Secret passage Vatican - Castel Sant'Angelo

Passetto di Borgo - Tickets, tours and everything you need to know about 2026

The secret escape route of the popes between the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo: history, access, tickets and what awaits you in the hidden corridor.

Fortress wall of Castel Sant'Angelo in golden evening light with battlements and angel statue in the foreground

What is the Passetto di Borgo?

The approximately 800-meter-long escape corridor connects the Vatican with Castel Sant'Angelo and is one of the least known places in Rome.

The Passetto di Borgo (also known as the Corridoio di Borgo) is an elevated passageway that connects the Vatican City with Castel Sant'Angelo. It was built in the 13th century under Pope Nicholas III and served as an escape route for the popes in times of danger.

The corridor saw its most famous use in 1527, when Pope Clement VII was able to flee through the corridor into Castel Sant'Angelo during the Sacco di Roma, while Charles V's mercenary troops plundered the city. Around 1,000 people are said to have followed him on this route.

The corridor runs along the top of the Leonine Wall, is about 3 meters wide and was fortified with embrasures and breastworks. Along the way you pass the battlements of the medieval city wall and have an unusual view of the Rione Borgo, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica and the Roman roofs.

Is it possible to visit the Passetto di Borgo?

Access to the Passetto di Borgo is only possible with a separate ticket and is not included in the regular admission to Castel Sant'Angelo. The visit takes place as an escorted tour - you will be guided through the passageway by a member of staff on site. Alternatively, there are guided tours with a live guide that go into more detail about the historical context of the escape route.

The Passetto is only accessible on selected days: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except the first Sunday of the month, when Castel Sant'Angelo offers free admission and the Passetto remains closed). Evening tours are also offered on Saturdays. The tour is dependent on the weather and may be canceled at short notice in the event of heavy rain or wind. The passage is not barrier-free - there are steep stairs and low ceilings. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Length approx. 800 m
Duration of the visit approx. 60-90 min
Visiting days Fri, Sat, Sun
Meeting point Piazza del Risorgimento

Passetto di Borgo - Tickets and tours in comparison

There are two ways to visit the secret escape route: as an accompanied tour with an admission ticket or as a guided tour with a live guide. The Passetto is only accessible on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Prices are updated daily.

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Castel Sant'Angelo & Passetto di Borgo: skip-the-line entry

  • Entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo and Passetto di Borgo
  • Time slot reservation with speedy admission
  • Guided tour through the Passetto
  • Available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
from 45,00 €
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★★★★☆ 4.1 26 reviews

Passetto di Borgo: Vatican Hidden Passage Guided Tour

  • Guided tour through the Passetto with a live guide
  • Entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo and Passetto included
  • Headset for good intelligibility
  • Available languages: English and Italian
from 55,00 €
Book a tour

Both tickets include admission to Castel Sant'Angelo. The meeting point is always at Piazza del Risorgimento (green kiosk in front of Foot Locker). The Passetto is only accessible on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - it is closed on the first Sunday of the month. Visits are dependent on the weather and may be canceled at short notice if the weather is bad.

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Castel Sant'Angelo and Passetto di Borgo - entrance ticket

from 45,00 €

  • Entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo and Passetto included
  • Immediate confirmation
  • Mobile ticket - no need to print out
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Compare admission ticket with guided tour

Frequently asked questions about the Passetto di Borgo

Answers to the most important questions about access, tickets and visiting the secret passage.

What exactly is the Passetto di Borgo?

The Passetto di Borgo is an 800-metre long, elevated passageway on the Leonine Wall that connects the Vatican with Castel Sant'Angelo. It was built in the 13th century as an escape route for the popes and became famous when Pope Clement VII was able to flee to Castel Sant'Angelo during the sacking of Rome in 1527.

Is the Passetto included in the regular Castel Sant'Angelo ticket?

No. Access to the Passetto di Borgo is not included in the standard admission to Castel Sant'Angelo. You need a separate combined ticket that includes both admission to Castel Sant'Angelo and access to the Passetto. This ticket is available as an escorted tour or as a guided tour with a live guide.

On which days can you visit the Passetto?

The Passetto di Borgo is only accessible on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Evening tours are also offered on Saturdays. The Passetto is closed on the first Sunday of the month - on this day, Castel Sant'Angelo offers free admission, but the secret passage is not accessible. You can find the exact time slots from the respective provider.

Where is the meeting point for Passetto tickets?

The meeting point is in Piazza del Risorgimento, at the green kiosk opposite the Foot Locker store. There you will receive your tickets and a short briefing from an employee of the provider. Allow 10 to 15 minutes before the booked time slot for check-in.

Is the Passetto di Borgo barrier-free?

No. The corridor is not barrier-free. There are steep and narrow stairs and low ceilings. People with limited mobility or claustrophobia should take this into account in advance. Sturdy shoes are strongly recommended.

What happens in bad weather?

The visit to the Passetto is dependent on the weather and may be canceled at short notice in the event of heavy rain or wind. In this case, the visit is usually limited to the entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo. Whether a refund is possible depends on the conditions of the respective provider.

Is the guided tour worthwhile or is the entrance ticket enough?

Both options include access to the Passetto and Castel Sant'Angelo. The entrance ticket is an escorted tour - you will be guided through the passageway by a member of staff on site. The guided tour is worthwhile if you also value detailed historical context and stories about the escape route. The live guide explains details that you would otherwise easily overlook. However, the guided tours are currently only available in English and Italian.

Experience the secret passage of the popes

You now know everything about the Passetto di Borgo - from the history to the ticket. Secure your access to the hidden escape route between the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo.

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Entrance to Castel Sant'Angelo and Passetto included - Mobile ticket - Immediate confirmation