Castel Sant'Angelo

Such an amazing place! 16€ to enter, my 11 year old was free! So clean and well kept. Final the way to the top for the most amazing views! We happened to wander here and decided to go in. So glad we did. The view of the Vatican is beautiful!

AMAZING MONUMENT!! I recommend visiting at night if it is an option. Visited on the 1st of August when the museum was open till 11pm. They had an event, booked it at the same price as the individual ticket and enjoyed a series of events (magic tricks, acrobatics, and more) plus I got to tour the castle. So it is basically 2 in the price of 1. The terrace view is amazing at night and day (visited in the morning 2 years ago). BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE AT COOPCULTURE!!

We had a great time! We rented the audio tour and it was worth it. Very explanatory and all the areas are marked with numbers, so you can listen to the correct information. It have a cafe where you can sit and have a refresment almost at the top with a beautiful view to the Vatican.

Striking piece of architecture with a great history/story attached. Most fabulous views of the city from the roof, and the entrance fee was quite reasonable at €16. I have been wanting to visit this for two years since my first Rome trip, and was not disappointed.

Cool medieval castle with tons of history. You can buy tickets online or in person after waiting in line. I spent about 1 hour and a half here and it was amazing. The views from the top with the angel statue and Vatican are beautiful. Definitely a must visit when in Rome

Really beautiful castle that sits just off the Tiber in Rome. You can only wonder what its splendor was like when first built. Originally built as a Mausoleum for Hadrian (yes the guy who built the wall in England). Over time it was used as a fort, prison and Pope's residence. Take the many stairs inside to the top and walk around the rooms which contain many paintings and other artifacts. Well worth the visit. Unlike some other museums disabled people have to pay to enter.

One of the best places to go when visiting Rome! An amazing amount of artwork is included as you work your way through the fortress. Some very impressive works of art too! The fortress also has an amazing history and is a true must-see. Our 1.5yr old son got in for free and they have a place to keep strollers at the entrance. There is also a great little cafe with views of the surrounding city and Vatican about half-way up! Would highly recommend!

We had only intended to walk by on our way to the Vatican, but we had lots of time to spare, so we went in. So glad we did, what a great experience, especially if you've never been in a castle before. Not expensive, well worth it. I didn't take any pics outside of the castle itself but attached some from when we were inside.

Let's just say that I never thought that a savory meal and drinks in a cemetery could be cool! Yet, Castel Sant'Angelo changed my mind. I became aware that the place was actually built as a mausoleum for a Roman Emperor and his family. It is also the site of an old prison, where a number of executions took place. Yet, I also found that it is also a place with an AMAZING view of Rome! Please don't miss this stop on your trip to Rome! Please! Please! Please, visit the rooftop restaurant for amazing food and drinks while you admire the amazing views! You can thank me later!

This is worth a trip to go into it has a lot of history. It was a prison, palace, and a fortress. There is definitely a level of walking going up and down stairs and pathways until you reach almost the very top and you have an awesome view of Roma. There is also a cafe on the top where you can eat and drink and soak in teh view. There is a lot of history and items to look at here. Inside and out.

We walked here as there was no convenient metro stop close by. There may be a city bus route...? Afterwards we had access to a hop on / hop off bus that had a stop just across the Tiber. We arrived here around 4 p.m. as this was a covered stop on our city pass. A bit earlier, a company rep at the Pantheon had called ahead to put us on the list for this site (it hadn't seemed like it required an advance reservation, but it might be worth checking on). We crossed the bridge over the Tiber that leads directly to Castel Sant'Angelo. The statuary on the bridge is worth checking out, and the view of the castle is great for photos as you approach. We made it to the entrance, but didn't initially see a company rep with an orange umbrella, as expected. However, we turned around and found her off to the side next to the river. We then had to negotiate the ticket-generation process. She apparently wanted to use a couple of messaging apps that none of us had. In the end, she just kept the tickets on her on phone and escorted us in so that she could show / explain to the staff that we should be admitted. It seems like there could be a better way than this, but it worked... The main draw here turned out to be the views from the top. The architecture is interesting - this began as Hadrian's tomb and originally multiple emperors' ashes were stored here. Then it evolved into a papal fortress and treasury. Most of the artifacts have been removed, so what you are left with is a formidable building without much inside. Don't expect galleries of statues, artwork, etc. There are a few exhibits here and there along your ascent. The only elevator was for staff only. You first walk most of the way around the circular base and then begin your ascent. You climb a long ramp, which leads to another ramp that traverses the center of the building. You eventually exit out onto a series of terraces and continue climbing stairs. At one point there is a small restaurant / bar with some nice views, but we were not yet hungry. You eventually come out onto a rectangular space close to the top of the castle. From here you have nice views of the city in 3 directions (the 4th is blocked by some remaining structure of the castle). We were fortunate enough to visit a bit before sunset, so the views were enhanced by the late afternoon lighting. It got a bit crowded here, but with a bit of patience it wasn't hard to get to whatever area of the perimeter you wanted for photos. This is definitely worth a stop, as long as you know what to expect at the outset. It is close to the Vatican, so you may want to combine visiting both on the same day (we did not).

