The Getty Villa: A Journey into Antiquity
Explore ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art and culture in a stunningly recreated Roman villa with gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Step back in time at the Getty Villa, a stunning recreation of a first-century Roman country house, the Villa dei Papiri. Oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, driven by the belief that ancient art should be viewed in a classical setting, opened the Getty Villa in 1974. The museum houses approximately 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, with about 1,400 on display, dating from 6,500 BC to 400 AD. The Villa itself is a work of art, designed by architects Robert E. Langdon, Jr., and Ernest C. Wilson, Jr., in consultation with archeologist Norman Neuerburg. The architectural plan, simulating an archaeological dig, was conceived by Machado and Silvetti Associates. Explore the meticulously recreated gardens, featuring plants known to have grown in the ancient Mediterranean, bronze sculptural replicas and fountains. Don't miss the Outer Peristyle with its reflecting pool, the Herb Garden, the Inner Peristyle with its Roman statuary, and the enwalled East Garden. Inside, the museum's galleries showcase a wide array of ancient art, including sculptures, jewelry, glassware, and more, arranged thematically to explore ancient life, culture, religion, and war. The collection includes the Lansdowne Heracles and the Victorious Youth, one of the few life-size Greek bronze statues to have survived to modern times. Visitors can also enjoy live performances in the outdoor classical theater and participate in educational programs. The Getty Villa offers a captivating glimpse into the world of ancient Greece and Rome.
Local tips
- Admission is free, but a timed-entry reservation is required and can be made online or by phone.
- Parking is $25 per car, but carpooling is encouraged. Consider arriving after 3 p.m. for reduced parking fee.
- Take advantage of the free guided tours to learn more about the Villa's architecture, gardens, and collections.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking on stone surfaces and in the gardens.
- Check the Getty Villa's website for information on current exhibitions, events, and family activities.
A brief summary to The Getty Villa
- 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, Pacific Palisades, California, 90272, US
- +1310-440-7300
- Visit website
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Getting There
-
Public Transport
From Downtown Los Angeles, take the Metro E Line tram to Downtown Santa Monica Station. Then, transfer to the Metro bus line 134 towards the Getty Villa. The bus stops at Pacific Coast Highway / Getty Villa, a short walk from the entrance. The combined journey takes approximately 1 hour 44 minutes and costs $4. Be sure to have your Villa admission ticket hole-punched by the bus driver.
-
Driving
From the 405 Freeway, exit onto Sunset Boulevard and head west. Continue on Sunset Boulevard until you reach the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1). Turn right onto the Pacific Coast Highway and proceed north. The Getty Villa entrance is accessible only from the northbound, right-hand lane of Pacific Coast Highway. Parking is $25 per vehicle. Consider the 'Pay Once, Park Twice' deal for same-day parking at both the Getty Villa and Getty Center.
-
Taxi/Ride-sharing
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can drop off and pick up passengers at a designated area inside the Getty Villa entrance. Ask your driver to pull into the Villa entrance gate and inform staff of your drop-off or pick-up. Staff will confirm that each passenger has a Villa admission ticket before directing the driver to the designated area. A taxi from Downtown Los Angeles to the Getty Villa typically costs $85-$110 and takes about 25 minutes.
