Experience only the best of Vatican Museums
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Save 1-2 hours by skipping the ticketing queues and entering at your chosen time slot to minimize delays and maximize your experience.
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Choose direct entry to scan your voucher and walk straight in, or opt for hosted entry to have a guide assist with ticket redemption and lead you to the museum entrance.
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Explore the Vatican Museums' iconic galleries, including the Pine Courtyard, Pius Clementino Museum, and Candelabra Gallery.
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Conclude your visit at the Sistine Chapel, where you can marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece, The Last Judgement, featuring over 300 painted figures.
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Choose an upgrade to enjoy a scenic Vatican Gardens tour by open bus before your visit.
More details
-
Save 1-2 hours by skipping the ticketing queues and entering at your chosen time slot to minimize delays and maximize your experience.
-
Choose direct entry to scan your voucher and walk straight in, or opt for hosted entry to have a guide assist with ticket redemption and lead you to the museum entrance.
-
Explore the Vatican Museums' iconic galleries, including the Pine Courtyard, Pius Clementino Museum, and Candelabra Gallery.
-
Conclude your visit at the Sistine Chapel, where you can marvel at Michelangelo's masterpiece, The Last Judgement, featuring over 300 painted figures.
-
Choose an upgrade to enjoy a scenic Vatican Gardens tour by open bus before your visit.
20% off
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Skip the ticket lines, saving 1–2 hours, and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with the insights of a local guide.
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Wander through the Museums’ famed galleries, including the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps, while your guide shares fascinating stories in your chosen language.
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Get essential insights from your guide before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
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After your Museums visit, enjoy a guided 20-minute walk around the Vatican City Walls before entering St. Peter’s Basilica through Porta Angelica with reserved access.
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Upgrade your experience to include a guided tour inside St. Peter’s Basilica for deeper context and a richer understanding of this sacred landmark.
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Opt for the early morning tour with a Dome climb to beat the crowds and enjoy breathtaking views over the Vatican and Rome.
More details
-
Skip the ticket lines, saving 1–2 hours, and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with the insights of a local guide.
-
Wander through the Museums’ famed galleries, including the Raphael Rooms and Gallery of Maps, while your guide shares fascinating stories in your chosen language.
-
Get essential insights from your guide before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
-
After your Museums visit, enjoy a guided 20-minute walk around the Vatican City Walls before entering St. Peter’s Basilica through Porta Angelica with reserved access.
-
Upgrade your experience to include a guided tour inside St. Peter’s Basilica for deeper context and a richer understanding of this sacred landmark.
-
Opt for the early morning tour with a Dome climb to beat the crowds and enjoy breathtaking views over the Vatican and Rome.
-
Ditch the crowds and the 2-hour waiting lines, and explore the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with a guide and skip-the-line entry.
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With over 70,000 pieces on display, it would take weeks to see it all—but your guide will help you cover the must-sees in just a couple of hours.
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Get all the insider stories before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
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Choose a small group tour (15 people) for a more personal experience, a regular tour (30 people) for great value, or a Vatican Gardens tour for exclusive access.
More details
-
Ditch the crowds and the 2-hour waiting lines, and explore the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with a guide and skip-the-line entry.
-
With over 70,000 pieces on display, it would take weeks to see it all—but your guide will help you cover the must-sees in just a couple of hours.
-
Get all the insider stories before stepping into the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes, including The Last Judgment.
-
Choose a small group tour (15 people) for a more personal experience, a regular tour (30 people) for great value, or a Vatican Gardens tour for exclusive access.
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Enjoy a personalized, small-group tour of the Vatican’s top treasures, with no more than 15 guests.
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Save 1-2 hours with fast-track entry, skipping long ticket lines for a hassle-free experience.
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Discover the vast galleries of the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and the Gallery of Maps, before marveling at Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.
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Take your time to ask questions, engage with your guide, and fully immerse yourself in the art at a relaxed pace.
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Opt for a semi-private tour with just 10 guests and enjoy an escorted exploration of St. Peter’s Basilica!
More details
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Enjoy a personalized, small-group tour of the Vatican’s top treasures, with no more than 15 guests.
-
Save 1-2 hours with fast-track entry, skipping long ticket lines for a hassle-free experience.
