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The Vatican receives millions of visitors annually. Tourists come from all over the world to see the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other Vatican highlights. This section contains useful information for make visiting the Vatican easier and has been updated with Covid-19 health measures put in place by the Holy See for visiting places in Vatican City.  Please refer to official Vatican websites when possible for the most current information.

Papal Events

Due to health concerns regarding Covid-19, participation of the general public in Masses celebrated by Pope Francis have been temporarily suspended. They will be live-streamed on  www.vaticannews.va .

Pope Francis’s General Audience on Wednesdays is open to the public.  A Green Pass Covid vaccine certification, or equivalent certificate, is not required. Masks and social distancing are required. Tickets are free and can be obtained by contacting the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household.

The audiences are livestreamed with English translation starting at 9:15 A.M. (CET) on www.vaticannews.va .

The Sunday Angelus, held at noon on St. Peter’s Square and presided over by Pope Francis, is open to the public. It is also live-streamed with English translation on www.vaticanews.va .

*Please note that private audiences with the Pope are reserved for heads of state and other high-ranking officials.

Appropriate Dress

No shorts, short skirts or sleeveless shirts when entering St. Peter’s Basilica or when attending a Papal event on St. Peter’s Square.

Museums and Tourism

The Vatican Museums requires all visitors to present the ‘Green Pass’ covid certification, or equivalent certificate, until further notice.

The Green Pass, which comes in digital or paper versions, shows that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from Covid-19.  The Italian Ministry of Health issued an ordinance  on July 29, 2021 stating that an Anti-COVID-19 vaccination certificate for an  European Medicines Agency (EMA)  recognized vaccine from competent U.S. health authorities (CDC “white cards”) will be considered the equivalent of the Italian Green Pass where this requirement exists.

In addition to showing the Green Pass, visitors to the Vatican Museums may be asked to present an identification document “in order to verify actual ownership.”

For more information on the Vatican Museums, visit their website .

For information on the Scavi, visit the Excavation Office’s website .

Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica does not require the ‘Green Pass’ Covid vaccine certification, or equivalent certificate.

Journalist Accreditation

Journalists coming from the United States who wish to cover Vatican events will need to be accredited to the Holy See Press Office. Full details and application may be found on the  Media Accreditation page .

vatican museum visit

The latest Department of State travel updates and guidance on travel.state.gov .

"The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of our top priorities. To keep you informed, we provide security updates on travel.state.gov and embassy and consulate websites, and send out Alerts when you enroll in our free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

The actions we take depend on the nature of the crisis. In some instances, we may provide information on conditions in the country, such as warnings about areas of unrest, how and where to seek help, and other useful information. In more severe situations, we may recommend that U.S. citizens leave the immediate area if it is safe to do so or even the foreign country. If commercial transportation is unavailable, and if we have consular officers at the embassy or consulate, and if the conditions permit, we will do our best to identify what transportation options may be available to help U.S. citizens travel out of the crisis location"

  • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enroll Now
  • Looking for the nearest embassy or consulate? Visit the official list of embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions from the U.S. Department of State. Find the nearest Embassy or Consulate
  • Coronavirus.gov A portal for public information that is curated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force at the White House, working in conjunction with CDC, HHS and other agency stakeholders. Visit Coronavirus.gov .

Have an emergency?

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Air travel continues to and from the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains statistics on air travel. More information at FAA.gov . Additional information regarding flights can be found with commercial airlines.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) landing page on CDC.gov is the latest public health and safety information from CDC and for the overarching medical and health provider community on COVID-19. Visit CDC Covid-19 Page

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How to Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome

vatican museum visit

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums ( Musei Vaticani) , located in the Vatican City , are one of the attractions you must see on a visit to Rome . Here you will find priceless artworks, from Egyptian and Roman antiquities to paintings by the most important artists of the Renaissance.

A visit to the Vatican Museums also includes the Sistine Chapel , where you can see Michelangelo's most famous frescoes.

Top Attractions in the Vatican Museums

The Sistine Chapel. Renowned for its inspirational frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo between 1505 and 1512, the Sistine Chapel is also the gathering place of the Sacred College of Cardinals when they meet to elect a new pope. Portrayals of "The Last Judgment," "The Creation of Adam," and "The Fall of Man" and the "Expulsion from Paradise" are among Michelangelo's masterworks here, although he always considered himself more of a sculptor than a painter. The chapel contains what is considered by many to be the greatest achievements of the Renaissance. 

Tip:  Go to one side of the chapel and wait for a spot to open up on one of the benches lining the wall. You can sit down and admire the ceiling without straining your neck or getting dizzy.

The Raphael Rooms. Among the artistic treasures of the Vatican Museums, the   four opulent suites that make up the Raphael Rooms are second in importance only to the Sistine Chapel. Painstakingly created by artist Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) and his students between 1508 and 1524, these galleries, located on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace contain huge frescoes—foremost among them "The School of Athens," which depicts the great philosophers of the Classical world. Raphael snuck in a self-portrait, in the guise of the Greek painter Apelles of Kos. 

The Gallery of Maps.  One of the most popular exhibits in the Museums , the Gallery of Maps ( Galleria delle Carte Geografiche ) measures a whopping 394 feet and is plastered end-to-end with more than 40 full-size geographical paintings by the 16th-century Dominican monk and cosmographer, Ignazio Danti. Visitors to the museums pass through the gallery on their way to the Sistine Chapel.

The Chiaramonti Museum.  Set in a long loggia (hall) lined with thousands of ancient marble portrait busts, idealistic and funerary sculptures, as well as a rare 1st-century statue of Augustus, the Chiaramonti Museum is named after Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti (1800-1823).

Pio-Clementino Museum.  Housed within the smaller Belvedere Palace of Innocent VIII (1484-1492), the marble halls of Museo Pio-Clementino exhibit one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Classical Greek and Roman statues. A few examples are the Roman copy in marble of Apollo, originally cast in bronze in the 4th century BC, and a pontifical collection of sculptures housed in the crimson-hued Cortile delle Statue  (today called the Octagonal Court). 

The Gregorian Etruscan Museum.  Commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the middle of the 19th century, the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco has eight galleries that hold a fascinating selection of artifacts related to the mysterious Etruscan civilization, which predated Rome by at least hundreds of years. The Etruscans left behind rich grave goods, including bronze, glass, ivory, and ceramics found in ancient Latium and in cities across central Italy.

The Gregorian Egyptian Museums.  Founded in 1839, exhibitions in the Museo Gregoriano Egiziano demonstrate the importance and influence of the pharaonic culture in Roman history. See ancient mummies, delicate papyruses, and captivating pieces from the Near East, many of which were added to the museum's collections in the 1970s.

The Gallery of Tapestries.  At around 246 feet long, the Gallery of Tapestries ( Galleria degli Arazzi ) is just slightly smaller than its maps counterpart. Featuring beautiful vaulted ceilings decorated in delightful trompe l'oeil , the textiles were woven in Rome by the Barberini workshop during the reign of Pope Urban VIII. Pay attention to "The Resurrection," which is a wonderful example of a technique called "moving perspective." Look at Jesus' eyes as you walk by and you will notice that they seem to follow you as you pass.

The Borgia Apartment.  Another exhibit really worth seeing is the Borgia Apartment. Here Pinturicchio (formal name, Bernardino di Betto) labored for nearly three years (1492-1495) to fresco the private residence of the notorious Borgia pope, Alexander VI. During cleaning of one of his frescoes, "The Resurrection," a scene was revealed that is believed to be the earliest known European painting of Native Americans—the fresco was completed just two years after Christopher Columbus had returned from his travels to the New World.

The Spiral Staircase.  It's hard to visit the Vatican Museums without taking a photo of the elegant spiral staircase leading down from the museums was designed by Giuseppe Momo. Completed in 1932, the double helix flight of steps allows patrons to simultaneously walk up one side and down the other.

History of the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums collection "officially" began in 1506, when Pope Julius II purchased the "Laocoön," an ancient Greek sculpture depicting a Trojan priest and his sons being strangled by sea serpents, their punishment for trying to warn Troy about the Trojan Horse. The sculpture was put on public display, and the tradition of sharing Papal artistic treasures with the public was born. Over the years, the Vatican collections grew to more than 70,000 works of art, fewer than half of which are on display in the museums' more than 1,400 galleries, halls and chapels. It is one of the oldest and most-visited museums in the world and is also considered the world's largest museum.

Vatican Museums Visitor Information

Location:  Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome

Hours:  Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sundays, January 1, January 6, February 11, March 19, Easter Sunday and Monday, May 1, June 29, August 14, August 15, November 1, December 8, December 25, December 26.

From mid-April to late October, the Vatican Museums are open on Friday evenings too.

Free admission:  The Vatican Museums are open for free on the last Sunday of every month. Exceptions include Easter Sunday, as well as June 29, December 25, or December 26 if they fall on a Sunday. Free admission to the Vatican Museums is also available on September 27 (World Tourism Day). While free admission to the Vatican Museums may be easy on your budget, be prepared for long lines for admission and crowds around all the famous artworks.

Visiting Tip:  Avoid the (very) long entrance line by buying your ticket in advance, within 60 days of your visit. You can buy tickets on the  Vatican Museums website .

Admission:  €17 if purchased on-site; €21 if pre-purchased online (highly recommended). Check current prices on the above website.

Admission is included in the combination  Vatican Rome Card .

Guided Tours

With its crowds, miles of galleries and mind-boggling volume of artwork, there's no way to rush a visit to the Vatican Museums. Even the most fast-paced visit requires a minimum of 2-3 hours, and that's still not enough to do justice to these amazing collections.

If you have a limited amount of time to spend in the museums or want to make the most of your visit, a guided tour is a great option. Guided tours can be booked through the Vatican Museums website, and some tours allow you to see parts of Vatican City not usually open to tourists. Generally speaking, the more you are willing to pay for your tour, the more privacy and exclusivity you obtain.

Several private tour companies are licensed to offer small group tours inside the museums, which can include before- or after-hours access, skip-the-line options and behind the scenes access. Some well-respected tour operators include The Roman Guy , Context Travel , Select Italy  and Italy With Us , all of which offer expert guides and exclusive access. For a really special experience, consider a  before or after hours tour  so you can see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds—truly a magnificent encounter.

Other Things to See in Vatican City

The Vatican Gardens.  The Vatican Gardens, the most exclusive backyard in the city, can only be visited by booking a separate guided tour, either through the Vatican Museums website or with a private tour operator. It may take some extra planning, but it's well worth the effort, as access to the gardens is quite limited, leaving lucky visitors with little crowds for strolling the 57 acres of gardens in relative seclusion. Not only that, the well-curated gardens have the best views of St. Peter's dome in all of Rome.

Vatican Post Office.  Like the Vatican Gardens, the Vatican Post Office is not officially part of the Museums, however, if you have the opportunity we highly recommend you stop in to have a letter postmarked here. Given the Vatican City's unique status as its own tiny country, it posts more mail than any other post office in the world. Opened in 1929, it has its own stamps, along with a reputation for being so reliable that many Romans go out of their way to use it, too.

Of course, most visitors the Vatican Museums combine it with a same-day visit to St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most important churches in all Christendom. Find out more about visiting St. Peter's with this visitors' guide .

8 Best Things to Do in Vatican City

The 14 Best Day Trips from Rome

Vatican City Travel Guide

3 Days in Rome: What to See and Do

Take a Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Tour

10 Unique Guided Tours in Rome

The 25 Top Attractions in Rome, Italy

Top Churches to Visit in Rome

Buying Tickets for the Colosseum in Rome

Borghese Gallery: A Complete Guide

Top 6 Tourist Attractions in Italy

The Top 23 Things to Do in Italy

Top Things to See at the Vatican Museums

20 Best Things to Do in Florence, Italy

Your Trip to Rome: The Complete Guide

The Gardens of Vatican City: The Complete Guide

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Visiting the Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica: the complete guide

Fri 19 Jul 2019

Visiting the Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica: the complete guide

The Vatican Museums boast some of the most spectacular collections of art in all the world. Snaking through countless halls and galleries stuffed full of priceless art treasures and antiquities, a visit to the Vatican Museums is a whirlwind journey through thousands of years of history and culture. Where else can you witness Michelangelo and Raphael’s crowning achievements , the greatest sculptures of the ancient world, priceless tapestries, Egyptian artefacts , jaw-dropping Renaissance architecture and even retired Pope-mobiles all under the same roof? But with so many things to see it can be as challenging a place to visit as it is rewarding. Each year the Vatican welcomes more than 5 million people through its gates, and the resulting jam-packed experience can be overwhelming. So if you want to get the best out of your experience, you had better come with a plan! Discover exactly how to visit the Museums with our comprehensive guide, and find out all the practical information you need to know to plan your visit – from how to get there to when to visit , from ticket prices to how to skip the lines and where to have lunch .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What exactly is the Vatican City anyway, and where is it?

Where can i buy vatican museums tickets, and how much do they cost.

  • Who is entitled to discounted Vatican Museums tickets?
  • Is anyone entitled to free entry to the Vatican Museums?

What about those days when there’s free entry for everybody?

What are the opening hours of the vatican museums, friday nights at the vatican: special evening entrance tickets, how long should i spend in the vatican museums, how do i avoid the crowds at the vatican, and when should i visit, do vatican museums tickets include entry to the sistine chapel.

  • Do Vatican Museums tickets include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica?

Can I visit the Vatican Gardens as part of my trip to the museums?

How do i get to the vatican, what should i do for lunch.

First things first: strictly speaking the Vatican City isn’t part of Rome, or even Italy, at all. Instead, it’s the smallest independent nation-state in the world, an enclave on the western banks of the Tiber river officially founded in its current incarnation via a deal made between Mussolini and Pope Pius IX in 1929. The Vatican Palace is the permanent residence of the Pope, who in his role as Bishop of Rome is the infallible head of the Catholic faith and spiritual leader to billions of people around the world.

The Pope is also the Vatican’s absolute leader and head of state, with control over the executive, the judiciary and legislative branches of the Vatican’s equivalent of government, known as the Curia. The Vatican City operates like a fully-fledged country in miniature: it boasts its own telephone system, internet domain and postal service; it has an official pharmacy, an independent radio station, daily newspaper and publishing press, and even a banking system and its own mint. The Vatican also has its own equivalent of a standing army – the gaudily dressed Swiss Guards are sworn to protect the person of the Pope, and have been putting their bodies on the line in his name since the start of the 1500s.

But although the Vatican does have clearly defined borders marked by its imposing fortified medieval walls, fear not: you don’t need to dust off your passport when you get off the metro on your way to the Museums or St. Peter’s basilica. The Vatican does print its own passports for citizens, the most exclusive identity card in the world – only about 450 are in existence. In practice, however, the public areas of the Vatican city can be visited just like anywhere else in the city of Rome. Just don’t try to sneak past the halberd-wielding Swiss Guards into the private parts of the palaces and gardens that are the preserve of popes and cardinals.

If you show up at the Vatican ticket office without a reservation, then tickets cost €17 for adults and €8 for children under 18. But unless you enjoy tests of endurance or consider queuing to be an Olympic sport, then this is not a wise thing to do – you might find yourself waiting literally for hours to get in.

Instead, book your ticket in advance online from the official website of the Vatican museums ( museivaticani.va ). You will have to reserve a specific date and time-slot for your entrance and pay an extra booking fee of €4 per ticket, but you will be glad you did when you see the endless lines of visitors sweltering in the Roman sun as they queue round and round and round the block! You will still need to queue to get through security along with other visitors who have booked their tickets in advance, but this line will be a heck of a lot shorter.

Please note that tickets are strictly non-refundable .

If you wish to rent an audio guide to talk you through the highlights of the collection you can do this after you enter the museums for an additional €7.

Alternatively, you might want to consider booking a spot on a special guided Vatican tour that will take care of all the practicalities for you, including skip-the-line tickets.

Vatican ticket

Who is entitled to discounted Tickets, and how much do they cost?

The following categories of visitor are entitled to avail of a reduced entrance ticket costing €8 (the additional booking fee of €4 for online reservations still applies):

  • Children aged between 6 and 18 years old (inclusive).
  • University students up to an including the age of 25 (with documentation proving enrolment for current year).
  • Members of the clergy (including priests, seminarians and novices).

Please make sure that you are actually entitled to a discounted ticket before reserving one, and bring a document to prove it on the day of your visit. If the Vatican officials determine you aren’t entitled to avail of a discounted ticket then they will make you pay for a full price entrance on the day IN ADDITION to the discounted ticket you’ve already purchased.

Senior citizens are unfortunately not entitled to any form of discount and must purchase full price tickets.

Is anyone entitled to a free ticket?

Yes! The following categories of visitors are entitled to free entry to the Vatican Museums:

  • All disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%. This also extends to a companion.
  • Children below the age of 6.
  • Certain classes of journalists (see the detailed information on the Vatican’s website for more information).
  • University academics in certain cases and as authorised by the Vatican (see the Vatican website for more).
  • Directors of museums, managing boards and other institutions devoted to protecting historical, artistic and archaeological heritage (apply to the Vatican in advance)

Entrance to the Museums is completely free on the last Sunday of each month and on World Tourism Day (September 27 th ). This might sound like a fantastic idea, but the crowds thronging the entrance turnstiles on these days make queues on a normal day at the Vatican look like the entrance line to your local paleography museum. Consider this option only if you are especially committed to thriftiness and willing to queue for a long time! Also bear in mind that the special free Sunday entrances also come with reduced hours – the last admission is at 12.30 P.M so make sure to get there early.

The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM , with last entry at 4 PM (apart from the last Sunday of each month and special Friday evening openings in the summer – see below). On Sundays the Museums are closed to the public, and the Museums also remain closed on certain public holidays. For an up-to-date list, see the relevant page on the Vatican website .

Like the Louvre in Paris, the Vatican makes available a limited number of special evening entrance tickets every Friday during the Spring and Summer months. On these days the Museums are additionally open between 7PM – 11PM. These tickets cost €21 for adults and €12 for children, and are always in high demand – make sure to book well in advance via the website. Alternatively you can book a dedicated Vatican Night Tour to ensure you don’t miss out. The Museums are markedly less busy during these times, so this can be a really fun and atmospheric way to avoid the crowds!

Given the Museum route extends over 7 kilometres , you should really plan to spend most of the day here, and we do not recommend that you to try to pair visiting the Vatican with other sites on the same day. Even so you won’t be able to see everything the Museums have to offer in a single visit, although you will be able to catch the main attractions with a little forward planning and judicious use of your museum map. If you are running a really tight schedule then you can just about see the absolute highlights in 3 hours, but in this case you might be best off taking a guided tour specifically designed for visitors short on time - like Through Eternity’s Essential Sistine Chapel and Vatican tour .

vatican museum entrance

Ok, so you’ve made it into the Museums without queuing for too long thanks to your forward-thinking, but how do you escape the hordes once you’re inside? There are some things you can do to give yourself the best chance:

Avoid planning your trip for a Monday if possible – as most museums in Rome are closed this day, the Vatican is even busier than usual. Another trick to avoid the worst of the throng is to go early on a Wednesday morning , when the Pope conducts his Papal audience in St. Peter’s square. This attracts large crowds, and can temporarily take some of the squeeze off the Sistine Chapel and other Museum highlights.

Apart from Wednesdays, in our experience the early bird doesn’t always catch the worm at the Vatican. Most of the large mass-tourism groups break for lunch in the mid-afternoon, so this can be a strategic time to make sure you are heading to the Sistine Chapel. Or if you can stick around until closing time, you’ll very possibly find that the crowds dissipate dramatically in the early evening – the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms can be surprisingly peaceful in the half an hour before the guards start shooing visitors out at 5.30 p.m.

If you are really committed to avoiding the crowds then you might want to consider an exclusive Early Vatican tour that enters the museums before they open to the general public, giving you precious time in the Sistine Chapel and other galleries with markedly less competition for prime viewing spots. We think this is a great option.

Yes. The Sistine Chapel forms the heart-stopping climax of the Museum itinerary. As the Sistine Chapel is an integral part of the museums, you cannot purchase a separate ticket that takes you just to see Michelangelo’s masterpieces. To get to the Chapel you will have to follow the itinerary, but trust us – given the amazing array of artistic treasures you’ll encounter on the way, this is no bad thing!

Do Vatican Museums tickets include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica? 

Even though they are both situated in the Vatican City, St. Peter’s basilica does not constitute part of the Vatican Museums. Unlike the Museums, the basilica is free to enter and you don’t require a ticket to get in. That being said, the entrance lines snaking across the square outside can be very long. Luckily, there is a way to enter the basilica directly from the Museums without joining this queue. As you are leaving the Sistine Chapel, there is a passage leading off to the right that leads straight into St. Peter’s basilica. This fast-track entrance is technically reserved for tour groups – if you join a guided small group tour to the Vatican this is the route you will take. But if you’re on your own it is worth trying to sneak through this entrance as well, because it’s a real time-saver. Vatican personnel in the Sistine Chapel may prevent you, but if you slip in behind a tour group you have every chance of being allowed through. It’s worth a shot!

St. Peter’s Basilica is open in summer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and in the winter from 7.a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The Basilica is closed to visitors on Wednesday mornings during the Papal Audience a during other Papal masses. Remember to cover your shoulders or you won’t be allowed in!

st peters basilica interior

Tickets to the Vatican Museums do not include entry to the Vatican gardens. The gardens can only be visited on a separate official guided tour organised by the Vatican - tickets cost €33 for adults, with discounts of €22 (closed Wednesdays and Sundays). The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, and must be reserved well in advance – to book, click here to visit the Vatican Museums official website . The ticket to the gardens does however include skip-the-lines entrance to the Vatican Museums included in the cost, which you can enter directly after the garden tour, so it is actually great value.

For more information on what to see in the Vatican Gardens as well as detailed practical information, see our dedicated Vatican Gardens guide .

The Vatican Museums are located  in the northwest of the city, and are easily reachable via various forms of public transport:

Metro: The quickest way to get to the Vatican is by taking the A (red) line of the Metro heading towards the terminus Battistini . Get off at Ottaviano station and from there it’s a short walk to the entrance of the Museums on Viale Vaticano (you can also get off at the next stop, Cipro , which is also near the entrance).

Tram: If you aren’t staying near a metro stop you can take tram number 19 to Piazza del Risorgimento, a 5-minute walk from the entrance. This is a great option if you are staying near Villa Borghese, as the tram snakes past the north side of the park (with a stop outside GNAM, or the National Gallery of Modern Art) on its way towards the Vatican.

Bus: Numerous city buses will also take you near to the Vatican Museums entrance. We’ve listed the most useful below:

  • The Express 40 route zooms through the city from Termini station, passing through central Rome before arriving at Borgo Sant’Angelo, just off Via della Concillazione and a 10-minute walk from the Vatican Museums entrance. This is the terminus, so you won’t have to worry about getting off at the wrong stop.
  • The 62 route passes through Piazza Barberini, down Via del Corso and the historic centre before terminating at Borgo Sant’Angelo (Traspontina), a 10-minute walk from the Vatican Museums entrance.
  • The 81 route passes right by the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia and through the historic centre before terminating at Piazza del Risorgimento near the Vatican Museums entrance.
  • The 492 route will take you from Piazza Barberini, Via del Tritone and Via del Corso through the historic centre to Piazza del Risorgimento.

