Should I book a guided tour or is the audio guide sufficient? Thank you.

I'd suggest a guided tour since you have limited time in the museum and there are a lot of things to see. We used a local guide and I will be happy to give you her contact info. She's an art history expert and was able to provide us with the back story, social history, etc of the various works. She also was able to move us quickly from one place to another and made sure we didn't miss the key things - then we back tracked and took more time in other places. Without her, we would have wandered and probably missed some key things. Just my experience...others will have other ideas I'm sure.

I've visited the Borghese Gallery at least three times, but I've never used the audio guide. I found the Michelin Green Rome Guide book to be ideal for the visit. I read the extensive section about the Borghese Gallery before going, and then used it for quick reference while I was there.

However, there are people who prefer listening to an audio guide rather than reading a guide book. I don't think there is one answer for everyone.

We had a guide book and used the audio guide which I thought fine. The advantage of the audio guide is that its keyed to the way you walk/tour. Cant recall if there are numbers on the art or not, but it is easy to follow than just a guidebook. It probably depends how indepth you want to get. I would imagine a local tour guide would be interesting if you wanted to really get into the art.

lahawk, I'd like that contact info, please. Please post here or send to my screen name at iCloud dot com.

As a side note, just before you enter at your allotted time, you will be asked to wait near the main doors. It was really hot when we were there (2pm in June) so if you are going to be there on a warm day do bring a hat or a small umbrella as that area is completely exposed to the sun.

It's a lovely gallery, however you choose to visit it, guide or not.

I used the audio - the speaker used to live in the palace- I think he's either a son or grandson and tells wonderful stories eg the kids roller skating through the house.

Your call! I thought the audio tour quite good. But then, I prefer a good audio guide to a tour guide, and not everyone does...

Guia Bargigli - [email protected]

let her know Carol and her family from chicago sends their regards!

Thank you!

Thanks for the referral! And the input. I will check with her and also consider the audio guide.

@ northie - you are thinking of the Doria Pamphilj Gallery - not the Borghese.

OP - just FYI arrive a little earlier than your allotted time as all bags need to be checked in - even handbags/purses. There can sometimes be a considerable line for this so allow some time.

<i> I used the audio - the speaker used to live in the palace- I think he's either a son or grandson and tells wonderful stories eg the kids roller skating through the house. </i>

That's the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, not the Borghese Gallery. It's still owned, and partly inhabited, by descendants of the powerful Renaissance Doria Pamphilj family.

and to add to the Doria Pamphilij theme, it is definitely a place where you want to have the audio guide, because otherwise you miss all the fascinating information about the family, not to mention being able to listen to that extraordinarily english public school accent.

Agree the Doria Pamphilj Gallery has the audio tour with the I believe the grandson of the owner. We also did the private rooms there with a guide and it was rather interesting.

THank you Blueeyedcod for the arrival tip. Will do.

YES! The Pamphilij is on my list for the day. I plan to visit Borghese in the morning, and the Jewish Getto/Trestavere/Pamphilij the rest of the day. I'm on my own as my friends (their first trip to Rome) will tour Colosseum and Roman Forum that day. Very excited!

What time is your Borghese reservation, mku?

Haven't made it yet, but plan to go for earliest entry

We had a tour guide. She was excellent, moved us through at a good pace so that we were not caught with things to see and running out of time. And they do make you leave, it isn't possible to remain, the time is for entrance and total time insid.

As soon as you've entered, there is a place to sign up for tour, they are timed to your entry time.

We did th first tour of the day and got there early. The entrance is downstairs, a bit odd placement.

I've used the audio guide on one visit and tour guides on two other visits. For me, I will usually opt for the person over the audio; just my preference. Although when unavailable for me, audios are a good second choice. Enjoy.