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The Biggest Mistakes When Visiting the Vatican – and How to Avoid Them

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August 25, 2023

Planning a tour of the Vatican ? With so much to see it can be tempting to dive straight in without a second thought. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Vatican City to experience one of the most significant religious sites in the world . Numbers soar well into the tens of thousands during the summer months, and are always high on Mondays and the last Sunday of every month. But with so much to take in, it’s essential to plan ahead when visiting the Vatican.

Keep reading for general guidelines that make visiting the Vatican so much easier!

Table of Contents

What not to do when visiting the Vatican

Of all the sites in Rome, a trip to the Vatican is perhaps the one that takes the most planning and consideration. From the entrance lines, tickets, and dress code, to whether or not to book a guided tour, planning a trip to the Holy City can be disorientating even before stepping into the hallowed halls.

But trust us, it’s worth the effort!

To steer you straight, we’ve complied a list of some of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting the Vatican – and how you can avoid them.

Planning for your Vatican visit makes all the difference.

Arriving at mid-day

Numbers visiting the Vatican can reach as high as 20,000 per day. With ticket lines often snaking around the walls, it’s best to get there early. The Vatican Museums opening times are 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and we recommend getting there when the doors open – if not a bit earlier to allow for delays.

Luckily, the Vatican is pretty easy to reach, which means you won’t have to spend hours planning a route. Bus 49 stops outside the entrance to the Vatican Museums or simply hop on the Metro (Line A) and get off at Ottaviano or Battistini – both of which are approximately a 10 minute walk away.

Alternatively, you could plan a visit later in the day when the crowds have thinned out (and – if you’re visiting during the summer – the heat has cooled down). Although the Museums officially closes at 6pm, keep in mind that the last entrance is at 4pm. The Vatican also opens for extended opening hours during the summer months which you can take advantage of on a very special Vatican at Night tour.

Ticket lines for the Vatican often snake around the walls; plan accordingly by arriving early or late in the day. Photo credit: Vangelis Kornilios

Not buying tickets in advance

If there’s one thing you should do when visiting the Vatican it’s buy tickets in advance. The best place to do this is on the official website.

How far in advance should you purchase your tickets? Ideally, aim to reserve your tickets as early as you know when you’d like to visit. (This will also make planning the rest of your trip easier). Occasionally you can be lucky and find last-minute availability for the next day. Other times, they can be sold out for the entire month. Don’t take any chances – buy your ticket in advance. 

Didn’t score a ticket from the official website? Opt for a guided tour to ensure you can skip the lines at the Vatican.

Dressing inappropriately

You’ve waited a long time to get inside the Vatican – don’t risk being turned away because you weren’t dressed the part! The Vatican operates a strictly enforced dress code , but it’s not difficult to follow once you know what to avoid.

The official website says that only “appropriately dressed visitors” will be allowed to enter the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica . They explicitly state that low cut, sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts, and hats are not considered appropriate. Of course, if you’re visiting during summer, when temperatures in Rome can soar, this is easier said than done. What’s more, it can often be left to the interpretation of the guards stationed at the entrance.

Our advice? Keep shoulders and knees covered, opt for lightweight materials, and consider bringing a scarf or wrap so you can cover up inside (you can take it off if it gets too hot later in the day). Also beware of inappropriate slogans or graphics on clothing – you may not find them offensive but if you think they may not be suitable for a religious site, leave them at home.

Don’t get caught out! There is a dress code when visiting the Vatican.

Trying to see everything

This one goes hand-in-hand with not booking a tour. Usually, people who are visiting solo rush through the museums, trying to fit everything in at once. Remember, this isn’t a test – so don’t try to cram! Not only is this a poor strategy to appreciate the real beauty that lies within the Vatican, but it’s sure to result in a stressful visit.

There are a number of iconic parts of the Vatican that you should take your time with such as Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica and, of course, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel .

That said, there are also hidden gems within the Vatican that are worth taking the time to absorb. Find out what you’re most interested in seeing and divide your time up accordingly. For example, most people tend to bypass the Borgia Apartments – but this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re an avid history buff (or just a fan of the Showtime series!).

The Belvedere Torso may or may not be on your must-see list.

Visiting during peak season

Sometimes this one is unavoidable. But if at all possible try to schedule your visit in the off season . Not only will you find the Vatican more manageable without the crowds, it will also be easier to follow the dress code when the temperatures cool down. Plan a winter visit to the Eternal city between October – Mid December for a calmer atmosphere, or February – March before the summer kicks off.

In a similar vein, it’s worth noting that a Papal audience is held every Wednesday. This is a ticketed event where the Pope addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with a speech, blessings, and homilies, and can attract thousands of attendees. As a result, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed every Wednesday morning while the general Papal audience is in the Square (it re-opens at approximately 12:30pm). So overall, it’s a good idea to keep the general Vatican schedule in mind when planning a visit.

Events such as mass draw large crowds to the Vatican. Photo credit: Kai Pilger

Going on a Sunday… or a Monday

The Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums are closed every Sunday, with the exception of the last Sunday of every month when entry is free. While this might come as welcome news if you’re on a tight budget , it also means it is far busier and, with no option to pre-reserve a ticket, you could end up waiting in line for hours to get inside.

Most museums in Rome tend to close on Monday, which makes museums that remain open (like the Vatican) particularly popular. One of the attractions closed on Monday is the often-overlooked Castel Sant’Angelo , which sits above the Tiber River. The striking fortress is steeped in history but is also easily manageable within an afternoon, and with a nearby location so it makes a great pairing with a visit to the Vatican. Instead, use Monday to see an off-the-beaten-path attraction in Rome and save the Vatican for Tuesday – Friday.

A visit to Castel Sant’Angelo makes a great addition to the Vatican.

Not booking a tour

Okay, we might be a little biased on this one, but hear us out. It may be the smallest country in the world but at 110 acres, the Vatican still has a lot of ground to cover – especially in one visit. The palace has an estimated 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries, all filled with beautiful paintings , impressive sculptures, and stunning architecture. This can make it difficult to know what to prioritise.

Unless you’re planning to do some serious research ahead of time, trying to see all of these magnificent pieces without any real context can be a little like trying to read a map without a legend. So it’s worth taking the time to research what tours are on offer.

Opting for a guided tour provides more context to the sprawling Vatican Museums. And it brings the place alive – for children and adults alike!

Update notice: This article was updated on August 25, 2023. 

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How to get tickets to the Vatican and avoid the lines: 4 best ways

Learn how to get tickets to the Vatican and avoid long lines: four tried and tested ways to buy Vatican tickets for all budgets, with or without a tour.

Vatican City is one of the most visited attractions in Rome , its spiritual significance and magnificent art beckoning over 5M visitors per year.

Visiting the Vatican is easy and you can easily plan a day in Vatican City as part of a short stay in Rome.

however, as the name suggests, Vatican City is not one attraction but a city or, more precisely, a state, with several attractions, each with different access rules.

Of the several attractions in Vatican city, some are ticketed and some are not.

Today, we look at: the top attractions in Vatican City and the best ways to get tickets for the Vatican.

See also: is the Vatican a country? Fun and interesting facts about Vatican City

Please note: this post contains affiliate links, marked with a * Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Table of Contents

Top Vatican City attractions

The Vatican is not one attraction but a city,  albeit small, with a cluster of landmarks, with different access rules. 

The landmarks are close to one another but they are not all in the same place – to see them all, plan a the best part of a day.

There is no border control to enter the Vatican. You however need ID to enter the museums.

The main attractions in Vatican City are:

 St Peter’s square (Piazza San Pietro) 

Piazza San Pietro / St Peter’s square is free: you do not need tickets to enter, ou just walk in like any other square. 

The square is famous for being one of the most beautiful squares in Rome and for the stunning colonnade designed by master architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

You can read here >> all about St Peter’s Square in Rome

St Peter’s Basilica main floor (the church, where you also find Michelangelo’s Pieta’ and Bernini’s altar piece) 

At Peter’s Basilica is the main church in the Vatican and the biggest and most significant papal basilica, home to outstanding art and archtesture as well place of rest of Popes,

Access to St Peter’s Basilica’s main floor is free, no ticket needed.

Need to know: To enter the basilica you need to pass airport style security. This cannot be skipped, not even with a guided tour that promises you can ‘skip the line’. There is no such thing skipping security!

Read here >> all you need to know about visiting St Peter’s Basilica (including dress code)

See also: how to see Michelangelo’s Pieta’ in Rome

St Peter’s Dome 

Climbing to the top of St Peter’s dome is not form the faint of heart, with those stairs and those height; however, it is one of the most popular things to do in teh Vatican and can be great fun.

The views from the top are among the best views of Rome !

The climb to the dome is ticketed and tickets available on the day and in person only. No skip the line option. Usually it is at its least busy early in the morning

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are the main attraction at the Vatican for many and what most visitors have in mind when they say they want to visit the Vatican.

The Vatican Museums are a stunning and huge art museums and includes the Sistine Chapel which is part of them.

Need to know! The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are together ! The chapel is inside the museums so you cross the museums to get them.  You cannot get a ticket for the chapel only (but you can get express tours that focus on it, see below) .

Vatican necropolis (Scavi)

The Vatican necropolis is a limited access underground area where St peter’s is believed to be buries.

Only accessible in small numbers, this is an archaeological area you can visit by getting a permit and the guide from the ‘excavation’ office directly.

The necropolis is not not part of the standard tours. Request access here >>>  http://www.scavi.va/content/scavi/en/prenotazione.html

Good to know : the necropolis is different from the so called grottoes, where the Popes are buries. The grotto is part of the Basic and accessible from it. The Necropolis is an ancient site below the basilica and accessible from a different entrance.

Vatican gardens

The Vatican Gardens are beautiful, landscaped gardens developing on the slopes of the Vatican Hill, at the back of the Basilica.

Open by reservation and guided tour only, they are open to visitors age 6 and up.

You can read here >> our experience visiting the Vatican Gardens

only at the time of writing, they are at the back of the basilica and ticketed separatley. Book direct >>  https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

How to get skip the line tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

As you can see from the list above, the main part of the Vatican you need tickets for is the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel area.

There are several ways to get tickets.

before we dive into the, there are two important things to know:

>>> All Vatican Museum tickets are timed. You select date and time and go straight to the door, so basically all tickets are skip the line  as you don’t have to line up to buy them.

Don’t pay more to skip the line, you don’t need to! Skip the line is another way of saying you can get tickets in advance so you don’t need to stand in line at the ticket window: it is not a priority line that give advantage vs other ticket holders.

>>> All visitors need to pass airport style security . This line cannot be skipped.

>>> You must abide by the Vatican Dress code to enter the museum. You can find all info here >>> Vatican dress code and tips for getting ready for your visit.

Need to know : Vatican dress code rules are strict. The fact that some visitors report to have been allowed entrance with more revealing clothing or shorts doesn’t make this a rule: anything that doesn’t match the Vatican rules make you run the risk of being turned away. The rules apply to the Museums as well as the Basilica as they are the access route to the Sistine Chapel, which is a holy to the Catholic religion. The decision of the person at the door about the suitability of your attire is final and no reimbursement it foreseen if you are turned away. Best to stay as close to the letter of the rule as possible

How to get Vatican Admission tickets, entrance only, from the official site

The cheapest way to get skip the line entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is by buying tickets from the Museums website directly.

Tickets come out 60 days before and are the cheapest option.

Kids under 6 are free, children 6-18 pay a reduced fee and there are concessions for specific categories listed on the website.

If you fall into one of the categories entitled to a discount, make sure you have proof with you as they will ask for it.

Buying Vatican Museum tickets from the museum website direct if is the cheapest option as you deal directly with the museums: no agency, no affiliates, no intermediaries.

Tickets sell out rather fast, so it is best book early.

Book direct >>> Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Ticket office

How to get Vatican admission tickets when the official site is sold out

Another way to get skip the line admissions tickets for the Vatican Museum is by buying on ticketing platforms such as Tiqets.

Tiqets is more expensive than buying direct; however, they tend to sell out less quickly and they are a reliable ticket provider. A very good option if you want to get Vatican entry tickets without a tour guide.

Click here for >>> Vatican Tickets From Tiqets *

Another way to get Vatican tickets form the official site

Another way to get tickets from the official Vatican site direct is by opting for one of their entry ticket + meal option.

These options have a price that is in between that of simple entry and tour and can be a good option if entry tickets are sold you but you are not interested in a tour.

Book direct from the museum (choose your date and see what available options come up here ) >>  https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

How to buy Vatican museum and sistine chapel ticket with a tour

Other Vatican ticket options are attached to tours.

There is an almost infinite list if tour provides offering Vatican Museum tours.

Out of the many, there are two I trust and recommend, LivTours and MariaclaudiaTours. In particular:

Early morning tour by LivTour  – this is a small group morning tour allowing you to enter the Museums and the Sistine Chapel before the general public so you get lower crowds.

This tour is for all ages and kids are allowed on it. However, it is not for kids as such Not for kids as such: I recommend it to all visitors with older kids or groups of adults.

Book via aff. link >>>  LivTour semi private Vatican morning tour*

Private Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel express tour by LivTours

The peculiarity of this tour is that it focuses on the Sistine Chapel rather than other parts of the museums and it is therefore perfect for visitors who want to get in and out quickly yet still enjoy the Chapel.

Good to know : while this tour is not for families as such, it is family friendly. Being private, your guide can adapt it to the pace of a family with a young child and this is why I recommend it to families visiting the Vatican with a baby or toddler as well as visitors with no children.

Book via aff. link >>  Private Vatican Museum and Sistine chapel express tour*

Kids’ tour by Mariaclaudia tours  – this is an excellent tour for families with kids age 6 to 11 and that can be adapted to teens. Game based, it is perfect for kids who do better with a scavenger hunt/play approach.

The tour is not suitable for kids under 6. Book via Facebook @mariaclaudiaTours or by email: mariaclaudiatours @ gmail.com

Tell her you found her on MamaLovesRome!

Kids’ Tour by LivTour – this is another perfect Vatican tour for families with kids, different to Mariaclaudia’s for the areas covered, which include the Egyptian wing of the Museum (usually a hit with kids!).

Most suitable for families with kids of primary school age and up but if you tell LivTours the age of your kids, they can adapt it to different ages.

Book via aff. link >>> Family Tour Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel by LivTours*

Last but not least, you can get a guided tour offered by the Vatican Museums themselves.

Guided Tours by the Vatican Museums are a good option of you are looking for a group tour and do not need any customisation.

There are several options including also early morning and after hour tour.

To see what is availabe on your date, go onto the museum ticket page >>  https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home  select desired date and number of participants >> see options.

Need to know:  these Vatican museum tours tend not to be accessible nor stroller friendly as they do not follow the accessible path.

I hope you found this quick guide about how to get tickets to the Vatican useful and got some good tips!

Remember: Additional info and lots of tips to visit the Vatican with kids are in my  Rome with kids ebook available on Amazon CLICK HERE  (also with tons more info and ideas to enjoy Rome with kids)

As well as on this MamaLovesRome website:

• How to visit the Vatican
• How to visit the Vatican with kids
• Visiting the Vatican at Christmas

What to see nearby

How to get tickets for the vatican: pin this.

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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Visiting the Vatican Museums – All You Need to Know for a Perfect Tour

Visiting the Vatican Museums, one of the largest museums in Rome and also one of the most famous museums in Italy , requires some good planning. Being so popular, you will likely find a long line at the entrance. Being so old, you will definitely be overwhelmed about what to visit in the short time you can afford inside.

Being one of the main landmarks of Vatican City , this wonderful museum is pretty much always included in the private Vatican tours as well as the more generic tours of Rome .

I wrote this guide to visit the Vatican Museums to avoid as many surprises as possible and ensure a smooth tour. Here you will find important information regularly updated about visiting hours and closing times, ticket prices, and how to skip the line when visiting the Vatican Museums in Rome.

Table of Contents

Our tips and guide to visiting the Vatican Museums

Is it worth visiting the vatican museums.

The Vatican Museums enshrine five centuries of history and artwork donated to the popes by the world’s leaders, kings, and queens, as well as the pieces purchased and commissioned by the popes themselves throughout history.

Historical pieces like clothes and carriages and historical areas like the different popes’ apartments sit side by side with immortal artwork such as Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel and the frescoes of Raphael’s Rooms.

First and foremost, you need to accept the idea that you can’t just show up at the entrance of the Vatican Museums and get in straight away. There will be a long queue or it might even be closed, so if you haven’t done a minimum of planning, you might end up wasting time and missing one of the best places to visit in Rome .

Tickets for the Vatican Museums

From January 1st, 2024, the tickets for the Vatican Museums will be more expensive, priced at 20€ instead of the current 17€.

To fight the phenomenon of unauthorized ticket resales, the Vatican Museums will introduce nominative tickets and will start checking IDs at the entrance.

Skip the line

Nobody likes standing in line for hours on end, especially when there is an easy way to avoid this. While you can just turn up and buy your ticket, this is no guarantee that you will do it as easily as you think.

In Rome’s most famous landmarks , it’s of paramount importance to arrive with your ticket already purchased. There are many websites where you can buy your ticket to the Vatican Museums online, one of the most popular is Get Your Guide .

Join a tour

Alternatively, instead of just booking your entrance, you can join a private tour of the Vatican Museums. Along with the admission, a private tour includes a guide who will take you directly to the most famous spots you would probably miss if you were on your own or that you would have to look for.

A guided tour is more expensive than a single admission ticket but has the perks of saving you time and making your visit more complete with historical facts and anecdotes. We recently took a very exclusive private tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and loved it.

Check closing time…

Even though an art gallery, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sunday, except if it’s the last Sunday of the month when there is free entrance. The Vatican Museums also close on the main religious holidays when other museums are actually open, such as Easter Sunday and Monday, November 1st (All Saints’ Day), December 8th (Immaculate Conception), Christmas and Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve, December 31st.

… and the new opening hours

Starting January 1st, 2024, the Vatican Museums announced that they are going to extend their visiting time by two hours, one extra in the morning and one extra in the evening. So instead of opening at 9 am, it will open at 8 am, and instead of closing at 6 pm, the Vatican Museums will close at 7 pm. This applies to every day from Monday to Saturday.

From the beginning of March 2024 when the high season starts, the Vatican Museums will extend an extra hour on Friday and Saturday, closing at 8 pm only on these two days.

Follow the dress code

Again, even though visiting the Vatican Museums might just seem like entering an art exhibition, you need to keep in mind that they are located inside Vatican City. This means that you are expected to follow the Vatican dress code you would follow when visiting the Basilica of Saint Peter and its underground Roman necropolis .

What is not allowed in the Vatican Museums?

Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases are not allowed in the Vatican Museums and you will need to leave them in the cloakroom. Apart from these types of bags, among the obvious objects that are not allowed in the Vatican Museums are firearms, knives, scissors, and any sharp and dangerous object.

Are photos allowed in the Vatican Museums?

You can snap your pictures without using the flash everywhere in the Vatican Museums except for the Sistine Chapel and the frescoes of Michelangelo. It’s also not allowed to take videos, use selfie sticks, or use professional photo and video gear, including a tripod. Anyone visiting the Vatican Museums should be aware of these rules as there are staff and guards everywhere who will ask you to delete your photos.

Be mindful of the noise

This doesn’t apply to all the areas when visiting the Vatican Museums but only when you are inside the Sistine Chapel. Here, in fact, you will be asked to be silent or to speak by whispering so that the experience of your fellow visitors won’t be ruined when admiring Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

Check out our guide to eating near the Vatican!

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!

Planning a trip to Vatican City and not quite sure where to start? Home to several incredible sights, a strict dress code, some of the most famous works of art on the planet, and enormous crowds, visiting the Vatican for the first time can be a bit overwhelming.

In other words, visiting the Vatican packs quite the punch considering that Vatican City is the smallest country in the world!

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Vatican, from the best way to enjoy the museums to when to go to exactly what to wear.

Table of Contents

What to See When Visiting the Vatican

Important tips for visiting the vatican museums, should you take a vatican museums tour, all about visiting st. peter’s basilica, how to get to vatican city, faq about visiting vatican city.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

When visitors talk about visiting the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to visiting the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, but visiting Vatican City can easily extend beyond those popular sights.

Here are the parts of Vatican City to consider when planning your visit, from the incredibly popular to the fairly niche.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square is the easiest part of the Vatican to visit–you can simply walk in and admire the beautiful oval square and exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica without any advance planning.

The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are home to some of the most incredible works of art in the entire world, including Raphael’s most famous frescoes and the Sistine Chapel.

You will need a ticket or tour to visit, and when people talk about how long the lines are to get into the Vatican, they’re most commonly referring to the lines for the museums–we’ll cover more on that in the next section of this Vatican City blog post.

The Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, with its magnificent ceiling painted by Michelangelo, is one of the most well-known houses of worship on the planet.

It is accessed through the Vatican Museums and cannot be visited separately.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church on the planet, and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture (Michelangelo and Bernini both contributed to its design).

It is free to visit, but you will need to pass through a security checkpoint to enter, and the lines for that can get very long.

You can also visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica (unlike visiting the basilica itself, climbing the dome does require a ticket–more on that below), and from there you can admire incredible views of St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (or “scavi”) lies below St. Peter’s Basilica–and even below the “grotto” area that is also under St. Peter’s Basilica.

This area was a cemetery dating back to the first century, and, most importantly to Christian history, it is the presumed resting place of St. Peter himself.

Tours are required and absolutely must be booked in advance. If you’d like to tour directly with the Vatican, there are directions for how to email them (yep, it’s done by email!) here . 

Alternatively, this well-reviewed tour will allow you to visit the Vatican Necropolis and is much more straightforward to arrange.

Check availability and book your Vatican Necropolis tour today!

The Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens are beautiful and exclusive–only a handful of reservations are accepted per day (so like the Necropolis, you absolutely must plan ahead), and therefore they are never crowded.

Like the Vatican Necropolis, the Vatican Gardens must be visited as part of a tour like this .

Book your Vatican Gardens tour today!

Papal Audience

When the Pope is at home in Vatican City, he gives an audience each Wednesday morning in St. Peter’s Square that is open to anyone who would like to join.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance .

The Vatican Museums house the largest private art collection in the world–and despite the enormous amount of art and historical artifacts displayed, only the tiniest sliver of the complete collection is on display to the public!

Beautiful, overwhelming, and one of the most highly sought-after art museums in the world, visiting the Vatican Museums can be a bit of an intense experience.

Here’s what to know before you go.

Don’t rush to the Sistine Chapel.