-
Discover the vast galleries of the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and the Gallery of Maps, before marveling at Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel.
-
Take your time to ask questions, engage with your guide, and fully immerse yourself in the art at a relaxed pace.
-
Opt for a semi-private tour with just 10 guests and enjoy an escorted exploration of St. Peter’s Basilica!
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Enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica before 8am with just six guests per group, skipping ticket lines and exploring in peace before the crowds arrive.
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Hunt down some of the Museum's most iconic artworks, including the Torso Belvedere and Lacoon and Sons.
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Experience the artistry of The Last Supper within the hallowed halls of the Sistine Chapel with your expert guide.
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Discover the grandeur of the St Peter's Basilica, or take in the panoramic views at the St Peter's Dome. Choose your ideal experience during checkout.
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Upgrade to begin your tour with an American-style banquet in the Vatican Courtyard.
More details
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Enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica before 8am with just six guests per group, skipping ticket lines and exploring in peace before the crowds arrive.
-
Hunt down some of the Museum's most iconic artworks, including the Torso Belvedere and Lacoon and Sons.
-
Experience the artistry of The Last Supper within the hallowed halls of the Sistine Chapel with your expert guide.
-
Discover the grandeur of the St Peter's Basilica, or take in the panoramic views at the St Peter's Dome. Choose your ideal experience during checkout.
-
Upgrade to begin your tour with an American-style banquet in the Vatican Courtyard.
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Experience the best of the Vatican on a private, skip-the-line tour tailored just for you.
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Skip the crowds with direct entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, then walk with your guide around the Vatican Walls to access St. Peter’s Basilica with reserved entry.
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Enjoy a truly personal experience—just you, your group, and an expert guide sharing fascinating stories and hidden details along the way.
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Customize your visit to suit your interests—explore treasures like the Borgia Apartments, Braccio Nuovo, or uncover hidden gems that catch your eye.
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Complete your experience with an upgrade to a guided Basilica tour. Learn about masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Pietà and see the beautiful dome up close.
More details
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Experience the best of the Vatican on a private, skip-the-line tour tailored just for you.
-
Skip the crowds with direct entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, then walk with your guide around the Vatican Walls to access St. Peter’s Basilica with reserved entry.
-
Enjoy a truly personal experience—just you, your group, and an expert guide sharing fascinating stories and hidden details along the way.
-
Customize your visit to suit your interests—explore treasures like the Borgia Apartments, Braccio Nuovo, or uncover hidden gems that catch your eye.
-
Complete your experience with an upgrade to a guided Basilica tour. Learn about masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Pietà and see the beautiful dome up close.
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Explore one the world's largest church and beacon of the Vatican at your selected time.
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Enjoy an expert-led tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, covering the grand interiors, and Michelangelo’s Pietà.
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Visit the Papal Tombs, where past Popes – including St. Peter – are laid to rest.
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Upgrade to climb the Dome and access to the highest point in Rome for unmatched panoramic views.
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Admire Michelangelo’s mosaics up close before reaching the outdoor terrace.
More details
-
Explore one the world's largest church and beacon of the Vatican at your selected time.
-
Enjoy an expert-led tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, covering the grand interiors, and Michelangelo’s Pietà.
-
Visit the Papal Tombs, where past Popes – including St. Peter – are laid to rest.
-
Upgrade to climb the Dome and access to the highest point in Rome for unmatched panoramic views.
-
Admire Michelangelo’s mosaics up close before reaching the outdoor terrace.
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One ticket, two iconic sites—avoid multiple bookings and explore both Ancient Rome and the Vatican with expert storytelling.
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Tour the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, walking through ancient ruins where history was made.
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Explore the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with an expert guide who unpacks the secrets behind its masterpieces.
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Timed entry ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience at both locations.
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Schedule both tours on the same day or split them across different days to fit your itinerary.
More details
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One ticket, two iconic sites—avoid multiple bookings and explore both Ancient Rome and the Vatican with expert storytelling.
-
Tour the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, walking through ancient ruins where history was made.
-
Explore the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with an expert guide who unpacks the secrets behind its masterpieces.
-
Timed entry ensures a smooth, hassle-free experience at both locations.
