We visited in off season and pre-booked tickets; no problems with the online booking process but a bit surprised at the €5/ticket additional fee for advance booking - almost like a penalty for planning in advance lol. That said, it is definitely well worth the cost as there was a constant influx of people around 1030am and when we left 3-4 hrs later, significantly more, literally seas of crowds due to the vast number of tour groups. We arrived a bit earlier than expected and were allowed to enter 1030am for our 11am timeslot, which was fantastic as there wasn't much else to do nearby that early. Once we got inside, there was no time limit enforced. We also had a bit of a hiccup entering that was resolved very quickly - I brought my tickets on my phone as the original PDF they were emailed as. The tickets didn't scan at the automated gate, nor a staff's hand scanner, and so the staff member had to print my ticket off the computer in the booth. The staff were able to get this done quickly and were kind throughout. I saw other people with printed versions of their tickets get through the automated gates smoothly, so I recommend doing that just in case. The museum itself is huge, has lots to see, and the building interior is very modern/clean and well suited for large crowds. Exhibits are mostly one way traffic - some wings we could see there was more to view, but could not access it unless we went back to the intended entrance. Signage for wing names is very clear which helped us ensure we didn't miss anything, but as other reviews mention, the Sistine Chapel is intended to be last. Lighting is decent and allows for good photos, but no photos are allowed in the Sistine Chapel. I happened to have bad heel pain on the day I visited the Vatican, and can confirm there are many benches scattered about to rest at. That said, it is a huge museum - there is a lot of walking, many stairs, an overwhelming amount of things to see, and so it might be tough on older / disabled / injured people. Perhaps even too much for children as it's a long visit and took the better half of the day self-guided. For that reason, I was glad I didn't opt for a tour or audioguide, as that would have likely made the visit even longer. As for the wings themselves, there's a good variety of items that you would expect to see in an art/history museum of this size. Some early excavational items, statues, limited objects from other cultures/regions, contemporary art, etc. I've visited a good amount of specialized / broad genre history and art museums and while not many pieces in the Vatican Museum blew me away, I did find some wings very enjoyable and think there's something for everyone. Personal favourites for me were the Greek/Roman sculpture wing and specific works: the Laocoön and His Sons sculpture, the Pieta, the exhibit with black/terracotta colour vases like the ones in God of War, etc. Also I found myself quite mesmerized by the variety of painted ceilings, the mix of 2D/3D elements used , and the variety of lighting used for rooms with paintings, the lit ceiling hallway in the Gallery of Maps, etc. When we arrived at the Sistine Chapel at the end of our visit, honestly we were a bit desensitized to all of the frescoes, painted ceilings, etc that we had seen all day. That, along with the intense, suffocating crowds in the Chapel made us leave in under 5mins. Even in retrospect, while I admire the Sistine Chapel a lot, in terms of the actual frescoes, I personally enjoyed other basilicas/churches more. We passed by the gift shop, which was expensive asf but had lots of unique items like reproduction busts, etc. The items can be seen online but prices soar far higher compared to other museums, other basilicas, and even the Vatican's own St. Peter's Basilica. I was tasked with buying an official rosary for a religious family friend and luckily had bought it at the St. Peter's Basilica where the gift shop was uncrowded and prices were in line with all other basilica gift shops in Rome. All in all, for the casual tourist / non-art enthusiast like myself, I'd say buy tickets in advance to skip the ticket booth lines, research in advance specific pieces you want to see + the exhibits they are in, download a map of the museum online, and book a time when it's less busy to fully enjoy the Vatican Museums. Even if you have to go super early/late, its worth having some peace and quiet to appreciate the works read more

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A dream come true!! I have always wanted to visit this museum, and it was amazing. Very very crowded though! The line outside can take hours, but if you pre buy tickets as part of a tour, you can skip the line! Highly recommend!! So much beautiful art in every wall of every room. The ceilings are magnificent too. It can get really comgested with everyone else in their tour groups, but it's worth it!!! read more

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An amazing collection - if you are an art lover, be prepared to be awestruck. There are so many amazing artifacts and art pieces, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare to spend a minimum of 4-5 hours inside if you want to glimpse most or all of the rooms. The final room is the Sistine Chapel, which is breathtaking. The museum becomes very crowded, and the layout can be confusing at times, which is the reason for the lower rating. After you finish in the museum, grab a quick bite in the cafe to refuel. It was a pretty great way to spend the morning, and a must-do in Rome. read more

