guided tour of vatican city

Vatican Tours

Vatican City offers countless artistic and architectural treasures, and you’ll be able to make the m...

Our tours in Vatican

Pristine Sistine™ Early Entrance Small Group Vatican Tour

The Complete Vatican Tour with Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica

Rome in a Day Tour: Including Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

Pristine Sistine at Closing Time: Late Entry Vatican Tour

St. Peter’s Basilica from Top to Bottom with Dome Climb & Crypt

VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel

Alone In The Vatican: Exclusive VIP Access Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour

What to know about vatican from our local guides.

The Vatican Museums house 70,000 of the world’s greatest artistic treasures, of which 20,000 are on display. From ancient Roman sculptures to Renaissance paintings, it would take days to discover it all, which is why we highly recommend booking a Vatican tour to help you make the most of your time at the museums.

A few of the collection’s undisputed highlights are:

• The Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes
• The Raphael Rooms, which include the famous School of Athens
• The Gallery of the Maps, perhaps the most famous of the Museums’ galleries adorned with 40 maps depicting the different regions of Italy
• Laocoön and His Sons, an enigmatic masterpiece of ancient sculpture
• The Belvedere Torso, which is said to have influenced the work of Michelangelo himself

The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous individual room in the entire world. This is in no small part due to the significant artistic masterpieces adorning its interior, with Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” and ceiling frescoes being the highlights.

Pope Sixtus IV, the chapel’s namesake, commissioned its construction in the late 15th century. Today, its best-known use is for the papal conclaves, the process through which a new pope is elected by the College of Cardinals. It also serves as the Pope’s own private chapel when he is at the Vatican.

Want to have the Sistine Chapel all to yourself, just like the Pope? Avoid the crowds on a VIP tour outside opening hours. For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can even accompany the Vatican Key Master himself as he opens the silent halls and galleries in the Vatican Museums early in the morning—including the Sistine Chapel.

As the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is itself a masterpiece of art and architecture. It houses some of the most significant religious art in the world, including Michelangelo’s moving Pietà sculpture and the Baldachin, Bernini’s massive bronze altar canopy.

Michelangelo was also the mastermind behind the famous dome crowning the basilica. Climbing the dome is a fantastic way to see not just the incredible mosaics lining the interior up close, but also to feast your eyes on spectacular views over Rome from the very top. Keep in mind that there are over 500 steps to get to the top of the dome from ground level, though an elevator is available to bypass approximately the first half. Underneath the Basilica, the Papal Crypts mark the final resting place of some of the most important Popes in Catholic history.

A guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica will give you an up-close look at all of these treasures and more. Led by an expert art historian guide, you’ll see a side of the world’s most iconic church that few others get to experience.

The best and easiest way to ensure you skip the line at the Vatican is to book a guided tour . With no-wait access to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll save precious hours of time that would have been spent in line. Plus, you'll be in the company of an insightful guide who can provide context on the innumerable masterpieces that can be hard to make sense of on your own.

The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 9 am–6 pm. They tend to get more crowded the later in the day you go, so consider booking an early morning Vatican tour to get ahead of the crowds and ensure a more relaxed visit.

For an especially exclusive experience, consider joining the Vatican Key Master himself as he unlocks the silent halls, galleries, and even the Sistine Chapel first thing in the morning before the Museums open to the public. Accompanied by a small group of just 20 other people, the Key Master’s Tour is the most special way to experience the Vatican in total peace and quiet.

Don’t want to get up early? Another excellent option is to take a special access tour after closing time to wander the halls of the Vatican in peace—and have the Sistine Chapel all to yourself.

From May through October, the Vatican Museums offer extended opening hours until 10:30 pm on Fridays and 8 pm on Saturdays. Taking a night tour of the Vatican is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t soon forget!

The Museums are closed most Sundays (except for the last Sunday of every month) and on certain public holidays.

The Vatican is a religious site, and official rules mandate that visitors dress appropriately or risk being turned away. All guests regardless of gender are required to keep their shoulders and knees covered. In warmer months, it’s useful to have a shawl, scarf, or light jacket handy to pull on when entering the Vatican if your outfit doesn’t meet the dress code standards. Additionally, hats are not allowed.

While the Vatican dress code doesn’t have any hard-and-fast rules regarding footwear, keep in mind that you’ll be doing a lot of walking on your Vatican tour. As long as you have comfortable shoes that are good for walking, you’re all set.

While there aren’t any restaurants within Vatican City itself, the surrounding Prati and Trionfale neighborhoods offer plenty of excellent options—particularly if you don’t mind walking a few blocks away (or further) from the Vatican walls. For a quick, on-the-go option, Anthony Bourdain-approved Bonci Pizzarium serves up some of the best pizza by the slice in Rome. In the mood for a sit-down meal after spending hours on your feet at the Vatican? Velavevodetto ai Quiriti—the Prati outpost of Testaccio icon Flavio al Velavevodetto—is perfect for home-cooked Roman classics.

Check out our popular Vatican articles

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The 5 best vatican tours of 2024.

Guided Vatican tours can make the experience less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

The Best Vatican Tours

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Key Takeaways

• Guided tours can help you make the most of your visit to Vatican City.
• Ticket prices can vary considerably depending on the tour group size.
• Anticipate crowds regardless of when or how you visit, as many tours offer early entry, after-hours and/or skip-the-line access.

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Vatican City draws more than 5 million people each year, which means that no matter when you visit, you can expect massive crowds. Along with the crowds, the sheer size of this sovereign city-state in Rome can make a visit to Vatican City feel overwhelming.

If you're feeling intimidated by the experience, consider one of the following small-group Vatican tours, guided by local experts who can both explain the history of the Eternal City and help you navigate the crowds.

What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $87; kids from $82 Duration: 3 hours

One of the best tours in Rome , this small-group option includes skip-the-line tickets to all the museums as well as St. Peter's Basilica . Tourgoers are also given headsets so they can better hear their guide. Recent visitors praise the knowledgeable tour guides for helping them maneuver the museums, as well as ensuring guests are comfortable (finding a shady reprieve on a hot summer day, for example).

Tours depart from the What a Life Tours office ( Via Santamaura 14B ) at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Tickets for children ages 5 and younger are free.

What a Life Tours also offers skip-the-line access that omits the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as local food tours and tours of the Colosseum .

Check prices & availability on:

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz Dec. 19, 2023

The Roman Guy – Vatican After Hours Tour with Sistine Chapel

Price: Adults from $124; kids from $100 Duration: 2 hours

Instead of early entry, this tour offers after-hours access to the Eternal City on select weekends in the summer months. Tours depart at 5:30 p.m. from Caffé Vaticano . Guided by a local expert, you'll see the Vatican museums, galleries, Raphael Rooms and School of Athens before the tour concludes at the Sistine Chapel. Recent reviewers highly recommend this tour, pointing to the tour guides' breadth of knowledge and the ability to experience Vatican City with fewer crowds.

The Roman Guy offers a number of other local tours that include visits to the Colosseum and Catacombs of Rome as well as food tours (and tours that combine some or all of the above).

Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $140; kids from $124 Duration: 3 hours

This intimate tour is limited to just six people, making the experience more personal and enjoyable. Your tour guide will take you to through the famous galleries, the Julius II apartments, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Recent tourgoers say they could see a difference in this tour versus the other Vatican tours. They also note how kind the tour guides are.

Tours, which are available during a wide variety of time slots each day, start and conclude at Caffé Vaticano , right across the street from the entrance to the museums.

Other experiences offered by Liv Tours include a Jewish Ghetto & Travestere Tour, cooking classes and tours designed for kids.

Private Tours of Rome – Vatican and Sistine Chapel Private Tour

Price: Adults from $364; kids from $87 Duration: 3 hours

Explore the Vatican with a professional historian on this private tour. Recent travelers say they're so glad they chose to visit the Vatican on a private tour, noting how much they enjoyed hearing the guides' personal stories about the museums and the pope.

Tours depart from Viale Vaticano at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

If you're looking for a private tour of other attractions, Private Tours of Rome offers a variety of options. It also offers shore excursions, with pick up and drop-off at your ship in Civitavecchia.

Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From $1,345 Duration: 6 hours

If you're short on time and/or prefer to see several Rome attractions at once, this jam-packed tour is a great option. During the six-hour excursion, you'll see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum , Trevi Fountain , Piazza Novana and the Pantheon before visiting the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square (and then moving on to other sites). This tour includes optional headsets and skip-the-line access at all ticketed attractions. Recent travelers say the tour guides make this experience especially fun.

This full-day tour starts at 9 a.m. in front of the Angelino "ai Fori" dal 1947 restaurant and concludes in St. Peter's Square. It's typically offered Monday through Saturday. While babies and toddlers up to age 2 are permitted free of charge, this tour is not recommended for children.

Through Eternity Tours offers a number of other guided experiences in Rome, including an Angels and Demons tour based on the bestselling book. The company also offers shore excursions and day trips to Tivoli, Florence and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Vatican is a sovereign city-state recognized under international law. Its government includes the pope and the departments of the Roman Curia that help him exercise his responsibilities.

In short, yes. Vatican City is considered an independent nation-state and is the world's smallest such entity.

Yes, and there are a variety of ticket options you can purchase on the Vatican's website . However, many travelers opt for a guided tour to see the highlights with the help of an expert. Plus, many Vatican tours include stops at other attractions in Rome.

All visitors must dress appropriately for a place of worship. Shorts, hats, miniskirts, sleeveless tops, low-cut tops and garments that show the knees are not permitted. Guests dressed inappropriately will not be allowed inside.

When choosing your outfit, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes . Any visit to Vatican City requires a lot of walking.

All visitors are required to go through a security check to enter the museums, and there are a variety of items that you may not take inside:

• Luggage: Bags, backpacks and the like must not exceed 40 x 35 x 15 centimeters (16 x 14 x 6 inches); if they're too big, they must be checked in the cloak room (free of charge).
• Umbrellas: If necessary, these can also be checked in the cloak room.
• Video cameras: Non-flash photography is permitted in all areas except the Sistine Chapel.
• Food and drink
• Weapons and firearms

The Vatican is easily accessible from different sections of Rome.

Metro: You can take the metro to either the Cipro or Ottaviano stop on Line A (orange line) to be dropped near the Vatican Museums.

Bus: If taking the bus, multiple routes drop off near St. Peter's Basilica.

Taxi: You can also opt for a taxi or walk into St. Peter's Square.

Additionally, there are parking garages outside of Vatican City if you want to drive there, though driving in Rome is generally not recommended, as there are many areas where driving is restricted and you could be fined. Traffic in Rome can also be brutal, especially during the summer. Plan to arrive at the tour departure point at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

The Vatican museums are open Monday through Saturday.

From March 2024 onward, hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of the month and certain holy days throughout the year, including Christmas. Final entry to the museum is approximately two hours before closing.

St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7 a.m. year-round, closing at 6:30 p.m. in the winter months and 7 p.m. from April through September.

Be sure to check if there are any museum closures ahead of your visit.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Italy Tours and Small Group Trips

Tags: Tours , Travel , Vacations , Vatican , Europe Vacations

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The 7 Best Vatican Tours ⛪ [2024 Reviews]

Taking a guided tour of the vatican museums is the best way to appreciate the magnificent artwork and galleries.

The Vatican, formally the Vatican Museums, is a sprawling network of museums, secret rooms, galleries, and more.

These top rated guided Vatican tours will show you some of the most significant artifacts and works of art the Vatican museum has to offer.

A guided tour will help you learn more about the artwork and give you opportunities to see and experience more than you could on your own. So mark the Vatican off your bucket list with one of these tours!

Be sure to see our reviews of Amalfi Coast Day Trips , Colosseum Tours and Tuscany Day Trips .

Best Vatican Guided Tours

Quick answer: the 7 best rated vatican tours from rome.

• Vatican City: Private Vatican Tour, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Basilica
• Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica: Early Morning Tour
• Vatican and Colosseum Combo Tour: Don’t Wait in Line to See the Best of Rome
• Entire Vatican Tour: Treasures of the Sistine Chapel
• Private Vatican Tour Museum and Sistine Chapel
• Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s
• Rome: Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb

Vatican Tour Reviews

1. vatican city: private vatican tour, vatican museums, sistine chapel and vatican basilica.

• Departure Location : Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM
• Return Location : Saint Peter’s Square
• Departure Time : Various
• Estimated Duration : 3 hours
• Includes : Vatican Museums, Rooms of Rafael and Sistine Chapel Private Tour, skip-the-line tickets

The crowds at the Vatican, as well as the Sistine Chapel, can be a bit overwhelming. This private Vatican tour will take you on a guided and informational walk through many of the most popular attraction stops at the Vatican.

Not only will you be able to see the Sistine Chapel, but also Rafael’s Rooms and the Chiaramonti Gallery, as well as several other famous sites.

Because your tour guide is taking you and your group on a private skip-the-line tour of the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, there may be some flexibility in what you see and when.

You’ll also be able to ask questions of your guide. Your ticket to this private tour also includes the ability to skip the long lines commonly seen at the Vatican.

This tour will bring you through the Pinecone Courtyard where you will see the bust of Augustus, dating back to the 1 st -century A.D. Other Roman sculptures and historical artifacts are also on display.

Both the Gallery of the Maps and the Gallery of the Tapestries offer beauty as well as the overwhelming sense of history located here.

Being able to take in the breathtaking details of both the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of St. Peter is truly once-in-a-lifetime.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other rome experiences you may enjoy:, 2. sistine chapel and st. peter’s basilica: early morning tour.

• Departure Location : Piazza della Città Leonina
• Return Location : Piazza della Città Leonina
• Departure Time : 7:30am
• Includes : Guided tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica , head sets

Before the crowds start to form for the day, you’ll be able to enjoy a walking tour through the Vatican Museums. With the VIP option, you will be given exclusive access and a private guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Without the crowds elbowing you, you can take in the full majesty of the works of art and truly appreciate them. Your expert tour guide will tell you the background stories of the amazing sculptures and artwork of the Renaissance period.

Without the crowds, you’ll be guided through the various galleries, museums, and secret rooms of the Vatican. These are home to the vast collection of art and religious artifacts central to the culture of Italy and to the Catholic religion.

You will also see the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps. These areas are seldom seen by most people but you will be able to stroll through them at a leisurely pace while hearing the background of all these treasures.

Search For Other Top Rated Rome Experiences You May Enjoy:

3. vatican and colosseum combo tour: don’t wait in line to see the best of rome.

• Departure Location : Check with tour operator
• Return Location : Original departure point
• Departure Time : 9am
• Estimated Duration : 10 hours
• Includes : Professional guide, reserved Skip-the-Line Access to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms, Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Audio headset

Early in the morning, you’ll meet at across the street from the Vatican next to the Caffè Vaticano. You will then cross the street and skip the line into the museum.

However, this not just a typical skip the line tour, you get to enter through the “Private Partner Entrance” that saves even more time!

The small group you will be with will have a guide tour by a Vatican expert who will give you insights and information that will not be found anywhere else.

You will of course see the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes in addition to all the other treasures.

After the tour you will then have time to enjoy some of the delicious Italian food that Rome is known for. You will then meet your guide at the coliseum. Here you will again skip the lines, saving hours of waiting.

Once inside your guide will give you all the details of the Coliseum including it’s construction and use over the years.

After the coliseum you will then proceed to Palatine Hill and then finish up at The Forum. This full day tour takes you to some of the best that Rome has to offer!

Tour Information & Booking

4. entire vatican tour: treasures of the sistine chapel.

• Departure Location : Via Sebastiano Veniero, 19, 00192 Roma
• Return Location : Vatican Museums, 00120, Vatican City
• Estimated Duration : 2.5 hours
• Includes : Tour guide, Skip-the-Line Access to Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and Rooms of Raphael

During this relatively short tour of the Vatican, your guide will take you through some of the most popular and historically significant rooms in the Museums.

You’ll also hear about the history and the many legends surrounding the Sistine Chapel as you explore its interior.

However, most of those visiting Vatican don’t have access to the Vatacombs located under the Sistine Chapel. These Catacombs are home to many former popes and other historically significant figures.

Just a few of the things you will see on your tour through the Vatican Museums are Rafael’s Rooms as well as many ancient Roman and Greek artifacts housed in the Belvedere Courtyard.

You’ll learn the history of these important buildings, from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica. Your guide will also give you a lesson on the Vatican State and the Swiss Guard.

This Vatican day tour from Rome is designed to focus on the art located here and the history of that art. You’ll also learn about how the art of ancient Rome influenced Western art as well as architecture.

Your tour guide is an expert art historian and will also be able to answer questions you may have along the way.

5. Private Vatican Tour Museum and Sistine Chapel

• Departure Location : Vatican Museums
• Return Location : Vatican Museums
• Departure Time : 3:15pm
• Estimated Duration : 2-3 hours
• Includes : Expert tour guide, private tour of the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and Gallery of Maps

For most, a vacation to Rome is something that only happens once in a lifetime. Because of this, you may want to experience the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and other popular locations like no one else can.

On this VIP tour, you’ll have access to rooms in the Vatican Museums that aren’t usually available to the public.

While you’ll be able to see things inside the Vatican usually off-limits, such as the Niccoline Chapel or the Bramante Staircase, you’ll also have skip-the-line access to publicly available galleries such as Rafael’s Rooms.

However, you’ll also be able to visit the Sistine Chapel after it closes to the general public. On this private tour, you’ll be able to hear commentary from your experienced tour guide about the history and construction of the Chapel.

Commentary usually isn’t allowed in the Chapel which makes this a unique experience.

This VIP private guided Vatican tour is limited to just 15 people. This means you’ll have a personalized experience as you take in the beauty and wonders of one of the most historically significant places in the world.

After all, not very many visitors to the Vatican are able to experience the secret rooms and learn of the often-forgot history that resides in them.

6. Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Tour

• Duration : 3.5 hours
• Departure : Via Santamaura 14B (Office What a Life Tours)
• Departure Time :  8:00 AM
• Includes : Skip-the-ticket-line ticket to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, early entrance an hour before crowds, tour guide, admission and reservation fees

If I’d give any one tip to tourists going to the Vatican, it would be to book a tour that gives you skip-the-line access. The Vatican can get insanely busy, and the lines can take hours off of your day – oftentimes in the hot, humid Mediterranean heat.

The Vatican: Early Entry to Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Tour helps avoid all that, giving you premium access even before the crowds think of forming! This tour lasts 3.5 hours, but all of it is exploring and learning rather than waiting around in hopes of entering these amazing museums and structures.

Start out by meeting your guide at the tour offices, which are right next to the Vatican, itself. I immediately noticed that our guide was super friendly and more than happy to answer any questions we had, along with plenty of recommendations along the way.

Not to mention, this is a completely personalized experience rather than a boring, cookie-cutter tour that you could frankly get anywhere. The guide asked us about our specific interests and tailored our tour around them, so that everyone was happy and didn’t miss anything we wanted to see.

As the groups max out at just 12 participants, it’s easy to move through the hallways and see everything without fighting through a big crowd. This VIP experience took us through all the hidden gems and biggest tourist sites inside the Vatican, with the early morning tour. This consisted of the museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Sistine Chapel was even more breathtaking in person, and we learned everything from the history of the artwork to the structure, itself.

