The Vatican Museums are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Rome and the Vatican. From intricate tapestries and gold-encrusted ceilings to magnificent frescoes, there’s always something to discover inside the museums. Check out our favourite Vatican Museums photos to understand why there are hour-long queues to enter the Vatican Museums.
A quick overview for the Vatican Museums
If you’re planning a visit to the Vatican Museums, these handy tips will help you plan the best possible tour:
Admission for the Vatican Museums
Admission to the Vatican Museums varies depending on whether you buy tickets on the spot or in advance. Tickets are cheaper at the door – full admission is €17 and reduced admission is €8 (children over 6 and students under 26). Children up to 6 years of age are admitted free of charge.
You’ll pay more if you book in advance, but on the other hand you won’t be waiting in line and you’ll be sure to get in.
Opening hours
The Vatican Museums are normally open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00-18:00. It’s closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month, when it’s open 9am-2pm (and it’s also free on this day – you can’t book tickets in advance, so you need to arrive by 8am at the most to avoid the biggest queues).
In the season from April to October, there are extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. You will also find out the specific time when booking your ticket.
How do I tour the Vatican Museums?
Set aside at least 1.5 hours for the tour, but preferably 2-3 hours (especially in high season, when there are a lot of people inside and there are queues, so you’ll be stuck waiting).
There are signs along the way that indicate what locations will be followed in succession. You can also take a shortcut and go straight to the shortcut to the Sistine Chapel at the end of the first floor. I wouldn’t personally recommend that, though, because on the second floor is the Raphael Room – and it’s really beautiful.
Also think about the fact that there aren’t as many options in museums where you can relax and get a lot of walking in. For this reason, I recommend coming while you are rested, as the tour can be really tiring.
You can have refreshments in the museums and there are plenty of toilets (free).
How to skip the queues for the Vatican Museums?
The Vatican Museums are famous for their queues. The queue snakes around the corner along the walls, and more crowds keep streaming in from St Peter’s Square.
The easiest way to skip the queues is to book tickets in advance. There are three separate lines at the venue – the queue for tickets on the left, the middle entrance if you have a reservation, and the entrance for guided tours on the right.
You will come to the middle entrance where you will show the staff your tickets on your mobile phone (or you can print them out). It will scan the QR code and you can go straight in for the security check.
Even at the time of the biggest queue (see photo above), we didn’t wait for a reservation at all and went straight in.
What to do if tickets to the Vatican Museums are sold out?
A very common reality – tickets to the Vatican Museums can sell out weeks in advance. In this case I recommend a guided tour. There are several to choose from and plenty of dates available. This is an increasingly popular way to visit the Vatican Museums.
Another option is to queue – arrive before opening hours to keep the queue to a minimum.
Read our detailed guide to the Vatican Museums.
Real photos of the Vatican Museums
And we move on to the reason most of us want to see the Vatican Museums.
Below you will find 25 photos to guide you through a visit to the Vatican Museums. But there’s much more to see, so if you’re going to Rome, don’t miss a visit to the Vatican Museums.
The Vatican Museums also include the Sistine Chapel, but photography is forbidden there. Once you enter the chapel, the staff will move you further towards the exit. To admire Michelangelo’s art, you can stand in the middle of the chapel or sit on a bench along the walls (if one is available).
Learn more about the Vatican and Rome
VATICAN MUSEUM: Read our detailed guide and experience for the Vatican Museums. What not to miss in the Sistine Chapel is covered in a separate article.
THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ROME: In our article on what to visit in Rome, you will find detailed descriptions of the most beautiful places, including information on admission fees and opening times. We also have special guides for the monuments of ancient Rome or the best museums in Rome.
Read the guide to the Colosseum to avoid queues on site.
ITINERARY FOR ROME: Get inspired by our itinerary for Rome in 3 days. You only have one day? The itinerary for Rome in 1 day will help you plan the perfect trip.
ACCOMMODATION IN ROME: We’ve created a detailed guide on where to stay in Rome (best neighbourhoods and accommodation on a budget, a map and how to get from your accommodation to the sights or the airport).
HOW TO ENJOY ROME: For tips on the best things to do in Rome, check out our article on what in. We also share some tips on how to save in Rome and more than 35 tips for travelling around Rome. In a separate article, you can find out about all the ways to get from Fiumicino Airport to the centre of Rome.