Musei Vaticani - Museums Near Me - Rome, RM

Musei Vaticani is another one of those attractions which you absolutely cannot miss while in Rome. Technically not in Rome since the Vatican is an independent state, Musei Vaticani was a 50-minute walk or so from my apartment (the buses were on strike the day I visited so I made the long trek). As you know, the major highlight at the Vatican is Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It's at the end of the museum, the icing on the cake so to speak, and you're not allowed to take pictures. Seeing the Sistine Chapel most definitely lives up to the hype. It's an elaborate and incredible work of art. And so is the rest of the museum. There's a massive collection of art here. You can easily spend hours, if not close to a full day here. Even as you're walking to the Sistine Chapel, the hallways have an impressive collection of modern art. Most people don't even look at these works of art. At other museums, this collection would be a highlight. Here, it gets overshadowed. Pro tip: reserve your ticket directly through the Vatican weeks in advance. I did a group tour. If you don't, you'll either pay a significant premium to get a tour through a third party or you'll wait in the heat for hours. Plan ahead and skip the line. And after you're done with Musei Vaticani, go to St. Peter's Basilica. You can't make reservations there but the line moved pretty quickly when I went (I waited 20-30 minutes). The Vatican will be a highlight of your trip in Rome. Enjoy! read more

This place took my breath away. Why were there many naked statues though?! Some are so details, it's inappropriate for little kids. Anyway, It was magnificent and out of the world!! I was here during Jubilee. It's super crowded. Everybody wanted to go through the Holy door. Buy the ticket in advance. It's a long walk. It's huge and spacious. I got a good cardio here. There is coffee and pastry shop inside near the restroom. Charge your battery phone full and bring power bank. You'll take lots of pics here. read more

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My group and I did an extensive tour but it was worth it in the end! The pictures don't quite do it justice, and honestly,when you get there don't worry too much about taking all the right pictures,just take in the moment. I suggest having on walking shoes, and bring an electric fan read more

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The Vatican Museum is..alot. We had the better part of a day here, and I still felt like I was rushing through dazed and exhausted at the end. If you're planning a visit to the museum and Sistine Chapel, it's important to know that does not include Vatican City and it's also important to note you need to reserve tickets far in advance or be there first thing in the morning when they open to try to get a ticket. There were no self tour tickets available or English speaking guided tours left when we looked about 10 days out. Luckily, we were still able to get in on another tour, and they don't care if you branch off after you enter to go at your own pace. Also important notes - it's hot and not air conditioned, so bring light clothes. Women must cover shoulders and to the knees. There's a lot of walking and stairs. Bring a refillable water bottle- there are places to refill. They also have a cafe if you need snacks. The museum itself is packed to the gills with paintings, sculptures, foreign exhibits, and religious relics. There was far more to see than I had energy for, and many of the signs are worn off, or things are just not labeled at all, so you don't know what you're looking at. Here, a guided tour might be helpful, but they also take a very long time. The frescos, murals, and elaborate ceilings were by far the highlight for me. If they had more places to sit and it wasn't so hot, I could have spent a lot longer looking at those. Note- The Sistine Chapel is at the very end of your visit. You can't go back and forth between it and the museum. read more

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The ultimate of destinations. Vatican City is hands-down amazing. Starting your day earlier can be to your benefit. It's true, it all can be a little overwhelming. Like much of Rome, there is so much beauty at every turn and compacted in to relatively small spaces. You can spend hours in the bookstore alone, so it's best to set aside two or three days for the Vatican just for basic sightseeing. read more

Book a tour! I recommend https://www.yelp.com/biz/what-a-life-tours-roma-2?hrid=Nepze7uG-S4amEaS5cRoPw but you're welcome to use anyone. The tour not only provides a guide to point out the most interesting sights you would otherwise miss but they escort you around some of the long queues and through some of the big delays. There is SO MUCH to see here and without the guide, you'll miss it. I'm not a Catholic but I sure can appreciate arts and treasures. There's nothing like the Vatican Museums in the world. Don't miss it. [Review 19175 overall - 330 in Italy - 145 of 2023.] read more

