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Pantheon Rome – tickets, audio tour, guided tour, what to see

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The Pantheon in Rome is almost 2000 years old, making it the oldest building in the world still in use today. 

Pantheon is derived from the ancient Greek words ‘Pan’ (all) and Theos (God) and was used to worship all Gods. 

The Pantheon is renowned for its remarkable architecture, particularly its dome, an engineering marvel of its time, and remains one of the largest unreinforced concrete domes in the world.

Since the 7th century, it has been a Roman Catholic church.

More than seven million people visit the Pantheon each year.

This article shares everything you must know before buying your Pantheon Rome tickets.

What to expect at Pantheon Rome

Prepare to be awestruck by the sheer magnificence of the Pantheon’s architecture. The grand entrance, towering Corinthian columns, leads to the massive bronze doors that open into the building.

Once inside, you will encounter the iconic dome, a masterpiece of ancient engineering.

The dome’s design and the open oculus at the top allow natural light to flood the interior, creating a breathtaking play of light and shadow that changes throughout the day.

Plaques and inscriptions inside the Pantheon highlight its history, including its construction by Emperor Hadrian and its transformation into a Christian church.

You will also find the tombs of several notable figures, such as the artist Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele II.

Where to book tickets for Pantheon Rome

Tickets for Pantheon Rome are available online in advance or at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because the attractions sells a limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Go to the Pantheon Rome ticket booking page, and select your preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets to buy.

You will receive the ticket confirmation in your email after the booking.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.

Pantheon Rome ticket price

The Pantheon Rome ticket is priced at €18 for all visitors above 18

Children up to 17 years old get a discount of €5 and pay €13 for entry.

EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 also pay a discounted price of €16.

Tickets for Pantheon Rome

At the beginning of 2018, the Italian Culture Minister announced entry tickets for Pantheon Rome.

He had cited the need to cover the high costs of running the historic building in the center of Rome and proposed a €2 per person entrance fee for the Pantheon. 

However, entry tickets for the Pantheon are yet to be implemented, and visitors can enter the monument for free. 

To capitalize on this confusion, some scamsters hang around in front of the Roman monument and try to sell Pantheon Rome tickets. Please don’t fall for their tricks. 

However, we recommend you get the audio guide tour, which helps you understand the significance of the 2000-year-old monument. 

For an even more memorable visit, you can opt for the guided tour of Pantheon


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Pantheon Audio Guide Tour

Pantheon Rome’s 35-minute to one- hour audio guide tour helps visitors unravel the obscure history of the monument. 

The audio guide talks about the revered temple and mausoleum and its fascinating architectural features such as the oculus, dome, etc. 

The tour also offers 15 listening points and a map to locate points of interest inside the Basilica. 

Pantheon's Audio Guide Tour desk

Visitors can collect their audio guide at the desk inside the Pantheon after showing their audio guide voucher and an ID with a photograph. 

Image: Pantheonroma.com

Bringing your wired earphones with a jack for Android devices (no Bluetooth, wireless, or iPhone) is better. You can buy them at the audio guide help desk for €1 a piece.

Audio guide is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, Arabic, and Korean.


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Guided tour of Pantheon Rome

For the most memorable experience, we recommend a guided tour of the Pantheon.

A local expert takes you on a 45-minute tour of the monument and shares stories about the history, architecture, and personalities involved.

Besides learning about the ancient monument, a guided tour will also help you skip the long lines, especially if you are visiting during peak hours. 

If you have more time, you can opt for the guided tour of Pantheon and surrounding squares and churches

If money isn’t an issue, but you prefer one-on-one attention and tour customization, a private tour of Pantheon Rome is a better idea.

For a more elaborate tour, check out the 4-hour tour of Rome on a power-assisted electric bike, which includes a visit to the Pantheon. The bike tour is also available at night


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How to reach Pantheon in Rome

The Pantheon is in Piazza della Rotonda, Rome. Get Directions.

The Meeting point to collect the booked entry ticket is located in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina 6, Rome, at the bookshop to the right of the Basilica of San Lorenzo di Lucina entrance, a few minutes walk from the Pantheon.

You can reach the attraction by car or public transportation.

By Metro

Barberini subway station serviced by Line A is around 700 meters (half a mile) from the Pantheon.

By Bus

Bus numbers 30, 70, 81, 87, 492, 628, C3, n70, n201, and n913 can drop you at Rinascimento, which is about 350 meters (a quarter of a mile) from the Pantheon.

By Car

If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.

There are enough parking garages around the attraction.


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Pantheon Rome hours

The Pantheon Basilica in Rome is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

The last entry is 30 minutes before the closing time of the Pantheon.

The Pantheon in Rome is also a working church called the Basilica of Sancta Maria ad Martyres and conducts regular mass. 

On Sundays and public holidays, mass is at 10.30 am. On Saturdays and pre-holidays it is at 5 pm. 

The monument remains closed on 1 January, 15 August, and 25 December.


