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During your Roman holiday, a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is a must for any traveller. The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are a vast complex of Christian art museums situated within Vatican City. They house masterpieces from an extraordinary collection amassed by the Popes over centuries. The collection includes Roman sculptures as well as iconic works from the Renaissance period, admired across the globe.
The museums contain nearly 70,000 works of art, with around 20,000 on display. They employ approximately 640 staff members across 40 departments dedicated to administration, scholarship, and restoration. The complex features 54 galleries (sale), including the Sistine Chapel, making it one of the largest museums in the world.
Please note that the entrances to St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are located in different areas of Vatican City – the smallest independent state in the world. It’s advisable to arrive early to explore without the crowds, as there is an abundance to see. You can make the most of your visit by booking a private guided tour, which helps you avoid queues and enjoy the museums in comfort.
Essential Things to Know Before Visiting the Vatican Museums
Is it necessary to buy a ticket to the Vatican Museums in advance?
How long does visiting the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel take?
Can you take pictures inside the Vatican Museum?
Can you bring your phone to the Vatican Museum?
How strict is the dress code at the Vatican Museums?
What day is best to go to the Vatican?
Can I bring a backpack to the Vatican Museums?
Can you enter the Vatican with tattoos?
Can I visit the Vatican Museums with my dog?
Tours of the Museums
The Vatican Museums offer a variety of guided tours, which can be booked directly via their official website for an additional cost. You may also opt for an audio guide. However, please note that not all guided tour routes are accessible for wheelchair users.
Visiting with a tour guide is highly recommended due to the vastness of the museums and the number of masterpieces on display. A well-planned guided tour provides structure and valuable context, helping you make the most of your time.
A guided tour is an excellent option if you want a deeper understanding and a more comfortable experience.
Types of Tickets to Enter the Vatican Museums
Standard admission to the Vatican Museums costs €21, with an additional €4 reservation fee when booking online. Due to the enormous number of daily visitors, it is strongly advised to purchase tickets in advance online.
During peak seasons, queues at ticket counters can be very long. Booking your ticket online not only helps you avoid the wait but also secures your preferred entry time. If you choose to buy your ticket in person, you may also add options like an audio guide, guidebook, or a group tour at an extra cost.
Online bookings are available in Italian and English, and you must select a specific time slot when reserving your ticket. The official Vatican Museums booking website tickets.museivaticani.va only accepts Visa and Mastercard.
If you book online, the total cost is €17 for the ticket plus €4 for the reservation fee – allowing you to skip the queue. Remember to bring your passport on the day of your visit!
Once your purchase is complete, you will receive two emails: the first confirming payment, and the second with your ticket voucher. Print the first page of your voucher and bring it with you. Arrive at the museum 15–30 minutes before your scheduled entry. After security, head left to the “cassa” to exchange your voucher for an entry ticket.
For step-by-step guidance, see our instructions on buying Vatican Museum tickets.
Many ticket types are available with varying prices and concessions. Please note: all tickets are non-refundable and valid only on the day of issue.
Booking Vatican Museum tickets in advance is highly recommended!
Night Openings
Friday Night Openings offer a unique opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums after sunset. Every Friday from 20 April to 26 October, the museums are open from 19:00 to 23:00, with the last entrance at 21:30. Tickets cost the same as regular admission.
Booking online for night openings is mandatory. You must leave the galleries 20 to 30 minutes before closing time.
Breakfast at the Vatican Museums
Breakfast at the Museums is available with a guided tour or audio guide. The reservation includes an American buffet breakfast and entry to the Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Tickets can be booked up to 60 days before your planned visit. Entry begins at 07:15, before the official opening time. The full price is 68 euros, and the reduced price is 59 euros. All participants must present ID during booking and before entry.
Pontifical Residence of Castel Gandolfo
The Pope’s summer residence is located in Castel Gandolfo, 24 kilometres southeast of Rome. It offers multilingual guided tours of the botanical gardens and historic architecture owned by the Vatican.