Walk: If you’re in the historic centre, maybe the best way to get to the Vatican is just to walk! It’s about a half-hour walk to the Museums entrance from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. It’s an extremely picturesque route, and this way you won’t have to battle the vagaries of public transport.

Main line train: There is also a mainline train station just to the south of St. Peter’s basilica. This can be very useful if you are arriving from the port of Civitavecchia or other towns along the coast north of Rome – all commuter trains on this route stop here.

Taxi: If you’re running late and need to get to the Vatican Museums in double quick time, then a taxi might be your best bet. From most spots in reasonably central areas this should cost no more than €15 – just make sure that the meter is running!

The Vatican Museums hosts a café and a restaurant where you can get coffee and pastries, panini and pizza by the slice. Although you shouldn’t expect gourmet cuisine or particularly low prices, they do the job if all you are looking to do is refuel, and the tables beneath umbrellas on the patio outside the café are a pleasant stop to rest your legs. Bringing food in from the outside is frowned upon, but in practice you are unlikely to be stopped if you want to discreetly eat a home-made sandwich on the benches in the Square Garden. If you can keep the hunger pangs at bay and want to have lunch in the local area after you finish your visit then be warned – there are a lot of rip-off tourist traps in the vicinity seeking to part unwary visitors from their cash. Luckily there are a couple of wonderful exceptions to the rule :

Panino Divino – Just around the corner from the entrance to the museums, this hole in the wall joint more than lives up to its name with on account of its heavenly sandwiches.  Try the Brunello , with Parma ham, tangy primosale cheese and chilli jam or the Ciro’ – guanciale, caciotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and chilli jam.

Via dei Gracchi, 11 A, Mon- Sat 10:00 – 21:00

Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale – If you’re looking for something more substantial, then this tiny place on one of the Borgo’s most characterful streets is a fantastic option. The casual canteen-like atmosphere belies the quality of their food: all of their pasta is hand-made on the premises, and dishes range from a mere €6.50 to €8. Their carbonara is one of the city’s best, whilst the tagliatelle with citrus is a beautifully light affair. You may have to queue, but the line moves quickly and it’s worth the wait!

Borgo Pio 186, Open 7 days: Mon-Wed, Sun, 09.00-18.00, Thu-Sat 09.00-22.30

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Private Vatican Night Tour

Private Early Morning Sistine Chapel with Vatican Tour

Private Early Morning Sistine Chapel with Vatican Tour

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Vatican Museums 

Tickets sell out fast in Rome: check availability now »

See outstanding art in the city of the pope.

The Vatican Museums contain some of the most incredible pieces of art ever created. With works by masters such as Michelangelo , Raphael, Da Vinci, and Caravaggio , it’s one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Vatican Musuems dome building and gardens in Rome

  • Visit the world-famous Sistine Chapel and gaze up at Michelangelo’s remarkable ceiling.
  • Get lost in details in the Raphael rooms, four rooms of outstanding frescoes by the Renaissance artist and his school.
  • Discover the Italy of the past in the Gallery of Maps.

Tickets & Prices

The Vatican Museums has so much to offer that each visit is a unique experience.

Check out the ticket options below to discover which experience best suits your needs.

  • Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Last Minute) – Escorted entrance and unlimited time inside the Vatican Museums.
  • Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Skip The Line) – Skip past the long lines and get quick access to both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
  • Skip The Line + Guided Tour – Two-hour guided tour of the Vatican Museums.
  • Vatican Museums Breakfast & Sistine Chapel – Prime experience including early-bird access to the museums, breakfast, and entry into to the Sistine Chapel.
  • Rome Tourist Card (Bestseller) – See the best of Rome with this popular combi-ticket. Includes access to The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica (official guided tour), and more…
  • The Vatican City Pass – Explore the best of the Vatican City. Includes access to St. Peter’s Basilica (official guided tour), Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (last-minute tickets), and more…

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

This is your standard entrance ticket which grants access to the many different collections of the Vatican Museums, including the world-famous Sistine Chapel . 

By booking online you’ll avoid the queue – infamous for being the longest in Rome. Use that saved time to spend even longer enjoying the galleries.

Important Ticket Information:

  • Book your time slot online and arrive at least 15 minutes before your designated time.
  • The tickets will arrive in your email which you can then show either printed out or in digital form.
  • The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00. Last admission is at 16:00.
  • Optional audio guides are available, for an additional fee, in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian.

Full Price Ticket

This ticket is for adults over the age of 18.

Reduced Ticket

This ticket is for children from the ages of 6-17 and students up to the age of 25 (with a valid student ID). Remember to bring a valid ID for reduced tickets, or you’ll be asked to pay full price.

Prime Experience Ticket

This ticket grants you premium access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel one hour before it opens to the general public. Experience the museum without the crowds!

It’s the same booking procedure as the ticket above, just with earlier time slots!

What’s Included:

  • A two-hour tour of the highlights of the museums, including the Sistine Chapel, with an official guide.
  • A delicious ‘American-style’ breakfast seated in the museum.
  • Free time afterward to peruse the museum at their own pace for the rest of the day.

Rome Tourist Card

Get this nifty card and enjoy skip-the-line access to the collections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. It also includes access to other famous tourist attractions, such as the Colosseum , the Pantheon , and St. Peter’s Basilica .

Additional Information:

  • Includes an audio guide in 10 languages, plus a guide to the city of Rome.
  • Select your visit dates online and receive tickets by email. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your designated time.

The Vatican City Pass

Discover the holiest country in the world with this handy pass. Simply book your visit dates online and receive tickets by email. Valid for three days from the starting date.

What’s included:

  • Skip-the-line access to the collections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
  • Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with an official Vatican guide.
  • Rome: City Audio Guide App with over 130 hotspots to discover.

Additional Information

  • Big bags and suitcases are not allowed inside the museums. You can leave them in the on-site lockers.
  • Shoulders and knees must be covered.
  • Photos and videos are strictly forbidden inside the Sistine Chapel.

Getting There

Before you go anywhere, make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Yes, it’s a museum, but part of the museum is the Sistine Chapel which is still a functional place of worship, so ‘modesty’ rules apply. 

In a nutshell: regular-length shorts are okay. Overly exposed legs and low-cut sleeveless tops are not. Have a thin scarf/shawl/sarong on hand to cover up.

(Souvenirs and convenience shops up and down the city are wise to the shoulders and knees rule, so if you do forget, you’ll be able to pick up a scarf along the way).

Map & Directions (Location)

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City, Italy

The entrance to the Vatican Museums is a ten-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square, which is to the north of the city center of Rome. You must go around the brown walls of the Vatican City. It’s also easily accessible by public transport.

Metro : Line A, stops ‘Ottaviano’, ‘Cipro’, or ‘Valle Aurelia’

vatican museum visit

Bus : 49 – stops in the square in front of the museums

32, 81, 982 – Piazza del Risorgimento

492, 990 – Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni

Tram : 19 – Piazza del Risorgimento

Train : San Pietro

If you’re staying anywhere in the historic centre, Metro stations will be noted by their absence. Often, by the time you’ve figured out the bus route and waited around for it, chances are you could have walked in half the time. 

Such are the joys of Rome, so all I can suggest is to bring comfortable walking shoes. 

  • Walking directions from Piazza Navona : Take Via dei Coronari all the way until you reach the fantastically named Via del Panico and then cross the bridge Ponte Sant’Angelo. From there, St Peter’s Basilica will be in your sights, and signs for the Vatican Museums will abound. 

vatican museum visit

If your starting point is located near a Metro stop, then get off at Ottaviano (A). If you’re on the B line (blue), then this will involve changing at Termini. Once at Ottaviano, take one of the left-hand side exits up to street level. 

Even if you exit on the right-hand side, as you come up to street level, you will start to see signs. 

There are a couple of ways to walk (as the conflicting signs would indicate), but I’d advise the following:

  • Take Via Ottaviano down as far as the popular gourmet store Castroni. It will be on your right-hand side. 

vatican museum visit

  • Turn right down Via Germanico . If you see a cafe called Clementina with tables and chairs (opposite Castroni) outside, you’re going in the right direction.  

Three reasons for this particular walking route:

  • Castroni . You’ll want to bookmark Castroni as a place to visit for either gourmet Italian produce or for random items you can’t do without from back home in their world foods section. There are several Castronis dotted around central Rome.
  • Pam . On Via Ottaviano, a one-minute walk further up from Castroni (on the same side of the street), you’ll find the supermarket Pam. Affordable, well stocked. Come here for water and honestly priced snacks as museum fuel. You’re going to need it. 
  • Clementina . At the start of Via Germanico, opposite Castroni, is the rather charming cafe Clementina. Full range of breakfasts on offer, including eggs, pancakes, fruit bowls, and salads, in addition to traditional Italian fare. If you’re a hearty breakfast eater, this might be the perfect pre-museum breakfast spot. 
  • Continue down Via Germanico until you reach the end, where you meet Via Leone IV. 
  • Cross over, and straight ahead and to the right you will see Viale del Vaticano flanked by the enormous Vatican City Walls, where the pavement has been split in two by a metal barrier. 

vatican museum visit

The left-hand side is for non-ticket holders, while the right is for ticket holders. Staff wearing Vatican badges will check with you and usher you to the appropriate lane. 

The ticket holder line will be significantly shorter and ought to move quite quickly. (This guide assumes you have a pre-booked ticket and a Vatican-guided tour).

Entrance 

Once you’ve walked up Viale del Vaticano, you’ll be directed towards this canopy, where staff check tickets and motion you towards the entrance. 

Vatican Museum Staff scan the QR code on your ticket at the door, and once through, any bags will need to go through the metal detectors. 

Water bottles are permitted. If in doubt, just put everything in your bag – wallet, phone, keys, the lot. 

You’re Finally In! Now What? 

As instructed on the very helpful Tiqets app, once you’ve passed the metal detectors, look for the big sign for ‘Guided Tours’. Head up a short flight of stairs, and on your right, you’ll find the ticket office dedicated to guided tours. 

vatican museum visit

‘Guided Tours’ sign you see just after the metal detectors

vatican museum visit

The ticket office for guided tours where you get your physical tickets

Show a member of staff your ticket (a printout or on your phone) so they can once again scan the code, and in return, they will give you a receipt and a ticket.

vatican museum visit

They will write a letter on the receipt which corresponds to the Meeting Point stand you will need to wait at for your guide. 

At the Meeting Point, they take your receipt in exchange for an earpiece so you can hear the guide. 

You will need the ticket to go through the museum barriers with your guide – a bit like on the Metro. 

You scan the barcode on the back of the ticket, which allows you through the barriers. 

vatican museum visit

One of the meeting points. A member of staff will ask you to redeem your receipt for an earpiece. No receipt, no earpiece. 

In peak season, tour groups can reach up to 30. Your Vatican Museums guide will be holding a pole with a numbered flag attached at the top. Be careful not to lag behind too much as the radio signal gets out of range, and you won’t be able to hear the guide. 

vatican museum visit

The earpiece hooks over your ear and has volume controls. Stray too far away from your group, and the radio signal will go out of range, so keep up.

Sphere Within a Sphere

The big bronze ball thing, a.k.a Sphere within a Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro.

vatican museum visit

Located in the Belvedere (Pinecone) Courtyard (Cortile della Pigna) at the start of your tour. It’s open to interpretation but generally thought to represent the new world emerging from the old world. It’s certainly striking.

The Warped Arch by Michaelangelo Simonetti

Cool optical illusion arch thing – a.k.a The Warped Arch by Michaelangelo Simonetti.

vatican museum visit

Architecture nerds, behold. This optical illusion and feat of mathematics was designed by Michaelangelo Simonetti in 1780. 

You’ll be doing a few double takes as you approach this archway, just trying to understand how it works. (I still don’t get it). 

The Laocoön

Ripped beardy man with a serpent statue thing, a.k.a The Laocoön .

vatican museum visit

Believed to be an original Greek statue from 40 BCE, buried for centuries in a ditch in Rome, and discovered in the 16th century. Promptly brought to Pope Julius for his collection and ogled by Michaelangelo.

It depicts the priest Laocoön and his two sons being killed by a vicious serpent. A harrowing punishment devised by Athena when he predicted the Trojan Horse was an elaborate trick. She was not amused.

The attention to detail and the facial expressions are absolutely stunning. 

Ancient Roman Ornament Mask

vatican museum visit

I was pretty stoked to learn that this wee mask here (it has several other friends placed at the top of each archway in the Octagon Room) was salvaged from the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa over in Tivoli. 

If you’ve already been or it’s on your agenda to head over there, it’s a nice little callback. 

The Belvedere Torso

Amazing torso guy thing, a.k.a. The Belvedere Torso (by Apollonius).

vatican museum visit

Remains of an Ancient Greek sculpture of what is believed to be Ajax contemplating his own suicide from the 1st century BCE. 

A personal fave of Michaelangelo, who is said to have religiously studied this anatomically perfect sculpture and used it as inspiration for his own sculptures and paintings. 

Rodin fans will appreciate this nugget: it was customary to pay sculptors to add on the missing limbs to Greek statues, but Michelangelo refused, feeling it was perfect as it was. 

The Gallery of Maps

The Gallery of Maps at the Vatican Museums

Fun fact – they were commissioned by the Pope for the Vatican, and as such, everything is from Rome’s perspective. 

So Sicily, shown here, appears upside down. 

My favourite room, for sure.

vatican museum visit

Detail of map showing Rome in the 16th century

The Raphael Rooms

The School of Athens painting in the Raphael Rooms at the Vatican Museums

  • The Raphael Rooms are a clear winner on the must-see list. Prepare to be bombarded with facts and visual overload. There are four Raphael Rooms in total, the most famous being the Room of the Segnatura, where you will find this fresco, considered to be Raphael’s masterpiece. 
  • The School of Athens is a sort of who’s who of all the Ancient Greek greats, from mathematicians like Pythagoras to philosophers, poets, and engineers. 

The guys taking centre stage (that appear on your ticket) are Aristotle and Plato, and the gentleman upfront in pale lilac, seemingly lost in thought? That’s our pal Michaelangelo who Raphael snuck in as a friendly cameo.

 It was completed in 1511, a year before Michaelangelo completed the Sistine Chapel. 

Seriously nice floor details things in the Raphael Rooms

vatican museum visit

Take a moment to stop and admire the floor – if you can. 

vatican museum visit

Floor details from the Room of the Segnatura

The Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments, consisting of six ornately decorated rooms, are in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the pope. Bernardino Pinturicchio was commissioned to decorate Pope Alexander VI’s (belonging to the infamous Borgia dynasty) private rooms in the late 15th century. These lavish and intricate rooms are a must-see – you’ll be transported in time.

The Gregorian Etruscan Museum and the Gregorian Egyptian Museum

Founded in 1836 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Etruscan Museum was one of the first museums dedicated to Etruscan antiques. Here you’ll find artifacts such as vases, sarcophagi, and bronzes excavated from cities of ancient Etruria. It’s a must-see for those interested in discovering Italy’s ancient pre-Roman past.

The Rotunda Room

You might get a feeling of deja vu when entering this round room as it is modeled after the Roman Pantheon and even includes an oculus in the ceiling. Right in the center is the famous porphyry basin – famous because Emperor Nero used this giant basin, carved out of igneous rock brought from Egypt, as a bathtub.

The Sistine Chapel

No visit to the Vatican is complete without a stop at the Sistine Chapel, which features the most iconic painting in the world: The Creation of Adam . Don’t forget to check out the ceiling’s other incredible panels and the fresco over the altar, The Last Judgment , another one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. The Sistine Chapel is located at the end of the Vatican Museums and concludes your visit to this incredible place.

Bars / Restaurants / Gift Shops / Recommended Souvenirs 

Exit through the gift shop(s)

After an overwhelming voyage through time, you will have yet to walk through several galleries that house various bits and pieces of papal tidbits. At this point, what is undoubtedly a very worthy collection, quite frankly, all blurs into one. 

vatican museum visit

Keep going through what feels like fifty more sumptuous galleries that look like this, and you will arrive at the main foyer/gift shop next to the spiral staircase that heralds the end and will lead you out.

Expect overpriced artbooks on Michelangelo, Rosary beads, bibles, and decorative plates featuring Jean-Paul II. Frankly, not much you couldn’t find outside the Vatican City Walls for a fraction of the price.

Vatican Pharmacy

What did catch my eye, though, was the Vatican Pharmacy. Not an actual pharmacy but a perfume store.

Did you know the Vatican City has its own laboratories? With actual monks concocting and distilling perfumes and colognes? For the past couple of years only, they are now available to buy and modestly priced, too, I have to say. 

Unavailable to buy outside the Vatican City Walls, I loved this gift set and went ahead and bought it for my mother. Farmacia Vaticana is located at the very end, right before you exit, I recommend heading over and giving it a sniff. 

vatican museum visit

Gift Set. Eau de Cologne from Vatican City, made by Vatican monks

vatican museum visit

Solid Lemon scented soap with Vitamin E

vatican museum visit

Vatican Eau de Cologne. Only available to buy within the Vatican City Walls).

Restaurants

Restaurants are available but reputed to be tourist traps, selling overpriced and subpar quality food, which somehow hurts more when you’re in Italy, where food is normally so good. 

Personally, I was so overwhelmed by the visual stimuli that stopping for food didn’t even occur to me. 

However, just for peace of mind, if you or the person you’re traveling with has mobility issues, know that there are several places available for a pit stop: 

  • Cafe Bistro Caffetteria Le Carrozze – Down on the Basement Level by the Carriage Pavilion.
  • Self Service , Caffetteria Centrale , Pizzeria – Up on Level 1 (where you enter the museum after getting your ticket), you’ll find the Self Service (offering cafeteria/canteen style food), the Caffetteria Centrale for an espresso on the fly, and the Pizzeria.
  • La Pigna – The most tempting bistrot on site, though, placed in the middle of the Belvedere (Pinecone) Courtyard, pictured below to the left. Inflated prices within a serene setting.

vatican museum visit

The serene Belvedere Courtyard with restaurant La Pigna to the left and plenty of benches to relax and picnic on

If you have the luxury of time, then plan to spend the day.

Get a morning ticket for the Vatican Museums with a guided tour. It’s honestly a lot to take in, and you will get so much more out of it with a guide. Our Vatican guide Kinga was a Doctor in Art History. She was academic, entertaining, and engaging and really brought the whole thing alive.

You will spend the best part of two hours on this tour, at the end of which you will be directed to the Sistine Chapel via the Contemporary Art Collection (which you enter without your guide). 

So my absolute top tip would be to bring a packed lunch/trail mix since it’s essentially an indoor art hike (over 7kms of galleries). 

Take a well-deserved break after the Sistine Chapel but do not leave the museums (as you won’t be able to get back in). 

vatican museum visit

Make your way back out into the Cortile of the Pigna (above), give the Bistrot a wide berth, find a bench, and relax for a while. Take in some rays. Hydrate. Eat some of that trail mix or a sandwich from Pam. 

Go back and look at the things you enjoyed the most again calmly. Or go and explore some rooms your guide didn’t have time to take you to, like the Egyptian Rooms. The abundance of beauty and people can make this an overwhelming experience. But after the bottlenecks come occasional moments of calm and peace where you can really take it all in. 

Nearby Attractions / Food & Drink

You want more? Seriously? OK then, how about… 

Castel Sant’Angelo – 15 Minute Walk

Originally the site of Emperor Hadrian’s tomb, then converted into a fortress and then a castle. You know Hadrian – of Hadrian’s Villa fame over in Tivoli and Hadrian’s Wall in Scotland. He kind of got around. 

You get nice views from the top, and the bridge leading up to it is stunning. If you can’t quite face going in, the area itself is worth spending time in. There’s a very cute library / outdoor bar to the right along the river called Bibliobar which has a relaxed Parisian feel to it.

vatican museum visit

Castel Sant’Angelo and Sant’Angelo Bridge. 

vatican museum visit

Bibliobar. An outdoor library-cum-cafe with snacks, coffee, and drinks.

Food & Drink (For All You Prati People)

The area closest to Vatican City is Prati. It’s a pretty upmarket kind of place and Prati people have cash to splash. It shouldn’t necessarily be the first port of call if you’re on a budget, BUT this is still Rome, and you’re never too far away from something honestly priced and delicious.

  • Eroi della pizza – Piazzale degli Eroi, 4, 00192

A 7-minute walk away (closest metro- Cipro on the A).

You can’t beat this place for pizza by the slice and excellent supplì . Friendly staff and easy on your wallet too. 

  • Fischio – Piazzale degli Eroi, 00136 

Cross the road and find this outdoor kiosk turned bar area where Prati people head when they’re feeling a little “edgy”. Spritz and gin Tonic are sold in hipstery cans, and they also have organic (quite pungent) wine on offer. It’s youthful, laidback, and potentially the perfect antidote to all that high culture at the Vatican. 

  • Il Sorpasso – Via Properzio, 31/33, 00193 

A 10-minute walk away

Laid-back wine bar with an excellent wine selection (without being hoity toity about it). All are reasonably priced. They offer Italian ham and cheese boards (and will advise you in which order to eat the cheese). Good mix of young and seasoned local clientele. Where Prati people go to unwind. 

vatican museum visit

Argot (Prati) – Via Alessandro Farnese 2, 00192 (Closest Metro Lepanto, one stop after Ottaviano on the A-line).

15 minutes metro and or walk away

Seriously above average cocktails and eats at the trendy yet unpretentious bar/restaurant Argot. Cocktails are a bit steep but unique and extremely well-made.

Did You Know That: 3 Interesting Facts 

  • If you visit every single room in the Vatican Museums, you’d have to walk 9 miles (14.48km), and if you looked at every single painting for one minute, it would take you four years to see them all.
  • The Laocoon is the sculpture that started it all! Discovered in a vineyard, it was brought to the Vatican and became the very first piece of the collection.
  • Michelangelo and Raphael were working in the museums at the same time but were great rivals and only met once.
  • During the 15th century, various popes had chapels and rooms built and decorated in the complex that is now the Vatican Museums, as they were originally used as papal palaces.
  • However, it wasn’t until 1506 with Pope Julius II that the museums can be said to have originated when he purchased The Laocoon sculpture and put it on display.
  • Julius II was also the pope responsible for commissioning Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and Raphael to fresco the walls of the Raphael rooms.
  • Over the course of 500 years, various popes would leave their mark on this gigantic complex by adding to the collection and opening new museums, as well as commissioning the top artists of the time to decorate them.
  • Today, the Vatican Museums are the fourth most visited art museum in the world and are enjoyed by millions of visitors a year.

No, entry to the Vatican Museums is not free. You will need to purchase a ticket to enter the museums as well as the Sistine Chapel . However, you can explore the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Square without charge.

