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Recommended Reviews - Musei Vaticani
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The Musei Vaticani, or Vatican Museum, is a labyrinth of ART-ifacts. We purchased tickets (20€/adult) in advanced for a timed entry. Don't be tricked by the skip the line tickets, they're just re-selling you the timed entry tickets. Also tour groups did not seem to have any advantages, and at time were stuck to the spots the tour guides wanted to tell you more about. Bring your passport! Luckily I had my passport on hand because they wanted to confirm at least one passport with the names on the tickets. We came at an early time and it was already crowded. Seems like the crowds are inevitable here. The Vatican Museum houses an extensive collection of art, with most of the art being religious. The museum has collections and artifacts from ancient Rome, Egypt and early civilizations. Don't forget to look up at the ceiling. All of the ceilings have intricate designs of their own. My boyfriend joked that it hurt his neck to have to constantly look up the whole time. I thought it was also interesting that they would even display the art in its' broken form, and not as restored as other museums would. The main beloved piece of work here is the Sistine Chapel. However the space is extremely crowded, making it hard to fully enjoy. The feeling of being inside the Vatican museum is like being in a can of sardines. We came on a weekday, first thing in the morning, and yet there was no relief to the crowd. There were also some sus people who were touching everything. I thought that was disrespectful to ancient relics... but there wasn't any staff around to stop them.
No visit to Rome would be complete without a stopover to Vatican City. Situated on the banks of the Tiber River, sprawling over 109 acres within a 2-mile border, the Vatican is forever associated with the Catholic Church and began with the construction of a basilica over St. Peter's grave in Rome in the 4th century A.D. The name Vaticanus traces its etymology back to the word "vaticinium," which means "oracle," since many psychics used to occupy the place during the Roman Classical Antiquity. Millions of tourists make their way to the world's smallest independent city-state each year, whether they be devout pilgrims, art enthusiasts, history buffs, or just hopelessly curious. No passports required! Founded under the papacy of Clement XIV in the middle of the 18th century, the Vatican Museums were established to display the extensive papal collection, where my partner, our friends, family member, and I came in mid-September as first-timers. Reservations were easily made at the Vatican official website for 6 persons at the 8:30am tour, which we were lucky to get and was reasonably priced. On the day of the tour, don't arrive too early like us. The tickets were timed, and we had to step off the line until 30 minutes beforehand. After going through security, which did not take too long, we were on our way to pick up our audio headset and enjoyed the art and history deemed awe-inspiring. With thousands of people, one is herded through miles of long, huge, and spacious corridors, everyone inching along towards the prize of the Sistine Chapel. Our guide, to Michaela's credit, tried to point out and describe certain artworks. However, the art one's passing is almost impossible to see due to the incredible multitude of people. The route back was much less crowded, as most seem to go on to St. Peter's Basilica right from the Chapel. What an incredible experience, which we can recommend.
This place is a must see when you're in Rome! We came here specifically to see the famed Sistine Chapel but the journey towards it was full of art, culture, and history. It is definitely crowded but worth it. Be reminded of the dress code (modest, shoulders and knees covered) and be alert of signs and regulations because certains areas don't allow photography. Then, prepare for the journey of a lifetime!
Loved, loved this museum! Get the skip the line tickets- it's definitely worth it. Each room you walked through kept getting more and more beautiful- from Egyptian artifacts to Greek and Roman art. My favorite parts were seeing the papal vehicles/ carriages and the Sistine Chapel of course. There's also a little cafe here (although a little pricy). I wish I had been able to do the garden tour, but just seeing part of the gardens from above was amazing. It was crowded for sure (Friday during late July) and a lot of rooms only had the windows open or some fans for ventilation. It took me several hours to see everything (be prepared to walk several miles through the museum) and I felt like I could've spent more time reading through things at the end. Highly recommend 2025 #55
If you are a lover of art, the vatican museums are a must. While the majority is incredible Renaissance art, there are sections with Egyptian art and contemporary art. It's really quite amazing to see all of the frescos and imagine what it was like for Michaelangelo and Raphael and all the others painting so masterfully on high ceilings and walls. We have been here a couple of times before on our own, but this was the first time we had a tour guide, and I'm so glad we did. While I really like roaming around on my own, we learned so much that we wouldn't have otherwise. For instance, I did not know that after Michaelangelo's death, the council of Trent hired a painter to strategically paint drapes and fig leafs on the nudes in the Sistine Chapel, as apparently there was too much nakedness. The downside to these museums are the crowds and the lack of air conditioning in some galleries. It was sweltering in some. If you are planning on a visit here, I cannot stress to you enough to purchase tickets in advance. We were able to walk by the line (which we overheard was approximately 3 and a half hours long--just to buy tickets) and go right in.