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Go in to obviously be in another country! the smallest in the world! :) awing how a museum can be another country! obviously theres also the Pope Peter's basilica and the square. The Pope's home! :) Inside the Museum i like to see the corridor of Italy's maps because of the grand gold frescoes above done by Michelangelo which is the true treasure to see en route to the Sistine Chapel which is also great to see especially if you want to see the best art in the world! :) read more

Most terrible experience in my life. An absolute cluster with zero space to move or see anything. Every staff member at the museum we encountered was incredibly rude. Save your money and go literally anywhere else in Rome. read more

An incomparable museum. A well organized global treasure. If you can afford it, a private tour is worth the cost. You can see a lot more of the collection if you don't have to navigate the crowds. read more

Pro tip: buy tickets ahead of time. Don't use a tour guide they only slow you down with the their anecdotes l. I could've seen more of this place if we could've kept moving. Also, relying solely n other people to cooperate is a hassle. Complaints like: I can't hear, it's too loud, you're going to fast. Now I have to deal with that crap too. Do this site at your own pace. Pay for the audio guide if you like, but I don't recommend it. read more

Like all museums, there is so much to see and it can get overwhelming. Even more so if you go with a guide because they talk non-stop and provide way too much detail, more info than one can possibly retain. Art, like most things in life, requires space in between. To set it apart. To fully appreciate it. To take it in and give it a chance to digest. Next time, I'll pay for the tour to avoid the line but will let the guide know I'll meet them at the end at a specific time. I prefer to browse at my pace based on my interests. No way to do this when in a forced group situation. That being said, the Vatican Museum is spectacular! Because of the wealth of the popes and the Catholic Church, they have amassed a trove of art and treasures. The wall of ginormous tapestries is incredible, such fine craftsmanship, so much detail they could easily be mistaken for paintings. Some, like the Resurrection of Christ, the eyes appear to follow you as you move about the room. The tapestry of Italy has so much detail and accuracy in the topography and borders, it's incredulous to fathom how they charted this with primitive tools and without modern day technology. The hallways with the elaborate painted and gilded ceilings are spellbindingly beautiful. I actually preferred this art over the frescoes in the Sistine Chaoel as the colors were softer. Lots of Roman sculptures to marvel over. The Sistine Chaoel is at the end and the Chapel is quite small. When it's crowded, it gets hot and stifling so be prepared. Also, there is no taking pictures or videos in the Sistine Chapel and silence is mandated. Please don't be one of the obnoxious tourists who thinks rules don't apply to them and snap pics and speak the entire time. It's disrespectful to the Chapel and other visitors. As you leave the Sistine Chapel and make your way out, you will see lots of furniture, jewelry and artifacts. Many ornate. Some primitive. All fascinating. At the window take a peek out to the Vatican gardens, which are beautiful and not open to the public so worth a look. Even with the crowds, the Vatican Museum is a must see while in Rome. We went early in the morning so it started out pleasant but quickly became intense with hoards of people. You exit through a beautiful spiral staircase. I did find it humorous because with all the steps we had climbed during the week in Rome, the one time I wish there were steps to make a quick exit away from the crowds, we had to slowly wind our way down. read more

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Risking the wrath of God to give a less than perfect rating for this holy museum here! But to be honest, while the collections are beyond spectacular, the experience was below standard. True, few earthlings wouldn't be at awe seeing the Michelangelo's work on the Sistine chapel ceiling, or Rafael's School of Athen frescoes. But those works are so luminary that one would be stunningly impressed no matter what the situation is. My point here is, this museum can be a bit tough for the ordinary visitors. First of all, the map/guide is not very easy to read. There are 3 levels : Basement (0) and Second Floor (2) are printed on one side of the paper and First Floor (1) is on the other side. There are so many items (yes, any one of them could be a crown jewel of a small museum) that it's difficult to match them with what's printed on the map. And lastly, almost every gallery security guard was on their iPhone! One was playing games; another's video was so loud that I thought the museum was playing hip hop music. All but one was impatient when I asked a question! Perhaps they were just tired of the millions of visitors. So, do your home work online first and get educated, plan what you want to see, buy the timed "skipped the line" tickets, avoid having any interactions with museum staff, and be prepared to rub elbows with ten thousand strangers in small galleries. Then, perhaps you'd be calm and clear of frustrations so you can enjoy the magnificent artworks that shaped, if not defined, the world. read more