7. Rome: Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb

• Duration : 5 hours
• Departure : Either the Tiare Fountain and the Sebastiano Veniero 19
• Departure Time : 8:00 AM
• Includes : St. Peter’s Dome entry tickets, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel skip-the-line entry tickets, guided tour

If the last tour caught your attention but you’re looking for something even more comprehensive, I have the perfect excursion for you. Lasting 5 hours, the Entire Vatican Museums Tour and St. Peter’s Dome Climb is what I’d recommend if it’s your first time in Rome and want to see a good portion of the most popular sites in the capital.

It’s so much more than the average Vatican tour – this time, you’re getting the VIP treatment. Right across from St. Peter’s Square, we met up with your expert guide who was very friendly and seemed to know just about everything there was to know about the area.

After a quick intro, he lead us into Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica before it even opens to the public! This itself was worth the money, considering I saw the queues later in the day and they were there for hours!

Once inside, we got to choose to go up the elevator or walk up to the terrace level of St. Peter’s (I recommend the latter, if you can!). Here, there are countless little mosaics, which our guide also told us fascinating stories about to further enrich the experience. Next, it’s to the summit for simply the best, most beautiful views of Rome I’ve ever seen.

Next, we head down deep into the Vatacombs, where the former popes lie, and where you’ll learn some rather dramatic and interesting stories behind what’s happened here. Next, is an educational tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, covering some of the most unbelievable Renaissance masterpieces in the world.

After a short break for some food, you’ll then skip the line to enter the Vatican Museums through 1,200 or so galleries. We did spend a good portion of the Chapel, and seeing the magic touch applied by Michelangelo in person definitely warranted the extra time here.

FAQs About Vatican Tours

What can i expect on a vatican tour.

A Vatican tour usually starts with a meeting point near the entrance of the Vatican Museums or at your hotel if you have arranged a pickup service. You will meet your guide who will give you your skip-the-line ticket and your headset if needed.

Then, you will enter the Vatican Museums and follow your guide through the vast collection of artworks that span from ancient times to modern times. You will see famous sculptures, paintings, tapestries, maps, and more.

The best part of any tour is the Sistine Chapel. Here you can take in the stunning frescoes by Michelangelo that depict scenes from the Bible. You will also learn about the secrets and stories behind this masterpiece.

Finally, you will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will see the largest church in the world and its magnificent dome. You will also see the tomb of St. Peter, the Pietà by Michelangelo, and other artworks by Bernini and other artists.

How long do Vatican City tours last?

Vatican tours usually last two to four hours, depending on how much of the Vatican you want to see.

Why should I go on Vatican guided tour?

Going on a Vatican tour is one of the best ways to experience the vast museums of the Vatican. The Vatican is one the largest and most impressive collections of art in the world. A Vatican tour is more than just a sightseeing trip; it’s an enlightening journey!

Do I have to have a ticket to see the Vatican?

To visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel you do need a ticket. They are always crowded and must buy tickets in advance. We would recommend a guided tour with skip the line tickets. To see St. Peter’s Square or St. Peter’s Basilica you don’t need a ticket but you still have to go through a security check and follow a dress code.

How can I see the Pope?

The Pope holds a general mass on Wednesdays at 10 am in St. Peter’s Square or in the Paul VI Audience Hall. Where the mass is held depends on the weather and how many people are attending. You can request a free ticket from the Prefecture of the Papal Household or join a guided tour. The Pope also delivers an Angelus prayer on Sundays at noon from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. You don’t need a ticket for this.

What else can I do when visiting the Vatican?

Other than the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica there are some lesser-known but still interesting places in Vatican City. You can explore the Vatican Necropolis, this ancient cemetery lies below St. Peter’s Basilica and contains the tomb of St. Peter. You need to book this at least two months in advance. You can also climb up to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica and see pretty amazing views of the city and the square. You can either take an elevator or stairs to reach the dome. There is a fee for both options.

Tips to enjoy your Vatican tour

Tip #1: dress appropriately for your visit to the vatican.

Because the Vatican Museums , as well as the Sistine Chapel, are religious places, you’ll need to dress appropriately.

Your shoulders, knees, and abdomen should be completely covered. Your clothes should not have inappropriate graphics or sayings. If security personnel believe you are dressed inappropriately, you won’t be allowed in. This is true even if you are on a private tour.

Tip #2: Plan Everything in Advance

There are millions of visitors to Rome and the Vatican every year. This means that some of the attractions you are looking forward to may be sold out or closed by the time you arrive.

The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are a great example of this. If you are traveling to Rome around the time of religious holidays, these attractions may be closed to the public as well as to guided tours.

While many guided tours have backup plans in the event a scheduled location is closed unexpectedly, you should research your trip to make sure the places you wish to visit should be open.

Tip #3: Choose a Tour of the Vatican

If you plan on visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other popular places within Vatican City, purchasing a guided tour is a good idea.

The lines for general admission to many of these places can stretch for blocks and getting in may not be guaranteed. With a guided tour, like the ones we’ve reviewed above, you are guaranteed access so long as it isn’t closed for religious reasons. Plus, you will be able to skip the long lines.

Tip #4: Only Carry What You Need

While this is true wherever you are visiting within the city of Rome, it is especially true when visiting the Vatican. Large bags, umbrellas, camera tripods, and other cumbersome items aren’t allowed within the Vatican Museums and related locations.

You can store them in the cloakroom provided for free, but you may end up having to leave your tour early to retrieve them before closing time. It’s best to carry only what you need when touring the Vatican.

Tip #5: Visit on a Wednesday

If you’re looking forward to seeing the Pope and to the papal audience, you’ll want to plan your visit for a Wednesday. While there are occasional deviations from the Wednesday schedule, you’ll most likely be able to see the weekly message on that day. In fact, the Papal Audience and Vatican Museums tour we reviewed above guarantees you will see the Pope as part of the papal audience as long as he delivers his message on schedule.

What Can I See in One Day at the Vatican (A Sample Itinerary)

Of course you can’t see everything in the Vatican in a day but you can certainly hit the highlights. Lets take a look at what you can see in one day.

St. Peter’s Basilica: This stunning church is the largest in the world and is home to some amazing works of art. Check out Michelangelo’s “Pieta” and the altar before taking the elevator up to the top of the dome. Here you can get a bird’s eye view of the city. Trust me when I tell you, the view is absolutely it!

Vatican Museums : This gigantic collection of art galleries is the home to the most famous art in the world. Starting with the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms. You need to spend a few hours here as there is so much to see. Some of this time is going to be spent waiting, so factor that in.

Pro tip : Buy your tickets online well in advance so you can skip the long lines!

Lunch : By the time you are done with the Basilica and Sistine Chapel it will be time take a break from the crowds and have lunch at one of the local cafes or restaurant. Enjoy some Italian cuisine while admiring the architecture around you.

Papal Audience :  This weekly event is every Wednesday and gives you a chance to see the Pope and receive his blessing. This is something you won’t forget!

Pro tip : Be sure to arrive early to secure a spot, it’s one of the most popular things to do at the Vatican.

Further explore : After seeing the Pope, take time to explore some of the lesser known areas of the Vatican. Some of these areas are the Vatican Gardens or the Necropolis. These hidden gems will give you a glimpse of the history and culture of the city.

Tour Guides

The Private Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel is our Editors Choice with its combination of sites seen, tours guides and value.

Krysha Thayer

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews], the 7 best paris walking tours [2024 reviews].

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Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

The Best Vatican Tours To Take in 2024 and Why + Maps

Sean Finelli Last Updated: February 21, 2024

You already know that a trip to Rome is not complete without a visit to the famous country within the city: Vatican City. But there are so many different tour options, so how do you choose? It all depends on your travel interests and schedule. In this guide, you’ll discover our best Vatican tours and which one’s right for you.

Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post in your browser along with our article on the best Colosseum tours . We also have a dedicated guide to all things Vatican City where you’ll find everything you need.

All Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tours

All of our Vatican tours include skip-the-line tickets, local English-speaking guides, a tour of the Vatican Museums, and a visit to the Sistine Chapel. The right Vatican tour for you will depend on your interests, whether you want to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds, and how much time you have to soak up all this beauty.

To help you find your perfect Vatican experience, here is a link bank of all our tours, followed by more in-depth descriptions and maps below.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Vatican tour is worth it .

Express Vatican Tours (2 hours)

• Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel
• Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb

Classic Vatican Tours (2.5 – 3.5 hours)

• Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
• Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (start times throughout the day)
• Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo

Full Experience Vatican Tours and Combos (4 or more hours)

• St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour
• Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip
• Rome in a Day Tour Including Colosseum and Vatican Museums
• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

Vatican Tickets

Skip-the-line tickets for a self-guided Vatican visit:

• Purchase skip-the-line Vatican tickets

1. Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Everyone knows the Vatican Museums are filled with crowds most of the day. That’s why this Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds and heat. Why? It enters before the general public so you can enjoy a less-crowded time throughout your tour.

With fewer crowds and cooler temperatures inside the vast Vatican Museums, you can easily follow your guide through the Vatican’s galleries and museums. Explore the Pio-Clementino, the Gallery of Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms as your guide brings each location to life.

Of course, you’ll visit the Sistine Chapel where you’ll stand in awe under the centuries-old ceiling that has captivated travelers from around the world. Starting your day early in the Vatican is the best way to maximize your vacation.

2. Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

Want to see both the Vatican and the Colosseum? This combo tour gets you more bang for your buck by combining them! You’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry at both the Colosseum and the Vatican. First, dive into ancient Roman history at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill where you’ll walk in the steps of Gladiators and Emperors.

After lunch, rejoin the tour at the Vatican to hear stories of papal intrigue and see some of the world’s most celebrated artworks by masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it .

3. Private Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

If you don’t have time for an early morning tour or would prefer to visit in the afternoon, then our Private Skip the Line Vatican Tour is the one for you. With multiple start times throughout the day and skip-the-line tickets, you’ll find a time that’s just right for you and get straight to exploring.

4. Rome in a Day including Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Our Rome in a Day Tour is one of our most popular tours to date. You start your day with a comprehensive tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica with an English-speaking guide. Then you head to the city for a walking tour of the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. End your day tour of Rome with a full Colosseum tour that includes the Roman Forum.

This is a great way to get the main highlights of Rome before you head out to discover it even better on your own. We provide transportation from the Vatican to the center of Rome, but this tour spends a lot of time on your feet. You’ll be ready for a delicious dinner when you’re done exploring one of the best tours of the Vatican and Rome!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Rome tours to take and why .

5. Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb

Looking for the best views in Rome? We know where to go. Our Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb  takes you to the top of the famous dome right as it opens and before there are any lines. Most of all, it’s before the heat of the day!

After you’ve climbed to the incredible lookout and soaked up those views, your guide will escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica for a guided tour that includes the Papal Crypts. For a quick tour of St. Peter’s and the dome, this is one of the best Vatican tours you can take.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Vatican Guide for more info.

6. Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel with Aperitivo

Looking for that truly exclusive opportunity to enjoy the Vatican and Sistine Chapel? This might just be what you need. With a late afternoon entry to the Vatican, you’ll be led with your small group through the highlights. Then you’ll step into the Sistine Chapel along with no more than 100 other people (usually at least 2,000 during the day)!

Your guide’s stories about this magnificent ceiling will come to life as you experience quiet time in the Sistine Chapel that few ever will. Afterwards, enjoy a drink on us during your aperitivo in the Pinecone Courtyard.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit the Sistine Chapel .

7. St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour

Want to get more bang for your buck? Book our St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour . No matter how many times you’ve been to Rome, this is a great way to start your trip.

Enjoy views from the most scenic viewpoint at St. Peter’s Basilica before the crowds and the heat. Then follow your guide to your skip-the-line entrance at the Vatican where you’ll see the top highlights before stepping into the Sistine Chapel.

8. Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel

On this guided Vatican visit, enter the Vatican Museums after hours and experience the museums with very few other people. You’ll feel like a VIP on this after-hours night tour of the Vatican. It’s the best way to really enjoy the quiet solitude in the 9 miles of museums here.

Not to mention, you’ll get to stand under the Sistine Chapel with just a handful of people around you. It’s almost as exclusive as you can get without booking a private tour. This Vatican Night Tour only runs on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer, making it a very exclusive experience.

9. Skip the Line Vatican Tickets

Want to explore the Vatican Museums at your own pace but with the benefit of skip-the-line tickets? Then reserve your own tickets with our privileged access that lets you bypass the crowds.

You’ll meet our helpful attendant near the Vatican Museums entrance, where they’ll escort you past the general line and into the reserved group entry. There you’ll go through security and be free to explore the Vatican and Sistine Chapel as long as you like.

10. Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip

Are you visiting Rome on a Saturday during the spring or summer months? Why not make a whole day of it with our Vatican Museums, Gardens, and Castel Gandolfo Day Trip ?

With this experience, you will take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens, and a day trip by train to the Pope’s summer residence. A return train ticket and delicious lunch fit for a pope are included!

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July 5, 2019

We are currently looking at all the various tour possibilities. Do you have tours which cover one or more of the restricted hidden areas of the Vatican Museums; namely the Bramante Staircase, the Niccoline Chapel and the Cabinet of Masks? Thank You.

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THE 10 BEST Vatican City Tours & Excursions

Tours in vatican city.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Skip-the-Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's | Small Group

2. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

3. Rome: Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter 6 PAX Group

4. Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

5. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with St. Peter's Basilica Access

6. Rome: Early Morning Vatican Small Group Tour of 6 PAX or Private

7. Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum

8. Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour

9. Rome: The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter's Dome Climb

10. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Skip the Line & Basilica Tour

11. Private Electric Tuktuk Tour of Rome's Landmarks

12. Rome: Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour | Small Group

13. Skip the Line: Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & Raphael Rooms + Basilica Access

14. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Saint Peter's Semi-private Tour

15. Rome's 12 Best Highlights Full Day Private Tour

16. Rome in a Day: Colosseum, Vatican Entry & Skip-the-Line Tour

17. Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel with the Basilica or Raphael Rooms

18. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour

19. Colosseum Ticket and Audioguide with Multimedia Video

20. After Hours Private Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

21. Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Admission Ticket

22. Vespa Tour By Night

23. Skip the Line Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour with Basilica entry

24. Private DayTour of Rome from Civitavecchia port van Mercedes V class

25. Escavation Tour to the Tomb of St. Peter's & St. Peter's Basilica

26. Private Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica

27. Rome by Night Semi-Private Tour With Pizza and Gelato

28. Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and Wine Tasting

29. Skip-the-line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St Peter's

30. Rome: Pizza Making Class near Piazza Navona

What travellers are saying.

• Sean S 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic guided tour! We all totally enjoyed this guided tour with Oscar, the tour is very thorough and we all learned so much. Oscar is very knowledgeable and answered any questions that were asked, he also has a great sense of humour. Thank you so much for a memorable day. I highly recommend this tour. Read more Review of: Skip the Line: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with St. Peter's Basilica Access Written 9 April 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Vatican Tours

Despite being a religious state, Vatican City isn’t exclusively for followers of the Catholic faith. In fact, this small country offers a treasure trove of historic buildings and a rich cultural heritage that will captivate tourists and art enthusiasts alike.

Situated right in the heart of Rome, the Vatican is a foreign state with some strict entry rules, and due to its popularity, it remains bustling with visitors all year round.

The Vatican City: the Smallest Country in The World

The Vatican isn’t just the smallest country in the world. This tiny State, with a population of less than 500 inhabitants, is renowned as the famous headquarters of the Catholic religion and the home of the Pope.

You have two options to explore the Vatican: you can visit it during a self-guided tour or join a guided tour of the Vatican. Personally, I’d recommend the latter, even if you happen to be a permanent resident of Rome. And now, let me explain why.

Are Guided Tours of the Vatican Worth it?

In a nutshell… yes. While it’s possible to explore the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica on your own, a guided tour can truly make a difference.

Why Opt for a Vatican Guided Tour

• A guided tour typically covers all the main attractions of the Vatican in a well-organised single tour of a few hours.
• The Vatican Museums are truly vast and filled with exquisite artworks. In fact, they’re so extensive that attempting to visit them independently can be overwhelming. With a guided tour, you can focus on the essential highlights without running the risk of getting tired before you’re even halfway through the visit.
• Even with a skip-the-line tour, queues for the Vatican Museums can be incredibly long. Choosing a guided tour with authorised tour operators can be a smart solution, as it grants you access through partner-exclusive entrances.
• Exploring the Vatican with professional guides allows you to discover fascinating anecdotes and insights that you wouldn’t come across during a self-guided visit.

Types of Vatican Tours

There are several options for visiting the Vatican. Let’s explore them.

Guided Tours of the Vatican

As I mentioned earlier, a guided tour is definitely the best way to make the most of your visit to the Vatican. I’ve tried visiting the Vatican on my own multiple times, and having an expert guide by your side can truly make a difference. These tours usually start at a meeting point in the area.

Group Tours of the Vatican

This is the most common type of tour. Many tour operators offer tours in small groups, so following your guide and moving around the Vatican Museums is not complicated at all. Besides, if you ever feel like breaking away from the group, you can always rejoin them and continue at your own pace.

Private Tours of the Vatican

This is a decidedly luxury option. The price of a private Vatican tour is higher than a group tour. The advantages? You’ll have the guide entirely at your disposal. Moreover, many private Vatican tours include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or apartment.

Vatican Early Opening Tours

Among the various guided tours, both private and group, there are some that grant access to the Vatican Museums at their early opening. As I’ve mentioned before, the Vatican is one of the major tourist attractions in Rome, and there’s often a very long queue to get in.

So, if you want to see them without the typical crowd that fills them, I recommend booking one of the Vatican’s early opening tours. You’ll literally be the first to step inside the Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and your visit will have a whole different feel.

Self-guided Tours of the Vatican

If you’re on a budget, you can still visit the Vatican by purchasing an entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums without a guide. However, this option may entail waiting in line at the entrance for as long as 3 or 4 hours. The same goes if you decide to visit only St. Peter’s Basilica, which doesn’t require an entrance ticket.

Skip-The-Line Tours of the Vatican

Let me tell you: skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican are worth every penny of their price.

In the past, I worked for a tour operator, and for work-related reasons, I visited the Vatican several times with a skip-the-line service. I can assure you that if you choose the right tour operator, you won’t even wait for 5 minutes at the entrance. You’ll bypass the long queue that starts from Via Leone IV and goes all the way to the Vatican ticket office. And you’ll thank me for recommending this type of tour.

After-Hours Tours of the Vatican

From April to October, the Vatican stays open on Friday evenings. So, if you wish, you can opt for one of the enchanting evening tours of the Vatican offered by tour operators. Not only will you see the Vatican in a completely different light, but you’ll also avoid sightseeing during the hottest hours of the day.

Tours of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo

Castel Gandolfo is a delightful town on the shores of its namesake lake, located about 24 kilometres southeast of Rome. It’s been the summer retreat for the Pope for centuries.