There are discounted rates available for families. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance and modified up to 72 hours before the visit. If you book a walking tour of the Barberini Gardens and the Antiquarium of Villa on the same day, the admission ticket to the Apostolic Palace will be reduced to 7 euros per person.
Opening Hours of the Vatican Museums in 2025
The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00, with final entry at 16:00. On the last Sunday of each month, they are open from 09:00 to 14:00, with final entry at 12:30, and entry is free. This does not apply if the Sunday falls on Easter, 29 June, 25 December or 26 December.
Below is the calendar for Vatican Museum opening hours in 2025:
Extended opening until 19:00 (last entry at 17:00) will occur on 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30 April; 2 and 4 May; and 2 November.
The Museums are closed on Sundays, except the last of each month, and on 1 January, 11 February, 19 March, 22 April, 1 May, 29 June, 14 and 15 August, 1 and 8 November, 25 and 26 December.
Free Entrances in 2025
The Vatican Museums are free to enter on the last Sunday of each month. In 2025, free admission days are 27 April, 25 May, 29 June, 27 July, 31 August, 28 September, 26 October, 30 November, and 28 December.
Where to Enter the Vatican Museums
The main entrance is located on Viale Vaticano. A useful reference point is the Caffè Vaticano, located at Viale Vaticano, 100. Do not dine there—read the reviews on Google Maps first—but use it as a landmark to find the museum entrance opposite across the road.
The entrances to the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica are separate. Entry to the Basilica is free, but it is not included with a museum ticket. It is closed on Wednesday mornings due to the Papal Audience and reopens between 12:00 and 13:00. If you are on a guided group tour, a special passage is available between the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica.
How to Get to the Vatican Museums?
- Rome Metro: The Ottaviano – S. Pietro station is located just outside the Vatican walls. It’s a 5-minute walk to both St Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums.
- Train: St Pietro train station is about a 10-minute walk from St Peter’s Square.
- Public Bus: Buses 40 and 64 run frequently between Termini station and the Vatican via the City Centre, including Piazza Venezia. Buses 62 and 81 also serve the area.
- Walking distance: The Vatican is within walking distance of the city centre. For example, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from Piazza Navona.
Dress Code
The dress code for visiting the Vatican is the same as that for any church in Italy. Both men and women must cover their knees and shoulders. It is advisable to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Following the dress code is mandatory.
History of Museums in the Vatican
In the 15th century, the famous Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) was built in the Vatican. Architect Giovannino de Dolci designed a modest church that was decorated inside by some of the greatest Renaissance painters: Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli, and Pietro Perugino. The chapel’s highlight became Michelangelo di Lodovico’s fresco – “The Last Judgment.”
In the late 15th to early 16th century, another architectural and artistic monument appeared in the Vatican – the Borgia Tower (Torre dei Borgia). Pope Julius II began a tradition of collecting fine art. In the 16th century, he actively acquired copies of ancient Roman sculptures and created suitable exhibition spaces for them.
According to statistics, the Vatican Museums were the 5th most visited art museums in the world in 2017, attracting six million visitors
The Vatican Museums trace their origins to the marble sculpture “Laocoön and His Sons,” discovered in 1506 in a vineyard near the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in the Eternal City. Pope Julius II asked Giuliano da Sangallo and Michelangelo Buonarroti to assess the sculpture. On their recommendation, the pope purchased it and placed it on public display at the Vatican just one month after its discovery.
Later, Pope Benedict XIV founded the Museum Christianum. Some of the Vatican’s collections eventually became part of the Lateran Museum, which was established by Pope Pius IX in 1854.
On 1 January 2017, Barbara Jatta became Director of the Vatican Museums, succeeding Antonio Paolucci
Vatican Collection – What to See First?
