Touristation · Castle entrance, orange umbrella
The elevated corridor that connects the castle to the Vatican Palaces, visited with an escort or a guide, and then Castel Sant'Angelo on your own. Ideal for those who want the Passetto with castle entry in the same booking, and maybe the Vatican Museums in the same trip.
The Passetto di Borgo is the fortified passage, about 800 metres long, that runs from the castle along the walls towards the Vatican Palaces. In 1494 Alexander VI and in 1527 Clement VII, during the Sack of Rome, escaped through it. The listing calls it a secret Vatican passage: in reality Castel Sant'Angelo is a museum of the Italian State, it is not part of Vatican City, and the Passetto can only be visited on the museum's tours. One thing matters above all: you cannot enter alone. You always need an escort, and that is why entry is reserved.
There are three options. The basic one is the ticket with an escort: you walk the Passetto without commentary. With the guided option you have a professional guide on the Passetto, in English or Italian, for about one hour. The third adds the ticket for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. In all cases there is the multimedia video on ancient Rome, then you tour the castle on your own for about one hour: the castle guided tour is not included.
The price starts from $55 per person (GetYourGuide, October 2026) and is non-refundable: book when the date is certain. According to the museum, the daytime Passetto is visited on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on the first Sunday of the month (in 2026 these are 1 November and 6 December) the Passetto is not visited. The listing advises against it for those with mobility issues, and according to reviews there are about 30 steps at the start and another 15 to exit onto the open section. Animals are not allowed.
At the castle entrance, Touristation staff with an orange umbrella and red shirt exchange the voucher. Have your ID ready.
With the escort or guide you go up onto the passage. According to reviews, part is covered and part is on top of the walls, with a view over the city.
With the guided option, this is where you hear about Alexander VI and Clement VII. Without a guide, you walk in silence, at the escort's pace.
Before entering the castle there is a multimedia video about ancient Rome, according to reviews at the end of the passage.
You explore the castle on your own, from the ramps to the rooms up to the terrace overlooking the Tiber and St Peter's.
★★★★★It was a really beautiful tour. We saw some special places in the castle that you do not see with a regular ticket.
★★★★★Our guide kept a perfect pace for photos and for those who have some difficulty walking. At the start there are about 30 steps [...]. After walking inside the Passetto there are about 15 steps to access the outdoor part, which has spectacular views of the city and Castel Sant'Angelo. [...]
★★★★★Ticket pickup was easy. The guide took us to the entrance and made sure we had everything we needed to enter. The passage was simple, but the view from the top of the walls was fantastic. At the end of the passage there was an informative video before entering the castle. [...]
★★★★★A truly unique experience. Half inside the elevated passage and half on top. It ends at Castel Sant'Angelo, which we should have spent more time on. Super interesting. Highly recommended.
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No. You can only enter with an escort, which is why this ticket always includes one. If you also want commentary, choose the option with a guide.
No. According to the museum, daytime visits are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Passetto is closed on the first Sunday of the month. In 2026, 1 November and 6 December remain: avoid those dates.
The passage runs from the castle towards the Vatican Palaces, but Castel Sant'Angelo is a museum of the Italian State and is not part of Vatican City. The Passetto is visited on tours organized by the museum.
No, this booking is non-refundable. Choose date and option when you are sure of your plans.
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Reserved entry to the Passetto di Borgo and the castle, with the guide or the Vatican Museums as an option. Non-refundable.
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