Been fortunate to been here a couple times now Similar yet different experiences First time the line was super long around the Vatican walls outside but time things moved quickly yet still busy It can get warm with all the people and sometimes it bottle necks which is normal given everyone what's the picture or view Getting to the main Sistine chapel they make you work for it and even though it takes a loooong time for you to get in when you do it's worth it! The legendary spiral staircase that leads you out and feeling and seeing so much history not just from a religious standpoint but just for the country in general A must visit in Rome
Conclave. A papal conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals to appoint a new pope. So interesting to visit the Vatican during the Conclave. Even though the Sistine Chapel was closed, we still were able to see a lot on our guided tour of the Vatican Museum. Check in was easy. Nice to be able to skip the line. Booked a guided tour in English directly from the Vatican Museum for 40 Euros. Our tour guide, Erik, was a professor from Atlanta who has been working at a university in Rome for the past two decades. So lucky to get so much information on our tour. The Vatican Museum is filled with so many treasures. The museum was founded with a single piece. Laocoon and His Sons was found in 1506 by a farmer. This was collected by Pope Julius II on the recommendation of Michelangelo and became the piece that led to the Vatican Museum. Since then, so many priceless objects have been collected. The Bathtub of Nero. The Pinecone Courtyard. The Bronze Statue of Hercules. The Sarcophagus of Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine. The statue of Antinoos, the lover of Emperor Hadrian. Masterpieces by Leonardo DaVinci, Chagall, Van Gogh. Greek, Roman and Egyptian artifacts. Amazing. The Belvedere Torso inspired Michelangelo. He often visited this statue to explore the body in motion. This was important as models were expensive, and it was against the rules of the church to dissect cadavers. He used it as a reference when painting the Sistine Chapel, Apollo Belvedere was another Roman statue that Michelangelo used as inspiration for his art. In The Last Judgement, the face of Jesus shows a striking resemblance to the Apollo Belvedere. The Gallery of Maps is amazing. It maps all areas of Italy. The School of Athens by Raphael is truly a high Renaissance masterpiece. So much packed into the huge fresco. It shows a collection of the world's greatest philosophers, scientists and mathematicians gathered to represent the power of human knowledge. Check out the self portrait of Raphael and the portrait of Michelangelo as an artistic jab between rivals. Tip: Book your tour directly with the museum. The skip the line is a great time saver. Keep your knees and shoulders covered. Go to St. Peter's Basilica after exploring the museum and exiting though the Bramante Staircase. Such a great place to explore, the Vatican Museum with or without the Sistine Chapel being open is stunning. #2400
It would be criminal to come to Rome and not visit the Vatican. My first time here was 17 years ago during the summer and all I remember is that it was so hot. My clothes felt like it was sticking to my person. This was my fourth visit to Italy and second time here. This time around it was still unbelievably hot, but we're older and wiser so our tickets let us cut to the front of the line. And because we had a stroller, they let us cut through everyone else. Make sure you bring a form of identification because they do in fact check when you go through security. They make sure the name on the ticket matches with the ID. The entrance can be a little chaotic. The amount of tourists trying to get in seem endless. Unless you have the time to waste by standing in line to get in, I highly recommend buying skip the line tickets so that all you need to do is get to the front of the line when you get there for the time slot you signed up for. The earlier, the better. Once inside, the biggest challenge are the stairs. They never end. We were constantly having to carry the stroller by holding on to every corner so it wouldn't be too heavy. Much like the last time I was amazed at everything that I saw. The opulence. The grandeur. But boy are you packed like sardines with everyone else. We got so many steps in admiring all the things. Before leaving, we stopped by the cafe right in the middle of the garden for a quick snack. There's lots to see here I'd probably come back the next time I'm in Rome.
I had heard that you trudged through endless galleries before the Sistine Chapel. And that's right. You do. That said, it's like the history of western art: Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman .... Even modern art by Rivera and others. It is really impressive. The Sistine chapel itself is mesmerizing. Guards will guide you to the center to stare but there are benches on the outside. Binoculars are allowed; photography of any kind is not. Also there are clean bathrooms with both toilet paper as well as toilet seats. And double also, there are many food options at the end including a pizzeria, cafeteria and restaurant.
Book tickets in advance if you plan on coming here. We arrived early and had to wait before being allowed to enter. There are several long lines. Once inside, the experience was not great. It was overly crowded and I felt slightly claustrophobic as we were herded from room to room. Toward the end, you finally get to the Sistine Chapel.
Make sure to reserve your tickets in advance! We came by for 1:30pm in August and it was so so crowded. Not all the rooms have air conditioning, and there were just so many people everywhere - even on the line waiting to get inside. It's a short walk from the metro station including a flight of stairs up. I reserved the audio guide which included a self guided map. Maybe I'll do a tour next time.
