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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.
8 years ago
Phew! Boy are my feet tired! What more can I say about such a massive collection of some of the world's greatest artifacts, sculptures, and paintings? It was breathtaking. I do want to share some tips: 1.buy your ticket online. I observed so many people waiting in-line, just to purchase a ticket. Seriously, it takes a huge chunk of time out of your schedule. 2. You enter the Vatican Museum where the yellow signs are located. After asking several people, we eventually figured this out on our own 3. You will be asked countless times by individuals around the Vatican if you "bought your ticket?" Even if you say yes, they will attempt to sell you their tour which offers "special gifts and an exclusive group only exits". These individuals will look "official". Be aware that you can purchase a tour through the Vatican's website. Also understand that you may encounter sales pitches ranging from friendly/helpful to downright rude. I can't even tell you how many times I said no. You can also download Rick Steves audio guide for free. 4. When exiting from the Sistine Chapel, join the tour group lines and follow them through the exit in the back right hand corner. It takes you out to St. Peter's Square. 5. Make sure you dress modestly-no bare legs or shoulders. They may turn you away. Good luck and enjoy! read more
7 years ago
Wear comfortable shoes it's more of a hike than it is a museum. Just kidding. But there is a lot to see so I definitely recommend a tour or audio guide if you wish to take your experience the next level. Veni, Vidi, Vici. read more
7 years ago
We went to the Vatican Museum in July 2018 with our Roman Guy tour. We didn't spend very much time here as the emphasis was on getting into St. Peter's Basilica. We knew we missed out and wanted to go again during our visit in early January 2019. The museum was excellent and without the heat and crowds of peak July tourist season. We spent a couple hours here visiting / re-visiting some of the things we wanted to see more of or had missed the first time. We recommend this place, especially off season. read more
8 years ago
This was probably my favorite place we visited when we were in Rome. SERiously!! You can't visit Rome without coming here. We came here super early to beat the crowds with our tour guide from the Roman Guy and was so happy we did. We were able to do part of the tour without many people there then maybe an hour later it was like shopping on Black Friday. Super packed! Our tour guide was amazing and even gave us so much time in every room to just see. Breathe and embrace history. The Sistine chapel was breathtaking and would love to visit it again. read more
Just the thought that you are technically in another country upon entering this place is amazing. This was a must do when coming to Rome and it was overall a great sight to see. I will say this however, their is dozens upon dozens of guided tours that are trying to recruit you upon walking up to the museum. We elected to do it, for which it is informational, but it's about 2-3 hours long and the museum along with the St. Peter is an all day thing. The most beautiful thing here is the one thing you can't take pictures of and thats the Sistine Chapel (a close second is Raphael room). There are thousands of paintings, sculptures, statues , artifacts and so much more. A definite must do. read more
We came here as a part of our Brendon Tour of Europe. I highly recommend this tour ..they took such good care of us and we saw so many lovely places. The Vatican is amazing. It is very crowded and glad we got there early so we were towards the front of the line. read more
7 years ago
I have always wanted to go here, dreamed of it and it finally came true! GET your tickets on line!!! This is a must!! The line otherwise will take hours! I went to their website direct and purchased the tickets with the audio guide. I really enjoyed being able to walk around and see each and every room! There was a lot of people (specially when you go into the sistine chapel) they say the earlier you go the better. We went around 11:30 (pre purchased our tickets) the line to get in (through security) was about 20 minutes but worth it to purchase tickets on line. This is a must place to see while in Rome! read more
This is just a few quick tips for the Vatican Museum. When you come to Rome, I hope you will find your way over here to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. When you come to the Vatican please come dress appropriately. No shorts, no tank tops. You get the idea. Otherwise I think they have some large scarves that you use to cover yourself. Please do yourself a favor and buy a ticket online before coming to the museum. Otherwise the lines are extremely long, say 3 hrs long. The convenience fee they charge is totally worth it. http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?weblang=en&do Joining a tour may be worth it if you want to be spoon fed the highlights of the Museum. The electronic handheld is handy with dry data but doesn't tell you the political impact or backstory of the pieces. Then of course is the Sistine chapel. The Museum is laid out like a mousetrap with the Sistine Chapel, it's cheese. (forgive the metaphor) To stand under Michelangelo's work without understand the full effort it took to create the Sistine Chapel would be tragic. I do think the electronic handheld went into detail about the story of the Sistine Chapel but Rick Steve has an equally wonderful podcast on the Sistine Chapel. BTW, no photography is allowed in the Sistine Chapel. You will be yelled at by Security guards! The Cafeteria at the museum isn't too bad. The price wasn't exploitative as it could have been. But then again we are at the Vatican. =) And like any good tourist, Charge the camera battery the night before and wear comfy shoes! =) read more