I know on our first visit to the Vatican Museums, we were highly anticipating the Sistine Chapel and always hoping it was coming up soon… but it’s one of the last things you see, so be sure to appreciate everything along the way!

Plan to spend at least two hours in the museums.

Three is even better, but it is hard to visit the Vatican Museums in less than two hours without simply making a beeline for the Sistine Chapel and not paying attention to much else.

Once you add in time to get there, security checks, potentially waiting in line, and maybe visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, it’s best to consider visiting the Vatican at least a half-day commitment if you’re going to be touring the museums.

Strongly consider booking a guided tour.

Guided tours add so much context to a Vatican Museums visit, and offer the opportunity to learn so much about the history of the art in the museums. They also make visiting the Vatican far less stressful from start to finish.

We’ve visited the Vatican Museums both independently and with a guided tour, and after experiencing both, strongly recommend a tour.

This is the tour we took and loved, and this is another great option .

Book your Vatican Museums tour today!

… and at the very least, absolutely book skip-the-line tickets.

Absolutely don’t want to take a Vatican Museums tour, or just don’t have the budget for it?

That’s completely understandable. In that case, we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets (ideally these early-access ones , but skip-the-line tickets for the normal operating hours are very helpful as well).

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the lines to access the Vatican Museums are the worst we have ever seen at any museum in the world. 

During one of our longer trips to Rome, we stayed just beyond the Vatican Museums for a solid month and walked past the line for the museums almost every day–and as mid-October turned into mid-November, the lines remained incredibly overwhelming.

Grab your first-access skip-the-line tickets or general admission skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums now!

Keep in mind alternative hours.

The typical opening hours for the Vatican Museums are Monday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with the last entry at 4:00 PM).

However, there are a few ways to access the Vatican Museums outside these hours if you’d like to mix up your visit!

Early Morning VIP Entry

With early-morning entry, either via pre-booked tickets for an independent visit or via a tour, you can enter the Vatican Museums as early as 7:30 AM, therefore avoiding the worst of the crowds (and during warm weather, the worst of the heat).

This incredibly popular tour a tried-and-true early morning option for touring the Vatican Museums!

Book your first-access Vatican Museums tour or skip-the-line tickets today!

Friday Nights Between April and October

For seven months out of the year, the Vatican Museums are open on Friday nights until 11:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM), and we can personally attest that visiting the Vatican Museums at night is an incredible experience (and far less crowded than general entry hours).

We took this amazing tour on a Friday night and loved it!

Book the Friday night Vatican Museums tour we loved today!

Last Sunday of the Month

The Vatican Museums are typically (and unsurprisingly) closed on Sundays, but on the last Sunday of the month, the museums are open until 2:00 PM (last entry at 12:30 PM).

Like many free museum days around the world, the general rule of thumb with visiting the Vatican Museums on a free Sunday is that it’s a great option for those on a strict budget, and a terrible one for those who want to avoid extremely heavy crowds.

Make sure to follow the dress code!

There is a dress code for visiting the Vatican Museums. Essentially, no shorts, no bare shoulders, no cleavage, and no hats. 

In our experience, this is most strongly enforced in the Sistine Chapel, but as a gesture of respect and to avoid the risk of being denied entry, you should absolutely follow the Vatican Museums’ dress code.

We recommend light, loose clothing that will allow you to stay both covered and   cool, because the museums can get very warm.

With limited exceptions, there is no air-conditioning in the museums.

Only a few rooms are air-conditioned, so as you can imagine, during Rome’s hot summer months it can be a bit blistering inside the Vatican Museums.

Avoiding the heat (which is, of course, made even worse due to the heavy crowds that are normally visiting the Vatican) is another good reason to book an early morning or Friday night Vatican tour–not only will there be fewer crowds, the museums will be much cooler!

Don’t take photos in the Sistine Chapel.

Despite this being obviously and clearly banned, complete with repeated announcements every few minutes from the security officers and strict enforcement, you’ll still see people trying to snap photos of the Sistine Chapel. Don’t be one of them!

The photos of the Sistine Chapel I’ve used in this Vatican blog post are stock photos for that reason.

Don’t plan to eat at the Vatican Museums if possible.

There is a cafeteria inside the museums selling basic meals and snacks if you get hungry, but with so much incredible food to eat in Rome, it’s best to plan your meals for before or after your Vatican Museums visit if at all possible.

You won’t see the famous spiral staircase isn’t until the very end of your visit.

It’s one of the absolute last things you’ll see in the Vatican Museums–even after the Sistine Chapel–so don’t expect to see it early on!

Yes, absolutely!

We think the Vatican Museums are one of the best places to splurge on a tour in Rome–even more than at the Colosseum.

The context gained is incredible, and having a tour guide also makes visiting the enormous museums much less stressful and overwhelming.

We’ve visited the Vatican both independently and with a tour, and absolutely preferred our visit with a tour.

We took this Friday evening tour and loved it, but this tour is another phenomenal option.

Shop excellent, well-reviewed Vatican Museums tours today!

Sprawling and stunning, St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an absolute must-see sight when visiting the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter.

You do not need a ticket to enter St. Peter’s Basilica–it is completely free to visit!

… but you do have to go through a security line first.

This line follows the curve of St. Peter’s Square and tends to grow throughout the day, and is in place for security. You’ll pass through a metal detector and have your bags checked when you reach the front.

The line can get excruciatingly long–if you’re not visiting St. Peter’s Basilica as part of a longer tour, we recommend arriving either very early in the morning (it opens at 7:00 AM every day except Wednesday) or in the early evening–the crowds often start to die off a couple hours before closing (6:00 PM or 7:00 PM depending on the time of year).

You should absolutely visit the dome.

The view overlooking St. Peter’s Square from the cupola is one of our favorite views in all of Rome–and the views of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica from above are pretty phenomenal, too.

We absolutely recommend climbing the dome when visiting St. Peter’s Basilica unless 1) you have difficulty climbing large amounts of stairs (you must climb a minimum of 320 steps to access the dome), or 2) you’re uncomfortable in tight spaces–there are some very closed-in areas on the way up.

You can buy tickets inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and they’re currently 10 Euro for a ticket that involves a partial elevator ride, or 8 Euro if you’re willing to climb all 551 steps (the elevator ticket lets you bypass 200 or so steps).

The biggest benefit to the cheaper ticket, though, is not the lower price but the fact that it normally has a much shorter line than the elevator option!

Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and is easily accessed by either foot, metro, or bus.

Keep in mind that unless you’re on a special tour that gives you a workaround (more on that in the FAQ section), it’s a 15-minute walk around the edge of the Vatican from St. Peter’s Square to the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

St. Peter’s Square is closer to Centro Storico, so if you’re approaching by foot, you’ll likely come across it first.

We absolutely love walking through Rome, and one of our favorite walks winds from Centro Storico all the way to St. Peter’s Square–in other words, the Vatican is absolutely accessible by foot!

For example, St. Peter’s Square is a 35-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and a 25-minute walk from the Pantheon.

Those times might sound long, but in addition to all the general beauty of Centro Storico, you’ll find some interesting highlights along the way such as Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo.

From St. Peter’s Square, it’s another 15 minutes by foot to the entrance to the Vatican Museums. 

There are two metro stops close-ish to the Vatican: Ottaviano and Cipro, which are each a short walk from the Vatican Museums entrance.

There are several bus lines that stop near Vatican City, with the most frequent being 40 and 64.

Have more questions about visiting the Vatican?

Here are the answers to some of the most common Vatican City FAQs!

Can you reach St. Peter’s Basilica from inside the Vatican Museums?

Yes… but only on a tour.

There is a semi-infamous door between the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica links the two together and makes it possible to go right from the museums into the basilica without taking a (long) walk and waiting in line again, but independent visitors cannot use it.

Some guided tours, though, like this one , do give you the opportunity to use this door.

Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to enter St. Peter’s .

What is the Vatican City dress code?

When in the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, or Sistine Chapel, you’ll want to avoid wearing anything sleeveless, any shorts, or showing cleavage.

Hats are also not allowed.

If you’re just visiting St. Peter’s Square, you don’t need to subscribe to the dress code.

You can see the official language of the dress code here .

Is Vatican City a country?

Yes, it is–it’s the smallest country in the world, covering only 0.2 miles of land area.

It’s also one of the only absolute monarchies in the world, with the Pope ruling it both as the Pope (overseeing The Holy See, aka the Catholic Church), and the King (overseeing the country of Vatican City).

Vatican City is not part of the UN, but The Holy See (aka the Catholic Church) is a permanent observer of the UN.

Do you need your passport to enter the Vatican?

Even though it is a country, there’s no need to bring your passport when visiting the Vatican.

Can you visit Vatican City for free?

If your goal is only to step inside the country of Vatican City, you can enter St. Peter’s Square (for free, and without waiting in line) and St. Peter’s Basilica (for free, but after waiting in line) to pay a quick visit to the country.

Can you get a Vatican City passport stamp?

No, Vatican City doesn’t offer passport stamps.

However, you can buy a postcard in the gift shop and mail it home from Vatican City! 

It will be processed through the Vatican’s mail system, and many people use it as a unique souvenir from their visit to the Vatican in lieu of a stamp.

Can you see the Pope when visiting the Vatican?

We covered this a bit above, but essentially, every Wednesday morning that the Pope is in Vatican City, he’ll give an audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Can you just visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City?

No, you can’t.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the final stops when touring the Vatican Museums and can’t be seen without visiting the museums.

Is St. Peter’s Basilica part of the Vatican Museums?

No, it’s not.

You can visit St. Peter’s Basilica separately from the museums.

Should you visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day?

You can, but be prepared for a long day, as you’ll have to enter both areas separately… unless you book a tour that includes both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, that is.

In that case, you’ll be able to seamlessly visit both without exiting the Vatican Museums and waiting in an additional line to access St. Peter’s Basilica.

This tour is a popular option that includes both!

Book your Vatican Museums + St. Peter’s Basilica tour today!

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Vatican: Tips, Tricks + FAQ!”

I am SOOO happy I followed your link for a tour to Vatican City and everything in it! We’re going there 1st week of April and all of the tours through their website were booked or super $$$! I went to your link for TakeWalks Tours and got a great price for the Chapel, Musuems and Basilica! I’m going to keep scouring your site for our perfect Italian vacation!

That is so wonderful to hear, thanks for sharing, Julie! I hope you guys have an incredible trip to Italy! 🙂

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How to Tour The Vatican: A Complete Guide To Visiting the Vatican

A s the smallest country in the world, and known for its religious history and artwork, The Vatican is a destination that enchants any visitor.

Nestled within the heart of Rome, the Vatican City is not just a mere tourist spot; it’s a spiritual and cultural treasure trove that’s abounding in wonders waiting to be explored.

In this guide, we delve into the rich history, unmissable attractions, and important tips for visiting, so you can visit Vatican City without a hitch.

Whether you’re visiting The Vatican to marvel at the enormity of St. Peter’s Basilica, wander through centuries-old galleries adorned with masterpieces by renowned artists in The Vatican Museum, or stand in awe before the iconic Sistine Chapel, this guide will tell you how to tour The Vatican in the best way.

Our Small Group Tour of the Vatican

Before we dive into the history of the Vatican and the various things to see and do once inside, I want to share our experience, and what I think is the best tip for visiting the Vatican.

It’s important to understand the best way to see the Vatican, as it can be the difference between the worst experience ever to something valuable.

We learned this the hard way, by the making wrong decision when it came to visiting the Colosseum . We did it on our own, got swept up in the crazy crowds so missed half of it and gained no insights into its importance or architectural magnificence.

In contrast, we visited the Vatican – equally intense with the crowds – on a small-group guided tour with Liv Tours and enjoyable the experience learning a lot about its historical significance along the way.

Our guide, Kathy (an art historian) was excellent at steering us around the crowd, showing us the most essential pieces of art and the Vatican so we didn’t miss it, and gave us a lot of insights into the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica. I never would have understood the meaning behind the Sistine Chapel frescos without her and it made it even more awe-inspiring to me.

There’s only a max of six people on the tour , which is also another great benefit. It’s easier to navigate into tight spaces to get up close to artifacts. Kathy was taking no prisoners and proudly let us know we could drop our politeness and be direct Europeans. 

This tour also includes skip the line benefits into the Vatican.

The History of The Vatican

The Vatican’s history is a long and captivating tale that dates back centuries. Its origins can be traced to ancient Rome, where a small hill on the banks of the Tiber River served as the residence of the popes after the fall of the Roman Empire.

However, it wasn’t until the 4th century AD that the construction of a basilica over the grave of St. Peter marked the beginning of the Vatican’s significance as the seat of the Catholic Church .

Kathy told us a lot about the events surrounding St Peter’s upside-down crucifixion and how this became the place for the Vatican, for as instructed to Peter, “On this rock I build my church.” This is why you always see Peter holding keys – showing that he is the head of the Chruch. Kathy pointed this out in every representation we saw of him on the Vatican tour.

Over the years, the Vatican’s influence grew, and it gained control of territories surrounding Rome, becoming the capital of the Papal States. This period lasted from the 4th century to 1870.

In 1929, the independent state of Vatican City was established through the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy.

Vatican City became the spiritual and administrative center of the Catholic Church, and is most famous for being the residence of the Pope.

Today, the Vatican stands as a symbol of faith, history, and art, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists who yearn to witness the grandeur and spirituality that permeate this sacred enclave.

What is the Best Time to Visit The Vatican?

The best time to visit The Vatican is in the months of March and April , when the weather is generally warm and pleasant, and the crowds are relatively sparse compared to peak tourist season (summer).

An insider tip is to take advantage of the 7:30 am VIP entrance ticket , which grants you early access to the museums and the magnificent Sistine Chapel.

This allows you to marvel at the masterpieces in a more serene atmosphere before the crowds accumulate.

However, if you don’t like getting up early, be aware that no matter what day of the week it is, by 9.00 am The Vatican will be swarming with people. The crowds usually won’t disperse until after the sun sets.

This is why we always recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets beforehand as there is no real quiet period in The Vatican. We were on the 2:30pm afternoon tour. Our guide said her 10am tour was even busier!

You can also visit beat the crowds on this special Vatican by night tour , which includes a visit to a Secret Room! Be sure to come back and tell me what that is!

What Is There To See In The Vatican?

Although being the smallest country in the world, there is plenty to see. Below are some of the top things to do in The Vatican…

The Pinecone Courtyard Dome View

After Kathy steered us past the long line, through security and to collect our headpieces, she took us straight upstairs to a 3D model of the Vatican pointing out where we were and where we were going. It helped to give context to what this small country looks like as visitors can only see a small section.

She then took us outside to see her favorite view of St Peter’s Dome, which is where I grew quite regretful that we were not able to climb it for views over Rome.

Then we proceeded to the Pinecone courtyard to learn more about the Sistine Chapel. I was grateful we could stand in the shade with Kathy’s iPad, rather than crowd around the information billboards in the hot sun and try to learn about it ourselves.

Now we were ready to go inside the small halls and galleries with thousands of others inside the Vatican Museum.

You can join this early morning tour of the Vatican, which includes breakfast in the Pineyard Courtyard before the crowds come. Many people recommended it to us.

The Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are two of the most popular attractions in Rome and are known for their unparalleled beauty in both architecture and artistic mastery.

The Vatican Museums, comprising a vast collection of art and historical treasures, offer visitors a fascinating journey through time.

From ancient Egyptian artifacts to Renaissance masterpieces, every corner holds captivating wonders. Be sure to check out ​​the Scala Elicoidale Momo, the original spiral staircase from the 16th century, and the Vatican Apostolic Library.

I was quite astounded at this collection as we walked through the halls and Kathy pointed out significant pieces. I knew I was walking past some of the most beautiful and revered pieces of art in the world, some of which have lasted for thousands of years.

Like this magnificent 2000-year-old statue which used to be Nero’s Palace.

Kathy made sure we did not miss the stunning ceilings and the tapestries on the walls, but also the significance of the floor we were walking on.

Made from marble stripped from Palatine Hill, it was thousands of years old with splashes of red marble – the color reserved only for those of the highest order.

I especially loved the intricate mosaic designs in various sections on the floor.

It’s important to know that in the Vatican – well any church or ancient building in Europe – you must always look at the floor and the ceiling. You’ll be stunned by the elaborate designs.

I would have been overwhelmed trying to see all this on my own. It was too hot and too busy; I wouldn’t have been able to read anything to learn the historical significance of what we’re looking at.

I’ve been to the Vatican before, and I don’t even remember walking through this museum! I was probably bored by it as I wasn’t on a tour. This time I was completely in awe. Kathy made all the difference.

The Sistine Chapel

The crown jewel of the Vatican Museums is undoubtedly the Sistine Chapel , renowned for Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring frescoes, including the iconic portrayal of “The Creation of Adam.”

At the beginning of our tour, Kathy stopped us in the beautiful courtyard of the museum to explain the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. You cannot speak in the Sistine Chapel , so Kathy took out her iPad with images of the artwork and described what they were, how they were made, and the symbolism behind them.

I liked Michaelangelo’s sense of humor putting a clergy main as the evil person, as he had complained about his use of naked figures in the paintings. (Which they clothed once Michelangelo died!)

Stepping into the Sistine Chapel is an experience like no other, as you find yourself surrounded by breathtaking art and immersed in the spiritual ambiance of this sacred space.

Visitors are often left in awe, gazing up at the intricately detailed ceiling and marveling at the profound talent that brought it to life.

You also cannot take photos in the Sistine Chapel . Attendants will jump on the microphone every couple of minutes to remind you.

I loved the Last Judgement Wall even more than the creation story depicted in the ceiling. I spent quite some time absorbing all of it and looking for those features Kathy had pointed out to us earlier.

You cannot enter the Sistine Chapel or St Peter’s Basilica without having your knees and shoulders covered , so wear appropriate clothing or bring a scarf to put across your shoulders. These are just a few of the essential things to know before visiting Rome.

St Peter’s Basilica

Situated in the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica stands as an architectural masterpiece and a testament to centuries of devotion and artistic brilliance.

Its history dates back to the 4th century when Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of a basilica over the burial place of Saint Peter. The original structure underwent several renovations and expansions over the years but remains one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

Today, St. Peter’s Basilica is not only a symbol of Roman Catholicism, welcoming millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world, but a home to some of the biggest masterpieces in Renaissance and Baroque artwork.

Mass is held five times a day in the Basilica, and one was happening up the back altar while we wandered around When the Pope holds mass on important Catholic holidays, the church holds up to 60,000 people.

The basilica is home to notable masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s renowned sculpture, the Pietà, and his magnificent dome, which offers panoramic views of Rome.

Some of the things I loved seeing and learning about inside the Basilica include:

Pieta, Michaelangelo carving of Mary holding dead Jesus was behind bullet proof glass thanks to a crazy Australian who damaged the statue. Kathy told us that many people stole fragments of it but after the Pope put it on TV, many returned them out of guilt.

The magnificent altar where the branches of the cross meet over the tomb of Peter.

The gold and bronze altar at the back was particularly striking with the bird that looks like a stained-glass window but is actually marble.

It’s designed so that after summer solstice light shines through at 5 pm on main altar and reminder that it faces east like all major religion churches.

The statues on the niche of the wall show the relics that used to be here. I loved the Veil of Veronica, where she is holding a veil with the face of Jesus etched on it.

Inside the main floor of the basilica though are real mummies of previous popes. I found this fascinating, although a little creepy.

The famous monument of Alexander VII, the last great masterpiece of 80-year-old Bernini.

There was so much symbolism in it, but most intriguing was the skeleton of Death coming out of the curtain expressing the concept that life is temporary, and you’ll die. It’s one of the weirdest things to see, and more fun than the other boring Pope monuments.

The copy of Raphael’s transfiguration. What I loved about this one was the interesting fact Kathy pointed out. This was not a painting but made up of miniature mosaic tiles. I never would have known this otherwise.

And that is why you can take photos in St Peter’s Basilica because all the paintings inside are actually mosaic!!

You can also explore the Vatican Grottoes, where the tombs of past popes lie, and marvel at the stunning Vatican Necropolis beneath the basilica.

Our tour ended inside the basilica, where we could have stayed to look around more. We were so Vatican tired at this point, we decided to skip touring the Vatican Grottoes.

Unfortunately, we booked our Liv tour too late to incorporate the dome climb . I’ve heard it’s one of the best things to do in Rome.

Saint Peter’s Square

The first landmark you see as you walk into The Vatican is Saint Peter’s Square, located in the heart of Vatican City.

This iconic square, designed by renowned architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is a magnificent showcase of Baroque artistry. The square was constructed between 1656 and 1667 , serving as the grand entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica.

On these cobblestones, centuries of papal events, processions, and gatherings have taken place, including the Papal Audience, where the Pope offers his blessings.

Encircled by two colonnades, which symbolize the embracing arms of the Church (and the borders of Vatican country), the square exudes a sense of unity and inclusion. At the center stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk, brought to Rome in 37 AD.

You can walk around here without a ticket.

Gardens of The Vatican City

The Gardens of Vatican City are a serene and enchanting oasis that offers a tranquil escape from the bustling streets of Rome.

Spanning an impressive 23 hectares , these gardens are a harmonious blend of natural beauty, architectural marvels, and spiritual significance.

With a rich history dating back to the Renaissance era, these gardens have evolved over the centuries into a masterpiece of art and horticulture.

They feature a meticulously designed layout adorned with sculptures, fountains, and monuments, some of which date as far back as the 9th century.

Stroll through the manicured lawns, meander along picturesque pathways, and discover hidden corners that offer breathtaking vistas of St. Peter’s Basilica and the surrounding Vatican City.

At present, the Gardens can only be visited by buying a ticket also including the Sistine Chapel.

This tour will take you through the Vatican gardens: Vatican Inside & Out: Sistine Chapel, Papal Train, & Summer Palace Lunch

Castel Sant’Angelo

Although technically outside The Vatican, The Castel Sant’Angelo is a worthy attraction worth checking out on your way to The Vatican.

This historic fortress holds a significant place in Rome’s rich history and was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.

It later served as a fortress and a papal residence. Today, it stands as a museum that offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s past and the Papacy.

NOTE : Castel Sant’Angelo is closed on Mondays! We missed out on seeing it because we did not know this! I really wanted to see the view from the rooftop here, which is meant to be magnificent. Get your skip the line tickets here .

How to Visit the Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museums are accessible from the main entrance on Viale Vaticano on the Northside of Vatican City.

There is a ticket office at this entrance where you can purchase your entrance ticket, but we highly recommend you book tickets online before you go as the queues are enormous and can see waiting times of up to 2 hours.

