In a nutshell
- The Vatican Museums are among the top highlights in Rome. To skip the long lines, it’s best to buy an online ticket for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in advance.
- Whether you’re into art, photography, or history, there’s plenty to discover. The absolute highlight is, of course, the Sistine Chapel.
- The Vatican Museums also feature the stunning Vatican Gardens, which are definitely worth exploring.
- Since the museums are huge, we recommend joining a Vatican Museum guided tour so you can relax and enjoy without worrying about the details.
- Plan to spend a few hours here and try to avoid weekends and public holidays when it gets especially crowded.
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Vatican Museums: Tickets and Prices
Tickets are available at the entrance, online via the official Vatican Museums website, or on GetYourGuide.
Tickets bought on-site cost 17 euros, but the lines at the ticket office are usually very long. That’s why it’s better to buy your tickets online. Keep in mind that with the standard ticket from the official website, you’ll still have to wait in line for entry.
With GetYourGuide tickets, you’ll have access to a separate fast-entry line. The small extra cost is well worth it — you’ll spend less time queuing and more time exploring the museums.
Another big plus: you can cancel your GetYourGuide tickets up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Standard tickets from the official site can’t be canceled, only rebooked.
The following table shows a comparison of the three ticket options and prices for the Vatican Museums:
| On site ticket | Ticket from official website | GetYourGuide ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast entry | No | Yes | Yes |
| Audioguide | Available | Available | Available |
| Cancellation with refund | No | No | No |
| Price | €17 | €20 euros + €5 fee | €31 |
| Book your ticket | Book your ticket |
Our tip: Book your Vatican Museums tickets at least a week in advance, as they often sell out quickly.
What to See at the Vatican Museum
If you don’t have a full day to explore, focus on the highlights. Here’s what to see at the Vatican Museum — some of the most popular and fascinating exhibits you shouldn’t miss:
The Stanzas of Raphael
The Stanzas of Raphael are four rooms filled with incredible frescoes painted by the Renaissance master Raphael da Urbino around the same time as Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel. The name comes from the Italian word “la stanza,” meaning room. Originally, these rooms served as private chambers for Pope Julius II.
One of the most famous frescoes here, The School of Athens, features legendary philosophers like Aristotle and Plato.
Pinacoteca Vaticana
Art lovers will be in heaven at the Pinacoteca Vaticana. This gallery houses a stunning collection of masterpieces spanning eight centuries, displayed across 16 elegant halls. It’s easily one of the top art museums in Europe.
You’ll find works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bellini, and Leonardo da Vinci among many others — a must-see stop when exploring with your Vatican Museum tickets.
Gallery of Maps
What did people use before Google Maps? Exactly — hand-painted maps! The Galleria delle Carte Geografiche showcases 40 beautifully detailed maps that depict Italy and the world as imagined in 1581.
These maps aren’t just historical documents — they’re stunning works of art. The long, narrow gallery, eight meters wide and roughly the length of a soccer field, is one of the most impressive halls in the entire Vatican Museum.
The Bramante Staircase
The Bramante Staircase isn’t actually the original one built by Bramante — this version was designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. Still, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the Vatican Museums.
You’ll find it at the exit, featuring a double-helix design with two stairways that never meet. If you love architecture or photography, this spot is a must before you leave.
The Egyptian Museum
Did you know that ancient Egypt was once part of the Roman Empire? That’s why the Vatican has its own Egyptian Museum — a fascinating space filled with sacred artifacts and treasures from ancient times.
You’ll see statues, reliefs, mummies, and sarcophagi that bring the ancient world to life. It’s one of the most unique collections you can visit with your Vatican Museum tickets.
The Sistine Chapel
For centuries, the Sistine Chapel has been the site of the papal conclave, where new Popes are elected. But most visitors come here for the art — and for good reason.
The chapel’s walls and ceilings are covered with Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes, including the world-famous Creation of Adam. Seeing this masterpiece in person is an unforgettable experience and a true highlight of what to see at the Vatican Museum.
The Sistine Chapel is located at the very end of the museum tour, so make sure to save some energy for it!
Attention: Taking photos is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel!
How to Get to the Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are not accessible from St. Peter’s Square; the entrance is actually outside Vatican City.
Leave St. Peter’s Square and walk along Via Porta Angelica, following the Vatican walls until you reach Piazza del Risorgimento. From there, turn left onto Viale del Vaticano — the entrance to the Vatican Museums is just a few steps away.
