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 with timed entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel—no ticketing queues.
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Explore the museums at your own pace, from classical sculptures to Renaissance frescoes in the Gallery of Maps.
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End at the Sistine Chapel and witness Michelangelo’s iconic Creation of Adam ceiling.
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Choose upgrades like hosted entry for personal assistance through the entry process or an audio guide in 12 languages for an insightful visit.
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Want more? Add a scenic open-bus tour of the Vatican Gardens—normally closed to the public.
More details
-
Save 1–2 hours with timed entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel—no ticketing queues.
-
Explore the museums at your own pace, from classical sculptures to Renaissance frescoes in the Gallery of Maps.
-
End at the Sistine Chapel and witness Michelangelo’s iconic Creation of Adam ceiling.
-
Choose upgrades like hosted entry for personal assistance through the entry process or an audio guide in 12 languages for an insightful visit.
-
Want more? Add a scenic open-bus tour of the Vatican Gardens—normally closed to the public.
20% off
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Explore three top Vatican landmarks in one go — the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
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Skip long entry lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with priority access.
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Walk the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms as your expert guide shares stories behind every masterpiece.
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Enter St. Peter’s Basilica via a special passageway from the Chapel—no need to queue again outside.
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Opt for a small-group tour (max 10) for a deeper Vatican experience, or beat the crowds with early access and reach the Dome’s summit for stunning views.
More details
-
Explore three top Vatican landmarks in one go — the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
-
Skip long entry lines at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with priority access.
-
Walk the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms as your expert guide shares stories behind every masterpiece.
-
Enter St. Peter’s Basilica via a special passageway from the Chapel—no need to queue again outside.
-
Opt for a small-group tour (max 10) for a deeper Vatican experience, or beat the crowds with early access and reach the Dome’s summit for stunning views.
20% off
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Skip the long lines and walk straight into the Vatican Museums with your guide—save up to 2 hours of waiting time.
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Explore world-famous galleries like the Gallery of Maps, Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms with expert commentary.
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In a group of up to 20 guests, enter the Sistine Chapel with powerful context that brings Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes to life.
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Upgrade to a small-group tour of less than 15 guests for a more personal, engaging experience or add access to the Vatican Gardens.
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A smart, time-saving way to experience the highlights of a 48-day-long collection in just a few hours.
More details
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Skip the long lines and walk straight into the Vatican Museums with your guide—save up to 2 hours of waiting time.
-
Explore world-famous galleries like the Gallery of Maps, Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms with expert commentary.
-
In a group of up to 20 guests, enter the Sistine Chapel with powerful context that brings Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes to life.
-
Upgrade to a small-group tour of less than 15 guests for a more personal, engaging experience or add access to the Vatican Gardens.
-
A smart, time-saving way to experience the highlights of a 48-day-long collection in just a few hours.
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Skip the long lines and enter the Vatican Museums with a small group of under 15 guests.
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Enjoy more personal attention and richer storytelling with an expert guide by your side.
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Explore masterpieces in the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and more without the crowd stress.
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Stand beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and take it all in—without being rushed.
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A smaller group makes it easier to ask questions, move freely, and connect with the art on a deeper level.
More details
-
Skip the long lines and enter the Vatican Museums with a small group of under 15 guests.
-
Enjoy more personal attention and richer storytelling with an expert guide by your side.
-
Explore masterpieces in the Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Maps, and more without the crowd stress.
-
Stand beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and take it all in—without being rushed.
-
A smaller group makes it easier to ask questions, move freely, and connect with the art on a deeper level.
20% off
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Enter before opening hours and experience the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in rare peace and quiet.
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Skip ticket lines and follow your expert guide through iconic galleries like the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms.
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Admire Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel without the usual crowds.
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Continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, accessing it directly via exclusive hidden passage before general entry queues begin.
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Upgrade to include a dome climb for panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome from the top.
More details
-
Enter before opening hours and experience the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in rare peace and quiet.
-
Skip ticket lines and follow your expert guide through iconic galleries like the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms.
-
Admire Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel without the usual crowds.
-
Continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, accessing it directly via exclusive hidden passage before general entry queues begin.
-
Upgrade to include a dome climb for panoramic views of Vatican City and Rome from the top.
- Enjoy a fully private Vatican Museums tour with a guide dedicated solely to your group.
- Skip the ticketing lines and explore top highlights like the Sistine Chapel, Borgia Apartments, and more.
- Customize your itinerary to match your interests—art, history, architecture, or hidden gems.
- Access St. Peter’s Basilica through a special passage, avoiding long public lines.
- Upgrade for a fully guided tour of the Basilica to dive deeper into its iconic masterpieces.
More details
- Enjoy a fully private Vatican Museums tour with a guide dedicated solely to your group.
- Skip the ticketing lines and explore top highlights like the Sistine Chapel, Borgia Apartments, and more.
- Customize your itinerary to match your interests—art, history, architecture, or hidden gems.
- Access St. Peter’s Basilica through a special passage, avoiding long public lines.
- Upgrade for a fully guided tour of the Basilica to dive deeper into its iconic masterpieces.
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Explore the interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica with a licensed guide for rich historical and spiritual context.
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See Michelangelo’s Pietà, the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes, and other sacred highlights.
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Ride the elevator partway and climb the Dome for sweeping views of Vatican City and Rome.
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Learn about centuries of papal tradition, Renaissance art, and religious symbolism in one immersive tour.
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Maximize your visit with expert commentary and structured access to the basilica’s most iconic features.
More details
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Explore the interiors of St. Peter’s Basilica with a licensed guide for rich historical and spiritual context.
-
See Michelangelo’s Pietà, the Papal Crypts in the Vatican Grottoes, and other sacred highlights.
-
Ride the elevator partway and climb the Dome for sweeping views of Vatican City and Rome.
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Learn about centuries of papal tradition, Renaissance art, and religious symbolism in one immersive tour.
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Maximize your visit with expert commentary and structured access to the basilica’s most iconic features.
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Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City with skip-the-line entry and expert-guided tours, all with a single ticket.
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Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill as your guide brings Rome’s imperial past to life.
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Marvel at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, and more with a dedicated guide.
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Choose to do both tours on the same day or split them across days—it’s entirely up to your travel plans.
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Enjoy a seamless, stress-free experience with one combo that covers all the highlights without the planning hassle.
More details
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Explore Ancient Rome and the Vatican City with skip-the-line entry and expert-guided tours, all with a single ticket.
-
Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill as your guide brings Rome’s imperial past to life.
-
Marvel at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, and more with a dedicated guide.
-
Choose to do both tours on the same day or split them across days—it’s entirely up to your travel plans.
-
Enjoy a seamless, stress-free experience with one combo that covers all the highlights without the planning hassle.
22% off
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Be part of a centuries-old tradition as you attend the weekly Papal Audience with guaranteed seating.
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Listen to the Pope deliver prayers and messages of unity amidst a serene gathering in St. Peter’s Square.
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Gain exclusive insights into Vatican history with an optional guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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Experience this profound event in English or Spanish with an expert guide narrating the traditions and rituals.
More details
-
Be part of a centuries-old tradition as you attend the weekly Papal Audience with guaranteed seating.
-
Listen to the Pope deliver prayers and messages of unity amidst a serene gathering in St. Peter’s Square.
-
Gain exclusive insights into Vatican history with an optional guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.
-
Experience this profound event in English or Spanish with an expert guide narrating the traditions and rituals.
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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