We highly recommend booking a guided tour , as there is so much to see in the museums, you could spend days there and not see it all.

A guided tour takes you to the highlights of the museum and allows you to learn about the history and significance of artifacts from a knowledgeable guide.

Guided tours also allow you to enter the museum early before the general ticket office opens, allowing you to explore the museum without the crowds.

The museum is open Monday – Saturday from 9.00am to 6.00pm, with the final entry at 4.00pm. The museum is closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month where entry is free.

How to Visit Saint Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is another popular attraction in The Vatican and can be accessed from St Peter’s Square. You will know when you have found it when you see a huge line wrapping around the left side of the square.

It’s free to enter St Peter’s Basilica, however, you can purchase skip-the-line tickets online for guided tour s before you visit to avoid standing in a queue. This is definitely worth it if you are short on time.

While it’s also free to enter the church, there are areas that require a ticket, namely the Vatican Treasury, The Necropolis, St Peter’s Tomb, and The Dome.

You can purchase tickets for these at the entrance upon entering the church, or by pre-purchasing tickets online before you go . You cannot purchase skip-the-line tickets from The Vatican, only online through third-party ticketing site that will be part of a guided tour.

How to Get to The Vatican

Getting to the Vatican is relatively easy since it’s located in the heart of Rome and can be accessed on foot. Rome is very walkable, so as long as you have comfortable shoes, you can easily walk there from anywhere within the city.

Depending on where you are in Rome, you may want to take the metro to The Vatican. You can use Line A of the Metro and alight at either Ottaviano or Cipro stations and walk for 5 minutes from there to The Vatican.

Alternatively, you can take bus number 81 bus from the Colosseum, which takes around 15 minutes.

It took us 15-minutes to walk along the Tiber River to our apartment rental in Trastevere .

In the summer long the riverfront are a line of small bars and restaurants. It was the perfect place for us to take advantage of Aperitivo hour with an Aperol Spritz (sodas for the girls) and snacks while we discussed what we learned at the Vatican and how we felt.

Tips for Visiting The Vatican

Before you go, be sure to follow these words of advice to ensure a smoother visit:

• Buy skip-the-line tickets for The Museums and St Stephen’s Basilica before you go to avoid spending two hours in a queue.
• Get a guided tour of the museums so you can be shown the highlights, otherwise, you will spend a very long time in there reading.
• Note that there is a dress code for The Vatica n. Dress modestly and avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, low-cut tops, hats, shorts above the knee, mini skirts, or anything too revealing.
• You will need to cover your tattoos if you have any.
• W ear comfortable walking shoes as you will do a lot of walking here.
• Be prepared to go through security checks before entering the museums.
• There is a free cloakroom for large bags and suitcases.
• You cannot take any food or drink into the museums, so be sure to hydrate before going in.
• You cannot take photos inside The Sistine Chapel and you also cannot bring in any tripods, so leave those in the cloakroom.

FAQs About Visiting The Vatican

Can you just go into the vatican.

Yes, there is no border control or passport screening, so you can just walk into The Vatican without a hitch. However, there is a police presence and security and they will ask you to leave if you are dressed immodestly.

Do you take your passport to the Vatican?

You do not need your passport to enter The Vatican.

Can I wear jeans to the Vatican?

You can wear jeans in The Vatican, as long as your knees are covered you will be fine.

What are the rules for visiting the Vatican?

You must abide by the dress code and you also cannot bring any knives, scissors, or sharp objects into the attractions such as the Basilica and Museums.

Final Thoughts

Vatican City is a destination with so much history, cultural treasures, and religious significance, that it would be a shame to visit Rome and not make the effort to go and see it.

It may be the smallest country in the world , but it has one of the world’s largest churches, some of the most famous works of Renaissance art, and an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual solace.

Don’t worry if you are not Catholic or even religious it’s worth visiting just for the historical and educational aspects of it. I was raised a Catholic, and even got my teaching degree at a Catholic University. But I left religion behind many years ago as I realized it was not the right way to experience God for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Vatican and it further emphasized for me that the decision I made was the right one. That’s why I love travel, and gift that to my daughters, it allows you to experience things for yourself and decide whether this is something you want to believe in or follow, rather than just following because it’s what family or society tells you to do.

While the Vatican is magnificent, I personally don’t feel Jesus would be comfortable with such opulence and power , and I don’t think that was his message or what he was about.

When our guide explained the church’s perspective on the opulence over again as “The house of God needs to magnificent,” the voice in my head said, “I think you’re missing the point.” His house – Mother Earth and the perfection of nature – is magnificent. His message was clear – love and kindness for ALL!!

Not build me extravagance dominated by male power. The overbearing masculinity of The Vatican made me feel cold and on edge. And why do churches always showcase death, fear, and destruction in their artistic representations?

Can we not show the JOY of God? That’s why my church is Mother Nature.

Our girls are not baptized and are free to choose whatever spiritual approach they Iike. I’m happy a visit to the Vatican helped them gain some insights into Catholicism and whether that is for them or not. Apart from that, it’s a fantastic real-life art history experience that I did enjoy.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff, or a seeker of spiritual experiences, we hope this guide to visiting the Vatican helped inspire your trip to this enchanting place.

More Tips for Rome

• FOOD TOURS: Unravel The History Of Roman Cuisine On A Rome Food Tour and The 7 Best Food Tours in Rome Italy
• ROME GUIDES: Your Guide To Rome with kids: Things To Do + Tips for Visiting AND 15 Memorable Things To Do In Rome (For 2023) and essential things to know before visiting Rome and a guide of things to do in Trastevere.
• EUROPE PLANNING: How to Plan a Trip to Europe with Kids: Essential Planning Tips and 17 Essential Tips For Visiting Europe With Kids
• ANCIENT ROME: How To Visit The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill in Rome + Tips For Visiting
• BEST things to do in Rome for teens

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Do I Need Tickets to Visit the Vatican?

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, a visit to the Vatican is likely high on your list of must-see destinations – but do you need tickets to visit the Vatican?

Let’s take a look at what needs a ticket and what doesn’t.

Do You Need Tickets to Visit the Vatican?

Generally, there are multiple areas within the Vatican City that tourists typically visit, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.

Each of these top things to see at the Vatican has different ticketing requirements, so it’s essential to understand the details before your visit.

Do You Need Tickets for the Vatican Museum?

The Vatican Museums , which house an extensive collection of art and artifacts, including the famous Sistine Chapel , do require tickets for entry.

The Vatican Museums are among the most famous museums in the world, and they can get very crowded, with long lines, particularly during peak tourist seasons .

It’s basically mandatory to purchase tickets in advance to skip the lines and save time.

The most convenient and efficient way to secure your instant smart phone tickets is by using the button below:

In addition to basic skip the line tickets, you can also skip the lines by booking a guided tour:

Again, ensure you book your ticket (whatever kind it is) in advance or you could be lining up for hours.

Do You Need Tickets for St. Peter’s Basilica?

St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture , does not require tickets for entry.

However, there will usually be long queues to enter the basilica, especially during peak tourist seasons.

To avoid waiting in line, it’s recommended to arrive early in the morning (see my post on the best days to visit the Vatican ) or better yet – consider booking a guided tour that offers skip-the-line access.

You can book a guided tour using the button below:

Do You Need Tickets for the Vatican Gardens?

Yes, you need tickets to visit the Vatican Gardens.

Access to the Vatican Gardens is only possible through guided tours, and tickets for these tours can be purchased in advance or on-site at the Vatican Museums ticket office.

Again, It’s important to note that tickets to the Vatican Gardens are separate from tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and visitors must have a valid ticket for both attractions if they wish to visit them on the same day.

Finally, for all visitors I want to again remind you to adhere to the Vatican dress code guidelines .

😅 Intimidated for your first visit?

Check out my post 10 rules for visiting the Vatican and you’ll be set!

🎟️ Looking to buy? Read my post: Where to Buy Tickets for the Vatican

Still Wondering If You Need Tickets to See the Vatican?

While entry to St. Peter’s Basilica does not require tickets, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel do require tickets for entry – make sure you buy your Vatican tickets in advance online.

Any more questions on visiting? Don’t be afraid to write me in the comments below.

🌚 Can You Visit the Vatican at Night?

⌛  Pro tip :  How Long to Visit the Vatican?

⛪ Related : Can I Visit the Vatican on Sundays?

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Visiting the Vatican in Rome 2024: A Detailed Guide to Help you Plan Your Visit

Last updated: March 25, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you are planning to visit Rome, then we think a trip to the Vatican is a must. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and one we have been lucky enough to visit several times over the past 20 years.

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, as well as many options for visiting and purchasing tickets for the various attractions at the Vatican.

It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to visit, as well as what to see and do when you visit the Vatican.

In this guide we’re going to share with you everything you need to know to plan your visit, from the best time to visit, to how to skip the lines, to the highlights you must not miss when you visit.

We’ll also tell you the best places to get Vatican tickets, share some of our favourite guided tours, share practical information for your visit, and much more. Once you’re finished reading, you’ll be fully prepared for your Vatican visit!

Let’s start with an overview of the Vatican.

What is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is an independent city-state found within the city of Rome, Italy. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is home to and ruled by the Pope.

Vatican City is also the location of a number of popular attractions, including the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel. It is both a pilgrimage site for Catholics as well as a place that appeals to all types of visitors interested in the architecture and world-class art that is found within the museums and churches here.

It’s worth noting that when people talk about “the Vatican”, they are normally referring to either Vatican City or the Vatican Museums within, which can be a bit confusing.

For clarity, this guide will cover all the attractions inside Vatican City which includes the Vatican Museums.

An Overview of the Vatican

The Vatican (formally the Vatican City State) was established in 1929 at the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which helped resolve a long-running issue concerning the power of the Pope in Italy.

It is named after Vatican Hill, where it is located, which is one of the traditional seven hills of Rome. The name “Vatican” dates back to Roman times.

Vatican City is 49 hectares (121 acres) in size, with a population of under 500 people.

The Vatican is ruled by and home to the Pope, who is both the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. The Pope lives in the Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Vatican Palace and the Palace of Sixtus V in honor of the Pope who oversaw the majority of its construction.

As well as the Papal Apartments, the huge Apostolic Palace is also home to the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and the Borgia Apartments.

The other main sight in the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an architectural masterpiece, and the square in front is also very impressive.

About half of Vatican City is taken up by the Vatican Gardens, a large private garden area which is home to a number of buildings such as the Vatican Radio building and the Palace of the Governorate.

Many areas of the Vatican, such as the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are open to the public and can be visited. Other areas, such as the private apartments of the Pope, are not open to visitors. In this guide we’ll cover all the areas of the Vatican and your options for visiting them.

Where is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is within the city of Rome, Italy. In fact, Rome entirely surrounds the Vatican City. It is located to the west of the Tiber River. You can see it on Google Maps here .

How to get to the Vatican

Found in Rome, the Vatican is relatively easy to get to. Just bear in mind that the Vatican covers an area of around 49 hectares (121 acres), so you will want to plan accordingly depending on which part of the Vatican you wish to visit.

For example, the access to the Vatican Museums is at the north side of Vatican City ( here on Google Maps ), whilst St. Peter’s Basilica is towards the south of the city ( here on Google Maps ).

There are a number of options for reaching the Vatican. These include walking, the metro, taking a public bus, taxi, or the hop on hop off sightseeing bus.

First, it is relatively easy to walk here. From Piazza Navona for example it is 20 minutes’ walk to St. Peter’s Basilica, or 30 minutes’ walk to the Vatican Museums entrance.

The closest metro station to the Vatican is Ottaviano, which is a 7-minute walk to the Vatican Museums entrance or a 10-minute walk to St. Peter’s Basilica. Ottaviano is on the red line, which connects you to locations such as the Spanish Steps and Rome’s Termini station (where you can transfer to the blue line for the Colosseum for example).

Numerous public bus routes also pass by the Vatican from all over the city. It is also easy to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to get to the Vatican. Just be sure to specify exactly where you intend to go in the Vatican so they can drop you at the closest drop-off point.

Finally, a number of hop on hop off buses in Rome include the Vatican as one of their stops, so if you are using one of these services this is also an option.

If you have an attraction pass such as the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card , many of these include either a public transit card or sightseeing bus that you could use to visit the Vatican.

Vatican Opening Times

The Vatican is a country but here are no gates or security controls to cross from Rome to Vatican City, and you probably won’t even notice when you do. So you can visit it whenever you want although most indoor attractions are only open during the daytime.

A number of the attractions within the city-state do have specific opening times, which are as follows.

Vatican Museum Opening Times

The Vatican Museum is usually open as follows:

• Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm (last entry at 5pm)

From 1st March 2024, there are extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, until 8pm (final entry 6pm).

The Vatican Museum is closed on Sundays with the exception of the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). On these days entry is free.

In addition, the Vatican Museum is also closed on the following days in 2024:

1st & 6th January, 19th March, 1st April, 1st May, 29th June, 14th & 15th August, 1st November, 8th, 25th and 26th December.

For more information on opening times and closing times, see the official website here . Note that there are multiple sites with information on the Vatican Museums, but the only official site is https://www.museivaticani.va/ .

St. Peter’s Basilica Opening Times

St. Peter’s Basilica is usually open as follows:

• 1st October – 31st March: 7am – 6.30pm
• 1st April – 30th September: 7am – 7pm

Note that this is a working church and mass is regularly celebrated here. Access is normally not restricted during these times but you should be aware when it is going on and behave respectfully.

In addition, when the Pope is in Rome there is normally a Papal Audience held on a Wednesday. This is normally held in St. Peter’s Square outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning from around 9am. On these days, access to St. Peter’s Basilica is normally not allowed until the audience is complete. See more about attending a Papal Audience in that section of this guide.

For more information on opening times and visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, see the official webpage from the Vatican here .

What to see and do at the Vatican

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, at least enough to spend at least half a day here if not a whole day.

Here are the main sights you can take in when you visit Vatican City.

Vatican Museums

A definite highlight when visiting Vatican City are the Vatican Museums. These are found within the Apostolic Palace, and are the main public museum of the Vatican City.

The collection, which includes a rather staggering 70,000 pieces (of which around 20,000 are on display at any one time), was founded in the early 16th century.

Today, the collection spans seven kilometers across a number of galleries. and includes paintings, sculptures, religious artifacts, and tapestries. Art from some of the world’s greatest artists is on display, including Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, Van Gogh, and Picasso. It’s one of the most visited museums in the world.

As you will have noticed, the Vatican Museums are plural. This is because this is not just one museum. In fact, there are 26 museums listed as being contained with the Vatican Museums complex.

However, as a visitor you will likely just feel like you are visiting one giant museum that spans numerous galleries rather than 26 museums. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and wondering what to see, see the section of this guide covering our highlights of the Vatican Museums.

The Vatican Museums require a ticket, and you can see more about buying a ticket in our guide to tickets for the Vatican City sights elsewhere in this guide. You can buy a ticket on site, but the lines are very long and we highly recommend booking a ticket in advance.

If you have a limited time or are wanting to see the highlights in around 3 hours or less, we highly recommend considering a guided tour such as this one or this one .

We took tours on our first two visits to the Vatican and found them very helpful in seeing and learning about the most important pieces and rooms without being too overwhelmed. They all include a visit to the Sistine Chapel as well.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, or Capella Sistina , is a chapel located within the Apostolic Palace. It was built in the 15th century and named after Pope Sixtus IV. It is best known for the frescoes within, notably those done by Michelangelo (the ceiling and Last Judgement above the altar), which are often considered to be some of the best artistic work to come out of the Renaissance period.

The Sistine Chapel is also known as being where Popes are selected, in a process known as the Papal Conclave.

The Sistine Chapel has been drawing visitors for over 500 years, since Michelangelo completed his masterpieces, and is still a major attraction today.

The Sistine Chapel is found within the Apostolic Palace, and can only be visited when you visit the Vatican Museums. So to all intents and purposes it is a part of the Vatican Museums. However, it is technically separate, hence why tickets are sold as being for both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel. But all Vatican Museums tickets include entrance to both.

Entry to the Sistine Chapel is included as part of a Vatican Museums ticket, and you can also book tours which give you early access such as the Pristine Sistine tour and the more exclusive Key Master tour .

St. Peter’s Basilica

One of the most visually spectacular buildings in the Vatican is the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, more commonly known as St. Peter’s Basilica.

Its famous dome can be seen from around Rome, and a visit to this church is a must when visiting the Vatican.

Construction began in 1506, and the church was consecrated in 1626. It replaced the fourth century Old St. Peter’s Basilica, which was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

St. Peter’s Basilica is impressive for a number of reasons. First, for it’s incredible size. By volume, it is the largest church in the world and it has a footprint of almost six acres.

Second, its design. It was built during the Italian Renaissance period, with help from famous artists, designers, and architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. It is widely regarded as one of the foremost examples of Renaissance architecture in the world.

Third, the interior. This is filled with priceless artworks from Renaissance masters, including Bernini and Michelangelo.

Finally, St. Peter’s Basilica has enormous significance to members of the Catholic faith. Whilst it is not the mother church of the Catholic faith, it is still regarded as one of the most important of Catholic shrines. 91 popes are buried here, and it is widely believed to be the final resting place of Saint Peter himself, the head of the apostles.

Suffice to say, we think a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is a must when you visit the Vatican. Entry is free and you do not need a ticket to visit, although you can book a tour like this or this .

There’s also the option to visit the dome for a small extra fee. As with any holy place in Italy, it is important to adhere to the dress code as otherwise entry may be denied.

See our sections in this guide on dress code, tickets and tours for more information. This guide also has a detailed section covering the highlights of St. Peter’s Basilica that you won’t want to miss when you visit.

• St. Peter’s Square

Directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is St. Peter’s Square, a large plaza whose current design was created by Bernini in the mid 17th century.

The center of the plaza is dominated by a 25.5 meter (84ft) high ancient Egyptian obelisk which was brought from the city of Alexandria in Roman times and placed in its current location in 1586.

The plaza is surrounded and almost entirely enclosed by a series of massive Doric colonnades, four deep, with the design aiming to enclose and embrace visitors in the arms of the Mother Church.

There are also a pair of fountains in the plaza on either side of the obelisk, one designed by Bernini, and an earlier one designed by Maderno.

Overall, St. Peter’s Square is a hugely impressive foreground to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is also here where Papal Audiences are most regularly held, which was one of the reasons it was designed as it is, in order to hold large crowds and provide a good view of the Pope to visitors.

St. Peter’s Square is free to visit and open all the time. During Papal Audiences it can get very busy and some sections will be closed off.

• Vatican Gardens

Around half of the Vatican City is taken up by the Gardens of Vatican City, which date back to medieval times when the area was largely used for orchards and vineyards.

However, the more formal landscaped gardens that are visible today largely date to the beginning of the 16th century. Despite taking up a large part of the Vatican and being filled with beautiful sculptures and fountains, the gardens were not open to the public until 2014.

Today, it is only possible to visit the gardens as part of a guided tour. You can get a view of part of the gardens from various points whilst touring the Vatican Museums and from the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Grottoes

The present-day St. Peter’s Basilica, as previously described, was built atop a fourth century building known as the Basilica of Constantine.

That basilica was in turn built upon a Roman-era cemetery, or Necropolis, which we will cover in a separate section as it is visited separately. Rome, as you will quickly learn when you visit, is a city of many layers!

Construction of the new St. Peter’s Basilica did not completely destroy the old Basilica, which can still be visited today.

The parts of the Constantine Basilica which can be visited are generally known as the Vatican Grottoes, or Vatican Caves. It’s not quite an accurate name because what you are actually visiting is the original basilica, but that’s the name that is used.

The Vatican Grottoes are also sometimes called the Vatican Crypt and Catacombs.

Within the Vatican Grottoes you can see the ancient basilica, complete with chapels, funerary monuments and artworks. This is also where a great many popes are buried , along with some European Royalty, as they wanted to be near the final resting place of St. Peter.

Just note that St. Peter’s tomb is not actually in the Vatican Grottoes, it is in the Vatican Necropolis, which is below the Grottoes and accessed separately on a special tour. See the next section for details of that.

Access to the Vatican Grottoes is free, although tours which include it are available, like this one . The entrance to the Vatican Grottoes is inside St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

• Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (literally, city of the dead) dates from the Roman Empire, and was built here because Roman law at the time decreed that the dead must be buried outside the city walls.

Much of the Vatican City was built on top of the Roman Necropolis, and it can be accessed in a number of different ways, depending on what you want to see.

The two main parts of the Necropolis that will be of interest to visitors are the Necropolis containing the tomb of St. Peter, the the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis. We’ll cover visiting both of these.

Vatican Necropolis and The Tomb of St. Peter (Scavi)

In the 1940s, the Vatican set out to find the tomb of St. Peter, the apostle for whom St. Peter’s Basilica is named. He, along with many other Christians of the time, was martyred at the Circus of Nero.

This Circus was found essentially where the present-day St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are situated.

There was a widely held belief that St. Peter was buried near the location of his martyrdom, and so the Vatican set out to discover this grave.

A number of mausoleums were discovered as part of the extensive Necropolis which is buried beneath the Vatican, and in 1968 the Pope announced that the tomb of Saint Peter had officially been discovered directly beneath the Vatican Grottoes and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Today, the area of the Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica is now widely known as the Scavi , which means excavation in Italian. It can be visited as part of a special guided tour.

The tour takes you under the Basilica (and the grottoes) and essentially back in time to an ancient Roman cemetery where you see the old mausoleums, as well as what is believed to be the final resting place of St. Peter.

Normally, as you exit the tour you also go through the Vatican Grottoes and then up into St. Peter’s Basilica itself, which is handy as it skips what can be lengthy lines to get into the Basilica.

This tour has very limited availability, and needs to be booked in advance. See the ticket section of this guide for information on how to book Vatican Necropolis tickets.

It is definitely a unique experience if you have the extra time, however there are only 250 spaces per day so you will want to book as far in advance as you can if this is of interest. We really enjoyed this tour when we did it and think it is well worth doing.

Note that to get access to the Necropolis tour you need to go to the far left of St. Peter’s Basilica as you face it, the entrance is in the columns to the left. It’s approximately here on Google Maps .

You have to go through security and you will need a printed copy of your ticket. If in doubt, I advise arriving early and asking a Swiss Guard for directions.

Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis

The other Necropolis that you can visit in the Vatican City is the Necropolis of the Via Trimphalis , which was discovered in 2003 and only fully opened to visitors in November 2023.