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After visiting Rome twice before, we finally had time to visit the Vatican City. We did spend most of the day here. But even then you can't just really see everything. So we focused on the parts we were interested most. But surely there will be a next time. We enjoyed the Museo Chiaramonti, the Museo Pio-Clementino, the Cortile della Pigna - the courtyard with nice views over the architecture from the outside and the Cortile Ottagono. A real delight and highlight was the Galleria lapidaria. A dream of countless paintings and lots of gold. And then of course the "Cappella Sistina". It's a lot bigger than one might expect. The painting by Michelangelo is massive. And pictures not allowed. There are loads of visitors in the room. But since everybody has to look up, there's no problem in enjoying the painting. There are so many details. Impossible to see it all at once. Of course the "The Creation of Adam" is the centerpiece, the most famous section. But the whole ceiling is a masterpiece. A timeless masterpiece. There are several other museums within the museum. And with the pass you could visit them all. But there's just not time to do that all in a day. Several restaurants, souvenir shops and bathroom are along the way. Yes, it's a busy place. Sometimes it really doesn't move anywhere and you got to be a bit patient. But it's definitely a place to visit once in your life. At least. We really looked forward to our visit and it did not disappoint. On the contrary. read more

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As it was my lifelong dream to go to Italy I was basically obligated to see the Vatican/Vatican museums when I was there and I don't necessarily regret going to see them but it was a bad experience. Normal tickets were sold out online so I booked a guided tour. The whole place was so packed that we could barely keep track of our tour guide the whole time. Guidance for what to wear was odd - I wore long sleeves and pants but saw plenty of people in shorts. You're basically shuffled along like cattle through the Vatican museums which tbh aren't that interesting...just some sculptures and paintings and tapestries that I feel like you could see in many other world museums. It's shoulder-to-shoulder packed. The highlight is the Sistine chapel but again you're packed in like sardines. Also you can't take photos which is fine but seems like a pointless rule. I would have been much more interested learning about the Vatican itself. How is it governed? What are the demographics of the guards? Etc. Def a one and done experience read more

Our high school boys school group from Rio Hondo Prep had a great tour. Our tour guide was Elisa. She was engaging and funny. I especially loved her enthusiasm. It was very evident that she loves doing her job and loves the art and loves Michelangelo. She was very interested in the kids and made sure to keep them engaged the entire time and that they enjoyed their experience. If I ever return for a tour, I will request Elisa. read more

Musei Vaticani - Elisa interacting with students - Museums Near Me - Rome, RM

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I've been to a lot of famous museums, and this is definitely one of the most beautiful ones I have been to. The artwork is so stunning, and there is so MUCH of it. I was mesmerized walking through hallways and rooms with paintings all over the ceilings. I made a reservation online in advance, which I absolutely recommend doing. The crowds were crazy. read more

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As they say, "When in Rome". Well you just have to visit the Vatican Museum. You need to set aside at least 2-3 hours to be able to tour and see all of the amazing works of art in this museum. I highly recommend you try to do a guided tour because there is so much to take in. It is difficult to pick a favorite part of the museum because there is just so much. We visited in June and the museum was so packed but you still felt like you could see everything the museum has to offer. read more

