Official Information
Official site: https://castelsantangelo.cultura.gov.it/
Tickets: Often via official partners linked from the site.
Address: Lungotevere Castello 50, 00193 Rome, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Typically open daily from morning to early evening, with last entry about an hour before closing. Hours can change for events or maintenance; verify current times on the official website before visiting.
Castel Sant’Angelo began life as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum and has been repeatedly repurposed over the centuries-as fortress, papal residence, prison and now museum. From the outside it appears as a massive cylindrical bastion anchoring the Tiber riverfront opposite the Vatican. Inside you climb through spiraling ramps and defensive corridors into lavish papal apartments decorated with Renaissance frescoes, chapels and armories. The highlight for many visitors is the panoramic terrace at the top, where bronze angels look out over Rome’s domes and rooftops and you get one of the best views back toward St Peter’s Basilica. Exhibits trace the castle’s evolution and display weapons, paintings and historical documents. Because the building is essentially a fortified tower, expect lots of stairs and uneven surfaces; mobility can be challenging. Combine a visit with a walk across Ponte Sant’Angelo, lined with Baroque angel statues, and consider arriving near sunset for dramatic light over the river and the Vatican skyline.
