Castel Sant'Angelo Tickets & Tours

4.3(113,181)

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.

Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome with Tiber River view.
























































From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
María Daniela Piedra Abarca
CR

María

Costa Rica
Aug 2025
5/5
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+1 more

We really enjoyed the bus. It's the perfect way to see the city during summer if you don't want to walk too much. The only thing we didn't understand was the routes available. On the app there seemed to be two routes the red and the purple, we did the red and wanted to do the purple but when we asked it didn't seem to be available.
Kevin Manning
IE

Kevin

Ireland
May 2025
5/5
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The best part was the staff, drivers and at bus stops. Extremely helpful considering the crowds Always attentive and understanding.
Renata Cunha Melo da Silva

Renata

Jul 2025
5/5
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Very nice visit to the Vatican Museums. The digital tickets are very practical and easy to use. Good value for money. Please note: as it was very busy, I was only allowed in at the exact time indicated on the ticket, not before - for those who like to arrive a little early!
Corinne Viloria Yague
US

Corinne

United States
Jul 2025
5/5
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I loved entering the Holy Door and being apart of something historic that only comes every 25years. I also loved to see the different types of artwork and how grand everything was in St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel.
Fernando Luiz de Faria Xavier
BR

Fernando

Brazil
Jul 2025
5/5
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Castel Sant'Angelo is simply wonderful. A beautiful view of the city! It's well preserved and there are specific points where you can photograph the Vatican in the background. Fantastic. And it wasn't too crowded, which was great. A pleasant place where you can even enjoy wine and other drinks while enjoying the view. I highly recommend it to tourists in Rome.
MONICA BERMEO
EC

Monica

Ecuador
Jul 2025
5/5
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The tickets were very easy to purchase and the castle is very beautiful, the view of Rome is spectacular, and I loved seeing St. Michael the Archangel.
Aishling Duffy
IE

Aishling

Ireland
Jul 2023
5/5
We did the Angels and demons official tour. We were met by our lovely and very informative guide Allesandra. We were taken to all the main locations of the book/film in air conditioned bus which was great. Allessandra was very knowledgeable about Angels and demons but also on Roman history. We got loads of extra information about Rome and history on the tour. We finished our tour in Castel Sant'angelo which was amazing. It has a great view of Rome and the Vatican. Allesandra our guide was lovely made the tour very enjoyable.
Natascha Geiser

Natascha

Oct 2022
5/5
Unsere Angels&Demons Tour mit Roberto durch Rom war wirklich das absolute Highlight unserer Reise. Roberto ist ein unglaublicher Geschichtenerzähler. Man fühlt sich als wäre man mitten im Geschehen - ein Teil des Buches! So sehr hat sich das Geld selten gelohnt. Danke lieber Roberto für das unvergessliche Erlebnis.

Top things to do in Rome

What to expect at Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome with tourists on the bridge and statues in view.
Visitors exploring the arched corridor of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.
Visitors exploring the ancient corridors of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.
Ornate bedroom with carved bed in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.
Narrow stone prison cell with chains in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.
View of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo, featuring the Tiber River and historic buildings.
Passetto di Borgo walkway in Rome with trees and historic arches.
Castel Sant'Angelo exterior view in Rome, Italy, with tourists walking nearby.
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Glide past the crowds

Your visit begins with priority entry, letting you bypass the queues and head straight inside. If you’ve chosen the audio guide, slip on your headphones to enjoy fascinating stories as you explore. Opted for a guided tour? Your expert guide will lead the way with insider insights.

Wander through years of 1900 history

Built in 135 AD as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, the structure has stood as a tomb, fortress and now museum: plundered, destroyed, and rebuilt multiple times, witness to 1900 years of past.

Walk Hadrian’s spiral ramp

Walk the 400-foot ancient spiral ramp that once carried Emperor Hadrian’s urn to its resting place. This passage leads you into the heart of the mausoleum, echoing nearly two millennia of Roman legacy.

Enter the legendary papal residences

Continue into the lavish Renaissance chambers once used by popes as a refuge. You can walk through Pope Alexander VI’s Borgia apartments lavishly adorned with mythological scenes and sensual imagery that shocked even Renaissance Rome.

Step inside Rome’s shadowy prisons

The museum has played roles in executions, sieges, and secret trials, its walls absorbing the city’s most turbulent moments. One of the most famous prisoners was Benvenuto Cellini (Italian sculptor and writer) whose legendary escape from the prisons is a story worth unravelling. You can also take a look at some of the torture tools in the prison cells that are still preserved.

Climb to the Angel terrace for amazing views

Climb to the rooftop terrace for sweeping 360° views of Rome. From the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica to the Pantheon, the city unfolds before you, all watched over by the bronze Archangel Michael. Sunset here is a highlight you won’t forget.

Discover the Passetto di Borgo (optional)

On select guided tours, step into the hidden 800-meter corridor that once gave popes a secret escape route to the Vatican. Its stone battlements and narrow passages bring medieval intrigue vividly to life.

