The Museo del Giocattolo is a toy museum in Palazzo Rospigliosi, Zagarolo, near Palestrina. Its collection spans toys from the first half of the 1800s to the present day, with exhibits connecting play to social and cultural life.
- Location: Palazzo Rospigliosi, Piazza della Indipendenza, 6, 00039 Zagarolo RM.
- From Palestrina: Ristorante Stella is about an 11-minute drive from the museum.
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
- Admission: Individual tickets are €5, with reduced prices for some visitors and free entry for children under 6.
What to see at the Museo del Giocattolo
The Museo del Giocattolo uses 12 rooms in the sixteenth-century Palazzo Rospigliosi to tell the story of toys and their place in social and cultural life. The collection ranges from toys dating to the first half of the 1800s through to the present day.
That broad span makes the visit about more than individual objects: the museum sets toys within the life and culture of the periods they represent. The historic palazzo is part of the setting, too.
Where is the toy museum in Palestrina?
Despite its association with Palestrina, the toy museum is in Zagarolo, at Palazzo Rospigliosi on Piazza della Indipendenza. Use the Zagarolo address when planning your route rather than assuming the museum is in Palestrina’s centre.
The museum is one of several cultural stops in the area. Palestrina’s archaeological museum is in Palazzo Colonna-Barberini, and the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia is another local landmark. A one-day itinerary for Palestrina can help you arrange the town’s sights around your visit.
How do you get from Palestrina to the museum?
From a three-star hotel in Palestrina, the Museo del Giocattolo is about an 11-minute drive. The museum is in a different town, so set your destination to Palazzo Rospigliosi in Zagarolo.
If you are arriving by train, local transport connects Zagarolo railway station to the entrance of Palazzo Rospigliosi. Check local transport arrangements for your travel day.
To add an archaeological stop in Palestrina, the Museo Nazionale Archeologico Prenestino is in Palazzo Colonna-Barberini. Keep the two museums’ different locations in mind as you plan the order of your day.
Opening hours and tickets to check
The museum has winter and summer opening schedules. On both, it is closed on Monday; Tuesday and Friday include morning and afternoon opening, while Wednesday and Thursday are morning-only. Saturday and Sunday have morning and afternoon sessions, with the summer afternoon session starting later.
Opening hours
- Tuesday and Friday: 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00
- Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00–13:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Individual admission is €5. Children under 6 enter free; children aged 6–12 and visitors over 65 pay the reduced price of €2.50. The museum recommends booking in advance through its ticket office by phone or email, and groups of more than 10 must book.
School groups of up to 25 pupils can book a guided visit for €85 or a guided visit with an educational activity for €135. Groups smaller than 15 pupils receive concessions.
Hours may vary on public holidays and can change, so check the official site before you go. You can also contact the ticket office at +39 06 95769405 or museodelgiocattolo@comunedizagarolo.it.
Pairing the museum with other Palestrina sights
Because the toy museum is in Zagarolo rather than Palestrina, plan it as a separate stop from Palestrina’s central sights. The National Archaeological Museum Prenestino and the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia are both Palestrina attractions, with the archaeological museum housed in Palazzo Colonna-Barberini.
Visit the toy museum for its collection and historic-palazzo setting, then place the Palestrina sights into the rest of your plans.
FAQs
Is the Museo del Giocattolo in Palestrina?
No. The museum is in Zagarolo, inside Palazzo Rospigliosi, although it is associated with nearby Palestrina.
What is the museum’s collection about?
It covers toys from the first half of the 1800s to the present and explores their connections with social and cultural life.
Do you need to book?
The museum recommends booking in advance. Booking is compulsory for groups of more than 10 people.
Is admission free for children?
Children under 6 enter free. Children aged 6–12 pay the reduced admission price of €2.50.