This cool vantage point allows 360 degree views of the eternal city. Built originally as a tomb for the emperor Hadrian, the castle has served as a prison, armory, and home to the Popes. It's an amazing journey in time, and the views of the Tiber and Vatican from the roof are amazing.

Just come! It's 12 euros and you can get tickets at the entrance, you don't need to book in advance. It's a small castle given the size of other things in Rome, but it's worth the visit. It's definitely different in its design and function. There are some stunning views of Rome's skyline, including Vatican City if you're standing on the Angel's Terrace. There's also a cafe if you're wanting to dine with a great view.

A short distance from the Vatican is Castel St. Angelo. You can't miss this iconic, round, castle just over the Tiber river. It calls to you as you are tooling around that area of Rome. We enjoyed the self guided tour of the site. At every step you felt the history and heard the stories that that building could tell over its 1800 year existence, built as a mausoleum for an emperor of the day, but used to keep Popes safe during invasions, it was also used as a prison and was the site the archangel Michael was seen to note the end of a plague. It's kind of built like a ship and has a deck all the way around with amazing views of Rome, after you climb through the dreary, circular, cobbled entrance. There are also special rooms with art and tapestries tucked in to the middle deck area, that were created for Popes that entertained while kept safe. Interesting site!

The Castle of the Holy Angel was built in 123 AD. initially it was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The structure was once the tallest building in Rome. The top statue is of Michael the Archangel, the angel from whom the building derives its name. This Amazing the castle is opened in the evening, admission is €12 and they have concerts and all kinds of things happening. The castle is Spectacular during the day and at night it was magical and lights up the sky. The huge stone wall and surrounding moat are very impressive.

This was one of my favorite parts about Rome. We climbed our way to the top and saw the most beautiful views. I'm not big on museums when I'm on vacation but my daughter dragged me along and we had a lot of fun. It wasn't too packed and although it was extensive, it was the perfect amount of views. Could spend hours there.

A must-see in Rome, Castel Sant'Angelo is an amazing architectural feat and is well worth the visit. Not only are there great views of the city from the top walls, there's also a bar and restaurant and such great historical information. While there are plenty of monuments to visit in Rome that are free, it's worth the small entry fee to see this one!

I keep forgetting that I can review places that I was fond of in a foreign country. This one was a favorite. Running around in Italy, a few of us wanted to take a break so we headed over to the giant round stone fortress known as Castel Sant'Angelo. Right away, I was impressed by the huge structure, and although I'm normally not a museum fan, this one was special. Walking the perimeter, you literally feel transported back in time as you look out at amazing views of Roma, where it appears as though the city goes on forever. It wasn't very crowded during our time there, so we got a lot of ground covered even though we still didn't get to see everything. Writing about my experience just isn't the same as being there in person; and pictures don't do justice. Overall, this was absolutely the best part of Italy for me.

Must see attraction if you are into history! Like a walk back in time. Buy and entry ticket but don't bother with a guided tour. You'll enjoy much more at your own pace. Amazing views of Rome from the top.