And now, you have the fantastic opportunity to join a tour of the Pontifical Villas, where you can travel to Castel Gandolfo and explore the beautiful gardens and historic residences that belong to the Vatican, just outside the confines of Vatican City itself.

These tours are typically available during the summer months, and you can easily reach Castel Gandolfo by train from the Vatican Museums. Once there, you’ll be guided through the extensive gardens and the Apostolic Palace, which serves as the official residence for the Pope during his stay at Castel Gandolfo.

Major Attractions in Vatican City

There’s so much to see within Vatican City, and it’s an incredible place to explore.

What to See Inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

Inside St. Peter’s Basilica , you’ll have the chance to visit:

• Bernini ‘s stunning colonnade in St. Peter’s Square
• The magnificent Baldacchino, a work of art by both Bernini and Borromini
• Michelangelo’s breathtaking Pietà , located in the right nave of the Basilica
• The lid of Emperor Hadrian’s sarcophagus
• The tomb of Pope Alexander VII, crafted by Bernini
• Michelangelo ‘s iconic Dome
• The Vatican Grottoes: the final resting place of the Popes and St. Peter himself.

What to See Inside the Vatican Museums

Now, when you venture into the Vatican Museums, make sure you don’t miss out on these incredible sights:

• The Tapestry Room, filled with intricate and awe-inspiring tapestries
• The Pinacoteca, which houses masterpieces by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, the Perugino, and Caravaggio
• The Pio-Clementino Museum, dedicated to statuary, where you’ll find the impressive Laocoön sculpture group
• The Gallery of Maps
• Raffaello’s Rooms, including the famous ‘School of Athens’ fresco
• The magnificent Spiral Staircase
• The Sistine Chapel
• the Vatican Museum Gardens

Time Needed to Tour the Vatican

Most guided tours at the Vatican run for a standard 2 to 3 hours, giving you an overview of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica. These tours usually start early in the morning or early in the afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the place.

Of course, nothing is stopping you from entering the Museums when they first open and spending the entire day delving into the wonderful art collections they hold.

Dress Code for the Vatican 

The Vatican is a religious site, and although it attracts many tourists, it does have a conservative dress code. It’s really important to respect this dress code if you want to be allowed entry. Many foreign visitors are disappointed each year when they’re turned away due to inappropriate attire, and I don’t want you to be one of these.

To enter the Vatican, it’s important to:

• Avoid short skirts and shorts
• Cover your shoulders and arms
• Steer clear of plunging necklines and cropped tops
• Remove hats before entering
• Wear anything that might offend Catholic morals or decency
• Cover any tattoos you might have

I know it gets scorching hot in Rome during the summer, but it’s crucial to adhere to these rules. My advice for the hot months is to wear a long dress or lightweight suit, or perhaps bring a light jacket to cover your arms and shoulders before entering. You can show off your sexiest outfit after you’ve completed the visit.

Tip: By dressing respectfully, you’ll ensure a smooth visit to the Vatican and demonstrate your appreciation for the sacredness of the place. 

Tips For a Great Vatican Experience

And here we are at the end of this guide to Vatican tours. I’ll share a few extra tips that might come in handy in addition to what’s already been mentioned.

• Make sure to visit the Vatican early in the day – you can’t imagine how crowded it can get.
• Only book guided tours from professional authorised tour operators.
• Always double-check the opening times, especially around religious dates and events throughout the year.
• Purchase your ticket several weeks in advance, as they often sell out quickly.
• Upon entering the Vatican, you’ll go through a security check with a metal detector, similar to airport security. Be sure to read the rules on the official Vatican website . Among other things, you can’t bring knives, scissors, umbrellas, or cameras with you, and even things like tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
• Once inside the Sistine Chapel, remember not to take any photos or videos – it’s strictly prohibited, and the security personnel may ask you to delete any shots you’ve taken in front of them.
• Accessing the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel requires payment, but on the last Sunday of each month, you can enjoy free admission to both the museums and the Vatican Gardens from opening until 12:30 PM. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica alone is, instead, always free, so you can still marvel at its grandeur without any cost. Happy exploring.

Vatican Tours

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Experience the wonders of Vatican City with our expert-guided Vatican Tours. Discover the history, art, and culture of the world's smallest country through our exclusive access and skip-the-line privileges. Book your Vatican Tour today and make your visit to Rome unforgettable.

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Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Small Group Tour

Enjoy the Vatican Museums with an expert, local guide and Reserved Entrance. Experience the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and more on this signature tour.

Explore More of the Vatican City with Our Range of Guided Tours

Exclusive Breakfast at the Vatican with Tour of the Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica

Semi-Private Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Tour

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Experience the Best of Vatican City with Our Award-Winning Guided Tours

With almost 20 years of experience and 2 million guests hosted, we have developed a reputation for providing top-of-the-line services to our guests. In fact, in 2019, TripAdvisor awarded our Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica Tour as the Number One Traveler Choice Tour in the world.

Our passionate team of expert guides, including art-historians, sculpture-lovers, and history buffs, will take you through the countless masterpieces of this living museum. Our mission is to ensure that you benefit from their inside knowledge and make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Choose from our specially designed private tour, exclusive after-hours tour, or early morning Vatican Museums tour to make the memories you want. All of our tours are renowned for their stories and the hidden details we find to create something extra for our guests.

Explore the Vatican with our guided tours, or use Vatican City tickets to tour around at your own pace. Let us make your Vatican dream come to life.

Small Groups Discover the Vatican with our expert guides who will easily wisk you around the Museums avoiding the crowds thanks to our small groups.

20 Years of Experience We’ve guided more than 2 million people through the Vatican.

25k 5-Star Reviews We’re the highest rated, best-loved Vatican tour operator, and our reviews prove it!

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Starting with one of the most popular events at the Vatican, this tour will offer you the chance to see the Pope and avoid all the crowds in an exclusive visit to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. With an early bird meeting, the first stop is St. Peter’s Square or inside the Hall of Pope Paul VI (just when raining or on very cold days), where the Papal Audience will start around 9 am.

After that, you’ll be guided to the Vatican Museums for a private tour. With an experienced guide, you’ll have access to a famous gallery of masterpieces, with works by da Vinci, Bellini, Titian, Raphael’s rooms and much more.

The Sistine Chapel and its extraordinary ceiling also will be waiting for you, where you can contemplate Michelangelo’s work and all the grandeur of the Chapel’s interior.

Tour’s highlights: Papal Audience

• Chandelier Gallery
• Tapestry gallery
• Belvedere courtyard
• Visit the Hall of the Muses
• See the statue of Hercules
• Experience Constantine’s sarcophagus
• Discover the Vatican Map Gallery overlooking the Vatican Gardens
• Be in Raphael’s rooms
• Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel

***Observation: all tours are suitable for kids. Papal Audience is a group experience

MEETING POINT

At the Vatican Museum entrance

Related Tours

Castel Gandolfo Papal Palace, Villas, and Gardens

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Guided Tours of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

• Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
• From the world-famous Sistine Chapel to the extensive art collections of the Vatican Museums, uncover it all on this unforgettable tour.
• Discover the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, a sanctuary of faith and artistic beauty, with skip-the-line entry and self-guided exploration.
• Journey through centuries of history as an expert guide reveals the stories and secrets behind the art and architecture of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Behold the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of one of history's greatest artists.
• Choose between local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guides who will regale you with intriguing anecdotes.
• Skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entry to St. Peter's Basilica
• Expert local English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Audio equipment
• Group tour of 25 or less
• Tip: Avoid booking on Wednesdays! Did you know the Pope speaks in St Peter's Square Wednesday mornings? Sometimes this results in last-min closures, so plan for another day if possible.
• The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). In the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.
• Please note: All guests must pass through airport-style security. During high season and peak hours, the wait time at the security check may be up to 30 mins.
• Compulsory Vatican dress code: Visitors must wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, or baby carriages.
• The Basilica may be subject to last-minute closures. In the event that it is closed, the tour will be extended inside the museums.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

• Make the most out of your visit and jump straight into the action. Skip the line with this guided tour, bypassing long queues at the Vatican Museums.
• Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? The expert guides share stories and hidden symbolism behind artworks, adding a whole new dimension to your experience.
• With unforgettable masterpieces and exquisite art, explore a vast collection spanning centuries, from ancient artifacts to Renaissance marvels.
• Tour in the language of your comfort. Choose from English, Italian, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking guides.
• Discover Michelangelo's awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel frescoes, including the iconic ceiling and Last Judgment, showcasing the genius of Italy's most renowned artist.
• Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Skip-the-line entrance to the Vatican Museums
• Priority entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Expert English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Romanian, and Polish-speaking local guide (as per option selected)
• Group size (up to 25)
• Tip: Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
• Please be dressed appropriately. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted.
• Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• It is recommended to cover tattoos and any other similarly visible distinctive personal signs.
• Photography and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel.
• Luggage and/or large bags are not allowed inside the venue. You may drop off your bags with the free cloakroom service.
• Pets and other small animals are not allowed in the venue, with the exception of guide dogs.

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb
• Commence your tour by climbing to the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will uncover unmatched panoramic views of Rome from atop Michelangelo’s Cupola.
• Immerse yourself in the genius of the Renaissance on VIP Vatican tour, guided by experts with skip-the-line access.
• Discover the Basilica's Barocco charm and Michelangelo's Pieta. Then, witness Bernini and Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpieces at the Papal Sarcophagi.
• Pay a visit to the beguiling Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the cherished murals here, such as the painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
• Skip-the-line VIP access to Vatican Museums
• Admission to the Sistine Chapel
• Admission to the St. Peter’s Basilica
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Dome climb and visit to the Papal Sarcophagi
• Headsets (for groups of six or more)
• Reservation fees
• Transportation
• Food and drinks
• Visit to the Necropolis / St. Peter’s Tomb / Scavi
• Tips: Don't forget to look down as you ascend the dome. Through special windows, you can catch glimpses of the basilica's interior below, offering a unique perspective.
• It's recommended to wear clothing that covers their knees, arms, and back.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.
• Note that the following are not allowed on this tour: tripod, flash photography, knives, weapons, or sharp objects.

Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Guided Tour

• Elevate your Vatican experience with this exclusive, premium, small group tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Personalized attention and a fun-filled atmosphere await!
• Skip the crowds and embrace VIP treatment on this small group tour. Say goodbye to long lines and the hustle of larger groups.
• Dive deeper into history with expert storytellers. They bring the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to life with captivating stories and intriguing anecdotes.
• Maximize your time and minimize the wait! This smaller group size allows for efficient navigation, giving you more time to soak in the masterpieces and create lasting memories.
• Beauty awaits you at every turn! With the help of a local expert, unveil the Vatican's best-kept secrets, and get ready to step into the world of Michelangelo.
• 2.5 - 5 hour guided tour (as per option selected)
• Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums
• Entry to the Sistine Chapel
• Charismatic local expert
• English, Italian, French, Spanish, and German-speaking guides
• Intimate group size of 10 or less
• Tip: This tour ends inside the museums…so, why not make the most out of your visit and enjoy a coffee in the courtyard before leaving the site?

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Early Morning or After-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour

• Get priority access by skipping the line to the Vatican's top attractions and firsthand experiencing its renowned wonders such as central panels and the Last Supper.
• Make your way to the historical Sistine Chapel and marvel at the staggering collection of artworks by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Ghirlandaio.
• Upgrade your stay with a delectable American breakfast in the Pinecone Courtyard. Upgrade and opt for a night tour of the museum as an alternative option.
• Choose between an early morning guided tour, ideal for a walk, or an after-hours guided tour where you enjoy the soft evening light and count on much smaller crowds than usual.
• Entry to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• After-hours guided tour of Vatican Museums (optional)
• Early morning guided tour of Vatican Museums (optional)
• 30-min breakfast in the Vatican's Courtyard (optional)
• Group of 20 people or less
• Tip: Located in the Vatican Museums' exit area, this unique double-helix staircase was designed by Donato Bramante. Its innovative design allows you to ascend and descend without intersecting each other, creating a visually captivating architectural marvel.
• Note that tripod and flash photography are not allowed in this experience.

Small-Group Guided Tour of Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

• Enjoy the beautiful Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a semi-private and informative guided tour of the Vatican City.
• You get a chance to learn all about the history and rich culture of the Vatican in an intimate group of 8 to 12 people or less.
• Take a stroll and admire the wonderful interiors, and frescos of the pristine Sistine Chapel, the official residence of the pope.
• Witness the largest collections of art and classical sculptures and gain knowledge about them from your private tour guide.
• Enjoy a hassle-free entry in a small group with your personal tour guide.
• Entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Expert tour guide (English, German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Russian)
• Small-group tour (up to 12 people)
• Headsets (if required)
• Entrance to the Dome
• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Pick-up & drop-off
• Food & drink

This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:

• English Guided Tour
• German Guided Tour
• Italian Guided Tour
• French Guided Tour
• Portuguese Guided Tour
• Russian Guided Tour

Small-Group Guided Tour of St. Peter's Basilica

• Head over to St. Peter's Basilica, and discover an iconic church with an official Vatican guide in a language of your choice.
• Check out the stunning works of art and architecture by Renaissance greats such as Bernini, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and more.
• Pay homage to the grand tomb of St. John Paul II on this guided tour.
• Entry into St. Peter's Basilica
• Guided tour in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish (as per option selected)
• Specialized guide for small groups (no more than 25 people)
• Tip: Be prepared to go through a security screening before entering the basilica, so it's best to avoid carrying large bags or backpacks.
• To pay your respects, you must abide by the Basilica's dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as the experience involves a fair amount of walking.
• Expect a considerable wait time as you queue for the security checks. It could take up to 60 mins during the peak season.

Guided Tour (<30 Guests) of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

• Witness two astonishing landmarks, the Vatican Museum, and Sistine Chapel, by taking a 3-hour guided tour.
• Take a stroll around the museum and spot the world’s largest collections of art, the Renaissance masterpieces, and classical sculptures.
• Check out the breathtaking Renaissance frescos decorated at the Sistine Chapel.
• Get a tour of the Gallery of Maps, Raphael Rooms, Tapestry Gallery, and many other rooms within the Vatican Museum.
• Tour of Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
• Priority entrance
• Expert English, Romanian, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Portuguese, German, French, or Italian-speaking guide
• Group tour of less than 30 guests
• Personal radios and earpieces
• Audio guide
• Tip: May through September are usually considered the high season in Rome, with a mini-high season around Easter. So plan your trip accordingly!
• The Vatican Museums offer free tickets for visitors with mobility impairments (with certified invalidity exceeding 74%). Additionally, in the case of visitors lacking in self-sufficiency, free entry is extended to their companions.
• Certification of invalidity must be shown before the issue of the entrance tickets either at the Reception or at the Special Permits Desk, located in the entrance hall of the Vatican Museums.
• Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour, especially on national holidays and events.
• This tour is not suitable for guests with mobility impairment.
• Please note the following are not allowed on tour: large bags, backpacks, and suitcases.

Top things to do in Rome

Vatican City is the only independent city-state to be part of the UNESCO registry as a World Heritage Site. A revered location, Vatican City is the heart of the Catholic Church, frequented by millions of pilgrims and tourists each year. There’s plenty to see in Vatican City: historic sites like the Vatican Museums , Sistine Chapel , and St. Peter’s Basilica . These landmarks are a feast for art and architecture enthusiasts, hosting works by iconic names like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bernini among others.

The best way to explore and soak in history is through a guided Vatican tour. Enter a world of insightful facts and trivia about art and artists, the history of Christianity and Vatican City, and more through a guided tour of Vatican City. 

Hear from our guests

Which vatican tour is best for you, combo tours.

Duration: 3+ hours Suited for: Travelers short on time Ticket price: From €59.50 to €92.15

Why go for it?

• Explore more for less with these combo tours. See iconic landmarks within Vatican City and Rome with these 2-in-1 packages.
• Avail guided tours to some of the most celebrated monuments in the world, like the Colosseum.

Recommended tours

• Combo (Save 2%): Vatican Museums + Borghese Gallery Tickets
• Combo (Save 5%): Colosseum + Vatican Museums Guided Tour
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Reserved Entry Tickets with Vatican Gardens Open Bus Tour

Small-group tours

Duration: 2.5-5 hours Suited for: Solo travelers Ticket price: From €69

• Beat the crowds and immerse yourself in a small, tight-knit group of like-minded individuals as you explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
• Make the most of an expert tour guide. Feel free to ask all your doubts: you're in a cozy setting after all! Be assured that personal attention will be paid to you.

Recommended tour

Early morning/after hours tours

Duration: Flexible Suited for: Early birds/night owls Ticket price: From €99

• Beat the crowds when you choose to visit the Vatican Museums either when day breaks or later in the evening, when the rush has subsided. See renowned sculptures and paintings in soft new light just after daybreak or as the sun sets.
• Benefit from an expert tour guide who is sure to enlighten you on the history and significance of various artworks and exhibits.

St Peter's Basilica Tours

Duration: 3-5.5 hours Suited for: Religious pilgrims/culture enthusiasts Ticket price: From €54 to €104.95

• Begin your journey at the Vatican Museums, then moving on to the Sistine Chapel, and finally finishing at St. Peter's Basilica.
• By visiting all three attractions, you'll enjoy a comprehensive experience that will help you appreciate the Vatican's artistic treasures, historical significance and spiritual influence.

Why Take a Vatican Guided Tour?

Vatican City is a popular traveler’s destination in Rome. Here’s why you should take a guided tour of the Vatican:

• Visit multiple attractions: You can book a Vatican tour that includes access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
• Get faster access to Vatican attractions: By opting for a Vatican tour, you can enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly through the Sistine Chapel entrance, instead of having to walk around and wait in long lines to enter
• Skip long lines: Your Vatican tour includes skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines.
• Learn more about the attractions: Gain insights into each painting, fresco, and sculpture that adorn these historic landmarks with the help of your professional, multilingual tour guide
• Enjoy priority access: Get priority early morning access to the Vatican Museums by opting for a guided tour. This way, you can beat the crowds and explore comfortably

What to expect from your Vatican guided tour?

A visit to the Vatican can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, especially since this tiny city, only 120 acres in total, packs a punch. A guided tour is possibly one of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to Vatican City, a vestige of Renaissance-era architecture and baroque style.

• Once you meet your certified guide and group at the meeting point, you will be taken straight into the Vatican Museums . Explore the Gallery of Maps, tapestries, Raphael’s Rooms, and more. 
• Through the Vatican Museum, you will be taken to the world-famous Sistine Chapel that is home to famous frescoes like Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment and Botticelli’s ‘Temptation of Christ’, among others.
• At St. Peter’s Basilica, which you can access through Sistine Chapel with a guided tour, you can observe art and architecture by famed artists like Raphael and Michelangelo, the architectural marvel that is the Dome — which you can climb up to as well to get splendid views of Rome and Vatican City. Your Vatican tour ends at St. Peter’s Square. 

What to see inside the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums boast a vast collection of over 70,000 artworks, spanning millennia and various cultures. Must-see exhibits include Raphael's Rooms, the Gallery of Maps and more.

