A treasure chest of Roman art steps from Termini
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is one of the homes of the National Roman Museum, and it holds one of the most extraordinary collections of ancient art in the world. It sits just steps from Termini station, beside the Baths of Diocletian, and brings together sculptures, frescoes, mosaics and coins that tell two thousand years of Roman history.
Despite the staggering richness of its collections, Palazzo Massimo is still one of Rome's least crowded gems: here you can take your time with masterpieces that would mean hours in line elsewhere. For lovers of ancient art, it's an unmissable stop.
The four homes of the National Roman Museum
Palazzo Massimo is one of the four homes of the National Roman Museum, alongside Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian and the Crypta Balbi. A single combined ticket, valid for several days, lets you visit them all — but if you only have time for one, Palazzo Massimo holds the most famous masterpieces.
What to see: the masterpieces floor by floor
You visit Palazzo Massimo level by level, moving from sculpture to frescoes to coins. A complete visit takes about 1.5–2 hours, and following the order of the floors is the best way not to miss anything.
Ground floor and first floor: the sculpture
The first two floors hold the great Roman and Greek sculpture. Among the absolute masterpieces:
- The Boxer at Rest (the Boxer of the Baths): an extraordinary original Greek bronze portraying an athlete worn out and wounded after the fight, with a moving realism. It's one of the finest ancient bronzes ever found.
- The Hellenistic Prince, another bronze of tremendous power.
- The Lancellotti Discobolus, the most faithful Roman copy of the famous Discobolus of Myron.
- The Sleeping Hermaphroditus and numerous portraits of emperors and deities.
Second floor: the frescoes and mosaics
This is the museum's crown jewel. What makes Palazzo Massimo truly special is the second floor, devoted to frescoes and mosaics detached from Roman villas — a collection unique in the world, rare and precious because so few ancient paintings have survived this well.
- The frescoes from the Villa of Livia, with the celebrated "painted garden": an entire room frescoed with a lush garden, from the villa of Livia, wife of the emperor Augustus, and among the most beautiful and best-preserved Roman paintings in existence. We've devoted a separate guide to it: the frescoes from the Villa of Livia.
- The decorations from the ancient Villa della Farnesina, with exquisite frescoes and stuccoes.
- Magnificent floor and wall mosaics.
Lower floor: the coin collection
The lower floor houses the coin collection (numismatic collection), one of the most important in the world: coins, medals and jewelry that trace the history of money from antiquity to the modern age. It's also home to the famous Grottarossa mummy, a Roman girl and one of the few mummies from Roman times to have survived to us.
Suggested order for your visit
- Ground floor and first floor: the Boxer, the Hellenistic Prince, the Discobolus, the portraits.
- Second floor: the frescoes from the Villa of Livia and the mosaics (check for any timed-entry slots).
- Lower floor: the coin collection and the Grottarossa mummy.
In about 1.5–2 hours you can take in the masterpieces at a relaxed pace.
Tickets and opening hours
Tickets: how much it costs
Admission to Palazzo Massimo alle Terme requires a modestly priced ticket (approximate, check current prices on the official website), with a reduced rate for European Union visitors aged 18 to 25 and free entry for under-18s. Prices may vary during temporary exhibitions.
The ticket is usually a combined pass, valid for several days across all four sites of the National Roman Museum. If you have the time, it's an excellent chance to see them all on a single ticket.
| Ticket | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full | Adults | Combined pass, valid several days across the 4 sites |
| Reduced | EU visitors 18–25 | Statutory reduced rate |
| Free | Under-18s | Free admission |
| Free day | Everyone | First Sunday of the month (busiest day) |
Opening hours
Palazzo Massimo is generally open Tuesday to Sunday, with continuous hours from morning until late afternoon (times are approximate, check the official website); closed on Mondays. Last admission is usually around one hour before closing, and it may close on certain public holidays.
| Open | Tuesday to Sunday, continuous hours |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays (and some public holidays) |
| Last admission | About 1 hour before closing |
Free admission
Admission is generally free on the first Sunday of the month (a nationwide initiative across Italy's state museums) and on a few special days. It's the most budget-friendly day, but also the busiest.
Good to know
- The frescoes and mosaics on the second floor (Villa of Livia) may require timed entry or limited-capacity slots: check on arrival or on the official website.
- The coin collection may keep reduced opening hours.
- The combined ticket is ideal if you also plan to see the Baths of Diocletian, right across the way.
How to get there
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme sits at Largo di Villa Peretti 2, just steps from Termini station and Piazza dei Cinquecento, next to the Baths of Diocletian. It's one of the easiest museums in Rome to reach, set right in the city's main transport hub.
- By train: right beside Termini station, it's a 2–3 minute walk from the station exit — perfect as your first or last stop in Rome, or a quick visit between trains.
- By metro: Termini (Lines A and B) is a few minutes' walk from the museum, and both metro lines cross here; alternatively, Repubblica (Line A) is about a 5–7 minute walk.
- By bus: Piazza dei Cinquecento, in front of Termini, is Rome's main bus hub — practically every line passes through or terminates here, and from there the museum is just steps away.
By car and the ZTL
The Termini area is very busy, and nearby parking is limited and paid; some parts of the adjacent center fall inside a ZTL. With a private driver (NCC) the problem disappears: they drop you near the entrance and handle every move and wait. It's especially convenient to pair Palazzo Massimo with an airport transfer (Fiumicino or Ciampino), since the airport trains leave from Termini itself.
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Practical tips
- Buy online to skip the line, especially on the first Sunday of the month.
- Avoid Mondays: that's the closing day.
- Check second-floor access (the Villa of Livia frescoes): it's sometimes timed.
- Make the most of the combined ticket if you want to see more National Roman Museum sites.
- Set aside 1.5–2 hours to work your way up floor by floor at a relaxed pace.
A nearby itinerary
Palazzo Massimo pairs easily with nearby stops:
- The Baths of Diocletian (right across the way), another site of the National Roman Museum.
- The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built inside the ancient baths.
- Santa Maria Maggiore, a few minutes' walk away.
- Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Naiads.
A private driver keeps the whole itinerary flowing, especially with luggage or little time.
Frequently asked questions
What is Palazzo Massimo alle Terme? It's one of the four homes of the National Roman Museum, near Termini station, with one of the world's most important collections of ancient art: sculptures, frescoes, mosaics and coins.
What is the most famous masterpiece at Palazzo Massimo? Among the most celebrated are the Boxer at Rest (a Greek bronze) and the frescoes from the Villa of Livia with the "painted garden," among the finest Roman paintings in existence.
How much is a ticket, and does it cover the other sites? The price is modest, with statutory reduced and free rates. It's generally a combined pass valid for several days across Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian and Crypta Balbi. Check current rates on the official website.
What day is Palazzo Massimo closed, and when is it free? Normally closed on Mondays; open Tuesday to Sunday with continuous hours. Admission is generally free on the first Sunday of the month and a few special days (also the most crowded).
Do I need to book for the Villa of Livia frescoes? Access to the second floor with its frescoes and mosaics may be timed or capacity-limited: it's best to ask on arrival or check the official website.
How do I get there, and is it good for an airport transfer? It's a 2–3 minute walk from Termini (Metro Lines A and B). It's very convenient for an airport transfer, since the trains for Fiumicino and Ciampino depart from Termini, right next door.
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