The Vatican City, specifically the Musei Vaticani, was one of the top places on my list to visit while I was in Roma. Growing up Catholic, this is pretty much the mecca of the religion so I couldn't leave without seeing it. It made the most sense to book the museum while visiting Vatican City, so I made plans and then we made our way over during our second day in Roma. The Musei Vaticani are a collection of multiple museums within the Vatican City - there are several packages you can purchase via the official website, and I went with the one that gave us access to the gardens and all the museums - including the Sistine Chapel. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance, especially if you come during the high tourist seasons. After entry we were led straight through to the main outdoor plaza which had loads of photo ops of the gardens. Surrounding us were the museums, each containing art and exhibits from around the world and different time periods. There are honestly so many museums one could spend hours exploring. We eventually wanted to make our way to the Sistine Chapel which is conveniently the final attraction point before the museum exit. It's a relatively lengthy walk to get there, however along the way there are multiple mini museums where we stopped to take in the culture. This was my favorite part of my visit as the ornateness of the interiors were magnificent. After living my best Catholic life in the Sistine Chapel we made a pit stop at the gift shop and then exited. Overall, well worth the trip over - there's so much art and history compacted into a relatively small space. I admit it may be a little daunting to get through, but I definitely recommend taking the time to explore.
The Vatican Museums are amazing. It's been a few years since I've been but the architecture, paintings, and sculptures there are just amazing. Yeah, I know I said that twice. We had a tour guide walk us around the first time in a large group. We had one of those ear phones with the tape recorder so we could hear what he was saying. The place was super crowded so that really helped. Be sure to check out the Sistine Chapel, The Gallery of Maps, Raphael's Rooms, and St. Peters Basilica to name a few. For the Sistine Chapel, you can't take photographs so be aware of that. We came back a second time the next day. There's so much to see, it's hard to finish everything in a day or even two. If you come to Rome, this is one of those places where you have to visit. There's tons of photo opportunities! It was a breathtaking experience. read more
The Vatican Museum is amazing. I recommend purchasing your tickets on line to avoid the long lines. My time slot was at noon but we arrived at 10:00 am and we walked pass the long line to the short line at the ticket office and checked in. You'll find mummies, sculptures, tapestries and unbelievable paintings at the Gallery of map's. Of course the highlight was the Sistine Chapel where I listened to my Rick Steve's downloaded app which was outstanding. After finishing the app Rick gives you a shortcut to get to St.Peter's Basilica which saves time. Definitely a must see while vacationing in Roma! read more
8 years ago
Wow! And since it's in the Vatican... Holy Wow! The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel were definitely on our list of places to see. Upon reading other reviews, we purchased an 'Early Access Tour' which got us into the museum at 7:30am. We completely had no wait to get into this amazing museum. It's completely worth the money since we saw the crowded long lines after our visit was done. Walking through the halls just gives me goosebumps. The art and the history behind it is intriguing. The grand finale at the end of the museum tour brings you into the infamous Sistine Chapel. You cannot take pictures in this room but you'll want to see it in person anyway. Just the story behind the painted ceiling is incredible. This will be ingrained in my memory forever. read more
To many visitors don't do it. You really or at least I could not stop and take in the experience of a life time I thought I would have when I walked into this. There are just to many people. It is like 3 hours of walking with a group of cattle and you are so busy trying not to step on or be stepped on that i really killed it for me . When we FINALLY made it to the Sistine Chapel you fell like you just made it through a gauntlet just to be yelled at on a load speaker to not talk , no pictures, and to stand in the middle of the room. If you are from the states you have probably heard how people from Europe can be rude right right, the only time we experienced what seemed to be rude people was here and I am sure it is because they fell like they are herding cats and then we thought after 3 hours of that we stopped to get some pizza in the cafeteria. The soda was good. It really seems whoever is in charge of this is trying to sell as many tickets as they can no matter what the experience is to the customer. read more
6 years ago
A separate experience from Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica, which are free, Musei Vaticani will cost anywhere from 16 to 45 Euro depending on tickets chosen. Smart to pre-purchase, and thus avoid lines frequently longer than two-hours, guests are allowed access at a pre-specified time and free to wonder so long as they like. Plan to spend 2-6 hours depending on interest and be aware of the map to expedite areas of greatest interest. For those arriving early, consider going straight to the Sistine Chapel and subsequently back-tracking, but be aware that photos of Michelangelo's frescos are strongly discouraged. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
Must visit in Rome! It was great to see this place, all those years of catholic schooling came rushing back as I was walking through the museum here. So much history in one place, it's amazing. It can be a little daunting to get through the museum because it has so much. I recommend you just spend time in the areas that interest you and walk briskly through the rest - otherwise you will be here for days! Hard to describe everything I saw in one review, but a big highlight is the Sistine Chapel. It's a lot to take in all at once, but it is truly a marvel to see. Also remember that the Vatican has it's own post office, so you can send postcards with Vatican stamps, pretty cool. read more