11 Top-Rated Vatican City Tours from Rome in 2024

Which Vatican City tours are best? Is it worth getting a guided tour of the Vatican?

Situated just 3 miles (4.7km) outside of Rome, Vatican City is a must-visit destination for any traveler heading to Italy’s charming capital! Home to some of the world’s most iconic and significant religious landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, this small city-state has a rich history and cultural heritage that attracts millions of visitors every year.

And, of course, with those millions of annual visitors comes lines… long, long lines. Which brings me to my point – guided tours of Vatican City are unquestionably worth the time and investment since many of them include skip-the-line entry, saving you hours! Plus, they provide you with a unique opportunity to learn all about the Vatican’s history, art, architecture, and get insider information from knowledgeable guides.

Don’t have time to scour the entire post for the best tour? No worries!

The Early Morning Vatican: Small Group Tour Max 6 People or Private is undoubtedly the #1 tour on this list!

⭐ 2,300+ 5-Star Reviews ⭐ Viator’s Badge of Excellence ⭐ Skip-the-Line Entry ⭐ Visit the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public!

But with so many different tours available, how do you know which ones are worth your time? That’s where I come in!

When it comes to visiting the Vatican City, there are endless options for tours available. From private tours to small group tours, walking tours to bus tours, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one is best for you.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the top-rated tours led by local companies in Rome so you don’t have to do all the digging. As someone with a whole lot of Italian heritage (my last name is a province in Northern Italy) and a lot of experience in finding the right tours in Italy, I can attest to the quality and value of these tours.

From comprehensive tours to Vatican City that cover all the must-see sights to more specialized tours focused on specific aspects of the city, here are the top-rated options in Italy!

11 BEST Vatican City Tours

1. early morning vatican: small group tour max 6 people or private.

Undoubtedly the #1 tour on this list thanks to its unparalleled opportunity to experience the Vatican’s majestic beauty without the bustling throngs of tourists is this Early Morning Vatican Tour !

This exclusive tour offers an intimate view of the Vatican’s treasures, including the world-renowned Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. With a maximum of six people per group, you’ll have a near-private viewing of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, letting the profound art and architecture resonate with no distractions.

The early morning slot not only means cooler temperatures, but also entry into the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public . That’s about as “quiet” in Italy’s peak season as you’re going to get! Your knowledgeable guide will also provide captivating insights into the history and secrets of the Vatican while ensuring a personalized experience.

Whether you choose the small group option or decide to go private, this 3.5-hour tour promises an unforgettable, serene exploration of one of Italy’s most sacred sites.

2. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Another fantastic tour with over 2,400 5-star reviews, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour is designed for those who seek comprehensive insights into Vatican City’s art and history.

With skip-the-line access, you can avoid the lengthy queues and delve straight into the cultural heart of the Vatican’s opulent galleries. On this 3-hour tour, you are accompanied by an expert guide who brings to life the stories behind the masterpieces housed within the Vatican walls. Plus, you won’t need to worry about hearing your guide even if it’s majorly crowded since every guest gets their own personal headset!

With all entrance fees included, this is a great option for those looking for a hassle-free, all-inclusive tour of the Vatican City.

3. VIP Small Group Vatican, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour

Short on time but want to get the most out of your visit to the Vatican? I’ve got you covered! The VIP Small Group Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour offers an exclusive, 2-hour experience for those eager to discover the Vatican without having to set aside an entire day for the excursion.

Perfect for those who aren’t as, we’ll say enthusiastic , about art and history, but still want to experience the highlights of Vatican City, this tour includes skip-the-line access and a

4. Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St Peter Small Group Tour

Another great option for those seeking a small group tour limited to just six people , the Skip the Line: Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Small Group Tour is a meticulously crafted experience designed to cover the Vatican highlights while providing a deep dive into the history, stories, and secrets held within its iconic walls.

This 3-hour journey is led by a professional guide whose passion and knowledge of the Vatican’s art, history, and architecture are second to none. Ideal for couples or friends traveling together who want a more intimate and personalized tour, this option offers plenty of time for questions and reflection.

Plus, with skip-the-line access, you’ll avoid wasting precious vacation time in the queue!

5. The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter’s Dome Climb

Discover the Vatican like never before with The Original Entire Vatican Tour & St. Peter’s Dome Climb ! This comprehensive, 5-hour adventure combines the essential Vatican City tour with the rare opportunity to ascend to the top of the famous dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Starting with the Vatican Museums, your knowledgeable guide will escort you through a plethora of art and historical artifacts, leading to the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling will leave you spellbound.

After the chapel, you’ll make your way through the elegant halls to visit St. Peter’s Basilica itself. Unlike other tours, this experience doesn’t end there. Prepare to climb up to the terrace of St. Peter’s Dome — a challenge met with a rewarding panoramic view of Rome perfect for the ultimate photos!

With all entrance fees and a professional guide included, this tour offers an in-depth journey through the heart of the Vatican’s majesty, complete with the breathtaking cityscape that is often missed by most other tourists.

6. Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour

Possibly even better than the first early bird Vatican tour I mentioned in this list, the Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour guarantees that only your group will participate, making it the perfect choice for family or friend groups who want an exclusive tour!

As the sun begins to rise, you’ll accompany your personal guide through the tranquil corridors of the Vatican Museums on a journey tailored to your interests. This immersive 3.5-hour tour allows you to relish the art and splendor at a leisurely pace, free from the pressure of daytime crowds.

Starting early means you’ll witness the Vatican’s masterpieces, like the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, in a quiet setting. Ideal for aficionados and first-time visitors alike, this tour pledges a unique and introspective Vatican experience.

All entrance fees are included in every package on offer, however, those seeking hotel pick-up and drop-off should choose the “comfort” or “luxury” option to ensure a seamless start to their day at the Vatican.

7. Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Semi Private Tour

Did you know that most “small group tours” departing from Rome actually have a maximum head count of 20 people ? Doesn’t sound very “small”, now does it? Well, for those looking for a cohesive exploration of Roman Catholic splendor with 10 or fewer people, this Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Semi Private Tour offers a comprehensive glimpse into the art and architecture of the Vatican.

Over the course of 3 hours, your guide will lead you through the halls of Michelangelo’s most famous work, the Sistine Chapel, as well as the Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

With skip-the-line access and an intimate group size, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and soak in all that this holy city has to offer. Plus, with a complimentary headset and audio system included, you’ll never miss a detail along the way!

8. After Hours Private Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Ever wanted to visit the Vatican after dark when most of the other tourists have left? Well, the After Hours Private Tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel does just that!

Accompanied by a personal guide, delve into the Vatican’s art collections, marvel at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel without interruption, and gain special access to sections that are usually closed to the public during the day.

With the personal touch of a private tour, tailor the experience to your preferences and examine the treasures of the Vatican under the tranquil cover of night! Easily one of the best Vatican City evening tours available, this opportunity is surely a unique one.

9. Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Easily one of the most popular choices on this list, the Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Guided Tour offers a seamless journey into the cultural heart of the Holy See.

With priority access, you’ll be ahead of the crowd, exploring the exquisite tapestries, classical sculptures, and historical artifacts alongside a knowledgeable guide. In this 3-hour tour, you’ll also get access to the Cortile della Pigna, the Sphere within a Sphere, and the Gallery of the Maps in addition to the chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

With a maximum group size of 20 people, you’ll have access to personal headsets you have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and listen to the knowledge of your expert guide!

10. Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s | Small Group

One of the top-rated Vatican city tours on this list, the Skip-the-Line Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s | Small Group promises a valuable and intimate experience with a maximum group size of 12 people.

In just 3 hours, explore the world-renowned collections of art and architecture found within the Vatican walls, including Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. With special access to the Raphael Rooms, you’ll have plenty of time to take photos and admire the beauty of this holy city.

Plus, with a professional guide and personal headsets provided, you’ll have access to all the fascinating information and history along the way!

11. Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour | Small Group

Rise early and beat the crowds with this 3.5-hour Complete Early Morning Vatican Tour ! With a maximum group size of 12, you’ll have a personal and insightful tour through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica before they open to the general public.

Skip-the-line access allows you to make the most of your time as you learn about the Vatican’s rich history and iconic art while an expert guide by your side provides historical and cultural context.

Perfect for early risers and anyone looking to make the most of their time in Vatican City!

Vatican Museum Hours

In 2024, the Vatican Museums have arranged to be open between 8:00AM and 7:00PM Monday through Saturday, with Fridays and Saturdays planning to extend their hours to 8:00PM starting March 1st. The museums are closed on most Sundays.

The last Sunday of every month, the museums will be open from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. If you’re looking for a hours on a specific day that you’ll be visiting, be sure to check out their 2024 Official Openings and Closings Calendar !

FAQ: Vatican City Tours

In this last section, I’ve provided some additional information surrounding Vatican City including the best day of the week to visit, what you should bring with you on a guided tour, if you need your passport, and more!

Which Vatican City Tour is Best?

The Early Morning Vatican: Small Group Tour Max 6 People or Private is arguably the best tour option for those looking to have a more intimate and personalized experience. With a small group size, you’re guaranteed a level of attention and interaction with your guide that larger groups simply can’t offer.

This tour is ideal for visitors who want to explore the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica without the usual crowds pressing in. By starting early, you also enjoy the serenity of the city before most tourists are awake, making this tour a top choice for both first-time visitors and seasoned Vatican explorers alike.

Plus, with entry to the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public, you’ll have time to soak in the stunning artwork without being jostled by crowds. You’ll also get to enjoy skip-the-line entry to the other areas, so even if they do start getting busy, you won’t have to wait!

Is It Worth Getting a Guided Tour of the Vatican?

A guided tour of the Vatican is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment ! The Vatican is not only rich with art and history, but it is also extensive and complex. A knowledgeable guide offers invaluable insight into the vast collection of art, the stories behind the frescoes, and the historical significance of each site within the city-state.

Furthermore, a guide can help navigate the labyrinthine corridors and point out details that you might miss on your own. With their expertise, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Vatican treasures.

And let’s not forget the practical benefits – guided tours often come with skip-the-line access, which is a huge advantage, considering the long queues that are the norm at popular attractions like St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel.

Can a Tourist Just Walk into Vatican City?

While anyone can walk into the main areas of Vatican City during its opening hours, entry into the landmark sites like the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica requires official Vatican City tickets. These can be purchased directly from the Vatican Official Website for those not interested in a tour, or they are included in the price of a guided tour when you book with a local company.

The public areas that one can freely access include St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican Post Office, among a few other minor sites. However, for a more immersive experience that allows access to some of the most famous art and historical sites in the world, securing a ticket, preferably as part of a guided tour, is necessary.

Moreover, security checks similar to airport screenings are a prerequisite for entry to these attractions, so be prepared to queue for this process if traveling independently.

How Much is a Tour of the Vatican?

General admission to the Vatican Museums starts at about 20 euros for an adult ticket if purchased online from the Vatican’s official website, not including the 5 euro online booking fee.

Guided tours, on the other hand, can range from $45 for a basic group tour to upwards of $150 or more for private or semi-private tours with added perks such as early access or after-hours entry.

When considering a tour, remember that many options include added benefits like skip-the-line access and expert guidance, which can significantly enhance your visit.

What are the Top 2 Must-Sees if You Come to Vatican City?

When visiting Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are the two must-see attractions that top the list . The Sistine Chapel is world-renowned for Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment.

St. Peter’s Basilica, on the other hand, is not only an architectural masterpiece but also an important religious site, home to significant works such as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldacchino. Both these sites encapsulate the artistic and spiritual heritage that Vatican City is famous for.

How Much Time is Enough for the Vatican?

A comprehensive visit to the Vatican typically requires at least half a day to fully appreciate the rich historical and artistic significance of its many treasures .

For those intent on a more detailed exploration, especially if attending with a guided tour, allocating a full day would allow enough time to absorb the grandeur of the museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica without rushing. That way, even when the guided portion of your exploration reaches its end, you have still allotted enough time to check out the other areas of the Vatican.

Remember, this duration includes time for security checks, potential queues, and leisurely paced walks through the extensive collections and corridors.

What is the Best Day of the Week to Visit the Vatican?

The best day of the week to visit the Vatican is often considered to be Tuesday or Thursday . These days tend to be less crowded compared to Mondays, which can be busier due to other museums in Rome being closed, and Wednesdays, when Papal Audiences are held attracting additional visitors.

Weekends, especially Saturdays, typically see a massive influx of tourists, so it’s advisable to visit mid-week if you’re looking for a quieter experience. Additionally, being aware of the Vatican holiday calendar can help in planning your visit, as religious events and celebrations can significantly affect crowd levels and availability.

Pro Tip: please remember that if you’re visiting the Vatican in Italy’s peak summer months, it will be busy regardless of when you go. If you’re hoping for the least amount of other tourists, then an early morning Vatican tour like this one is usually going to be your best bet! Just don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a major attraction all to yourself since it’s very unlikely that will happen during the busy season.

How Long Does a Vatican Tour Take?

Most tours of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica can take anywhere between 2 to 4 hours . If you opt for a more in-depth tour that includes the Vatican Gardens or the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, it can extend to a full-day outing of approximately 5 to 7 hours.

For an independent visit without a tour guide, you can expect to spend as much or as little time as your schedule allows, keeping in mind the Vatican’s opening hours.

What Should I Pack for Tours of the Vatican City?

When preparing for a tour of the Vatican City, it’s important to pack accordingly to ensure you’re comfortable and respectful of the venue’s dress code. Essentials to include in your prep are:

• Modest Clothing : Shoulders and knees must be covered, as the Vatican enforces a strict dress code in places of worship. Shorts, mini skirts, sleeveless dresses, and lowcut tops are forbidden and entry will be refused.
• Comfortable Footwear : You’ll be walking a lot, so wearing comfortable shoes is key. Leave the heels at your hotel for this one!
• Reusable Water Bottle : It’s essential to stay hydrated, especially in the hot summer months. There are several water fountains where you can refill your bottle which saves on single-use plastic. I always bring this LifeStraw bottle with me to Europe and I absolutely love it!
• Snacks : a protein bar and small bag of pretzels or other light snacks can be a savior if you booked a half or full-day tour.
• Sun Protection : If you’re visiting in the summer, sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat are advisable.
• Small Backpack or Bag : To carry your essentials, but be aware that large backpacks may not be allowed in. Always check beforehand with your tour operator what you’ll be allowed to bring.
• Camera (without flash) : Flash photography and selfie sticks are typically prohibited inside the museums.
• Copy of Your Ticket : Either a printed copy or a digital version on your mobile device, to avoid any issues at the entrance.

Remember to pack light, as you might need to go through security checks, and heavy, bulky items can be an inconvenience.

Do You Need a Passport for a Vatican Tour?

While the Vatican City is indeed a sovereign state, you do not need to present a passport to enter the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, or St. Peter’s Basilica .

However, you must have a valid ticket to enter the attractions inside the Vatican. It’s important to keep your ticket with you at all times during your visit, as security may ask to see it at any point. Be sure to have a form of government identification with you, just in case, especially if your ticket is for a reduced category – such as student or senior discounts – as you may need to prove your eligibility.

It’s always best to check with your tour operator for any specific requirements before your visit.

Jump to the bottom of the post looking for the best tour? No worries!

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Visiting the Vatican City is a must for anyone interested in history, art, or religion. With careful planning and preparation, you can make the most out of your visit and create unforgettable memories on your trip to Italy.

Remember to pack appropriately, have proper identification, and enjoy every moment of these unique Vatican city tours !

Hey there! I'm Emily Concannon, a seasoned globetrotter who has backpacked her way across over a dozen European countries, immersing myself in the diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines of the region.

My passion for travel transcends personal experiences; I've spent years learning how to transform my globetrotting knowledge into personalized itineraries for fellow travelers worldwide.

With a tally of 26 countries (and counting!) under my belt, my day job involves extensive research on different countries which often leads me to booking a new adventure every chance I get!

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Visiting the Vatican - Top tips you need to know!

By Elyssa Bernard

November 21, 2023

Planning on visiting the Vatican when you come to Rome?

Here's everything you need to know!

Visiting the Vatican - everything you need to know

Here is what you really need to know about visiting the Vatican:

• When to go ? (what time of year and time of day)
• What to see ? (St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums, and much more!)
• Which should you visit first, the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) or Saint Peter's Basilica ?
• How to skip the lines for Saint Peter's Basilica ?
• How to get tickets/skip the line to the Vatican museums ?
• Can you just visit the Sistine Chapel ? 
• Can you see the Sistine Chapel without crowds ?
• How do you visit the Vatican Gardens ?
• How do you visit St Peter's tomb ?
• How to plan all your Vatican visits for your trip ?
• How to get to the Vatican ?
• Where to eat near the Vatican ?

The first time I came to Rome as an adult, I missed seeing the Sistine Chapel because I had no idea the Vatican Museums closed at 2pm (long before smartphones and Google, ahem.) 

It must have been a Free Sunday, when the Vatican Museums are open and free but with reduced hours.

Now that I live here, I go often to Saint Peter's Basilica , Saint Peter's Square , and the Vatican Museums .

I also helped thousands of our guests plan their visits in the 17 years we ran our B&B .

Based on years of first-hand experience, I know how to tell you what to do and what not to do.

You can avoid a stressful visit to the Vatican by reading my tips first!

QUICK FACTS ABOUT VISITING VATICAN CITY

• You don't need a passport.
• Vatican City is a separate state from Italy, with just over 500 residents.
• The two main places to visit are Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is.)
• The pope is head of Vatican City.
• The pope's church is not Saint Peter's Basilica. It is Saint John in Lateran.
• You can visit the Vatican, and you can stay nearby, but you cannot sleep inside the Vatican.

Visiting the Vatican - When to go

• There really is no "best day" for visiting Vatican City, i.e. when there are fewer people. The Vatican is Rome's most popular tourist destination and is pretty much always busy. You might consider Tuesday or Thursday as your best bets. Dates around a weekend can be a bit busier, and on Wednesday there is (usually) the Papal Audience , meaning even more crowds.
• In the mornings, many tour groups show up, including those offering early skip-the-line access. Also, people in general come early to try to "beat the line," so you may find the Vatican Museums much more crowded in the early morning than you expect, and  slightly less crowded in mid-afternoon.
• St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums tend to be even more crowded on Saturdays , when Rome fills up with weekend visitors.
• The Vatican Museum is closed Sundays, except for the last Sunday of every month , when they are free . This is the most crowded day you can imagine for visiting the Vatican Museums .
• On Wednesdays (except for  July , when the pope generally takes a break ), the pope holds an audience at St Peter's Basilica . In warmer months, it will be in Saint Peter's Square . In colder months, or if it's raining , it will be in an auditorium-type hall just to the left of the basilica. This means that the whole area will be packed due to all the people who attend the papal audience , many of whom visit the Vatican Museums after the audience.
• If you do visit Vatican City on a Wednesday , know that St Peter's Basilica will be closed until the papal audience is over (around 12-1pm.)
• As for time of year, winter low season months are best if you want to be more relaxed and find smaller crowds . This means most of December ( except  December 8 , and Christmas through the Epiphany, January 6 ), January and February . Believe it or not, it's just as crowded at to visit Vatican City between Christmas and January 6 as it is during summer.
• Here's  how and when to include visiting the Vatican in a 3-day itinerary in Rome .