Note this is different from the visit to the Vatican Necropolis below St. Peter’s Basilica, although it is likely part of the same ancient Necropolis site.

Visiting the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis requires a separate ticket purchase and they are not always available, check the official ticket site for options.

The entry to the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis can be found in the walls of the Vatican Museum as you walk up towards the Vatican Museum entry, near Piazza Risogimento. The exact location is here on Google Maps .

Attend a Papal Audience

As the Vatican is home to the Pope, one reason many people come to visit is to actually see him. The best way to do that is to attend a Papal Audience, also known as a General Audience.

This isn’t a mass, instead, it’s basically an audience with the Pope. He normally gives a speech and says some prayers, and often gives out blessings.

The Papal Audience is free to attend, and is held on Wednesdays when the Pope is in residence. It is held either in front of St. Peter’s Basilica (during warmer times of year), or in the Paul VI audience hall (normally in the winter months and in times of bad weather).

It is absolutely vital that you get a ticket for the Papal Audience, as you cannot just show up. Tickets are free, and we have a detailed guide to getting them in the ticketing section of this guide.

The Papal Audience starts at 9am, however you will have to go through security, and seating is on a first come first served basis. There are also capacity limits, so even if you have a ticket, once the venue is full admission is closed.

As such, we recommend arriving between 7am and 7.30am to be sure of a good seat. In the busier summer months, it is recommended to arrive even earlier if you want a good view.

Note, you can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

All you have to do is show up, no tickets are required for this event. It will be quite busy and it’s going to be a brief, distant view, but it is an option as well.

Attend Mass

Another popular option when visiting the Vatican is to attend mass.

The best place to do so is at St. Peter’s Basilica, where services are held multiple times a day. You can see the full schedule of services on this page . These services do not require booking, you just need to show up at the Basilica.

Depending on when you visit Rome, there is also the possibility to attend a Papal Mass, which is a mass led by the Pope. These are also known as Liturgical Celebrations.

A Papal Mass is a less regular event than a Papal Audience, normally held to celebrate a special event such as Christmas or Easter. They are held either inside St. Peter’s Basilica or on St. Peter’s Square. They may also be held in one of the other basilicas in Rome (you can see a list of these here ).

As with a Papal Audience, you need a ticket for a Papal Mass. These are also free.

The procedure for booking a Papal Mass is the same as for booking a Papal Audience. You can check when there are Papal Masses on this Vatican page for 2024 .

Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance, however for particularly popular masses (Easter and Christmas specifically) you will want to book as far in advance as possible. The dates may not be shown on the calendar, but there is normally a mass held on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and on Christmas Eve.

Use the Post Office

The Vatican, as already mentioned, is a country unto itself. That means it has all the things you would expect to find in a country, including its own postal system .

There is a post office open to all found on St. Peter’s Square, and there is also one near the giftshop just before you exit the Vatican Museums.

If you are looking to send a postcard or mail from your trip, we think doing so from the Vatican post office is a great idea. Jess always send a postcard from the Vatican to her grandmother.

The stamps and postage mark are obviously unique, and in our experience anyway, the mail service is much more effective than the Italian postal system! Our international postcards mailed from the Vatican arrived weeks before the ones we mailed from Italy!

For everything you need to know about using the post office, including where to find them, buying stamps and more, see our detailed guide to the Vatican Post Office . You can find out more about the Vatican post office, including opening hours and tariffs, on the official website .

Highlights of the Vatican Museums

With 20,000 objects on display, you could literally spend weeks exploring the Vatican Museums collection. However, as you probably don’t have weeks, we’d recommend focusing on some of the highlights for your first visit.

Whilst there are countless highlights to choose from, and you can of course make your own selection, we’d recommend at least seeing the following when you visit. We would also recommend visiting the official site which has a list of masterpieces in each of the main museums.

We’d also honestly recommend taking a guided tour like one of these if you can, because there is so much to see and understand here, and a good guide can really bring what you are seeing to life.

See more on tours in the section on tours in this guide.

Below are some of our favourite parts of the Vatican Museums. These are all accessible with a standard ticket. There are other areas of the Vatican that we love that require a special ticket, like the Bramante staircase, but we wanted to focus on the general access areas for the highlights.

If you would like to plan a route before you visit, we suggest downloading the free Vatican Map from the official Vatican website here . This map is also available for free from the Vatican ticket office.

The Sistine Chapel is definitely one of the highlights of a visit to the Vatican Museums. This chapel, named for Pope Sixtux IV who had it commissioned, is world famous for its incredible frescoes.

The most famous of these frescoes are those painted on the ceiling, and the one above the altar. They were both created by the Renaissance master Michelangelo.

The frescoes on the ceiling depict the creation of Earth as told in the Book of Genesis. This story is told in nine panels, starting with The Separation of Light from Darkness and finishing with the Drunkenness of Noah . Perhaps the most famous of these is the Creation of Adam panel, which depicts God giving life to Adam.

The frescos above the altar depict the Last Judgement, essentially the Second Coming of Christ and the separation of sinners from the saved.

There is of course more to the Sistine Chapel than the incredible frescoes by Michaelangelo. The other walls are also all decorated, with artwork from Boticellii, Perugino and Ghirlandaio to name but a few. As you would expect, these also depict various religious scenes.

A visit to the Sistine Chapel is a must when visiting the Vatican. It is not a huge space but it does tend to get fairly crowded as the day goes on.

This is also one of the few places in the Vatican Museums where photography is strictly prohibited. We have seen people escorted out for violating this rule, so we’d suggest just enjoying the incredible art on display, and then if you want a memento, buy a postcard on your way out from the Vatican Gift Shop.

If you want a special experience of the Sistine Chapel with fewer people, then we recommend taking an early access tour.

We have done both the Pristine Sistine tour and the Key Master tour (see our Key Master Tour review here ), both of which get you into the Sistine Chapel earlier than normal for a more peaceful experience.

Gallery of Maps

One of my personal favourite attractions in the Vatican Museums is the Gallery of Maps , or Galleria delle carte geografiche.  This is located on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard.

The Gallery of Maps is essentially a 120 metre long, six metre wide corridor. On the walls, 40 maps depict the main regions and cities of the Italian Peninsula.

These date from the 1580s and were painted by the friar and geographer Ignazio Dante at the request of Pope Gregory XIII.

He wanted to be able to “travel” to the different Italian states on the Italian peninsula (Italy was not a single country at that point) without actually have to leave the Vatican, and the incredibly detailed maps allowed him to do so.

A visit to the Gallery of Maps is always a highlight of our time in the Vatican Museums, and one we highly recommend.

The Borgia Apartment

The Borgia Apartment ( Appartamento Borgia ) is a series of six rooms in the Vatican Museums which were commissioned by Pope Alexander VI in the late 15th century. He was from the Borgia family, hence the name given to the apartments.

Alexander VI engaged the Italian painter Pinturicchio to decorate the six rooms with frescoes, which feature a range of subjects, from Old and New Testament scenes through to depictions of the planets.

Some of the frescoes also references notable events of the time, including what is believed to be one of the first depictions of a Native American in Europe. The frescoes were painted around the time that Columbus returned from the New World, and “The Resurrection” in the Room of Liberal Arts contains these depictions.

Alexander’s legacy as Pope was somewhat tarnished by his various affairs. In fact, the word Borgia became a common term for a lack of morals, corruption and nepotism.

After his fairly gruesome death (believed to be poisoning), the Borgia Apartments were sealed, and only re-opened and restored in the 19th century by Pope Leo XIII.

Today, the six apartments feature the original frescoes which have been restored. They also house part of the Vatican’s collection of contemporary art. They can now all be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Raphael’s Rooms

There are four rooms in the Vatican Museums which are together known as the Stanze di Raffaello , or Raphael’s Rooms .

These rooms were originally intended to be an apartment for Pope Julius II, with some suspecting the idea was to outdo the Borgia Apartment of Alexander VI.

Whatever the reason, he commissioned Raphael to create the frescoes in the early 16th century, starting with the library.

Unfortunately, Julius II died before they were completed, and in fact Raphael himself died in 1520 before all four rooms were completed in 1524.

However, Raphael did complete the majority of the work, with his students finishing the rest after his death.

Our favourite of the rooms was the first to be completed, which features “The School of Athens”, “The Parnassus” and the “Disputa”.

The School of Athens in particular is a highlight, and is widely regarded as one of Raphael’s best works. It has incredible perspective and there’s even a sneaky appearance by the artist himself, staring out at the viewer.

It’s definitely worth taking a tour like one of these to get the most from these paintings as there is a lot to unpack in just these four rooms!

The Pinacoteca / Vatican Art Gallery

The Pinacoteca , or Vatican Art Gallery, has been the home of some of the Vatican Museum’s most impressive art since it opened in 1932.

It’s essentially a mini art museum inside the Vatican, and you have to ensure you include it on a visit.

Across 18 rooms you will find over 400 works from some of Italy’s most well-known artists including Raphael, Caravaggio, Tiziano, Titian, and Da Vinci, to name but a few.

The museum was purpose-built to provide the best viewing conditions of the collection, whilst preserving them for future generations. It’s arranged chronologically, so as you move through the rooms you are essentially taking a tour through time from the 12th century Medieval period right up to the 19th century.

Obviously, 400 paintings are a lot, and you could honestly spend a big chunk of your time in the Vatican just exploring the Pinacoteca. But if you wanted to hone in on some highlights, consider:

• Giotto’s “ Stefaneschi Polyptych ” (Room II)
• Raphael’s “ The Transfiguration of Christ ” (Room VIII)
• “The Last Supper Tapestry” (Room VIII)
• Leonardo Da Vinci’s “ St. Jerome in the Desert ” (Room IX)
• Tiziano’s “ Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints ” (Room X)
• Caravaggio’s “ Deposition from the Cross ” (Room XII)

Of course, there are highlights in every room. The Vatican Museum websites list their highlights by room on the official Pinacoteca website here .

The Pio Clementino Museum

The Pio Clementine Museum (Museo Pio Clementino) is home to a collection of classical sculpture, and is where some of the first objects in the Vatican Museums were displayed. Pope Julius II used this area of the Vatican in the early 16th century to display a collection of antique sculptures.

There are many highlights in the Pio Clementino Museum, but some stand out rooms and sculptures not to miss include the following.

The Octagonal Court

The Octagonal Court is a stunning courtyard found in the Pio Clementino Museum. Many of the objects on display here are still in exactly the same place they were back in the early 1500s, including the Belvedere Apollo and the statue of Laocoön and His Sons.

The Belvedere Apollo is definitely not to be missed when you visit the Octagonal Court. Depicting the Greek god Apollo, it dates from around 120AD, and is widely regarded as being one of the greatest ancient sculptures.

The statue of Laocoön and His Sons is another must-see marble statue in the Octagonal Court. This one depicts the Trojan Priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents. It is believed to date from around 200BC, and was put on display in the Octagonal Courtyard in 1506.

The Round Hall

The Round Hall , also known as the Round Room, is, as the name suggests, a circular room. It was designed int he 18th century in homage to the circular Pantheon.

It’s hard to miss the highlight of this room, which is a massive red porphyry basin which dates to Imperial Rome. Around this enormous basin are niches displaying huge statues.

There is of course more to see in the Pio Clementino Museum, including the Gallery of Statues and the Hall of Busts, the Hall of Muses, and much more.

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

When you enter St. Peter’s Square, you will instantly notice the giant Ancient Egyptian Obelisk sitting at the centre. It’s fair to say that Imperial Rome was pretty obsessed with and influenced by Egypt.

To learn more about the relationship between Ancient Rome and Egypt, you’ll want to visit the Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Museo Gregoriano Egizio) in the Vatican. Spread across six rooms, this museum has everything from stone tablets to artefacts relating to death. Definitely worth a visit for those with an interest in Egyptology.

Carriage Pavilion

Founded in 1973, the Carriage Museum ( Padiglione delle Carrozze ) is one of the newer museums you can visit at the Vatican. It can also be a bit tricky to find, but it is marked on the map.

As the name suggests, it’s home to various modes of transport used by Popes from carriages to motorcars known as the Popemobiles. It’s not well-known and so makes for a welcome escape from the crowds!

Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase

Even the exit from the Vatican is going to be a highlight of your visit. Once you have finished with the gift shop you are going to head down the stunning double-helix staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932.

This is actually only one of two double-helix staircases in the Apostolic Palace. The other one was designed by Bramante in 1505. Both the original and the homage to the original by Momo are often referred to as the Bramante staircase, which can be a bit confusing.

The original Bramante staircase though is not normally open to the public.

Still, the 1932 version is absolutely stunning and you will definitely want to capture some images of it before and as you descend.

And now we are done with the highlights of the Vatican Museums! Let’s move on to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Highlights in St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there is a lot to see and do in St. Peter’s Basilica. However, we do have some favourites that we recommend you include when you visit.

High Altar & Bernini’s Canopy (Baldachin)

The centrepiece of any church is normally the altar, and St. Peter’s Basilica is no exception. Whilst the basilica is home to at least 15 altars, the High Altar is naturally the most impressive.

This is situated directly underneath the dome of the basilica, and above what is said to be the resting place of St. Peter himself.

The most impressive part of the High Altar has to be the incredible sculpted bronze canopy (known as a Baldachin) designed by Bernini. This soars almost 100ft (30 metres) above the altar itself, with four helical columns presided over by four massive angels.

It’s hard to miss, and definitely something you will want to see in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Chair of St. Peter

The Chair of St. Peter, also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a wooden throne which is one of the more important relics in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The original wooden chair was believed to have belonged to St. Peter himself, and today it is displayed above the second major altar in the basilica, which is found in the apse of the basilica behind the main altar.

The chair is enclosed in a sculpted bronze encasing which was designed by Bernini, and which is itself an important artwork.

Michaelangelo’s Pietà

The Madonna della Pietà, often just referred to as La Pietà, is one of the many sculptures created by the Renaissance master Michaelangelo. It’s particularly noteworthy as it’s the only piece he ever signed.

It is also, of course, a masterpiece. The sculpture, which dates from the late 15th century, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus following his death. It is remarkably lifelike and beautifully detailed.

The Pieta is easy to find in Saint Peter’s Basilica, it is in the first chapel to the right as you enter the church.

The Vatican Grottoes (not to be confused with the Vatican Necropolis, both of which are under St. Peter’s Basilica) are where you will find the remains of the original 4th century Basilica. This stood until the 15th century, when the new Basilica was built.

You can visit the Vatican Grottoes for free as part of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, and it is well worth doing. This is where you can see sections of the original Basilica, as well as the graves of a great many Popes who were buried down here.

Access to the grottoes is near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave

One of the most well-known Popes of the 20th century was Pope John Paul II, who because a Saint after his death. It is a popular place of pilgrimage, and can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Pope was originally buried in the Vatican Grottoes, however, following his canonization in 2011 his remains were moved to the Chapel of St. Sebastian.

This can be found on the right of the central nave in the basilica (as you are looking at the High Altar from the entrance), and is next to the niche where you will find Michelangelo’s Pieta.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave is under the altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and there is a marble slab marking his grave with the inscription IOANNES PAVLVS PP. II.

Statue of Saint Peter

At many pilgrimage locations around the world you will find some sort of item that pilgrims wish to touch, usually in order to receive a blessing.

In St. Peter’s Basilica, that item is the 13th century Statue of Saint Peter. This bronze statue features St. Peter sitting on a marble chair, holding the keys of heaven in one hand and giving a blessing with the other hand.

Touching (or kissing) the feet of the Saint is a very popular tradition that has likely been going on for hundreds of years. It’s quite easy to find the Statue of St. Peter, it is by a pillar in the centre of the nave near the High Altar. There will also likely be a line of people queuing up to touch the foot of the statue.

Tomb of Pope Alexander VII

I think it is fair to say that Bernini did quite a lot of work in and around St. Peter’s Basilica! His last great work, designed when he was 80, is the monumental tomb of Pope Alexander VII.

This was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, who unfortunately died around 11 years before it was actually completed and unveiled in 1678.

The monument itself is created from marble and has six main figures, including Alexander himself. There are then four female statues representing four virtues, Charity, Truth, Prudence and Justice. The last statue features Death holding an hourglass to represent the passing of time and of course mortality.

The monument is found in the south transept of St. Peter’s Basilica.

My personal favourite activity at St. Peter’s Basilica is the climb to the top of the dome. This does have a small fee, which you can pay on site, but the experience is very much worth it.

The dome climb has you climbing from the bottom of St. Peter’s Basilica right to the very top of the dome, from where you will get excellent views across St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican, and most of Rome.

If you are not feeling fit enough to tackle the 500+ steps, you can pay a little bit more to take the elevator. However, this still requires climbing quite a few steps.

We actually prefer the steps over the elevator, not because of the sense of accomplishment, but because the route takes you up through some fascinating parts of the basilica that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see.

And yes, there is a definite sense of accomplishment when you see the view having done all the steps!

Note that you have to pay on site for the dome climb unless you book a tour like this which includes a dome climb. For a long time this was cash only, however the last time we visited they accepted cash and credit cards. When we visited it cost €8 to climb the steps and €10 to take the elevator. The entrance is to the left of the Basilica as you face the entrance, and is well signposted.

Planning your Vatican Visit

We’ll now cover some important information to help you plan you visit to the Vatican City attractions.

Options for how to visit the Vatican

You have a number of options for visiting the Vatican City attractions. These are as follows:

• Turn up on the day without any tickets and purchase tickets in person (not recommended except at the quietest times of year)
• Book tickets directly or via third-party sites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Book a guided tour with a walking tour company
• Use a Rome attraction pass which includes some of the attractions in the Vatican City

How Long to Visit the Vatican For

As you have probably noted by now, there is a lot to do and see at the Vatican. We’d recommend spending at least four hours here, which will allow you to see the highlights of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the main outdoor spaces like St. Peter’s Square.

However, there is plenty to see, so you could easily spend all day here, or even multiple days! But four hours would be our recommended minimum.

Most people do not have days to see everything within Vatican City. So here are some ideas for what to prioritize depending on how much time you have:

Suggested Half Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have half a day to visit the Vatican, we’d suggest the following highlights:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter and Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
• Vatican Museums, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

We would recommend either booking a tour which includes the above attractions like this one  or  this one .

If you would prefer to be self-guided, then we recommend visiting St. Peter’s Basilica first at opening time, and then booking timed entry for the Vatican Museums at opening time. This will ensure you don’t get caught up in the lines for St. Peter’s Basilica, which get longer as the day progresses. You also won’t have to stand in the ticket line for the Vatican Museums.

Suggested Full Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have a full day to visit the Vatican sights then you can take your time and have more of a leisurely experience.

In this case we’d probably recommend something like the following:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter, Tomb of Pope Alexander VII, the Grottes and Dome. You may also consider advance booking a Necropolis Tour.
• Break for lunch / coffee
• Vatican Museum, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Vatican Historical Museum, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

Again, you could look at booking tours of both of these attractions. Timing wise, this will depend a little on the time of year you visit. In the summer months the Vatican Museums can get very hot, so you might want to do this in the morning and then visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the afternoon.

Tips for Pilgrims & Seeing the Religious Highlights

If you are visiting the Vatican as a pilgrim, then you will likely want to prioritize the religious highlights of the Vatican City.

Our recommended activities would be:

• Attending mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
• Attending a Papal Audience or Sunday Blessing if the Pope is in residence
• Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, including the Necropolis where St. Peter is buried
• Visiting the religious highlights in the Vatican Musuems, including the Vatican Historical Museum
• Visiting the museum gift shop which offers a number of religious items including rosaries and crucifixes.

You may also consider booking a specific tour which focuses more on the religious highlights and history of the Vatican attractions.

Can you Visit the Papal Apartments at the Vatican?

You cannot visit the private Papal Apartments where the current Pope lives. However, previous Popes have lived in different areas of the Apostolic Palace, and some of these areas can be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Two stand out locations in the Vatican Museum which were former Papal Apartments are the Raphael Rooms and the Borgia Apartments. These can both be visited as part of your Vatican Museums ticket.

Can You See the Pope at the Vatican?

When the Pope is in residence, it is possible to actually see him if you plan ahead.

The best option to see the Pope at the Vatican is to attend either a Papal Audience or a Papal Mass. These are free events, you just need to book a ticket.

You can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon on a Sunday for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

Where is Castel Gandolfo?

You may have heard of Castel Gandolfo, or the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo to give it its more formal name. This was long used as the Pope’s summer residence, but it is not found in Vatican City. It’s actually 16 miles (25 km) southeast of Rome, overlooking Lake Albano.

The Palace is a 135-acre complex of buildings and gardens, found in the town of Castel Gandolfo. The current Pope does not use it as his summer residence, but many previous Popes have.

The good news is that you can actually visit Castel Gandolfo and tour the Papal Palace and Gardens. You can either do this yourself, or you can book a tour from Rome which includes transport and access to the gardens and palace.

The Vatican Museums sell tickets for a tour which includes a tour of the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, a return train trip and a tour of the Palace and Gardens. Other companies also do tours, including this tour with Take Walks and these options on GetYourGuide.

Vatican Ticket Information

Below we’re going to cover everything you need to know regarding getting tickets for the Vatican City attractions. This will cover which attractions you need tickets for, how much tickets cost, where to get them and more!

Do You Need a Ticket for the Vatican?

You do not need a ticket to visit the Vatican City State.

However, many of attractions and activities do require visitors to have a ticket or to be part of a tour, which includes:

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Papal Audience / Papal Mass
• St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

We recommend booking tickets in advance where possible to avoid disappointment.

How Much does it Cost to Visit the Vatican?

Prices for the attractions inside the Vatican City vary depending on exactly what you want to see. However, you can see an idea of prices for the attractions as follows.

Prices are correct as of January 2024.

Vatican Museums Ticket Price

There is an entry fee for the Vatican Museums. This is as follows:

• €20 if booked in person at the ticket office (not recommended due to the length of the lines!)
• €20 + €5 booking fee (€25 total) if booked on the official Vatican tickets website ( recommended option )
• From around €31 via a third-party site such as GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ). Recommended option if the official site is sold out.

Note that if you buy a ticket from a third-party site our experience is that it is normally a voucher that needs to be exchanged for an actual ticket on entry. Instructions will be provided on purchase and there should be a specific entry line for holders of these tickets.

St. Peter’s Basilica Ticket Price

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit, although there are some passes which include fast-track entry such as the Rome Tourist Card . Alternatively, you can book a guided tour which includes fast-track entry.

In busier months these can definitely be worth it as the lines for entry can be very long.

