Rome's Pantheon: everything you need to know before visiting it
Among the buildings in the city of Rome is one that was built centuries ago, but is still one of the best preserved. Going to the Pantheon in Rome is an experience that will take you back some 1,900 years in time.
Pantheon of Rome | ©Griffin Wooldridge
When you travel to Rome, remember that there are many ancient buildings that are still in good condition and that you can visit. This is the case of the Pantheon.
The Pantheon was damaged in the fire of 80 A.D. It was Emperor Hadrian who was in charge of rebuilding it in the 2nd century. In 608, Boniface IV asked to transform it into the Basilica of Santa Maria. Read on to find out the best options for visiting this great work.
Rome Pantheon Audio Guided Tour
Don't miss a single detail of the Pantheon with this self-guided tour.
I always recommend opting for this audio-guided tour to understand and learn all the details of the best-preserved temple in Rome and to discover all its points of interest.
This temple is an essential visit on your trip to Rome, although I recommend that if you want to make the most of your visit, you opt for an audioguided tour of the Pantheon of Rome, as you will not miss any detail thanks to an audio guide and a map with 15 points of interest, including the tomb of Raphael Sanzio, painter and architect of the Renaissance in Italy; or the mathematically perfect oculus of its dome.
Learn all about this unique monument from the 2nd century, which began as a pagan temple dedicated to various gods and later, in the 7th century, became a Christian church.
Recommended if... you don't want to miss any detail of the best preserved temple in Rome, at an affordable price and with a flexible visit.
How to get tickets to the Pantheon in Rome
Because it is a place of religious worship, entrance to the Pantheon (now a Basilica) was previously free of charge. However, the Italian Ministry of Culture has decided to introduce a general entrance fee of 5 euros to give access to anyone who wants to visit the monument.
To do this, you need to buy it in advance at the ticket office or on the website, but it will have to be validated on arrival at the Pantheon. But if you are interested in Roman history and want to go deeper into the details of this incredible monument, you also have the option to book this audioguided tour to know the highlights of the Pantheon of Rome and learn about its history.
Are there guided tours at the Pantheon and is it worth it?
As with all great monuments, you can also book a guided tour of the Pantheon, which guarantees a great experience for all tourists. This includes a tour guide who obviously knows the ancient building very well, so you will get reliable information about its construction, architecture and history.
Furthermore, if you want to make the most of your trip to Rome, you can also purchase a guided tour of the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, which lasts about three hours, one of the most beautiful churches in the city and the place where the scientist Galileo Galilei was tried. Moreover, the visit is in a small group of about 10 people, but if you want an even more personalised option, you can opt for the private guided tour.
What to see in the Pantheon?
The Pantheon, also known by the cardinal title of Santa Maria dei Martiri, is a perfect example of Roman architecture. Its design is characterised by harmony and balance. The construction of the building is impeccable. Although it is currently a religious centre, inside you will find several tombs such as that of the Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio.
- Take a close look at the dome: It is made of unreinforced concrete and has a diameter of 43.44 metres. The oculus is 9 metres high. Moreover, sunlight enters through the oculus, so that, as the day progresses, the interior of the Pantheon is a gigantic sundial. It is as if the wall were telling the time. What is most remarkable is that, at the time, the buildings were intended to be viewed from the outside. However, the Pantheon is a place that deserves to be admired from the inside.
- The Pentecost: The way this day is celebrated at the Pantheon is well known in Italy and other countries. A shower of petals is made. The petals are dropped through the oculus with the help of the Fire Brigade. This event takes place after the mass, around 10:30 a.m. about 50 days after the Roman Holy Week.
- Admire the exterior: Like other places built in ancient Rome, the Pantheon has an imposing construction. I encourage you to take a few minutes to see its exterior structure and how this place manages to complement the modern buildings around it. When night falls over Rome, the Pantheon is illuminated, which makes it even more imposing. Plus, in Piazza della Rotonda, one of Rome's best squares, there is always something to entertain you.
- Visit the only Gothic church in Rome: I recommend that after visiting the Pantheon, you go to Santa Maria sopra Minerva, the only Gothic and religious building in Rome. It is located in Piazza della Minerva, about 230 metres from Piazza della Rotonda. If you walk from one square to the other, you have to walk less than 10 minutes. When it was built, the building was a pagan temple dedicated to Minerva, considered the patron saint of artisans and the protector of Rome. Some of the sculptures that stand out are the 'Christ embracing a cross' and 'An elephant with an Egyptian obelisk'.
How to get to the Pantheon in Rome
The Pantheon is located south of Piazza della Rotonda and there are several ways to get there from whatever part of the city you are in. Transport available are: taxi, bus, tram and metro. Here's what to do with each:
- Taxi: if you want to get to the building quickly, it is best for you to choose this option. Just tell the taxi driver to take you to Piazza della Rotonda and from there you walk to the Pantheon. The price starts at 9 euros.
- Bus: lines 30, 40, 62, 64, 81, 87 and 492, get off at the Largo di Torre Argentina stop which is located approximately 400 metres from Rome's Pantheon.
- Tram: this is the cheapest way to get to the Pantheon, it costs about 3 euros and you take line 40 from Roma Termini station. The journey will take approximately 15 minutes.
- Rome Metro: take line A to the Barberini stop, which is about 700 metres from the famous Roman building.
Is it advisable to go to the Pantheon of Marcus Agrippa with children?
Yes, I'm sure that many children find it fun to go to a place that has existed for centuries and is very well preserved. Of course, I encourage you to mention to them that inside the Pantheon they should not run, talk too loudly and, much less, shout.
In addition, I recommend that you do specific activities for children so that they also have fun experiences on their holidays. In another article I will tell you what you can do in Rome with children.
How much time do you need to visit the Pantheon in Rome?
To determine how much time you need to spend at the Pantheon in Rome you need to consider the following:
- Where you are located: this depends on how long it will take you to get to the famous Roman Pantheon.
- How many people will be waiting to get in: remember that during the week the entrance is free, so it is normal that there will be several groups of people waiting for their turn for the tour. In case you make a reservation for a weekend or public holiday, this is not a problem, as the time you can go is shown on the reservation.
- Duration of the tour: 30-40 minutes. The last entrance is at 18:45.
Do you have a reservation to visit this Pantheon? In that case, it is best to be on time, if possible, arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before the tour starts. That way, you will have the opportunity to visit Piazza della Rotonda and its surroundings.
Pantheon opening hours
The Basilica of Santa Maria is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. In case a religious event is planned, these opening hours may change, if so, you will be informed upon arrival or when booking online.
The only days of the year when the Basilica is closed are: January 1st and December 25th. Visitors to Rome at Christmas time need not worry, there is still plenty to see in the city.
Tips for visiting the Pantheon
As it is a religious building, it is normal for visitors to be careful about their behaviour inside it. Therefore, I would advise you to avoid the following when visiting the Pantheon:
- Talking in a loud voice.
- Sitting on the floor.
- Leaning on the walls.
- Wearing hats, caps or clothing unsuitable for the Basilica (sleeveless blouses, waistcoats and shorts).
- Entering with animals.
The Pantheon is also called the " Pantheon of Marcus Agrippa" and is on the list of the best monuments in Rome and the best things to do in Rome. It is one of the most famous places in the city, admiring its architecture from the outside is incredible, but seeing the inside is spectacular. In this article I've explained everything about this building, I hope you enjoy your trip to the fullest, buon viaggio!