The Getty Villa Museum is a premier free activity in Los Angeles, and just one part of the J. Paul Getty Museum campus. Located in Pacific Palisades, about 14 miles from The Getty Center, the structure is a magnificent recreation of the ancient Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum, which was lost in 79 AD after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius covered the Roman town.
The exhibits housed inside this painstakingly recreated country home focus on the study of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. Oil tycoon J. Paul Getty funded the operation, which was designed by architects Robert E. Langdon, Jr., and Ernest C. Wilson, Jr., with the help of archaeologist Norman Neuerburg.
Walking the grounds and gardens is a trip into the ancient world with thousands of artifacts on display. But if you’re looking for a little more as you explore, you can take a guided tour for in-depth information and behind-the-scenes details from a museum expert.
Tickets to the Villa are free to the public, but a timed-entry reservation is required to attend. Most tours run multiple times a day, but make sure to check the current calendar to see which will be available during your visit or confirm at the information desk in the museum entrance hall on the day you go. The tours are interactive as the guides share their knowledge and unique perspectives while engaging and answering audience questions.
Art, Architecture, and Garden Tour
While the Getty Villa collection includes more than 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities dating from 6,500 BC to 400 AD, the Villa is a work of art in its own right. The 50-minute Art, Architecture, and Garden Tour highlights various design elements of the Villa, as well as the unique materials and building concepts used to create the structure, along with the gorgeous gardens and artwork housed within it. Guides on this first-come, first-served tour answer visitors' questions and offer insights into daily life in the ancient world.
Exhibition Tour: The Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Egyptian guide to a successful journey into the afterlife has been commonly referred to as "The Book of the Dead." Behold the intricate preparations for eternity in this detailed exhibit. The collection of relics includes the Getty's Book of the Dead manuscripts, which illustrate how ancient Egyptians understood the cosmos and beyond. The tour will be available until November 30, 2026.
More to do at the Getty Villa
Take In A Show
Outside the Villa is a giant outdoor amphitheater that hosts the occasional concert, opera, or play. Check the calendar for age-appropriate concerts and performances.
The Garden Tea
Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired tea party harvested from the Villa’s gardens. A collection of teas will be paired with sandwiches, scones, tea breads, cheeses, and desserts. The package is $60 for adults and $50 for children and is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. However, if you’re looking for something a little more wallet-friendly, the Getty Villa welcomes picnics in the designated areas. Be aware that outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted on museum premises.
More to do near the Getty Villa
The Getty Center sits in the hills above West Hollywood, a free cultural destination featuring a world-class art museum, music and theater performances on the weekends, a conservation institute, two cafes, and more spanning 86 acres.
For more, check out the Getty app—you’ll see information about visiting the Getty Conservation Institute, additional areas of the J. Paul Getty Museum, and other cultural attractions on the campus. Meanwhile, the University of California, Los Angeles, and luxurious Beverly Hills are just down the street from the Getty Center, while the legendary Sunset Strip and the cinematic magic of Universal Studios Hollywood sit a bit further afield.