• Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo - Explore the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer retreat. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Albano from the terrace of the Papal Palace. Tour the Vatican Observatory and delve into the history of this Jesuit-managed location. View the two astronomical observatories housed within the Vatican Observatory.

• Access to the third floor of the Papal Palace
• Spectacular view of the lake of Castel Gandolfo
• Access to the major and minor astronomical domes

• Entrance to the Papal Palace
• Transportation to Castel Gandolfo

Explore the astronomical observatories at the Vatican Observatory located in the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo. Ascend to the third floor of the palace and enjoy the stunning view of Lake Castel Gandolfo from the panoramic terrace.

For the first time in nearly ninety years since their establishment, the astronomical domes of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo are welcoming visitors. These include two fully operational astronomical observatories of the Vatican Observatory: the “major dome,” with an 8.5-meter diameter, featuring a Visual Telescope for observing stars and planets; and the “minor dome,” with an 8-meter diameter, housing the Double Astrograph, used for photographic surveys of the sky and star positions.

Visitors can access the third floor of the Papal Palace via a spiral staircase, reaching the highest point of the panoramic terrace.

• This activity is not permitted for children under 7 years old, for safety reasons.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.