Home to some of Italy’s most important artworks—from paintings and sculptures to tapestries and classical antiquities—the Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are among the country’s top attractions. Explore the Pinacoteca, Egyptian Museum, Gallery of Tapestries, Pius-Clementine Museum, and Gallery of Maps, before admiring the crown jewels in the Sistine Chapel, famed for Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment.
Yes, you can visit the Vatican Museums without a reservation. You can buy tickets upon arrival, but the lines can be extremely long, particularly on weekends and during school vacations. Most travelers opt to book online tickets with skip-the-line entry or join tours that include skip-the-line access.
...MoreNo. Most travelers have to pay to enter the Vatican Museums, although St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Children under 6, some people with disabilities and their carers, and some academics and museum professionals can visit the Vatican Museums for free. Everyone enjoys free entry on the last Sunday of every month.
...MoreVatican Museums tickets include access to a range of galleries, museums, chapels, and apartments replete with priceless works of art. The Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s iconic Last Judgment, and Raphael’s Rooms are particularly popular. You can also usually access St. Peter’s Basilica through the Vatican entrance, beating the lines.
...MoreYes. The Vatican Museums require that visitors dress as if they were going to church. In practice, that means no hats, legs covered to the knees, and covered shoulders, upper arms, belly, and cleavage. Clothes don’t need to be formal, but they shouldn’t be overly street: Leave the ripped jeans at home.
...MoreYes. You can take pictures for personal use in the Vatican Museums, but you can’t use flash anywhere and you can’t take any photos in the Sistine Chapel. Professional equipment, including tripods and drones, and selfie sticks are banned. Professionals need permission from the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage.
...MoreYes. The Vatican Museums are fully accessible to people who use manual wheelchairs, with accessible bathrooms, step-free connecting routes, and loaner chairs (documentation required). However, people who rely on mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs may not be able to access certain parts of the museum due to space constraints.
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