The self-guided walking tour takes 1-2 hours depending on your interest, energy, and what's limited (closed) by safety protocols. Since May 8, 2021 the cost of entrance has been subsidized to just €12 instead of €15. Whatever the ticket price, the views of Rome from the top of the 5-story building are a real attraction while the history lessons about the original purpose and use by Popes and the military is truly educational. Built in 135-139 AD as the original mausoleum of the Roman emperor Hadrian, this impressive structure along the Tiber River was first known as the Hadrianeum. He was emperor for 21 years when some famous construction feats of Rome included "Hadrian's Wall" in Britain, the Pantheon, and the Temple of Venus and Roma. It makes sense that Rome created an ornate stone and marble site that protected the ashes of Hadrian and his wife. The beauty of those days are long gone, but the significance of the structure evolved over the years. Later, it was called Sepulcrum Antoninorum as the burial place of the Antonine emperors until Caracalla (217 AD). The urns and tomb contents were lost after it was converted into a fortress in the 5th Century to guard the critical city bridge Ponte Sant'Angelo. Hence, the name we all know it by today: Castel Sant'Angelo. The fort is a circle surrounded by a rectangle with corners protected by barbicans. In the lofty central cylinder is where you'll explore the salons, chapels, apartments, prison cells, and courtyard. The building is crowned with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel to honor the vision Pope Gregory I had in 590 of the saint on top of the castle to signal the end of an epidemic that had devastated the city. It is relatively easy to walk from Vatican City to the castle. In fact, there used to be an 800-meter fortified corridor connecting the 2 locations (built in 1277) so that Popes could escape the Vatican when in danger. This was famously used in 1527 when Pope Clement VII sought refuge during the sack of Rome by the Holy Roman emperor Charles V. Military use ended in 1901 and restoration has been underway since. The beauty of the art in the Papal residences, the inspirational rooftop panoramas, quaint military museum, and sheer significance of this impressive structure built almost 2,000 years ago all make Castel Sant'Angelo a memorable part of our most recent visit to Rome.

This castle is an example of the greatness in history. The entire experience was worth it. Ensure you see everything as there is much to see and admired. The food at the Bar was quite simple and tasty. However complimenting the view makes it exceptional. The roof top view is perfect to what was the tallest building of its era. A great experience overall.

Just after completing the tour of Museums, we came here. It's right in front of St Peter's Square and you can have a great view of Basilica from Castle. It is a circular fort and castle complex that was once the tallest building in Rome. It was built in 129 AD, the castle is truly ancient and was originally intended to serve as a Mausoleum for the Emperor (a building, housing a tomb or tombs). Now, this castle is part of the Vatican state and is connected to St. Peter's Basilica via a huge corridor named the Passetto di Borgo. In the past, It also served as a prison, but today the castle is a museum. Among the most well-known sights in Rome, film buffs will recognize it as a setting from "Angels and Demons". It's fun to see all the locations which you saw in the movie. I watched the movie again after coming from Rome.

This is an interesting old fortress that was once Hadrian's tomb. It has a lot of artifacts to look at & just the architecture alone is a marvel. We came here to kill time before going to the Vatican. We went as far as the mid-level where is cafe is located. Amazing views from there but also elsewhere in the castle. When you first enter it looks like a little village inside. Be prepared for lots of stairs. I didn't see any elevators or escalators built in. So this is not a tourist spot for those with mobility problems. Outside of the walls you'll find musicians playing for change. There are also those hustlers trying to sell you useless Knick knacks like bracelets, wooden bowls, and toys. Avoid them as they can be very aggressive & some will try to put a bracelet on you saying it's free then come back to you & ask for money. Others will also try to pickpocket you. If you want souvenirs better to buy from the actual gift & souvenir shops. It will be a little more pricey but you don't have to worry that you'll regret it.

We walked in here not expecting much, but once you starting walking up an, wow what an experience, and view. You can see all over Rome from here at the top. They have a nice little cafe where you can relax and admire the view. Going down was twice as fun, especially the tunnel to the bottom! The only hassle was trying to download their tour app and get it working at the beginning of our expedition--it was super slow and cumbersome.

Unique shape for a castle. Looks more like a fort and near the canals. Statues along the way to the entrance. Near the Vatican area. Great site to pass by or go in.