2 years ago
14 years ago
The Vatican Museum was not my favorite sight in Rome. I mostly blame this on our poor choice of tour guides. Besides our lackluster tour guide I also wasn't a fan of the massive crowds. The museum contains so many wonderful sculptures and paintings, but the museum allows too many visitors to visit at once so I felt like we were cattle, being shoved from room to room. We purchased our tickets before our trip so we didn't have to wait in line. We used www.tickitaly.com to reserve the tickets. Since all of the tour groups on tickitaly.com were booked I decided to use their outside company... BIG MISTAKE. Our tour group consisted of 35 people so we were forced to wear headsets to hear the tour guide. This would not have been a problem had our tour guide actually spoke into the microphone. Our headsets cut out from the static everytime the microphone bumped into her scarf and she muttered in Italian between sights so it was a very distracting tour. Our tour guide gave very little information about the statues and paintings and did not paint much of a story. Once we got to the Sistine Chapel we ditched our tour guide and listened to the Rick Steves audio tour I had downloaded onto my iPhone. (So much better and Rick Steves audio tours are free!) The Sistine Chapel did not disappoint although the room was very closterphobic with so many people in the room at once. It would also had been nice if tourists would put away their cameras and hush up so that the guards don't have to announce "No photos!" and "Shhh!!!" every two minutes. Even though I wasn't crazy about our tour guide I really did enjoy visiting the Vatican Museum. I had hoped for a better tour, but I am glad we booked a guide in advance so that we were able to skip the two hour line! read more
There are 2 places in Rome that I do not think any words, pictures, imagery, or any expression of emotions that could do it justice. The Vatican Museum with it's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica would be those incredible 2 sites. I was once told that churches were made to be ornate to inspire and aspire it's congregation to be as dedicated in creating astounding works for God. I truly believe the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica achieves that not only among it's believers but also those who are admirer's of the human spirit and ability. It truly is awe inspiring... I spent most of my 2 hours here in silence and staring above the horizon in every room as most ceilings are adorned with unique works just as rich as the ones that decorate the walls. There is simply too much to see, admire, and understand in a day... even with an expert and amazing guide, we simple hit only some of the wings. I will admit that this was not an easy leisurely walk in any museum. The Roman humidity and heat even in September was quite overwhelming here because there isn't any air conditioning... even in the Sistine Chapel. Most people are just standing in the middle of the hallways and ignorant of their selfie stalling 100s of people. Key wonders that I stared and stared at... Sistine Chapel - Knowing that it took Michelangelo 3 years to paint the ceiling and another 7 years to paint the Last Judgement, I expected to be amazed. I was left utterly speechless. To think that this was done by a man ... a man who actually disliked painting (sculpting was his passion), it seemed inhuman. There is an incredible amount of poetic visual beauty in one area. Standing under the hand of God and staring at that image in person is incredible. I will admit that I wish I could have seen the Last Judgement better. It is huge (its the entire wall) and being a shorty, I often had to move around to see around people. Still amazing even with all the distractions. Please know that there is a strict dress code (no bare shoulders and legs should be covered from the knees up) and there should be no talking to show respect. Also, there's a rule of no pictures but there were so many tourists snapping away. Gallery of Maps - This was just stunning... it was said to be the longest single museum room (or hallway) and every inch of it is richly coloured and decorated. It has large maps of Italy from 1500s and it so interesting to see how they saw the world back then. The ceiling was just amazing with every square being an unique scenery and masterpiece. Painting Collections - I've always admired the master's work but never have I seen so many Raphael's, Michelangelo's, and Da Vinci's art work in one area. I almost recommend taking the art by itself for one day to admire. This should be seen by everyone even if you're not a Catholic. To stand among the vast collections of incredible masterpieces and especially under the Sistine Chapel ceiling, it does give you a sense that perhaps the hands were truly blessed by God to create these. read more
4 years ago
I don't really know what to say about the Vatican. I feel like this is one of those places that everyone knows about and maybe reviewing the museum is not all that important. Obviously you're going to walk around and see everything and be in awe. Clearly you'll visit the chapel and be even more in awe. Instead of reviewing I may just leave you with some helpful tips: -Buy your tickets in advance! I cannot stress this enough. Sure you can stand in line for an hour to purchase them when you get there but why? Save your time and your feet and buy in advance. -Do not buy anything-tickets mostly-from strangers promising you amazing deals outside the museum. -You're only allowed to bring in plastic water bottles so skip the sodas and juice located right in front of the doors. -Prepare yourself for your feet to hurt. This museum is huge and you'll be standing for hours. There not always seating to be found -If you don't read Italian get the audio guide (additional $$). Nothing is in English or any other languages. - - If you do the audio guide bring your own headphones as it doesn't come with a pair. -Plan out what you want to see. Remember when I said the museum was huge, well it's even bigger than you think. This means that you won't be able to see everything. I was there for hours and missed a lot. -Beinf your camera :) read more