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I will preface this review by stating that we had an unfortunate incident en route to our visit to the Vatican. Hence, my mood was not great when we arrived. That may or may not color my judgement of how our overall visit went. FWIW. We had purchased tickets in advance for an entry time of 10 a.m. They will let you go in maybe 10 - 15 minutes early but not much before. When we entered, there was a security screening (bag X-ray). We did not, however, have to check our medium-sized backpack. Next, we had to exchange our vouchers for actual tickets. We tried their automated kiosks for this, but they didn't work. We then got in a short line (maybe 8 - 10 people) and handled it with a staffer in one of 3 - 4 booths. The line moved swiftly. We entered and rode the escalator up to the main (first) level. One of our party had been here before, and suggested that we go and check out the Sistine Chapel first. That was not a bad suggestion, but I'll pause here to discuss how the Vatican handles crowding. The museum has the form of an elongated rectangle (picture it with the long side vertical). You enter at the bottom and the Sistine Chapel is at the top. The only form of crowd control (in terms of entry) that the Vatican does is via ticket sales. Once the crowd is inside, there are few means of limiting how many people at once can access a given area. Their solution to this problem is queuing. They can only control what route you can follow, so as the day goes on they progressively make the route to the Sistine Chapel longer and longer. One result of this is that if you want to see some things at the far end (away from) the chapel, the queue may start to back up there (thus limiting your access). I'd humbly suggest that they consider some sort of timed entry to the chapel itself as opposed to the current scheme, but whatever. The 'rectangle' is also 2 floors tall. We walked the length of one side to the chapel, looking at various art and decoration along the way. If I went her again (which I'm not super inclined to do, honestly), I'd book a guided tour. You'd probably get a lot more out of it. There were some interesting segments along the gallery - a 'map room' with part of the Italian peninsula detailed, plus a lot of super-ornate wall and ceiling paintings. We eventually arrived at the far end and happened to skip or take a wrong turn by which we missed a Raphael-themed room (The School of Athens). Given the conga-line method of access control, we were not able later to come back to this area. The Sistine Chapel - I found it smaller and more dimly lit than I expected. It was interesting to see, but all professional photos I've seen of it were much clearer and brighter. You are not allowed to take photos there, also. The crowding wasn't too bad when we were there, but it seemed to be ramping up. Supposedly you can access St. Peter's Basilica directly from somewhere near the chapel (which would make sense given its function), but we did not take advantage of this. Honestly, given how long the line to the chapel was later in the day, you might save time by going around the outer wall and getting in via the line outside the church... There were some interesting bits of art and artifacts spread around. We were not able to see a few items as the conga-line queue for the chapel got extended all the way back to the other end of the rectangle, such that you'd have to commit to going through it just to see some other rooms... We did end up eating lunch in the Vatican cafeteria. They appeared to have a sort of food court option on one side and (maybe) a table-service place on the other (?). We opted for the cafeteria. Prices were not terrible, but it wasn't super cheap either. They had multiple stations and options (we mostly got boxed salads). Other than exiting and finding a restaurant outside, there really isn't another option. The exit is via a huge spiral staircase. It affords great photo opportunities near the top looking down, so definitely check that out before you leave. My summary - if they offered some deal where you could pay extra and tour the place in the evening without the crowds or the huge line for the Sistine Chapel, I might come back. Otherwise, I don't think I need to re-visit this place. read more

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The Vatican Museums span so many expansive buildings that would require many visits to see everything. We were hoping to enter without a tour, but the minute tickets became available on the website, they disappeared and none were available. So...we had to pay a much higher price for tickets and a tour through a 3rd party vendor. There are pluses to this such as getting priority entry, and our tour guide was excellent. Our tour hit the "highlights" which meant we saw the most famous and most crowded areas. Since this was our first visit here we did want to see the highlights, so it worked out, but I'm thinking that the only way to get in without a tour if you want to visit less popular areas of the museums would be to try to go in the winter. The crowds are no joke...almost everyone was in an organized 3rd party tour like we were and there were a ton of tour groups packed in. Do not expect any time or space for quiet appreciation of art or spiritual reflection. Even the Sistine chapel which is supposed to be quiet with no photos was marked by guards constantly yelling "silenzio!" Sigh...the irony.... Anyway, despite the crowds and challenges in even getting in, the artwork and museum rooms themselves are absolutely amazing and it's worth muddling through the hassles to visit. Be sure to look up in every room; almost all the ceilings are works of art as well. read more

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Absolutely stunning museum with incredible works! Spent like three hours here and was not bored for even a second. Your visit doesn't have to be this long, but there was a lot to see and it was totally worth it to take my time and explore everything. I even stopped by the museum's post office to mail postcards! Definitely a must-see in Rome!! read more

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Do not book guided tours at vatican museum. My guide left me right after entrance after the stairs. There was a crowd and even though she counted us at first and made even some stupid jokes etc waisting our time, right after stairs, I could hear her at first from earphones then disseapeared. I paid in vain for this tour and did not enjoy a minute walking on my own looking for them. And they do not refund money! read more