-
Schedule both tours on the same day or split them across different days to fit your itinerary.
10% off
- A unique Vatican City experience—start with a scenic open-top bus tour of the lush Vatican Gardens, then explore the historic museums on your own.
- Ride through history as you glide past Italian, French, and English-style landscapes covering nearly half of Vatican City, all while tuning into a multilingual audio guide.
- Skip the long lines and step straight into the Vatican Museums, home to world-famous treasures like the Raphael Rooms and classical sculptures.
- Stand beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, where the breathtaking Last Judgment and Creation of Adam come to life.
More details
- A unique Vatican City experience—start with a scenic open-top bus tour of the lush Vatican Gardens, then explore the historic museums on your own.
- Ride through history as you glide past Italian, French, and English-style landscapes covering nearly half of Vatican City, all while tuning into a multilingual audio guide.
- Skip the long lines and step straight into the Vatican Museums, home to world-famous treasures like the Raphael Rooms and classical sculptures.
- Stand beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, where the breathtaking Last Judgment and Creation of Adam come to life.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Similar things to do in Rome
About Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums in Rome showcase masterpieces like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, the Raphael Rooms, and the ancient Laocoön sculpture, offering a journey through art history within the heart of the Vatican. The Gregorian Egyptian Museum with ancient artifacts, and the Gallery of Maps, are other highlights.
Of the over 70,000 artworks in the Vatican Museums' vast collection, only about 20,000 are exhibited to the public. The remaining pieces are hidden away, safeguarded for preservation, space constraints, and ongoing expert research, making them an unseen treasure trove of art history.
To protect Michelangelo's iconic frescoes from the 25,000 daily visitors, the Sistine Chapel boasts a state-of-the-art climate control system, installed in 2014. This modern marvel replaced the 1990s system, ensuring optimal preservation against humidity and dust with minimal noise and air disturbance.
The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps, a 120-meter-long frescoed masterpiece completed in 1583, showcases 40 detailed maps of Italy by Ignazio Danti. These maps, exceptional for their time, predate modern cartography by centuries and display remarkable geographical accuracy.
Giuseppe Momo's Spiral Staircase in the Vatican Museums, designed in 1932, is an architectural marvel. Its unique structure allows for separate ascending and descending paths without intersection, predating the discovery of DNA's double helix by over two decades.
The Sala Rotonda of the Vatican Museums echoes the Pantheon with its grand circular design and soaring coffered ceiling. At its heart stands a colossal bronze Hercules, and beneath lies Nero's massive porphyry basin, while above, an oculus opens to the sky, symbolizing both architectural brilliance and historical depth.
Why visit Vatican Museums?
Highlights
Sistine Chapel
The crown jewel of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel is famed for Michelangelo's breathtaking ceiling frescoes, including the iconic 'Creation of Adam.' Its walls also display works by other Renaissance masters. The chapel is not only an artistic wonder but also a significant religious site, serving as the location for the Papal conclave. Visitors are often awestruck by the intricate details and the vivid storytelling depicted in the art.
Raphael Rooms
The four Raphael Rooms, known as the Stanze di Raffaello, showcase the genius of Raphael, one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. Each room is adorned with stunning frescoes that tell various stories and themes, such as 'The School of Athens' in the Stanza della Segnatura, which depicts an assembly of great philosophers. These rooms offer a glimpse into the artistic and cultural richness of the Renaissance era.
Gallery of Maps
The Gallery of Maps is a breathtaking corridor lined with topographical maps of Italy, painted in the 16th century by Ignazio Danti. Stretching over 120 meters, it's one of the world's largest pictorial geographical studies. The maps, alongside the intricate ceiling frescoes, offer a unique blend of art and science, making this gallery a fascinating stop for both art enthusiasts and history buffs.
Pio-Clementino Museum
Named after Pope Clement XIV and Pius VI, this museum houses a vast collection of ancient sculptures and artworks. Visitors can admire iconic pieces like the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons, and the Belvedere Torso. The museum's neoclassical halls provide an ideal backdrop for these timeless masterpieces, making it a must-see for art and history enthusiasts.