Castel Sant' Angelo is amazing! We didn't have plans to come into this particular castle but it was included in an Italian government sponsored tourist packet we bought for €100 per person which included entrance to the Colosseum, Vatican Meseum, all public transportation, and a couple of other places which included this castle. First of all once you reach the top the view of the city is amazing!! You can just spend hours up there just looking and taking photos, but I am getting ahead of myself. Like everywhere else in Italy you can get yourself guided tours with someone with a broken English explaining cultural and historical facts about the place, but you don't really need to. There is an area that you can only access by paying for one of these guided tours however. I did not see enough of it to be able to tell you whether it's worth it or not. But there is plenty to see without it. We just followed the crowds and did all the castle in order until we reached the top. There are so many interesting things to see. There is also a restaurant near the summit of the castle which looks interesting. Their patio tables face the view of the city which is nice. Once you reach the top there are gorgeous statues and the view is fantastic we went close to Sunset so we had very nice light. On the way down you go through a different path and this is where you get to see most of the exhibits they have going on here. They are painted walls, ceilings, paintings, soldier uniforms, pieces of armor, even bedrooms and oratories. I am very glad we had these tickets included and our city pass, because otherwise we would've missed a wonderful place.

It is a great place to have a nice view of rome at sunset. The cover for the museum is about 15€ per person. You also need to download their app through their provided wifi which does not work sometimes. The app provides the map of the museum and guide to some artworks and history. If their wifi is working, it is a great option. Unfortunately, the wifi is not working half of the time. The exhibition is limited but the view of Rome is amazing and worth the visit. This view is probably why I gave it 5 star! It is absolutely impressive and beautiful sunset 360 degree view of Rome! It does require some walking and ability to climb stairs. I saw people wearing high stiletto heels walking up the stair despite of uneven stairway, uneven floor...

One place that not many non-European tourists go to... With the most spectacular views of the Eternal City...I had vertigo, induced partially by my Tosca's fatal fall (at the end of Puccini's opera). Unlike the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Galeria Borghese, Palazzo Barberini (at least on weekends, and certainly through the tourist season--I wish someone had told me this, as I made one trip in vain, only to be turned away), where online booking of tickets is necessary.

Who doesn't love castles? Legit question, is there any person on Earth who does not dig castles? If so, get them treatment immediately as their condition may worsen to the extent of not liking air or water. The cool thing about this castle nestled in the heart of Rome is you can see all the different stages it evolved through under different regimes. At first it was just someone's digs, then the next resident improved its defensive capabilities. Then the next dude improved upon those. It's cool, really cool! And once you're finally at the top there's some amazing views! I highly recommend this castle be added to your impromptu itinerary. Cheers

Not my favorite place to visit, but worth the entry fee for the view of the Vatican and panoramas of the city. I wouldn't say it was super interesting, and the app was glitchy and basically was identical to the large posters you can read on your own, but I'd go for the scenic view. No need to stay too too long, though you can drop into the cafe if you have some time to kill too.

Castel Sant'Angelo is a castle in Rome. It was beautiful to walk through. There was a little bit of a line, but nothing as bad as some of the lines you will experience at the more popular destinations such as the Coliseum. We went at 11am and we waited for about 15 minutes in line. The price wasn't much at all. It ended up costing about 14 euro per person. We didn't get a tour, but this was one of the only museums where you didn't need one. You can walk through and take your time reading the descriptions. There is so much history you can easily kill a few hours, but it won't take up your whole day. Also, this was one of the only locations that wasn't packed. However, as we were exiting the line was definitely getting longer, so the earlier the better for this place. You want to make sure you get there at a decent time. Overall, it is a place you want to check out when escaping the more populated destinations. (This review was from a trip taken in the middle of March. June may have a larger number of attendees)

This castle had a GREAT view of the Vatican City atop its roof. Omg... it was so beautiful up there. Walking through and up the castle was very tiring though, and I didn't like the inside of it much. It wasn't as pretty inside as the Hampton Court Palace, but still nice. I appreciated the history of this castle. I took a break at the cafe inside and had some cheese, prosciutto, fruit, and water. I remember how hot yet windy it was, and I was so mad when no waiter or waitress helped me while I sat in my chair for several minutes. Once my food was served, all my napkins flew away and my kept flying all over my place, so I asked to be moved to a more blocked off section. I ended up getting a view of St. Peter's Basilica with a huge Italian flag right across my "window" (see pic, with my elbow kinda hanging out the "window"). Customer service here sucked! Nonetheless, I appreciated the view I got from this castle's roofs. So worth the visit.

