (a common understatement)

This one is crucial.

Friday guided visit:

• basic visit: approx. 1.5-2 hours
• Extended tour (with apartments): up to 2.5 hours

Saturday visit without guide:

• here it's entirely up to you, but I would allow no less than 45 minutes

On the internet you often come across "30 minutes". This absolutely does not correspond to reality.

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Admission and opening hours

Palazzo Colonna is open to the public only 2 days a week. Precisely because the palace is still inhabited by the noble Colonna family.

• Fridays - only organized guided tours (in Italian, English or French)
  • first tour at 9:30, last at 10:00 or 10:30
• Saturday - only individual guided tours without a guide
  • visits possible at any time between 9:30 and 13:15

Admission prices also vary, and quite significantly.

	Friday (with guide)	Saturday (without guide)
Gallery + Gardens	39,06 eur	18 eur
Gallery + gardens + apartments	33,71 eur	28,36 eur

Is it necessary to book in advance?

To be on the safe side, yes.

Especially if you want an organized tour on Friday, the number of seats is limited.

However, I only booked my ticket 1 day in advance, so there is no need to deal with admission fees weeks in advance like, say, the Vatican Museums.

Official information and ticket reservations here: galleriacolonna.it/visits-to-the-palace.

Practical information

• toilets: available on site free of charge
• café / refreshments: there is a very nice café in the palace hall
• photography and filming: allowed without restrictions
• luggage storage: free on site

How to get there

Palazzo Colonna is right in the centre, under the Quirinal Hill and just a few minutes' walk from the Vittorio Emanuele II Memorial.

The main tourist entrance is located at Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 66 - see map for exact location.

I originally went to the entrance that pretends to be the main one, located in Via della Pilotta. However, this only works for private visitors and not for tourists.

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