Yes, you can purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums at the door, however, expect very long queues. We recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket so you can spend more time exploring and enjoying the museums.

Vatican Museums map

Address: Vatican Museums, , 00120 Vatican City, Vatican City · view larger map

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The Roman Guy

Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

vatican museum visit

How To Visit the Vatican City: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Sean Finelli Last Updated: August 28, 2023

Did you know that approximately 19,000 people visit the Vatican every day? It can get hectic inside these museums, but there are some ways to get around the crowds. We’ll explain everything you need to know to visit Vatican City from how to get tickets to when to go, the best Vatican tours to take, and more .

Pro Tip:  Planning can be tough, but it’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post along with our dedicated guide to planning your visit to the Vatican , where you’ll find everything you need. Also, check out our article on the  best Vatican tours .

Visiting the Vatican City: What We’ll Cover

Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the smallest independent country in the world. No matter your religious affiliation, it welcomes all who want to visit—around 19,000 people per day! It is home to some of the greatest works of art in the world.

Visiting the Vatican is an unforgettable experience not only for lovers of art but also of history, culture, and architecture. In this guide, you’ll find information on how to visit Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and more. Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • Facts and History of the Vatican City
  • Opening hours and tickets
  • How long to budget for your visit
  • How to get to Vatican City
  • What to see at Vatican City
  • Guided tour options
  • Visiting the Vatican with kids
  • Where To Eat Nearby and Inside

Visiting the Vatican

Facts and History of Vatican City

View of St Peter's square from St. Peter's Basilica with Rome in the background

Constantine’s Vatican 

The early establishment of the Vatican began with Constantine’s St. Peter’s Basilica, which stood where the current Basilica stands today. Jesus gave Simon the name Peter when he first met him and said, “You’re the stone upon which I will build my church.” After Constantine legalized Christianity in A.D. 313 with the Edict of Milan, he quickly began building that church. For Constantine, Jesus would have been as old as George Washington is in relative history to us.

The Vatican’s Name

I have read many versions of how the Vatican got its name. The most likely is that the Etruscan society living in this area referred to it as Vatica   prior to Roman settlement. It was a marshy area called Ager Vaticanus. There are a lot of other theories which may well be correct. It is an old word with many possible roots.

The Leonine City

In A.D. 846, Pope Leo IV commissioned a 39-foot wall to be constructed around the old St. Peter’s Basilica and other areas used by the clergy as a protective measure. The Saracens attacked Rome and caused significant damage to St. Peter’s Basilica, which motivated the pope to build out defenses. The area, which was larger than the current Vatican City, was proclaimed the Leonine City and stayed that way for some time.

Sottopassaggio

In 1277, there was a half-mile-long underground passageway and wall that connected the papal residence adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica to the Castel Sant’Angelo. This was a major fortification for the pope in case of attack.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums have residents. You won’t see the pope walking around as you visit, but he’s there. The collection of art is a mix of ancient and Renaissance or Baroque. There is even a modern religious art section.

St. Peter’s Basilica and Tomb

The Basilica of St. Peter is basically the largest and most beautiful gravestone ever built. According to Vatican dogma, it was built on the grave of St. Peter, which you can visit with special Scavi tickets. The Basilica, built during the 16th and 17th centuries, was completed in 1615 with contributions by almost every great Italian artist.

Sovereignty

In 1870, Italy was unified under the leadership of Italian-American Giuseppe Garibaldi. The government of the newly-defined Italy allowed the pope to keep a small area under sovereignty. Pope Pius IX would not agree to the terms until 1929, when the Lateran Treaty was signed under Benito Mussolini, which granted the Vatican sovereignty. This sovereignty extends beyond the Vatican City to other churches, including the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Vatican tour is worth it .

Vatican Opening Hours and Tickets

Vatican Museum ticket

Vatican Museum Ticket Prices:

  • Adult (18+): €17
  • Children (ages 6 – 18): €8
  • Students (ages 19 – 26): €8
  • Members of the clergy: €8

Be prepared to show proof of eligibility at the door. Without that, they’ll either make you pay more or disallow entrance without a refund. Tickets include access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. If you are looking for solo-visit Vatican tickets , you can check our website for all types of entrance times to suit your preferences.

The Vatican Museum Hours:

  • Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 6 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
  • Extended Opening Hours: April 14th to 30th, Friday and Saturday, open until 10:30 pm (last entry 8:30 pm); May 5th to October 28th, Fridays open until 10:30 pm (last entry 8:30 pm), Saturdays open until 8 pm(last entry 6 pm).
  • Closed: Sundays except for the last Sunday of every month, Jan 1st and 6th, Feb 11th, Apr 10th, May 1st, June 29th, Aug 15th and 16th, Nov 1st, Dec 8th, 25th, 26th, and 31st.
  • Free the last Sunday of every month: 9 am – 2 pm (last entry 12:30 pm). Not recommended if you don’t like crowds.
  • Most tour companies can enter at 8 am, an hour before it opens.
  • The Tour Guy/The Roman Guy can enter as early as 7:30 am, before most tour companies.

St. Peter’s Basilica Ticket Prices:

  • Free for all.
  • Climbing the dome costs €8 if you take the stairs or €10 if you take the elevator. I recommend the elevator. Find out more about climbing St. Peter’s Dome .
  • The Basilica of St. Peter is free to enter but does not include entry to the Sistine Chapel.

St. Peter’s Basilica Hours: 

  • From April to September: 7 am – 7 pm
  • From October to March: 7 am – 6:30 pm
  • Closed Wednesday mornings for the papal audience

St. Peter’s Dome Climb Hours:

  • From April to September: 7:30 am – 5 pm
  • From October to March: 7:30 am – 5 pm

Tours: 

We sell top-rated Vatican tours  enjoyed by thousands of customers. The Vatican Museums is a bucket-list place you absolutely should visit at least once with a tour guide.

Vatican Dress Code:

To gain access, you’ll have to abide by the Vatican dress code. Cover your shoulders and avoid shorts and short dresses and skirts. We know that Rome gets hot in the summer, we suggest bringing a light scarf to wrap around yourself when you need to. Hats, food, and metal tools like knives and scissors are also not allowed.

How Long To Spend at Vatican City

Family walking through the Gallery of Maps at the Vatican Museums.

Short Answer:  3 to 5 hours

This is a great question! The Vatican is an immense complex of artwork. You could spend a few hours inside and see a lot of art or you could spend 3 – 5 hours and really learn the history. It depends on your level of interest.

Most people visiting the Vatican for the first time, without an art-history background, will follow the signs for the Capella Sistina or Sistine Chapel until they get there, snap their photo, and leave. Our goal is to help you have a more enriching experience. Here is a proposed Itinerary:

  • Spiral Staircase
  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Pio Clementino Gallery
  • Gallery of Candelabra, Tapestries, and Maps
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter’s Basilica

If you’re an art aficionado, also visit the Pinacoteca. Further on in this article, you’ll see a more comprehensive list of Vatican must-see artwork . If you’re going to go it alone, be well prepared. Check out our top things to see at the Vatican .

How To Get To Vatican City

View of St. Peter's Dome in Vatican City

Luckily, getting to Vatican City is really easy. Depending on your preferences, you can take the metro, a bus, catch a cab, or just walk.

Metro (about 20 minutes):

There are two metro stops located near the Vatican Museums entrance: Ottaviano and Cipro. These stops are located on the A-line (orange line). So, if you jump on near the Spanish Steps (Spagna) or Termini train station, make sure you catch the A-line going towards Battistini and get off at either Ottaviano or Cipro.

The entrance to the Vatican Museums is a 5-minute walk from either of these stops. Of course, you can also catch the A-line from many other stops, just check the Rome Metro schedule. You can buy tickets at the metro station or a corner store, but not from the driver.

Pro Tip:  Always budget an extra 10 to 20 minutes if you have a scheduled event like a Vatican Tour . This way you don’t have to rush and it’ll give you time for that quintessential morning espresso.  

Bus (about 20 minutes):

From the Termini train station, head outside and get on bus number 64. The bus ride will take about 20 minutes and your stop is the last one on the route: P.za Stazione S. Pietro. Getting to the Vatican Museums’ entrance is about a 15-minute walk from the bus station.

You can also take the number 81 bus from the Colosseum area (the bus stop is located right outside of the metro station—B-line). The 81 bus route ends in Piazza Risorgimento, which is a five-minute walk to the Vatican Museums’ entrance.

Taxi (depends on the departure point):

 A taxi ride should cost no more than €20 if you’re staying in the historic center of Rome. When you get in the taxi, tell the driver to take you to the Vatican Museums’ entrance, otherwise, they’ll probably take you to St. Peter’s Basilica.

The most typical way to get a taxi in Rome is to go to a taxi stand. These are located near every major tourist attraction. If you aren’t located near one, you can always order a coffee and pastry at a café and ask the people working there to call you one.

Walking (about 20 minutes):

You can easily walk to the Vatican Museums if you’re staying near Piazza Navona or in Campo de’ Fiori. Prati is also within walking distance. Technically, you can walk to the Vatican from basically anywhere in Rome, depending on your level of fitness.

It’s important to take into consideration that you’ll be on your feet for 3 hours or more as you visit the Vatican. I would recommend taking public transport because you’ll be on your feet plenty in Rome.

Pro Tip:  A neat trick for using your map app on your phone is to set your course while you’re on wifi on airplane mode. GPS will still show your location while you’re on airplane mode—it won’t reroute you if you go off the route but it will show you where you are.

Popular Vatican Tours

vatican museum visit

Best Selling Tour

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

This our most popular and longest-running Vatican tour to date. It enters the Vatican Museums an hour before the general public and visits the Sistine Chapel before heading to St. Peter’s Basilica. Our English-speaking guides will amaze you with how they bring the museums to life!

vatican museum visit

Exclusive Value

Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel

You’ve heard about the crowds at the Vatican, but did you know that the museums are almost empty in the evening? This night tour of the Vatican is perfect for those who prefer to explore Rome later at night. You’ll have 2 hours of a guided tour to key areas in the Vatican, plus the Sistine Chapel. And you’re welcome to stay on your own until the museums close at 10 pm!

What To See at Vatican City

People looking up at the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's The Last Judgement in the background.

This is a list of the top things to see at the Vatican—an excerpt from our much more elaborate mega-guide on the top things to see at the Vatican Museums written by a Vatican guide. Check it out for more in-depth descriptions, history, and images.

1. Spiral Staircase 

The staircase was built by the famous architect Giuseppe Momo in 1932. It was commissioned by Pope Pius XI and was to be created for the new entrance to the Vatican Museums.

2. The Terrace with a view of the Basilica and Vatican Gardens

3. the pinacoteca (for art lovers).

Pinacoteca means “painting gallery” in Italian and, considering that all the popes have historically been the main patron of the arts for centuries, they don’t disappoint. Be sure to see:

  • Transfiguration (Raphael)
  • The Annunciation (Raphael)
  • Crowning of the Virgin (Raphael)
  • St. Jerome (Da Vinci)
  • St Matthew (Guido Reni)
  • Deposition (Caravaggio)
  • The Crucifixion of Saint Peter (Guido Reni)
  • Martyrdom of St. Erasmus (Nicolas Poussin)
  • Astronomical Observations (Donato Creti)
  • Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Wenzel Peter)

4. The Pinecone Courtyard 

The pinecone courtyard is a massive courtyard that connects the main galleries leading to the Sistine Chapel with the Pio Clementino and Braccio Nuovo Galleries. Reports have been written of jousting tournaments and bullfights taking place under the Borgia Pope AlexanderVI in the 15th century and supposedly Pope Leo X housed his pet elephant, Hanno, here in the 16th century. Be sure to see:

  • Colossal Statue of Augustus
  • Sphere within a Sphere
  • The Pinecone

5. The Pio Clementino Gallery 

The collection of classical statues you will see in these galleries was started at the beginning of the 16th century by Pope Julius II. The gallery is named, however, for popes from a much later date: Clement XIV(1769-1774) and Pius VI (1775-1799), who created the current galleries you’ll walk through. Much of the artwork here was taken by Napoleon and returned to the Museum after his defeat. Be sure to see:

  • Apoxyomenos
  • Apollo Belvedere
  • Laocoön Group
  • The Belvedere Torso
  • The Bath of Nero
  • Statue of Hercules in Bronze
  • Sarcophagus of Saint Helena

6. The Candelabra Gallery 

As the name suggests, this gallery owes its name to the enormous marble candlesticks that you’ll find in each section as you walk down the hallway. The gallery was completely renovated during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII Pecci (1878-1903), which is what you see today. It was meant to be built so that each piece is like a furnishing for the house. Be sure to see:

  • Artemis of Ephesus
  • Lapus Lazuli Mosaic
  • The Persian Warrior

7. The Gallery of Tapestries

As you walk through the gallery, you will see tapestries on the right-hand side dedicated to stories of the life of the Barberini Pope Urban VIII (17th century). On the left-hand side, are stories from the Bible whose original drawings were executed by the school of Raphael, then woven in Flanders.

  • Resurrection of Christ

8. The Gallery of the Maps 

By far one of the most over-the-top galleries as far as decor goes, this room is literally a gigantic mural with frescoes on both sides of maps depicting Italy. Pope Gregory XIII, also known as the calendar pope, commissioned this room to be painted so he could accurately study the lands in which he lived and the surrounding areas.

  • The Grotesques
  • The Ceiling
  • Map of Sicily
  • Map of Lazio
  • Vatican Radio Station (Out of the window to your right)

9. Raphael Rooms

The four rooms known as the Raphael rooms were painted by Raphael and his students between 1508 and 1524. They were commissioned first by Pope Julius II (1503 to 1513), supposedly because he refused to live in the Borgia apartments on the floor below due to his hatred for the man. These rooms were also used by his successors, specifically Leo X the Medici Pope (1512-1521). Be sure to see:

  • Room of Constantine
  • Vision of the Cross
  • Battle of Constantine against Maxentius
  • The Victory of Christianity over Paganism (Ceiling)
  • Room of Heliodorus
  • Liberation of St.Peter
  • Encounter of Leo the Great with Attila
  • Room of the Segnatura
  • The School of Athens
  • Room of the Fire in the Borgo
  • Fire in the Borgo

10. The Sistine Chapel

This chapel needs no introduction. Originally named Capella Magna (Great Chapel), it was restored by Pope Sixtus IV (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) in 1480. Sixtus IV had famous early Renaissance artists, who lived a generation before Michelangelo and Raphael, paint the fake draperies, the life of Moses and Christ (side walls), and the Pope (above the windows) Sixtus’ nephew. Julius II had Michelangelo paint the ceiling in 1508. Be sure to see:

  • The Central Panels
  • The Side Panels
  • The Stories of Moses
  • The Stories of Jesus
  • The Last Judgment

11. St. Peter’s Basilica

For me personally, there is no church that compares in beauty. It is the ultimate expression of space, beauty, and monumental grandeur. It also happens to have an amazing history to it as well. When you’re there, be sure to see:

  • La Baldacchino
  • St. Peter’s Square

Vatican Tour Options

Tour guide showing a visitor the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican Museums

Not sure if a Vatican tour is worth it ? Beyond the explanations and local insight, a major advantage of a tour is that it provides you special access to many sites like St. Peter’s Basilica.

Without a tour guide, you will have to exit the Vatican Museums from the entrance where you came in, which means about a mile of additional walking. Many of our tours provide direct access from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica. Here are our best Vatican tours:

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Vatican Highlights Combo Tour (8 hours)

This tour is for the art-history buff, visiting the majority of the Vatican Museums including the Pinacoteca, Sistine Chapel, and more. You’ll even have time in the Cabinet of Masks which is an area reserved specifically for guided tours. Your guide will share plenty of stories and information to engage and inspire even novice art lovers.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3.5 hours) 

This is our most popular Vatican tour. It covers all the must-see sights for visitors including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s good for art lovers and anyone that wants to see a ton but doesn’t want to be too mentally exhausted by the end of the visit. A major benefit of this tour is that we have an 8 am entrance time, which is an hour prior to general admission and gets you in when it’s less crowded.

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel (3 hours)  

This is a great low-price Vatican tour that covers most of the main attractions including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. It features a large selection of start times throughout the day, so you can fit your visit into the rest of your plans. The price is also hard to beat from a top-quality tour company.

Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo (3.5 hours)

If you want to see the main sites and understand them but don’t want to get caught up in every detail, this is for you. We have an 8 am option that beats the crowds, along with other start times. It’s a small group tour and great value that’s also our fastest way to see the best of the Vatican Museums.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Vatican tours to take and why.

Visiting the Vatican With Kids

A Family standing in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

If you want to visit the Vatican Museums with your kids, you’re in luck. The museums are happy to welcome families with children and strollers in tow.

As you explore the collections, there are also plenty of restrooms with changing tables and places to sit and rest. There’s even a private room for mothers to nurse in complete privacy. For a more private experience truly geared toward a younger audience, consider our family-friendly Vatican tour .

Popular Rome Tours

SGT Rome 1 Day

Best-Selling Tour

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Our “in a day” tour is best way to get your bearings all in one day. Visit the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and more with a licensed, fun English-speaking tour guide. They’ll add tons of insights and make the entire experience so much more memorable. Also, you’ll get a feel for the city, so it’s a great option on one of your first days in Rome. Bring your walking shoes and water bottle!

full star review

Best Price!

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

One of our most popular Vatican tours since it is such an amazing value. Skip the line to get inside with a super-knowledgeable, English-speaking guide who will bring the museum to life with stories of the artists, popes, conspiracy, love, and even tragedy! This tour has start times throughout the day so you can choose when to visit based on your schedule!

three quarter star review

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Rome tours to take and why .

Places To Eat Inside and Nearby

A delicious sandwich with mozzarella, prosciutto, and rocket on it.

Like all great Italian museums, you can get coffee and food inside the Vatican Museums. Here are a few recommendations for getting a bite to eat and some refreshments inside and nearby the Vatican.

Inside the Vatican

Caffetteria Centrale : €€ | Coffee Shop —With sub-par reviews that you would expect in a cafeteria-style eatery, this coffee shop and light eatery will get the job done if you want to spend more than 4 or 5 hours inside the Vatican Museums. To find it, look for signs near the Pinacoteca.

Bar: €€ | Quick Snacks —There is a small bar for coffee and pastries located near the Sistine Chapel. Look for the signs as you get close.

St. Peter’s Dome Bar: €€ | Coffee Shop —Yep, you can get coffee on top of St. Peter’s Dome. There is a little bar open basically whenever they want to be open. But if it’s open, stop for a coffee and enjoy the view.

Near the Vatican

Hostaria Dino e Toni : € | Roman Restaurant —Somehow this owner-operated and authentic Roman restaurant has yet to get touristy. They make good food with relatively friendly service, and they may just order for you. Come here for pizza, pasta, and apps.

200 Gradi : €€ | Sandwich Shop —Have a big day of sightseeing planned after your Vatican visit? This sandwich shop is perfect. You can get really tasty to-go sandwiches or sit down inside. Super reasonably priced.

La Zanzara : €€ | Bistro —A bit more cool and trendy with a modern spin on Italian classics, this place feels like a French bistro but the food is definitely Italian. It’s great for a cocktail and sit-down lunch.

Where To Stay in Rome

Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.

the roman guy vatican

Reader Interactions

Comments (16).

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March 6, 2019

It’s best to visit this enthralling withing the country charm

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March 8, 2019

Hey Eric! Thanks for reading our blog. We’re so glad you enjoyed reading!

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June 5, 2019

It was great reading your blog, very nicely executed. You obviously put a lot of effort into it. Keep it up!

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June 6, 2019

Grazie! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoy the blog. Come to Rome soon and join us on tour !

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July 11, 2019

I, being a native of Italy, wasn’t aware of these facts and the way it has been stated is interesting as well as hugely informative. Thanks for the post man… Would be waiting in for more.

July 12, 2019

Ciao Daniel! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed reading this post. We offer tons of useful content on travel in Italy! Check out another one of our useful Vatican blogs here, about our best Vatican tours .

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September 19, 2019

Thank you for this informative post! With regards to your Vatican tours, which tour will be the one to get the most out of Vatican City? Solo traveler by the way. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

September 20, 2019

Ciao Darryl! Thanks for checking out our blog. For the most in-depth Vatican City experience, I recommend our Complete Vatican Combo Tour with Sistine Chapel & Dome Climb . This climbs St. Peter’s Dome and provides an excellent skip the line Vatican tour. Hope this helps!

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September 29, 2019

Thank your these tips Tawny. Very helpful and detailed. I will definitely look up in your travel guide and tours next time I come in Rome.

October 1, 2019

Ciao Sophia! Thanks for reading our blog! Happy to supply helpful information to you. We’d love to welcome you on tour when you come to Rome!

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October 6, 2019

Hello, We have planned a day visit to Rome on 25th Dec. Please suggest if all attractions will be open that day especially the St. Peter’s basilica and the Vatican museum.

October 11, 2019

Ciao Anu! The Vatican Museums are closed on Christmas. We recommend visiting the Vatican a different day during your stay.

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December 10, 2019

Hello! It was great reading your blog, very nicely executed. You obviously put a lot of effort into it. Keep it up! Thanks

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January 13, 2020

My daughter and I are going to our first trip to the Vatican this summer. I wanted to find out if there is a mandatory dress code when visiting. In our country, for example, women in trousers and bare-headed cannot go to Orthodox churches. Thanks for such detailed details.

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January 21, 2020

Hi Tori! Thanks for reading. Yes, there is a dress code – knees and shoulders must be covered.

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April 19, 2020

The Tour Guy always does a great job. Had a trip planned for the Vatican this week but of course it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Anyways, this made it feel like I still went.

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The Geographical Cure

Ultimate Guide To The Vatican Museums: Masterpieces & Tips

The Vatican holds one of the world’s greatest art collections. Some of the most famous art works on the planet are there. If you’re an art or history lover, the Vatican is a must see site in Rome .

But the Vatican is a vast and intimidating place.

You could easily stare in awe at the Raphael Rooms or the Map Rooms and forget that they are actual paintings on display in the Vatican Museums. Beautiful paintings, by the greatest masters of Italian art.

If you want to be dazzled by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and company, plan to spend a good few hours in the Vatican museums.

view of St. Peter's Square from the top of St. Peter's Basilica

If you want to see everything else in Vatican City, you should commit most of the day. To inspect every last thing, well, that would require days.

It’s important to know what to see at the Vatican in advance because there are 26 museums inside the Vatican and a wall space of 5 miles.

In this Vatican Museums guide, I identify 20 must see masterpieces in the Vatican Museums and give you must know tips for visiting.

Overview of the Vatican Museums

There’s over 70,000 densely packed works of art (not all on display). That’s a lot of ground to cover. You need to know in advance what you absolutely shouldn’t miss at the Vatican.

angels playing instruments fresco by Melozzo da Forli

The last time I was in Rome, I went to the Vatican Museums twice, the first time on a skip-the-line small group tour and the second on a DYI mission to see everything the tour left out (quite a lot as it turned out).