One of the richest art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums house globally renowned masterpieces by some of history’s most celebrated artists. Below are some of the highlights not to miss:
Belvedere Courtyard
The Belvedere Courtyard (Cortile del Belvedere) is considered a key architectural achievement of the High Renaissance within the Vatican Palace. It was designed by Donato Bramante in 1506.
Its layout and design later served as inspiration for the architectural planning of courtyards, squares, and gardens throughout Western Europe. The elongated Belvedere Court is an open space linking the Vatican Palace with the Villa Belvedere, arranged over several terraces joined by staircases. Sadly, Bramante did not live to see the project completed. By the end of the 16th century, a new structure bisecting the space had divided the area into two separate courtyards.
The Museum of Pio Clement
The Museum of Pio Clement (Museo Pio-Clementino) was commissioned by Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI to house significant Greek and Roman antiquities in the Vatican.
Visitors begin in a square vestibule and a smaller chamber containing a marble basin, then proceed to the Cabinet of Apoxyomenos, named for a Roman copy of an original Greek bronze sculpture by Lysippos dating to 320 BC.
Bramante’s Staircase, located in the next chamber, was commissioned by Julius II in 1512 and connects the Palace of Innocent VIII to the rest of Rome. The museum also features the Octagonal Courtyard (1772), named for its shape. Nearby is the Room of the Animals, showcasing Roman animal sculptures, as well as the Gallery of Statues, Room of Busts, Room of Muses, the Round Room, Greek-cross Room, and Cabinet of Masks, all displaying treasures from a range of historical periods.
Gregorian Egyptian Museums
Founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Museo Gregoriano Egizio) spans nine rooms and a terrace known as the “Niche of the Pinecone”, where various sculptures are exhibited.
The museum’s collection includes artefacts from Roman Egypt and works created in Rome influenced by Egyptian art. Many of the pieces are Roman in origin and represent an important phase in the adaptation and appreciation of pharaonic culture within the Roman Empire.
The Court of the Pigna
The Court of the Pigna (Cortile della Pigna) forms the northern end of the Belvedere Courtyard. The court takes its name from the large bronze pine cone, enclosed by the Braccio Nuovo on the south side, the Chiaramonti Gallery to the east, Innocent VIII’s Palazzetto to the north, and the galleries of the Apostolic Library to the west. The bronze sculpture was cast by Publius Cincius Salvius in the 1st or 2nd century. Originally located in the Campus Martius as a decorative fountain, the pine cone was moved to the entrance of the medieval St Peter’s Basilica in the 8th century. In 1608, it was relocated to its current position.
Apostolic Palace
The Apostolic Palace (Palazzo Apostolico) is the official residence of the Pope and Bishop of Rome. Also referred to as the Papal Palace or the Vatican Palace, the Vatican formally recognises it as the Palace of Sixtus V. Within its complex are the Papal Apartments, offices of the Catholic Church, private and public chapels, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Library, the Raphael Rooms, and the Borgia Apartments.
Raphael Rooms
The four Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) are renowned for their frescoes, painted by Raphael and his workshop. Alongside Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, they are key masterpieces of the High Renaissance in Rome.
Originally intended as apartments for Pope Julius II, Raphael was commissioned to decorate them. The Raphael Rooms are located on the third floor of the Palace of the Vatican.
Borgia Apartments
The Borgia Apartments (Appartamento Borgia) form a suite of rooms within the Apostolic Palace, constructed as private quarters for Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo de Borgia). In the late 15th century, the pope commissioned the Umbrian painter Pinturicchio (Bernardo di Betto) to decorate the rooms with frescoes, completed between 1492 and 1494. The artworks incorporate themes from encyclopaedias, layered with eschatological meaning.
Most of the rooms now house the Vatican Collection of Modern Religious Art, inaugurated by Pope Paul VI in 1973
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
Pope Gregory XVI founded the Gregorian Etruscan Museum (Museo Gregoriano Etrusco) in 1837. One of the earliest museums dedicated to Etruscan antiquities, it contains artefacts unearthed during excavations in the principal cities of ancient Etruria.