IMPORTANT TIP :

To visit St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, you must be properly dressed : no bare knees, midriffs or shoulders.

Sandals and jeans are fine.

Be careful when wearing knee-length shorts and skirts; the opinions of the Vatican guards as to what is acceptable may vary.

You may wish to bring a sarong or wear the kinds of shorts that have attachable legs, such as hiking trousers .

In a pinch, you will find plenty of vendors just outside the Vatican, who sell t-shirts or scarves.

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

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!

Visiting the Vatican - What to see?

The main things to see when visiting the Vatican are  Saint Peter’s Basilica  and the  Vatican Museums .

You can see one and not the other, although v isiting both in a single day is very do-able.

Looking for Michelangelo's masterpieces?

Michelangelo’s Pietà is inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums.

Just try not to plan any other big visit like another museum or archeological site like the Coloseum  for the day you visit the Vatican, as you will be pretty exhausted.

Do you really want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day? Here's how!

Or take the stress out of it by taking this "Rome in a Day" Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center.

To get the most out of your visit to the Colosseum, take a VIP Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.

St Peter's Basilica

Saint Peter’s Basilica  is a Renaissance-era church and by many standards, the world’s largest. 

The Vatican is a basilica but not a cathedral, as it does not have its own bishop.

The main cathedral of the “Bishop of Rome”, as the pope is called, is San Giovanni in Laterano , or Saint John in Lateran .

But the pope is head of Vatican City , where he resides.

It's a little confusing isn't it?

Anyway, just think of the Vatican as a huge church, with a lot to see inside.

Click here to read more about what exactly the Vatican is.

Click here to visit my dedicated page all about Saint Peter's Basilica and its history, and things to see and do there.

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St Peter's Dome

It's very much worth  visiting the basilica's dome , but you should know it can get a little crowded up there, and there are a LOT of steps.

The first level is 231 steps, but there is an elevator option. ( Someone in a wheelchair or with walking difficulties can take the lift to this first level.)

The second portion is another 320 steps, with no elevator option.

The dome gets narrower as you go up, so you will be climbing this part single file, and with the roof slanting over your head.

I say this as someone with a close relative with vertigo: you may want to avoid climbing the dome at the Vatican if you suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia.

But if none of that is an issue, then do it!

You'll love the views from up there, both of the church and of the surrounding city.

Visit my dedicated page all about Saint Peter's dome and how to climb it.

Michelangelo’s Pieta

My favorite piece of art inside of  St Peter's Basilica  is Michelangelo’s Pietà .

Actually, it may be my favorite piece of art in the world.

An exaggeration?

I can't help it...just look at it:

It’s on your right as soon as you walk inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

When I visited it with my mom, she cried, saying “look at her face, it’s just about a mother’s love for her child."

Unfortunately, someone wielding an axe once attacked it, and it’s now behind glass.

But you can still see it very well.

And take note of Mary’s face.

It’s really special when you see it in person.

Michelangelo Tidbit :

This was one of Michelangelo’s first major works.

He made it when he was only 22.

He was not sure people would know he did it, so he snuck in late one night and carved his name (Michelangelo Buonarroti) on Mary’s sash.

The Pietà is the only sculpture Michelangelo ever signed (or needed to sign.)

Vatican Grottoes - The Tombs of the Popes

Inside Saint Peter's Basilica, you can go down one level and see the area where some of the popes are buried.

Saint Peter is said to be entombed just underneath the church .

This is why many popes are also buried here. 

It's quite interesting to visit the popes' tombs , called the Vatican Grottoes   - there is a lot of history down there.

Don't worry, it's not dark or claustrophobic.

On the contrary, it's a huge open space full of light and lots to see (no photos allowed.)

To visit the Vatican Grottoes, get up close to Bernini's Baldachin and look for the entrance nearby.

It's free to visit the Vatican Grottoes.

You should make sure you are done visiting the basilica or have a plan to go back up, because the normal route through the grottoes has you exit the basilica entirely.

Not to be confused with St. Peter's tomb

When people talk about visiting the Vatican grottoes, they are referring to a place where you can see the tombs of many popes (as I wrote above.)

But this is not the same as visiting the  Vatican Necropolis , where St. Peter is said to be buried.

A  visit to Saint Peter’s tomb , also referred to as a scavi  visit, is a special and wonderful thing to do, and I highly recommend it. (" Scavi " means "excavations".)

It is a delicate archeological site, and they only take 250 people in per day, in 12-person tours at a time, so you must  book way in advance . (No photos allowed.)

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!

The Vatican Museums

The second major site to visit at the Vatican is the Vatican Museums.

This is the part about Vatican City that will take most of your time and energy.

The Vatican Museum contains the world’s largest private art collection (and just imagine that much of the art they own is not even on display!)

They are called "museums" and not just singular "museum" because the museums were started in 1506 and have been added to many times over the centuries.

They now occupy many different buildings all connected to on another.

That's one reason there is so much to see!

You will see a lot of art inside the Vatican Museums, including paintings, sculptures, ancient artifacts, and much more.

I think the number one thing people want to see when they visit is the Sistine Chapel.

For more about the Vatican Museums and Sistine chapel, visit my dedicated pages:

• Visiting the Sistine Chapel
• Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel
• Visiting the Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museums Must Sees
• Vatican Museums Tickets
• Vatican Museums Tours
• Vatican Secret Rooms

More things you will see at the Vatican:

Besides the two main sites - the museums (Sistine Chapel) and the basilica, there are more things you will see when you visit Vatican City.

Look for these as you walk around:

St. Peter's Square

It would be easy to take Saint Peter's Square, Piazza San Pietro in Italian, for granted.

After all, if you're beelining to get into the basilica, you might be focused on the security queues and wondering how long you will have to wait.

But St. Peter's Square, also called Vatican Square, is worth visiting and enjoying by itself.

It's the only part of Vatican City you can visit without any tickets or queuing.

If you have very limited time , you may even decide that this is about as much as you want to see of Vatican City, since everything else involves queues and/or tickets plus an involved visit inside.

Click here to visit my page all about St. Peter's Square, its history, and what to see.

The Swiss Guard

You might spy one or more of the Swiss Guard at the gate to Vatican City.

The Swiss Guard wear different outfits depending on their duties, but they are all dressed in costumes originally designed in the early 1500s (although not by Michelangelo, an urban myth.)

The Swiss Guard have a specific duty to guard the pope's life and Saint Peter's Basilica.

They are the world's smallest army and they are very well trained.

You will not see the Swiss Guard at the Vatican Museums.

There, you will see Vatican Museums guards who dress in more modern attire.

The Leonine Walls

In the 9th century, Pope Leo IV had defensive walls built around Vatican City following the sacking by raiders of Old St. Peter's Basilica in 846.

You can still see those walls today in and around the Vatican, especially if you visit the Vatican Gardens .

You can also see parts of these walls surrounding Saint Peter's Square on the side where the security gates are, and along the way from the Vatican to nearby Castel Sant'Angelo .

Click here to read a more detailed yet brief history of the Vatican.

For more Vatican history, check out these dedicated pages:

The Vatican Post Office

Don't miss a visit to the Vatican Post Office if you want to mail any postcards. 

It's easier and more efficient than going to the Italian Post Office, and your mail will get there faster!

There is also a Vatican mailbox up on the roof ( Saint Peter's Dome ), and usually another post office in Saint Peter's Square .

More sites you can visit in Vatican City

Besides Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, there are some more sites you can visit in Vatican City.

You have to pay for these (and for the scavi and gardens, you must book in advance.)

You will find more details about each one on their respective dedicated pages:

• Saint Peter's Tomb (Vatican Necropolis or Scavi )
• Saint Peter's Dome
• Vatican Gardens

Which to see first - The Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel, or St. Peter's Basilica?

If you book a tour of the Vatican, usually this means taking a guided tour of the Vatican Museums , which ends with the Sistine Chapel .

Some tours include taking the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel into St Peters Basilica.

There has been some back and forth recently about whether the shortcut is available or not, but for now, it is once again the case that  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 Vatican can, and does, change their mind frequently on this matter, so if it is important to you to be able to take this shortcut, I recommend booking a tour that ends in St Peter's Basilica to be on the safe side.

If you are on a tour that ends in the Basilica the decision is made for you.

But if you are taking a Vatican Museums tour that does not include the Basilica, or if you are visiting the Vatican Museums on your own, you'll have to decide what order to visit the museums and the basilica in, assuming you want to visit both on the same day, which many people do.

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How long does it take to visit the Vatican Museums?

To  visit the Vatican Museums  (where the Sistine Chapel is),  you need a purchase a ticket  (unless you  come on the Free Sunday .)

Once inside, even if you go quickly, you will need about 2 hours for this this visit.

If you are not able to take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to Saint Peter's basilica, you will exit the museums where you entered them.

This is about a 15-20 minute walk from Saint Peter's Square and the entrance to the basilica.

Click here to see a map of Vatican City and how far apart the entrances of the Museums and the Basilica are  (it opens in a new window.)

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.)

How long does it take to visit Saint Peter's Basilica?

A visit inside Saint Peter's Basilica could take anywhere from 1-2 hours, not including the time you spend in line waiting to go through security (assuming you go through security in the front and do not take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel.)

To visit Saint Peter's Basilica, you do not need (nor can you buy) tickets, as it's free to go inside.

But you do have to wait in the line for security, which is airport-style - there is an x-ray machine to put your items in and you will walk through a metal detector.

And that can cause the queues to get pretty long.

Lately, the lines to get into Saint Peter's Basilica have been so long, they are looping back again around the square.

Wondering which tour to take of the Vatican Museums?

Visit my page about Vatican Museum tours to find out all the options!

If you book a Vatican Museums tour that does not allow you access to the Basilica, and/or you want to visit the Basilica separately, even on a different day, I'd suggest getting to Saint Peter's Basilica when it opens at 7 AM (if you want to avoid the line).

The lines are longest from about 10 AM - 5 PM, and in high season can be long throughout the day, even from 7 AM until closing!

Skipping the lines at Saint Peter's Basilica

The easiest way to skip the lines at Saint Peter's Basilica is to visit it using the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel (which currently is only available on booked museum tours that end in Saint Peter's Basilica).

There has been some back and forth recently about whether the shortcut is available or not, but for now, it is once again the case that  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.

As of now, you cannot do this  unless you are on a tour .

If you only plan to visit Saint Peter's Basilica , and not the museums, or you decide to visit these two sites separately, you can avoid the queues by following the tips in my video above:

• Come when it opens at 7 AM
• Come in Low Season
• Book a visit to Saint Peter's tomb
• Use the Pilgrims' entrance - reserved for prayer or attending mass or confession

Wondering where the bathrooms are at the Vatican?

Find out here .

Brief History of Vatican City eBook

The history of the Vatican stretches back thousands of years, and to know everything about this incredible micro-state would take a lifetime to learn.

With this eBook, discover the brief history of Vatican City - where it got its name, who built the basilica, where the Popes are buried and more!

Topics covered include:

• Details about the Vatican's origin , going back to the time of Ancient Rome
• The role important artists such as Michelangelo played in the creation of the Vatican as we know it today 
• How the Vatican came to be an independent city state within the boundaries of Rome

What else is included in this Brief History of Vatican City e-book?

• 50+ pages of information covering all areas of the Vatican's history
• Dozens of stunning and original photos showcasing the Vatican
• Insightful diagrams and drawings to help illustrate the more detailed elements of the Vatican's history
• + much more!

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Skipping the line to get into the Vatican Museums

This may be the number 1 question I get about visiting Rome - How to skip the line for the Vatican Museums?

It's quite simple:

• You can pre-purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums through the Vatican's website . This means that you will not have to stand in the line waiting to buy tickets. You will, however, have to wait in a very short line of others like you, who have pre-booked tickets and have to pick them up. (The tickets you purchase in advance are more of a voucher, and they must be converted into physical paper tickets to enter the museums.) You also still need to go through security as everyone does. So you do not entirely skip the line, but your line will be much shorter.
• You can pre-purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums through a ticket reseller . There is usually a small surcharge for this but it can be worth it due to 1) Ease of use and/or 2) the possibility of finding tickets available here when tickets are not available on the Vatican Museums' website.
• You can purchase an Omnia Pass  or Turbo Pass .  These will also get you a tour with a guide from the Vatican Museums, as above. It’s not as simple as it sounds and you will need to be careful to understand what you are getting into. Click here to go to my page about the Roma Pass and Omnia Pass  or to this page about other Rome City Passes for more details about these passes.
• You can  book a tour of the Vatican Museums , either with a tour company or with the Vatican Museums themselves.  Your entry tickets are included in the tour, so you only have to go through the security line.
• If you book a visit to the Vatican Gardens , skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums are included!
• I do not recommend this at all, but if you have not booked tickets, and they are sold out online, and you find yourself arriving at the Vatican Museums, you will ALWAYS find touts selling you a skip-the-line ticket or tour. I don't recommend it because you cannot be sure they are legit, and if they are, you have no idea what kind of tour you are getting. I also just can't stand, in principle, to be so bombarded by these guys every time I am within a mile of Vatican City. But it can be a good option if it's your last recourse and the lines are crazy long. Just be aware that  only licensed tour guides may give tours inside Vatican City .

Visiting the Vatican Museums with a Guide

Most Vatican City tourism consists primarily of a visit inside the Vatican Museums, which always includes  the Sistine Chapel .

Some tours also include a visit or even a tour inside Saint Peter's Basilica.

You may expect a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Basilica to last roughly three hours total.

To find out about the many different kinds of tours you can book, visit my page about Vatican Museum Tours , which breaks down your options between group tours, early access tours, semi-private tours and more.

Can you just see the Sistine Chapel?

No, you cannot just see the Sistine Chapel .

To see the Sistine Chapel , you must go through the entire Vatican Museums, which can take at least 2 hours if you tour it and see the highlights .

The Sistine Chapel is at the very end. 

That said, if you are interested in an "Express Tour" of the Sistine Chapel, you can book this tour that skips the line then beelines to the Sistine Chapel and finishes in Saint Peter's Basilica .

This tour is only 1 hour and 45 minutes and does not include a tour of the rest of the Vatican Museums.

You do still have to walk through them, but the focus of the tour will be the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.

(If you are really pressed for time, you could peel off once you get to the basilica and just not finish the tour.)

is it worth taking the time to explore the museums?

I really do believe that visiting the Vatican museums  is absolutely worth doing in its entirety, even if you really only wanted to see the Sistine Chapel.

The  rest of the museums   are truly wonderful.

You have the Raphael rooms, the maps gallery, the floor-to-ceiling tapestries, papal apartments, Etruscan art, and  so much more.

Click here to visit my page about the top 10 Vatican Museums must-sees.

I highly suggest  taking a tour  to visit the museums. 

They will take care of getting your tickets.

But if you go your own without a tour, you could get the audio guide, or follow my instructions here for the best way to visit the Vatican Museums .

And you will have to book your tickets on your own .

If you are heading to the Vatican in the morning, as I said above, I suggest you visit Saint Peter’s Basilica first, and the museums later, because the queues for Saint Peter's Basilica have gotten so long (sometimes it's a 1-2 hour wait to get in!)

If you decide to go to the Vatican Museums first, just make sure to leave enough time to stand in line to visit Saint Peter's so that you get inside while there is still some daylight, so you can enjoy the sun coming through all the stained glass.

Here's a great Vatican Highlights Tour with St. Peter’s Dome Climb

Can you see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds?

Perhaps the easiest way to see the Sistine Chapel with fewer crowds is to come in really low season .

But we hardly have a low season anymore in Rome, and even when we do, somehow the Vatican is always still crowded.

So how can you see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds?

It is possible!

With the below tours, you will have a VIP, exclusive experience, and you'll get to enjoy the Sistine Chapel almost alone :

Open the Vatican Museums with the Key Master

On this exclusive tour with Walks of Italy , you will have true VIP access to the Vatican museums - literally accompanying the guard who opens all the doors to get the museums ready for visits.

You will accompany the Vatican Museums Key Master as you walk through the museums, turning on the lights, even inside the Sistine Chapel!

Watch my video to see what it's like:

How to plan all your Vatican trips during your stay

The typical way of visiting the Vatican is to spend half a day seeing the  Vatican Museums  and  Saint Peter's Basilica .

These are both easy to fit into a typical  3-day visit to Rome .

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 .

I have found that often when people can get tickets to special things at the Vatican, like St Peters tomb (the Vatican Necropolis, or scavi ), the Papal Audience , or the Vatican Gardens , they often want to also visit the Vatican Museums on the same day.

Here's my advice for visiting Vatican City when you want to see more than just the Vatican Museums:

Including the Papal Audience

How to visit the vatican museums and attend the papal audience.

Papal Audience tickets  are not difficult to come by, and since it's "in the morning", many visitors assume it would be a good idea to go to the Vatican Museums right after the audience.

I don't agree.

If you are really short on time, then, you CAN go to the Vatican Museums after the Papal Audience.

It's just that this is going to make for a pretty exhausting day.

To go to the Papal audience, you need to get there by 8am to get a decent spot, let alone a seat.

The audience begins around 9:30 AM and finishes around noon.

You'll probably want to grab at least a snack or lunch somewhere in there .

This means going inside the museums from about 2 PM once you have made your way to the Vatican Museum entrance.

If you also visit St. Peter's Basilica after the museums (which is typical), that is a 3-4 hour visit.

And a very long day. (Also, if you want to climb the dome , you likely won't get there in time.)

My suggestion?

If you can break these visits up over two days, I would.

Attend the Papal Audience and then go inside Saint Peter's Basilica (and climb the dome if you want.)

Then on a separate day, visit the Vatican Museums and see the Sistine Chapel.

Including a visit to the Scavi (St Peter's tomb)

How to visit the vatican museums and also take a scavi tour.

At the end of the  scavi  tour (St. Peter's tomb), you wind up inside  Saint Peter's basilica .

So you will already see that.

You could also  climb St. Peter's dome  if you have time and energy.

Visiting the Vatican Museums takes easily 2.5 - 3 hours, and that does not include the time it takes GETTING there once you leave the basilica.

If you are coming to the museums from St. Peter's basilica, you need to factor in about 15-20 minutes' walk to the Vatican museums entrance.

This is after you've already done a 1.5 hour scavi tour, and spent time walking around one of the largest churches in the world.

So as you can see, adding the Vatican Museums makes it a pretty exhausting day.

If you need to do it all in one day, make sure to book your scavi tour first, then book your museums visit with at least 4 hours between visits.

Break this up over two days.

Book the scavi tour.

You have no control over when they will grant you tickets, so if you are lucky enough to get them, you can then book other things around that. 

Plan to see St. Peter's basilica (and climb the dome) on this day.

Then, book your Vatican Museums visit for another day. 

HOW TO VISIT ST PETERS TOMB, THE VATICAN MUSEUMS (SISTINE CHAPEL), AND ATTEND THE PAPAL AUDIENCE

You are definitely going to need two days.