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Best time to visit Pantheon Rome

The best time to visit the Pantheon in Rome is between 9 am and 11 am when the crowd hasn’t started coming in yet.

Large tour groups start streaming around 11 am and continue till 4 pm. 

If you can’t make it in the morning, 4 pm and 6 pm are the next best slots.

After the sun goes down, you won’t see the light entering the oculus and its reverse sundial effect.

Roman Pantheon is much busier on weekends than it is during weekdays.


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How long does Pantheon Rome take?

Most visitors spend around 30 minutes exploring the Pantheon in Rome. 

The duration of Pantheon’s audio guide, which you can book in advance, is 35 minutes. 

Since the Pantheon doesn’t take much time, some tourists club it with other nearby attractions such as Piazza Navona, 300 meters away; Trevi Fountain, 700 meters away; and the Spanish Steps, a little more than a kilometer away.


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What’s inside Pantheon Rome

The Pantheon in Rome follows the rules of Classical architecture laid out by Vitruvius, military engineer and architect for Julius Caesar.

The building is 43.2 meters (142 feet) tall and has the same width, giving it the impression of balance and harmony.

Made of bricks and concrete, the Roman Pantheon consists of three parts – a portico with granite columns, a massive dome, and a rectangular area connecting the two.

Pantheon’s Portico

During your visit to Pantheon Rome, the first feature you spot is the beautiful front portico supported by sixteen columns. 

The shafts (cylindrical part of the column) are carved out of premium Egyptian granite shipped from Egypt over the Mediterranean Sea.

The capitals (decorative top of the column) and bases were carved from white Greek marble.

These Corinthian columns supporting the portico weigh 60 tons each and are 11.8 meters (39 feet) tall and 1.5 meters (five feet) wide.

Inscription at the entrance

The current Pantheon is the third building at the same site. 

Marcus Agrippa built the first version in 27 BC, and after it burned down, Emperor Domitian rebuilt it.

Unfortunately, the second building was struck by lightning and subsequently destroyed.

King Hadrian built the monument between 118 and 128 AD, still standing after 2000 years.

For reasons unknown, he reused the original inscription attributing the building to Agrippa.

Don’t forget to read the inscription before you step inside Pantheon Rome. 

It reads: “Marcus Agrippa, the son of Lucius, three times consul, made this.”

Pantheon’s Oculus

Sunlight Streaming
Sunlight streaming in through Pantheon Rome’s Oculus. Image: Brewminate.com

The Pantheon has a hole in its dome that measures 8.2 meters (27 feet) in diameter.

The oculus in the dome’s center is also known as ‘The Eye of the Pantheon,’ it was the only light source when the monument was built. 

Since it is open to the elements, rain enters the building from the massive hole. 

However, a gently sloping floor and 22 well-hidden drainage holes ensure no waterlogging. 

Pantheon’s Dome

Pantheon’s dome, which measures 43.2 meters in diameter, held the record for the largest dome in the world for over 1300 years. 

Its record was beaten when Filippo Brunelleschi got inspired by the Pantheon and engineered the dome of Florence Cathedral.

However, it is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. 

The Roman Pantheon’s dome was initially covered in bronze, but all of it got stripped away with time. 

Tombs inside Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon, visitors can also see the tombs of many famous Italians.

Tomb of Vittorio Emanuele II

It is the final resting place of Vittorio Emanuele II (in pic) and his son Umberto I, the first two kings of unified Italy.

Visitors can also see the tombs of painter Raphael, composer Arcangelo Corelli, architect Baldassare Peruzzi, etc. 

Image: Walksinrome.com


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Pantheon Rome’s dress code

The Pantheon is still a working church – its name is Santa Maria e Martiri (St Mary and all the Martyrs).

As with all religious places in Italy, visitors should dress appropriately to enter the ancient building. 

Men should wear trousers or jeans, and women should wear pants or skirts – anything that keeps their legs covered. 

You must also cover your shoulders, so a t-shirt or a wrap-around is usually fine. 

It is better not to wear flip-flops and be quiet during your visit.

FAQs about Pantheon Rome

Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Pantheon Rome:

Do I need to buy tickets to enter the Pantheon?

Yes, you must book a Pantheon audio guide tour or Pantheon guided tour to enter the Pantheon in Rome.

Are there any restrictions on what items I can bring inside the Pantheon?

Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas might not be permitted inside and could be checked at the entrance. It’s advisable to carry minimal belongings during your visit.

Is there wheelchair access to the Pantheon?

Yes, the Pantheon is wheelchair accessible, with ramps providing access to the entrance. However, due to the historic nature of the building, there might be some limitations in certain areas.

Can I attend religious services at the Pantheon?

The Pantheon is an active church (Santa Maria ad Martyres). Visitors are welcome to attend religious services, but it’s important to be respectful if a service is ongoing during your visit.

Sources
# Britannica.com
# Romesite.com
# Italyguides.it
# Rome.info

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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Basilica of San GiovanniNational Etruscan MuseumStadium of Domitian
Da Vinci ExhibitionLa Traviata OperaPalazzo Cipolla

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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