Mantua (Mantova) at a glance
Mantua and Sabbioneta have been a joint UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008. The listing describes Mantua as an existing Renaissance town that grew over time, and Sabbioneta as a planned ideal town. Two big sights shape most visits: the Palazzo Ducale, the palace of the ruling family, and the Palazzo Te, a villa-style palace at the edge of the old town.
This guide is independent. It is not run by the museums, the city or the card operator. Prices are for adults in 2026, and they can change, so check the ticket office for your day.
Tickets and prices compared
Adult prices in 2026 for the main sights.
| Ticket | Regular | Reduced or special |
|---|---|---|
| Palazzo Ducale, with Castello di San Giorgio, Camera degli Sposi and archaeological museum | €18 | €2 for eligible visitors aged 18 to 25 |
| Palazzo Ducale, without castle and Camera | €11 | – |
| Palazzo Ducale, first Sunday of the month | Free | Optional reservation €1 |
| Palazzo Te | €18 | €13 reduced, for example over 65; €8 for ages 12 to 18 and university students; free up to 11 |
| Palazzo Te, family ticket | €45 | Up to 2 adults and 3 minors |
| Mantova/Sabbioneta card, 72 hours | €48 | €18 for ages 12 to 17; family €85 |
The Palazzo Te page lists €18 as the regular price, while an older cooperation paragraph on the same page still shows a base of €15. Use €18 for planning. Eligibility for the reduced Ducale price depends on the rules at the ticket office and not on nationality alone.
Mantua tours and day trips
Guided visits in Mantua and Sabbioneta and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Palazzo Ducale and the Camera degli Sposi
The ducal palace and its painted bridal chamber.
What the ticket covers
The full ticket for €18 includes the Castello di San Giorgio with the Camera degli Sposi (the painted bridal chamber) and the archaeological museum. The €11 ticket leaves out the castle and the Camera.
Booking the Camera
Groups must reserve. Individual visitors are advised to buy ahead on holidays and first Sundays. The booked time refers to your entry at Piazza Castello for the Camera route, so visit the rest of the palace before or after it.
Free first Sunday and the card
Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, with an optional €1 reservation. Holders of the Mantova/Sabbioneta card pay an extra €7 for the Camera and the castle, so the card does not cover the full visit.
Palazzo Te
A palace outside the old centre.
The Palazzo Te opens from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and from Wednesday to Sunday. On Tuesday it opens at 1 p.m. The ticket office closes at 6 p.m., and the palace is closed on 25 December. Booking ahead is recommended for individual visitors but not required. An advance-sale fee is added on top.
The ticket also admits you once each to MACA and to the Tempio di Leon Battista Alberti. The operator gives about 15 minutes on foot from the town centre to the palace.
Sabbioneta, the ideal town
The second half of the UNESCO site.
Sabbioneta was built to a plan as an ideal town, and it is listed together with Mantua. The Mantova/Sabbioneta card names the theatre, the ducal palace, the Palazzo Giardino with the Galleria degli Antichi and further sites in its scope. Single ticket prices in Sabbioneta change and some buildings can be partly closed, so check the current list on site or before you travel.
The card runs for 72 hours and costs €48 for adults, €18 for ages 12 to 17 and €85 for a family. The Palazzo Te page mentions an additional fee of €3 for a special exhibition. The card suits visitors who see Palazzo Te, other sites and Sabbioneta within three days.
Plan the rest of your trip
Cities and lakes nearby on this site.
Cremona
The violin museum, the Torrazzo and the cathedral.
Bergamo
The upper town, the walls and the Accademia Carrara.
Things to do in Lombardy
Fifteen experiences from Lake Como to Mantua.
For travel from Milan, see day trips from Milan. Seasons are covered on the best time to visit page, and bases are compared on the where to stay page. Lake Garda lies outside this guide and has its own sites.
Mantua: frequently asked questions
How much is the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua?
The full ticket with the Castello di San Giorgio, the Camera degli Sposi and the archaeological museum costs €18. Without the castle and the Camera it costs €11. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month.
How much is the Palazzo Te?
The regular price is €18 in 2026, with €13 reduced and €8 for ages 12 to 18 and university students. Children up to 11 enter free. One older cooperation paragraph still shows €15.
Do I need to book the Camera degli Sposi?
Groups must reserve. For individuals, advance purchase is recommended on holidays and first Sundays. Your booked time applies to the entry at Piazza Castello for the Camera route.
Is the Mantova/Sabbioneta card worth it?
It costs €48 for 72 hours. Holders pay an extra €7 for the Camera and the castle at the Palazzo Ducale. It suits visitors who plan Palazzo Te, other sites and Sabbioneta within three days.
Is Mantova the same as Mantua?
Yes. Mantova is the Italian name, and Mantua is the English one. You will see Mantova on signs, tickets and timetables.