Explore at your own pace and wrap up

After the main highlights, you’re free to wander the fortress walls, courtyards, and exhibits, soaking up centuries of history before concluding your visit.

Things to know before buying Castel Sant'Angelo tickets

  • Your standard entry tickets give you skip-the-line access and an audio guide to explore the fortress at your own pace, including its tucked-away areas such as historical prisons and defensive bastions. Enhance your visit by adding a guidebook or opting for a hosted entry.
  • The museum’s evolving identity is reflected in its many layers. On a guided tour, an expert will help you notice these often-overlooked details and quiet shifts that reveal how its purpose and character have changed over time.
  • The concealed corridor of Passetto di Borgo is not accessible with standard tickets. With exclusive access, you can leisurely walk this passage. A guided tour through this corridor will let you learn its many roles in papal history and defensive strategy of Rome. 
  • Turn your visit into a full Roman experience by choosing a combo tour. Pair Castel Sant’Angelo with top landmarks like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums, or St. Peter’s Basilica, all based on your interests.
  • Some areas, like the historical prisons, may be unsuitable for children under 12 years, due to worn out historical features and uneven terrain. Plan your visit accordingly if you have young children.

Find the best Castel Sant’Angelo ticket for you

Combo (Save 5%): Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel + Castel Sant'Angelo Priority Access Tickets

Fast-track entry tickets

  • You can bypass the ticket queue and step right into the museum at your chosen time slot.
  • A multilingual audio guide leads your way by narrating engaging stories and navigating through different levels of the fortress.

Recommended tickets:

  • Castel Sant'Angelo Fast-Track Entry Tickets
Passetto di Borgo stone arches and walls in Rome, Italy.

Passetto di Borgo tours

  • Step into the secret passage that connects the museum with St. Peter's Basilica. Then take your time exploring the castle’s ramps and chambers.
  • Upgrade to a guided tour and learn about papal escapades and controversies associated with the corridor.

Recommended tickets

  • Castel Sant'Angelo & Passetto di Borgo Entry Tickets
Castel Sant'Angelo Ticket

Guided tours

  • Streamline your visit by exploring key historical areas in the fortress with the help of an expert.
  • Get an enriching 2-hour guided tour of the fortress or go for a compact 1-hour experience with crisp insights.

Recommended tickets:

  • Castel Sant'Angelo Guided Tour
Colosseum and Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome with tourists exploring.

Combo deals

  • You can club your Castel Sant’Angelo entry with other Roman icons. Walk the secret passage to St. Peter’s Basilica, explore the Colosseum, step inside the Vatican Museums, or visit the Pantheon to trace the evolution of faith in Rome, all at a discounted price.

Recommended tickets

  • Combo (Save 5%): Castel Sant'Angelo + St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
  • Combo (Save 5%): Castel Sant’Angelo + Pantheon Entry Tickets with Audio Guide
Twin churches at Piazza del Popolo, Rome, with people walking in the square.

Angels and Demons Tour

  • Retrace the thrilling trail of Dan Brown’s famous novel as you uncover the secrets of Rome’s churches, piazzas, and hidden symbols. Follow the “Path of Illumination” that leads you through crypts, fountains, and obelisks, ending at Castel Sant’Angelo—one of the key settings in the story.
  • Enjoy comfortable transfers in an air-conditioned minivan, explore in a small group of 15 or fewer, and savor an authentic Roman cream-filled sweet bun.

Recommended tickets

  • Angels & Demons Tour with Guided Visit to Castel Sant'Angelo

Explore Castel Sant'Angelo

With numerous courtyards and stately halls, Castel Sant’Angelo has 6 levels connected by a 400-meter spiral ramp. The remains of the original mausoleum are visible in the lower parts of the building, as are the ancient Roman walls and reconstructed rooms.

Castel Sant'Angelo brdge

Ponte Sant’Angelo

Hadrian built a bridge to connect his mausoleum to the city across the Tiber. Initially called Pons Aelius, it became Ponte Sant'Angelo. Angel sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini adorn the bridge, offering a view of Castel Sant'Angelo.

The spiral ramp of Castel Sant'Angelo

The spiral ramp

After entering the museum, you can take the spiral ramp that leads first to the Cortile di San Michele (Courtyard of St. Michael), which is an open space that serves as a transition point within the castle. From here, you can explore further rooms, including the Papal Apartments and the terraces with the panoramic views of Rome.

Mausoleum of Hadrian

Hall of Urns

This room, located on the upper levels of the castle, is where the ashes of Roman emperors and other important figures were originally stored. The Hall of Urns is a significant part of the castle’s history as it was originally built by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family.

Visitors exploring frescoes inside Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.

The Papal apartments

The papal apartments display ceramics, sculptures, and Renaissance frescoes. From the Courtyard of the Angel, access the apartments, where the bronze statue of Archangel Michael by Raffaello da Montelupo stands.

