Monday to Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Last entrance 2 hours before closing time.
Last Sundays 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. Throughout the tour, 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.
Yes, when you book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, the price includes a ticket that allows access to the museums.
Guided tours to the Vatican Museums are generally in English, however many tour providers offer guides in additional languages, such as French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Yes! You can book a guided tour to the Vatican Museums online ahead of time. This will guarantee entry and allow you to skip the long waiting lines at the ticket office. Advance booking may also result in a better price, compared to purchasing tickets on the day of the visit.
On a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, visitors will typically explore some of the most famous and significant parts of the museums.
A typical tour usually also includes a visit to the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's ceiling fresco, as well as the Raphael Rooms, where Raphael painted several important works. Additionally, guided combo tours often include visits to other important parts of the Vatican, such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Gardens. There are also tours that combine the Vatican and other attractions in Rome, such as the Colosseum.
Most guided tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance of the guided tour and receive a full refund. If your tour is canceled due to poor weather conditions, you will be offered a different date or a refund.
Yes, there are wheelchair-friendly tours available to visit the Vatican Museums. These tours provide special access and accommodations for visitors with mobility issues.
The Vatican Museums are a world-renowned treasure trove of art and artifacts, showcasing the rich history of the Roman Catholic Church and its influence on the world. Founded in the early 16th century, the collections of the museums include over 70,000 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, tapestries and maps.
The main highlight of the Vatican Museums is arguably the Sistine Chapel, famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo, depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis. Similarly impressive are the famous Raphael Rooms, which house some of the Renaissance master's most famous works.
The Vatican Museums offer a unique window into the history of art, religion and the Western world. A visit to the museums is a must for anyone interested in these subjects or simply looking to experience some of the world's most breathtaking and iconic works of art.
No visit to the Vatican Museums is complete without viewing the world-famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Commissioned by Pope Julius II and named after Pope Sixtus IV, Michelangelo painted nine scenes from the Book of Genesis that have inspired and captivated the imagination across the world.
The most recognizable section of the painted ceiling is the “Creation of Adam”, which depicts God reaching out and giving life to Adam. This fresco by the great master of Italian art is arguably one of his most influential and recognizable works, along with the “Final Judgment” on the altar wall.
Beyond its historical and artistic significance though, the Sistine Chapel also functions as a Papal conclave, where the new Pope is elected by the College of Cardinals. As one of the greatest masterpieces of Western art, millions of visitors travel to the Vatican each year to marvel at the Sistine Chapel.
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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The Vatican Museums have unveiled a new entrance and exhibition in its underground necropolis, also known as its “city of the dead.”
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.