First book the scavi visit  which is never on a Wednesday mornings anyway (the Papal Audience is on Wednesdays.)

Plan to  visit St Peter's Basilica  after that, since you will come out into the basilica after the tour anyway.

If you want to  climb St Peter's dome , you will do it on this day.

This is a pretty long and full day by itself.

Then, once you get your  Papal Audience tickets , book your tickets or tour of the Vatican Museums for after the audience (even if I said above I discourage doing all this in one day, at least if you don't include the basilica it's a little less tiring).

This will be a very full and long day also.

Ready to plan your trip?

Including a visit to the Vatican Gardens

If you want to visit the vatican gardens and visit the scavi (st. peter's tomb).

TWO Vatican Gardens

On this page, I'm referring to the gardens inside Vatican City , i.e. directly behind Saint Peter's Basilica.

There are ALSO papal gardens at the Pope's summer residence, the Apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo.

To learn more about the gardens at Castel Gandolfo and how to visit them (it's easy!), visit my dedicated page here.

If you are able to get tickets to St. Peter's tomb ( scavi ) and also the Vatican Gardens , congratulations!

Here's how to include visiting the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's basilica as well.

First book the scavi visit .

Then book the Vatican Gardens tour on a different day, and plan to visit the Vatican Museums right after the gardens, as it's included in your ticket price with the gardens.

Visit St. Peter's Basilica after the scavi, again, on a different day from the Gardens/Museums.

If you want to do it all - visit the Vatican Museums, vatican gardens, papal audience, scavi tour and st peter's basilica and dome

How you plan your days fitting in these visits will depend on two things  - the Papal audience , which is always Wednesday morning 10am - 12pm (although you need to get there by no later than 8am); and the time of your scavi booking (which depends on the scavi office - you cannot control this).

Once you get those two bookings, the next difficult booking to get is for the Vatican Gardens . 

So book that one around the Papal Audience and scavi tour.

Note that tours of the Vatican Gardens are at 9am or 11am.

They are also not held on the morning of the Papal Audience.

I'd suggest you spread this over 3 days.

Or, to fit this into two (intense) days, try to do the scavi tour after the Papal audience, if you can get scavi tickets for the afternoon.

Then book the Vatican Gardens, Vatican Museums , and St. Peter's Basilica on a separate day.

(And climb St. Peter's dome once you are inside St. Peter's basilica if you like.)

How to Get to Vatican City

You have several options for how to get to the Vatican.

But the most important factor to consider is what you are visiting first.

Click here to see a Google map showing where the different entrances are for the Vatican Museums, Saint Peter's Square, and the scavi entrance . It will open in a new window.

How to get to the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums entrance is on Viale Vaticano .

If you plan to take a taxi , just tell the driver "Vatican Museums".

Visiting the Vatican Museums and arriving by Metro

Otherwise, the most common way to get there is by Metro.

Rome's metro red line A has two stops, equidistant from the entrance to the museums (about a 10-12 minute walk): Ottaviano and Cipro .

The Ottaviano metro stop is the first one you will come to if you are coming from Rome's center.

When you emerge from the metro station, you just need to follow the crowd towards Vatican City.

Once you see Michelangelo's bastions (walls), follow them to the right and you will come to the entrance of the Vatican Museums.

If you are visiting the Vatican museums from the opposite direction, or if you forget to get off at Ottaviano, or, better yet, if you want to get off at the next stop to get some fabulous pizza by the slice from Bonci's Pizzarium, then you will get off at Cipro stop. 

However, from this stop, you cannot see the same stream of people, nor can you immediately see the Vatican City walls, so you will need to navigate a little bit to find the walls.

Once you see the walls, follow them until you come to the entrance.

Visiting the Vatican Museums and Arriving by Bus

Another option for arriving at the entrance of the Vatican museums is to take a bus or buses.

Many buses will get you pretty close to the entrance of the Vatican museums.

These include the 492, 49, 23, and the 81.

How to Get to Saint Peter's Basilica and Square

The entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is on Saint Peter's Square .

This is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Vatican Museums, so if you are not visiting the Vatican Museums (or not visiting them first), and want to go directly to the basilica, you can still take the metro, but make sure to get off at Ottaviano, not Cipro.

From Ottaviano metro stop, St. Peter's Square is about a 10-15 minute walk .

Follow the crowds, but at the walls, do not make a right towards the museums, just keep going straight. 

Buses that arrive closest to St. Peter's Square include the 40 and the 64.

How to get to the Scavi/St Peter's Tomb

If you are visiting the Vatican for an appointment to see St. Peter's tomb, the fastest and easiest way to arrive is by taxi .

They can drop you right in front of the entrance where you need to go, which is at the Swiss Guard, to the left of the basilica as you face it.

If you take a bus, get the 64, as it drops you about a block away.

To take the metro , make sure to get off at Ottaviano, and give yourself about 20 minutes' walking time from there to get the the entrance of St. Peter's tomb.

Where to Eat Near the Vatican

There is no place to eat inside St Peter's Basilica or in St Peter's Square (there is a tiny snack bar on the roof of the basilica, which you can only access if you climb the dome .)

There are some cafés and fast-food options inside the Vatican Museums.

There are also fun dining options you can book, and combine with your visit to the Museums.

Otherwise, visit my page about lots of options for eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and aperitivo 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!

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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Comment: Have you visited the Vatican? What did you think of it? Are you thinking of going? Let us know if you have any questions.

Explore the best of Vatican with these guided tours

Things to do in Rome Rome Attractions Vatican Museums Vatican City Guided Tours

Vatican City is a special place. It may not be the biggest in size but what it holds within its walls is truly unrivalled in scale and importance - whether its the 54 galleries in the Vatican Museums, the walls of the Sistine Chapel, or the mysteries of St. Peter's Basilica. Home to various religious and cultural sites, the city also treasures an immense priceless collection of artistic and historical masterpieces by the world’s greatest artists. As most attractions across Italy start to open up, this is among the top landmarks to visit. Guided Vatican tours are the best way to experience the center of Roman Catholicism in the world.

Not only are these tours rich with information that individual Vatican ticket experiences don't provide, but also give you the benefits of priority entrances, audioguides in multiple languages and breakfast within the Vatican walls.

Advantages of a Vatican Guided Tour

Expert guidance while exploring the palace.

The Vatican may be the smallest country in the world, but everything that is open to public within the 44 hectares that it covers is a tourists delight. From the vast collection of classical artworks and Renaissance masterpieces of the Vatican Museums to the biggest church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica. In the company of an expert Vatican guide, you will hear about all the secrets, history and insider facts that makes Vatican the most poplar attraction in Italy.

Priority Access

Over 7 million people visit the Vatican every year. That's a a daily average of 20,000 people! That’s a huge number for a surprisingly small country. Often, this leads to tourist queues that go on and on. Standing in them under the Mediterranean sun is not a pleasant feeling, trust me. If you're on a guided tour, you will get to bypass this line and head straight to the Vatican entrance , without having to bother about standing in line and getting a ticket. Priority access in Rome is truly a godsend.

Hear Incredible Stories

Official Vatican guides, and most guides throughout Rome are incredibly passionate about showing off their city to outsiders. With such vested interests and pride, you are guaranteed to have a good time in their company. You get to hear stories and anecdotes that you otherwise wouldn't have and listen to the rich history of these old landmarks.

Bonus Activities

Now some of this is truly special and simply not possible if you aren't on a tour. How about having breakfast on the grounds of the Vatican Museums? Or visiting secret underground tunnels under St. Peter's Basilcia? Apart from the usual touristy stuff, some guided tours also offer these bonus activities which will top your day off perfectly.

Top Recommended Vatican Tours

Guided tours, combo guided tours.

The Ultimate Guide To Explore The Ancient Realm, Vatican City

Choosing the best vatican tour.

Depending on your preferences, there are certain ways to choose the right Vatican tour for you:

1 Group Guided Tour (Under 30 guests)

Take a 3-hour museum and Sistine Chapel walking tour to learn more about the Vatican's incredible history and architecture. Get in with no fuss by availing yourself of a priority entrance at the museum, instead of waiting in line.

2 Small Group Guided Tour (Under 22 guests)

On a Vatican guided tour, learn about some of the world's most notable art and history. Obtain skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on this fascinating small-group excursion!

3 Premium Guided Tour (Under 10 guests)

With skip-the-line tickets, you may visit the Vatican and see its treasures. Enjoy a semi-private, intimate group tour experience as you discover everything about the history and culture of these world-famous sites.

4 VIP Tour: Early Morning or After Hours

On this tour, you'll visit the Vatican Museums and have a private tour of the Sistine Chapel before the general public, so you won't have to wait in line and can begin touring at 8 am with an extra breakfast choice. You may also go on after-hours museum visits when most tourists leave at 6 pm.

5 Along with St Peter's Basilica Dome Climb

Begin by climbing up to the terrace of St. Peter's Basilica, and be exposed to the stunning panoramic views. After which you can make your way to the glorious Vatican Museums next and gasp at the alluring galleries.

5 Combo Full-Day Rome Trip

On a full-day, semi-private guided combination tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum you'll see everything there is to see in Rome. Make the most of your visit with skip the line entry!

Vatican Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Guided Tour Experience

On the day of the tour, you will head to the meeting point (just outside the walls of the Vatican Museums and meet your guide. After a brief acquaintance with the guide and the group, your guide will lead the group to the Vatican Museums. Guided tours usually benefit from the privilege of being able to bypass the ticket line, thus cutting down your waiting time by over an hour. After a brief mandatory security check, the group will then head inside.

Your guide will first show you around the absolutely incredible Vatican Museums, a series of old halls and galleries that store more than 70,000 works of some of the greatest art ever produced. Some of the major highlights of the Vatican Museums are the Gallery of Maps, the Spiral Staircase, The Pinacoteca, The Pio-Clementino Museum, Greogarian Egyptian Museum, The Pavillion of the Coaches and much more. But none are more speical than the Sistine Chapel, the last highlight of the Vatican Museums complex. Michelangelo's magnus opus, the Sistine Chapel is a sight to behold. The guide will then lead you through a dedicated passage way that goes directly from Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica. This also helps you avoid a queue that you would have otherwise faced at the entrance of the basilica. Once at St. Peter's Basilica, your guide will show you all the major highlights of the church. Note that sections like the Necropolis and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica require additional tickets to be bought separately.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are renowned for the classical artworks and Renaissance masterpieces that they hold, accumulated by the Popes over centuries. With roughly 70,000 works of art, Vatican Museums can easily boast of being the world's greatest art collections. Pieces and displays ranging from Egyptian mummies and metallics from Etruria to antique chests as well as modern paintings are exhibited along 7km of halls and corridors. There are about 54 of these regally adorned halls and galleries that are part of the Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano - the official residence of the Pope of Rome.

Sistine Chapel

The prominence and notability of the Vatican museums culminates into the most spectacular of all Renaissance works, the Sistine Chapel. What makes the Sistine Chapel special are the frescos that decorate its interior walls. Designed by Raphael, the ceiling was painted by Michelangelo. This famous frescoe on the ceiling is known as the Last Judgment. Sistine Chapel is one of the most prominent artistic achievements of Europe. Over 10 million people visit this art museum each year, making it one of the most visited museums world over.

St. Peter's Basilica

This Italian Renaissance Church, designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is the largest church in the world. Besides its obvious historical and artistic significance, St. Peter's Basilica has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". Seeing over 80,000 visitors per year, St. Peter’s Basilica is the perfect spot for history-lovers, artists, pilgrims and tourists alike.

Vatican Necropolis

Located at a depth of five floors under the most visited church in the world, the Vatican Necropolis is one of the best kept Vatican secrets. A network of underground graves and mausoleums, the Vatican Necropolis is the site of many famous final resting places, including that of St. Peter the Apostle. In order to preserve this delicately balanced archaeological from decay, visits to the Necropolis is limited to around 250 visitors per day, in groups of not more than 12-15 people.

Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens date back to the 6th century and spread over 57 acres. Embedded with statues, impressive fountains, and buildings, the gardens imitate Renaissance and Baroque style structures. Stone walls bound the lush gardens in the north, south, and west and left them to face the Vatican to their east, the direction the sun rises. Whether or not this was intentional and if they figuratively imply a deeper meaning can only be known by talking a tour of the Vatican Gardens.

Are Vatican Tours Really Worth It?

Absolutely! Exploring the many galleries of Vatican with an expert historian guide is a far better experience than walking the galleries by yourself and/or armed with an audio guide. Follow your expert tour guide and learn all about the rich culture and history of the Vatican. Signing up for a guided tour also ensures priority access which saves a lot of time.

Related Read: How To Get Around Vatican Gardens And Make The Best Of Your Time

Vatican City - Practical Information

Getting to the vatican.

Vatican City is to the north of the city centre of Rome and is easily reached independently by public transport plus and even by Rome hop-on hop-off tourist buses which have a stop here.

1. Metro The Rome Metro has a station just outside the Vatican at Ottaviano-S. Pietro. Line A direction Battistini, Ottaviano or Cipro stations of the Metro has trains running every few minutes. It's a 5 minute walk from the Metro to both St Peter's Square and the Vatican Museums. 2. Bus 49, stop in the square in front of the Vatican Museums 32, 81, 982, stop at Piazza del Risorgimento 492, 990, stop in Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni

St. Peter's Basilica • April to September - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM • October to March - 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel • Monday to Saturday - 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Vatican Necropolis • Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM • Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Rules & Regulations

• Bags or luggage of any sorts measuring more than 40*35*15 centimetres is not allowed inside the Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. There are however cloak rooms that allow you to store your bags if you’re carrying any.
• Use of amplified microphones and laser pointers is not allowed.
• Dress appropriately before you enter the Vatican. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not permitted.
• Use of mobile phones inside the Sistine Chapel is prohibited. Elsewhere you can use your phone, but it is preferred that you refrain from doing so if possible.
• Absolutely refrain from touching any work of art. Alarm and surveillance systems are in place.
• You cannot enter the Museums or the Basilica with alcoholic drinks. Any food or drink may be left at the cloakrooms.

Mass Schedule for St. Peter's Basilica

WeekDays 8:30 AM- Blessed Sacrament Chapel In Italian 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM - Altar of St. Joseph (Left Transept), In Italian 5:00 PM - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) In Latin, with singing, homily in Italian

Sunday and Holy Days 9:00 - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) - Mass for the Parish, in Italian 10:30 - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) - Solemn Mass in Latin, with singing, homily in Italian 11:30 - Blessed Sacrament Chapel - In Italian 12:15 - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) - In Italian 1:00pm - Altar of St. Joseph - (Left Transept), In Italian 4:00pm - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) - In Italian 5:45pm - Altar of the Chair (Cattedra) - In Italian

Vatican City - Insider Tips

• Since you will be entering a holy and sacred place, please make sure you wear appropriate clothing. For both men and women, knees and shoulders must be covered.
• It is preferable to take a guided tour, knowing the sheer size of collections. It is quite a difficult task to go with self help guide books if you truly want to enjoy your experience.
• In order to visit the Vatican Necropolis, you will need to make your reservation online. Ensure that you make your booking at least 3-4 weeks in advance in order to secure your place. The tickets for the Necropolis are high in demand and may get sold out if you book last minute. For a private tour, you will need to email the Fabric of Saint Peter directly.
• Avoid travelling during the high season! During the months of June - August, the entire city gets very crowded and the lines to enter could go on forever. Try visiting during the off season to make the most out of your limited time.
• Give yourself at least 1.5 hours for the entire tour. You do not want to rush past all the attractions and find yourself regretting it later. Take your time and enjoy this exclusive visit.
• A comfortable pair of shoes go a long way in enjoying walking through the huge galleries of the museums and the connecting areas.
• Avoid carrying a backpack as you will have to check it in upon entering the museum.

What are the most popular Vatican tours?

The most popular Vatican City tour is the one that includes a visit to the Sistine Chapel, where you can see the world-famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Other popular Vatican City tours include visits to St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Raphael Rooms.

What is the best times to visit Vatican City?

The best time to visit Vatican City is during the spring or fall, when the weather is milder and there are fewer crowds.

What should I wear on a Vatican City tour?

Since you will be visiting holy sites, it is important to dress modestly. That means avoiding shorts, tank tops, and other revealing clothing. You should also avoid wearing anything with offensive language or images. Carry a shawl to cover your shoulders as well.

What are the rules for taking photos in Vatican City?

You are allowed to take photos in Vatican City, but you must be respectful of the holy sites. That means no flash photography, and no taking photos of people without their permission.

What is the best way to get to Vatican City?

The best way to get to Vatican City is by train. The Vatican has its own stop on the Rome metro, and there are also several train lines that stop near the Vatican.

Can I bring food or drinks into Vatican City?

You are not allowed to bring food or drinks into Vatican City, with the exception of water.

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While the Vatican Museums are a must-see, there are many other things to do in Rome that cannot be missed! Check out more about the culture, things to do, day trips, budgeting and more with our Rome Travel Guide .

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Sachin Kumar

Having lived and worked in Bangalore and Singapore before moving to Dubai, Sachin is one of the many expatriates who've come together over the years to knit the fabric of Dubai’s global culture. An avid urban explorer and photographer, he has spent countless hours uncovering hidden gems in these cities - eating in ramshackled establishments that only the cab drivers frequent, discovering underground markets, exploring abandoned buildings and staying with families that may or may not like him.

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Ultimate Vatican Self Guided Tour, Attractions Map and Guide

Vatican self guided walking tour to vatican museum and sistine chapel, using the vatican map, explore at your own pace with this complete vatican self guided walking tour.

In this Vatican City self guided tour use google map to explore the Vatican museum and galleries that make up the Vatican Museum. Then head over to the Sistine Chapel. If you have very little time, (3-4 hours) you may want to explore the Pinacoteca Gallery, the Pio-Clementine Museum, the Candelabra, Tapestry and Map Gallery, the Raphael rooms and the Sistine Chapel. 

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If you have less time, concentrate on the Candelabra, Tapestry and Map Gallery, the Raphael rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Most people tend to rush though many of the Vatican museums and make a beeline for the Sistine Chapel and onto to St Peters Basilica however they miss many of the smaller museums located inside the Vatican museum. The Vatican self guided tour is flexible and you can explore at your own pace. Don’t just get caught up and follow the crowd. The number of museums and display items seem overwhelming, take your time to visit the attractions and follow the self guided walking tour to the Vatican attractions.

Click to download an interactive Vatican attractions google map or a PDF map with the Vatican self guided tour

Download the Vatican self guide tour Interactive Map HERE

Download the Vatican self guided walking tour PDF Map HERE

Entry tickets.

The lineups can be very long, I recommend you purchase tickets in advance. There are a variety of packages and combinations (with Sistine Chapel and / or St Peters Basilica) that can be purchased online. The best is to purchase a skip the line tickets. Book online here options include combo entrance tickets (some with guided tours), select the one that best suits you. If you want entry tickets and tours of attractions nearby, several options are available here to book in advance.

