Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo Open Bus Tour • Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day PLUS
The Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) are the botanical gardens surrounding the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. Following lunch, it’s back to the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo to commence the open bus tour of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini), included in the Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day PLUS tour.
Do note that if you are on the Vatican By Train Vatican Full Day tour, you will just have a very long lunch and free time while everyone else goes for the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) Open Bus Tour.
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
Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
The Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) open bus tour starts from the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo again following the free time for lunch.
Heading through security checks again when entering Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
Heading through the entrance of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
The open bus tour pick-up point is just outside the ticket office.
My ticket for the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) open bus tour, along with a handwritten slip of paper indicating my meeting time.
Audio guides are handed out once again for the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini) open bus tour.
Boarding was done in a single queue according to the capacity of buses till full. Multiple buses are available for the tour.
Boarding the open bus operated by Cilia Italia.
Open Bus
Another bus was also arriving to continue picking up the queue of visitors.
The interior of the open bus from my seat.
The old on-board audio guide was no longer in use.
Audio Guide
The handheld audio guide issued for the open bus tour.
But alas, there was an issue with my bus, and all passengers had to change to the next bus.
“Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.”
Being one of the last to board the first bus, I was now the first to board the replacement bus. Here’s a shot of the empty open bus before it got filled up with passengers again.
Bidding goodbye to my first bus.
Heading down the slope to head out of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
“…, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
The gate was on a tight angle and fit, so the open bus had to make a 270-degree turn to head exactly straight through it.
Passing through the eye of a needle unscathed. Don’t stick your arm or head out though.
Heading back out on Via Massimo D’ Azeglio to cross it.
Heading in through another eye of a needle to enter the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas (Villa Barberini).
Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo (Villa Barberini)
The Gardens of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo are the extensive grounds surrounding the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The gardens cover an area of approximately 55 hectares (135 acres) and feature a combination of formal Italian gardens, landscaped areas, and natural landscapes.
The papal coat of arms of Pope Francis in plant form.
Within the gardens, you can find a wide variety of plant species, including ornamental flowers, shrubs, trees, and hedges. The layout incorporates elements such as geometric patterns, terraces, fountains, sculptures, and charming pathways that lead visitors through different sections of the gardens.
There are also local teenagers playing a game in the fields of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas. Perhaps they are the employees or the families of the employees of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas.
The open bus rout passes through many landmarks and commentary was provided through the audio guide, with the tour guide on board reciting numbers to press on the audio guide at stops, but unfortunately, there is no map or brochure to reference where the tour was or to take information off the tour.
Passing by the Belvedere Garden.
Rest Stop
The open bus tour makes a rest stop at around the two-thirds point of the route.
Looking back at the interior of the open bus.
Remember which open bus you belong to as multiple buses with the same model and white colour will stop together.
There is a snack stall with seating area here if you need a coffee.
Toilets are also available here.
Belvedere Garden
This rest stop also allows a view of the Belvedere Garden with a small lookout point near the rest stop.
The Belvedere Garden offers panoramic views of Lake Albano and the surrounding countryside. The garden is adorned with elegant statues, fountains, and well-manicured lawns, creating a serene and picturesque setting.
Heading back to re-board the open bus.
Heading through a bit more of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas and then heading back out.
Passing by a walking tour group heading into the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas.
The open bus stopped at the entrance/exit of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas, and collected back all the audio guides. The tour guide also alighted here.
Transfer to Albano Laziale Railway Station
I was expecting the transfer to Albano Laziale Railway Station to be by another bus, seeing the crowds and buses arriving outside the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. However, the same open bus will be ferrying Vatican Full Day PLUS passengers directly to Albano Laziale Railway Station without the need for transfers. Excellent.
My open bus had to wait for the other buses to park out of the way and for the visitors to clear the road first.
Departing from the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo and the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas.
The various open buses form a convoy for the trip from the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo and the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas to Albano Laziale Railway Station.
Heading on Viale Giovanni Paolo II through Castel Gandolfo town.
Passing around the walls of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas.
Passing by Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini.
Albano Laziale Railway Station
Turning into Albano Laziale Railway Station.
The open buses alighted Vatican by Train Vatican Full Day PLUS passengers at the car park of Albano Laziale Railway Station. That was a very convenient shuttle ride involving no changes.
Here, passengers are met by a Trenitalia staff who continues the guiding process by walking everyone to the train back to Rome.
Conclusion
The Gardens of the Pontifical Villas open bus tour at Castel Gandolfo is a good way to see the vast gardens comfortably seated in shade. It’s also the final attraction in the afternoon to see on the Vatican Full Day PLUS package, so if you’re going to do the full works, might as well add on a little bit more money to see the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas. Otherwise, there would just be a lot of free time and you won’t be visiting the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas even though you’re just beside it at Castel Gandolfo.