Villa Farnesina
Via della Lungara 230, Rome, ITA
Created as a summer retreat for a wealthy Renaissance-era banker, this 16th-century villa was built to the highest specifications and decorated by major artists of the era. Frescoes by the likes of Raphael, Baldassare Peruzzi, and Sebastiano del Piombo cover the walls and ceilings, some of them incorporating illusory techniques.
Villa Farnesina is open to the public. The ground-floor loggia Cupid and Psyche and the loggia of Galatea contain frescoes attributed to Raphael, while the first floor’s Hall of Perspectives features a fresco by Peruzzi depicting a colonnade overlooking the hills and the city of Rome—trompe l'oeil techniques lend the painting a 3D appearance.
Explore the interior independently with the aid of an audio guide, which is included with the admission price. Alternatively, take a guided tour. English-language tours run twice weekly on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Some guided tours of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood include entry to Villa Farnesina, as well as a guide who can speak to the luxurious lives enjoyed by Rome’s Renaissance-era elite.
- Villa Farnesina makes a quiet alternative to Rome’s busier art-filled attractions, such as the Vatican Museums.
- Guided tours must be booked in advance.
- There is little signage within the villa so it’s helpful to use the audio guide to learn about the villa and its historic significance.
Villa Farnesina is situated near the Tiber River in the neighborhood of Trastevere. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Belli tram stop, accessible by line 8 of Rome’s tram network.
Villa Farnesina is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, with the last entrance two hours before its 7pm close.
While visiting Villa Farnesina, be sure to explore the surrounding Trastevere neighborhood. Historic Trastevere—with its warren of narrow, traffic-free streets—is known for its dining scene. You’ll encounter sidewalk cafés and restaurants at every turn, with Piazza Trilussa proving to be particularly buzzy at night. In the morning, Piazza di San Cosimato is the setting for a popular food market.
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