It's beautiful and the home of the Sistine Chapel so if you've come all the way to Rome, then you must come here. You can reserve your spot ahead of time or pay for a guided tour but you will pay more. You can wait in the line for those who don't have a reservation, and you will wait a good but, but it's only 17 euros to see everything in the museum. No pictures in the Sistine Chapel and yes, there are people walking around monitoring that. read more

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One way route to the Sistine Chapel is the least efficient way a museum could be designed. It's basically just one long line. No AC is the cherry on top of it all The chapel itself is amazing, but it's overcrowded and loud which takes away from the awe of Michelangelo's most famous works. read more

"My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be through Earth's loveliness. " - Michelangelo I once had a dream that I met Michelangelo and the other legendary artists from the Renaissance. It usually ended with me waking up for another mundane day of work. The Musei Vaticani aka Vatican Museum has always been high on my bucket list even as a young Roman Catholic boy growing up in faith. I even promised Dad that we'd go one day. Then I remember we have just one lifetime to live. Finally the opportunity arose when I booked flights to London, Paris and Barcelona. I was all set via British Airways and Orbitz, yet that dream kept reminding me that Michelangelo was waiting for me in Roma! Enough! The time is now and so I booked a flight to Leonardo Da Vinci Airport too. And so glad I did... High on my "When in Rome" list was Musei Vaticani in the Holy See. I mean Sistine Chapel, Raphael, Leonardo, Pope Francis;). Of course, meeting Michelangelo and chatting "The Creation of Adam" was a must! The early morning finally arrived where I would meet my private guide who would lead me into Musei Vaticani before the doors opened to the general public. I have absolutely no regrets paying the premium to get my VIP treatment. I mean it's not like everyday one visits the Holy See. I enter with my guide and after two or three security check points I am officially in Musei Vaticani. Words can't describe how incredible it is walking into the Renaissance and seeing all the masterpieces from the greats. Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo at the top of the heavens. The art from the old world mingling with the Vaticani's holy relics - breathtaking! And with all the paintings, statues, and frescoes to admire.. the one that resonated with me was the tapestry of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ following you. You need to be here to understand! Sistine Chapel was next, but I'll save it for my next review... Musei Vaticani House Rules: 1.) Clothing - Shoulders must be covered. No shorts, no miniskirts, no hats allowed. Be respectful, please! 2.) Bags - Luggage/large bags not allowed, but you can check it in the Cloakroom if necessary. Use discretion. 3.) Food - No food or drinks allowed. Again you can check it in the Cloakroom if necessary. 4.) Photography - Photography is welcome, however absolutely no flash photography or tripods allowed. The Sistine Chapel prohibits absolutely no photos or video. 5.) Mobile phones - You can use mobile phones as a camera, however it must be on vibrate or silent. Again, it is prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. In the end, I highly recommend Musei Vaticani, but realize I was on a private tour so I had more access without the crowds. I do know that pre-pandemic the lines seemed endless just to enter this historic museum, so if possible I'd suggest a private tour as well, or at the very least early arrival. Another tip is to purchase tickets in advance! You don't have to be a scholar, or a believer, or a Princess to enjoy Musei Vaticani and all the treasures she holds. Remember we have just one life to live. So live it! Michelangelo will be waiting for you... "I live and love in God's peculiar light." - Michelangelo This one's for you, Dad! Ti Amo... read more

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Simply outstanding! There is more here to see than can be seen: More to do than is possible to do (Cue the "Circle of Life Music")! While the Sistine Chapel reigns supreme here, there are so many other wonderful things to see that it requires multiple visits to be able to engage. The wonders are all around you: Above, below and at the sides. While spotting an amazing ceiling in one section, I noted that the floor was covered in mosaics...wow! Yet, perhaps the most important thing for me is that this is more than a museum, it's sacred ground. A lot of us have forgotten how to act and dress in places that are set apart...which is too bad. Bottom line, this is worth you time and effort to get here. read more

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That first sentence I wrote a couple years ago is confusing! It should say there was literally no one *in line* to get into the museum. I walked right in, bought a ticket, and continued on. However, earlier in the day when we first arrived in The Vatican, the line snaked down the block. read more