This is another landmark we hadn't necessarily planned on seeing in Rome, but basically walked right into one day while out exploring and figured, why not?" This museum will cost you 13 euros per person. I'm not 100% sure if this was worth 13 euros or not, especially how many incredible things you can see and do around the city for free. I am glad I was able to check it out though. During different points in time of history, this was mausoleum, a fortress, a castle, a prison, and is now a museum. - Once you reach the top, you are treated to some incredible views of Rome, especially of St Peters Basilica and Vatican City. - Not overly crowded at all. I guess a lot of people didn't opt to pay the 13 euros to come inside. Made it much more comfortable to walk around and check things out. - Features the Archangel Michael in numerous places around the castle, including the statue t the very top. I was raised in a Catholic household and was named after the Archangel Michael, so I have a special fondness for him and enjoyed seeing the statues and works of art that featured him. The castle its self was pretty cool to get to check out, but I wasn't overly "wowed" like t many other places in Rome, so I'm not sure why they charge to get in here. As I said before, I am glad I can add it to the list of places I visited in Rome! 4 stars.

The castle is def worth a visit. Like the rest of Rome, it is amazing to see what they were able to build without modern technologies. Don't miss the cafe half way up the inside of the castle. You can take a break and stare out at the amazing views.

A tomb, prison, home, and fortress all throughout time! Very awesome landmark to see if you are around Vatican City. We walked here after we saw the Vatican. I enjoyed the architecture of castle. Reminded me of a smaller Colosseum surrounded by walls. Pretty massive for a tomb. You can visit the museum at a cost or you can just admire the site from the outside like I did.

14 euros is the price of entry, which some might find overpriced, but as a fan of Assassins Creed, this was a must stop for me. This area was a big part of the third video game, so I had to check it out. It's a beautiful Castel and is almost like a mini maze. The path goes into two directions and you make a choice. It then goes into three different directions! Which way do you go? Either way, it was fun to explore and see something I had seen in virtual form as something tangible. A beautiful area and a great part of Rome. Check it out!

I walked around the area and to the castle and it was pretty nice to hang around. I walked around the castle (didn't get a chance to go in since the line was pretty long) but got to admire some of the architecture and see it from the outside. It's a short walk from the Vatican so I would recommend walking over after. Aside from the castle, they also have a lot of street vendors and of course, gelato! On a side note, sit on the ledge near the water. It's a great place to people watch and take pictures of the castle!

Featured in the (2009) movie "Angels and Demons", Castle of the Holy Angels has had a long and colorful history. Completed in 139 AD under Emperor Hadrian, it was initially intended to hold the funeral ashes of Hadrian thus called Hadrian's Mausoleum. Later it held the ashes of Marcus Aurelius and Septime Severus as well. A ticket will cost 10.5 Euro, EU citizens between 15-18 years 7 Euro and under 18 yrs. or over 65 years for Eu citizens is free. There are both signs in English and Italian giving some information. Guide books and audio downloads enrich the experience. By 401 AD the Alaric Visigoths challenged stormed the castle only to find it had been converted to a fortress. A small military museum is now present. By 1527 a passettodi Borso (passage way) connected the Vatican to Sant' Angelo's and Pope Clement VII used it to escape and find refuge. There are papal apartments, prisons and torture chambers. Executions by decapitation were held in the courtyard. The present statue of Saint Michael whose sword ended the great plague of 590 AD adorns the top of the Castel. It was crafted in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verscaffelt, Today the Castel is called the National Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo. It houses Renaissance paintings, antique military weapons and magnificent frescoes. There are cafes, and great views of St. Peter's and Rome. Take bus 40 (Express) or the Metro (Lepanto) Line A) if you can. Driving and parking in Rome is legendarily frustrating and taxing both mentally and physically.

It was beautiful Sunday afternoon we crossed the bridge of Saint Angelo to see the castle. There was not alot of tourist and the museum is temporary closed.

Structurally this place is pretty massive but I will say that I was overall disappointed. There was a line outside and they only let about 100-200 people in at a time so at peak times you may find yourself waiting for a while to get in. Luckily, they were moving the lines pretty quickly when we went in order to clear the museum for an event they were having later in the evening. Navigating the twists and turns and steep upgrades as you wind your way through the labyrinth within the castle can be a bit exhausting. Just when you think the steps and slopes are done, you round the corner and there is another slope. I will say that I don't think I saw any elevators or anything for those that need wheel chair access, so you may want to look into that before coming here or you'll really be disappointed. One positive is the awesome view of the Vatican from the top. We got up there right as the sun was setting so the colors of the sun radiating off Basilica di San Pietro gave it a wonderful silhouette. One downside to the roof top is that it was very crowded and you can only enter or exit in one very narrow winding staircase. If people are coming up, you have to back out to the roof top and wait for everyone to finishing coming up. It's kind of rudimentary so wait about 5-10 seconds and if no one comes, make your way down. Also, be aware of those infernal selfie sticks. People spin around like dervishes, all the while wielding those sticks increasing the risk to all of losing an eye or cracking a crown or veneer. Take in the moment with your eyes, maybe snap one pic, and head on to your next destination. When you're done, grab a gelato and take a walk down the waterway outside. It a fun & cool way to relax. By the way it was normally 10 Euros to get in, but we go in for free as it was the first Sunday in the month. Check the website for other times when fares are reduced.