10 years ago
We had a 7:30am beat-the-crowd tour with Dark Rome, so our entrance fee/tickets were handled by our tour guide. We breezed in through security and screening - there is a metal detector screening that you have to walk through. I think it's really important to have a tour guide or an audio guide because if we didn't have a guide, I definitely would've gotten lost - and I would've had a hard time understanding all the artwork and the significance of everything. For example, why are there so many bumblebees in the tapestries and paintings? Be sure to pay special attention to the ceiling art as well as the gorgeous flooring in the museums. If you do visit the Vatican on your own, be sure to buy any type of early entrance pass you can find - it's definitely a site best visited while there's as little people as possible. read more
I must admit that I am not a museum person, but I guess the Vatican Museum is another must-see when you are here in Rome (especially if you have your mind set on seeing the Sistine Chapel like me). If you are a traveler that's tight on time, I highly recommend that you book your tickets in advance, this would help you skip the lines and literally go straight to the doors. Even though I am not a museum person, I booked a tour that had an English guide walking us through the museum, giving us the background and showing us the "must see" at the museum. Photography is allowed inside the Vatican Museum, but please make sure you do not have a tripod. They will make you check it in at the museum counter. But in reality it is a pain, because you will go to Sistine Chapel after the museum, and enter St. Peter through a side door. (Which means... you will have to hike all the way around the wall and up the hills to pick up your tripod at the end of the day) You can definitely spend a full day here if you are into arts. This place is huge, so make sure you have comfortable shoes!! There are lots to see! read more
I made a huge mistake on skipping the tour guide to save a couple of bucks... I will pay double now just to get the guide. So DONT SKIP THE TOUR GUIDE! There are tons of beautiful art from sculptures, to mosaic floor marble tiles, to tapestries, to the biggest rooms painted by Raphael. At the end of the Vatican museum before the Sistine chapel is the contemporary art... Ugh after seeing the greatest works of art from hundreds of years ago then you see "contemporary" art, you will have a new appreciation for Renaissance art. They are amazing!!! This is worth €16 but please spend the extra € to get the tour guide. They explain the most important and famous arts in the Vatican museum leading to the Sistine chapel then Basilica di San Pietro. There's a lot of walking inside the museum so wear something comfy. Allow 4-6 hours to enjoy every inch of the museum. There are lots of restaurants in the area, lots of shops, no parking. Try to take public transportation. Or get the hop on hop off bus to take you to famous stops in Rome. Enjoy! read more
Book your ticket online to skip the long line. You pay $4 euro extra but it's worth it. I literally speedwalked past the folks in the non-ticketed queue after being directed by some attendants at the end of line, to enter a parallel "line" that had hardly anyone. I'd purchased my ticket just minutes before walking the 1/4 mile from St Peter's Basilica to the Vatican Museums so my e-ticket hadn't yet arrived in my inbox. No problem though because I showed the emailed confirmation of payment to the ticket booth attendant inside the museum and he simply confirmed my identity with my passport and printed a ticket for me! The museums themselves? Highlights were, unsurprisingly, the Sistine Chapel (where no photography is allowed) with the works of Michelangelo and the other greatest artists of the time, and the papal apartment frescoes by Raphael. read more
5 years ago
The Vatican Museum was one of the most incredible places I have been. For my first trip to Italy 2 years ago I was not disappointed I would go back a 1000 and one times and make sure to get my tickets to go. The beautiful architecture and painting's were to die for. The Sistine Chapel was beautiful! To see the art work Michelangelo had done and the time was outstanding. If in Rome I would highly recommend. read more
This is one of those experiences that will be memorable for years to come. Vatican City is literally its own country within Rome, and this museum embodies the city's entire history, as well as that of the Catholic Church. The many displays within the museum consist of mummies, artifacts, photos and other memorabilia that show the rich history of the church. With each turn comes another room and another photo worthy moment to be captured. The whole experience is definitely one that must be had. With all that being said, prepare for loooong lines. The place is extremely cramped and crowded, so to avoid it, be sure to get there as early as possible and get tickets in advance. You will be hassled relentlessly by people selling tickets on the street, so make sure to be careful and not purchase fake tickets. One you take these steps, you are in for a truly enjoyable experience. read more
11 years ago
A must-visit for all Rome travelers! Yes, it can get tiring and lengthy. Yes, it is super crowded with tourists from all over the world visiting at the same time. But, there's nowhere else like this.... It's the Vatican, what did you expect? So unless you have claustrophobia, keep reading. Just come here and take in all the beautiful ceiling and wall paintings, endless sets of rooms filled with history, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. I know you're tempted to take pictures (or even selfies) here but no photos/videos allowed! They also ask you to be quiet, but in a crowded room, a little noise from each person still gets pretty loud as it echoes through the room. Still, try to be courteous and obey their rules. Tips: Reserve your ticket online and save yourself the wait! And if you're taking the metro, just get off at Ottaviano and the signs will direct you here. read more