I booked the English-guided tour. Talked to the staff and was told just to wait for 10-15 min and he would let me in. There was no line - I guess I was the first in line. After some more people showed up, they let us in. I did see some long lines around, perhaps for individual entrance. There were also groups of people coming in organized by outside vendors. Our group had about 20 people or so. Our tour guide was enthusiastic throughout the tour. Many places in the museums were crowded but our lady guide was steadfast in leading us through the crowd, no easy task, which made this an enjoyable experience. If we had been left to explore on our own, we would have been lost quickly due to the enormous crowd. We were able to finish the museums (guided tour part), and the Sistine Chapel (which was just one large room full of people so it went pretty quickly), and then we bought the tickets to elevate/climb to the dome. Great experience (but need physical fitness to do that). When we came down the elevator, we found ourselves inside of the St. Peter's Basilica, which saved us hours of waiting to get in. Tip: buy the tour ticket through their official website (see links above). It is the best deal in value. I had a great experience without waiting in long lines. read more

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Like Colloseum, you have go have a reserved ticket, or arranged tour by a travel agency to get in faster. There are some deals on Tripadvisor you can get. Will let you know that the tour guides are making a lot of money of you with the packages selling you, but it is well worth it!!! The lines are extremely long to get in, not minutes, you will be waiting hours to get in, the earlier you go, more you will see!!! Again, they were saying Christmas is low season to them, i cannot imagine, how the high season is, because, it is insane, but also good to see people come and visit such a sacred place!! Love it. After you pass the security check, the tour guide proceeds to get the tickets, this is time you need to go use bathroom, you will not have any other chance while you are in there, because there will be so much to see. In Rome, do not leave Rome without seeing Vatican Museum, unbelievable, they have previous Pope's tombs, Michelangelo's paintings, statues, rugs!! You feel it in your bones, while you are walking around. It is a definitely a go to place every time you go over there. Came here Christmas Eve, couldn't get into the Basilica, watched it outside, it was a great feeling to be there! read more

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Even if you have only a passing interest in religion, architecture, or art, it's hard not to be blown away by the incredible beauty of the Vatican. The one area no one is allowed to photograph is the interior of the Sistine Chapel. In fact, it is even for bidden to talk in there, although there was muttering from people within that could be clearly heard the entire time I was in there. This is not a surprise: the beauty of this entire structure is legendary, but photographs and video fail to capture the true beauty that seeing it in person provides. To be honest, The Sistine Chapel was a lot smaller than I expected it to be. It's still a stunning achievement that Michelangelo painted the ceiling almost single-handedly. Our Withlocals tour guide explained that he initially protested that he is a sculptor, not a painter, so he had help in the early stages. But, once he got the hang of it, he dismissed his help. But, Saint Peter's Basilica is undoubtedly one of the greatest architectural achievements of the human race. It seems to go on forever, and every small portion of it is staggeringly beautiful. The only disappointment was the breakfast we had at the Vatican. I was expecting some elegant affair, but it was no better than the breakfast buffet we had at our hotel. And, it cost us €38 each. When in Rome, you must visit the Vatican. But, eat breakfast before you go. read more

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Vatican Museums We made the mistake of buying Lunch at the Vatican tickets. Yes, we got in without standing in line, but there are WAY better options as the food is just plain AWFUL. Cold, over-cooked, tasteless. The museums are wonderful but the Vatican (understandably) has a strict one-way policy. To get the hideous lunch we skipped an aisle that led to a room we particularly wanted to see - too bad for us - the guards would not let us reverse. They told us to go back outside and return that way. It was pouring rain, so we simply left. The Sistine Chapel is lovely and the museum is crammed with years of glorious art. It's open on Monday when other museums are closed, so is crowded, Tuesdays are also packed so choose other days to go. It will still be crowded, but not as bad. Definitely get advance skip the line tickets or go with a tour read more

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The best site to see unless you are a heathen or heretic. Absolutely stunning and detailed inside when artists had talent and love with inspiration that cannot be duplicated today. read more