There’s a museum path that takes you through the long corridors and wings of the Vatican Museums. On the first floor, you’ll find the Vatican Pinacoteca, the Pio-Clementine Museum, the Chiaramonte Museum, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, and the Gregorian Etruscan Museum.

The latter three are very specialized museums that you can add to your Vatican itinerary if you’re interested and have the time.

The Vatican Pinacoteca is essentially a small painting gallery within the Vatican museums. It opened in 1930 and contains the papal easel collection.

beautiful ceiling int he Vatican Museums

The gallery gives you a historic and chronological overview of the development of Western painting. 18 rooms hold the Vatican’s most precious paintings.

The Pinacoteca is often overlooked. It’s in a newer section of the Vatican and rarely covered on standard Vatican tours.

It’s not in the direction of the signs pointing to the Sistine Chapel either. But it’s an absolutely essential detour for art lovers. There’s an entire room full of Rapahels!

Opened in 1932, the Pio-Clementine Museum is the oldest art collection in the Vatican Museums. It houses ancient Greek and Roman sculptures.

It’s named after the two popes who oversaw its foundation, Clement XIV and Pius VI. You’ll stroll through parts of the museum on a standard tour. In the center of the museum is the 18th century Octagonal Courtyard, with fountains, trees, and benches.

gilded bronze statue of Hercules in the Round Hall, circa 1st to 3rd century A.D.

On the second floor, you’ll find the Tapestries Hall, the Gallery of Maps, and the Raphael Rooms. The Raphael Rooms are four rooms, which were the public rooms of the pope’s personal apartments in the time of Julius II.

They were painted by the famous Raphael. The most famous fresco is The School of Athens .

Your last stop will be the stunning Sistine Chapel, with the world famous Michelangelo frescos . Unless you’re on you own, you’ll probably won’t see the Raphael Rooms or the Borgia Apartments. They’re not on the “short cut” route to the Sistine Chapel, which most tour guides use.

the Chiaramonti Museum is one of the Vatican Museums

Should You Take A Vatican Tour?

I’m going to spend some time on this issue because it’s very important. You don’t want to be there, at the Vatican, and not see something that’s important to you.

If you can, I think you should take a guided tour and then do a DIY tour. I’ve done the Vatican many time both ways. If you’re a first timer, you’ll likely want a tour.

If you don’t book a guided tour, you absolutely must pre-book a skip the line tickets . Or else you’ll be stuck in line for hours unless it’s the dead of winter.

Most guided tours don’t cover everything in the Vatican. For example, you will likely miss the Raphael Rooms and the specialty museums.

detail of Plato and Aristotle in Raphael's School of Athens

Here are your Vatican tour options. You can pick a tour tailored to your own interests and museum going tastes.

  • a 2. 5 hour overview on a skip the line small group guided tour
  • a 3 hour no w ait tour that also includes the Raphael Rooms
  • a 3.5 hour tour Vatican visit with a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • a 3 hour Friday night tour of the Vatican
  • a Vatican tour that includes a climb of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • a small group Sistine Chapel first entry experience with Vatican Museums (good for early birds)
  • a 2-3 hour private tour of the Vatican

If you’re taking a guided tour, you’ll access St. Peter’s Basilica from the back left corner of the Sistine Chapel. Once inside the basilica, you cannot re-enter the Vatican Museums.

the Pine Cone Fountain, a landmark of the Vatican Museums

So make sure you’ve seen everything you want to see at the Vatican before venturing into the basilica.

If you want to see all the top attractions in Vatican City besides the museums, here’s my one day in Vatican City itinerary .

Guide To The Vatican Museums: 20 ArtWorks

Ah, now down to what to see at the Vatican. There are millions of artworks and paintings to see. There are endless rooms and crowded display cases.

We’re speaking of beautiful, groundbreaking works of art. The art history major in me can’t help rhapsodizing.

Raphael, Transfiguration, 1520

1. Raphael, Transfiguration , 1520, Pinacoteca Room 8

The beautiful Transfiguration is in Room 8 of the Pinacoteca. It was painted by Raphael , one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance period.

The Transfiguration was commissioned by Cardinal Guilio de Medici, who later became Pope Clement VII. The dramatically lit painting was critically acclaimed, and carried at the head of Raphael’s funeral procession to the Pantheon .

The painting combined two biblical narratives. It tells the story of Christ leading his disciples up a mountain to show them his true form, a being of pure light. It also depicts a miracle — when Christ exorcized the demons of a young boy suffering from lunacy.

Why is the Transfiguration important? It bridges the period between the high Renaissance and the Baroque. It’s notable for its use of chiaroscuro (the effect of contrasted light and shadow), skill in composition, and expressiveness.

Laocoön and His Sons, 3rd century B.C.

2. Laocoön and His Sons , the Octagonal Court of the Pio-Clementine Museum

Laocoön  is one of the world’s most ancient and valuable sculptures. The sculpture was famously unearthed near  Santa Maria Maggiore  in 1506. 

The statue was believed to have once decorated the palace of Emperor Titus. After the fall of the  Roman Empire ,  Laocoön  was lost for a millennium.

Upon its discovery, Michelangelo pressed for its restoration and urged Julius II to purchase it. It became the first work of art displayed at the Vatican.

Laocoön  was initially lauded as the 2nd century B.C. Greek sculpture described by the classical author Pliny the Elder. But  Laocoön  is most likely a 1st century Roman marble statue copied from the bronze Greek original. 

Laocoön  is revered for its technical mastery and emotionally evocative rendering. Laocoön  is based on an ancient Greek myth. In it, the priest Laocoön and his sons are attacked by a serpent sent by either Poseidon or Athena. 

detail, Raphael, School of Athens, 1509-11

3. Raphael, School of Athens , 1509-11, Room 1 of the Raphael Rooms

The Raphael Rooms are a world famous assemblage of Renaissance art. A precocious young Raphael and his assistants (particularly Giulio Romano) painted the frescos in the four rooms between 1508-24. The Raphael Rooms served as the private chambers of Julius II and subsequent popes.

The School of Athens is the undisputed star of the Raphael Rooms. In it, an idealized throng of the great philosophers of the classical world are gathered together, despite living at different times. The viewer is fully engulfed in the painting, in theatrical style.

The two figures in the center are Plato (on the left) and Aristotle (on the right). Plato is given the face of Leonardo da Vinci, the famed Renaissance master, in tribute.

Raphael, School of Athens, 1509-11

Plato points up because he believed in a true and eternal reality. Aristotle points down because he believed the only reality was the here and now. Each carry their most well known philosophical treatise.

Raphael and Michelangelo were arch rivals during the Renaissance. They worked simultaneously at the Vatican.

Legend holds that, as a dig, Raphael painted Michelangelo’s face on the sad and wailing philosopher Heraclitus, seated in the foreground. Raphael painted his own self portrait in a black beret at the far bottom right of the painting.

School of Athens is important because it’s a symbol of the Renaissance. It depicts the marriage of art, philosophy, and science — a hallmark of the Italian Renaissance. And it shows Raphael’s mastery of techniques like foreshortening and perspective.

READ : Guide To The Paintings of Raphael

Apollo Belvedere at the Vatican

4. Apollo Belvedere , the Octagonal Court of the Pio-Clementine Museum

Apollo Belvedere is a famous sculpture from antiquity, certainly the most famous sculpture in the Vatican. It’s a Roman copy of Leochares’ bronze original from the 2nd century. Critics recognized it as Roman because Apollo is wearing distinctively Roman sandals. The identity of the sculptor is unknown.

The larger than life marble sculpture shows the god Apollo in a martial pose, having just shot an arrow. He may originally have been carrying one. The work is anatomically realistic and brilliantly executed. Apollo Belvedere is considered the epitome of masculine beauty and athleticism.

Apollo Belvedere was discovered around 1485. It was later acquired by Giuliano della Rovere, a great art collector, who became — you guessed it — Julius II. Apollo Belvedere is praised as the “highest artistic ideal of all the works of antiquity.”

Belvedere Torso

5. Belvedere Torso , Pio-Clementine Museum

This celebrated fragment of a damaged male nude statue was hugely influential to Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael.

It’s said to have inspired Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel. What inspired these 16th and 17th century artists most was the twisted, convoluted quality of the statue.

Discovered in the 15th century, the marble sculpture itself dates back to the 1st century BC. It’s thought to be a Greek copy of an older bronze Roman original. The statue is signed on the base by “Apollonius, son of Nestor, Athenian.”

The man depicted? The most favored hypothesis is that it’s the Greek hero and demigod Hercules. But other theories say the sculpture is Ajax, possibly contemplating suicide.

Augustus of Prima Porta

6. Augustus of Prima Porta , Braccio Nuovo

Augustus of Prima Porta is a 2 meter high marble statue of Emperor Augustus. It was discovered on April 20, 1863 during excavation of the ruins of the Villa of Livia (Augustus’ wife) near Rome. She retired there after his death.

The statue has been dated to the 1st century. It’s likely a copy of an earlier sculpture from 20 B.C., which celebrated Augustus’ victory over the Parthians.

Arguably one of the most important statues of Emperor Augustus, the Augustus of Prima Porta is certainly one of the best preserved extant portraits of him. This sculpture is beautifully decorated and expertly carved in marble from the Greek island of Paros.

Likely a propaganda piece, the statue exudes power. A young Augustus is in full military dress, with a highly decorated breastplate and contrapposto pose.

Despite a few breaks the statue is virtually fully intact. It’s now one of the most iconic images of the Roman Empire’s first emperor.

Caravaggio, The Entombment of Christ, 1603

7. Caravaggio, The Entombment of Christ , 1603, Pinacoteca, Room 12

Hidden away in a quiet corner of the Vatican, where almost no one ventures, is a Caravaggio masterpiece — The Entombment of Christ . It’s one of the most famous pieces in the Pinacoteca.

Carravagio is famed for his naturalistic approach to Baroque art and daring composition. His work marked a seismic shift away from the Renaissance’s idealism that Raphael personified.

In this painting, Caravaggio rejected the prevailing tendency to portray Christ as a hero. Instead, the viewer is confronted with a heavy corpse in a black tomb. As such, the painting sparked controversy.

Behind Christ, three women mourn and Mary stares at her son’s lifeless body. The painting sparked a trend, which became wildly popular, to make celestial subjects more plebeian and accessible.

The spot-lit figures are set against a dark space. This contrast was an example of the extreme “chiaroscuro” that made Caravaggio’s work so prized. It would go on to define the Baroque period.

READ : Caravaggio Trail in Rome

Leonard da Vinci, St. Jerome in the Wilderness, begun circa 1482

8. Leonard da Vinci, St. Jerome in the Wilderness , 1482, Pinacoteca Room 9

Only 15 paintings by Leonardo da Vinci exist today, 16 if you count the hotly disputed Salvator Mundi painting . One of them is at the Vatican, St. Jerome in the Wilderness . It’s an unfinished and intimate masterpiece, typically Leonardo-esque, with masterful attention to human anatomy.

And it’s very enigmatic. We don’t know who commissioned it or why it was created. We don’t know why Leonardo didn’t finish it. Possibly, St. Jerome didn’t meet with his patron’s approval or Leonardo abandoned it due to his well known perfectionism.

In the painting, Leonardo depicts St. Jerome in prayer. Then a hermit in the desert, he looks emaciated, self-immolating, and contemplative. A profound sorrow emanates from the painting. It’s an emotional and devotional piece.

Why is St. Jerome important? Aside from being a rare Leonardo, it shows his classic style and innovation. Leonardo used his fingers to create a soft-focus landscape called sfumato . As you can see, it’s also a painting of intense psychological power.

READ : Guide To All of Leonardo da Vinci’s Paintings

Raphael, The Annunciation, 1502-03

9. Raphael, The Annunciation , 1502-03, Pinacoteca, Room 8

The Annunciation is one of Raphael’s earlier works. It’s on display in room 8 of the Pinacoteca. Originally, the Oddi family commissioned the painting for the family chapel in Perugia.

The paining depicts the classic annunciation scene, where the angel Gabriel tells Mary of the coming of Christ. But, in the background, two open arches look out onto a landscape.

This gives the painting a three dimensional perspective — highly unique for that day. In the upper left corner, God looks down, stealing the focus from Mary.

Always with an eye for great art and itchy fingers, Napoleon seized The Annunciation and displayed it in the Musee Napoleon, a one time name for the Louvre . The painting was returned to Italy in 1815 and placed in the Vatican.

Pinturicchio, Annunciation, 1492

10. Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments are a lavishly decorated suite of six rooms.They’re one floor down from the Raphael Rooms. You’ve got to take the stairs. But it’s worth it.

The Borgia Apartments are ancient, without the benefit of the facelift given to the Raphael Rooms. There are divine gilded ceilings and tile weathered floors.

In the late 15th century, Pope Alexander VI commissioned the Italian painter Bernardino Pinturicchio to decorate his private rooms. Pinturrichio was known for his delicate and refined frescos.

The first room of the Borgia Apartments is the Room of the Mysteries of Faith. It’s decorated with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The Annunciation of the Birth of Christ is the first in the sequence and the prettiest of the paintings in the Borgia Apartments.

When the Pinturicchio frescos were cleaned, restorers discovered a scene in Resurrection the included Native Americans. It was completed 2 years after Christopher Columbus’ voyages in the New World. It’s believed to be the earliest known European painting of Native Americans.

Room of the Sybils in the Borgia Apartments

11. Room of the Sybils, 1494, Borgia Apartments

The last room in the Borgia Apartments is the beautiful Room of the Sibyls. The ceiling is a golden stucco with heraldic emblems. The sibyls are found inside the 12 lunettes, or arched apertures.

The sybils are silhouetted against a blue background, alternated with the prophets. They hold fluttering scrolls, announcing the coming of Christ. Typically, sybils are portrayed as wise older women. But, here, they’re beautiful young women.

In contrast, the ceilings are grim, depicting scenes of ancient sacrifice. It’s unclear what the connection is between the ceiling and the lunettes.

The Room of the Sybils has several different motifs. There are mythological creatures, elaborate flora and fauna, crowns, and astrological symbols. The Borgia family crest was a bull and Pinturicchio made sure the Taurus symbol was on the wall.

Giotto, Stefaneschi Polyptych, 1320

12. Giotto, Stefaneschi Polyptych , 1320, Pinacoteca, Room 11

The Stefaneschi Polyptych is one of the Vatican’s most ancient works. It’s a richly gilded double-sided work created by by Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone, around 1320. It’s a rare Gothic medieval piece in the Vatican an one of the first things you’ll see when you walk into the Pinacoteca.

Giotto was the greatest painter of the 14th century. He’s said to have “baptized the Renaissance.”

His paintings reveal acute observations of human behavior and emotions, unusual for the time. Most of Giotto’s life work consists of in situ frescos. The most famous are ones adorning the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. So the polyptych altarpiece is a rare chance to see Giotto’s work in a museum.

Intended for a high altar in St. Peter’s Basilica , the polyptych was commissioned by Cardinal Stefaneschi. It depicts St. Peter on a throne with an array of saints and Cardinal Stefaneschi at his feet. The likeness is considered among the first realistic portraits ever made.

On the reverse side, in contrast to these stately images, there’s violence. Giotto depicts the crucifixion of St. Peter and the beheading of St. Paul.

the Last Supper Tapestry in the Pinacoteca

13. The Last Supper Tapestry , Pinacoteca, Room 8

This precious Vatican tapestry is known as Last Supper in Amboise in the Castle of Clos Lucé . It was inspired by and faithfully reproduced Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fresco, The Last Supper (which is Milan). It’s a popular scene of Chrisitan iconography — where Christ predicts his own betrayal.

READ : Leonardo’s The Last Supper and How To Visit It in Milan

The tapestry has the same Leonardo-esque assembly of apostles at the table. It reproduces the fresco in full scale, capturing Leonardo’s nuances and sfumato technique. The only difference is that the scene is framed with architectural accents. The tapestry is made of silk with gold and silver threads and a crimson velvet border.

The tapestry, which is protected by glass, was created in a Flemish workshop. Despite some hypotheses, it’s still not known exactly which artist created the work or even which factory it was woven in.

READ : Guide To all the Last Supper Paintings of Renaissance Italy

detail, Aldobrandini Wedding Fresco

14. Aldobrandini Wedding Fresco, Room of the Aldobrandini Wedding, side room off the main museum path

The Aldobrandini Wedding Fresco is a beautiful and enigmatic ancient Roman fresco. It’s one of the most important paintings from the early Roman Empire.

The wedding fresco dates to the age of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor. It was found in 1610 in the ruins of a Roman home on the Esquiline Hill and detached.

The fresco is generally thought to portray a wedding scene. Aphrodite is in the center, attempting to calm a distraught bride who fears her wedding night. A god, or perhaps the groom, is on the threshold.

Be sure to look down in the Aldobrandini Wedding Room. The floor is inlaid with ancient Roman mosaics. It depicts Achilles in his chariot dragging the corpse of the Trojan prince Hector, a notable event during the Trojan War.

Fra Angelico, The Virgin and the Child Enthroned 1435

15. Fra Angelico, The Virgin and the Child Enthroned, 1435, Pinacoteca, Room 3

This ancient and delicate painting is by Fra Angelico, a Dominican monk with a gift for painting. It glitters like an exquisite jewel.

The painting shows Mary playing with her child, a popular religious motif at the time. Fra Angelico was known posthumously as the “Angelic Painter.”

In the painting, there are three dominant colors — red, blue, and gold — all appearing on the Virgin Mary. The angels form a sort of tapestry around Mary, though in more muted colors. The background is studded with flowers.

A notable feature of the painting is Mary’s transparent veil, an artistic feat of the time. So too was the tender glance between Mary and son.

READ : Guide To Fra Angelico Frescos in Florence’s San Marco Monastery

vatican museum visit

16. The Sistine Chapel Ceiling Frescos, 1508-12

Finally, we’re here! Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescos are the undisputed highlight of a visit to the Vatican. They’re among the most famous paintings in the history of art. 20,000 people visit daily to cast their eyes upward to the glorious ceiling.

Originally, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was azure blue with stars. But, in 1508, Pope Julius II summoned Michelangelo from Florence to paint the ceiling of his private chapel.

Michelangelo wasn’t entirely enthusiastic. He was first and foremost a sculptor. But he had no choice in the matter.

According to Julius II, it was “paint or hang.” In any event, Michelangelo was insanely talented and up to the task at hand — which the canny pope no doubt discerned.

the most famous section of the Sistine Chapel ceiling is Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam

Michelangelo spent 4 years toiling away on the 9 ceiling panels, which depict scenes from Genesis and seem to open up the chapel to heaven. And he did it standing up, not laying down as legend holds.

When the Sistine Chapel ceiling was unveiled in 1512, it was somewhat shocking. The frescos were revolutionary in their execution. Instead of staid figures, Michelangelo painted figures that looked like sculptures in almost acrobatic poses. They wear flowing brightly colored garments.

In the middle is Adam, the progenitor of the human race. The Creation of Adam is the most famous Sistine Chapel ceiling scene. God is depicted as a flying figure acccompanied by a host of angels.

Adam lies in the center of earth. He looks adoringly at God, waiting for the magic touch. Interpreted as the transmission of life, this touch is the most famous “hand of god” depiction in the world, appearing on coffee cups and fridge magnets.

detail from Michelangelo's The Last Judgment

17. Michelangelo, The Last Judgment , Altar Wall of the Sistine Chapel, 1533-38

In 1533, Michelangelo made a return visit to the Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius II summoned him to paint The Last Judgment on the altar wall. This time, Michelangelo worked entirely alone, taking 5 years to complete the project.

This fresco is rendered in a different style than Michelangelo’s prior ceiling frescos. The figures are more monumental and the colors are largely monochromatic — essentially sky and flesh tones.

In the middle, Christ is excessively youthful and floats on clouds. He’s depicted more like Apollo than the suffering bearded savior one expects.

Michelangelo's face face is on the shedded serpent skin held by Saint Bartholomew.

But The Last Judgment was a difficult task. Michelangelo was already 62 when he began work. Perhaps to depict his unhappiness at the enforced servitude, Michelangelo hid two dour self portraits in The Last Judgment . He painted his face on Holofernes’ severed head. And his face is on the shedded serpent skin held by Saint Bartholomew.

In 1980, a serious renovation of the Sistine Chapel began. It took 14 years to clean away the detritus of centuries. The result was a glowing and richly hued Sistine Chapel seen in natural (no longer artificial) light.

The vibrant restoration stunned most viewers. I know it did me. I could hardly believe the difference in the chapel between my youthful and subsequent visits.

If you want to know why “underpants” or draperies were later painted on The Last Judgment after Michelangelo’s death, read my article .

Pietro Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, 1481-82

18. Pietro Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, on the north wall of the Sistine Chapel

News Flash! There are paintings in the Sistine Chapel that aren’t by Michelangelo. There are beautiful frescos by Botticelli , Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and Pinturicchio on the chapel walls.

Perugino’s Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful frescos in the Sistine Chapel. It’s part of the New Testament narrative cycle. Extremely large in scale, the painting is considered the perfect exemplar of Renaissance painting.

The painting shows the moment when Christ, standing in the center dressed in purple and blue, hands the keys of heaven to a kneeling St. Peter. This act symbolizes the direct link between Christ and all subsequent popes, lest you forget.

The painting is divided into a foreground, middle ground, and background — lending it that prized Renaissance three dimensional perspective. Each figure is carefully drawn in repeating postures and colors. The figures are idealized. Some of their postures are based on statues from classical antiquity.

Francis Bacon, Study for Velazquez Pope, 1961

19. Francis Bacon, Study for Velazquez Pope , 1961

If you proceed past the Borgia Apartments, shortly thereafter you’ll encounter this amazing Francis Bacon work in the Vatican’s contemporary art section.

It’s part of a series aimed at recreating Velazquez’ famous painting of Pope Innocent X, which Velazquez considered thought was one of the “world’s greatest paintings.”

If you want to see the Velazquez work itself, head to the Doria Pamphlij Museum . It’s a hidden gem in Rome — a gorgeous palace stuffed with fantastic art.

Raphael, Justice, 1519

20. Recently Discovered Raphaels

In 2017, the Vatican discovered two paintings by Raphael when a room was cleaned and restored. A significant find. They were hidden right under the Vatican’s nose!

The paintings adorned the fourth of the Raphael Rooms, the banquet hall called the Hall of Constantine. But the paintings were completely obscured by the passage of time. The paintings depict two female figures, one Justice and one Friendship.

They were painted at the end of Raphael’s life. Departing from tradition, Raphael used oil paint, not traditional fresco materials. He also used some unusual colors.

The Hall of Constantine is now on display to the public. The Vatican describes the restoration of the recently found paintings as its “most important project in decades.”

Raphael, age 23

Practical Guide & Tips Visiting the Vatican Museums

Address : Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome

Hours : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Entry fee :

€ 17. € 21 if purchased online, which is recommended. On the last Sunday of each month, the Museums can be visited free of admission charge from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. But it will likely be packed.

Raphael tapestry in the Vatican Museums

1. How To Get To The Vatican

The Vatican Museums can be accessed by foot, metro, or bus. You can literally just walk right in.