Vatican Museum Entrance – Musei Vaticani

To start the Vatican City self guided tour, enter the Vatican museum and turn RIGHT instead of left at the top of the last escalator to go to the Vatican Pinacoteca – Gallery of Old Masters Museum at the Vatican Museum. The Vatican visitor crowd will be going left, do not follow them as you will miss the Pinacoteca Gallery.

How to Visit Vatican Museum: self guided walking tour – Main Floor Attractions

1. vatican museum: pinacoteca gallery of paintings.

This is the first stop in the Vatican Self guided tour. The gallery was opened in 1932, it has some of the finest paintings in the Vatican.  Most Vatican visitors concentrate on the paintings in the Raphael Rooms or the Sistine Chapel, while the treasures found in the Pinacoteca rooms are largely unseen. The Pinacoteca, Vatican Art Gallery is located on the main floor towards the right of the entrance. It is a real treat for art lovers and missed by many Vatican City tours.  It is a long gallery of 18 with rooms on either side separated by a wall.  You will start in Room I and move to the end of the gallery to Room 8 (the Raphael Paintings) and then up the gallery towards the exit at Room 18.

This Vatican self guided tour will lead you to each room with an explanation and highlights. If you love paintings of the Old Masters, do not miss this Vatican attraction! Paintings are displayed in chronological order starting in the 12 th century to the 19 th century as you move from room 1 to room VI, note the changes is style. From Room 14 onwards there are various objects and sculptures including those by Bernini. You will also find Byzantine icons.

Room 2 (13 th to 15 th Century)

Of the paintings by Giotto the most famous is the 1313 paining of Stefaneschi triptych which is used as an altarpiece for one of the alters of Old St. Peters Basilica. The middle panel is that of St. Peter on the throne with saints by his side. Cardinal Stefaneschi is kneeling on Peters right offering up the the altarpiece. The back central piece is similar except St Peter is replaced by Christ. Notice the detailing on the miniature altar piece that the cardinal is holding. The left panel is the crucifixion of St Peter and the right panel is the beheading of St. Paul representing the martyrdoms of St Peter and St Paul (They were held in the Mamertine prison in the Roman Forum ).

Tickets to the Roman Forum are Here or reserve a spot on a Guided Tour Here . Guided tours usually include the ticket entrance fee, check to make sure so that you are not paying twice for the entrance to an attraction.

Room 3 (15 th Century)

This room houses paintings by two monks:  Fra’Angelico and Fillipo Lippi. Fra Angelico’s painting “Madonna and Child”. Madonna holds a rose while St Catherine and St Dominic kneel beside her.  Note the level of gold used in the paintings. As you move to the Raphael rooms the gold leaf painting style is eventually replaced and you will see the use of blue pigments which were used instead of the red and gold signifying a transition in the style of paintings. In 1982 Fra Angelico was beatified by Pope John Paul II.

In Room 3 you will also see Fra Filippo Lippi’s triptych painted in 1460 (note the style difference of the one in room 2 painted by Giotto in 1313). His painting of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary is in the middle panel.  The model for the Virgin Mary was a young woman named Lucrezia Buti. He convinced the nuns to allow her to sit for him for the painting. However this led to more than just painting and he eventually abducted her causing quiet a scandal. The nuns, the Church and the powerful Medici family had to intervene to prevent Lucrezia’s family from bringing charges against the monk. They eventually married and she bore him a son. Filippo became a successful painter.

This room has five Raphael paintings including the 13.5 foot high painting titled “ Transfiguration ” and a number of tapestries. The Altar of Transfiguration is in St Peters Basilica . The Raphael paintings were sketched and painted by Raphael, unlike the Raphael paintings in the Raphael room upstairs. The “Transfiguration” was Raphael’s last painting and one of his best works. It is painted in vivid colors showing the Apostles helping a boy suffering from demonic possession in the lower section and the transfiguration of Christ in the upper section. The painting was discovered almost complete in his workshop when he died suddenly at the age of 37. It was carried through the streets of Rome during his funeral procession.

There is also a tapestry of The Last Supper made in a Flemish workshop and based on Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting, The full scale reproduction of the intricate tapestry work is incredible and a must see.

Contains works from Leonardo DaVinci. Pay particular attention to the painting titled “ St Jerome in the Wilderness “. The Altar of St Jerome found is in St Peter’s basilica. It is an unfinished work where you see St Jerome living the life of a hermit in the desert with a lion. He has just removed a thorn from the lion’s paw. You will notice that the Lion is still a sketch and the rest of the painting has a faded ghostly quality about it. That is because the paining is unfinished.  The Italian painters, such as Raphael and DaVinci, started with a sketch and then painted over them, however the Venetian painters did not have sketches and painted directly onto the canvas. Sometimes Italian painters prepared the sketch while their apprentices completed the paintings. You will see this in the Raphael Rooms upstairs where many of the paintings were sketched by Raphael but painted by his apprentice.

Works of the master painter Titan and Veronese are placed here such as the Veronese painting “The Vision of St Helena”. St Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine who was famous for her dream that led to the discovery of the “True Cross” in Jerusalem. The painting is of her sleeping peacefully while a cherub holds the cross in front of her. St Helen’s Statue is found in the St Peter’s Basilica .

There are many realism style paintings from Caravaggio including the “Entombment of Christ” painted in 1603-1604. There are not many of Caravaggio’s paintings in the Vatican Museums. The Entombment has been copied by many French and Flemish painters including Cézanne. Caravaggio paints in a “dark” style called tenebrous, where there is no background, just darkness and therefore focusing strictly on the figures. The painting shows John, Mary of Cleophas, Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary removing his body from the cross to place it in the tomb.  Note the details and structure of the torso. 

The twisted pose of the torso and musculature were highly influential in Renaissance and baroque artists. Note the statue of the “ Belvedere Torso ” when you get to the Pio-Celmentino Museum. This was used by Caravaggio and other masters when sculpting torso’s on their statues, if you look closely at the different torso’s you will find they are modeled on the Belvedere Torso. Interestingly not much is known about Caravaggio’s personal life except information found in public police records. He had minor offences like carry a weapon without permit to serious ones including violent fights. He spent the last few years of his life on the run from police after being found guilty of killing a man over a bet.

A room of sculptures including 7 pieces by Bernini. When you have finished viewing the gallery, continue the Vatican Museum self guided tour by visiting the Momo Staircase and the Ethnological Museum located across from the Pinacoteca Gallery (items 2 and 3 below) or if you are short on time, skip to the Egyptian Museum and the Pio-Clementine Museum (items 4 and 7 below).

2. Momo Staircase, double-helix staircase

There are two staircase in the Vatican museum with the same name. The Momo staircase built in 1505. The staircase is in a rectangular tower and connects the Belvedere Palace to the outside. It is located at the back of the Pio Clementine Museum. Bramante got his inspiration from the Momo staircase. It is an intricate double-helix stairs designed by the architect Giuseppe Momo and was inspired by the original Bramante Staircase (Bramante was the palace architect and many of the designs are attribute to him). Unlike the Momo staircase, the Bramante staircase is open to the public.

The Bramante Staircase is found:

– main floor in the pio clementine museum (momo staircase, also called the bramante staircase. this area may be closed) – upper floor in the gift shop which is right next to the escalator going up do not go down the bramante staircase; it is the exit to the museum and you will not be able to get back in.

The next two stops on the Vatican self guided walking tour are the Ethnological Museum and the Egyptian Museum. These two Vatican Museum attractions are not as popular, however they are definitely worth a visit if you can spare the time. Most tour guides skip these museums. As you exit the Pinacoteca, head back to the entrance of the Pinacoteca Gallery; the Ethnological Museum and the Egyptian Museum are across from the Pinacoteca Gallery.

3. Vatican Museum: Ethnological Museum  Misionero Ethnological Museum

A collection of about 100,000 artifacts from non-European religions and cultures around the world including Buddhist, Islam, Hindu, African, Chinese and Native American. As catholic missionaries travelled the world to convert people, they also brought back items of cultural significance that are now displayed in this Vatican attraction. The geographic range of the items displayed is a testament to the reach of the missionaries.

4. Vatican Museum: Egyptian Museum

This Vatican museum opened in 1839 with collection pieces from Egypt are located here. There are many Egyptian antiquities including a brightly painted sarcophagi and mummy box, statues of pharos and queens including one of Rameses II.

General Orientation – From this area you can access the Pine Cone Courtyard (or from the Pio-Celmentine Museum).

if you want to take a break, head out to the Pine Cone Courtyard (Courtille Della Pigna) and explore the area. When you are done come back to this point to continue the Vatican self guided tour. There is another opportunity to visit the Pine Cone courtyard, at item 10 below.

5. Vatican Museum: Museo Chiaramonti

The Museo Chiaramont is the next stop on your Vatican self guided walking tour . It is a passageway (Loggia) that links the Vatican Palaces to the small Belvedere Palace. The Chiaramonti museum is named after the birthplace of Pope Pius VII, Luigi Barnaba Chiaramonti. Built in 1807 and based on the design by Bramante, it is about 300m long. It is a long corridor along the east wall of the Belvedere Museum and houses statues of gods, Roman Patricians and cherubs. You will also find a collection of Roman busts and statues with a variety of expressions, many of which were used in ancestral portraits by the romans. There are about a thousand sculptures, including portraits of Emperors and gods, several fragments, friezes and reliefs of sarcophagi.

6. Vatican Museum: Braccio Nuovo

A room with more Roman statues including one that portrays the Roman Emperor Augustus. This statue was discovered at the villa of Livia Augusta in Pompeii in 1863. The floor is a specular Roman mosaic tiled floor.

The next stop on the Vatican self guided walking tour is the Pio-Clementino Museum. This Vatican attraction is very popular and consists of several rooms.

7. Vatican Museum: Pio-Celmentino Museum  Pius and Clementine’s Museum

Named after Pope Clementine XIV and Pope Pius VI, it has the largest collection of Greek and roman sculptures in the world. A very popular Vatican attraction, The museum has 12 rooms and Bramante’s Staircase (listed in no particular order):

– Sala a Croce Greca sarcophagus of Constantia and her daughter -Room of the Animals – Round Room /  Sala Rotunda (porphyry basin) – Hall of Muses (Belvedere Torso) – Hall of Animals – Cabinet of Masks (may be closed) – Gallery of Statues – Octagonal Courtyard (Belvedere Apollo, Laocoön and the athlete just before entering the courtyard) – Bramante Staircase (access from Pio-Clementine museum may be closed)

Sala a Croce Greca (sarcophagus of Constantia)

In this hall you will see two Sarcophagai. The first one is the porphyry sarcophagi of Constantia, daughter of Emperor Constantine and the second porphyry is the sarcophagus of St. Helena, mother of the Emperor. It was St. Helena who discovered the true Cross of Christ and brought it to Rome. The Statue of St Helen’s is in St Peters Basilica . A painting depicting this scene is in the Raphael Room 1 Hall Of Constantine titled The Vision of the Cross (east wall) .

Round Room – Sala Rotunda

The room has a lot of unique features including the floor, the dome ceiling and of course the huge red salad bowl as the centerpiece.  The well preserved mosaic floor is from a roman villa from the 2 nd century. It is closed off and you cannot walk on it but can admire its intricate details and colorful pattern. The black and white tiles you can walk on are also ancient and authentic.  The dome is designed after the pantheon but on a smaller scale.

The ceiling has an oculus and there is a decorative rosette in each of the niches of the dome. The centerpiece is a huge porphyry basin. The reddish-purple porphyry basin gets its name from the word porphyry which is the Greek word for purple, the color of royalty in Rome. Porphyry is an igneous rock and this piece served as Nero’s bath for his golden House (Domus Aurea). The VERY “hard to cut rock” was taken out of a quarry in Egypt and carved into  single piece 2000 years ago. This incredibly heavy bathtub was then transported to Rome.

Hall of Muse / Sala della Muse

This was opened in 1784 to display the Villa of Cassius near Tivoli and have been dated to the time of Emperor Hadrian. It is the location of the famous Belvedere Torso by the Sculptor Appolonios from 50 BC. It is famous as the muscles, bones and veins are so lifelike and it was used as a base of the human torso in other paintings. There is speculation that it is the torso of Hercules. Memorize the structure of the twisted torso and look for its replica in the Sistine chapel.

Hall of the Animals

Designed in the time of Pope Pius VI (1775-1799), it displays statues of animals who were considered protagonists with the goal of creating a “stone zoo”. Here you will find many statutes of animals; one of the best ones is the one of the little boy trying to hold onto a goose.

Cabinet of the Masks (Gabinetto delle Maschere)

The mosaic floor of this room is from the Villa Adriana and shows a display of theater masks, this area may be closed.

Gallery of Statues

The gallery of statues was a summer house of Pope Innocent VIII and was converted into a museum by Pope Clement XIV. Here you will also find the bust of Menander (yes the same Menander from the House of Menander in Pompeii ).

8. Vatican Museum: Octagonal Courtyard

Continuing the Vatican self guided walking tour, you will be approaching the Octagonal courtyard. Before entering the octagonal courtyard, you will find the 1st-century statue of Apoxyomenos , the Statue of an Athlete by Lysippos. He is scraping sweat off his body with a strigil, a curved instrument. It is one of the earliest known sculptures showing a figure whose arm is raised and exposing his entire torso. What is also unusual about this statue is that the athlete’s head is smaller than the body. It is 1/8 the size of the body where sculptures of that time were 1/7 the size of the body. Also unusual is the slender figure of the body rather than the musculature torso of other sculptures.

The octagonal shaped hall was the creation of Simonetti and contains 16 columns made from Carrera marble. It holds two important statues; The Statue of Apollo Belvedere and the Statue of Laocoön.

The Apollo Statue

A marble Greek sculpture of the god Apollo is from 1 st century BC. It was found in the 15 th century and moved to Vatican City into the Belvedere Courtyard, hence the name Apollo Belvedere. This was the first piece of the Vatican art collection that started the entire collection. It was also Napoléon’s favorite piece that he took to the Louvre. It was returned to the Vatican after the fall of Napoléon.

The Laocoön Sculpture

The sculpture from 30 BC was found in the Esquiline Hills of Rome in 1506. Laocoön was a Trojan priest who warned the Trojans not to allow the Trojan horse into the city. They did not listen to his advice and the Greeks leapt out of the horse surprised and killed the Trojans and the capture of Troy. The sculpture is that of Laocoön and his two sons. The sons are being attacked by the serpents. There are many versions of the story surrounding this sculpture; Laocoön was punished for doing something right (in one version) or for doing something wrong (in another version). Whatever the true reason, this is a spectacular sculpture!

9. Vatican Museum: Bramante Staircase- Scala del Bramante

The original Bramante staircase located in the Pio-Clementine museum was built in 1505 by the Vatican architect Donato Bramante. Its’ purpose was to allow people and animals to access the palace from the outside. As a dual function it allowed Pope Julius II to access the palace in his carriage and avoid walking up and down several flights of stairs. The modern Bramante staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo was built in 1932 and inspired by the original Bramante staircase. Like the original, it is also a double helix spiral and allows people to walk up and down the stairs without meeting each other. The balustrade around the ramp is an ornately decorated metal work. It is located at the end of the museum and visitors leave by this route.

There are two ways to access the staircase:

– from the main floor, it is just off to one corner in the Pio-Clemntino Museum (this access may be closed) – as you go up the escalators, enter the gift shop next to the escalator; the staircase is in the gift shop.

Orientation Pinecone Courtyard: It can be accessed from the Pinacoteca Museum Area or the Pio-Clementine museum or the Egyptian Museum.

10. Vatican City: Pine cone courtyard; Cortile della Pigna

Pine cone courtyard, also called Cortile della Pigna named after the 13 foot high bronze pine cone fountain from the 1 st century BC with water coming out of the top. So why a pine cone? The pine cone represents the pinal gland responsible for light and symbol of the “third eye” the center of enlightenment. It is interesting that a symbol of the third eye is in a prominent spot in the conservative catholic city. The pine cone fountain was discovered near the pantheon and it is speculated that it was part of a pagan temple dedicated to Isis. The two peacocks on either side of the pine cone are copies of the bronze peacocks found on the entrance of Hadrian’s Mausoleum (Castel Sant”Angelo). The originals are in the Braccio Nuovo. The courtyard was designed by Donato Bramante (yes, the same guy who designed the staircase and the first designer of St Peters Basilica Cuppolo). One gets the feeling that the entire Vatican was designed by just a few talented craftsman.

The globe in the center is a modern piece sculpted by Arnaldo Pomodoro, to continue the Vatican City self guided walking tour, re-enter the museum to go upstairs for the Vatican Museum attractions located upstairs.

How to Visit Vatican Museum: Upper floor Attraction

11. vatican museum: etruscan gregorian museum  .

Located at the top of the Simonetti staircase, the museum has artifacts from the early iron age to 9 th century BC. The artifacts are from the excavations in the city of Etruria and the Etruscan tombs. There are  Roman antiquities, an extensive collection of greek and Italian vases, jewelry and a statue of a hallow bronze  warrior from the 5 th century, the Marte di Todi (Mars of Todi).

12. Vatican Museum: Gallery of Candelabra – Galleria dei Candelabri

As you continue to explore the upper floors, the next stop on the Vatican self guided walking tour is the Gallery of Candelabra. This area was originally an open air loggia (long narrow covered space running alongside a building, similar to a porch, open to the street). It was walled in the 18 th century closing off the space and creating a long narrow corridor. It has been subdivided into several rooms separated by arches. The first room is the Gallery of Candelabra, completed in 1888 after 5 years of work. It underwent an extensive restoration and opened in 2016 costing 700K Euros. The room is 262 ft long with eight candelabras of white marble and marble columns dividing the area into six sections, displaying Roman antique sculptures and a richly painted ceiling.

13. Vatican Museum: Gallery of the Tapestries – Gallery delgi Tapestries

This was one of my favourite displays. It was really crowded even though we took a private tour before the museum opened to the public. The Vatican self guided walking tour allows you to explore at your own pace, take your time in this gallery as there are many intricate pieces with complicated designs. The tapestry hall is divided by both time and regions. The right side of the wall are mostly pieces made in the 17 th century and showcase scenes from the life of Pope Urban VIII, the pope at that time.

The tapestries were designed by students of Raphael and woven elsewhere. It took years to make them and they were woven from using the finest wools, silk, gold or silver threads made by the most talented weavers who were found in Flanders or Belgium.There are some amazing tapestries on the left wall. There are tapestries from the 1500’s which were woven in Brussels by Pieter van Aelst’s school. There are tapestries based on drawings by Raphael’s pupils depicting the life of Christ starting from his birth in the manger to the Resurrection tapestry.

The tapestry of the “Resurrection of Christ” is an excellent example of moving perspective; as you move past the tapestry the eyes of Christ will follow you. This is similar to the technique found in the Mona Lisa painting but is much more difficult to duplicate in a tapestry and shows the talent of the craftsman involved in the production of these tapestries. A fabulous Vatican attraction, I spent some time here trying to see if the eyes would follow me!