You can also pay for additional activities as follows:

• Sacristy & Treasury Museum of St. Peter’s Basilica (€5)
• Dome climb €8 (stairs), €10 (elevator)
• Official 1hr audioguide €5

Vatican Necropolis Ticket Price

The part of the Vatican Necropolis under St. Peter’s can only be visited on a guided tour. This costs €13 per person as of 2024. See the entry on the Vatican Necropolis for booking instructions.

Note the last time I booked this tour it included some discounts on St. Peter’s Basilica activities, including the museum, audio guide and dome entrance. These discounts were sent to me by e-mail after I booked the tour.

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis is a separate ticket. It includes a guided tour of the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis lasting around 90 minutes, and ticket prices are €20 for adults in 2024. Tickets can be purchased online in advance from the official Vatican ticket site here .

Papal Audience / Papal Mass Ticket Price

Tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Masses are free and there is no booking fee. See the section on tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Mass for booking instructions.

Where to Buy Vatican Tickets

As covered above, some of the attractions in the Vatican require tickets. There are various options for purchasing tickets for these attractions, as follows.

Where to Buy Vatican Museums Tickets

Normally the first place you should check for tickets for the Vatican Museums is on the official website here . These tend to be the best value tickets and the website has a range of ticket options including basic entry tickets, guided tours, and tickets which include locations like the Vatican Gardens.

We also recommend checking ticket options on third-party sites, and we specifically recommend either GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ).

Whilst prices on third party sites can be higher, they sometimes have more availability as well as more flexible cancellation policies (depending on the ticket type). So they are definitely worth checking.

Vatican Museum Tickets Sold Out? You still have options to visit the Vatican!

The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are a very popular attraction, and they do have capacity limits. That means tickets can sell out, especially at busier times of year.

The good news is that even when tickets have sold out on the official site you still have options. These will be slightly more expensive, but often come with additional features.

First, check other ticket types on the official site here . Whilst the standard entry ticket might have sold out, other ticket types such as guided tours or tickets with access to other areas of the Vatican may have availability.

Next, check the options for Vatican entry on GetYourGuide . There are a range of options, including guided tours like this one which includes St. Peter’s Basilica. This can be a good way to get last minute entry to the Vatican and get a tour as well, which is our recommended way of seeing the Vatican Museums. GetYourGuide tickets also have a specific entry line.

Finally, check these tickets on Tiqets . They are pre-purchased so they do often have availability even if the official site is sold out.

Speaking of tours, our favourite walking tour operator in Italy is Take Walks. We’ve done walks with them all over the world, including a number of tours in the Vatican. You can see their Vatican tours here . Again, these might have availability even when entry tickets are sold out.

We hope that one of the above options will allow you to visit the Vatican Museums, even if you are looking for tickets at the last minute.

Where to Buy St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets

St. Peter’s Basilica is free, so there is no need to purchase tickets.

In previous years, there was the option to purchase a skip the line ticket, which allowed you to skip the often very long lines and get into the Basilica more quickly for a fee. This was discontinued in 2022 (although many sites still talk about it).

This ticket type is supposed to return. However, in the meantime, the only option for skipping the lines is to book a tour like this one .

Another option is to book a Vatican tour like this one which also include St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of the Take Walks tours also include St. Peter’s Basilica. You can see all their Rome tours here .

Where to Buy Vatican Necropolis Tickets

The only way to book Vatican Necropolis tickets is to e-mail the Vatican Scavi office at [email protected].

In the e-mail you need to provide the exact number of participants, their full names, language of the tour, the dates you are available to visit and your full contact information.

There is more information on the official website here , but the last time we checked it was a little out of date as it mentions faxing, when e-mail is actually the preferred option. When we have booked the tour we have always gotten a response within a day or two via e-mail.

Where to Buy Papal Audience and Papal Mass Tickets

Papal Audience and Papal Mass tickets are free, however you do need to arrange them in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

The tickets are usually easy to come by (except at popular times like Easter), and you have a few options for getting them.

First, you will want to check there is an audience or mass on the date you wish to attend, which you can do on this Vatican page for 2024 . Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance.

Next, for advance bookings (recommended) and groups over 10, you need to contact the Prefecture of the Papal Household, which you can do as follows:

• by e-mail at [email protected]
• by fax on (+39) 06 698 85863
• by mail at: Prefecture of the Papal Household, 00120 Vatican City State

Include the number of tickets required, the event you wish to participate in, the date you wish to visit, your first and last name, and your e-mail address. You can see this information here on the official Vatican website where there is also a form you can download to make things easier.

If you book in advance, you will still need to collect your tickets in person at the Bronze Door in the Vatican (found under the right-hand colonnade in St Peter’s Square, here on Google Maps ), either the day before the event between 3pm and 7pm. or on the day from 7am. We would recommend collecting them the day before if possible.

It is also possible to obtain tickets when you are in Rome, just by going up to the Bronze Door and asking the Swiss Guards. These are of course subject to availability.

For more information on how to reserve tickets and attend a papal ceremony, see this page of the official Vatican website.

Can you Skip the Lines at the Vatican?

The various attractions at the Vatican have slightly different systems in place for access.

All the Vatican attractions have a security line, which cannot be skipped. However, there are different options for skipping the ticket lines, so we will go through these.

Vatican Museum Skip the Line Access

The main line you can skip at the Vatican is the ticket line. This line can be incredibly long on a busy day, and is definitely one you will want to try and skip.

The good news is that the Vatican Museum ticket line is easy to skip. You can skip this line by purchasing an advance ticket or booking a tour. Both of these include your entry ticket so you can skip the ticket line.

St. Peter’s Basilica Skip the Line Access

As of 2024 there is no fast-track entry for St. Peter’s Basilica. The only line is for security, but this can take a while on a busy day. We’d suggest getting here as early as possible to avoid this line.

The good news is that there are a few options for getting faster entry. Currently, these all involve booking a tour.

First, you can book a combined tour of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Group tours are able to use a special access corridor that leads from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, which entirely skips all the lines and saves you walking around the whole Vatican Museum building.

The disadvantage of this is that you don’t get the opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums at the end of your tour. Most tours which just cover the Vatican Museums end inside the Museum, so you can then go see any additional areas that the tour might have missed.

Another option is to just book a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Whilst these tours do still have to go through security, entry is normally quicker than the standard entry line.

Finally, you can book the Vatican Necropolis tour. This tour actually ends inside St. Peter’s Basilica, so you skip the main entry line.

Rome Passes that Include the Vatican

Another option for visiting the Vatican City attractions is to purchase an attraction pass which includes either entry or a guided tour of the attractions. There are a few to choose from, our suggestions to check out are:

• The Rome Tourist Card
• The Omnia Card
• The Omnia Vatican and Rome Card

The right card for you will depend on what other attractions you plan to visit during your time in Rome and the Vatican.

We’d recommend reading our guides to spending 1 day in Rome , 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome for some inspiration to help you decide what other attractions you would like to see.

When is the Vatican Free in 2024?

Visiting the Vatican City is always free. St. Peter’s Basilica is also free, although you can pay for a tour to skip the lines at busier times of year.

The Vatican Museums are normally free on the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). However, beware that the museums, which are normally busy anyway, can be super busy during free days.

Tours at the Vatican

We highly recommend taking a tour of the major Vatican attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. There is so much to see here, and having a guide can really help you navigate, see the major highlights, and really get a feel for what you are seeing.

Tours of the Vatican Museums

There are a lot of guided tours to choose from at the Vatican Museums. We’d recommend picking a tour that is at least 3 hours long as there is so much to see and a shorter tour might not cover enough.

We’ll go through some of our recommended tour options, although of course there are lots to choose from across a range of price points.

• The Pristine Sistine tour with Take Walks. It includes early entry, a smaller group, and it also includes St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ve done walks with Take Walks all around the world and always enjoyed their tours.
• Vatican Key Master Tour . Another tour with Take Walks, this is the most exclusive tour of the Vatican currently available. It basically has you walking through the Vatican and opening it up before anyone else is allowed inside. It’s an incredible experience, one of our favourite Vatican tours, but it’s not going to be for everyone. See our full Vatican Key Master Tour review to see if this tour might be right for you.
• This five hour tour covers many of the highlights of the Vatican Museums as well as St. Peter’s Basilica including the Dome.
• This is a shorter 3 hour tour which focuses on the highlights, and includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
• This private tour includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and has the option for hotel pickup as well.
• Visiting the Vatican Museums with kids? Check out this private kid-friendly Vatican Museums tour

Of course, there are many more tours to choose from. You can see all the Take Walks Vatican tours here , as well as Vatican tours on GetYourGuide here and Viator here .

There are also full day tours of Rome which cover more than just the Vatican. If that’s of interest, we recommend this 1 day Best of Rome tour from Take Walks which includes the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Vatican Museums.

When it comes to picking the right tour, we recommend reading recent reviews and of course picking a tour that matches your budget.

Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there’s a lot to see in St. Peter’s Basilica, and a tour can be a great way to do that.

Many of our recommended Vatican tours (see above) also include St. Peter’s Basilica, which can be a good option for visiting both locations. However, there are also tours which only visit the Basilica, which is what we’ll focus on in this section to avoid repeating ourselves!

• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with Take Walks offers early entry, a dome climb and a visit to the crypt
• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica includes the main areas of the Basilica as well as the Dome and Crypts
• This early morning tour of St. Peter’s Basilica will let you enjoy the Basilica with less crowds. It also includes a dome climb.

Again, there are plenty more tour options to choose from, including this selection on GetYourGuide and this selection on Viator .

Practicalities for Visiting the Vatican

Now we will go through some practicalities for visiting the Vatican, which covers all the things you need to think about when planning a visit.

Dress Code at the Vatican

Whilst the Vatican State does not have a dress code, the major attractions within it do. These are religious venues, and as such a dress code is strictly enforced.

We have seen many people turned away from entering these attractions because they didn’t dress appropriately. This is not unique to the Vatican, most religious sites across Rome & Italy have similar dress codes in place.

The good news is that the dress code is not hard to get right. Basically, everyone visiting the Vatican needs to have their knees covered and the shoulders, chest area, and upper arms covered. T-shirts are fine.

Men are also required to remove any hats. Women can continue to wear headwear.

Essentially, if you dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, you’ll be fine. You’ll want to avoid any short skirts, shorts, or dresses (they need to be knee length or longer). You’ll also want to avoid sleeveless tops, tank tops, crop tops, and low-cut shirts. Tops need to cover shoulders, cleavage, and midriff/belly. This applies for all visitors, including both men and women.

It is also worth noting that the dress code extends to include any visible personal objects or signs (including tattoos) that may offend Catholic morality, the Catholic religion, or common decency.

The Vatican is not specific about precisely what this means, but we’d advise against wearing any clothing which has explicit content, and if you feel you have body art which may offend, to consider covering it up.

You can learn more about the dress code requirements here .

We normally are appropriately dressed when travelling in Italy, but Jess always carries a travel wrap or travel scarf in her day bag just in case we forget or someone is being especially strict. A scarf or wrap is handy as it can be used to cover shoulders and chest or be tied around the waist.

Facilities at the Vatican

There are a number of toilets that are available for public use in the Vatican State. In St. Peter’s Square there are two toilets that are open to the public. There are also toilets inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For food and drink, there are a number of food and drink options in the Vatican Museums, including self-service options and sit-down options.

You can bring your own snack food and soft drinks into the Vatican Museums, but be aware that you are not allowed to consume food or drink in the actual exhibition halls inside the Vatican Museum.

There are also a number of dining and cafe options around the Vatican area, including some of our favourite coffee shops in Rome and gelaterias in Rome .

Security at the Vatican

All the major attractions at the Vatican have security checks in place, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

There are fairly common-sense restrictions around what is not permitted inside. Items like knives, scissors and other metal tools are forbidden. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted inside. All these items can however be stored in the Vatican Museums cloakroom which is a free service.

Weapons and hazardous materials are not permitted in Vatican attractions, and these cannot be stored at the Vatican Museums Cloak Room.

Accessibility at the Vatican

Despite being found in some very old buildings, the majority of attractions in the Vatican are set up to be as accessible as possible. Just be aware that parts of the outside are quite uneven, especially St. Peter’s Square which is cobbled, so care will need to be taken.

The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire for those with mobility issues. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are also permitted in most areas (with some exceptions). There are also lifts and ramps for access to most areas. Accessible toilets are also available.

There is a suggested itinerary for those with mobility issues which allows visitors to access the majority of the museum. You can see this on the accessibility page here .

The Vatican Museums also have special services for hearing impaired and both blind and partially sighted visitors. More information on these services can be found on the accessibility page .

St. Peter’s Basilica is also accessible via ramps and an elevator and the interior of the Basilica is flat. There are also accessible toilets near the entrance. However, the grotto and necropolis cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. There is an elevator to the dome area, however there are still some steps to the top of the dome making this not accessible.

If you are visiting the Vatican as a wheelchair user, this company offers wheelchair hire as well as wheelchair friendly guided tours of the main Vatican attractions.

Luggage storage Near the Vatican

Large bags, including rucksacks, suitcases, packages and containers are not allowed in the Vatican attractions. This also includes tripods, selfie-sticks umbrellas and any banners or signs. Walking sticks are permitted.

The Vatican Museums have a free cloakroom where these items can be left. St. Peter’s Basilica does not have a cloakroom, however there are a number of luggage storage options near the Vatican.

Tips for Visiting the Vatican

We have been lucky enough to visit the Vatican a number of times over the years, both as part of guided tours and on our own. From our experiences, we wanted to share some tips for visiting.

Plan your day in advance

You will definitely have an improved experience at the Vatican if you plan your activities in advance. That means booking any tours or tickets in advance.

The Vatican attractions, and especially the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are amongst the most popular visitor attractions in the world. That means the queues can be long, and they can sell out.

It’s also important to check that the attractions you want to visit are going to be open on the days you plan to visit, and that events like a Papal Audience are not going to impact your visit.

Overall, having a plan for what you want to see and when, and booking any tickets, tours or passes in advance of your visit is going to make for a much more pleasant visit.

Consider a Guided Tour or Audio Guide

We highly recommend taking a guided tour of the Vatican attractions when you visit. A guide will be able to lead you to the highlights and help give you context and information about what you are seeing.

We’ve taken a number of tours of the Vatican, and our favourite tours have all been with Take Walks. Their guides really know their stuff, and their passion always shines through. That said, there are lots of tour operators running Vatican tours, so you should be able to find something that meets your requirements.

If you decide not to take a guided tour, then we recommend at least getting an audio guide. Both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica offer audioguides which are available just near the entrance for a small fee. These are well worth it in our opinion.

Dress and Pack Accordingly

First, you are going to want to ensure you adhere to the dress code for your visit to the various Vatican attractions, as already outlined in this section on what to wear in the Vatican.

The next thing you are definitely going to want to bring is a pair of comfortable shoes. You will be walking a great deal as you explore the Vatican, and a good pair of shoes will ensure your feet are comfortable throughout the day. Check out our guides to the best travel shoes for men and the best travel shoes for women to help you find the right shoes.

You will also want to bring some drinking water so you can stay hydrated, we always travel with a reusuable water bottle. A camera is of course also a must!

It is also a good idea to leave items such as large bags, luggage, food and drinks, knives, laser pointers, tripods, scissors, video cameras, etc. at your hotel if you don’t need them that day. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to check them at the Cloakroom as they are not permitted inside the Vatican Museums.

Be Wary of on-site Touts at the Vatican

When you arrive at the Vatican it is very likely that you will be approached by official looking individuals offering you tours or tickets which might include fast-track entry. They may even try to tell you that you need to book a tour or a ticket with them in order to get entry.

Normally these folks are not affiliated with the Vatican. Instead, they are trying to sell guided tours or pre-bought fast-track tickets. These will generally be at inflated prices.

If you don’t pre-book a ticket for the Vatican Museums and find yourself in the long ticket lines, they will also attempt to persuade you to purchase a fast-track ticket, which will likely be tempting if the ticket line is stretching out of sight around the building.

Our recommendation is to skip the touts entirely, and to plan your tickets in advance. That way, when you are approached, you can just politely refuse their services. If you do happen to turn up at the Vatican without a ticket, I’d suggest finding a coffee shop or similar location with free WiFi and either checking the official website, or using a service like GetYourGuide or Tiqets to book a same day ticket.

Skip the Free Days, or Arrive Very Early

As mentioned previously, the Vatican Museums are free on some days of the year. Whilst these days can be a good way to see the museums without spending any money, they are also incredibly popular. The queues stretch for hours on the free days.

If you really want to visit the Vatican Museums on a free day, then I would advise arriving as early as possible so you don’t have to queue for as long.

Arrive Early

Regardless of whether or not you are visiting on a free day, you will want to arrive early for both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit, this is because the line for security tends to just get longer as the day progresses. The Basilica opens early, so if you can be here at opening time you will be able to skip that lengthy wait.

For the Vatican Museums, if you pre-book your ticket, you will be visiting with timed entry. We suggest booking your entry for as early in the day as possible, especially in the warmer months.

This is because the majority of the Vatican Museums are not air-conditioned, and it gets progressively hotter as the day goes by. If you arrive early, you will be able to explore with fewer people and at more manageable temperatures.

If you are taking a a guided tour, then we suggest booking a tour with early entry for the same reasons, but also so you can experience the museums with even fewer people.

Escape the Crowds at the Vatican.

Almost any time of year that you visit the Vatican it is going to be crowded, and it just seems to get busier as the day goes on. Between giant tour groups and security guards ushering you on, it can become a bit of an overwhelming experience.

The good news is that there are far less popular areas of the Vatican that are well worth visiting, where you can take a break from the crowds. Whilst the Map Room, Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms are nearly always crowded, locations like the Pinacoteca and Carriage Pavillion receive far fewer visitors.

If you want to really escape the crowds, head to the basement level where you’ll find the coin and stamp collection ( Museo Filatelico e Numismatico ). Sure, it might not have quite the headline status of the Sistine Chapel, but it is almost guaranteed to be a more peaceful experience!

Attractions Near the Vatican

Vatican City is home to a great many attractions, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do. However, if you are planning your time in Rome and want to see some other sights on the same day you might be wondering what other attractions are near the Vatican. Here are some ideas for nearby attractions, ordered by distance.

• Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci – this small museum is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci’s life and works. There are no original artworks but it is interesting nonetheless. 5 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.
• Castel Sant’Angelo – a stunning 2nd century castle, 10 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Piazza Navona – one of Rome’s most famous squares, with a stunning Bernini waterfall as the centrepiece. 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Villa Farnesina – a beautiful Renaissance-era suburban villa, found in trendy Trastevere neighbourhood, 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Belvedere del Gianicolo – a popular viewpoint which overlooks the city of Rome. 25 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.

There are of course more sights all around Rome that you can visit, but this should give you some ideas of nearby attractions to consider.

Where to Stay Near the Vatican

There are a lot of accommodation options in Rome, across a wide range of budget and styles. Here, we’ll share some options for accommodation near the Vatican. These are ordered approximately by distance. Prices do vary, so you will want to compare before booking.

We’d recommend booking a hotel with air-conditioning if visiting in the summer especially as Rome can get very hot.

• Residenza Paolo VI – this well-rated four star hotel set in a converted monastery is just moments away from St. Peter’s Basilica. There are lovely views of both the Basilica and St. Peter’s Square from the Terrace, and it’s only 15 minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums.
• Palazzo Cardinal Cesi – another well-rated four-star hotel just 150 yards from Saint Peter’s Square. The 15th century building has a courtyard garden and a selection of comfortable rooms to choose from.
• Elle Boutique Hotel -this four-star boutique hotel is around 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica with views of the Dome.
• Starhotels Michelangelo Rome – another well-review four-star hotel just 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica offering classically decorated rooms. There’s also an on-site restaurant.
• Tmark Hotel Vaticano – this four-star hotel is moments from the entrance to the Vatican Museums and about a 10 minute walk to St. Peter’s Square.
• Best Western Plus Hotel Spring House – this well reviewed hotel is just three minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums and around 10 minutes from St. Peter’s Square
• Hotel Silla – this 2-star hotels offers great value accommodation just eight minutes walk from the Vatican Museums and 13 minutes from St. Peter’s Square. It’s also right next to Ottaviano metro station, for easy access to sights around Rome.
• Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá – this luxury 5* hotel is abouta 15 minute walk from St. Peter’s Square or 25 minutes to the Vatican Museums entrance. It’s also just 10 minutes from the trendy Trastevere region.

Of course, there are many more options. See the listings for accommodation near the Vatican on Booking.com here .

How to Find More Information on Visiting the Vatican?

There are a great many websites with information on visiting the Vatican (including this one!).

I have endeavored to make this site as accurate as possible based on our personal experience and knowledge from multiple visits to the Vatican over many years.

There are of course official sites for the Vatican which I would also recommend reading. These are:

• https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html – the official Vatican website, which has information on opening times and visiting, attending Papal Audiences , visiting St Peter’s Basilica and more. I’ll be honest, this site can be difficult to navigate and pages are not always available, but it’s the best place to start
• https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/ – the official Vatican State website, which has information on services, live webcams and history. Currently only in Italian as far as we can tell.
• https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html – the official Vatican Museums website, where you can purchase tickets, learn about the collection, take virtual tours, and plan your visit. Well worth visiting in advance of your trip to get some ideas for what to see.

Personally, I would suggest starting with the above sites when looking for information on visiting the Vatican and purchasing tickets. You can also see a list of official Vatican websites here .

If you have any questions, we’re also happy to answer them in the comments below.

Further Reading for Visiting Rome

That’s it for our guide to visiting the Vatican. We also wanted to share some more guides we’ve put together for Rome, based on our many visits to the city.

We’ve also visited many other parts of Italy, and we’ve included some of these posts below as well, as well as some other resources we think you’ll find useful.

• We have a guide to spending  1 day in Rome , as well as guides for  2 days in Rome  and  3 days in Rome , which should help you plan your time effectively. We also have a guide to  things to do in Rome  in general.
• You can’t visit Rome without trying gelato – the Italian version of ice cream. See all our favourite places to find the  best gelato in Rome
• Another popular Italian pastime is drinking coffee, particularly espresso! See some of the  best cafes to drink coffee in Rome
• We’ve taken a number of other walking tours in Rome. See our guide to our favourite  walking tours of Rome here , and our favourite Rome food tours here .
• We also have a full review of the Vatican VIP Key Master’s tour , which is one of the most exclusive tours of the Vatican you can take.
• We have a detailed guide to  visiting the Borghese Gallery in Rome  which is one of our favorite art museums in Rome.
• We also have a  guide to visiting the Colosseum , which has everything you need to know to plan your visit to this remarkable attraction
• Beyond Rome, we have a  guide to Florence , suggested  things to do in Milan , and tips for  a day in Venice
• We also have a detailed  10 day Italy itinerary  to help you plan a trip in this wonderful country
• If you’re planning on visiting Rome in summer, read our  tips for visiting a European city in summer  to stay sane
• If you’re looking for a physical (or Kindle!) guidebook, we recommend the latest edition of  Rick Steves Rome guide , which has lots of practical information to help you make the most of your stay

And that’s the end of guide to visiting the Vatican City and its attractions. We hope you found it useful. As always, if you have any questions or feedback on this post, let us know in the comments below!

