Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo Visit • Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day PLUS

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo has been the summer residence for the Pope, and was last used for its intended purpose by Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis announced that he would not spend the summer in Castel Gandolfo in June 2013, and in October 2016, the palace was opened to the public for viewing without undergoing any structural changes. The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo is the destination of the once-weekly Trenitalia Regionale 20117 from Vatican City where the Vatican By Train – Vatican Full Day PLUS tour continues.

Vatican By Train • Vatican Full Day PLUS Itinerary

Click on each timing to view the experience in each post.

8.00 am: Tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with an audio guide
10.00am: Walking tour of the Vatican Gardens with an audio guide
11.00am: Departure from Vatican City Railway Station by electric train to Castel Gandolfo and transfer by shuttle
12.30pm: Visit to the Museum of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo with audio guide
3.30pm: Tour of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) by eco friendly transport with an audio guide
5.18pm: Departure from Albano Laziale Railway Station by electric train to Roma San Pietro Railway Station

Vatican By Train Castel Gandolfo Shuttle Bus

Shuttle buses are provided for Vatican by Train passengers to go up to Castel Gandolfo from Castel Gandolfo Railway Station, saving the need for a hike up the steps. This is another reason why the Vatican by Train programme is a good way to visit Castel Gandolfo.

Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Walking up the slope to the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Heading through security checks to enter the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo has extraterritorial status as one of the properties of the Holy See, and so it’s back on Vatican soil once again.

More steps up after security screening to enter the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Heading to the ticket office area.

Tickets for the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo and Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) are redeemed here by showing the confirmation email.

My tickets for the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo and Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini).

Audio guides are included in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo tour as part of the Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day PLUS tour.

Heading into the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The balcony is where Popes used to greet pilgrims when on summer holiday or retreat.

More papal vehicles are on display here at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, continuing on from my visit to the Padiglione delle Carrozze in the Vatican Museums.

Heading into the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The tour starts 1 level up a spiral staircase.

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo is now a museum, with a focus on Popes.

There is a large balcony at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo looking out to Lake Albano.

Walking past portraits of Popes in recent times.

The balcony where Popes once stood to greet pilgrims visiting Castel Gandolfo.

Looking down at the courtyard like a Pope.

Audio guides are collected back after the museum tour, and the path continues to the Palace offices and living areas.

An audience hall in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

There are many rooms for the Pope for different purposes.

Rooms are all connected side by side, without a separate corridor.

A small chapel within another room.

Another smaller audience hall.

Various offices of the Pope and staff of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The Pope’s bedroom in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

A chapel just beside the Pope’s bedroom.

The Pope has a separate seat in the chapel.

Following the grand path out.

Heading back down the steps to the exit.

Heading out of Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Piazza della Libertà

Piazza della Libertà is the public area outside the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo which is catered for tourism with the influx of tourists visiting Castel Gandolfo.

The facade of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo from Piazza della Libertà.

There is now about 2 hours before the open bus tour of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas, enough time to get lunch from around here. Lunch is not included in the Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day PLUS tour price, and is free and easy for this 2 hours.

There are many restaurants and cafes around, some overlooking Lake Albano as well. Do expect tourist prices at the restaurants around here, but then again, Rome isn’t a very cheap tourist destination either, and prices for the quality are comparable to Rome standards.

Conclusion

It’s the first time that the public has been able to visit Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, since Pope Francis won’t be using it. This means that our current generation of people are the first to visit Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, without being a member of staff of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, an invited guest, or the Pope. It’s a rare opportunity to see and visit how past Popes have spent their summer holidays and retreats.