The metro stops are Ottaviano and Cipro. Or take bus #40 or 64.

If you arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica first, it’s a 15 minute walk to get the Vatican entrance. 

You should definitely buy your Vatican ticket online . You can also book your ticket through the Vatican website in advance of your arrival, for an extra 4 euro charge.

If you don’t splurge for skip the line access, you could wait hours in line to get inside. There are even waits in low season.

Know in advance that there will be plenty of companies over-charging for tours, loitering just outside of the Vatican walls.

beautiful spiral staircase in the Vatican Museums

3. Photography

You can take photos (no flash) everywhere except the Sistine Chapel. Silence must be maintained in the Sistine Chapel.

You may want to read up on the paintings in advance. You guide won’t be able to tell you about them inside.

4. Dress Code

There’s also a strict dress code at the Vatican — no shorts, no hats, no cleavage, no bare shoulders. Be forewarned, if you’re there in the summer, there’s no air conditioning and it can feel suffocating.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You could be there for hours.

vatican museum visit

5. Other Tips

You can’t touch anything in the Vatican Museums. These are priceless relics and artworks. So resist the urge! If you don’t resist, you may be escorted out.

There aren’t many places to stop to rest in the Vatican Museums. In most galleries, seats are in short supply. If you need a break, head to the Pine Cone courtyard. There are also some benches in the Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the Vatican Museums. You may enjoy these other Rome travel guides and resources:

  • 8 ways to spend 1 day in Rome
  • 3 day itinerary for Rome
  • 5 day itinerary for Rome
  • Hidden gems in Rome
  • Best museums in Rome
  • Archaeological sites in Rome
  • Guide to the Borghese Gallery
  • Guide to Palatine Hill
  • Guide to the Roman Forum
  • Guide to the Colosseum

If you’d to see the must see masterpieces at the Vatican, pin it for later.

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3 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide To The Vatican Museums: Masterpieces & Tips”

If we do a tour (we signed up for an early morning tour with breakfast) are we able to stay and look at any of the museums on our own or do most tours have you exit? Thanks for such helpful information.

Tours will take you into the Sistine Chapel and you cannot exit from there. You have to see the other museums before heading into the chapel. Your guides can’t offer you much by way of guidance in the chapel anyone because silence is the rule. So you could easily double back and see the other museums and do the chapel by yourself.

The only other caveat is that the guides usually take your from the chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica. So if you break off before the chapel, you won’t here what they have to say about the basilica.

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Last Updated on December 21, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

VisitVaticanCity.org

  • The Vatican Museums

Notice: Vatican Museums closed to the public in compliance with the provisions provided by The Holy See for the containment of the COVID-19

The premises of the Vatican Museums house the works of painting and sculpture, as well as many other works of human ingenuity, collected over the centuries by the Supreme Pontiffs. The museums also include important artistic monuments, such as the Sistine Chapel , the Chapel of Beato Angelico, the Stanze and the Loggia di Raffaello and the Borgia Apartment. The Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums is located in a building erected in 1932 to a design by the architect Feltrami, connected to the Palazzo dei Musei Vaticani (at the entrance to the Quattro Cancelli) by means of an elegant porch.

In a modern building, which is part of the museum complex, collections of archaeological objects of art and ethnological character have been placed, which make up the Christian, Profane and Missionary-Ethnological Museums, once housed in the Lateran Palace.

In 1973 the Collection of Modern Religious Art was added to the Museums. The Historical Museum, which is located in the Lateran Palace, contains, among other things, relics of the Pontifical Military Corps.

The Museums are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 16:00). Closing day on Sunday, except for the last day of each month with free admission from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entrance at 12:30). For more detailed information, visit The Holy See website.

The entrance is from Viale Vaticano, near Piazza del Risorgimento.

Various laboratories for the restoration of paintings, bronzes, marbles, tapestries and other materials kept in the museums are annexed to the museums, as well as a laboratory for diagnostics for conservation and restoration.

The Vatican Museums, despite the numerous dispersions due to wars, destruction and thefts, were formed progressively for subsequent enlargements, with works of art collected by the popes since the Renaissance: they still constitute one of the museum complexes today largest in the world.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!

Planning a trip to Vatican City and not quite sure where to start? Home to several incredible sights, a strict dress code, some of the most famous works of art on the planet, and enormous crowds, visiting the Vatican for the first time can be a bit overwhelming.

In other words, visiting the Vatican packs quite the punch considering that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world!

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Vatican, from the best way to enjoy the museums to when to go to exactly what to wear.

Table of Contents

What to See When Visiting the Vatican

Important tips for visiting the vatican museums, should you take a vatican museums tour, all about visiting st. peter’s basilica, how to get to vatican city, faq about visiting vatican city.

Brightly colored frescoed ceiling in the Vatican Museums

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

When visitors talk about visiting the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to visiting the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, but visiting Vatican City can easily extend beyond those popular sights.

Here are the parts of Vatican City to consider when planning your visit, from the incredibly popular to the fairly niche.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is the easiest part of the Vatican to visit–you can simply walk in and admire the beautiful oval square and exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica without any advance planning.

Selfie in St Peter's Square, One Day in Rome

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are home to some of the most incredible works of art in the entire world, including Raphael’s most famous frescoes and the Sistine Chapel.

You will need a ticket or tour to visit, and when people talk about how long the lines are to get into the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to the lines for the museums–we’ll cover more on that in the next section of this Vatican City blog post.

Two tickets for the Vatican Museums being held up in front of a colorful wall--pre-booking these tickets is one of the most important Vatican travel tips

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, with its magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo, is one of the most well-known houses of worship on the planet.

It is accessed through the Vatican Museums and cannot be visited separately.

Fresco of the Sistine Chapel as painted by Michelangelo--there's no preparing for seeing this beauty in person when visiting the Vatican!

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church on the planet, and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture (Michelangelo and Bernini both contributed to its design).

It is free to visit, but you will need to pass through a security checkpoint to enter, and the lines for that can get very long.

You can also visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (unlike visiting the basilica itself, climbing the dome does require a ticket–more on that below), and from there you can admire incredible views of St. Peter’s Square.

2 Days in Rome Itinerary: Interior of St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (or “scavi”) lies below St. Peter’s Basilica–and even below the “grotto” area that is also under St. Peter’s Basilica.

This area was a cemetery dating back to the first century, and, most importantly to Christian history, it is the presumed resting place of St. Peter himself.

Tours are required and absolutely must be booked in advance. If you’d like to tour directly with the Vatican, there are directions for how to email them (yep, it’s done by email!) here . 

Alternatively, this well-reviewed tour will allow you to visit the Vatican Necropolis and is much more straightforward to arrange.

Check availability and book your Vatican Necropolis tour today!

The Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are beautiful and exclusive–only a handful of reservations are accepted per day (so like the Necropolis, you absolutely must plan ahead), and therefore they are never crowded.

Like the Vatican Necropolis, the Vatican Gardens must be visited as part of a tour like this .

Book your Vatican Gardens tour today!

Portion of the Vatican Gardens as seen from above

Papal Audience

When the Pope is at home in Vatican City, he gives an audience each Wednesday morning in St. Peter’s Square that is open to anyone who would like to join.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance .

The Vatican Museums house the largest private art collection in the world–and despite the enormous amount of art and historical artifacts displayed, only the tiniest sliver of the complete collection is on display to the public!

Beautiful, overwhelming, and one of the most highly sought-after art museums in the world, visiting the Vatican Museums can be a bit of an intense experience.

Here’s what to know before you go.

2 Days in Rome: Vatican Museums Statue

Don’t rush to the Sistine Chapel.

I know on our first visit to the Vatican Museums, we were highly anticipating the Sistine Chapel and always hoping it was coming up soon… but it’s one of the last things you see, so be sure to appreciate everything along the way!

Plan to spend at least two hours in the museums.

Three is even better, but it is hard to visit the Vatican Museums in less than two hours without simply making a beeline for the Sistine Chapel and not paying attention to much else.

Once you add in time to get there, security checks, potentially waiting in line, and maybe visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, it’s best to consider visiting the Vatican at least a half-day commitment if you’re going to be touring the museums.

Large basin as seen when visiting the Vatican Museums, housed underneath a dome. Walls in the background are painted red.

Strongly consider booking a guided tour.

Guided tours add so much context to a Vatican Museums visit, and offer the opportunity to learn so much about the history of the art in the museums. They also make visiting the Vatican far less stressful from start to finish.

We’ve visited the Vatican Museums both independently and with a guided tour, and after experiencing both, strongly recommend a tour.

This is the tour we took and loved, and this is another great option .

Book your Vatican Museums tour today!

Photo of Raphael's frescoes as seen when visiting the Vatican Museums

… and at the very least, absolutely book skip-the-line tickets.

Absolutely don’t want to take a Vatican Museums tour, or just don’t have the budget for it?

That’s completely understandable. In that case, we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets (ideally these early-access ones , but skip-the-line tickets for the normal operating hours are very helpful as well).

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the lines to access the Vatican Museums are the worst we have ever seen at any museum in the world. 

During one of our longer trips to Rome, we stayed just beyond the Vatican Museums for a solid month and walked past the line for the museums almost every day–and as mid-October turned into mid-November, the lines remained incredibly overwhelming.

Grab your first-access skip-the-line tickets or general admission skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums now!

Crowds of tourists visiting the Vatican Museums in Rome, lined up around a barricade

Keep in mind alternative hours.

The typical opening hours for the Vatican Museums are Monday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with the last entry at 4:00 PM).

However, there are a few ways to access the Vatican Museums outside these hours if you’d like to mix up your visit!

Early Morning VIP Entry

With early-morning entry, either via pre-booked tickets for an independent visit or via a tour, you can enter the Vatican Museums as early as 7:30 AM, therefore avoiding the worst of the crowds (and during warm weather, the worst of the heat).

This incredibly popular tour a tried-and-true early morning option for touring the Vatican Museums!

Book your first-access Vatican Museums tour or skip-the-line tickets today!

Close up of a painting on a map in the Vatican Museums

Friday Nights Between April and October

For seven months out of the year, the Vatican Museums are open on Friday nights until 11:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM), and we can personally attest that visiting the Vatican Museums at night is an incredible experience (and far less crowded than general entry hours).

We took this amazing tour on a Friday night and loved it!

Book the Friday night Vatican Museums tour we loved today!

Map room in the Vatican Museums shot at night, with open window on the left. Visiting the Vatican Museums during special hours is one of our favorite travel tips for Rome Italy!

Last Sunday of the Month

The Vatican Museums are typically (and unsurprisingly) closed on Sundays, but on the last Sunday of the month, the museums are open until 2:00 PM (last entry at 12:30 PM).

Like many free museum days around the world, the general rule of thumb with visiting the Vatican Museums on a free Sunday is that it’s a great option for those on a strict budget, and a terrible one for those who want to avoid extremely heavy crowds.

Tapestry with Jesus in the foreground in a red robe, as seen when visiting the Vatican Museums in Rome

Make sure to follow the dress code!

There is a dress code for visiting the Vatican Museums. Essentially, no shorts, no bare shoulders, no cleavage, and no hats. 

In our experience, this is most strongly enforced in the Sistine Chapel, but as a gesture of respect and to avoid the risk of being denied entry, you should absolutely follow the Vatican Museums’ dress code.

We recommend light, loose clothing that will allow you to stay both covered and   cool, because the museums can get very warm.

With limited exceptions, there is no air-conditioning in the museums.

Only a few rooms are air-conditioned, so as you can imagine, during Rome’s hot summer months it can be a bit blistering inside the Vatican Museums.

Avoiding the heat (which is, of course, made even worse due to the heavy crowds that are normally visiting the Vatican) is another good reason to book an early morning or Friday night Vatican tour–not only will there be fewer crowds, the museums will be much cooler!

Statue that inspired The Thinker displayed in the Vatican, with tourists visible in the background.

Don’t take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

Despite this being obviously and clearly banned, complete with repeated announcements every few minutes from the security officers and strict enforcement, you’ll still see people trying to snap photos of the Sistine Chapel. Don’t be one of them!

The photos of the Sistine Chapel I’ve used in this Vatican blog post are stock photos for that reason.

Don’t plan to eat at the Vatican Museums if possible.

There is a cafeteria inside the museums selling basic meals and snacks if you get hungry, but with so much incredible food to eat in Rome, it’s best to plan your meals for before or after your Vatican Museums visit if at all possible.

You won’t see the famous spiral staircase isn’t until the very end of your visit.

It’s one of the absolute last things you’ll see in the Vatican Museums–even after the Sistine Chapel–so don’t expect to see it early on!

2 Days in Rome: Vatican Museums Spiral Staircase

Yes, absolutely!

We think the Vatican Museums are one of the best places to splurge on a tour in Rome–even more than at the Colosseum.

The context gained is incredible, and having a tour guide also makes visiting the enormous museums much less stressful and overwhelming.

We’ve visited the Vatican both independently and with a tour, and absolutely preferred our visit with a tour.

We took this Friday evening tour and loved it, but this tour is another phenomenal option.

Shop excellent, well-reviewed Vatican Museums tours today!

A beautiful mosaic floor in the Vatican Museums, with tourists standing around the edge of it snapping photos

Sprawling and stunning, St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an absolute must-see sight when visiting the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter.

You do not need a ticket to enter St. Peter’s Basilica–it is completely free to visit!

Jeremy Storm wearing aviator sunglasses standing in front of St Peter's Basilica when visiting Vatican City Rome

… but you do have to go through a security line first.

This line follows the curve of St. Peter’s Square and tends to grow throughout the day, and is in place for security. You’ll pass through a metal detector and have your bags checked when you reach the front.

The line can get excruciatingly long–if you’re not visiting St. Peter’s Basilica as part of a longer tour, we recommend arriving either very early in the morning (it opens at 7:00 AM every day except Wednesday) or in the early evening–the crowds often start to die off a couple hours before closing (6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the time of year).

You should absolutely visit the dome.

The view overlooking St. Peter’s Square from the cupola is one of our favorite views in all of Rome–and the views of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica from above are pretty phenomenal, too.

We absolutely recommend climbing the dome when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica unless 1) you have difficulty climbing large amounts of stairs (you must climb a minimum of 320 steps to access the dome), or 2) you’re uncomfortable in tight spaces–there are some very closed-in areas on the way up.

You can buy tickets inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and they’re currently 10 Euro for a ticket that involves a partial elevator ride, or 8 Euro if you’re willing to climb all 551 steps (the elevator ticket lets you bypass 200 or so steps).

The biggest benefit to the cheaper ticket, though, is not the lower price but the fact that it normally has a much shorter line than the elevator option!

Piazzas in Rome: Piazza San Pietro

Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and is easily accessed by either foot, metro, or bus.

Keep in mind that unless you’re on a special tour that gives you a workaround (more on that in the FAQ section), it’s a 15-minute walk around the edge of the Vatican from St. Peter’s Square to the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

St. Peter’s Square is closer to Centro Storico, so if you’re approaching by foot, you’ll likely come across it first.

We absolutely love walking through Rome, and one of our favorite walks winds from Centro Storico all the way to St. Peter’s Square–in other words, the Vatican is absolutely accessible by foot!

For example, St. Peter’s Square is a 35-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and a 25-minute walk from the Pantheon.

Those times might sound long, but in addition to all the general beauty of Centro Storico, you’ll find some interesting highlights along the way such as Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo.

From St. Peter’s Square, it’s another 15 minutes by foot to the entrance to the Vatican Museums. 

View of part of the castle and St. Peter's Basilica from Castel Sant'Angelo, one of the best views in Rome Italy

There are two metro stops close-ish to the Vatican: Ottaviano and Cipro, which are each a short walk from the Vatican Museums entrance.

There are several bus lines that stop near Vatican City, with the most frequent being 40 and 64.

St Peter's Basilica at night with traffic in front, What to do in Rome at night

Have more questions about visiting the Vatican?

Here are the answers to some of the most common Vatican City FAQs!

Can you reach St. Peter’s Basilica from inside the Vatican Museums?

Yes… but only on a tour.

There is a semi-infamous door between the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica links the two together and makes it possible to go right from the museums into the basilica without taking a (long) walk and waiting in line again, but independent visitors cannot use it.

Some guided tours, though, like this one , do give you the opportunity to use this door.

Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to enter St. Peter’s .

Photo of a map in as seen when visiting the Vatican Museums map room on a Friday night

What is the Vatican City dress code?

When in the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, or Sistine Chapel, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything sleeveless, any shorts, or showing cleavage.

Hats are also not allowed.

If you’re just visiting St. Peter’s Square, you don’t need to subscribe to the dress code.

You can see the official language of the dress code here .

Lines of people visiting the Vatican Museums climbing a spiral staircase to reach the exhibits

Is Vatican City a country?

Yes, it is–it’s the smallest country in the world, covering only 0.2 miles of land area.

It’s also one of the only absolute monarchies in the world, with the Pope ruling it both as the Pope (overseeing The Holy See, aka the Catholic Church), and the King (overseeing the country of Vatican City).

Vatican City is not part of the UN, but The Holy See (aka the Catholic Church) is a permanent observer of the UN.

Do you need your passport to enter the Vatican?

Even though it is a country, there’s no need to bring your passport when visiting the Vatican.

Vatican Guard standing in front of a large green door in Vatican City

Can you visit Vatican City for free?

If your goal is only to step inside the country of Vatican City, you can enter St. Peter’s Square (for free, and without waiting in line) and St. Peter’s Basilica (for free, but after waiting in line) to pay a quick visit to the country.

Can you get a Vatican City passport stamp?

No, Vatican City doesn’t offer passport stamps.

However, you can buy a postcard in the gift shop and mail it home from Vatican City! 

It will be processed through the Vatican’s mail system, and many people use it as a unique souvenir from their visit to the Vatican in lieu of a stamp.

Beautiful fresco as seen when visiting the Vatican City Museums

Can you see the Pope when visiting the Vatican?

We covered this a bit above, but essentially, every Wednesday morning that the Pope is in Vatican City, he’ll give an audience in St. Peter’s Square.

2 Days in Rome: St. Peter's Square

Can you just visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City?

No, you can’t.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the final stops when touring the Vatican Museums and can’t be seen without visiting the museums.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica part of the Vatican Museums?

No, it’s not.

You can visit St. Peter’s Basilica separately from the museums.

4 Day Rome Itinerary: view of St. Peter's Basilica

Should you visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day?

You can, but be prepared for a long day, as you’ll have to enter both areas separately… unless you book a tour that includes both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, that is.

In that case, you’ll be able to seamlessly visit both without exiting the Vatican Museums and waiting in an additional line to access St. Peter’s Basilica.

This tour is a popular option that includes both!

Book your Vatican Museums + St. Peter’s Basilica tour today!

Photo of Vatican City from above on top of a view of St. Peter's Square from above. Black text on a white background reads "the ultimate guide vatican city"

About Kate Storm

Image of the author, Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!”

I am SOOO happy I followed your link for a tour to Vatican City and everything in it! We’re going there 1st week of April and all of the tours through their website were booked or super $$$! I went to your link for TakeWalks Tours and got a great price for the Chapel, Musuems and Basilica! I’m going to keep scouring your site for our perfect Italian vacation!

That is so wonderful to hear, thanks for sharing, Julie! I hope you guys have an incredible trip to Italy! 🙂

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Vatican Museum Must Sees - 10 stunning works not to miss!

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By Elyssa Bernard

November 23, 2023

What are the top 10 Vatican Museum Must Sees?

With over 7 kilometers of art galleries , the Vatican Museums are among the largest in the world.

Find out what not to miss!

Raphael School of Athens

Why a Top 10 List of Vatican Museum Must Sees

There is so much to see in the Vatican Museums, if I listed it all the things I consider "must-see" here, this page would be way too long to follow (it's already pretty long, and I had to contain myself!)

And, frankly, as often as I have visited the Vatican museums, I always see something new.

Whether it's your first time visiting the Vatican Museums, or you have limited time and just want to make sure you see the highlights, there are some important works in the Vatican Museums you should not miss.

Some of these are things you will see no matter how you visit the museums .

For example, everyone ends up at the Sistine Chapel , so there is no chance of missing that.

But there are some other things you will have to make a decision to include.

And, some of the things on this list are entire rooms, so I'll let you know the most important thing(s) to see there.

In order of how you walk through the museums, these Vatican Museum Must Sees include, but are not limited to:

  • The Spiral Staircase

Raphael's Transfiguration

  • Pinecone Courtyard
  • Apollo Belvedere
  • The Rotunda Room and Porphyry Basin
  • The Tapestries Hall
  • The Maps Room
  • Raphael's School of Athens
  • The Sistine Chapel

Of course, my list is subjective .

The beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder.

There are pieces I love that I've left off this list, but the idea is to give you some of the most important, and most iconic things to see in the Vatican Museums .

Disclosure : If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Spiral Staircase

There is a very special staircase you cannot normally visit in the Vatican museums , designed by Bramante.

And in 1932, architect Giuseppe Momo designed another one, which was inspired by the original Bramante Staircase.

vatican museums spiral staircase

His staircase, like Bramante's, is a double helix (like DNA).

It is composed of two staircases which theoretically allow people to go up and down without crossing each other.

I say theoretically because this staircase is now intended ONLY as the exit from The Vatican Museums.

If you are visiting the Vatican museums with a tour that includes Saint Peter's Basilica , you will not exit the museums via this staircase, as you go from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter's Basilica .  

Depending on the tour company, the guide might show you this staircase at the very beginning of the tour so you don't miss it.

You might consider asking the guide to show it to you.

If you visit the museums on your own , and for whatever reason do not want to or cannot visit Saint Peter's Basilica using the shortcut (which is only possible with a booked tour of the museum that ends in Saint Peter's basilica) from the Sistine Chapel, you will take the exit from  the Sistine Chapel that takes you back out to the entrance of the Vatican Museums.

In this case, you will visit this staircase on your way out.

vatican museums spiral staircase from the bottom

Why this is in my list of Vatican Museum Must Sees : I don't think this was the intention when it was created, but it has become one of the most photographed things in the Vatican museums .

If you want to see the original Bramante staircase , you can book a special tour that includes this staircase , plus other things in the Vatican Museums not normally open to the public .

bramante staircase in vatican museums

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Pinacoteca

The Vatican Pinacoteca is the paintings gallery of the Vatican Museums.

pinacoteca in vatican museums

It is often overlooked and under-visited.

To me this is a shame, because there are several masterpieces in there.

The Pinacoteca is one of the latest additions to the Vatican Museums , completed in 1931.

There are mostly paintings but also a few other works like tapestries, icons and sculptures.

The works are from the Middle Ages through the 1800's and are in chronological order, covering 18 rooms.

To visit the Pinacoteca, either book a tour that includes this , or, if going on your own , visit this first.

Once you come up the big escalators at the entry and into the museums, the Pinacoteca will be on your right.

There are so many works by artists I love, including Caravaggio's Deposition , but the jewel in the crown so to speak, is Raphael's last work right before he died: the Transfiguration .