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Alexander says

25th March 2023 at 1:56 pm

All your photos are simply awesome and your posts are speaking a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this article.

Laurence Norah says

25th March 2023 at 5:11 pm

Thanks Alexander!

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Seeing the Vatican without going on a tour - Rome Forum

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What do you mean by "the Vatican"? Most of it is outside - it's a city-state - but the places you mention are inside. The Vatican Gardens can only be visited on a guided tour.

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/index.html

Count on two to 2.5 hours to get from the entrance to the Sistine Chapel.

The Crypt of the Popes is under St. Peter's Basilica . The basilica and the crypt can be visited without a tour.

The best thing to do is get hold of a decent guide-book to Rome , and read up about what there is to see inside St Peter,s, and the Vatican Museums, then decide what most interests you. There is a lot worth seeing, in the Museums for instance there is a world famous art gallery, sculpture galleries, and rooms decorated by Raphael, world famous, as well as the Sistine Chapel.

Get one from your local bookshop, there are plenty available, or borrow one from you local library would be my advice.

The benefit of going around on your own is that you can see things at your own pace, and spend longer in things that interest you. And it costs less too, of course.

You can go down into the crypt of St Peters once inside the Basilica, to see tombs of previous Popes, and there is no charge.

Thanks for the replies, we have limited time on this visit so won't be visiting the museums as we wont have enough time, we want to see the Coleseum, spanish steps, trevi fountain, st peters basilica and try and take in as much architecture as possible.

To see St Peters basilica you will join a long line waiting for security clearance. The line moves quickly and seems to be shorter in the morning. Once through this you can visit the basilica and the Popes' tombs as you like, taking your time. You can also climb the dome if you want.

Don't miss the Pantheon, the oldest surviving Roman building , with its awesome interior.

To those visiting the Museum I recommend hiring a guide or doing your homework before your visit. If you visit make sure to see my favorite... the sculpture grouping of Laocoön and His Sons.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Vatican Museums: when the entrance is free

If you have always wondered when the entrance for the Vatican Museums is free, you will find in this article all the information you need for your visit.

Vatican Museums: when they are free and how to visit them.

Vatican Museums should be visited at least once in a lifetime. They are the center of the Vatican City . Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century and open to the public in the 18th century, over the years the Vatican Museums gained the position of the second most visited museum in Europe after the Louvre.

Nowadays, the Vatican Museums are one of the largest collections of art in the world, since inside there is an immense vastness of works of art. For visitors, they represent a journey through history of art between antiquity and modernity. In fact, inside the papal palaces, it is possible to walk over 8 km of galleries! It is a vast display of treasures of immense beauty and value that the popes have collected over the centuries.

How can I visit the Vatican Museums without paying the entrance tickets?

Vatican Museums are open from Monday to Saturday, with the exception of the religious festivity. In these days they are usually very crowded, therefore to visit them it is needed a jump the line ticket.

Vatican Museums skip the line tickets

However, you should know that during the year some days are scheduled for the free visits .

Once in a month and most precisely every last Sunday of the month, the visitor of the Vatican Museum has the possibility to enter into the museum without paying the ticket! Entrance is free every last Sunday of the month from 09am to 2pm, except from Easter Sunday, the 29th of June (St. Peter and Paul day), 25th of December (Christmas) and on the 26th of December (St. Stephen Day).

You have only to consider that on these days you will need a bit of patience, as the jump the line service is not available.

The dates when the Vatican Museums are scheduled are the following:

• 23 February
• 27 September
• 29 November
• 27 December

Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the Month with no line

However, there is a possibility to avoid the long lines at the entrance on the last Sunday of the month. You can join a guided tour at the Vatican Museums . This is a visit with an official guide who will accompany you for about 3 hours to admire the main sections of the Vatican Museums. This tour will allow you to fully appreciate the masterpieces inside the museum. And above all, beyond the fact that it is skip the line, you will take advantage of a truly exceptional offer! The tour is in fact discounted by the cost of the ticket, so you will save about 50% of the price of the same guided tour scheduled during a day when the ticket is not free!

Vatican Museums – free ticket – what can I visit?

You will probably think that during free days many parts of the museum are closed to the public. Wrong! Also during the last Sunday of the month, you will have the pleasure and honour of visit everything that is normally accessible to paying visitors.

In fact, inside the museums of the Pope there are a lot of attractions available to the public: the Pinacoteca, the Pio Clementino Museum, the Collection of Modern Religious Art, the Ethnological Museum, the Gregorian Egyptian and Etruscan Museum, the Pio Clementino Museum, the Carriage Pavillon, the Gregoriano Profano Museum, the Philatelic and Numismatic Museum, the Chiaramonti Museum, the Museums of the Vatican Apostolic Library, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael’s Rooms, the Gallery of Maps and may others. Not to be missed are also the Apostolic Palaces and the courtyards: the most famous is the Cortile della Pigna, but also the Octagonal Court and the Belvedere are a wonderful scenario.

Useful tips for your free visit for the Vatican Museums

Generally the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays. As previously mentioned, they are exceptionally open on the last Sunday of the month, with some possible restrictions. On this free days, the closing time is at 2pm and it is not possible to book skip the line tickets. Once you enter, after the mandatory security checks, we suggest you consult a guidebook or an audio guide to help you find your way in this immensity. This will make it easier for you to move around the various museum sections. Another small recommendation is to leave any bulky items in the cloakroom, which is free of charge.

How long is the visit for the Vatican museums?

Considering the number of the works of art and the vastness of the museum, the visit won’t be brief. In fact, also the most rushed ones will stay inside the museum at least one hour and half. For this reason, we suggest you to do the visit in complete calmness, leaving at your disposal at least 3 hours. Many tourists decide to take advantage of the free admission for the visit of the Vatican Museums. A fundamental requirement for these days is patience and some organization in order not to lose the most precious masterpieces. If you have planned the visit during the summer season, it is recommended to avoid improper clothing as sleeveless or backless dresses or hats. The sacredness of the places requires appropriate clothing.

Is it possible to visit the Vatican Museum during the evening for free?

The Vatican Museums at night is an event available from April to October on Fridays, but in this case there are no discounts or free tickets available. The ticket has the same cost of the daily entrance, it can be always reserved and it is never for free.

Book the Vatican Museums by night

How to reach the Vatican Museums

The main entrance of the Vatican Museums is located in Viale Vaticano . The new entrance was built in 2000 and is located to the left of the old main entrance. The Vatican Museums are easily accessible with local transport, as the metro and the bus.

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Visiting the Vatican, Rome - visitors' guide

Your guide on how to get to the vatican, public transport, vatican city tips and map.

Visiting the Vatican is a must for every first time visitor to Rome. The Vatican Museum and St Peters in Vatican City are two star attractions for anyone visiting Rome; we have pages that cover both in more detail, while this page gives an overview of where the Vatican is, how to get there and some tips to get the best from your visit.

The Vatican is a country and is tiny (the smallest in the world).

The Vatican City is home to approximately 920 full-time residents and approximately 3000 people who work at the Vatican City and commute into the country from the greater Rome metropolitan area.

Visiting Vatican & St Peter's   Where is the Vatican?   Getting to Vatican by public transport   Walking to Vatican   Best time to visit Vatican   Visiting the Vatican tips   Visiting the Vatican with kids

Visiting Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica

The two blockbuster attractions that most visitors come to see within the Vatican City are the Vatican Museums & St Peter's Basilica. Although located in the same place they are different attractions and each has it's own ticket structure. St Peter's Basilica is free to enter but you will have to queue. To avoid this you can buy St Peter's fast-track tickets . The Vatican Museums also require tickets which can bought on the door, again after queuing or you can buy fast-track tickets to the Vatican Museums .

We have dedicated pages for each attraction going into great detail on the logistics, ticketing, and opening hours at the pages linked below.

On this current page we focus on the logistics of getting to and around Vatican City and some tips to help you get the best from your visit.

St Peter's Basilica - full visitor details

Vatican Museums - full visitor details

Top of the page

Where is the vatican in relation to the city of rome.

Vatican City is just to the north of the city centre of Rome, Italy and is easily reached independently by public transport.

Although Vatican City is a separate state to Italy and Rome there are no barriers or checks and Rome long ago has expanded all around the Vatican and far beyond. To the casual visitor Vatican City could be thought of as a district of Central Rome.

For the first time visitor, the vast majority will be making for St Peter's Square (id 4 on the map below) or the Vatican Museums (id 1).

The long straight avenue leading from Saint Angelo Castle (id 5) by the River Tiber up to St Peter's Square is called Via della Conciliazione. This is the main and by far the widest road into the Vatican from Central Rome and is where all the hop on, hop off open top sightseeing buses stop.

The Metro station is just to the north of the Vatican and the railway station to the south, each about 10 minutes' walk from St Peter's Square.

The area to the west of St Peter's Square has no public right of way. The main area that tourists visit within the Vatican beyond the main Vatican attractions is the area to the north of Via della Conciliazion, full of restaurants and tourist shops.

Getting to the Vatican by public transport

Best ways to visit the Vatican

The crowded Rome Metro has a station just outside the Vatican walls at Ottaviano-S. Pietro. Line A of the Metro runs through with trains every few minutes. It's a 5 minute walk from the Metro to both St Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums.

You can use Line A of the Metro to go to the Basilica of St John Lateran on the other side of the city situated close by San Giovanni Metro Station.

The Basilica of St John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the cathedral church of Rome and the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. As such the Basilica contains the papal throne, although the pope rarely visits and lives over at the Vatican.

You can also use the Metro to quickly travel to the Colosseum changing trains to Line B at Termini Station.

On Line A between the Vatican and Termini is Spagna Metro Station, next to the Spanish Steps.

St Peter's also has a train station, St Pietro. Commuter style trains loop around Rome to Termini Station, but the station is of most practical use to those travelling from Civitavecchia, the cruise port for Rome. However, it is a 10-minute walk to St Peter's Square from the station.

There are many Rome city buses that pass or terminate next to the Vatican. The number 40 and 64 bus shuttle very frequently between Termini and the Vatican via the City Centre including the Piazza Venezia for the Roman Forum/Colosseum. Unfortunately there is no central bus stop or station that every bus route goes through.

40 (Limited stop express) - Termini - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Piazza Pia (for St Peter's/Vatican)

64 - Termini - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Vatican

62 - Repubblica - Spanish Steps - Piazza Venezia - Argentina - Vatican

81 - Vatican Museums - Piazza Imperatore (Spanish Steps) - Piazza Colonna (Trevi Fountain) - Piazza Venezia - Circo Massimo - Colosseum

19 (Tram) - Piazza Risorgimento (Vatican) - Villa Borghese

Vatican Tours

One of the best ways to take the hassle out of getting to the Vatican is to book yourself onto a tour. There are a range of tours available that focus on the Vatican or combine it with other Rome attractions. Discover Vatican tours .

Hop-on hop-off buses

Rome has a collection of different providers all offering hop-on hop-off bus services. Each bus has a different route but the Vatican and Termini Station are considered the two main stops where offices are located. If you are exploring using Rome hop-on hop-off buses then this is a great way to make your journey to the Vatican. You can also buy bundle tickets that combine the travel on the bus with entrance to St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.

Walking to the Vatican

For most people, walking is the most rewarding way of sightseeing in Rome - there is so much of interest around every street corner and much of the city centre is alleys too narrow for tour buses and vehicles. Although Vatican City is just north of Rome City Centre it's only a 15-20 minute pleasant walk to Piazza Navona in the heart of the city centre.

We have put together a series of self-guided walks of Rome connecting all the major sights of Rome, (see image above). As you can see Vatican City is at the northern extremity of these sights.

Walk 5 connects the Pantheon To The Vatican Via Piazza Navona opening up the rest of the network of walks documented.

Walk 5 - Pantheon to the Vatican via Piazza Navona - full details

Timing your visit to the Vatican

Vatican queues

The Vatican is a must see for every visitor to Rome, so expect crowds and queues whenever you come. The queues for the Vatican Museums are legendary.

If you are organising the trip, book tickets in advance either from the museum direct for which there is a delivery charge or from an agent for Vatican Museums tickets .

If you turn up on the day and have to join the back of the queue for tickets you may not be popular with your travelling companions and be tempted by the many touts that will approach you.

If you can it's well worth setting your alarm and getting to the Vatican Museums early or leaving it until later afternoon (last entry is at 4pm - you will need at the very least two hours to get round).

The museum is closed most Sundays, so Saturdays and Mondays are especially busy.

Again, if you can try and come off season when the crowds are less. During summer, Rome can be very, very hot too.

If you are really interested in the subject matter, get a good tour, if you can afford it, a private tour.

More detailed information about Vatican Museums

St Peter's queues

There will also be long, long queues in St Peter's Square to enter St Peter's itself. These queues tend to move along relatively swiftly so don't be put off by the masses in front of you. Basically the earlier you arrive the better.

More detailed information about visiting St Peter's

If you want to see the Pope, you can either see a usual blessing from his apartment at noon on Sunday, just show up (but in the summer he gives it from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, 25 miles from Rome) or you can go to the more formal Wednesday appearance.

The Pope arrives in the Pope-mobile at 10.30am to bless crowds from a balcony or platform, except in winter, when he speaks in the Aula Paola VI Auditorium next to the square. You can easily watch from a distance, or get a free ticket, which you must get on the Tuesday before.

Book audience with the Pope tickets here

Tours are the only way to see the Vatican Gardens, book at least a day in advance.

Vatican Gardens - more information

Visiting the Vatican tips

Essential tips for making the most of your Vatican visit

• Book in advance. Although you can turn up on the day and queue and many many people do, you'll be more relaxed knowing you have planned ahead to avoid this.
• Use an audio guide or guide book or better yet a tour guide. The Vatican Museum is vast and full of so many incredible treasures that a guide of some sort will definitely enhance your experience.
• Early morning and late afternoon are the quietest times to visit except Wednesday mornings when there is the Papal audience.
• If fast-track tickets are unavailable check the tickets that include the audio guide or tour tickets, often you can find tickets on the day you want by selecting a different type of ticket.
• Plan for a day at the Vatican if you are combining the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, there is more than enough to occupy you for a whole day.

Vatican dress code

• Do not wear inappropriate clothing. You wil be turned away. No shorts or sleeveless tops, skirts not covering the knee or hats.

Visiting the Vatican with kids

Italy is well known as being kid friendly and its attractions are no different. However it is worth taking a moment to think about what your child will get from their visit to the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums kids tickets

The first thing to think about is tickets. If you do not buy tickets in advance your children will have to wait alongside you in a queue. This queue varies in length on different days and times, but queues are never something most parents enjoy waiting in with kids. Buying your Vatican Museum tickets online in advance will start the trip on a positive note for kids as they walk past the queue.

Ticket prices for children are reduced. You can buy them on the day, after queuing or you can buy them at the same time as your adult fast-track tickets online. Under 6 go free and 6-17 inclusive costs €8 on the door.

Small children and strollers in the Vatican Museum

If you have small children then you need to think carefully about whether to take the stroller inside the museum with you. There is no disputing that the museum will be busy, having a stroller to steer and work through the crowds might be considered too stressful for some but can be a godsend for others. In the busy interior it is worth remembering that your childs view will probably only be tourist legs for their entire trip from the pushchair. If your child is small then perhaps a backpack style carrier might be more flexible an idea.

If you do not take the stroller inside and leave it at the entrance cloakroom, then there is a lot of walking involved at the Vatican Museums, so be prepared for a lot of carrying yourself, as their legs quickly tire. If they are at the age where they would rather be chasing birds around St Peter's Square, then going into the Musuems might prove too much for them and for you.

Before you book, consider one of the tours, which might be a better fit as it can help to entertain them, although most tours will take the full amount of time to get through the treasures inside, so do check its length. The other choice is to forego all the other museum treasures and head straight for the Sistine Chapel. The walk alone to get to the Sistine Chapel takes you through the museums and can take 30 minutes, you would be missing an awful lot, but you would get one of the showcase attractions ticked off your list.

At the end of the day only you know what is best for your young kids, you may feel they will get more from other areas in Rome at their age and then throw your coins into the Trevi Fountain to make sure you return when they are older. St Peter's Square is free if you queue and is a large space, whilst visiting St Peter's Basilica is something kids of any age will enjoy.

If your kids are older, then the Museums are certainly fasinating enough to keep them entertained. There are areas that kids will find more interesting and as with all museums and especially the Vatican, inspiration is around every corner.

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How to Buy Tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Written by: Kate Zusmann

A visit to Vatican City and its museums is one of the “must-do” during your trip to Rome. However, since there are always many tourists in the Eternal City , it is better to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums in advance.

Important things to know before purchasing Vatican Museum tickets

Is it necessary to buy tickets to the vatican museums in advance, can i buy tickets to the vatican museums at the box office on the day of the visit, what to do if there are no more tickets on the vatican museums website, what is the best time to visit the vatican museums, how long does it take to see the most important masterpieces in the vatican museums, do i need to buy a separate ticket for the sistine chapel, how to purchase the admission ticket at the lowest price.

Here I describe how to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel online without endless queues and in a time-savvy way. The price of the ticket is 17 euro.  Languages in the Vatican online office are English and Italian.

You can book your ticket on the official website   www.museivaticani.va

First, you have to select the kind of ticket you want (usually “Musei e Collezioni” – Museums and Collections). If you plan to visit the Vatican Museums by yourself (without a big group tour), choose the “Singles” option. Try to plan your trip 1-2 days in advance. Moreover, if you visit Rome during the high season (May-September, Christmas holidays), there will be no slots available for your date if you don’t purchase tickets at least 1-2 weeks in advance.

Choose “Admission tickets”:

Now choose the best time appropriate for your visit. Again, the choice is huge: time slots are available every 15 minutes.

Reduced tickets info:

Fix price transfer from the Fiumicino Airport to Rome

Also, you can pre-book the audio guide (you can even do it once you are in the museums). There are ten languages available in audio guides: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese.

Now time to fill out a form with personal data:

The website only accepts Visa and Mastercard

Finally, you will have to accept the Conditions and insert the security code. Then, click on the “Accept the Estimate and Proceed with the Reservation” button.

Once you have completed your online purchase, you will receive two e-mails:

• You have to confirm the payment
• An e-mail with the voucher for your ticket to the Vatican Museums. Print the first page of each ticket you purchased or save a PDF file on your smartphone.

During the day of your visit, come on 15 minutes earlier and show your voucher at the entrance of the Vatican Museums. Once you pass through security, you have to go to the left, where you will see the “cassa” and change your voucher into an actual ticket.

Don’t forget that the Vatican Museums open its door for free on the last Sunday of every month (if it is not a religious holiday). However, it works from 9 am to 2 pm only, with the last entrance at 12.30 pm. This option is attractive just if your budget is tight, but in another case, you should better avoid such days because of a massive crowd of people. There is a chance that you will stay in a queue so long that you don’t even get in by 12.30 pm.

Some specifics about discounts for the Vatican Museums tickets:

• Everyone aged from 6 to 18 years old (including 6 y.o. and 18y.o.) pays 8 euro instead of 17 euro
• There is a 50% discount for international students (not all universities)
• Members of the clergy also pay 8 euro instead of 17 euro

Children under 6 y.o, museum directors, journalists and academics, people with disabilities, and their companions go inside for free. However, there is no discount for seniors of any age.

If you purchase a ticket at a reduced price, you will need to show proof of eligibility for the discount. And if it turns out that the evidence is not eligible, you will have to buy a new-full price ticket, while your discounted ticket will not be refunded.

You can stay inside the museums as long as you prefer, before the closing time. On average, a visit lasts from 2 to 5 hours. The basic ticket does not include the audio guide or any other tour. So that, there is another option to buy a group tour with a guide for 27 euro or to reserve a private tour at dawn for 3-4 people on our website.

• You have a chance to change the date and time of your reservation by following this link tickets.museivaticani.va/support

If you can’t visit the Vatican Museums, there is no chance to return a ticket, but in theory, you can resell or pass-on to someone your ticket because documents are checked very rarely

Vatican Museums’ collections include paintings from some of Italy’s greatest artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. Also, there is an extraordinary collection of Egyptian antiquities, including papyruses and mummies in their sarcophagi.

Many tourists visit the Vatican Museum to see only the famous Sistine Chapel without knowing what else to see there – it is a big mistake!

I urge you to read more about the Vatican Museums before attending it because there are many exciting things that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

St. Peter’s Basilica is not included in the Vatican Museums’ ticket. It is a church, and there is no fee to go inside. It is closed on Wednesday mornings during the Papal Audience and reopens around 12-1 p.m. on that day. If you are on a group tour, there is a privileged passage directly from the Sistine Chapel to the Basilica.

Plan B – Last Minute Vatican Museums Tickets & Tours

If there are no more tickets on the official website of the Vatican Museums, you can purchase one on the website of our partners  www.tiqets.com

Undoubtedly, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Vatican Museums. It will be one of the most impressive adventures of your life.

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

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NOTICE Vatican Museums and Castel Gandolfo Museum Complex

We inform you that from 1 July 2024 , new conditions for free admission, concessions and reductions will come into force for the following types of visitors ( group visits ): pilgrims, university students, primary and secondary (I and II grade) school students.