Walked here after seeing the pope and there where so many people having fun, enjoying the street food, artists, and the warmth of the locals was amazing. Not enough time to go in but just impressive and beautiful.

When our taxi drops us off at this museum.... WOW!!! Feel like at the movie set. This castle is really stunning. Walking on the bridge towards to castle, feeling very excited to be standing on part of the history! The admission ticket is a little bit less than 10 euro. People are waiting in line even before the opening time. The castle is situated on huge land. Surrounding area, they use it for street vendors. From this castle, walking distance to St. Peter square to the next tourist attraction spot.

It really stands out at night with all the lights illuminating this fascinating structure! When you hear castle, you don't really think of this building, it doesn't look like a castle in the traditional sense, but it had some similar features such as tall outer walls with grooves at the top. I would imagine it more like a fortress. I didn't go inside, but I did walk by and admire it for a bit. If you're only planning on walking by, it probably isn't worth the visit, but it might be a lot better if you go inside!

Very interesting 2nd century castle. There's no need to use the app or do a real tour, as there are written out cards in every room, in both Italian and English. Gorgeous views of Rome from the upper levels / roof of the castle. We went around 4 pm and by the time it was 5:30, we're able to enjoy a gorgeous sunset over Rome from the roof.

My 100th review goes to Castel Sant'Angelo. After spending the day in Vatican City and doing tons of walking, my friend and I almost called it quits and went to dinner BUT we gathered up the strength to push through and walk to Castel Sant'Angelo. On our way there, a woman was playing the harp (literally angelic) and the sun was setting, which I took as a divine sign that we were headed in the right direction *cue angels singing in perfect harmony.* We purchased our tickets and headed off on our self-guided tour, and wow, these views did NOT disappoint. We got some amazing pictures and videos of the sun setting over Vatican City (I'll post them here) which were priceless. The castle also has a bunch of different quarters to discover and statues of St. Michael the Archangel which I was very happy to see. I wish some of the rooms and statues had more information about the history so that we could have made the most of the self-guided tour, but overall this was a great experience. FYI - the top level of the castle has a bar/restaurant which was GORGEOUS. While walking by, we got some amazing pictures and videos. If I visit here again, I'll be sure to stop for a glass of wine. It's the perfect ambiance!

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the top to get the great views of the city, however I didn't feel short-changed. The castle itself is quite stunning, but then again, most of "old Rome" is. It's billed as a museum, but its not in a traditional sense of artwork and the likes. The art is the building itself.

Originally built by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his successors, Castel Sant'Angelo is more than just a tomb. It became a fortress and a passageway connecting to the Vatican (remember Angels and Demons?) accessed by the popes who used the Castel as their apartments. For us, it served as a refuge from a downpour and provided us with a history lesson. The grounds are free, but going inside the Castelo is 9 euro/person (not including audio guide!) The entrance to the fortress starts with the famous winding ramp about 400 feet long, you'll land on the 2nd floor where the historical prisons are located. It wasn't super crowded when we visited so the eerie vibe was definitely there. At the papal floor, you'll see the loggia of Julius II by Bramante and magnificent rooms with frescoes done by Italian painters. At the terrazzo, you can see the Archangel in bronze and also breath taking views of the Tiber River and St. Peter's basilica. If you decide to not to pay the admission fee, you can roam castle grounds, which are well maintained and provide nice photo ops for folks with the fancy cameras. It's a 10-12 walk from St. Peter's square and if you take Via della Conciliazione, it'll lead you straight to the Castel.