Transfiguration by Raphael

The Transfiguration  relates to stories of the Gospel of Matthew, and depicts the dual human and divine nature of Jesus Christ.  

The top half is painted in light colors and shows Jesus flanked by the prophets Elijah and Moses.

He seems to be the only serene one in the painting.

The bottom half is dark, because it's an earthly painting with a human, dark scene.

On the right side we see a boy who is apparently possessed (he has epilepsy.)

His parents are anguished, and the apostles are shown with a look of wonder on their faces, as they realize that Jesus Christ not only lives on, but that faith can cure the sick boy.

Their outstretched arms link the bottom with the top of the painting.

It was commissioned by  Cardinal Giulio de' Medici , who was to become Pope Clement VII.

Raphael had not quite finished it when he died prematurely in 1520 (that is another story.)

The painting was originally meant to be an altarpiece for a church in France, but the pope decided to keep it in Rome.

Later, it did make its way to France when Napoleon got his hands on it for a while.

But the painting finally wound up in the Pinacoteca of the Vatican Museums.

Lucky for us!

Raphael's Transfiguration flanked by two other of his paintings

Why is this painting so significant and   why is it on my list of   Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

The Transfiguration  is seen as the bridge between what is called "High Renaissance" painting (early 1500's), and "Baroque style" painting (early 1600's.)

Raphael used  chiaroscuro  ("light on dark", a technique made even more famous by Caravaggio), to highlight the darkness of the sick boy on earth (at the bottom of the painting), and the lightness of Jesus's body in heaven (at the top of the painting).

And unlike so many of Raphael's previous paintings, including in the Raphael rooms in the Vatican Museums, the figures in this painting portray extreme and very human emotions: awe, disbelief, anguish.

This painting inspired Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement", on the wall of the Sistine Chapel.

So the painting is not only amazing to look at, but it's a very important piece as far as art history and art appreciation go.

(If you'd like to read a more detailed analysis of this painting, visit the  Encyclopedia of Art website.)

vatican museum visit

I can spend at least an hour wandering the rooms of the Pinacoteca.

But if you want to just go through to the room (room VIII) with the Transfiguration, you can do so easily, and get back out, in less than 20 minutes . 

You can also see it while on a guided tour through the Vatican Museums

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Pinecone Courtyard

pinecone courtyard and sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro

The Pinecone Courtyard , or Cortile della Pigna , is named for the nearly 13-foot high pinecone sitting at one end.

The giant pinecone is made of bronze and dates to the 1st century BCE.

It was originally found in the Campus Martius ( Campo Marzio ) area of Rome, which is near the Pantheon . 

The two bronze peacocks on either side of the pine cone are copies of ancient sculptures that flanked an entrance to Hadrian's Mausoleum (today  Castel Sant'Angelo .)

The originals can be seen in the Braccio Nuovo wing of the Vatican Museums.

The Pinecone Courtyard is part of what was once a much longer space, designed in 1506 by Donato Bramante (the first guy to design the cuppola of Saint Peter's Basilica , before Michelangelo finished the job.  He also built that staircase I told you about above.)

That courtyard, called the Belvedere Courtyard , was meant to link the Vatican Palace (where the pope lived) with the Villa Belvedere (a sort of pleasure resort with a nice view of Rome, hence its name "Belvedere.")

Today the Villa Belvedere has been turned into part of the Vatican Museums.

The  Belvedere Courtyard was a first in its design and became the inspiration for courtyard design around the world for centuries to come.

Later, a library was built across the middle of it, making this courtyard smaller (the one you see today.)

Neither the library nor the other half of the courtyard are open to visitors.

pinecone and peacocks in the pinecone courtyard of vatican museums

So what about that pinecone ?

It was found near the Pantheon around the Baths of Agrippa (the guy who first built the Pantheon, and who was also Emperor Augustus ' right-hand man.)

The pinecone was once a giant fountain, with water coming out of the top and scales and running down the sides.

Can you just imagine how lovely that must have been?

Since these were pre-Christian times, the pinecone was (probably) part of a pagan temple, dedicated to Isis.

In mystic or occult circles, the pine cone also represents the pineal gland , which is responsible for our perception of light.

The pineal gland (and so the pine cone), are symbols of the "third eye", which is the so-called “ Epicenter of Enlightenment ."

I do not mean to go off on an existential tangent here, but I do think that having a symbol like this, flanked by two peacocks, in the middle of the Vatican Museums, is an interesting juxtaposition.

For a very special treat, you can book this early-morning tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel , that starts with breakfast right in the Pinecone courtyard!

caffeteria in the pinecone courtyard

Why is the Pinecone courtyard on my list of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

First of all, I think the pinecone in itself is fascinating, since it is from ancient Rome, but also has hidden meaning.

Second, because, like the spiral staircase, the strange modern art globe in the center is another of the most photographed things in the Vatican Museums (despite it being pooh-poohed for being...too modern? too weird? And yet, people seem to love it!)

Third, because it does give you what I think is a needed moment of fresh air and open space to rest, gather your thoughts and impressions, and re-group for the rest of the museums.

It's hard to miss seeing this courtyard but I suppose you could you if you were on a fast-track to the Sistine Chapel.

To see it, stop by after visiting the Pinacoteca.

The visit could take you anywhere from 10 minutes and up, depending on how much time you spend resting, taking pix or even grabbing a bite at the cafe there.

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Vatican museum must sees - the pio-clementine museums.

The Pio-Clementine museum houses some of the best examples of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures found anywhere in the world.

The museum is named for the two popes who oversaw its foundation in the late 1700's: Clement XIV and Pius VI.

This museum is pretty large and houses many different rooms, each fascinating and chock full of things to see in its own right.

It's easy to skip this museum if you are on a fast-track to the Sistine Chapel, so if you want to see these Vatican Museum must sees, you will need to make a decision to include this museum.

octagonal courtyard of vatican museums

As you start making your way through the Pio-Clementine museums, you will come upon an open-air courtyard, called the Octagonal Courtyard (for its shape).

It would be easy to simply walk through it to the other side and keep going.

By this time, you will have already come across lots of sculptures.

I know how one can get overwhelmed by all these ancient Greek and Roman statues ... and start getting sculpture fatigue.

But while to me it is worth really soaking up all the art in here, there are at least two Vatican Museum Must Sees right in this courtyard .

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

Laocoön in vatican museums

The Laocoön is a sculpture group, found in 1506 on the Esquiline Hill in Rome.

The sculpture, from around 30 BCE, depicts the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons losing a battle to the death with two sea serpents.

Pliny the Elder  had described a statue just like this, as being a masterpiece made by three sculptors from Rhodes, and residing in the palace of the Roman Emperor Titus (part of the Flavian Dynasty, who built the Colosseum .)

It's pretty well accepted that this is the statue Pliny was referring to, although this statue may have been a copy from a 2nd century BCE original.

The  Laocoön  sculpture depicts a moment from Virgil's Aeneid , which recounts the Trojan War.

You may remember a scene in which the Greeks leave a giant wooden horse outside the gates of Troy.

The Trojans naïvely bring in the horse, and subsequently the Greeks who'd been hiding in the horse jump out and destroy Troy.

Laocoön, a Trojan priest , had warned the Trojans not to bring in the horse.

The gods Athena and Poseidon, who sided of course with the Greeks, sent two sea serpents to kill the priest.

Aeneas heeded the priest's warning and fled Troy, bound for Italian shores.

And for Romans, this is a big deal , since Aeneas was one of the forefathers of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.

Why is the Laocoön sculpture on my list of top 10 Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

First of all, as I said, the story itself is important to the founding legend of Rome.

And, second of all, this sculpture is pretty special, considering that it depicts real human agony, with dignity, and without any redemptive qualities that later Christian art shows of saints and martyrs.

It is considered by many to be one of the highest-quality sculptures in the world.

You can visit the sculpture with a guide as well - it's included in walking tours, such as this one . 

Do you really need to visit the Vatican and Colosseum on the same day?

Find out how here!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - Apollo del Belvedere 

The Apollo Belvedere in Vatican Museums

The Apollo Belvedere is a marble Greek sculpture from around the 1st century BCE (although it was probably a Roman copy of an earlier bronze statue made by the Greek sculptor Leochares.)

It was once considered one of the greatest ancient sculptures ever made. 

The statue was found in the 15th century, and belonged to Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere.

Once he was elected as Pope Julius II , he had the statue moved to the Vatican, into the Belvedere Courtyard (hence its nickname.)

It was the first piece in the art collection of the Vatican , before there were Vatican Museums.

The sculpture portrays the god Apollo, (who existed in both Greek and Roman mythology), as an archer who just shot an arrow.

His face is serene, and even the relaxed body portrays a god who is at ease, and unchallenged by the effort of shooting his arrow.

The sculpture shows the "ideal" male body, without a single flaw.

In the 18th century, the height of neo-classicism, the German art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann said, "of all the works of antiquity that have escaped destruction, the statue of Apollo represents the highest ideal of art."

During the Romantic movement, around the late 1800's, the Apollo Belvedere started to lose its appeal and today is no longer considered the height of artistic beauty.

So why is the Apollo Belvedere in my list of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

First, because it was once considered to be the ideal of classical male beauty.

Second, because this is the piece that began the entire collection in the Vatican Museums.

Third, it was said to be Napolean's favorite piece of art that he took from the Vatican to the Louvre (of course after Napolean's fall, this statue and most of the rest of the art he took was returned to Rome and in this case, to the Vatican.)

If you do take the time to visit the Pio-Clementine museum, and want to see some more special exhibits, you can add in the Gregorian Egyptian museum , with its superb collection of papyri , mummies and ancient statues .

One floor up from this is the Gregorian Etruscan museum , with extraordinary examples of Etruscan relics, including a life-sized Etruscan tomb that you can walk into and enjoy a well-done video and light-show presentation.

And these museums are almost always empty so it's a moment of respite and calm from the otherwise frenetic and crowded Vatican Museums.

egyptian wing vatican museums

Vatican Museum Must Sees - Rotunda Room and Porphyry Basin

The  Sala Rotonda , or  Rotunda Room , of the Vatican Museums has a lot going for it.

First of all, it is modelled after the  Pantheon , right down to oculus in the ceiling, and to the decorative rosettes in each of the little niches in the dome.

It is smaller in scale than the pantheon but still impressive.

the sala rotonda in vatican museums, modelled after pantheon

Second, the floor is also not to be missed.

It is made up of tiny, intricately designed mosaics from around the 2nd century and is simply stunning.

These mosaics used to decorate an ancient Roman villa and are incredibly intact and colorful.

There are other ancient black and white mosaics in the room that you can even walk on ... something I find shocking, but you can!

porphyry basin in sala rotunda in vatican museums

Third, but definitely not least, is the giant (about 40-feet in diameter) porphyry basin in the center of the room.

What is porphyry?

There are two answers to this: The first answer is that it is a type of igneous rock (which means it was created from cooled lava), that is full of large pieces of crystal.

The rock is extremely hard, and difficult to cut.

And unbelievable heavy.

So imagine about 2000 years ago, the emperor Nero ordering a bath for his Domus Aurea (Golden House), and having someone get this giant rock out of Egypt (there is one quarry in Ancient Egypt where all the porphyry rock came from) ... and then carve it into a single piece like this and get it to Rome?

The second answer as to what is porphyry is that it is a color.

The word comes from the Greek word for purple , and in ancient Rome, purple was for royalty.

This particular basin is a reddish purple.

Basically, when you see porphyry marble around Rome, just know it was hauled over here from Egypt, and it must have been for a pretty special person.

So do I need to tell you why this room and the basin are in my Top 10 List of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

The shape of the room, the exquisite, detailed mosaics on the floor, and this giant, amazing porphyry bathtub.

It's truly awesome in every sense of the word.

saint peter's basilica

NEW FOR 2024!

The archeological area of the Vatican Necropolis of Via Triumphalis is now open for visitors.

This is an ancient Roman burial site that is within the Vatican walls and before now was very difficult to get access to.

You can only enter as part of an official Vatican tour group, and tickets need to be purchased through the official website .

This is an entirely separate visit, so you will not have access to either St Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Tapestries Hall

It's impossible to miss a visit to the Galleria degli Arazzi , or the Tapestry Hall, as you literally have to walk through it to get to the Sistine Chapel.

But it could be easy to breeze past these special works of art, and not really know what exactly you should look at.

Most tours cover at least some of the tapestries room, but in case you are on your own, take some time to notice these things:

First of all, look up.

The ceiling looks like a plaster 3-dimensional design.

It's actually painted!

galleria degli arazzi in the vatican museums

As for the tapestries, they are from two different periods and regions.

The ones on the right were made in the 17th century in Rome for Pope Urban VIII (Barberini), depicting scenes from his life.

These are nice but the most amazing tapestries are along the left wall.

Here you have tapestries woven in Brussels by Pieter van Aelst’s School, from the 1500's .

They made the tapestries based on drawings by Raphael’s pupils , during the pontificate of Clement VII.

These tapestries depict the life of Jesus.

Each tapestry took years to make .

They were finely woven by the best weavers of the day (who were in Flanders, or Belgium), out of wool but also silk, and gold and silver thread .

Notice in particular the tapestry of The Resurrection of Christ (below).

resurrection of christ in tapestry gallery of vatican museums

My photo cannot do this tapestry justice.

You have to really look closely to see how amazing this weaving is.

Notice all the shading and even how the weavers were able to depict human emotion...using thread!

But the most amazing part of this particular tapestry ?

As you approach it from the left, keep your eyes on Jesus's eyes ... keep walking and watch his eyes.

By the time you pass the tapestry, the eyes are still with you!

It's a wonderful example of " moving perspective ", a technique you find sometimes in paintings (like the Mona Lisa.)

But to do this with a tapestry takes a lot more mastery and talent, and requires some very fancy stitching indeed!

Why is the Tapestry Gallery in my Top Ten list of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

Because even though you will visit it anyway, you should pay attention to some of the detail in here, on the ceiling and on these amazing tapestries, in particular the Resurrection tapestry .

Besides the fact that I always love seeing people's faces when they realize the eyes have followed them, I think this level of work and craftsmanship deserves some attention.

Skip the long lines for the Vatican Museums, including  the Tapestry Hall

fennel salad at sorpasso near the vatican

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Maps Hall

After you go through the Tapestries Gallery, you will inevitably pass through the Galleria delle Carte Geografiche (Maps Gallery).

As with the Tapestries Hall, it would be easy to just coast through here, beelining for the Sistine Chapel.

In the case of the Maps Gallery , it's pretty hard not to notice the ceiling, a must-see all by itself (and one of the most photographed ceilings in the museums besides Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel !)

ceiling of the map room in vatican museums

The Gallery of Maps contains the largest collection of geographical paintings ever created .

These wall-sized maps depict Italy and Italian provinces, and were commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century.

These maps, based on drawings by the Dominican Monk Ignazio Danti, are amazingly accurate for being made in the 1500's !

The maps are really well-detailed, showing mountain ranges and even boats in the water, but they are also somewhat whimsical, containing fantastic sea creatures and even Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.

Why is the Maps Room on my Top Ten List of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

As with the Tapestries Gallery, it's too easy to walk through here without really looking at the art.

But the maps are really genius, and even fun to look at.

See if you can find the depictions of Neptune in some of the maps!

map of italy in vatican museums

So, exactly what is the Vatican? 

Find out here!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Papal Apartments

At one time, popes lived inside what is now the Vatican Museums.

This collection of residences is generally called "The Papal Apartments" (and does not have anything to do with where the current pope resides!)

The two most spectacular of these are the Borgia apartments and the Raphael rooms .

These are easily missed/skipped if you want to shortcut to the Sistine Chapel.

But as this page is about what I consider Vatican Museum Must Sees, I am telling you not to miss them!

borgia apartment in vatican museums

The Borgia apartments , frescoed by Pinturicchio , a contemporary of Raphael, actually come after the Raphael rooms.

I just wanted to show you what else you would get to see if you include the Raphael Rooms.

It's all wonderful and a feast for the eyes!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - Raphael Rooms and Raphael's School of Athens

Raphael School of Athens

While there is a lot to see in the Papal Apartments, we are focusing this page on Vatican Museum Must Sees.

So let's talk about The School of Athens by Raphael .

I think this painting actually makes the top ten list for a lot of people!

It's one of the most famous paintings in the Vatican Museums besides Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel .

Renaissance Popes Julius II and Leo X had the best artists of the day decorate their sumptuous homes.

And that meant hiring Raphael. 

In 1508 Pope Julius II hired Raphael to paint a room called the Stanza della Segnatura. 

This was right after he commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel!

Can you imagine living in the time and just being able to hire these guys?

In the Stanza della Segnatura, there are actually four paintings by Raphael, one on each wall.

They represent the themes: Theology, Poetry, Philosophy, and Justice.

So enjoy all the Raphael paintings in these rooms but in particular, stop and take note of the School of Athens (philosophy.)

The painting is a fantasy gathering of the greatest philosophers , mathematicians and thinkers from classical antiquity.

They are all together in this one painting even though they came from different places and different moments in time.

That's already whimsical in itself.

But what Raphael did was even more fun.

He put the faces of his contemporaries in there.

Plato , in the center talking to Aristotle , has Leonardo Da Vinci 's face.

Another Renaissance master, Donato Bramante (who designed the Belvedere Courtyard we talked about above, and was the first one to design the dome for St. Peter's Basilica ), appears on Euclid's body (he's the one drawing on a chalkboard.)

Raphael himself is also in there, on the bottom right corner, looking out at us.

And, while Raphael was painting this extraordinary masterpiece, he popped into the Sistine Chapel and saw what Michelangelo was doing ... and put Michelangelo front and center of The School of Athens, in the form of the Greek philosopher  Heracleitus (he is the one resting his head on his arm, and with boots on, sitting on the steps.)

What is so special about Raphael's School of Athens and why is it in my Top Ten List of Vatican Museum Must Sees ?

Many art historians and experts consider Raphael's School of Athens one of the greatest paintings of the High Renaissance.

His use of the Renaissance color palette, and mix of ancient and contemporary Roman architectural elements to create unity in the painting, and the theme itself (a coming together of earthly and godly elements), all turn this painting into one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance .

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Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Sistine Chapel

VESPERS INSIDE THE SISTINE CHAPEL

I once had the amazing privilege of attending Vespers inside the Sistine Chapel.

Take a look:

And of course, no visit to the Vatican Museums would be complete without the Sistine Chapel .

In fact, it's usually the only reason people come to the Vatican Museums.

And since it is at the very end of the museums, you won't miss it. 

ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo Buonarotti

When you have a tour of the Vatican Museums , they will give you an explanation of the chapel before you go in, since you are supposed to be quiet in there.

If you go in on your own, here is what to look for once you are inside the Sistine Chapel:

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

creation of adam by michelangelo

I think the most famous part of the Sistine Chapel is the series of paintings by Michelangelo on the ceiling . 

These are 9 scenes from the book of Genesis.

And the most famous painting in this series, perhaps one of the most iconic paintings in the world , is the Creation of Adam .

But take the time to look at the rest of the panels on the ceiling too.

Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling

by Ross King

I LOVE this book, and cannot recommend it highly enough.

If you want to know all about Michelangelo and how he came to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, I suggest you get this book.

I found myself surprised to find it was a page-turner that I could not put down!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - Michelangelo's Last Judgement

last judgement by michelangelo

Every time I visit the Sistine Chapel, I notice everyone looking straight up.

Yes, the star attraction is Michelangelo's ceiling , in particular, the Creation of Adam.

And with good reason.

It's spectacular.

And one of the world's most famous pieces of art.

So get a good look and enjoy.

But also, take the time to enjoy some other things in here as well, especially Michelangelo's other great masterpiece in this room: The Last Judgement .

This painting was done later, between 1535 and 1541.  

And by this time, Michelangelo was in his sixties.

He'd thought he was done with painting ... he'd thought of himself primarily as a sculptor.

But the new Pope Paul III (Farnese), convinced Michelangelo he had more in him, as a painter but also as an architect.

So he had Michelangelo finish St. Peter's Basilica . (And also redesign Capitoline Hill, but that is another story.)

And the Pope had Michelangelo paint   Il Giudizio Universale , The Last Judgement.

The painting shows the second coming of Christ on the Day of Judgment (Revelation of John.)

Notice Jesus' position in the center, he is neither standing nor sitting, but almost in motion.

On the bottom left are the souls selected for passage to heaven, and on the bottom right, are the damned souls being transported to hell by Charon on the river Styx.

Michelangelo painted The Last Judgement after the  Sack of Rome in 1527.

Also, he'd become much more devout as he'd gotten older, and had a lot of inner conflict about his younger, more pagan days.

So the painting has a considerably darker feeling about it than the ceiling panels.

And, if you look closely at the flayed skin of St. Bartholomew, just below Jesus and to our right, you can see that is Michelangelo's face.

It was his way of atoning. 

This painting is for me one of THE Vatican Museum Must Sees , as it shows a transition for Michelangelo, and so much drama and raw human emotion than many of his previous paintings.

Vatican: All the Paintings: The Complete Collection of Old Masters, Plus More than 300 Sculptures, Maps, Tapestries, and other Artifacts

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Vatican Museum Must Sees - The Cosmatesque Floor of the Sistine Chapel

And speaking of looking not only up and around, look down, too.

This beautiful floor has a pattern called " Cosmatesque ", so named for the Cosmati family that created this style and decorated churches around Italy, and particularly in Rome, in the 12th and 13th centuries. 

cosmatesque floor of sistine chapel

It's also included in some walking tours like this one.

Finally, in the last of my list of Vatican Museum Must Sees inside the Sistine Chapel, don't miss the wall panels underneath the ceiling.

Before Michelangelo came along and eclipsed their fame with his paintings, Pope Sixtus IV (for whom the Sistine Chapel is named), had the walls painted by Renaissance masters including: Sandro Botticelli , Pietro Perugino , Pinturicchio , and Domenico Ghirlandaio (one of Michelangelo's mentors.)

These frescos depict the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ, and truly are Vatican Museum Must Sees in their own right.

To conclude, there are many "Vatican Museum must sees", including works I've left off this list .

But I do hope this will give you some idea of things you might wish to include on your visit to the Vatican Museums, in particular, some things you might not have thought to see.

No matter what you see/don't see, a visit to the Vatican Museums is one of the most special, exciting, and beautiful things you can do in Rome !

Of course you already know by now that the Sistine Chapel is at the top of everyone's list of Vatican Museum must sees.

In fact, it may be the ONLY thing people want to see when they visit these museums.

But since it's not possible to see only the Sistine Chapel , I hope you will enjoy some of the other masterpieces there too.

Click here to visit the Vatican Museums website to view a  map of the museums .

Did you know that if you book a visit to the Vatican Gardens , you automatically have a skip-the-line-ticket into the Vatican Museums?