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Prices and Tickets

Discover the many types of ticket and check prices, reductions or special free entry reserved to different visitors. The entry ticket for the Vatican Museums entitles the visit to the Museums and Sistine Chapel solely on the day on which the ticket is issued. Tickets cannot be refunded. See also:

Full entry ticket

€ 20.00 (without online booking)

Reduced entry ticket

€ 8.00 (without online booking) € 8.00 + 5.00 (with “Skip the Line” booking on the official Vatican Museums website)

Reduced ticket Schools

€ 4.00 (without online booking) € 4.00 + 2.00 (with “Skip the Line” booking on the official Vatican Museums website)

Reduced ticket Students

€ 8.00 (without online booking) € 13.00 (with “Skip the Line” booking on the official Vatican Museums website)

Papal Palace and Secret Garden of Castel Gandolfo

Full entry ticket € 12.00 Discover and check the reductions reserved to different visitors:

Free entry Vatican Museums

• Last Sunday of the month (subject to the Calendar of museum openings/closures ).
• Children below the age of 7.
• Directors of museum institutions, managing boards and other bodies engaged in the protection of archaeological, historic and artistic heritage.
• All disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74% . In the case of visitors who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended also to a companion. Free tickets for disabled visitors and their companions cannot be booked online but are instead issued, upon presentation of certification of invalidity, directly at the “Special Permits” and/or “Reception” desks situated in the entrance hall of the Vatican Museums. The disabled visitor and an eventual companion are guaranteed priority Skip the line entry (without queuing in line). See Services for visitors with disabilities .
• Holders of the valid cards issued by the following institutions: Icom ( International Council of Museums ); Icomos ( International Council on Monuments and Sites ).
• University teachers in the fields of Archaeology, Art History, Architecture and Ethnology, as well as those from academies based in Rome, for holding occasional specialist lessons in the museum sectors related to their areas of teaching, upon written request to the Directorate of the Museums and Cultural Heritage. Should permission be granted, this does not authorise access to all the remaining display areas, which may be visited only upon purchase of a regular entry ticket for the Museums.

N.B. : If you wish to combine the free entrance to the Museums with the purchase of a guided tour or a restaurant service (Breakfast/Happy Hour/Lunch), please write in advance to [email protected] .

Full entry ticket “Skip the Line”

€ 20.00 + 5.00 (with booking on the official Vatican Museums website)

Reduced ticket Pilgrimages

€ 8.00 (without online booking) € 13.00 (with “Skip the Line” booking on the official Vatican Museums website)  

Reduced ticket University Institutes

€  8.00 (without online booking) € 13.00 (with “Skip the Line” booking on the official Vatican Museums website)

Reduced ticket Seminaries and Religious Colleges

Family tariff.

For the tours of the  Papal Palace and Secret Garden of Castel Gandolfo , parents with children can take advantage of the  Family  Tariff . The special reduced tariff is reserved to  families composed of a mother, father and at least two children (aged between 7 and 18 years and/or students up to and including 25 years of age with valid documentation) . The ticket is free for second and subsequent children, and children aged between 0 and 6 years enter free.

Free entry Papal Palace and Secret Garden of Castel Gandolfo

• For second and subsequent children, families composed of a mother, father and at least two children (aged between 7 and 18 years and/or students up to and including 25 years of age with valid documentation).
• All disabled visitors with  certified invalidity of more than 74% . In the case of visitors who are not self-sufficient, free entry is extended also to a companion. Free tickets for disabled visitors and their companions cannot be booked online but are instead issued, upon presentation of certification of invalidity, directly at the Ticket Office.
• Holders of the valid cards issued by the following institutions: Icom ( International Council of Museums);  Icomos ( International Council on Monuments and Sites ).  

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How to Get Skip-the Line-Vatican Tickets Without a Guided Tour

Sean Finelli Last Updated: February 21, 2024

Though the Vatican Museums are a must when visiting Rome, sometimes a guided tour isn’t in the cards. Not to worry! Here’s how to make the most of your solo Vatican experience and get skip-the-line Vatican tickets without a guided tour.

Pro Tip:  Planning can be tough, but it’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post along with our dedicated guide to planning your visit to the Vatican , where you’ll find everything you need. Also, check out the top things to see in Vatican City .

Best Skip-The-Line Vatican Tickets with Last-Minute Availability

The Vatican is a bucket-list item for anyone traveling to Rome, but it’s important to plan ahead if you want to have the best experience possible. Ticket lines can be very long. So without a ticket, you could be waiting for quite a while — possibly several hours during the busiest seasons, like summer. 

Sometimes a guided Vatican tour that helps you navigate the crowds just doesn’t fit in the budget. Fortunately, you can purchase an affordable skip-the-line Vatican ticket that will get you past the crowds and fast-track you into the museums.

With our skip-the-line Vatican Museums ticket , you’ll receive a voucher when you purchase a ticket. Once you get to the Vatican, you’ll find our representatives at the meeting point and receive your tickets along with guidance on how to get inside the museums.

Please note that this ticket does not include skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica. You’ll need to exit the Vatican, then walk around to St. Peter’s Square, then enter the security line. If you’d prefer priority access between sites, you’ll want to book our exclusive Vatican tours .

Recommended Itinerary For A Solo Vatican Visit

Your tickets grant you full access to the Vatican Museums, so make sure you don’t miss these important stops on your solo Vatican visit:

The Sistine Chapel

If you’re visiting the Vatican Museums in the morning, you’ll want to make sure you visit the Sistine Chapel first to see it at its least crowded. Don’t miss seeing Michelangelo’s masterpiece. 

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most celebrated pieces of art in the world, covered in breathtaking frescoes by Renaissance master Michelangelo. It is also a place of worship, so speaking inside is forbidden —this magnificent artwork will render you speechless anyway. 

Pio Clementino Museum

Your next stop is the Pio Clementino Museum, which holds some of the Vatican’s most famous Greek and Roman statues. Here you’ll find Nero’s Bathtub which, at 25 feet across, is probably the largest tub you’ll ever see. In the Belvedere Courtyard, you’ll find Laocoön and His Sons , as well as the Apollo Belvedere and the Belvedere Torso .

The Pinecone Courtyard

Here you can enjoy a beautiful green space designed by Donato Bramante. Named after the massive bronze pinecone, this courtyard offers a great view of St. Peter’s Dome and a chance to spin the giant sphere sculpture in the center.

The Main Vatican Galleries

The Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Gallery of the M aps are the Vatican Museums’ main galleries. They are definitely at the top of the list of things to see in the museums. Our favorite is the Gallery of Maps , where you can find a number of frescoes t hat show how Renaissance Italians viewed the peninsula over 300 years before a unified Italy. 

Room of the Immaculate Conception

This room was created in the 19th century to celebrate the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Pius IX commissioned a number of frescoes from artist Francis Podesti in a room next to the Raphael Rooms. The paintings include images depicting the virtues of the Virgin Mary, as well as a depiction of the discussion of the dogma. 

Raphael Rooms

Raphael was an artist who embodied the perfect Renaissance man. He created amazing works of art and was constantly competing with his contemporary, Michelangelo. These rooms are full of some of his best works, including the famous School of Athens , which depicts some of history’s greatest minds gathering and sharing knowledge. Raphael even painted himself into the picture.

Borgia Apartments

Your final stop is the Borgia Apartments. Once the personal apartments of Alexander VI, the Borgia pope, these elaborate rooms were decorated by Pinturicchio. There are several rooms decorated with elaborate frescoes. I n many of them, you can find depictions of bulls, which was the Borgia crest. 

Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is not included with your Vatican Museums ticket, but the largest church in the world is a magnificent sight to see while you’re in the Vatican. Only accredited tour guides can access it via passageway from the Sistine Chapel, so if you’d like to visit the basilica on your own, you’ll have to wait in line in St. Peter’s Square.

Where To Stay in Rome

Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.

Reader Interactions

Comments (2).

October 12, 2019

How do I know where to enter the Vatican with “skip the line” tickets? Is it right next to the standard line everyone else will be waiting in? Also, I will need a Spanish-speaking guide. Do you offer this or is it best to book directly on the Vatican website to have this accommodation?

October 14, 2019

Ciao Christy! Thanks for checking out our blog. If you buy skip the line Vatican tickets with us, your voucher will provide you with an exact meeting point of where you will claim your tickets and enter the Museums. We do not provide Spanish speaking guides.

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Vatican Museum Tickets - What does "Skip the Line" mean?

By Elyssa Bernard

March 11, 2024

What's the best way to get your Vatican Museum tickets and see the Sistine Chapel ?

Find out all about how much they cost, who is eligible for discounts, how to skip the line, what it really means to skip the line, and more!

Vatican Museum Tickets - Everything You Need to Know

On this page, you will find a comprehensive guide to getting tickets for the Vatican Museums, including:

• Cost - How much do tickets cost?
• Free Entry - When is it free to visit the Vatican Museums? 
• Discounts - Who is eligible for discounted or free entry?
• What's included ? Is the Sistine Chapel included? Is St. Peter's Basilica included?
• Skip the Line - How do you book Vatican City tickets in advance? How do you skip the line? 
• Cancel/modify  - Here's how to cancel or change your Vatican Museum tickets

Buy Vatican Museum tickets now

No time to read the whole page?

The best way to get Vatican Museum tickets is on the Vatican Museums website . They open availability for entry tickets 60 days in advance.

There is a 5€ pre sales fee, so a standard ticket will cost 20€ on site or 25€ in advance.

You can also book on a third-party site, such as Tiqets or GetYourGuide . This may cost slightly more but you will also likely find more availability.

The worst ways to get Vatican Museums tickets are standing in the long line outside the museums, or p urchasing tickets from someone who approaches you on the street or in front of the museums.

Tour rating:

(4.2/5 stars)

Vatican Museum tickets costs

If you were to just walk up to the ticket counter at the Vatican Museums, you would pay:

20€ per adult over 18

This is the flat cost without any pre-sales or tour fee added on as of January 1 2024 .

If you book your Vatican Museums tickets ahead of time, some additional fees will apply, whether you book through the Vatican Museums official website or a reseller.

Free Entry - When is it free to enter the Vatican Museums? 

On the last Sunday of every month (unless it's a religious holiday), the Vatican Museums are open and free for everyone.

Hours are reduced: they open at 9 AM and close at 2 PM, with last entrance at 12:30 PM.

The Vatican Museums have also been free in the past on World Tourism Day , which is always September 27 , but you should always check if this is the case in any given year.

As you might imagine, it's crazy busy when it's free and unless you are on a tight budget or have  tight schedule constraints , I strongly recommend you avoid going this day.

In addition to large crowds, the lines can be very long.

If you don't come first thing, or book in advance ( only available via the Vatican website when you book a tour with them ), you risk waiting in line so long that you don't even get in by 12:30.

Discounts - Who is Eligible?

VERY IMPORTANT!

If you pre-purchase a discounted ticket, you should be prepared to show proof of eligibility for the discount.

If, when you show up at the museums, it turns out you are not eligible, you will have to purchase a brand new-full price ticket, and your original discount ticket will not be refunded or applied.

I often get asked about who is eligible for discounted Vatican Museum tickets .

The clearest answers I can give are:

• Everyone aged 6-18 (including 6 year olds and 18 year olds) pays a reduced rate of 8€
• SOME “international” students 25 and younger pay a reduced rate of 8€
• Members of the clergy pay a reduced rate of 8€

The Vatican Museums are free for :

• Children under 6 . They also do not need any ticket or reservation.
• Museum directors
• SOME journalists and academics
• SOME people with disabilities and their companions

There is NO discount for :

• Seniors of any age

Where I wrote SOME, you will need to check the Vatican website for specifics.

There is a much longer and more detailed explanation of who is eligible for discounts and free entry.

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What's included in your Vatican Museums tickets?

The ticket gets you into the Vatican Museums on the day you reserve/enter.

There is no re-entry .

Once you are inside, you may stay as long as you like until closing.

Nobody will kick you out or make you leave the museums once you are inside.

You can even loop around several times if you want.

A typical visit can last anywhere from 2-3 hours (although I can spend and have on occasion spent 5-6 hours in there.)

The basic ticket does not include the audio-guide or any tour.

What will you see?

( Click here to visit my page with my top 10 Vatican Museum Must-Sees .)

The Vatican Museums hold one of the largest art collections in the world.

If you follow the whole route of ALL the museums, you will walk about 7.5 kilometers, or about 4.5 miles (although it's not likely you will do all that in one visit!)

The Vatican Museums are actually made up of several museums.

Your tickets get you into all of them (although not into every room, as there are some rooms normally off limits to regular museum visitors .)

Vatican Museums Rooms Closings

From time to time, and usually without any notice, you may find that a section of the museums is closed.

Or a work of art is absent because it's on loan to another museum or exhibit, or being restored.

If this happens when you visit, you will just have to grin and bear it and move on.

There is so much to see , you won't run out!

The collections include paintings from some of Italy's greatest artists like Raphael , Michelangelo and Caravaggio .

There is an extraordinary collection of Egyptian antiquities , including papyrus, pottery, and mummies in their sarcophagi.

You'll see spectacular ancient Roman and Greek sculpture in the Pio-Clementine Museum, amazing wall tapestries down one long hallway, ancient and antique maps in another, and of course, the Sistine Chapel .

I go often to visit the Vatican Museums and I have certainly not seen it all.

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

Is the Sistine Chapel included in the Vatican Museums ticket?

Yes , the Sistine Chapel is included in all Vatican Museum tickets .

It is the very last thing you visit.

There is no ticket that allows you to ONLY see the Sistine Chapel .

You must purchase Vatican Museum tickets and at a minimum, go through the main galleries of the museums to get to the Sistine Chapel at the end.

There is no other way (for visitors to get) into the Sistine Chapel . 

If you want, you can book a fast-track, shortened visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel that only lasts 90 minutes .

I also have videos on my YouTube channel about how you can visit the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning or close to closing , and have it nearly to yourself.

Is St. Peter's Basilica included in the Vatican Museums ticket?

St. Peter's Basilica  is a church, and there is no fee to enter.

The basilica is the other must-see when  visiting the Vatican , but it's a separate building and site from the Vatican Museums, and is not included in the ticket to the museums. 

Click here to open a Google map showing where the Vatican Museums are in relation to Saint Peter's Basilica .

Do you really need to visit the Vatican and Colosseum on the same day?

Find out how here!

This being said, the lines to enter the basilica from its main entrance in  St. Peter's Square  can be long, because everyone must go through security.

When you enter the Vatican Museums, you already go through security, so if you could enter the basilica from the museums, you wouldn't need to do this again to visit St. Peter's Basilica.

From the Sistine Chapel, there is a 5-minute shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica that is sometimes available, although NOT if you have entered the museums with a regular ticket.

St Peter's Basilica Shortcut

You can only take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's Basilica if you are on a tour that INCLUDES the basilica.

The shortcut is open from 9:30 am - 5 or 5:30PM, and it's ONLY accessible to tour companies or private guides that you book OUTSIDE the Vatican Museums website.

The Vatican Museums does not have any ticket or tour that includes the shortcut.

This means that you won't have access to the shortcut during the  KeyMaster tour , the  Extra Time tour , or any other tour that does not specifically include the basilica.

If you book any tour of the Vatican Museums, you can check the details to see if it finishes in the  Sistine Chapel  or the basilica.

Click here to view a map of Vatican City  (it will open in a new page.)

St. Peter's Basilica is closed Wednesday mornings during the Papal Audience , and reopens sometime around 12-1pm that day.

It is also closed during any papal mass   being held at the Vatican.

The basilica may also be closed last-minute, for other and sometimes unknown reasons.

If you are on a morning tour that includes Saint Peter's Basilica on a Wednesday, you may be informed that you won't see the basilica on that tour (as it's closed), but instead may visit something else, such as the Pinacoteca (paintings gallery.)

Are the Vatican Gardens included in the Vatican Museums ticket?

The Vatican Museums ARE included in the Vatican Gardens ticket !

If you book a visit to the Vatican Gardens ( it has to be booked in advance , and by the way I really recommend a visit here), then you automatically get skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums.

But it does not get you into the basilica from the Sistine Chapel , as this is available only to tour groups.

If you're planning on visiting Vatican City, click here to see how to plan your visits during your trip .

NEW FOR 2024!

The archeological area of the Vatican Necropolis of Via Triumphalis is now open for visitors.

This is an ancient Roman burial site that is within the Vatican walls and before now was very difficult to get access to.

You can only enter as part of an official Vatican tour group, and tickets need to be purchased through the official website .

This is an entirely separate visit, so you will not have access to either St Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

Click here to watch my YouTube video about it and see what it's like!

Skip the Line Vatican Museum Tickets

You may purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums on site.

If you opt for this, you will likely face very long lines .

They give priority to people who have booked in advance.

Once those people have gone in and gone through security, they will let more people in a little at a time.

Unless you arrive very early (before the museums open), or in low season, you risk having a long wait in the queue before you can get in just to purchase tickets.

Once past security, you will then have to wait in a second queue to purchase your tickets.

PRO TIP TO PURCHASE TICKETS ON SITE!

My trick to purchasing tickets last-minute and also to having (slightly) fewer crowds is to go right at closing time.

As of 2024, closing time is either 7 PM or 8PM.

This means last entry is at 5 PM or 6 PM.

So I would say to try to get there by 4:45/5:45PM and usually there's not much of a line by then.

There is NO guarantee this will work but if you didn't get tickets in advance, and want to give it a try, that's my suggestion!

Pre-purchasing Skip the Line Vatican Museum tickets through the Vatican website

You can pre-purchase Vatican Museum tickets online through the Vatican Museums official website .

There is a 5€ booking fee but trust me, it is so worth it during mid and high season when the lines are snaking around several blocks.

Availability for regular entry tickets opens on the Vatican museums website 60 days in advance.

The languages for the official Vatican Museums ticket office  online are Italian or English.

You will need to first select the kind of ticket you want (usually just "Admission tickets"), then at the next screen you will see the days with availability.

Time slots available on the Vatican website are every half hour.

Whatever time slot you choose, you will have  15 minutes leeway on either side of that time to enter.

The Vatican Museums open at 8 AM as of 2024.

Even if you have an 8 AM entrance ticket, you will still need to take the time to go through security and go up into the museums.

The official Vatican Museums ticket office closes once the last entry time has passed.

All visitors will start to be moved along around half an hour before closing time to make sure everyone is out on time.

In high season , they sell out quickly and you often will not find all time slots available.

Sometimes it is possible to get tickets even on the same day but in high season, you should try to plan for this well in advance .

OPEN THE SISTINE CHAPEL!

Do you want to visit the Vatican Museums BEFORE they open, I mean REALLY before they open, at 6 AM, and go through with the keymaster and open the museums and turn on the lights?

Including in turning on the lights in the Sistine Chapel?

I promise you will never forget this experience!

Click here to book Vatican Museums tickets to open the museums with the keymaster!

Next you will select the number of full-priced or reduced-price tickets.

You can pre-book and pre-pay the audio-guide, but you can also decide this once you are at the museums. 

The audio guides are available in 10 languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Portuguese.)

I've had a lot of experience with the Vatican Museums website, and I will tell you that it can be quirky.

Some banks have very high security measures in place to protect their clients against fraud, and you may find it difficult to book a ticket online through the Vatican Museums website.

This is in addition to the difficulty you may have in actually finding the tickets you want!

Once you have completed your online purchase, you will receive two emails: one to confirm your payment only.

The second email is the really important one: it contains your electronic Vatican Museums ticket.

You can print out the ticket or show it on your smartphone/tablet.

NB - If you print your ticket, you only need the first page. Don't print the last 7 pages, it's a waste of paper!

On the day and time you booked, bypass the huge snaking line and go to the entrance of the Vatican Museums, and show the guys there your ticket.

What time do you have to arrive when you have a timed ticket?

Whatever time you book, you have about 15 minutes' grace on either side.

So, for example, if you book a ticket for 11 am entry, you can show up any time between 10:45 am and 11:15 am.

I would personally get there even a bit earlier just in case.

Your ticket is the pdf with a bar code on your phone (or printout).

Once you pass security, head up the stairs (or elevator), and go through the turnstile.

I often see many people having trouble putting their tickets on the turnstile.

The idea is to have the bar code up against the dark glass reader.

As soon as the light turns green, just move forward and you're in!

Now you have one more huge escalator to go up and finally you will be at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

Pre-purchasing Skip the Line Vatican Museum tickets through an agency

If you want to take a tour of the Vatican Museums , of course they take care of purchasing the skip the line Vatican Museum tickets for you.

Book your Vatican Highlights Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica here . 

If you just want to pre-purchase Skip the Line Vatican Museums tickets (only) , there are some benefits of doing so through an online agency:

• If you have any problems with the Vatican Website , such as with payment, or just generally finding it unwieldy, using an online ticket agency is an easier way to go.
• Tour agencies often have reserves of tickets that they purchase long in advance. So if you don't find availability on the Vatican website for the day/time you want, try with the agency.
• When you book through an agency, they take care of getting your tickets and getting you into the museums . You just have to show up.

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No chance or no time to buy Skip the Line Vatican Museum tickets?

What happens if you cannot purchase Vatican Museum tickets in advance (maybe your credit card isn’t working, or, you left it too late and it’s your last day in Rome and there is nothing available on the Vatican Museums website)?

One option is to try to book this ticket through an authorized ticket vendor like  GetYourGuide .

They may have tickets available.

Another option is to book a tour .

If you do not want a tour or to purchase through a reseller, you can go to the Vatican Museums entrance and try to purchase same-day tickets.

You will likely have a long wait in line.

** I do NOT recommend purchasing tickets or tours from people who approach you in the street. **

Disclosure  : If you make a purchase or booking through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for supporting my site!

BE AWARE OF PICKPOCKETS!

Given how many people go into the Vatican Museums daily, and in particular the crowded Sistine Chapel, you should be VERY careful with your belongings and aware of pickpockets !

Inside the Sistine Chapel, visitors are very distracted and looking up, and may not notice they are being pickpocketed.

Disclosure : If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

How to Cancel or Modify your Vatican Museums ticket

Can you cancel your vatican museums ticket and get a refund.

If you pre-book Vatican Museum tickets through the Vatican Museums website, and then need to cancel, there is nothing to do.

There are no refunds whatsoever .

If you book a tour with an outside tour company to the Vatican Museums and then need to cancel, contact the agency you booked with to find out their terms and conditions for cancellations.

Can you modify your Vatican Museums ticket?

All Vatican museums tickets are nominative.

This means that once you purchase your ticket, you'll have to enter the name of the person who will use it.

And when you go to the museums, you'll need to show some form of ID (your passport is NOT necessary), to show that you are the person whose name is on the ticket.

And once you book your tickets, it is impossible to change anything about them.

If you have booked a Vatican Museums tour through an agency and need to make a change, check with the agency to find out if it's at all possible to make changes through them.

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How to Visit Vatican for the First Time: Guided Tour or Self-Guided Walk?

First time exploring cultural treasures of the Vatican … Do you need a guided tour or will a self-guided walk through the smallest country in the world suffice?