There are collections from Falconi (1898), Benedetti Guglielmi (1935), Mario Astarita (1967), and Giacinto Guglielmi (1987). The museum also houses a section of Roman antiquities (Antiquarium Romanum), featuring items from the late Western Empire (5th century AD), including bronzes, glass, terracotta, and ceramics from Rome and Latium. A Greek collection of figurative vases illustrates the evolution of ancient painting.
Vatican Apostolic Library
The Vatican Apostolic Library (Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana), or Vatican Library, was founded in 1475. It is one of the oldest libraries in the world and holds a vast collection of historical works. With 75,000 codices and 1.1 million printed books, it serves as a major research institution in history, law, philosophy, science, and theology.
Photocopies for private study of pages from books published between 1801 and 1990 can be requested in person or digitally. The library provides an online manuscript catalogue.
The Chiaramonti Museum
The Chiaramonti Museum (Museo Chiaramonti), located between the small Palace of the Belvedere and the Vatican Palaces, was named after Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti (1800–1823). Following the Treaty of Tolentino in 1797, Napoleon took numerous works of art from the Papal States to France.
The museum features over a thousand classical sculptures and is especially known for its extensive collection of Roman portrait busts. It also includes examples of idealistic and funerary sculptures.
Vatican Historical Museum
The Vatican Historical Museum (Museo Storico Vaticano) was established in 1973 by Pope Paul VI. In 1987, it was relocated to the main floor of the Apostolic Palace and opened to the public in 1991. The museum houses a notable collection of papal portraits, military uniforms from the 16th–17th centuries, and liturgical items associated with papal ceremonies.
Its exhibitions also include Popemobiles, carriages, and motor vehicles used by popes and cardinals.
Carriage Pavilion
The Carriage Pavilion, inaugurated by Pope Paul VI in 1973, forms part of the Papal Carriages Museum. It showcases the evolution of papal transport, featuring numerous carriages, 12 cars, a Ferrari steering wheel, palanquins, harnesses, saddles, an aircraft model, a locomotive, and even a ship.
Highlights from the Painting Collection
The Vatican Museums house some of the most significant and renowned artworks in the world, spanning from Roman and Egyptian antiquities to paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
St Jerome in the Wilderness
St Jerome in the Wilderness is an unfinished painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Saint Jerome during his retreat in the Syrian Desert. He is shown kneeling in a rocky landscape, gazing at a crucifix while holding a rock in his right hand. Traditional symbols such as the lion, the stone, and a cardinal’s hat surround the saint.
Stefaneschi Altarpiece
The Stefaneschi Altarpiece is a triptych created by the medieval Italian painter Giotto. Commissioned by Cardinal Giacomo Gaetani Stefaneschi, it was originally made for an altar in St Peter’s Basilica. It is now on display in the Vatican Pinacoteca.
Lament Over the Dead Christ
Lament over the Dead Christ by Giovanni Bellini was originally the upper section of an altarpiece for the high altar of San Francesco in Pesaro, dated between 1473 and 1476. The poignant composition shows Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea mourning Christ, with deep emotional resonance between the figures.
Oddi Altarpiece
The Oddi Altarpiece depicts the Coronation of the Virgin and was painted by Raphael between 1502 and 1504 for the Oddi family chapel. Originally located in the church of San Francesco al Prato in Perugia, it is now housed in the Vatican Pinacoteca.
The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration is Raphael’s final masterpiece, commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de Medici, later Pope Clement VII. It represents the height of Raphael’s artistic expression and currently resides in the Vatican Pinacoteca.
Madonna of Foligno
Raphael’s Madonna of Foligno was initially painted on a wooden panel and later transferred to canvas. The artwork was once placed on the high altar of the church of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli. It is now preserved in the Vatican Pinacoteca.
The Entombment of Christ
The Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio was painted between 1603 and 1604 for Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova), but it is now displayed in the Vatican Pinacoteca. Renowned artists such as Rubens and Fragonard have copied this powerful composition.