8 years ago
If you plan on going, I would recommend to clear you schedule for at least the entire day, if not more. We booked the express skip the line and I'm definitely glad we did because the line was at least 2 hours. You have to go through security and once you pass, there is a desk to your right to hold your belongings and you can also borrow a wheelchair! Let's just say there is a lot going on. Yes, they had the most beautiful paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and detailed ceilings I've ever seen, but don't go if you're claustrophobic. There were so many people pushing and cramped in the galleries with no ac that it can ruin your experience. Also, it's a long walk to the Sistine chapel with a lot of stairs so not really handicap friendly. Even with all the negatives, I'm definitely glad that we visited and it should be on everyone's to do list while in Rome. The cafeteria was average- about $12 for some chicken, rice, and fruit- nothing special. They had other options available, but the lines were too long. I would suggest to eat before or once you're done exploring. There are also have multiple gift store throughout so you can stock up on souvenirs! read more
Any place like the Vatican Museums requires more than one visit to appreciate it. We did two. Our first tour was a private tour made through the Vatican Museum itself. This is a good way to go especially if you want to learn something about the works you are seeing. It was limited to our group of six and our host, Francesca, was an authority in art history. Obviously knowledgeable she was able to cater the info so that it was interesting especially to our teens. Our private tour also allowed access to two places not accessible with general admission: the Bramantine Stairwell and the Nicolini Chapel. The Bramantine is an engineering feat offering a fantastic view of Rome. The Nicolini Chapel was beautifully intimate and the history of the Papal use was interesting. The tour includes the rest of the museums and ends in the Sistine Chapel (I will post a separate review on that). Our tour guide finishes at the Sistine Chapel. The ticket then allows us entry into St. Peter's Basilica. Our second visit was at night. I think this is another good choice. It is a bit less crowded. St.Peter's Basilica is not open at this time so it is not included. Use the audio guide. It will help you appreciate the pieces much more than just strolling by them. You will be tired and the museum doesn't really have a viable eatery to just lounge. Some benches to sit in the halls would have been nice but I guess it is one way to keep the flow going. read more
It's the Vatican, get there early or wait in line for hours. I got tickets with a tour group on Expedia and it was worth every penny. There are many there that will offer to sell you "skip the line" tickets while you are there. What they don't tell you is what line you are actually skipping as there is more than one. The security line is terrible if you arrive after 930. We got there at 7 because we were supposed to have breakfast in the garden and the queues were open and they were letting people in there were no lines. At around noon the wait was about 3 hours in the hot sun. I would recommend going into the Sistine chapel first and then the Basilica. My husband and I went up on the tower which I didn't realize is inside the dome of the basilica as well as outside, we almost missed it. To get to the top you can take an elevator part way up but then you will have to climb stairs. I'm not exactly in great shape but not out of shape either and these steps were tough, and it gets very low and narrow at times. If you can, I would recommend going up, it's an amazing site. Inside St Peters there is also an entrance to go down to the area where the Pope Tombs are kept. The Pieta is a definite must see and the oldest statue has the tip of the spear that pierced the side of Jesus Christ. Oh and something that I wish I had known ahead of time... the Museums are not in the same area as the Chapel or the Basilica, they are completely on the other side, you have to follow the city wall all the way around, then be prepared for another ridiculous line. Get your tickets ahead of time and make sure they have time slots or be prepared to wait a long time. read more
For the treasures stored within, the Vatican Museum is amazing. You wouldn't expect to find Greek statues or Egyptian mummies in a museum owned by a church. But indeed, they have a little of everything. The museum is very poorly laid out. Seems like they just stuck new exhibits wherever they could find them, without regard to their type. Also, signage is poor or nonexistent. The Sistine Chapel will take your breath away... ... but so will the body odor of your fellow tourists. It's like someone sent out a mass email telling everyone not to bathe, to allow themselves to get as sweaty as possible, and to shove you in the back as if there were a fire behind them. Honestly, my fellow visitors were downright rude. A man running through a hallway shoved me in the back and kept on running. Why? So he could turn around, snap a picture of a ceiling and continue moving on. Hope it was worth it, you ballsack of a man. And in the Sistine Chapel, where you are constantly reminded that this is a holy place and you shouldn't take pictures or talk, people snap pictures and talk relentlessly. I spent my entire time inside trying to block out the people around me who were blatantly being total fucking clowns. Put your stupid camera phone away. Use your eyes. Shut your goddamned mouth. People who fail to heed these rules within the Chapel should be crucified as an example to others. The perfect object lesson and a potential religious recruiting tool. I'm told that if you do the Chapel as the first thing in the morning, you can avoid some of the crowds. The museum makes you pass through several long hallways with their own exhibits before you can get there, so plan accordingly. (And try enjoying the art along the way, you savages.) ** Buy your tickets in advance online. You wouldn't believe the lines to buy tickets. Also, their cafe closes at 3:30 sharp. We showed up at 3:34 and they refused to serve us. Makes no sense when the rest of the museum is open much later. I'm glad I went, but I'll never go back. Because of the people. The awful, awful people. read more