Last updated: September 5, 2023

First Time Visiting the Vatican

The smallest country in the world, the Vatican is one of the busiest places on Earth. From early morning until late afternoon, the place is filled with people traveling from all over the world. Some of them come to Rome with one intention – to visit the Vatican.

Unlike these travelers, we had a lot more interest in the capital of Italy and its landmarks. The Vatican?.. We treated it like what it was, a separate country, and devoted the whole day to exploring its remarkable historic and cultural treasures.

But the question whether we needed a guided tour that promised to enhance our first visit to the Vatican puzzled us a lot. At the end, we adhered to Skip-the-Line guided tour . Yet if you have a lot of knowledge, even if it’s not firsthand, you can do just fine with a self-guided walk through the opulent buildings and a lush garden.

HOW TO VISIT THE VATICAN FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH AND WITHOUT GUIDED TOUR

Guided tours tickets.

The both ways of visiting the Vatican, its Museums and Garden – via self-guided walk or group or private tour – work. Yet if you are looking for detailed information, history, and stories behind the cultural masterpieces in the City, a guided tour comes in handy.

Having said that, you might get overwhelmed by the amount of tour offers available on the streets of Rome, especially near the Vatican. Based on our experience, you should never pay the initial price. Instead, bargain.

Tour prices offered by representatives of small travel agencies clustered near the Vatican are almost always higher than those you can get online or even inside the Vatican Museums. We were asked for 50 euros per person initially. But after some “negotiation” the price dropped to 35 euros. The better way, though, is to get the tickets in advance with additional services thrown in.

Best Time to Visit the Vatican without a Tour

Visiting the Vatican on your own is more than possible. One of the main reasons that push people to get private or guided tours is time. Waiting in a line to get to the entrance door can take hours and hours. Arriving later in the afternoon may help reduce the waiting time.

Additionally, if you prefer to stay away from any guided Vatican tours, choosing the right season is crucial. The winter months (except for the period between Christmas and January 6) are usually the best.

On top of that, if it happens to rain in Rome on the day of your visit to the Vatican, rest assure, you will find smaller crowds inside. On the other hand, the Gardens of the Vatican City will be closed.

Visit the Vatican on a Guided Tour

So, it’s your first visit to the Vatican and you decided to take a guided tour. Great! The advantages of the the tours far exceed their prices. First of all, you skip the line. No more time wasted outside, waiting for your turn to enter. Second, forget about the second line and tour the Vatican in reverse, from the Vatican Museums all the way to the St. Peter’s Basilica, exploring the treasures of the Sistine Chapel along the way.

How to Visit the Vatican without a Guided Tour

You start your self-guided walk through the Vatican either at the Vatican Museums or at the St. Peter’s Basilica. Regardless of where you start, you can go only until the Sistine Chapel . After that you have to return to your point of entry and resume your exploration by starting it from the other side of the city-state (you will see two separate entrances).

So if you visited the Museums first, now you have to exit the Vatican City, re-enter the streets of Rome, and make your way to a separate entrance of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Here you may see another long line with people aching to finally enter the church. On the bright side, the admission to the St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square is free .

How to Photograph Vatican’s Masterpieces during Your First Visit

You can use a camera or a cellphone to capture your visit to the Vatican. Non-professional photography is allowed everywhere except the Sistine Chapel. You are not allowed to do any sort of photography in the Chapel. People still try to take a few sneaky shots. You will see a lot of that. Inside the Museums. make sure to switch to flash-free shooting.

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This is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for such a long time! I usually prefer to walk around places by myself but recently I had a guided tour of a National Trust and learnt so much that I wouldn’t have otherwise – so I’d probably consider a guided tour at the Vatican, too (especially if it cuts down on the waiting time!).

Milenka x Blushing Lately

I don’t take tours often either, but was glad that we decided to stick to it in the Vatican. 🙂

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How to Buy Tickets for the Vatican Museums

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

If you’re traveling to Rome, the Vatican Museums should be high up on your list of must-see attractions. And ensuring you have your Vatican tickets booked before you get there only makes the experience more enjoyable.

It’s a good idea to book well in advance. But, with all the options available, it may be hard to know where to start noting that the official ticketing site has limited availability, refunds can be difficult, and the booking process can be confusing.

So we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate buying tickets for the Vatican Museums and ensure a stress-free visit to this Rome itinerary staple. We’ll cover everything from when to book your tickets to recommended third-party sellers and frequently asked questions.

So, continue reading to discover how to buy tickets for the Vatican Museums.

Article contents

Editior’s note – In 2024 standard opening times are expected to move to 8.00am therefore early access tours will then be deemed first access tours. We recommend choosing this option and joining a tour where the guide has the knowledge and expertise to access the Sistine Chapel quickly if that is your focus

Vatican Museums Tickets and Tours Quick Links

If you’re in a rush and would prefer to get the details ASAP, have a look at this quick summary of our recommendations for the best Vatican tours .

• Vatican Tickets and Tours on Musei Vaticani (official booking site) > can be confusing to navigate, has limited availability, and getting refunds can be difficult.
• Vatican Tickets on GetYourGuide (official partner site) > booking policy is fairly flexible, and the site’s more user-friendly. That said, it’s slightly more expensive.
• Liv Tours > offers private tour options for small groups, with engaging, knowledgeable guides – Take advantage of our 5% off discount using the code – UNTOLDITALY.
• Take Walks Small Entrance Group or VIP Key Masters Tour > join a small group for a Sistine Chapel tour or join the key masters in opening the Chapel.
• Tiqets > their simple, easy-to-use website with a good cancellation policy but slightly higher ticket prices.
• Viator > industry-leading flexibility, user-friendly, and slightly more expensive due to the added convenience.

DISCOVER: more about the VIP Vatican Keymaster’s tour

Vatican Museum Tickets or Tour?

Should you go with a fully guided tour or just purchase entry tickets? An entry ticket is quite limiting as you walk through mostly unmarked galleries and leave having learned almost nothing.

To get the most value out of your visit, we recommend taking a tour instead. Taking this approach means you enjoy the full experience of the museum and its 20,000+ artworks with a knowledgeable tour guide. Guides can offer fascinating and lesser-known insights and answer any questions you may have.

Certain guided tours with partner companies also offer skip-the-line access and exclusive access to areas like the Sistine Chapel before they open to the public. 

What Does Your Vatican Museums Ticket Include?

The basic ticket to enter the Vatican includes:

• Access to the museums’ galleries, including the Sistine Chapel
• Access to the Vatican Gardens
• Access to the Christian Museum
• Access to the Profane Museum

Buy Tickets on the Official Vatican Museums Site

You can buy tickets directly from the official site, Musei Vaticani . But, navigating this site and booking tickets can be frustrating.

• Pros of booking on Musei Vaticani site – lower prices and various ticket options available.
• Cons of booking on Musei Vaticani site – the website doesn’t offer a pleasant user experience, and it’s mainly in Italian, making it difficult for non-speakers to navigate from the homepage. Obtaining a refund is quite challenging.

Vatican Museums Tickets via an Official Partner

Tickets sell out quickly on the Vatican website. Thankfully, there are a few other places to secure your tickets. Booking tickets to the Vatican through an official, trusted partner is the best way to ensure a secure experience and avoid scams.

• Pros of booking via official partners – Official partners offer easy, user-friendly sites and flexible cancellation policies. There are also a variety of tours and ticket options to suit your needs. Often, you’ll only be able to secure a ticket with a partner site.
• Cons of booking via official partners – tickets cost slightly more than buying Vatican Museum tickets directly from the official website, as you’re paying for the added convenience.

Recommended Vatican Museums Tours

The best way to understand the cultural context and appreciate over 500 years of art and history is to join a guided Vatican tour, as the exhibits are quite plain and hard to understand without one.

When considering which tour to book, consider which sites in Vatican City the tour will cover, the tour style, and the duration of your tour.

Official tour partners have to go through a rigorous examination process to obtain their licenses, so you can trust that you’re getting value for money on your tour. Below are some recommended options to consider. 

• Official Tours via Musei Vaticani – these last 30 minutes and allow a maximum group size of 10 people. Their €17.00 ticket only provides entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. 
• Liv Tours – This Rome-based company offers a Skip-the-line Highlights of the Vatican tour for groups of up to a maximum of six people. This semi-private guided tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel draws you into over 2,000 years of history, from antiquity to the Renaissance, ending in the early 17th century. 

You’ll learn fascinating tidbits and stories surrounding the artworks, such as the fresco maps and rich tapestries that adorn the Museum. Plus! Get 5% off with our code, UNTOLDITALY.

• Take Walks Skip the Line Vatican Highlights tour – This tour focuses on enriching visitors with captivating stories and anecdotes. Marvel at classical artworks by Michelangelo and Bernini, all while learning about their origins and history. 
• CityWonders – Offering a skip-the-line tour of the Vatican , their expert tour guides take you on a journey to experience the Vatican in all its glory. This tour takes you to the Pinecone Courtyard, with the interesting pagan symbol of fertility planted in its center. 

The tour guides will also lead you to the Gallery of Tapestries, where stunning displays of tapestries abound. Afterward, explore the rest of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

LISTEN: to our podcast on Tips and Highlights for visiting the Vatican Museums

Vatican Museums Tickets FAQ

Do you need to buy vatican museums tickets in advance.

Yes, you need to buy Vatican tickets in advance. It is no longer possible to show up on the day and stand in line to purchase tickets. All tickets purchased are effectively skip the line Vatican Museums tickets so the benefit is faster access. 

Do I Need a Separate Ticket to Visit St Peter’s Basilica?

No. A separate ticket is not required to visit St Peter’s Basilica which is free to enter however if you’d like to visit Michelangelo’s dome and the Necropolis you need to purchase separate entrance tickets. Note that it’s standard procedure for security to search your bags at the security checkpoint before you enter the church and this is not part of the ticketing system.

TIP: before entering the basilica, try to follow the dress code by wearing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. 

When Do Vatican Museums Tickets Go on Sale?

Vatican tickets typically go on sale about two months in advance on the official site. But tickets are often sold out by that time, so it may help to look out for them earlier from official partners.

Can You Buy Vatican Museums Tickets on the Day?

There are no longer tickets available at the door – you must book them online. You can try to book your Vatican tickets online in the morning of your visit, although you may need fast fingers for that. Your best bet for last-minute tickets will be to take a look at trusted third-party providers.

What Are the Vatican Museums’ Opening Hours?

The Vatican Museums are open from 09:00 until 18:00, Mondays through Saturdays.  Opening hours in 2024 are expected to change to 8am. We will update this page as more information becomes available. The museums are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month and on special occasions.

The museums also have extended opening hours until 22:30 from the 24th to the 30th of April and the 5th of May – the 28th of October.

What Is the Best Time to Visit the Vatican Museums?

The Vatican Museums can get busy and crowded. The best time to visit to avoid the crowds is usually on Tuesday, as this day tends to be the quietest.

Try to avoid the free admission on the last Sunday of the month unless you’re prepared for throngs of tourists.

Are There Any Discounts or Free Entry to the Vatican Museums

The last Sunday of every month is free, but it’s not a good time to visit as it’s usually very busy. That said, children between the ages of six and 18 have free admission to the Vatican Palace.

Employees — both in service and/or retired — of all Offices, Dicasteries, and other entities of the Holy See and/or Vatican City State are admitted free of charge (but only upon presentation of identity document).

Priests, seminarians, and novices are also admitted for free (upon presentation of valid documentation).

Do I Need to Print My Vatican Museums Tickets?

No. If you purchased a ticket from the Vatican Museums website, you don’t need to print it. Just show the voucher on your phone.

Is the Sistine Chapel Included in My Ticket to the Vatican Museums?

Yes, a regular ticket includes the Chapel, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, and the Borgia Apartments in Vatican City. So there’s no need to purchase separate tickets for the Sistine Chapel or any of the other mentioned sites.

Can I stay close to the Vatican?

Yes, here is our recommendation for the best hotels near the Vatican and we also recommend staying near The Pantheon if you want to be near the Vatican and Rome’s other top sites. Or, for other options, see our detailed guide on where to stay in Rome  to choose the best location for your trip.

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Vatican Rules & Regulations | Know What You Can & Cannot Do

The landlocked city-state of the Vatican came into existence with the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929. It is a land of great religious and cultural significance, drawing millions of visitors each year. By virtue of being the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, they have some strict rules and regulations in place. If you are planning a trip to the Vatican make sure that you familiarise yourself with these guidelines so that you can enjoy a hassle-free trip

Vatican Rules & Regulations

• You have to be dressed appropriately to gain entry to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Gardens.
• Visitors are not permitted to wear sleeveless, low-cut garments, shorts that end above the knee, miniskirts, and hats.
• Those with any visible personal objects or personal signs, such as jewelry or tattoos that may offend Catholic morality, the Catholic religion, and common decency will also be denied entry.

Personal Belongings

• Visitors will have to leave luggage, suitcases, bags, packages, and containers bigger than 40 x 35 x 15 cm in the cloakroom.
• Rucksacks that can be carried on the shoulders and don't exceed the widest part of the body by more than 15 cm can be carried inside.
• Jewelry, valuable objects, wallets, phones, video cameras, etc cannot be stowed in the cloakroom.
• However, visitors should not leave their baggage in the Vatican Museums if they are headed to St Peter's Basilica.

Forbidden Items

• Medium and large umbrellas, as well as full-length non-folding umbrellas, sticks (walking sticks not included), video cameras, banners, and signs of any type must be left in the cloakroom. You can avail yourself of cloakroom services for free.
• Knives, scissors, and/or metal tools of various types to be stored in the cloakroom.
• Firearms or other dangerous materials cannot be brought into the Museums.
• The use of any type of laser pointer and amplified microphones are not permitted in the Vatican Museums.

Food & Drink

• Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed inside the Vatican Museums and must be left in the cloakroom.
• You cannot eat or drink when inside the exhibition halls.

• The use of mobile phones is strongly discouraged inside the exhibition spaces.
• Phones must be kept on silent mode.

• The Vatican Museums are a "no smoking area".
• Electronic cigarettes and similar instruments are also not allowed inside.

Visiting Sistine Chapel

• While visiting the Sistine Chapel visitors are requested to observe absolute silence.
• Photography is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
• Using mobile phones is forbidden in the Sistine Chapel.

Pets and Guide Dogs

• Animals are not allowed access to the Vatican Museums, as well as to the museum of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo.
• Guide dogs for the blind or partially-sighted are allowed. However, they must be equipped with a muzzle and lead. Inform the concerned persons by sending an email to [email protected] at least one day in advance.

Photography

• Visitors are allowed to take photographs for personal and domestic use only.
• Flash photography is forbidden.
• The use of tripods, stands, drones, selfie sticks, and/or professional equipment is not allowed.
• Flash photography is strictly forbidden.

• Paper, tins, bottles, and other refuse must not be discarded in the Vatican Museums.
• They must be placed in the appropriate containers placed outside the itinerary.

Lost & Found

• If you have lost a personal belonging, report at the nearest security point.
• If you have already left the Museums, email [email protected] .
• All items stored in the cloakroom should be collected on the same day, before the closing of the Museums. If not, the item will be considered a lost property and destroyed within 48 hours.

Safeguarding Works of Art

• Visitors, apart from blind and partially sighted visitors participating in tactile and multisensory visits, are prohibited from touching the works of art throughout the museums.
• Remember that all the works conserved within the Museums are equipped with an advanced alarm and video surveillance system.

Visiting Vatican Museums

In May, Vatican to offer special Marian tour of Pope's gardens

By Paolo Ondarza   

"The only way to stop war is through forgiveness!" 

The message of the Virgin Mary is both disruptive and clear. Throughout history, she has not failed to indicate to humanity her plan of salvation. At Fatima, for example, appearing to the three shepherd children, she delivered a genuine "peace plan," inviting the world to pray, to return to the Gospel, and to consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart. 

Prayer for Peace 

These words are as relevant as ever when considering the state of the world today.  

The Popes have always emphasized the importance and power of prayer for peace. The initiative "May with Mary," which will be offered by the Vatican Museums every Wednesday and Saturday, offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Vatican Gardens by walking through the various Marian images present there. 

Wednesday and Saturday

 "In the Marian month," explains Sister Emanuela Edwards, "on Wednesdays, pilgrims are invited to join us after the papal audience for an exceptional opening of the Gardens in honor of the Madonna. Additionally, on Saturday mornings, traditionally dedicated to Mary, visitors can take advantage of this pilgrimage tour." 

The Queen of Peace

 "May with Mary," continues the nun, "is a visit that includes 10 stops at the most important statues and images of the Madonna. It evokes a decade of the rosary, so in this period when there are many tensions in the world, at each Marian image, we will pray for peace in the world. It is worth remembering that in the gardens, there are 27 different images of the Madonna, so we can rightly say that these are Her gardens. Mary is the "Queen of Peace," and it is right to pray in this way for peace in the world." 

The Pope’s Prayer 

The Marian images featured in the "May with Mary" tour are linked to the devotion of the peoples who have turned to the Virgin in times of war to invoke peace. Regarding the Madonna of Fatima and the conflict in Ukraine, Sister Emanuela recalls: "Pope Francis followed the Fatima appeal by consecrating the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace. During our visit, we recite this same prayer in front of the statue of the Madonna of Fatima, in communion with the intentions of the Holy Father."

Mercy: The way to lasting peace 

Walking through the Vatican Gardens, we encounter another example of Marian intercession for peace: the Madonna of Mercy, created by Renata Minuto at the entrance of the Chalet of Leo XIII. 

"The Madonna," recalls the head of the Educational Activities Office of the Vatican Museums, "appeared to the peasant Antonio Botta in 1536. At that time, Savona was using all its forces in a war against the Republic of Genoa. Mary appeared to invite both parties to peace, urging them to use mercy and not justice, thus putting an end to the conflict. 

Appearing as Our Lady of Mercy, our Mother teaches us how to have lasting peace. This is what she wants us to remember today in our world torn by war. The only way to stop war is through forgiveness!" 

The spirituality of the Vatican Gardens 

Nature, fountains, ancient artifacts, statues of the Virgin and saints contribute what can be defined as the "spirituality of the Vatican Gardens," a refuge of prayer and contemplation appreciated and lived by the Successor of Peter. 

"In this beautiful place, the Popes, such as John Paul II and Benedict XVI, used to take a daily walk as a moment of rest and prayer. Even Pope Francis, like his predecessors, adorned the Gardens with a statue of the Virgin of Luján, made from recycled materials to remind us that nothing is lost, nothing is discarded, but everything has meaning within the magnificent work of God. We can say that, in a sense, the garden also reflects the teachings of the Popes, and this also leaves us with an important message." 

The Vatican Gardens 

Click  here  to make a reservation join one of these May tours.

Families with children or people with sensory, motor, and intellectual disabilities can take advantage of a special service by emailing  [email protected]

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Pope visits women’s prison in Venice and tours Vatican show at art Biennale

Pope Francis, 87, met inmates, staff and volunteers at Giudecca jail during first trip outside Rome for months

The pope has met female prisoners in Venice who are stars of the Vatican’s pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art show, and urged the women to rebuild their lives in the first ever papal visit to one of the world’s biggest art gatherings.

Pope Francis, 87, arrived by helicopter in the courtyard of the women’s prison on the island of Giudecca, amid concerns over his health. He has not travelled outside Rome since visiting the French city of Marseille in September.

The pope, who throughout his papacy has spoken up in defence of prisoners and the marginalised, encouraged the women to reconstruct their lives “brick upon brick, together, with determination” during their time in prison.

“Prison is a harsh reality, and problems such as overcrowding, the lack of facilities and resources, and episodes of violence, give rise to a great deal of suffering there,” he said, sitting in front of the prisoners. “But it can also become a place of moral and material rebirth.”

Francis called on the prison system to “offer detainees the tools and room for human, spiritual, cultural and professional growth, creating the conditions for their healthy reintegration”.

The pope toured an art exhibition housed at the prison which examines the daily lives of the inmates through the work of 10 different artists. The exhibit is the Vatican’s entry for this year’s Biennale festival of art , which began last weekend.

As some of the women wept, Francis praised the art show. “Paradoxically, a stay in prison can mark the beginning of something new, through the rediscovery of the unsuspected beauty in us and in others, as symbolised by the artistic event you are hosting and the project to which you actively contribute,” he said.

The Vatican exhibit has turned the Giudecca prison – once a convent for reformed prostituted women – into one of the must-see attractions of this year’s Biennale, even though to see it, visitors must reserve in advance and go through a security check. It has become an unusual art world attraction, with visitors greeted at the entrance by Maurizio Cattelan’s wall mural of two giant filthy feet, a work that recalls Caravaggio’s dirty feet or the feet that Francis washes each year in a Holy Thursday ritual that he routinely performs on prisoners.

Francis’s visit represented “a historic moment because he will be the first pope to visit the Venice Biennale,” said the exhibition’s lead curator, José Tolentino de Mendonça.

Later, during a meeting with young people at the iconic Santa María della Salute basilica, Francis acknowledged the miracle that is Venice, admiring its “enchanting beauty” and tradition as a place of east-west encounters, but warning that it was increasingly vulnerable to climate change and depopulation.

“Venice is at one with the waters upon which it sits,” Francis said. “Without the care and safeguarding of this natural environment, it might even cease to exist.”

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Venice, sinking under rising sea levels and weighed down by the impact of overtourism, is in the opening days of an experiment to try to limit the sort of day trips that Francis undertook on Sunday.

This weekend, the city launched a new entry fee for daytrippers , aimed at easing the pressure of tourism on the Unesco world heritage site. As a guest, the head of the Catholic church was exempt from buying a €5 (£4.25) ticket – but non-resident pilgrims visiting for his mass had to pay.

Francis acknowledged Venice’s beauty in his homily at a mass before about 10,000 people in the shadow of St Mark’s basilica, one of the most celebrated churches in Italy .

But he said the city also faced an array of challenges, including climate change, the fragility of its cultural heritage, and overtourism. “Moreover, all these realities risk generating … frayed social relations, individualism, and loneliness,” he said.

Last year in December, a bout of bronchitis forced the pope to cancel a trip to Dubai, where he was to have addressed UN climate talks. He also pulled out of an Easter event at the last minute in March, after suffering for several weeks from what the Vatican called a “light flu”.

The pontiff, who uses a wheelchair, has suffered increasing health problems in recent years, from knee pain to surgery for a hernia and on his colon. Despite his health, the Vatican is planning for him an ambitious 12-day trip to Asia in September, taking in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. Before that, the pope is due to make two other trips within Italy: to Verona in May and Trieste in July.

• Pope Francis
• Venice Biennale 2024
• Catholicism

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