The top of this castle is the highlight of this trip. You can see the Vatican city from the top which is really awesome. This castle is so ancient and was preserved nicely. There is a moat in this castle. There is a cafe' inside this castle which has a great view. Be ready for lots of walking and climbing the stairs. I suggest purchasing the tickets online before going. It took us about 2 hours or more on this attraction admiring the view of Vatican city.

Always want to go this place. Finally got a chance, first Sunday of the month entrance is free. Got to the bar have lunch with great 360 view. Recommend to visit this place.

Like something out of a renaissance movie, beautiful with gorgeous views from the top. They have a cute little coffee/drink stop up there and you can sit on these bistro tables that overlook the city. The architect of this place is so beautiful. The sculptures and the rooms with the arched ceilings are gorgeous. Pictures do not capture it's beauty, if you have little time here with all the things to see, put this stop on the top of your list. See my other pics not attached to this review

"As one does in the Tower of London, that nothing cheerful could ever have happened there." - H.V. Morton As one of Rome's main icons, Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) isn't exactly a happy place even since its creation. Starting as the Mausoleum of Hadrian that was later looted, the Vatican converted this place as a defensive garrison that doubled as the Pope's secret prison and backup residence, which was used by Pope Clement VII to escape the Vatican during the Sack of Rome. Yep, not exactly a happy place. However today, Castel Sant'Angelo is now a national museum under Italy, and thanks to its fortified walls and status as the Pope's escape room, this ancient structure is incredibly well-preserved! You can walk along the edge of the fortified walls to imagine what Rome was like during its Sack from this safe vantage, or deep within the fortress through the confusing corridor. Inside if you are not too lost, you will find few antique courtyards (which sadly were served as secret execution plazas) and beautifully painted fresco apartments after a Pope tried to cheer up his backup residence. If you managed to successfully navigate to the end, you will be rewarded to the very top of Castel Sant'Angelo that is topped by the titular angel and the beautiful close view of the Vatican that the vantage point offers! Overall, Castel Sant'Angelo is an interesting landmark in Rome to visit, and it's a must for anyone interested in Roman history! Despite its modifications through its history, Castel Sant'Angelo is one of the few intact ancient Roman structure. If you are not that into Roman history though, seeing outside especially from the beautiful Ponte Sant'Angelo may suffice if your time is short and you are interested in somewhere else. --- tl;dr version: 1) A former mausoleum later converted to Pope's defensive backup 2) Interesting national museum with blend of depressing funerary decor and cheerful Renaissance art 3) Interesting destination though not a must-go if you are not into Roman history

Just a short walk from the Vatican, you can get a great view of the Tiber River from this location. Best of all, it's FREE ADMISSION! Yes, you bet I am excited when it comes to free stuff. Especially when I had to pay up to 2euros to go to the bathroom! Unfortunately, I was behind schedule and didn't have time to go inside, but I did enjoy the view from Museo Castel Sant'Angelo and the statutes on the bridge.

This was one of my favorite attractions in Rome! The views were absolutely spectacular! Definitely worth the price and it took us a couple of hours to get through the whole castle. I loved that the place was set up with signs directing you where to go next, so I didn't feel like I was missing anything and felt that I got to see a lot. If anything, come visit just for the amazing panoramic view of the entire city.

Another place to see in Rome. It's a old castle not too far from the Vatican. Lots of vendors outside selling religious souvenirs and people doing performances to try and earn tips. It's right next to a river too. Lot of people just hanging around people watching and enjoying the day. If you keep walking down the path you will see more restaurants and vendors

Great bang for buck there is a LOT to read, visit and explore. MILES ahead of that idiotic coliseum tour. The Mausoleum has an interesting story taught an interesting way and is deceptively humongous. App is provided for the tour in case you don't want to read. English signs everywhere. There is a bar (coffee place) there too but we just brought our own food. It is very well kept compared to other buildings from that era and it's explained why.

This is a great spot to climb up the stairs and journey to the roof to get a great elevated view of St. Peter's Square and the entire surrounding area. The roof view is great! The castle is cool too, the history of most things in Rome is captivating to say the least.... Definitely worth a stop... At night locals kind of hang out all over in squares and areas like this too...

Featured in Julia Robert's film Eat, Pray, Love...this historic building definitely has amazing views from the top. This is also where Michael the Archangel statue can be found. I recommend coming before sunset and stay for that perfect sunset shot. You can explore at your pace and just roam around the rooms, hallways, and rooftop. When I visited in 11/25/2012 the entrance fee was €10.50.