14. Vatican Museum: Gallery of the Maps – Galleria delle Carte Geoprafiche

The ceiling is the second most photographed ceiling in the museum, the Sistine chapel being the most photographed ceiling (even though taking picture in the Sistine Chapel is not allowed, somehow it happens!). The largest collection of geographical paintings are housed in the 120 meter long Gallery of maps. Commissioned in the 16 th century, there are 40 geographically accurate maps of Italy and its provinces. Based on the three year work of the 15 th century monk Ignazio Dante, the maps contain details such as boats and sea creatures.

15. Vatican Museum: Museum of the Carriages – Museo Storico – Padiglione delle Carrozze

Created in 1973 by Pope Paul VI, it is an immense area under the Square Garden. It houses sedan chairs, carriages, cars, the popemobile and other transportation used by the various popes. Busts of bronze and marble are displayed next to their specific mode of transport. Of particular interest are the enclosed sedan chairs with four poles held by porters that was used to transport the pope before carriages and cars were invented.

The next stop on the Vatican self guided walking tour are the Raphael Rooms.

16. Raphael Rooms

Pope Julius II (1503-1513) refused to live in the Borgia apartments and wanted to distance himself from former Pope Alexander VI. He hired a 22 year old artist named Raphael from Umbria to paint his private apartments located above the Borgia apartments. This created an uproar as Raphael was largely unknown however the Pope really liked his work and entrusted him with the task. The numerical rooms are not in chronological order and Raphael started his masterpiece in Room 3 in 1508AD.

Raphael Room 1 Hall Of Constantine

This room is named after Emperor Constantine (306-337 AD) who embraced Christianity and allowed for freedom of religion within his Empire. The walls depict the lives of the Emperor where Raphael started work on this room and sketched the paintings. However the work was completed/painted by his apprentices after Raphael’s untimely death. The Statue of St Helene is found in St. Peters Basilica.

The Donation of Constantine (north wall)

• Constantine kneels before Pope Sylvester, who has the face of Pope Clement VII in a tribute to Clement the VII for the continued support of the Raphael rooms. In this painting the emperor donates Rome to the pope.

The Baptism of Constantine (west wall)

• After he wins the battle with Maxentius, the emperor kneels naked before Pope Sylvester (who has the face of Pope Clement VII) for his baptism .

The Vision of the Cross (east wall)

• Refers to the vision Constantine had before his battle with Maxentius who wanted the throne. Constantine had a vision that he would win the battle as long as he used the cross as his symbol. His mother, St Helena had a vision that indicated where Christ’s cross was to be found. She was instrumental in bringing the cross to Rome based on this vision.

The Battle of Milvian Bridge (south wall)

• The battle with Maxentius takes place of the Milvian Bridge where Maxentius loses and is drowned in the Tiber river while Constantine rides away victoriously on his white horse.

Raphael Room 2 Hall Of Heliodorus (1512-1514)

The themes is political in nature documenting important religious moments in history from the Old Testament to medieval history centered around the protection of god over the church.

Deliverance of Saint Peter (north wall)

• An angel saving St Peter from prison, unshackling him while the guards fall into a deep sleep. The face of St. Peter is Pope Julius II face as Raphael wanted to pay tribute to the pope. A scene depicting St Peter’s baptism of the prison guards is found in St Peter’s Basilica.

The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila (west wall)

• Attila the Hun reaches Rome to complete the invasion of the Roman Empire. He is met by Pope Leo. During the meeting St Paul and St Peter appear armed with swords resulting in Attila not invading Rome. An Altar to Leo the Great is in St Peters Basilica.

The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple (east wall)

• God sends angels who in turn get two youths and a horseman to banish Heliodorus for attempting to steal treasure meant for the temple of Jerusalem.

The Mass at Bolsena (south wall)

• The Christian faith being doubted by many including a priest in 1263 who doubted that the bread and wine offered at mass could be transformed into the body and blood of Christ.  In this scene a white linen cloth on the alter became stained with blood.

Raphael Room 3 Room of the Segnatura (1508-1511)

Started at the same time as the ceiling of the Sistine chapel by Michelangelo in 1508. The Stanza della Segnatura was the private study of Pope Julius II. The della segnatura is the room where the pope signed the verdicts of the segnatura, the church’s tribunal.  This was the only room Raphael completed on his own as he become distracted by his other work such as the work at St Peters Basilica. All the other rooms were completed with the help of his apprentices. Each wall has paintings along the four themes of: Theology, Philosophy, Justice and Poetry representing the concept of Truth, Good and Beauty. This room is well known for the painting of the School of Athens, its most famous fresco.

The Parnassus (north wall)

• Along the themes of poetry and beauty. The painting shows the view from the Vatican of the Parnassus, the mythological home of Apollo. Apollo is seated in the center on Mount Parnassus surrounded by 9 muses on either side of Apollo who are the protectors of arts, poetry and music. Homer, Virgil and Dante are painted at his shoulder.

Disputation of the Holy Sacrament (west wall)

• Painted on the theme of theology, it was Raphael’s first work. The image of the Trinity is surrounded by saints and prophets sitting on a bench of clouds. Below the image are the faces of famous theologists who were hanged or burned including Dante and Fra Angelico. It is an image of the church that spans both heaven and earth.

The School of Athens (east wall)

• Represents philosophy and is one of his most famous paintings in the Raphael rooms.
• The School of Athens receives a lot of attention (Philosophy) as he painted his friends into the paintings.  You will find Plato standing in the center in an orange robe, and Aristotle (in the blue robe) talking to him and on his right. Plato’s face is that of Leonardo Da Vinci. You will see Pythagoras in the very front left in a light pink robe with a book in his hand. Euclid on the right (in the red robe) is drawing on the chalkboard however he has the face of Bramante. You will see Raphael behind the pillar on the bottom right corner looking out at us (in a black hat and black robe) and finally he put Michelangelo front and center. On the left hand side with his head in his arms is the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, however his face is that of Michelangelo.

The Cardinal Virtues (south wall)

• The three cardinal of virtues are personified by the three women in the painting. The virtue of Fortitude (seated on the left holding branch), Prudence (center) and the virtue of Temperance (right). The painting also represents the three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity are that are personified by the cupids. The fourth virtue of Justice is on the ceiling.

Raphael Room 4 – Room of Fire in the Borgo (1514-1517)

The painting started during the term of Pope Leo X (and his namesake predecessors Leo III and Leo IV) and shows the political journey of the Pope (1514-1521). It was used as a place for music and dining. The work was the third and last room Raphael worked on and was completed by his apprentices.

The Oath of Leo III (north wall)

• Pope Leo the III is on trial as a result of accusation of misconduct by the nephew of his predecessor Pope Hadrian I. The pope confirms that he is responsible for his actions to god alone.

The Coronation of Charlemagne (west wall)

• The coronation of Charlemagne on Christmas Eve 800 in the St Peters Basilica. The emporer has the face of the Emperor of France and the Pope has the face of Leo X, attesting to the agreement between the Holy See and France in 1515. The round marble stone slab upon which Charlemagne kneeled during his coronation is on the floor of St Peters Basilica. Charlemagne’s Statue is also found in St Peters Basilica .

The Battle of Ostia (east wall)

• The papal armies defeat the Saracens at the mouth of the Tiber River in 849.

Fire in the Borgo (south wall)

• Personally painted by Raphael, the Pope IV is making the sign of the cross from his balcony to miraculously extinguish the fire burning in the Borgo district of Rome.

17. Vatican City: Capella Niccolina Nicola Chapel

This stop in the Vatican self guide tour may not be accessible. The chapel is not on the Vatican map and may be closed. After complete the tour of the Raphael rooms, go to the Sala dei Chiaroscuro (Room of the Chiaroscuri), located in the same area (the Apostolic Palace). The Chiaroscuri room has been used to house parrots, those entrusted with surveillance of the Pope, those responsible for carrying his sedan chair, and as a secret meeting room. It has a 16 th century wooden ceiling and a small doorway in the corner. Enter the doorway to access Chapel of Nicholas V (1447-1449). It may be closed off with a bar.

Chapel of Nicholas V is a tiny chapel with frescoes by Fra’Angelico. This was the private area for Pope Nicholas to pray. It is covered in gold paintings featuring Chritian Martyrs such as St. Peter, St. Laurence and St. Stephen. Much of the gold used here was brought back by Christopher Columbus when he returned from his voyages.

18. Vatican City: Borgia Apartments

The Borgia apartments in the Vatican self guided tour consist of several rooms and are a popular Vatican attraction. The apartments are a series of 6 rooms that were converted into a private apartment for Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo de Borgia and his family. He commissioned Bernadino de Betto de Baigio (known as Pintoricchio) to paint the apartment with frescoes between 1492 and 1495. The frescoes depict religious themes centered on the martyrdom of saints, mysteries of faith and the medieval themes of Trivium and Quadrivium.

The paintings show the Spanish roots of his family from the Spanish mosaic tiles on the floor to the Borgia family symbol, the bull, painted on almost every wall. The entire apartment shows the pride the pope felt towards his Spanish origins and his family name. The most famous fresco in the rooms is “The Disputation of Catherine” which features the images of the Borgia family and St Catherine is said be the image of the pope’s daughter Lucrezia Borgia. The painting is centered around the Arch of Constantine which has the Borgia Bull centered atop it.

Room of the Sibyls

This is the first of the 6 rooms. The ceiling has an astronomy theme with seven planets on a blue background. The bull was the Borgia’s coat of arms. There are 12 lunettes with sibyls (female oracles) and prophets with banners depicting their prophesy.

Room of the Creed

The ceiling has a complex geometrical pattern. Once again there are 12 lunettes but this time with apostles and prophets with banners that have quotes from the scriptures.

Room of Liberal Arts

This is the personal library of the pope. He ceiling is a double barrel vault which is divided by arches. There are motifs are of justice in both biblical and classical examples. There are 7 lunettes divided into three or four. Both Cicero and Bramante can be seen on the throne.

Room of the Saints

Once again the ceiling is divided into vaults with an arch in the middle. The theme is of divine justice and features the Egyptian mythical gods Isis and Osiris. The lunettes depict stories from the lives of the saints.

The next stop on the Vatican self guided tour is the Sistine Chapel.

19. Sistine Chapel

Original sistine chapel.

This is the last stop on the Vatican self guided tour . Take your time exploring the ceiling and wall frescos. There is an immense amount of detail to absorb. I found the fresco of the day of judgement both fascinating and frightening.

The Sistine Chapel is named after the Pope Sixtus IV who commissioned it as a simple palace chapel that would hold the conclave where the college of cardinals meet to elect a new pope. The chapel is on the exact spot of the Great Chapel and was designed by Giovannino De’Dolci. It was to have the the same dimensions as the Solomon Temple that was destroyed in 70 AD  at about forty meters long, 13 meters wide and 20 meters high (seven stories)

Pope Sixtus’s vision for the walls of the chapel were to depict scenes of Moses guiding his people out of Jerusalem and other stories from the bible painted by Perugino, Botticelli and Signorelli. The ceiling was painted a simply blue sky with gold stars and the floor was geometric patterns of multicolored mosaic tiles. The floor is the same that you see today

Sistine Chapel Restoration

After completion of the Sistine Chapel, the excavation of the new St Peters Basilica began next door. It caused a huge crack in the ceiling and the frescoes also suffered damage. Bramante had to reinforce the ceiling. The pope at the time, Julius II was left with the task of restoring the Sistine Chapel. Bramante suggested Michelangelo, a well-known, cantankerous, poverty stricken sculptor who was a rival of Bramante for the restoration work.

Bramante felt sure that Michelangelo would turn it down as he was busy on the tomb of Julius II and he thought that Michelangelo would fail as he was a sculptor and not a painter. Bramante preferred Raphael who was a friend and a relative and felt that Michelangelo’s failure would lead to the hiring of Raphael.

Michelangelo was humiliated at being asked to paint a ceiling and that he considered himself a sculptor and not a painter. He eventually conceded when the pope offered him free reign and accepted the pope’s challenge of transforming what Michelangelo considered “the roof of a barn” into a Vatican jewel.

Michelangelo

Since the walls already had paintings of Moses (left wall) and Jesus (right wall), Michelangelo decided to tell the story of the creation of man. He painted the ceiling and the altar wall. The work was started in 1508, the same year as the Raphael’s salle della segnatura room. Contrary to popular belief, Michelangelo did not paint the ceiling lying down on his back. Originally Bramante built him a scaffold that Michelangelo considered flawed. Upon protest (all the way to the pope), Michelangelo designed his own scaffold and painted the ceiling in a standing position.

He originally worked with assistance, however fired them all as he was not much of a team player. Michelangelo locked himself in the chapel for four years rarely, letting anyone in and working in solitude all the time complaining about his back, his neck and paint dripping into his eyes. The work was completed in October 1512 and the unveiling overshadowed the walls of Jesus and Moses.

In 1536, about 20 years later, Pope Clement VII called upon Michelangelo again to paint a giant fresco, “The last Judgment” behind the altar. In his 60’s now, it took Michelangelo 5 years to paint it from 1536-1541.

Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Sistine Chapel Middle Section of ceiling

The most popular and splendid Vatican attraction. The middle panel of the ceiling are frescoes of nine stories from the Book of Genesis; there are six panels on the stories of Creation and the last three panels depict stories of Noah. The first three panels of Creation represent the six days that God created Earth, resting on the seventh day. The net three panels are taken from the story of Adam and Eve. The creation of Adam shows god reaching out to touch Adam with the spark of light and it is a famous scene The next three panels concern Noah and include the sacrifice made by Noah’s family, being saved from the Great Flood, Noah growing vines and in the process gets drunk and accidently exposes himself.

Sistine Chapel: There were 12 prophets and sibyls Prophetic women

There are four Major Prophets and three Minor Prophets. Though minor, these prophets must have had a significant effect. The five Sibyls were prophetic women who resided at shrines or temples. The five depicted here were said to have prophesized the birth of Christ.

• Jonah (above the altar), Prophet of the Northern Kingdom. Book of Jonah
• Jeremiah, major prophet in the Hebrew Bible, Book of Jeremiah
• Persian Sibyl, also known as Babylonian
• Ezekiel, a Hebrew prophet, Book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel means “God’s Strength”
• Erythraean Sibyl, a prophetess of classical antiquity
• Joel, a minor Prophet of ancient Israel
• Zechariah (above the main door of the chapel), a minor prophet, Book of Zechariah
• Delphic Sibyl, an oracle and priestess of Apollo
• Isaiah, a Jewish prophet from the 8 th century, Book of Isaiah
• Cumaean Sibyl, an Oracle of Apollo
• Daniel, meaning “God is my Judge”, Book of Daniel
• Libyan Sibyl, prophetic priestess of the Oracle of Zeus-Ammon
• The Ancestry of Jesus  – Shows Jesus physical male lineage through his father Joseph, from the time of Abraham as per the Gospel of Mathew

Sistine Chapel Walls

The Walls: I have included the names of the paintings in the walls in the event you want to look them up for their history:

Sistine Chapel Southern Walls 1481–1482:

Stories of moses, s tarting from the altar:.

• Moses Leaving to Egypt painted by Pietro Perugino and assistants
• The Trials of Moses painted by Sandro Botticelli and his assistants
• The Crossing of the Red Sea
• Descent from Mount Sinai  
• Punishment of the Rebels by pained by Sandro Botticelli
• Testament and Death of Moses

Sistine Chapel Northern Walls, 1481–1482

Stories of jersus :.

• Baptism of Christ painted by Pietro Perugino and assistants
• Temptation of Christ painted by Sandro Botticelli
• Vocation of the Apostles painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio
• The Sermon on the Mount ,
• The Delivery of the Keys painted by Pietro Perugino
• The Last Supper painted by Cosimo Rosselli

Sistine Chapel Eastern wall

Resurrection of christ.

• Resurrection of Christ painted by Hendrick van den Broeck (1572) over Domenico Ghirlandaio’s original painting
• Disputation over Moses’ Body painted by Matteo da Lecce (1574) over Luca Signorelli’s original painting

Sistine Chapel The Last Judgment (1536-1541)

The last judgment as described in the book of John, chapter 20. It shows the second coming of Christ who is judging mankind. Christ is high on the wall and surrounded by saints. At the base of the painting are the dead who arise from their graves ready to be judged. The damned are on the left being dragged down to hell and the blessed who are heading to heaven are on the right. There was great controversy around the figures as many of them were nudes especially by the pope’s Master of Ceremonies, Cesena. In response Michelangelo painted Cesenas’ face on Minos, the Judge of the underworld. When Cesena protested to the pope, the pope is to have said that he does not have influence over hell.  Eventually a cloth was painted partially covering the nudes by another painter.

20. Michelangelo wrote a poem describing his work at the Sistine chapel:

I’ve grown a goitre by dwelling in this den– As cats from stagnant streams in Lombardy, Or in what other land they hap to be– Which drives the belly close beneath the chin: My beard turns up to heaven; my nape falls in, Fixed on my spine: my breast-bone visibly Grows like a harp: a rich embroidery Bedews my face from brush-drops thick and thin. My loins into my paunch like levers grind: My buttock like a crupper bears my weight; My feet unguided wander to and fro; In front my skin grows loose and long; behind, By bending it becomes more taut and strait; Crosswise I strain me like a Syrian bow: Whence false and quaint, I know, Must be the fruit of squinting brain and eye; For ill can aim the gun that bends awry. Come then, Giovanni, try To succour my dead pictures and my fame; Since foul I fare and painting is my shame. Unhappy and miserable, Michelangelo produced one of the greatest works of art!!

Day Trips from Rome

• Visit the other sites in Italy including Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast and Hadrian’s Villa. Book your day trip to explore attractions outside of central Rome. Book your Day Trip Here.

Guided Tours

Guided tours with local guides are booked HERE . Options for tours include combination tours with the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. You can also purchase tickets, without the guided tours, to the various attractions. Some options include explorer pass where you can choose several attractions, or unlimited 24 hour tickets, or the City Card. The lineups to purchase tickets can be long, once tickets are purchased you then have to wait in another line to enter the attractions. We always bought tickets in advance online and often times bought the skip the line tickets. Purchase your online tickets in advance here .

Hop On Hop Off Tours

The hop-on-hop-off is a great option if you are short on time or do not want to worry about transportation to the different attractions. Purchase your hop-on-hop-off online here, various options are available.

Other Attractions in Italy

• Visit the Roman Colosseum. Click on the Roman Colosseum attractions map HERE and accompanying Colosseum attractions guide HERE
• Take the Rome attractions map and self guided tour: It includes the Vatican City attractions map HERE and the Vatican attractions guide HERE
• Self Guided Walking tour to explore the neighborhood of Trastevere with map of attractions HERE and guide of attractions HERE
• Visit St Peters Basilica . Explore all the attractions in St Peter’s Basilica with the attractions guide HERE
• One of my favorite places is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill . The map of attractions is HERE and the self guided walking tour is HERE
• Visit Pompeii with a complete self guided tour map HERE and the attractions guide to the 49 points of interest HERE
• Spend the day in Florence , this was by far one of my best day trips. The self guided walking tour map is HERE and the attractions guide is HERE

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