I like museums but I would say their was lots to see but mostly it was all of the same stuff and wasn't designed and placed impressively. At the entrance their is a Viking's boat and it doesn't say what it is for and how it relates to the Vatican. The most impressive was The Sistine Chapel. The Chapel itself is a piece of art. Where ever you look up and the famous painting The Creation of Adam on the ceiling is located in the middle of the Chapel! so don't miss that. The place is huge make sure you wear comfortable shoes and are ready to walk. Make sure you either let the groups go first or walk faster as they will spoil your photos, well where you are allowed to take photos. I loved their spiral staircase when coming down, it was a piece of beautiful architecture. read more
7 years ago
15 years ago
This museum is definitely one of the largest and most amazing museums I've ever been to in my life. There's just so much to see you're always standing there wondering where you should look first. Mindblowing and definitely one of those sights that can't be missed! There's pretty much everything here, Egyptian art, Roman art, Greek art, modern art. And there are also a bunch of rooms that were once open to the public that aren't currently open to the public, maybe for restoration reasons. Hopefully next time I'm there I'll be able to see those rooms I wasn't able to see before. Definitely keep your eyes peeled for The School of Athens by Raphael. It's on an upper wall of a room so it's easily missed by also easily one of the most famous works of art there. Like the Yelper before me has said, the sole goal of this museum is to lead you to the Sistine Chapel. And it's pretty amazing. But they are super anal about photos so be aware of that. There are also plain clothes museum workers just to catch you sneak people! I've heard if you do get caught, they confiscate your digicam memory card so you've basically just lost your whole vacation's pix. The line to get in for tickets is SUPER long. FYI best thing to do is go super early in the morning or be like us and go during lunch time when the tourists are all eating. We still ended up waiting an hour, but that's not bad compared to those who wait for 3-4 hours. And definitely be respectful and dress appropriately for the museum, no bare shoulders or shorts! read more
For 16 euros you get to be surrounded by beautiful statues and paintings. There is an overwhelming amount of artwork of Rome all stored in this very building. This museum is enormous, so rich in culture and history. Audio guides are available to for those need/desire them. From the walls to the ceilings to the artwork displayed all over... guests are left dazzled by the dedication of the artists. Many of these artworks took the artists years and years to finish. Walking along detailed and precised artworks is fascinating, but something more exciting awaits- the Sistine Chapel. The ticket purchased at the entrance includes the visit to the chapel. Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, most likely to preserve the art or just to keep the crowd moving. The famous painting completed by Michelangelo resides here on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel... The Creation of Adam. As he painted the whole ceiling, it was said that it took four years to complete. So don't forget to look up and study the ceiling closely; there are so many artworks around it that it could be hard to find. I totally missed the painting... I walked past it, unaware that the painting was on the ceiling of the chapel and I'm hoping no one would do the same. It's a really hard feeling to bare with after visiting the Vatican Museum and not getting to see the famous work of Michelangelo. Cost: €16 full price, €8 reduced, €4 scholastic http://travelbae.net/europe/vatican-museum-rome/ read more
8 years ago
12 years ago
This was great but I went with hopes of taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel only to be told after booking and meeting the leader of the tour photos in the Chapel is forbidden. Nonetheless it was still a great place to visit. One day is not enough to span it efficiently but you get to see a lot. I rather have went solo rather than with a tour because its very crowded and if you're into photography a group moving ahead at a timed paced will cause you to miss photo ops that are rare because people are often in the way. All in all there are beautiful relics from all over Italy housed in here, I found that other locales I toured had things missing from them relocated to The Vatican Museums so make sure it's part of your trip to fill those story gaps. read more
9 years ago
Beyond amazing and beautiful. A must see spot when visiting Rome!! So much history & artwork that will take your breath away. Work done by both Michaelangelo and Raphael are present. Booking a tour prior is recommended! Lines tent to get very long day of. read more
14 years ago