Prisons and Dungeons

Prisons and dungeons

Descending from the upper levels of apartments, you can explore the prisons and dungeons of the museum. They hold a dark history, having hosted notorious criminals and prisoners, including Giordano Bruno and Beatrice Cenci. These underground chambers offer a glimpse into the castle’s grim past of imprisonment and secretive dealings.

Castel Sant'Angelo terrace

The terrace

After exploring the hidden parts of the museum you will ascend to the fifth floor of fortress which opens to a beautiful terrace. Here you can get a panoramic view of nearby attractions such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Tiber river.

Plan your visit to Castel Sant’Angelo

Visitors exploring the courtyard of Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome.

Tuesday to Sunday: 9am to 7:30pm
Last admission: 6pm
Closed on: Monday, January 1, May 1, and December 25

Best time to visit

The ideal time for visiting Castel Sant’Angelo is from September to March. The cool weather makes the trip more enjoyable. Evenings tend to draw lesser crowds. The view from the terrace at the sunset hour is spectacular, so plan your trip accordingly. Additionally, visiting on weekdays rather than weekends can further reduce crowds.

Castel Sant'Angelo opening hours

Address: Castel Sant'Angelo, Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Getting there

  • By bus: Lines 23, 34, 49, 64, 87, 280, 492, 926 and 990
    Closest bus stop: P.za Pia/Castel S. Angelo, 5-minute walk
  • By train: Train #19
    Closest train station: Risorgimento/S. Pietro, 13-minute walk
  • By metro: Line A
    Closest station: Lepanto and Ottaviano
Directions to Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo exterior with entrance and statue, Rome, Italy.

Castel Sant'Angelo features a single main entrance situated at one end of the bridge over the river Tiber. For a smoother experience, consider booking tickets online to bypass the ticket queue or purchase them upon arrival.

More about the castle's entrance
Public toilet sign with directional arrow.
  • Toilets: You canlocate the toilets on the bridge side of the castle and the cafe on the upper terrace.
  • Disabled access: While access for visitors with disabilities is limited, there are ramps and clear signs indicating barrier-free routes. Wheelchairs can only reach the fifth floor via a special elevator.
Burger
  • Respectful behavior: Visitors are expected to behave respectfully, both toward the historical site and fellow visitors. This includes refraining from loud noises and disruptive behavior.
  • No touching: Avoid touching or handling artifacts, sculptures, and frescoes within the castle to preserve these historical treasures.
  • No eating or drinking: Kindly be aware that as you explore this museum, eating or drinking is not permitted inside.
woman using a camera to take pictures
  • Bring ID: Carry your official ID with you at the ticket redemption point.
  • Security checks: Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas are not allowed inside. Opt for a small handbag for a hassle-free experience.
  • Photography permission: With multiple scenic spots at the fortress you can capture your favorite moments freely; photography and videography are allowed throughout the museum. Respect any areas where photography may be restricted for preservation reasons.
Group enjoying drinks at an outdoor café in a garden setting.

Frequently asked questions about Castel Sant’Angelo tickets

Does my entry ticket include access to the terrace?

Yes, you can explore the castle's terrace and enjoy panoramic views of Tiber river with the entry tickets.

Is the entry ticket to Castel Sant’Angelo tickets refundable?

The fast-track entry tickets cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.

Is a guided tour worth it?

A guided tour will help you appreciate significant areas of the castle that are either tucked away from public sight or need contextual interpretation such as crammed prison cells and the Hall of Urns (room of funerary ashes).

How far is the Pantheon from the castle?

The Pantheon is around 1 km away from the castle and can be reached via streets like Via dei Coronari or Via di Panico.

How far is St. Peter's Basilica from the castle?

St. Peter's Basilica is around 750 m from the castle. You can take the Via della Conciliazione that directly links the two landmarks.

Does the castle have any elevators?

The castle does have elevators, however, it is not connected to all the areas of the fortress, making it slightly inconvenient for wheelchair users.

Is the castle wheelchair accessible?

Certain parts of the castle can be accessed via wheelchair, but most parts do not allow access to wheelchair users due to uneven terrain.

How much time does my skip-the-line ticket save me?

Skip-the-line tickets to Castel Sant’Angelo save you around 20–45 minutes, letting you bypass queues that can stretch up to an hour in peak season and head straight to security for a smoother start to your visit.

How early should I book my Angels & Demons Tour, since I’ve heard tickets can be hard to get?

The Angels & Demons Tour is one of the more popular themed experiences in Rome, especially for fans of Dan Brown and those wanting a mix of history and mystery. Tickets often sell out days in advance during peak season (spring through early fall), so it’s best to book at least 3 weeks or a month ahead to secure your spot.

More Reads

Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte Sant'Angelo over the Tiber River in Rome, Italy.

About Castel Sant'Angelo

View from Castel Sant'Angelo terrace overlooking the Tiber River and Roman bridges.

Plan your visit

Aerial view of Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome, Italy.

Mausoleum of Hadrian

Castel Sant Angelo
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Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.