Tours and Tickets to Experience Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo is nearly 16 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Rome. It’s a small town of only a few thousand people best-known as the location of the Apostolic Palace, the longtime summer residence of the Pope that is now converted into a public museum.

The easiest way to get to Castel Gandolfo from Rome using public transportation is to take the train. Trenitalia REG trains serve the Castel Gandolfo train station from Roma Termini (the main train station in Rome) and Ciampino train station (at the Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport).

Yes, it’s free to explore the village of Castel Gandolfo, including much of the lakeshore around the Apostolic Palace. You can take scenic boat tours of Lake Albano, hike the Sentiero del Diavolo around the lake, or explore the town itself. The Barberini Garden, however, does require a ticket purchase.

No, there is no fee to enter the village of Castel Gandolfo. However, you must purchase a ticket to enter the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The palace is some distance from the Vatican, but it is a Vatican Museum and requires an entry ticket or a museum pass.

Yes, there are multiple places to eat in Castel Gandolfo. Many are located outside of the Apostolic Palace’s entrance, adjacent to the train station. There are also a few lakeside restaurants and bars within walking distance of the palace. Most restaurants serve modern Italian and Roman cuisine.

Yes, you can purchase tickets to tour the Apostolic Palace and Secret Garden of Castel Gandolfo. There is an audio guide available. You also may find the security guards to be helpful and informative, offering additional insight into some rooms and pieces of art throughout the palace.