Wow. What can be said that hasn't been already? How about some practical tips for visiting: Show up early to beat a huge line. Go straight to the Sistine Chapel to beat a massive crowd that will develop as the day goes on., then double back and spend as much time to your hearts content. Stunning museum. read more
11 years ago
Vatican - Yes it is a must see. Suggestions: 1. Spend the money - join a tour if it is your first time through. 2. Be prepared to wait as the American tour groups form up (may be up to an hour) regardless of the start time. 3. If you are claustrophobic in any way be sure to take your medication or don't go. 4. Be prepared to deal with tense and aggravated people in a gentle and kind way. All of us seem to be vying to be the first one through the gate. 5. Security is tight once through the main gate. Similar to TSA at the airport. 6. Be sure you have used the bathrooms before starting the tour. Once inside the halls are narrow and tight. You are ushered along rather quickly, shoulder to shoulder with strangers. Gypsies are inside so I would not be going in with to many valuables given the unavoidable close quarters. The Vatican Museums are one of the largest, if not the largest, collection of art in the world. You could easily spend days here. In order to see the Sistine Chapel, you must go through the Vatican Museums. It seems as if 95% of the people there are just there to see the famous Sistine Chapel. Think of a river of people moving in one direction. This is what it is like at Vatican. Similar to the force behind those streaming into TimeSquare for the New Years celebrations. Your only real option is to go with the flow. Once we got close to the Sistine Chapel, we were instructed to meet up with the rest of the group in 15 minutes outside the Chapel if we wanted to continue the tour into St Peters. The Chapel is a huge attraction, but is still considered a very holy place by the Catholic church -- this means no talking and no pictures once you enter. You will also likely be packed in to this small place, and if you get separated from others in your group, there is a good chance that you will not find each other again. At least there was for us on the first time. We lost two in our group, they found us over an hour later. If your solo then skip this part. Security will stop and question you if stray from the main movement of people. I would be hard pressed to go back having been through once. read more
You can walk for hours and still not see everything! Take the time to check the side museums prior to the church, as there are some great exhibits, including a history of pope carriages and cars. Buy reserved tickets ahead of time to skip the lines (you don't need a tour group to do this). Knees and shoulders need to be covered, but a scarf counts if necessary. Sistine chapel is amazing, but be sure to exit to the right, as the left exit takes you out without seeing St. Peter's Basilica, which you definitely want to see. Exit from there into St. Peter's Square. Only downside is the place just is not large enough to accommodate the crowds in some parts of the building. Too many people, especially tour groups, and too many of them stop in entrances and other key areas of flow. Still, a must-see when in Rome! read more
9 years ago
9 years ago
Wow. This place I surely can emerse for a whole week. There's just too much to cram in one day. The whole journey would take almost 7 kilometers. There are arts, antiquities and history from different era, places and collections from different places Christianity was promulgated. I particular enjoyed the different sculptures, the Tapestry room and the different maps. The place is a bit chaotic though if you are traveling with wheelchair since they don't have all floors accessible by it and usually, you have to go against the flow of the crowd but all in all, there is everything for everybody to see. read more
9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
Beautiful ! So many things to see!! You need a good day there to visit everything. You will have a beautiful view of Rome. You have a very long line to enter the museum. Too many people inside. You should reserve your ticket online to avoid the wait at the entrance ! read more
10 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
It's own country/city state within the confines of Rome, Vatican City is basically a museum filled with the collections of past popes, starting with Julius II. It's really quite a remarkable amount of works, not only of Michelangelo, but of other very recognizable names as well. The only way to get through without the dreaded 2-3 hour wait is to join a tour guide/group (bought online in advance). My husband and I had a private tour guide, which helped tremendously. Even with this option, it's a lot of information to absorb. That said, verse yourself beforehand or make it a point to come back. It gets a bit tightly packed, like a sardine can at some points, so if possible, go during the off season (October-Easter) or try the evening tours. Don't forget to look down (and maybe walk up/down) the double helix Bramante staircase--it's beautiful! Oh, and make sure you dress accordingly--no bare shoulders or knees allowed! read more
13 years ago
More info about Musei Vaticani
Viale Vaticano
00165 Rome
Italy
Vaticano, Città del Vaticano
Directions
06 69883333
Call Now
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http://mv.vatican.va
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Musei Vaticani - museums - Updated May 2026
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