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How to Visit the Vatican Museums

Ceiling detail at the Vatican Museum

Intricate ceiling detail at the Vatican Museum

Prepare for your journey through the hallowed halls of artistic brilliance and historical significance as we unveil the secrets to making your Vatican visit an unforgettable memory. Housing one of the world's most extensive art collections, the Vatican stands as a beacon for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and wanderers alike. Nestled in the heart of Rome, this iconic venue draws visitors from every corner of the globe. Join us as we unlock the doors to an immersive experience and provide insider tips on navigating the mesmerizing wonders that await within the Vatican's embrace.

Vatican History 

The beginnings of the Vatican start with the martyrdom of St. Peter in 67 AD, but it wasn’t until 1277 that it became the official residence of the Papacy. Each Pope added his own touches to the apartments, most famously in 1473 when Pope Sixtus IV commissioned the building of the Sistine Chapel hiring Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, and Luca Signorelli to fresco its walls. It wasn’t until 1508 that Pope Julius II brought in Michelangelo to paint the famous ceiling, and a young Raphael to paint the frescoes of the Papal Apartments. It was this same Pope that began the collection of antiquities, which still forms the backbone of the Vatican’s collection. More than just the seat of Catholicism, the Vatican to this day remains a repository for artistic masterpieces.

Planning How to Visit the Vatican

The Vatican is generally broken down into two distinct entities: the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. While many people visit both in the same trip or tour, they are both massive sites worthy of deeper exploration.  Also note that they do not necessarily open or close at the same hours. Those wondering how to visit the Vatican should carve out some time to properly explore.

The museums house the art collection within the walls of the Vatican City. More than six million people visit them annually, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. There are 54 galleries ranging from classical antiquities and Ancient Egyptian pieces up to modern religious art. The most famous is of course the Sistine Chapel, which is famously the last gallery before exiting the museum. You could easily spend days lost in the many hallways and rooms filled with masterpieces when you visit the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Basilica started as a 4th-century church begun by Emperor Constantine the Great over the site of St. Peter’s tomb. By the 15th century, this building had fallen into disrepair, and Pope Nicholas V began plans for a new magnificent church to be built on the site of the previous one. In the end, Julius II, who famously started the art collection, decided to demolish the old basilica and commissioned Michelangelo to design the now-famous dome.

Construction continued for more than 80 years before the dome was finished in 1590, the last year of the reign of Pope Sixtus V. The adornments in and around the Basilica continue to be added, including Bernini’s baldacchino , Cathedra Petri, and Gloria. Still an active church to this day, Catholics can still attend mass in the largest basilica in the world.

Navigating Crowds at the Vatican

Please be aware that during the summer travel period, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica can be subject to extremely high levels of visitor traffic. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour experience.

To enhance your experience, we recommend considering the following suggestions:

Plan your visit wisely : Consider visiting during non-peak hours or choosing alternative times of the year when crowd levels tend to be lower. Mondays and Wednesdays seem to experience the highest levels of crowds during our Summer 2023 Season so far. During these peak times, there may be raised voices from security guards as they try to control the crowds. 

Opt for a private or small group tour: By booking a private or small group tour, you can enjoy a more intimate experience and personalized attention from our knowledgeable guides, which can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of these remarkable sites. Using their years of experience navigating the halls of the Vatican Museums, our guides are often able to take alternative routes through the galleries. 

Patience and understanding: We kindly request your patience and understanding as we navigate through the crowds together. Our guides will do their utmost to make your tour as enjoyable as possible, but please be aware that some elements may be beyond our control.

Comfortable attire and footwear: As you may spend a significant amount of time standing and walking, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes to ensure your comfort throughout the tour. Several of the halls within the Vatican do not have air conditioning, and so it can be useful to pack a fan and a bottle of water.

Vatican Opening Hours

To visit the Vatican, the museums are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday with final entry at 4:00 PM. From May 5 to October 28 Friday hours extend to 10:30 PM with final entry at 8:30 PM and Saturday hours extend to 8:00 PM with final entry at 6:00 PM.

Every last Sunday of the month hours are 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM with final entry at 12:30 PM.

However, those wondering how to visit the Vatican should note that tour operators are allowed in earlier in the day. It is best to visit either first thing in the morning, with the 8:30 a.m. start time being ideal if you are touring, or early in the afternoon (around 1:30 p.m.) when it tends to clear out a bit after lunch.

Keep in mind that museums are closed for all major Catholic holidays, so it is best to check your trip dates against the religious calendar if you wish to include the Vatican. Tickets to the museum cost 17 EUR for adults, and 8 EUR for anyone under 18 years old. There will be additional fees for "skip-the-line" admission tickets. 

St. Peter’s Basilica is open to the public from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the late spring and summer, and 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the fall and winter. It is free to enter the main Basilica, though there are fees for some of the other sites within the church.

Please Note: St Peter's Basilica is closed on Wednesdays as the Papal audience is held on these days. Context does not operate our signature Arte Vaticana tour on Wednesdays. 

Visit the Vatican with Context Travel

  • Arte Vaticana with Skip the Line Tickets – This four hour seminar explores the collections of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica in the company of an art historian or theologian, and will explore the relationship between art and religion throughout the centuries.
  • Vatican Museum Highlights – This in-depth exploration of the Vatican Museums lasts 3-hours and includes the Sistine Chapel. It is a shorter version of the Arte Vaticana tour skipping St. Peter’s in favor of a greater depth to the survey of the art collections of the Vatican.
  • St. Peter’s Tour – Our comprehensive tour of St. Peter’s Basilica spends 3 hours looking at the architecture, art, and religious significance of this famous church.
  • Vatican Museum Tour for Kids – A 3 hour walk which will children a basic introduction to art and religion without overtaxing anyone’s patience.
  • After Hours Vatican Tour - Explore the Vatican for 2.5 hours led by an art historian when it is closed to the public with this exclusive private experience, only offered 4-5 times per year. No lines, no waiting.

How to Visit the Vatican: Transportation

To get to the Vatican the nearest metro stop is Ottaviano on line A. This is the orange line that runs through the Flaminio (Piazza del Popolo), Barberini (Trevi Fountain), and Termini stations. Exiting onto Via Ottaviano, the entrance to the Vatican is just around the corner, less than a 10 minute walk.

Additional Reading

  • The Pope’s Elephant by Silvio A. Bedini, 2000
  • In the Footsteps of Popes: A Spirited Guide to the Treasures of the Vatican by Enrico Bruschini, 2001
  • Michelangelo’s Last Judgement: The Renaissance Response by Bernadine Barnes, 1998
  • Lives of the Artists  by Giogio Vasari, 1998 The Renaissance in Rome. by Charles L. Stinger, 1998
  • High Renaissance Art in St. Peter’s and the Vatican: An Interpretive Guide by George L. Hersey, University of Chicago Press, 1993

Glossary of Terms You'll Hear

  • Baldacchino – an ornamental canopy on columns that rests over a tomb, altar, or throne.
  • Cartoon – a preparatory drawing made to the scale of the final work.
  • Chiaroscuro – the use of bold contrasts in light and dark to enhance volume.
  • Fresco – a method of painting on plaster. In true (buon) fresco, pigment is painted directly on damp plaster. As the plaster dries the pigment becomes a part of the wall. In dry (secco) fresco, pigment is applied after the plaster has dried. This method is not as durable as true fresco.

Here are some other blog posts you might be interested in: 

  • The 5 Most Interesting Popes in History
  • Here's How to Get the Most Out of Rome Art Museums
  • Papal Crest Symbolism in Rome 

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Rome Actually

Visiting the Vatican Museums – All You Need to Know for a Perfect Tour

Visiting the Vatican Museums, one of the largest museums in Rome and also one of the most famous museums in Italy , requires some good planning. Being so popular, you will likely find a long line at the entrance. Being so old, you will definitely be overwhelmed about what to visit in the short time you can afford inside.

Being one of the main landmarks of Vatican City , this wonderful museum is pretty much always included in the private Vatican tours as well as the more generic tours of Rome .

I wrote this guide to visit the Vatican Museums to avoid as many surprises as possible and ensure a smooth tour. Here you will find important information regularly updated about visiting hours and closing times, ticket prices, and how to skip the line when visiting the Vatican Museums in Rome.

Table of Contents

Our tips and guide to visiting the Vatican Museums

Is it worth visiting the vatican museums.

The Vatican Museums enshrine five centuries of history and artwork donated to the popes by the world’s leaders, kings, and queens, as well as the pieces purchased and commissioned by the popes themselves throughout history.

Historical pieces like clothes and carriages and historical areas like the different popes’ apartments sit side by side with immortal artwork such as Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel and the frescoes of Raphael’s Rooms.

First and foremost, you need to accept the idea that you can’t just show up at the entrance of the Vatican Museums and get in straight away. There will be a long queue or it might even be closed, so if you haven’t done a minimum of planning, you might end up wasting time and missing one of the best places to visit in Rome .

Image: Ceiling to see when visiting the Vatican Museums.

Tickets for the Vatican Museums

From January 1st, 2024, the tickets for the Vatican Museums will be more expensive, priced at 20€ instead of the current 17€.

To fight the phenomenon of unauthorized ticket resales, the Vatican Museums will introduce nominative tickets and will start checking IDs at the entrance.

Skip the line

Nobody likes standing in line for hours on end, especially when there is an easy way to avoid this. While you can just turn up and buy your ticket, this is no guarantee that you will do it as easily as you think.

In Rome’s most famous landmarks , it’s of paramount importance to arrive with your ticket already purchased. There are many websites where you can buy your ticket to the Vatican Museums online, one of the most popular is Get Your Guide .

Image: Tour of the Vatican Museums.

Join a tour

Alternatively, instead of just booking your entrance, you can join a private tour of the Vatican Museums. Along with the admission, a private tour includes a guide who will take you directly to the most famous spots you would probably miss if you were on your own or that you would have to look for.

A guided tour is more expensive than a single admission ticket but has the perks of saving you time and making your visit more complete with historical facts and anecdotes.

Check closing time…

Even though an art gallery, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday, except if it’s the last Sunday of the month when there is free entrance. The Vatican Museums also close on the main religious holidays when other museums are actually open, such as Easter Sunday and Monday, November 1st (All Saints’ Day), December 8th (Immaculate Conception), Christmas and Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, December 31st.

… and the new opening hours

Starting January 1st, 2024, the Vatican Museums announced that they are going to extend their visiting time by two hours, one extra in the morning and one extra in the evening. So instead of opening at 9 am, it will open at 8 am, and instead of closing at 6 pm, the Vatican Museums will close at 7 pm. This applies to every day from Monday to Saturday.

From the beginning of March 2024 when the high season starts, the Vatican Museums will extend an extra hour on Friday and Saturday, closing at 8 pm only on these two days.

Image: Carvings of the Vatican Museums.

Follow the dress code

Again, even though visiting the Vatican Museums might just seem like entering an art exhibition, you need to keep in mind that they are located inside Vatican City. This means that you are expected to follow the Vatican dress code you would follow when visiting the Basilica of Saint Peter and its underground Roman necropolis .

What is not allowed in the Vatican Museums?

Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not allowed in the Vatican Museums and you will need to leave them in the cloakroom. Apart from these types of bags, among the obvious objects that are not allowed in the Vatican Museums are firearms, knives, scissors, and any sharp and dangerous object.

Image: Paintings of the Vatican Museums in Rome.

Are photos allowed in the Vatican Museums?

You can snap your pictures without using the flash everywhere in the Vatican Museums except for the Sistine Chapel and the frescoes of Michelangelo. It’s also not allowed to take videos, use selfie sticks, or use professional photo and video gear, including a tripod. Anyone visiting the Vatican Museums should be aware of these rules as there are staff and guards everywhere who will ask you to delete your photos.

Be mindful of the noise

This doesn’t apply to all the areas when visiting the Vatican Museums but only when you are inside the Sistine Chapel. Here, in fact, you will be asked to be silent or to speak by whispering so that the experience of your fellow visitors won’t be ruined when admiring Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

Check out our guide to eating near the Vatican!

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Vatican Museum Art

Complete Vatican Museum Map & Walking Tour

Download the vatican museum map for self guided tour of the vatican, vatican museum map.

Use the Vatican museum map below and the Vatican museum walking tour attractions to the visit both the Vatican museum and Vatican City. A complete map guide to Vatican museums, galleries and chapels. Follow the walking route to the explore Vatican Museum in Vatican City at your own place and spend a few hours or a full day. Click on the arrow icon to the left of the title to display the legend. Click on the Vatican Museum map pins (red and green pins) on the interactive Vatican museum map below, or on the legend or the PDF Vatican map that you download for additional information including images of the attraction

Accompanying attractions guide to to the Vatican Museum Map is HERE

To download the vatican museum map in pdf map click here, click on image of map for vatican museum attractions guide.

Vatican Museum Map

Vatican museum Entry Tickets :

The lineups can be very long, I recommend you purchase tickets in advance. There are a variety of packages and combinations (with Sistine Chapel and / or St Peters Basilica) that can be purchased online. The best is to purchase a skip the line tickets. Book online here options include combo entrance tickets (some with guided tours), select the one that best suits you. If you want entry tickets and tours of attractions nearby, several options are available here to book in advance.

On the Vatican museum walking Map:

  • Green Pins and Purple walking route are for the main floor of the museum
  • Orange Pin and Orange Walking route are for the upper floor of the museum

Vatican City Self Guided Tour

How to visit the vatican museum using the google map: main floor.

1. After you enter the Vatican Museum, at the top of the escalator, turn RIGHT instead of left (don’t follow the crowd towards the left) to go the Vatican Pinacoteca – Gallery of the Old Masters. You will pass through the Pinacoteca Courtyard and a small cafe. The main floor walking tour is highlighted in purple on the interactive Vatican museum map above 2. When you are done at the Pinacoteca: – 2a. If you are able to exit from the Pinacoteca museum building to the adjoining Four Square Garden outside (Giardino Quadrato) you can visit the Carriage Museum. The access to the Carriage Museum (Museo Storico – Padiglione delle Carrozze) is a set of stairs. It is in a large room under the courtyard in the corner of the Four Square Garden. If you cannot access the Four Square Courtyard from here, another route to the Carriage Museum is outlined in step 9a   OR – 2b. From the Pinacoteca , go back to the intersection and pass the Atrium of the Four Gates (Quattro Cancelli) to the 18th century Simonetti Staircase to enter the Egyptian Museum. Along the way you will see signs for “Percorsco Completo” and it will take you to the Pio-Clementine Museum (and the Egyptian Museum is close to the Pio-Clementine Museum). An outline of this Vatican museum image is on the map of this self guided walking route above, just click on the Pio-Clementine Museum map pin 3. Egyptian Museum. Enter and explore the Egyptian Museum, you can also access the Chiaramonte and Braccio Museum from here – 3a. At the end of the Egyptian Museum the stairs on your right going down will take you to the Chiaramonte Museum (if you go left it will take you into the  hall of statues of Pio-Clementine Museum and to Bramante Staircase). Take the stairs to your right to go down to the Museum Chiaramonti (long corridor on the east side of the Belvedere Palace) and into the Braccio Nuovo (New Wing) to the right – 3b. You can access the Pinecone Courtyard after visiting the Egyptian Museum or the Pio-Clementine Museum.. Refer to step 6 for information on the Pinecone Courtyard 4. Once you are done in this area, head back up the corridor to the entrance of the Pio-Clementine Museum (Vatican Museum map image of this route is in the above map, just click on the map pin)

How to Visit Vatican Museum: use the google map of the Pio-Clementine Museum

5. Enter the Pio-Clementine Museum. It consists of several rooms, listed in no particular order: – the Sarcophagus room – two red sarcophagus of the Emperor Constantine’s daughter Constantia and his mother St Helena – Sala Rotunda – Round room with a huge red bathtub made from a single stone, Porphyry Basin (Porphyry is a type of rock) – gallery of Muse; busts of many roman figures (including the Belvedere Torso) – gallery of Animals; sculptures of real and mythological animals – gallery of statues – Octagonal Square – two important statues. Statue of  “Belvedere’s Apollo”  and “Laocoonte” , before entering the courtyard you will see the statue of the athlete Apoxymenos – Bramante Staircase (may be closed) 6. From the Pio-Clementino Museum head outside to the Pinecone Courtyard (Pigna). There is a small outdoor cafe; I would stop and enjoy the overpriced coffee in the courtyard and take a break as you may be overwhelmed by this time. Two sculptures worth noting in the courtyard are the bronze Pinecone fountain and the Globe in the center of the courtyard. The next set of Vatican museum attractions are on the upper floor. The walking tour is highlighted in red on the Vatican museum map 7. When you are done, head inside towards the Simonetti Staircase next to the Egyptian museum. Take the stairs up to the second floor to explore the Upper Galleries, Museums and the former Pope’s living Quarters ie: Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments

How to visit Vatican: Upper Floor using the Vatican museum map of attractions

8. At the top of the stairs is the Etruscan Museum 9a. Detour –  To the Carriage Museum (if you did not to visit it in step 2a). From the outdoor patio, you can access the gardens downstairs via a set of stairs to your right. You will exit into a courtyard and head straight to the Four Square Garden (Giardino Quadrato). The access to the Carriage Museum (Museo Storico – Padiglione delle Carrozze) is a set of stairs going down in the corner of the Four Square Garden. When you are done, head back to gallery of maps. You can follow the sign posts “Padiglione delle Carrozze” 10. Head back to the View point, ie: back into the hallway at the end of the Gallery of Maps.  Next, we will follow the walking route of the Vatican museum map to go to the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments, the Sistine Chapel and into St. Peter’s Basilica 11. At the end of the Gallery of Maps is a detour to the Raphael Rooms (do not head to the Sistine Chapel which is downstairs). Use the walking tour route on the Vatican museum map to go to the Raphael Rooms; the first room you will come upon is Room IV. You need to keep going until Room I which is at the end of the hallway. Start at Raphael Room I

How to Visit Vatican using the Vatican Museum Map: Raphael Rooms, Borgia Apartments and Sistine Chapel

12. After Viewing Rooms I to IV, at the back of the Raphael rooms (Room IV) there is a staircase going down to the Borgia Apartments. The apartments are downstairs of the Raphael rooms and near the entrance of the Sistine Chapel 13. After viewing the Borgia Apartments make your way to the Sistine Chapel 14. After exploring the Sistine Chapel you have two choices: – take the door to the right to go to St Peters Basilica (this is reserved for tour groups only however you can tag along with a group and exit the museum to the Basilica). Going to the Basilica using this route will save you about a 15 min walk back to exit the museum plus a 20 min walk to the Basilica from the Museum plus a security lineup to get into the Basilica OR – If you rented audio to be returned or need to pick up your personal belongings left at the front, you will have to go back the way you came towards the entrance of the museum. Once you exit Vatican City and the museum, you can stop for a snack and continue onto to St Peters Basilica or go on the St. Basilica tour another day

Other Sites in Italy

  • Visit the Roman Colosseum. Click on the Roman Colosseum attractions map HERE and accompanying Colosseum attractions guide HERE
  • Take the Rome attractions map and self guided tour: It includes the Vatican City attractions map HERE and the Vatican attractions guide HERE
  • Self Guided Walking tour to explore the neighborhood of Trastevere with map of attractions HERE and guide of attractions HERE
  • Visit St Peters Basilica . Explore all the attractions in St Peter’s Basilica with the attractions guide HERE
  • One of my favorite places is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill . The map of attractions is HERE and the self guided walking tour is HERE
  • Visit Pompeii with a complete self guided tour map HERE and the attractions guide to the 49 points of interest HERE
  • Spend the day in Florence , this was by far one of my best day trips. The self guided walking tour map is HERE and the attractions guide is HERE

Instructions to download the interactive map to a smart phone:

Take the map with you when you travel:.

Instructions on:

  • Using it offline
  • Using it online – We bring one of our older smart phones when we travel and buy a local SIM card. You can purchase a local tourist SIM card from one of the main local providers, they are usually pretty inexpensive. You may need your passport to purchase as its a tourist SIM if you are an international tourist. You should have them put it in your old smartphone and check that it works before leaving the store. Use it to follow the map online, its the best way to explore

Sign into google using your Gmail account on your smart phone and be connected to the internet. If you do not sign in, this process will not work . You will be downloading this map to save it. You will be saving it in google maps in two places:

  • Save in “Your Places” for online use and
  • Save in “Offline map” for offline use
  • Youtube instructions on link as follows: https://youtu.be/_6j9koieMsU

Instructions to save above map:

  • Click on the rectangle on the top right hand side of the above map [ ] – if you move your mouse to it, it will say “view larger map”
  • It will take you into google maps on your smartphone and it will automatically save this map. You must be already be signed into google maps with your Gmail account, if you are not signed into google maps then the map will not be saved
  • In google maps, click on the menu which is the three horizontal lines on the top left of the google map (it is to the left of the search box)
  • From the menu, click on “Your Places”. This will take you to another screen with a menu at the top. From the top menu bar select “maps”. A list of your maps will be displayed including the map that was just saved. Select the map you just saved
  • Make sure the map is still onscreen; do not close out of it as you will be downloading this map and it has to be onscreen to download. While the map is onscreen, click on menu again (three horizontal lines top left hand corner)
  • Select “Offline maps” then select “custom map”
  • Once you select “custom map”, the onscreen map will be displayed; select the area you want downloaded (zoom in or out to get all the data points into the blue square outline; pinch fingers for zooming)
  • Click on “download” – this will save the map in an offline area that you can use when you are not connected to the internet

The map is now saved in two places. To see this, click on the menu (three horizontal line on top right hand corner) in google maps:

  • Click on “Your Places” from the menu, then select “Custom Map”. The map will be listed and you can use the map while connected to the internet
  • Click on “Offline Maps” from the menu. The map will be listed to use the map offline ie: not connected to the internet (make sure location services is turned on and your will see the blue dot indicating your location as you navigate with the offline map)
  • After you download a map, use the Google Maps app just like you normally would. If your Internet connection is slow or absent, or if you are in “airplane mode” Google Maps will automatically use your offline maps to give you directions
  • Rome Attractions

Vatican Museums

  • Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace

Sistine Chapel

  • Apostolic Palace
  • Vatican Gardens
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  • Secrets of Vatican
  • Plan Your Visit
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  • Things to do in Vatican
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Visiting The Vatican Museums in Rome | Plan Your Visit

Visiting vatican.

The Vatican City, which is the smallest state in the world, is a popular tourist destination for not only being one of the most sacred places in Christendom, but because it is home to many religious and cultural sites. At its center you will find St Peter's Basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, which is the largest religious building in the world. The Vatican City sees close to 5 million visitors a year. If you are hoping to visit the Holy See Country, here is all the information you need that will need to plan your trip better, from opening hours to directions to the Vatican.

How to Visit the Vatican?

Spread across 44 hectares, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world. Two of the most popular tourist spots within the Vatican are the St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Thanks to its small size, the Vatican is easily accessible on foot, however, it would be extremely ambitious to try and visit both on the same trip. Apart from the fact that their opening hours are different, these are both sites that deserve time and attention so you can truly explore its vast offerings.