The Belvedere Courtyard
Designed by Donato Bramante, the Belvedere Courtyard originally served as a space to display classical sculptures and was key in the development of the High Renaissance architectural style. Today, it connects various parts of the museum and offers a serene outdoor space. The courtyard, adorned with elegant sculptures and fountains, is a perfect spot to appreciate the blend of art, architecture, and nature.
Gregorian Egyptian Museum
Established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum is a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian artifacts within the Vatican Museums. This unique collection showcases the fascinating cultural and religious practices of ancient Egypt, featuring items such as mummies, sarcophagi, statues of gods and goddesses,pieces related to the Book of the Dead papyrus.
Courtyard of the Pinecone
Named after the colossal bronze pinecone statue dating back to ancient Rome, the courtyard is a striking open-air space. This pinecone, once a Roman fountain, symbolizes eternal life and is set against the backdrop of a niche from the Temple of Isis. The courtyard also features two bronze peacocks, replicas of those from Hadrian's Mausoleum, adding to its historical allure. Surrounding the central sculptures are beautifully manicured gardens and impressive Renaissance architecture.
Vatican Gardens
The Vatican Gardens, covering about 23 hectares (57 acres), which is approximately half of the entire country's area, feature a blend of Renaissance and Baroque elements, adorned with fountains, sculptures, and a variety of buildings including Vatican Radio and the Governor's Palace. The gardens' history traces back to medieval times, initially featuring orchards and vineyards. They were formally established when Pope Nicholas III moved his residence back to the Vatican in 1279, enclosing the area with walls and planting an orchard, lawn, and garden. It was opened to the public by Pope Francis in 2014.
Plan your visit
Viale Vaticano
The Vatican Museums can be accessed using the entrance from Viale Vaticano. This is located on the north side of Vatican City and is the fastest way to reach the museums. You can purchase tickets to the museums at this entrance.
Via Della Conciliazione
St. Peter’s Basilica is located on the Southeast side of Vatican City and can be accessed from Via Della Conciliazione. This entrance will get you right into St. Peter’s Square.
- Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before closing.
- The Museums offer free entry on the last Sunday of each month, from 9am to 2pm (final entry at 12:30pm), provided this does not coincide with holidays like Easter Sunday, June 29 (Sts. Peter and Paul), and Christmas Day.
- In December, the Sunday opening with free admission will be exceptionally brought forward to the 24th to allow visitors to enjoy the Museums during the festive season.
Located along the museum itinerary, and are clearly signposted for visitor convenience. You will also find restrooms that are accessible to the disabled, and those equipped with baby changing facilities and a nursing room.
The Vatican Museums offer a complimentary cloakroom service, accessible from the entrance hall after the metal detectorVisitors are required to leave all luggage, suitcases, rucksacks, packages, and containers not suitable due to their size or nature in the cloakroom before entering the exhibition spaces.
The Vatican Museums offer a variety of audio and video guides to enhance the visitor experience by providing insightful commentary on the exhibits. They also offer video guides in American Sign Language for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.
The Vatican Museums offer various dining options, including a cafeteria, a self-service area, and a pizzeria. These venues provide a range of choices from quick snacks to full meals, catering to different tastes and dietary needs.
They have 18 defibrillators installed along the museum itinerary, with Guard Staff trained to provide emergency cardio-protective treatment. For severe cases, an ambulance transfer service to the nearest hospital is available. Volunteers from the National Confederation of the Misericordie & a medical-nursing unit is available daily during museum hours.
Facilities for changing babies and a nursing room for privacy are available along the museum itinerary.
The Vatican Museums feature a network of bookshops along the seven-kilometer museum itinerary, offering a wide selection of products from scientific publications, art catalogues, to reproductions of artworks, prints, stationery, multimedia products, as well as children’s books and toys.
Free wheelchair hire is offered (subject to availability), requiring a valid ID and deposit.
Wheelchair accessible ramps and elevators are available, making most museum spaces accessible. The Museums are also accessible to mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs, with traditional wheelchairs available for areas with space limitations.
The Guard Corps will show families with strollers the best itinerary to follow and the special lifts they can use for easy access to the various galleries.
Guide dogs for the blind are allowed, provided they are on a lead and muzzled. Advance notification is required for visitors bringing guide dogs.
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