Monday to Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Last entrance 2 hours before closing time.
Last Sunday of each month: 9 AM to 2 PM with free access
Last entrance 1.5 hours before closing time.
Guided tours of the Vatican Museums typically last about 3 hours, including a visit to the iconic Sistine Chapel.
Without a guide, it usually takes at least 2 hours to cover the main highlights. For a more comfortable and relaxed experience though, allow 3 to 4 hours.
The Vatican Museums are located inside the Vatican City, which sits on a hill in the northwestern part of Rome and bordered by the Tiber River to the west.
The enclave is recognizable by its famous basilica, St. Peter's Basilica, and its imposing walls. It is easily accessible by car, public transportation (bus, metro, train and tram) and on foot from the center of Rome.
The Vatican Museums can be directly accessed from the city of Rome via the entrance located across the street from Caffè Vaticano.
If you are already visiting the Vatican, it’s only a 15 to 20-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square to the Vatican Museums. Make your way to the street then follow the Vatican wall on your left until you reach the entrance.
Tours in the Vatican Museums involve a lot of walking, so there are several areas where visitors can rest and take a break. The designated rest areas with seating can be found in the Courtyard of the Cuirasses, Courtyard of the Pinacoteca, Square Garden and Courtyard of the Pinecone.
Visitors with families and strollers are welcome at the Vatican Museums. Staff will assist in showing the easiest route and provide access to elevators for convenient museum navigation. There are designated areas with baby changing facilities and a nursing room, while some of the dining areas can provide highchairs.
The Vatican Museums often host special events, exhibitions, and cultural programs, such as concerts, lectures, and guided tours, which offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the art, history, and culture of the Vatican. These events may require an additional ticket, so check with the official Vatican Museums website for further information about what is on offer.
Visitors are not allowed to consume drinks or food in the exhibition areas and galleries, however the Vatican Museums offer a range of dining options.
These include vending machines, cafeterias, pizzerias, a bistrot and a self-service restaurant. The vending machines, cafeterias and pizzerias offer snacks, drinks and light meals, while the bistrot and restaurant offer a more formal dining experience.
On the menu you will find a selection of Italian and international favorites, including the national dish of Vatican City - fettuccine alla papalina, a dish inspired by the more well-known pasta alla carbonara.
If you opt to eat on the move, it is important to dispose of any waste properly. For safety reasons, waste containers are only located in designated areas outside the main itinerary, namely near the main entrance, courtyards, refreshment areas and restrooms.
The Vatican hill is located in central Rome, making it easy to visit several other attractions in the city.
Among the highlights that every visitor should consider are the emblematic Colosseum amphitheater, the impeccably preserved Pantheon, the Fontana di Trevi, the Borghese Gallery and the towering Castel Sant’Angelo.
No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the iconic Spanish Steps - connecting Piazza di Spagna to the church of Trinità dei Monti, this grand staircase consisting of 138 steps offers a breathtaking view of Rome. During the warmer months, the Spanish Steps come alive with street artists and vendors.
Make sure to stop at one of Rome’s famed squares, such as Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia and Campo de' Fiori, to catch your breath, grab a snack or drink and soak in the atmosphere.
If you wish, you can join a Squares and Fountains walking tour to admire the most remarkable public architectural works and learn more about their rich history.
If you are already visiting the Vatican, it’s only a 15 to 20-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square to the Vatican Museums. Make your way to the street then follow the Vatican wall on your left until you reach the entrance.
Admission to the Vatican Museums is free on the last Sunday of the month (except for Easter Sunday), St. Peter and Paul Day, Christmas and St. Stephen Day. Keep in mind that skip-the-line tickets are not available on free admission days, so you will have to queue.
Tickets can be bought here, on the official website or by booking a guided tour.
Vatican Museums general admission tickets bought online cost a total price of €22 (€17 plus a €5 service charge).
Tickets allow admission to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Tickets to the Vatican Gardens, Pontifical Villas & Gardens and archeological sites are sold separately. Admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free.
Tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are non-refundable and only valid for the designated day of your visit. The date and visitor names of tickets bought online, however, can be modified. Most Vatican Museums tours however, offer free cancellation for up to 24h prior do your visit date.
There are two ways to skip the line at the entrance of the Vatican Museums. You can either buy a ticket online in advance or book a guided tour, which will typically include skip-the-line tickets.
No, tickets only allow access to the museums. Guided tours can be booked separately.
There is a set of rules that all visitors must adhere to in order to access the Vatican Museums:
For further details and information, you can consult our page about the Vatican Museums.
Photography is allowed in most places in the Vatican, however the use of flash, selfie sticks, stands, tripods or other professional equipment is not permitted.
Photography at the Sistine Chapel is not allowed under any circumstances.
The Vatican City has a dress code of modest attire and requires the covering of skin. If visitors do not comply, they may be refused entry. Specifically, visitors must cover their knees and upper arms, so shorts and skirts above the knee, ripped jeans, sleeveless tops, low-cut shirts and see-through clothing are not allowed.
Men must remove their hats upon entry, however women are allowed to continue wearing theirs. Tattoos that may be deemed offensive and religious symbols should also be covered up.
Visitors to the Vatican Museums are generally allowed to bring personal items such as cameras, plastic water bottles, small bags and folding umbrellas. However, large backpacks and bags (over 40x35x15cm in size), non-folding umbrellas and banners must be checked at the cloakroom before entering the museum.
Additional items banned from the museums include laser pointers, professional camera and video equipment (such as tripods), sharp or dangerous objects and metal tools. Use of the cloakroom is free, but keep in mind that the Vatican Museums are not responsible for your items.
Yes, the Vatican Museums are accessible to visitors using wheelchairs. The museums have ramps, elevators and wheelchair-accessible restrooms for visitors with mobility difficulties. Some areas, such as the Sistine Chapel, may be challenging for visitors using wheelchairs due to the crowds and limited space, but the museum staff will assist in making the visit as comfortable as possible.
The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums is undergoing temporary restoration of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, but remains open to visitors during the works through Easter 2026.
Find out the measures in place to fight overtourism at the Vatican Museums and plan your visit accordingly!
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A list of the 10 biggest, longest, tallest and widest paintings and sculptures in the Vatican Museums.
The Vatican Museums are located in the heart of Rome, which means that after a visit there, there are many more places to head to on a day out in the Eternal City.
Learn more about the rich history, multiple layers of significance and many secrets behind the Sistine Chapel's famous ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo.
Before your visit, make sure you are up to date with the biggest developments in the long history of the Vatican Museums and its impressive collection.