If you are inclined towards art and history, then the  Vatican Museums , which houses the art collection within the Vatican City, is the attraction that should make it to the top of your list. One of the most visited art museums in the world, it is home to 54 galleries that features classical antiquities, as well as modern religious artworks. While you can cover the entire museum in a day, it can take you many days to view the many hallways and rooms filled with masterpieces.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica , on the other hand, is a Renaissance-style church located within the Vatican. It is still considered to be one of the most renowned works of Renaissance architecture and one of the holiest Catholic shrines. Inside you will find Michelangelo’s pietà, Vatican Grottoes, and the famous St Peter's Tomb. Make it a point to visit St. Peter's Square that was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini while visiting the Basilica.

Skip the Lines at Vatican

The Vatican is an extremely popular attraction and it is safe to expect long lines at the venue. In fact, if you visit the Vatican without tickets, you could find yourself waiting in line for up to 2 hours. However, it is not impossible to skip the lines. Book your tickets online to avoid the hassle and be sure to choose skip-the-line tickets to ensure a shorter wait line. Know More >

Vatican Museum Opening Hours

From Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 7 PM.

Every last Sunday of the month 9 AM to 2 PM (Final entry at 12:30 PM)

This is only applicable when the last Sunday of the month does not coincide with Easter Sunday Christmas or New Year.

Closed: Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), 1 and 6 January, 19 March, 1 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 15 August, 1 November, 25, and 26 December.

What's the Best Time to Visit the Vatican Museums?

If you are hoping to visit during the low season, then plan a visit between October to March (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s). During this time you can expect lesser crowds, which makes enjoying the various attractions within the Vatican a hassle-free experience.

In order to explore all the galleries within the Vatican Museums, plan to spend at least 3-4 hours here. To avoid the rush, and fully explore all the artworks, plan your visit to the Vatican Museums for early morning or late afternoons on a weekday. On Wednesdays, during the Papal audience, you can avoid the long lines by visiting the Vatican Museums as the crowd waits outside the St Peter's Basilica.

Where is Vatican?

Address:  Città del Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City

Find On Map

Vatican City, a landlocked sovereign city-state encircled by a 2-mile border with Italy, is located on the West bank of River Tiber.

Closest Landmark: Castel Sant'Angelo (2.1 km)

How to Reach The Vatican?

Getting to Vatican by Metro

Duration: 11-15 minutes

  • Board the metro from Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, or Roma Termini.
  • Take Line A to the Ottaviano-S. Pietro station. From here, St. Peter’s Square is just a 5-minute walk away.
  • You can also alight at Cipro (8 mins) or Lepanto (16 mins) stations.

Getting to Vatican by bus

Duration:  30-35 minutes

  • Bus 49 will stop at the square in front of the Vatican Museums.
  • You can also take 32, 81, 982, which stops at Piazza del Risorgimento (7 mins).
  • 492 and 990 will stop in Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni (5 mins).

Getting to Rome by tram

Duration: 53 minutes

  • Take line number 19 running from Piazza dei Gerani.
  • The closest stop is Piazza del Risorgimento just outside the Vatican city walls.
  • A quick 7-minute walk will take you to Vatican Museum.

Do I Need a Passport to Visit Vatican?

The Vatican City is an independently recognized state thanks to the Lateran Pacts that were signed by Benito Mussolini in February 1929. However, despite being a sovereign state, it has no former border controls. It does not have its own airport or sea borders, and so the only way to enter the Vatican is through Italy. If you can enter Italy, then you can enter Vatican City. You can simply walk into St Peters Square to enter the Vatican.

Know Before You Visit Vatican Museums

Vatican Museum Facilities

  • Cloakroom: Visitors can use the cloakrooms for no charge.
  • Audioguide: Have an MP3 reader accompany and guide you.
  • Lost & Found: Items that have not been claimed will be stored at the Vatican Gendarmery.
  • Post Office: Located adjacent to the Courtyard of the Cuirasses.
  • Bookshops: You will find many large and small bookshops throughout the Museum.
  • First aid: The staff is trained in emergency cardio-protective treatment.
  • Restrooms: Look out for the signposts to locate the restrooms.

Vatican museum accessibility

  • Free entry to all disabled visitors as well companions of visitors who are not self-sufficient. They will also be guaranteed priority skip the line entry.
  • Hire a wheelchair from the cloakroom (subject to availability). 
  • The Museums are accessible also to visitors on mobility scooters and with electric wheelchairs. However, in areas with space constraints, the visitor can transfer to a traditional wheelchair, which may be hired free of charge in the entrance hall.
  • Disability-friendly toilets are located throughout the museum.

Visiting Vatican with family

  • Strollers: Strollers are allowed entry. Families can use the special lifts for easy access to museum spaces.
  • Baby changing facilities: Some restrooms are equipped with changing facilities for babies and a nursing room.
  • Relaxation areas: Seats are located along the museum to enable the visitor to take a break and rest.
  • Children's menu: The Self Service corner of the Museums offers a special menu and high chairs.
  • Pre-booked lunch: Families can pre-book their lunch, which would ensure them a reserved table.

Vatican Rules & Regulations

  • Those not dressed appropriately will not be allowed entry.
  • Animals, except guide dogs, will not be allowed entry.
  • You can take photographs, for personal use only, in all areas except the Sistine Chapel. 
  • Touching the works of art is prohibited.
  • You have to keep your phone in silent mode. Using mobile phones is forbidden in the Sistine Chapel.
  • Smoking is forbidden.
  • Baldacchino: A canopy that rests over an altar or tomb, supported on columns.
  • Cartoon: Derived from the Italian word 'cartone', cartoon refers to a full-scale preparatory drawing for a fresco, oil painting, or tapestry.
  • Chiaroscuro: The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to achieve a sense of volume.
  • Fresco: A method of mural painting on plaster.
  • Icon: A sacred image.
  • Sarcophagus: A stone coffin.

How to Enter the Vatican?

While Vatican has no border policy as such, it does have a 2-mile long (3.2 km) brick wall surrounding the entirety of the country. However, you can simply walk in through one of the two entrances.

Vatican Museum Entrance

The Vatican Museums is accessible from Viale Vaticano on the Northside of the city-state. St. Peter's Basilica, on the Southeast side of the city, is accessible from Via della Conciliazione .

If you enter from St. Peter’s Square, to get to the Vatican Museums, you will have to take a right while facing St Peter’s Basilica and walk for about 15-20 minutes. Walk along Via Leone IV street until you reach your first left onto Viale Vaticano where you walk until you come to the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

In front of the Vatican Museum, you will find three different queues. The longest queue is likely to be the one for those who planned to purchase tickets on-site. A second queue, that starts near a yellow signboard is the one for those who purchased online tickets. The last line is reserved for those who have purchased skip-the-line tickets.

Know More About Vatican Museums Entrance >

Vatican City, Route Map

What is Inside Vatican Museums?

Gregorian Egyptian Museum- Vatican Museums

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

At the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, you can see sculptures, statues, and other objects that had been brought into Rome from Egypt, as well as some pieces of the Egyptian collection from the Hadrian`s Villa at Tivoli.

Pio Clementino Museum- Vatican Museums

Pio Clementino Museum

The museum is made of twelve different rooms that showcases pontifical collections of classical sculpture dating back to the original collection of pope Julius II (1503-1513) and, donations from collectors and antiquaries.

Inside Vatican Museum

Profane Museum

The museum was created to display the non-religious objects of the Carpegna, Vettori, and Assemani collections present in the museum at the time of its founding.

Inside Vatican Museum

Borgia Apartments

The Borgia Apartments are a suite of rooms that were used as a residence by Pope Alexander VI. He had commissioned Bernardino di Betto to decorate the rooms with frescos in the 19th century.

Inside Vatican Museums - Lapidary Gallery

Lapidary Gallery

Curated by Gaetano Marini, the Lapidary Gallery features a stone library with epigraphs that are written on slabs, bases, memorials, urns, altars and sarcophagi, dating from between the 1st century B.C. and the 6th century A.D.

Inside Vatican Museums

Gregoriano Profano Museum

At the Gregoriano Profano Museum you will find original Greek sculptures, reconstructions of Greek originals made during the Roman age, and sculptures of the Imperial Roman age.

Pinacoteca - Vatican Museum

Inaugurated in 1932, the Pinacoteca is home to 460 paintings by some of the greatest artists of the history of Italian painting, from Giotto, who ushered in the Italian Renaissance, to Raphael’s last painting.

A chapel in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is known for the beautiful frescos created by Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Rosselli, and most importantly, Michelangelo.

Inside Vatican Museums

Raphael's Rooms

Four rooms form a part of the apartment in the Apostolic Palace that was chosen by Julius II della Rovere as his own residence and used also by his successors. These rooms are famous for the frescos painted by Raphael.

Know More >

How To Book Vatican Tickets & Tours?

All your questions about visiting vatican.

A. Till 31 October 2021, Vatican will be open Monday to Thursday from 8.30 AM to 6.30 PM and on Friday and Saturday, from 8.30 AM to 10.30 PM. From 2 Nov 2021, Vatican will be open Monday to Saturday from 8.30 AM to 6.30 PM.

A. Vatican will be closed on 1 November, 8 December, and 25 December

A. Plan a visit during early mornings and late afternoons on a weekday between October to March (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s) so you can enjoy Vatican with the least amount of crowd.

A. Vatican Museums is located at 00120, Vatican City.

A. You can get to Vatican Museums via metro, bus or tram.

A. There are many small and big bookstores located throughout the Vatican Museum.

A. For security reasons, there is no Wi-Fi coverage within the museum premises.

A. No animals, other than guide dogs for those who are visually impaired, are allowed inside the Vatican Museums.

A. Vatican Museum can be accessed on wheelchair; they offer guided tours in sign language for deaf and hard of hearing visitors, and tactile and multi-sensory tours for visually impaired visitors, among other things.

A. Luggage, suitcases, rucksacks, packages and containers not considered suitable by staff, umbrellas, sticks, tripods and stands for photography, video cameras, banners and signs of any type, knives, scissors and/or metal tools, firearm, or alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside the Vatican Museums.

A. Photography, for personal and domestic use, is allowed in all part of the Vatican Museums, apart from the Sistine Chapel. Flash photography is strictly forbidden.

A. The Vatican Museums strongly discourages the use of mobile phones inside the exhibition spaces. Keep your phone on silent mode. The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden in the Sistine Chapel.

A. Yes, there are restrooms located all throughout the Vatican Museums. Just look out for the sign posts indicating where they are.

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TheTravel

Visit The 10 Largest Museums In The World

  • Museums offer a glimpse into humanity's past and culture through their art, artifacts, and photographs. Discover the largest museums around the world to visit!
  • From London's Tate Modern to Tokyo's National Museum, these museums house thousands of incredible works of art that highlight history and culture.
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and the Louvre in Paris are among the world's largest museums, enticing millions of visitors with their vast collections.

Museums are an insight into humanity's past and culture through their collections of art, archeological artifacts, photographs, and more. Wherever travelers go, they are likely to cross paths with a museum and its unique collections.

Destinations like New York City and London are home to the world's largest museums, attracting hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of visitors annually! Still, there are plenty more to discover across the globe; these are some of the largest museums around the world to visit.

Related: The 11 Best Museums In Florida You Need To Visit

Tate Modern

London is a treasure trove of incredible museums and cultural wonders, including the captivating exhibits at Tate Modern. Since 1897 , Tate Modern has displayed British art from the 16th century to the modern age, set inside the former Bankside Power Station along the River Thames.

Come and peruse nearly 70,000 works of art, especially from legendary artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Barbara Hepworth.

  • Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom
  • Size: 371,350 square feet sq ft

The Bankside Power Station was built with about 4.2 million bricks!

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo offers so much to do and see and is particularly renowned for its blend of high-tech urban exploration with deep dives of history and nature. Explore history at the Tokyo Metro National Museum in Ueno Park, which highlights artifacts, art, and other archeological finds primarily from Japan and other parts of Asia.

The TNM houses around 120,000 objects —89 of them are national treasures, while 649 of these objects are vital cultural properties!

  • Address: 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712, Japan
  • Size: 410,000 sq ft

RELATED: 10 Landmarks In Japan That Have Us Booking Our Tokyo Flights Right Now

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are Vatican City's public museums , exhibiting artworks collected by the Catholic Church and popes since the 15th century . This complex includes 54 galleries and has welcomed guests for 500 years.

Every year, visitors visit the Vatican Museums to view timeless masterpieces and archeological exhibits, especially the frescoes at the Sistine Chapel. There are about 70,000 works at the Vatican Museums, and only 20,000 are on public display!

  • Address: 00120 Vatican City
  • Size: 460,000 sq ft

Museo Nacional Del Prado

Madrid's Museo Nacional del Prado—or the Prado Museum—has the world's most extensive collection of Spanish artworks (though it also houses Italian and Flemish art) from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. Spain's museum is one of the planet's greatest (and most visited) art museums!

The museum's historic building is also impressive, built by architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785 . Visitors can see some of the world's most notable paintings, including Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthy Delights and Francisco Goya's The Third of May .

  • Address: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain
  • Size: 513,000 sq ft

RELATED: Just A Short Day Trip From Madrid, This Spanish Castle Is Worth Visiting

Metropolitan Museum Of Art

New York City is one of the numerous American cities with the best museums in the US, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art or "The Met." Incorporated in 1870 , The Met represents over 5,000 years of art worldwide!

Travelers can explore the museum's extensive collection of historic artifacts and timeless art, including its 26,000 objects in the Egyptian Art collection or 50,000 works inside the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts wing.

  • Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
  • Size: 633,100 sq ft (though building size is reportedly 2 million sq ft )

Consider venturing from The Big Apple to visit the many incredible museums outside New York City !

Known as the Musée du Louvre or the Grand Louvre, the Louvre is one of the world's largest museums. This attraction houses close to 35,000 artworks ! A Parisian icon since its opening on August 1793, the museum is built inside the Palais du Louvre, dating back to the 12th century as a fortress.

The Louvre offers a wealth of exhibits and remains one of the most famous museums in the world; not only that, but it's also consistently ranked among the most popular museums worldwide, featuring displays from ancient civilizations to the mid-19th century.

  • Address: 75001 Paris, France
  • Size: 652,300 sq ft

National Museum Of Anthropology

Mexico City's Museo Nacional de Antropología houses the world's most extensive collection of art and exhibits from Ancient Mexico and the country's indigenous community, with 23 permanent exhibit halls .

Discover nearly 600,000 artworks and objects at this extensive museum, featuring exhibits like the Aztec Sun Stone and Olmec's "Group of Figures."

  • Address: Av. P.º de la Reforma s/n, Polanco, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
  • Size: 857,890 sq ft

RELATED: From Adventure To Relaxation: 10 Best Islands In China To Experience

National Museum Of China

Located on the east flank of Tiananmen Square, this Beijing landmark is the largest in the country and one of the world's largest museums. The National Museum of China highlights the country's history and heritage, with over 1.4 million objects and works .

Works like The Founding Ceremony , Oil Painting Climbing Over the Snow Mountain , and Nanchang Uprising can be found at the museum, as well as other displays, including the replica bones of the Peking Man and more.

  • Address: 16 E Chang'an St, 前门 Dongcheng, China, 100051
  • Size: Floor space measures about 2,153,000 sq ft

State Hermitage Museum

St. Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum is one of the world's largest museums, housing antiquities and works from the Stone Age to the modern age. The State Hermitage Museum inventory has 3,150,428 items , from archeological artifacts to rare books.

Most of the museum's collection sits inside the elegance of The Winter Palace, a Baroque-style architecture from the 18th century.

  • Address: Palace Square, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 190000
  • Size: 719,480 sq ft

British Museum

Over 8 million objects make up the British Museum collection , with about 80,000 items on public display (only 1% of its collection!). This London museum was founded in 1753 and features an array of human history and culture, from its ancient past to the modern age.

The British Museum is one of the world's most-visited museums, with millions of visitors drawn to its collection, especially the Rosetta Stone (known as the " Cracker of the Hieroglyhs ") and the Greek Elgin Marbles.

  • Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
  • Size: 990,000 sq ft

Visit The 10 Largest Museums In The World

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  1. Vatican Museums

    Opening days and times 2024. From Monday to Saturday 08.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m. (final entry 05.00 p.m.) From 1 March On Fridays and Saturdays extended opening hours until 08.00 p.m. (final entry 06.00 p.m.)Every last Sunday of the month

  2. Prices and Tickets

    N.B.: If you wish to combine free admission to the Papal Palace with a guided tour, please write in advance to [email protected]. Home. Organise your visit. Prices and Tickets. Full entry ticket - € 20.00 (without online booking) Reduced entry ticket - € 8.00 (without online booking) € 8.00 + 5.00 (with "Skip the Line ...

  3. How to Visit the Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica in 2024

    Tours to add on the Cabinet of Masks and the original Bramante Staircase are extra and this exact cost depends on the tour that you take. There is free entry into the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month (expect larger than normal crowds). St. Peter's Basilica: Free. Dome of St. Peter's Basilica: €8 - €10.

  4. Choose your tour

    Vatican Museums Openings/Closures 2024; Openings/Closures Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo 2024; Calendar of Events; Where we are Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. Getting Here > ... Visit the Museums. Info, tariffs, closures > Support us Support Menu. Patrons of the Arts The philanthropists of the Vatican Museums > Choose your tour.

  5. Visiting the Vatican

    Vatican City is a separate state from Italy, with just over 500 residents. The two main places to visit are Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is.) The pope is head of Vatican City. The pope's church is not Saint Peter's Basilica. It is Saint John in Lateran.

  6. Visiting the Vatican

    Tourists come from all over the world to see the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and other Vatican highlights. This section contains useful information for make visiting the Vatican easier and has been updated with Covid-19 health measures put in place by the Holy See for visiting places in Vatican City.

  7. A Guide to Visiting the Museums of the Vatican in Rome

    Address. 00120, Vatican City. Phone +39 06 6988 4676. Web Visit website. The Vatican Museums ( Musei Vaticani), located in the Vatican City, are one of the attractions you must see on a visit to Rome. Here you will find priceless artworks, from Egyptian and Roman antiquities to paintings by the most important artists of the Renaissance.

  8. Visiting the Vatican Museums & St. Peter's Basilica: COMPLETE guide

    The Vatican Museums boast some of the most spectacular collections of art in all the world. Snaking through countless halls and galleries stuffed full of priceless art treasures and antiquities, a visit to the Vatican Museums is a whirlwind journey through thousands of years of history and culture.

  9. Visit the Vatican Museums in Rome

    The Vatican Museums has so much to offer that each visit is a unique experience. Check out the ticket options below to discover which experience best suits your needs. Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Last Minute) - Escorted entrance and unlimited time inside the Vatican Museums.

  10. How To Visit the Vatican City: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

    The Vatican Museum Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 6 pm (last entry at 4 pm). Extended Opening Hours: April 14th to 30th, Friday and Saturday, open until 10:30 pm (last entry 8:30 pm); May 5th to October 28th, Fridays open until 10:30 pm (last entry 8:30 pm), Saturdays open until 8 pm (last entry 6 pm).

  11. Ultimate Guide To The Vatican Museums: Masterpieces & Tips

    Practical Guide & Tips Visiting the Vatican Museums. Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Entry fee: € 17. € 21 if purchased online, which is recommended. On the last Sunday of each month, the Museums can be visited free of admission charge from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. But it will likely be packed.

  12. The Vatican Museums

    The Historical Museum, which is located in the Lateran Palace, contains, among other things, relics of the Pontifical Military Corps. The Museums are open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 16:00). Closing day on Sunday, except for the last day of each month with free admission from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entrance at 12:30).

  13. Useful information for visitors

    Access to the Vatican Museums, as well as to the Museum Complex of Castel Gandolfo, is not permitted to animals, even small ones, with the exception of guide dogs for the blind or partially-sighted, provided they are equipped with a muzzle and lead, and animals for the certified purpose of pet therapy. To enable reception and entry in these cases, communication of the visit must be submitted ...

  14. Visit Vatican Museums in 2024

    Starting January 1st, 2024, the Vatican Museums are open Monday - Saturday, 8am - 7pm. For the high tourist season in spring and summer, beginning March 2024, the museums will also extend their opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays to 8pm. On Sundays and Catholic holidays like Easter Monday and Christmas Day, the Museums are closed.

  15. The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!

    Important Tips for Visiting the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums house the largest private art collection in the world-and despite the enormous amount of art and historical artifacts displayed, only the tiniest sliver of the complete collection is on display to the public! Beautiful, overwhelming, and one of the most highly sought-after ...

  16. Vatican Museum Must Sees

    If you are visiting the Vatican museums with a tour that includes Saint Peter's Basilica, you will not exit the museums via this staircase, as you go from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter's Basilica.. Depending on the tour company, the guide might show you this staircase at the very beginning of the tour so you don't miss it. You might consider asking the guide to show it to you.

  17. How to Visit the Vatican Museums

    Visit the Vatican with Context Travel. Arte Vaticana with Skip the Line Tickets - This four hour seminar explores the collections of the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica in the company of an art historian or theologian, and will explore the relationship between art and religion throughout the centuries.

  18. Tips for Visiting the Vatican Museums

    Visiting the Vatican Museums, one of the largest museums in Rome and also one of the most famous museums in Italy, requires some good planning. Being so popular, you will likely find a long line at the entrance. Being so old, you will definitely be overwhelmed about what to visit in the short time you can afford inside.

  19. Complete Vatican Museum Map & Walking Tour

    Vatican Museum Map. Use the Vatican museum map below and the Vatican museum walking tour attractions to the visit both the Vatican museum and Vatican City. A complete map guide to Vatican museums, galleries and chapels. Follow the walking route to the explore Vatican Museum in Vatican City at your own place and spend a few hours or a full day.

  20. Book Your Visit

    A visit to the Vatican Museums allows our Patrons to see the legacy and mission of our organization through an exclusive, intimate look inside one of the most visited museums in the world. Touring the Vatican Museums with a Patrons guide offers our Members not only the opportunity to discover the beautiful treasure of the Museums Art Collection ...

  21. Visiting Vatican Museums

    Vatican Museum Opening Hours. 8 AM to 7 PM. This is only applicable when the last Sunday of the month does not coincide with Easter Sunday Christmas or New Year. Closed: Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), 1 and 6 January, 19 March, 1 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 15 August, 1 November, 25, and 26 December.

  22. Vatican Museums

    Vatican Museums Openings/Closures 2024; Openings/Closures Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo 2024; Calendar of Events; Where we are Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. Getting Here > ... Visit the Museums. Info, tariffs, closures > Support us Support Menu. Patrons of the Arts The philanthropists of the Vatican Museums > Virtual tours.

  23. Visit The 10 Largest Museums In The World

    Every year, visitors visit the Vatican Museums to view timeless masterpieces and archeological exhibits, especially the frescoes at the Sistine Chapel. There are about 70,000 works at the Vatican ...

  24. Vatican Museums

    Vatican Museums Openings/Closures 2024; Openings/Closures Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo 2024; Calendar of Events; Where we are Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome. Getting Here > ... Visit the Museums. Info, tariffs, closures > Support us Support Menu. Patrons of the Arts The philanthropists of the Vatican Museums > Homepage. Discover the Museums.