Located within the confines of the Vatican state, the museums hold over 70,000 pieces of artwork. A dual ticket can be purchased to see both the Sistine Chapel and the museums and I would suggest to spend at least half a day to explore this. I have booked online and it saved me at least 2-3 hours. When I was done with Basilica, I started for Museum (its 20 mins walk), and lines were too long, though it was 9 in the morning. Luckily I had booked online so I skipped the line and entered. At the kiosk, I exchanged and got a physical ticket. Tour group..!! God, I thought I would skip them but it seems all tour groups start their day from this place only. I hardly saw any of the art in peace. There were like 50 tour groups (50*30 = 1500 people together) walking with me. I was fed up. Anyway You'll find one of Vatican City's most notorious attractions housed within these walls - the Sistine Chapel (and Michelangelo's famous frescos). A tour of the Vatican Museums grants access to various sections of the palaces, the Sistine Chapel included. Attractions of the museums include the spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms. Notable piece include the Transfiguration by Raphael, the Entombment of Christ by Caravaggio and the breathtaking gallery of maps, also The gallery of maps Museo chiaramonti Cortile della pigna - Also known as the Pinecone Courtyard, the Cortile della Pigna gets its name from the gigantic bronze pinecone that sits at one end of the square. There is an unusual gold sphere found opposite it known as Sfera con Sfera, or Sphere within a Sphere. The octagonal courtyard The spiral staircase Hall of the chariot & Sistine chapel - yes I mentioned again. It's worthy It's not like Louvre, its one straight walk and you have to move in one direction and it ends at Sistine chapel. So no confusion. The restroom is clean, you will even see post office when you will be done with the tour. Well, you can not afford to miss this when you are in Rome. read more

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Even though had front of line tickets AND a tour it did not make it worth it because you CANNOT see anything with how many people they pack in here. Think of sardines (and then think smaller) It's unbelievable because there is SO much beauty to look at but you cannot pause and actually enjoy because you are herded like sheep to pass through because there are that many people. They really need to think of limiting the max amount of people in here because I truly would recommend to *skip* unless they change their max # so people can actually enjoy the museum. read more

Tons of history here! Be prepared to be on your feet for a long time as the tour takes you through a series of exhibits and halls before finally ending up to where you started. Oh and there are little to no seats along the way (except at the Sistine Chapel). Again, tons of history with over 2000+ years of artifacts, statues, paintings can be found here. Definitely a must if you're in town with the highlight of the tour is walking through the Sistine Chapel. Imagine how it took Michel Angelo several years to paint the ceilings while looking up, and I was only inside for 10 minutes already complaining how my neck hurts. Plan accordingly. Closed on Sundays. Walking and on your feet for awhile, and hallways that may have too much congestion. read more

I have a love/hate relationship with the Vatican Museum. On one hand, I don't like throwing even more money at the Catholic Church (and tickets here are EXPENSIVE!) for obvious reasons but on the other hand, the museum houses some of the most incredible works of art ever created by humankind -- so it's something everyone should see at least once in their lives. I've had the good fortune to visit the Vatican Museum twice, and I still haven't seen it all. I would recommend you plan to spend at least an entire day here from opening until closing. Even then, if you're an art lover like me, you won't even begin to make a dent in the exhibits. Most everything has been covered in these reviews, but let me add a few things: 1. Make sure you are covered with your clothing. Modest dress is required, so cover those shoulders and bare legs. 2. Wear your most comfortable shoes because this museum is not only huge, the floors are unforgiving marble. There are few places to sit. 3. Avoid the museum's snack bar, at least if you want a good cup of Italian espresso (you won't find it here, just a tiny plastic cup filled with sludge). 4. Bring mini binoculars to better view the Sistine Chapel. Maybe tissues too, because it moved me to tears when I first saw it (seriously THE single greatest work of art EVER created). Get here early, stay late, plan to spend the entire day. And try to forget what your steep entry ticket fee is going to support. read more

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People who have bad experiences with tour companies leave bad reviews. This is a 100 acre property which captures centuries of history from the Bible all captured in one location. It is simply beautiful. Yes, it is crowded but if you do your research, go in off times and it won't be bad. Also using a tour company will help with the experience. Simply amazing. So much history for one day. I'm read more

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A truly horrendous experience of extraordinary crowding by the thousands. No way to enjoy art being pushed and shoved for 2 hours with no escape read more