Vatican Museums

The basics

Small-group guided tours and skip-the-line tickets help guarantee hassle-free access to this popular attraction. Private morning tours offering early access before the museums open to the general public are excellent for enjoying the Vatican’s treasures in relative peace. Many, if not most, group Vatican Museums tours include the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro), and the Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani). Some include the Pinecone Courtyard. If you’re traveling with kids, consider a kid-friendly guided tour focusing on museum highlights.

Things to know before you go

• Entry lines often stretch for blocks, and wait times can be two or three hours, especially in summer—book tickets in advance.

• Vatican Museums tickets include entrance to the Sistine Chapel, and the same opening hours apply.

• Appropriate behavior and attire (shoulders, knees, and abdomen covered) are required to enter the Sistine Chapel.

• Security for entering the museum complex includes a metal detector.

• There is a free cloakroom for checking large bags, umbrellas, and luggage.

• Rent official audio guides from the Courtyard of the Cuirasses.

How to get there

Entry to the Vatican Museums is on Viale Vaticano on the northwest side of the complex adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica. Ottaviano station on the Rome Metro Line A is about five minutes away on foot. Many, if not most, city sightseeing tours pass by or include a stop at this eternally popular spot.

When to get there

The Vatican Museums see crowds of travelers year-round. It's busiest in summer when skip-the-line tickets or private tour guides are essential; the museums are less crowded during winter. At any time of year, the museums are most crowded at midday, so aim to visit in the early morning or late afternoon if you’re looking for a more laid-back experience.

Seeing the Pope at the Vatican

On Wednesday mornings, the Pope gives weekly addresses in St. Peter's Square. The timing varies by season but the address typically starts at 9:30am or 10am. During the 1-2 hours address, the Pope gives speeches in various languages and extends official blessings to the audience. Note that the address draws massive crowds—book a ticket ahead of time and arrive up to 3 hours before the official start time.

Can you visit the Vatican Museums without a reservation?

Yes, you can visit the Vatican Museums without a reservation. You can buy tickets upon arrival, but the lines can be extremely long, particularly on weekends and during school vacations. Most travelers opt to book online tickets with skip-the-line entry or join tours that include skip-the-line access.

Are the Vatican Museums free?

No. Most travelers have to pay to enter the Vatican Museums, although St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Children under 6, some people with disabilities and their carers, and some academics and museum professionals can visit the Vatican Museums for free. Everyone enjoys free entry on the last Sunday of every month.

What is included in the Vatican Museums ticket?

Vatican Museums tickets include access to a range of galleries, museums, chapels, and apartments replete with priceless works of art. The Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s iconic Last Judgment, and Raphael’s Rooms are particularly popular. You can also usually access St. Peter’s Basilica through the Vatican entrance, beating the lines.

Is there a mandatory dress code at the Vatican Museums?

Yes. The Vatican Museums require that visitors dress as if they were going to church. In practice, that means no hats, legs covered to the knees, and covered shoulders, upper arms, belly, and cleavage. Clothes don’t need to be formal, but they shouldn’t be overly street: Leave the ripped jeans at home.

Can I take pictures at the Vatican Museums?

Yes. You can take pictures for personal use in the Vatican Museums, but you can’t use flash anywhere and you can’t take any photos in the Sistine Chapel. Professional equipment, including tripods and drones, and selfie sticks are banned. Professionals need permission from the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage.

Are the Vatican Museums wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The Vatican Museums are fully accessible to people who use manual wheelchairs, with accessible bathrooms, step-free connecting routes, and loaner chairs (documentation required). However, people who rely on mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs may not be able to access certain parts of the museum due to space constraints.

Ways to explore

Small-group guided tours and skip-the-line tickets help guarantee hassle-free access to this popular attraction. Private morning tours offering early access before the museums open to the general public are excellent for enjoying the Vatican’s treasures in relative peace. Many, if not most, group Vatican Museums tours include the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro), and the Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani). Some include the Pinecone Courtyard. If you’re traveling with kids, consider a kid-friendly guided tour focusing on museum highlights.

Consider a minimum of 2 hours inside the museums to touch on the highlights, though most 3-hour tours also include a stop in St. Peter’s Basilica. Most Vatican Museums guided tours can access the basilica via an internal passage, bypassing the long security line at the church’s main entrance in St. Peter’s Square.

Accessibility

Most of the museum complex is accessible to wheelchair users via a dedicated itinerary route. Wheelchairs are available at coat check.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, wrap to cover shoulders if wearing a sleeveless shirt

What to wear

Clothing that covers your knees, shoulders, and midriff; comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Hats, large bags, umbrellas, selfie sticks

Amenities

Restroom, coat check, café, gift shop, audio guides

Address

Entry to the Vatican Museums is on Viale Vaticano on the northwest side of the complex adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s about a 10-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square along the walls of Vatican City and a 5-minute walk from the nearest metro station.

Driving

Rome’s chaotic traffic and lack of parking make driving to the Vatican Museums challenging. Instead, book a tour that includes transportation from your hotel or take a taxi to the stand just outside the museums’ entrance.

Public transportation

The Ottaviano station on the Rome Metro Line A is about five minutes away on foot. Bus 49 stops in the square in front of the Vatican Museums while tram 19 stops at Piazza del Risorgimento, about an 8-minute walk away.

Best times to visit

The Vatican Museums are one of the most popular—and crowded—attractions in Rome. Visit in the late afternoon for quieter galleries or book an early- or late-access tour to enter outside of public opening hours.

Best days to visit

Avoid the crowds on Saturdays, bank holidays, and the final Sunday of the month (when the museums are open to the public for free). Instead, visit on a weekday afternoon or Wednesday morning when many visitors are attending the papal audience.

Best months to visit

Winter is the quietest time to visit the Vatican Museums, especially January and February. The galleries also have a small lull in August, when Rome’s sweltering temperatures keep many tourists away.

Special events

The museums hold numerous temporary exhibitions each year highlighting specific artists or works, artistic movements, or other themes. Check the official Vatican Museums website for upcoming events.