The walk from St. Peter’s Square takes about ten minutes. The nearest metro station is Cipro on line A, which is also about a 10-minute walk from the museum entrance.
There are actually three separate entrances depending on your ticket:
- one for visitors who still need to buy Vatican Museum tickets
- one for those with online tickets from the official website
- and one for GetYourGuide fast entry ticket holders
The line for on-site tickets is the longest, so booking your Vatican Museum tickets in advance will save you a lot of time.
The Vatican Gardens
A visit to the Vatican Museums isn’t complete without exploring the Vatican Gardens.
Sculptures, fountains, temples, and ruins from the Middle Ages and a small forest spread across 23 hectares make the Vatican Gardens a peaceful and beautiful escape from the busy streets of Rome.
You’ll discover several centuries of garden design here — from English to Italian to French styles — all blending into one stunning landscape.
The Vatican Gardens are only open to visitors on a guided tour, either on foot or by minibus. You can book this as a combined ticket with your museum visit.
Note: The Vatican Gardens tour sells out quickly, so be sure to book ahead!
Book the full entry ticket Vatican Museums & Vatican Gardens (in minibus)
Book the full entry ticket Vatican Museums & Vatican Gardens (on foot)
Helpful Tips for Your Visit to The Vatican Museums
Here are a few helpful tips to make the most of your visit to the Vatican Museums.
#1 Book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums
You can explore the Vatican Museums on your own or with a guided tour. Because the museums are so large, joining a guided tour is often the best choice. Your guide will take care of all the planning and lead you straight to the highlights.
If you book a tour online, you can also skip the long lines. The price difference between a skip-the-line ticket and a guided tour is usually only a few euros.
Tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel: this guided tour includes the most popular rooms and the Sistine Chapel for a complete experience.
Vatican Museums with St. Peter’s Basilica: if you’re already visiting the museums, this guided tour is the perfect way to include St. Peter’s Basilica in your experience.
#2 Appropriate attire
While the museums themselves don’t have a strict dress code, the Sistine Chapel does.
As in most Italian churches, shoulders and knees must be covered. So if you’re visiting the Vatican Museums, make sure your outfit is appropriate.
#3 Give yourself enough time
The Vatican Museums contain over 1,300 rooms, and you could easily spend a whole day here. We know your itinerary might be packed, but try to plan at least two to three hours to explore a few collections properly.
Our tip: It’s better to visit fewer rooms and really take them in than to rush through everything at once.
#4 The best time to visit the Vatican Museums
The museums are always busy, but they’re usually less crowded early in the morning or late in the afternoon (check the opening hours). Try to avoid weekends and public holidays if possible.
On Wednesday mornings, there’s an audience with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square, so the museums tend to be a bit quieter. But keep in mind that St. Peter’s Basilica is closed to visitors until the afternoon on those days.
Remember: In the past, admission was free on the last Sunday of each month. This used to draw big crowds, but the policy has been suspended indefinitely.
#5 Rent an audio guide
Many exhibits in the museums don’t have detailed information boards. Renting an audio guide for just 7 euros at the entrance is well worth it — it adds a lot of context and helps you appreciate what you’re seeing.
#6 Visit St. Peter’s Basilica after your tour
Your visit to the Vatican Museums ends in the Sistine Chapel. There are two exits: the left one is for individual visitors and leads to the Bramante Staircase, while the right one is for guided tours and connects directly to St. Peter’s Basilica.
If you don’t have a guided tour, you’ll have to exit the museums and line up again at the basilica entrance. A tour saves you a lot of time — you’ll find our recommendations above.
If you have a regular ticket, you can sometimes slip through the right exit unnoticed because of the crowds, but technically this isn’t allowed.
#7 Use discounts
The Vatican Museums are free for children under six. Visitors under 18 and students under 25 pay only 8 euros (student ID required), plus a 4-euro online booking fee.
You can also get free admission with several city passes for Rome:
• Turbopass Rome Our recommendation!
• Rome Tourist Card
• Omnia Card
• Go Rome Explorer Pass
Have you been to the Vatican Museums?
These were our tips for what to see and ticket prices at the Vatican Museums. Have you already been there or have more great tips to share? We’d love to hear your thoughts — just leave us a comment below!