Top Things to do in Castel Gandolfo
The 10 Best Things to do in Castel Gandolfo, Lazio
Discover the best top things to do in Castel Gandolfo, Italy including Canoa Kayak Academy, Le Palme, Vatican Observatory, Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, Chiesa della Madonna del Lago, Le Ninfe, Chiesa di San Tommaso da Villanova, Giardino Barberini, Palazzo Pontificio, Chiesa della Madonna del Lago.
Restaurants in Castel Gandolfo
1. Canoa Kayak Academy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Canoa Kayak Academy is a well-known canoeing school on the lake of Castel Gandolfo, we organize canoe and kayak courses for adults, teens and children, we also offer guided tours and kayak rentals.
2. Le Palme
3. Vatican Observatory
4. Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,000 reviews
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
Castel Gandolfo was declared property of the Holy See in the 13th century, but the castle was not built until the 17th century when other villas and cottages were being built in this area. It was renovated by Pope Pius XI in 1929 and has been used as the pope’s summer residence since them. During WWII 40 babies were born in the bedroom here, to mothers trying to escape the Nazis. Pope John Paul recovered from his injuries here when he was shot in 1980. The current Pope Francis declared that it should be open to the public since he preferred to stay in Rome and work. As we entered the gates of the Apostolic Palace, we passed the small fleet of Mercedes cars used by the Pope and the “Popemobile” with the bulletproof shell. Continuing, we made our way through display rooms showing the costumes of the Swiss Guards, the portable throne used to carry the pope in processions, and other items used by the pope. Next came galleries with portraits of all the popes, followed by a lovely cream, yellow, and gold waiting room where guests who had an audience with the pope were taken first. From there, we went through a series of waiting rooms (ante-rooms). A group of people might be granted an audience, but ultimately only one would actually see the pope. The others in the group would go as far as their “status/permission” allowed them and would wait in their assigned ante-room. The last ante-room was normally reserved for the wife of the man who had the audience. Finally came the magnificent throne room where the pope received the person granted an audience. Following that, all rooms were private. The general public was not allowed—only his private secretaries. A series of offices came next—some with elaborate desks and bookshelves and others with much simpler furniture. Then the pope’s bedroom, which was a bright and airy corner room with creamy yellow walls and mint-green drapes on four large windows. The furniture—a large bed, wardrobe, desk, and table with chairs—was made of beautifully carved wood and looked comfortable and lived-in. The bedroom opened onto a lovely little chapel with an altar and the pope’s own chair and kneeler. Following the chapel was a large gallery which led us back to the square outside. We really enjoyed being able to see this historic place. We have been to Italy on many previous occasions, but Castel Gandolfo was never open to the public before—and could be closed again, at the discretion of the pope. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see it if you can!
5. Chiesa della Madonna del Lago
6. Le Ninfe
7. Chiesa di San Tommaso da Villanova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Pinkertonx - Hereford, United Kingdom
Don't walk past, go in! This is a lovely church in the square of Castel Gandolfo, designed by Bernini in high Baroque style. There is a wonderful dome and architectural features.
8. Giardino Barberini
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By jacqi1950 - Newnan, United States
These gardens are magnificent ! This is where the popes spent their summers and it is now open to the public .
9. Palazzo Pontificio
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By Venus234
Me and my family of 4 adults made a day trip to Castel Gandolfo from Rome via train. It is a less than one hour journey, but with multiple stops on the way, as its not a high speed train. It stops at 5 to 6 small towns before reaching Castel Gondolfo. ONE SURPRISE we were met with upon reaching our destination was the lack of any sort of transportation to take us from the train station to the Pontifical Villas or the Palazzo Pontificio. We, as all others who disembarked the train, had to walk our way to the Palace (you may call in Pontifical Villas or the Palazzo that lies at its entrance. It is the centre of the town and the main tourist spot in Castel Gandolfo basically) which was located on a hill. Now, there are two routes that take you to the Palace. You can take the first route by simply walking up the slightly steep road that the train station is located on. As you start for the Palace, you will determine the correct direction by making sure that the Albano Lake is on your right hand side and the hill on your left hand side. This road goes straight until it bends in a U-turn and takes you to the Palace. The second route, is a much steeper short cut. It appears on your left hand side less than a km from the train station. It is a steep, zigzag, cobbled hill track that alternates with the seemingly longer road route to the Palace. The hill track is the one we took. This route has both positive and negative sides to it. The only plus point I can imagine is that by virtue of being a hill track, it is covered with trees and we walked the entire time in a cool shade and were saved from the scorching July sun. The negative point is that the track was way too steep. This angle was unexpected and uncalled for so it was a bit annoying. We had to stop 6 to 7 times to catch our breath and I doubt if the hill track even proved to be a short cut.. The only good thing was the shade of tree. So i suggest if the sun is not too bright and its not so hot, you should take the road rather than the hill track.
10. Chiesa della Madonna del Lago
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