A few random thoughts on visiting the Vatican Museum: Arrive early! You'll be glad you did! Lines get crazy even before 8am. Take your time. There's a lot to see but its all worth it. Look up! There is so much spectacular detail on the ceilings throughout the museum it's worth the kink in the neck. Take photos. They're allowed int he museum. read more
This museum is beautiful. So many great statues and artwork. I love the gallery of maps, so beautifully mesmerising! Wish I could spend more time here but the tours and the mob keep people moving along, also, we wanted to see more of Rome since our time was limited. This place would take an entire day to truly see everything. read more
11 years ago
When in Italy... My husband and I attended trafalgar Italian dreams tour and of course this was a must see location. We have a wonderful guide so it was very informative wandering through the walls of the Vatican. During your walk through the long hallways, you will see all sorts of artistic pieces painted above you. Each one tells a different tale and is beautifully illustrated. As with any touristy area, this place tends to get crowded. Not to mention a week before Easter. Make sure to watch your personal belongings as many things may get lost if pick pocketed while you are mesmerized by the different art pieces and Michelangelo's Sistine chapel. It's very quiet inside the Sistine chapel and there are workers making sure you abide by the guidelines for the visitation. Take your time to soak in the experience and the simple fact that you are seeing it for the first time in person. It was such a beautiful and amazing experience. read more
A must see place for anyone. This museum is absolutely magical, I can't express how amazing it is to walk around here. It's so interesting to see how people have done all this artwork years ago. Side note: get here early in the morning, before you do anything else! Luckily this was the first thing I did, there were signs that the Sistine Chapel will close early (1 pm). I had to rush through the whole museum to get to the chapel, which is the last thing you see in the museum. read more
8 years ago
Like I have said on past reviews, I am not really big on museums, but as they say "When in Rome"! This place is truly full of history. When you visit museums back home in Australia or the United State, the history only goes back so far. Seeing the items on display, the architecture & the murals from centuries & centuries ago, it is pretty amazing. Make sure you have your walking shoes on, as this place is MASSIVE! Definitely worth a visit if you're in town. read more
7 years ago
I'm an atheist who has a negative opinion about organized religion in general. With that being said part of being a thoughtful traveler is to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the region. To visit Rome and *not* go to this country and its museum is like the equivalent of going to Paris and *not* visiting the Louvre. Considering that Catholicism plays a dominant role in Western European history and also is one of the largest art galleries in the world, regardless of your religious affiliation it's certainly worth a visit. What one collectively comprises of the Vatican Museums comprises of several different museums based on a theme - hence the plural. If the art pieces would be spread out lengthwise the end result would be over 9 miles, more than plenty to complete activity rings several times over. To give context to even some of the most important pieces would be well beyond the scope of this review. To attempt the entire museum would be at least a day or two, but most people don't have such time so their visit is limited to the most important areas: - Sistine Chapel (https://www.yelp.com/biz/cappella-sistina-roma?hrid=KB1KhJ0qGMh3Hk2kVb4yJw, duh) - Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) - Pinacoteca (painting gallery) - Pio-Clementino Museum (with the Apollo Belvedere/Laocoön & His Sons) - Gallery of the Candelabra/Maps/Tapestries, which you'll pass by even if you are beelining to the Sistine Chapel. Which goes without saying: Even if you are not an art fan, you'll do yourself a big disservice if all you do is just beeline to the Sistine Chapel. Don't be *that* tourist that visits something just to check off a box. LOGISTICS A timed reservation ticket is essentially required for visit since you can wait in line up to hours for a ticket. Even with a reservation it seems like everyone and their mom wants to visit, so the museum will always be packed no matter when and/or what time you go. Even third-party tours have started to capitalize on "early-morning" tours so there is no such thing as a "pristine Sistine" moment unless you're willing to drop €3000+ to be one of the lucky few who gets to see the Sistine Chapel as the claviger opens up the rooms for the day. - Standard ticket bought on the official website costs €17 + €4 surcharge for buying online. - An official guided tour provided by the Vatican Museums costs €33, which includes the Sistine Chapel. €38 if you include St. Peter's Basilica. But the earliest time you can visit is at 8:30am. - Third-party tours can offer visits as early as 7am but you'll be paying at least 2x the base rate of a guided tour BUT this usually includes St. Peter's Basilica (unless there's papal audience). These usually last 3-4 hours so you'll have time in the afternoon to relax. - There's even a tour where you can eat breakfast at the Vatican but this is offered via third-party tours. If this is your first visit and/or if you don't