Decemviri Altarpiece
The Decemviri Altarpiece, created by Pietro Perugino in 1495–1496, is part of the collection at the Pinacoteca Vaticana. It was commissioned by the Decemviri (Ten Men) of Perugia for a chapel in the Palazzo dei Priori.
Papal Throne
The Vatican Museums house the red marble papal throne originally from the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the official episcopal seat of the Bishop of Rome. Crafted from red marble symbolising sovereignty, it is decorated with intricate mosaics and features two engraved lions.
Collection of Modern Religious Art
The Collection of Modern Religious Art in the Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani Collezione Arte Religiosa Moderna) features an extensive selection of paintings, graphic works, and sculptures. It spans 55 rooms, including the Apartment of Alexander VI, the two floors of the Salette Borgia, several chambers beneath the Sistine Chapel, and additional rooms on the ground floor.
Pinacoteca Vaticana
The Pinacoteca Vaticana was originally housed in the Borgia Apartment until 1932. Today, it features an array of significant paintings including Raphael’s “Oddi Altarpiece” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “St Jerome in the Wilderness” mentioned earlier. This gallery is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Renaissance art.
Gallery of Maps
The Gallery of Maps lies along the western side of the Belvedere Courtyard. It contains a remarkable series of painted topographical maps. Commissioned in 1580 by Pope Gregory XIII, the task was entrusted to Ignazio Danti, who completed the 40 panels in just three years. The gallery itself stretches 120 metres in length.
Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums are especially renowned for the Sistine Chapel.
Constructed by architect Giovannino de’ Dolci in the late 15th century under Pope Sixtus IV, the chapel is world-famous for Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes. While the Sistine Chapel is typically open to visitors, it closes during papal conclaves. Photography inside the chapel is strictly prohibited, and due to its popularity, it can be extremely crowded. Visiting with a guided tour is highly recommended for a more informative and less stressful experience.
Note: You cannot visit the Sistine Chapel independently—it is only accessible with a ticket to the Vatican Museums.
Online Shop
The Vatican Museum shop offers a fascinating selection of items connected to the smallest state in the world. You can purchase accessories, jewellery, medals, watches, prints, and books. These products are unique and highly sought after by visitors to the Holy See.
Prices vary considerably, and thanks to the wide range of saintly items, it’s easy to find a distinctive and meaningful souvenir to suit your tastes. For instance, the average price of watches is between €60–70, while books typically start from €10.
For those interested in home décor, there are sculptures and busts available, with artistic reproductions beginning at €50. If you’re keen to delve deeper into Vatican history, the shop also offers various books and DVDs. Additionally, there are puzzles depicting some of the most iconic artworks found within the city-state.
Top 5 Things to Buy in the Souvenir Shop of the Vatican Museums
- Poster Creation – The “Creation of Adam” (1508–1510), a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, is one of the most iconic paintings in history. Priced at €10, it makes a charming feature for your home.
- The Face of Pietà – A sculpture carved from Carrara marble by Michelangelo and commissioned by Cardinal Jean de Villers de la Groslaye. The head of the Virgin, part of Michelangelo’s famous “Pietà”, is priced at €410 and celebrates the work that catapulted him to fame.
- Jigsaw Puzzle – 1000 Pieces (Sistine Chapel Ceiling) – This creative and decorative item depicts Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco from 1512. At just €16, it’s an engaging way to remember your visit.
- Cosmatesque Style Plate – Inspired by 12th-century floor mosaics crafted by the Cosmati family of Roman marble artisans. Found on the floors of the Sistine Chapel, these artful plates cost €80.
- Christmas Decorations – These delightful ornaments, featuring angelic figures from works by Melozzo da Forlì, Raphael, and Titian, are perfect festive gifts. A box of six is available for €16.
A visit to the Vatican Museums is a truly enriching experience. With such a vast and diverse collection, set aside ample time to explore all the highlights within the world’s smallest country.