know much about art it is highly recommended that you take a guided tour so that you have some idea about the art. - The gift shops outside the museum have a lot of religious- and non-religious Vatican-themed items. The staff was helpful when I picked a miraculous medal bracelet for my mom. Keep in mind that it is illegal for them to sell pre-blessed items so you'll have to save it for the papal audience if you really are into that. Modest dress required and there's a security checkpoint before the entrance to the museum. Once inside the best advice is to follow the "complete route" that takes you all the way to the Sistine Chapel. My favorite area is the Gallery of Maps because the tapestries were mostly (and some still are) accurate at the time of their creations. However my favorite museum piece is Raphael's School of Athens. Aside from being a collection "who's who" of famous artists and philosophers Raphael demonstrates that non-religious knowledge is passed collectively. It's a great example of humans getting together for the higher pursuit of enlightenment. Compare that to the painting across from it where biblical knowledge is passed top-down. One shouldn't need a Yelp review to be convinced to visit the Vatican Museums. So I hope that this review is helpful when planning one's day at the Vatican. I cover Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica (and the Necropolis scavi tour) in separate reviews. read more
9 years ago
Soooo....I feel I'm solid to write a review because I've been to the Vatican 3 times in the last 10 years, all during different times of day, year, and weather. This review will focus on my recent visit to the Vatican on Saturday 5/27/2017. I was staying at a hotel across town near the train station, and I bought 2 tickets to the Vatican through my hotel. The tickets included the Vatican Museums and the church (St. Peter's Basilica). The tickets also included a, "skip the line", which basically means you don't have to stand in line with non-ticket holders. The cost was 30 Euros per person. The hotel staff member who sold me the tickets provided me with a voucher and instructed me that I needed to go to the Rome Visitor Center to get my actual tickets. I made my way to the Visitor Center, also called, "City Sightseeing Tours, Rome". The lady at the front desk talked me into doing a tour with a group. I'll review my experience with her and the tour group in a separate review. Upon arriving at the Vatican with my tour group, it was just as hot of a mess as I remember. First of all there are hundreds of guys (not from Italy) selling selfie sticks and they are extremely pushy. These selfie-stick selling guys have gotten so out of control it's ridiculous. Additionally, my entire walk from the bus station, to the Visitor Center entailed being hounded by selfie stick sellers and their comrades forcefully trying to sell me a tour. And if you don't respond they start speaking ten different languages to you in an attempt to figure out which one you speak. One even started to do sign language due to my lack of speaking. **Note: ONLY ever buy a tour from a licensed tour guide. Here is a good website: http://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en.html Additionally, there is a dress code at the Vatican that no one seemed to respect, nor did the Vatican staff seem to care about, because the crowds are so huge and everyone was literally a sardine with zero elbow room. Dress code for the Vatican is shorts/skirts must be to the knee, and shoulders must be covered (there are no restrictions on shoes). While waiting in line for the metal detectors/security scan, I noticed a girl in front of me had on extremely short shorts that were just shy of a butt cheek hanging out, yet she got in. Another girl got it with a spaghetti strap tank while my mother stood outside sweating with long sleeves on. Once inside, you're away from the hagglers/borderline harassment, however, if you weren't claustrophobic before, you may very well become it now. No matter where you are in the Vatican - museums, church, walking down stairs, ramps, in a box, with a fox, eating green eggs and ham - you'll be a sardine. So just be prepared for that. My last rant is about the Sistine Chapel - there should be stricter rules on security. It is clearly a "No photos" zone, yet there aren't clear enough signs saying that, and people are still taking pictures. Then security guards yell, "No photo, No photo!" at the top of their lungs. Yet 5 minutes later a calming voice comes on the speaker that says, "Silence please" in an attempt to hush noisy visitors. As far as the sights throughout, you're looking at history- it comes alive in front of you. It's absolutely amazing in that respect. You can say you've seen the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican and actually see them- so cool. Also, you can go to mass inside if you wish, and there's always the chance (no matter how small) that you may see the Pope. Overall, here is why I'm giving 3 stars- there is absolutely no control over the hagglers, no control over the amount of people inside (or what they wear), and all of this is taking away from what should be a sacred place that is to be respected. Sadly, it's just all about the money, and I wonder where it ALL goes.... read more
8 years ago
This was our first visit and to say the least it was somewhat overwhelming. There is so much history to see. We really enjoyed the museum but, we were on a tour and we had to stay with the guide. While he give us a reasonable length of time to see everything i still felt somewhat hurried. When you see some of the artifacts and realize how old they are it can be mind boggling. I can't wait to go back and spend more time read more
More info about Musei Vaticani
Viale Vaticano
00165 Rome
Italy
Vaticano, Città del Vaticano
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06 69883333
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http://mv.vatican.va
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Musei Vaticani - museums - Updated May 2026
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