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Vatican Museum Tickets & Tours [2021 Update]
Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with Priority Access
- This Vatican tour takes you to world-renowned attractions like the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- Scout through the magnificent Vatican Museums and peruse the crucial collections of the 54 galleries
- Pass by the Greek Cross Room, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Muses, and more
- The wondrous Sistine Chapel awaits you! Drink in views of the stunning frescoes at the cornerstone of Western art
- A tour group size of 20-25 guests ensures a cozy, intimate experience
- Choose from guided tours in English, Italian, German, French or Spanish
- Ages 6-18yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail).
- Cannot be canceled, amended or rescheduled.
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms, and back.
Skip the Line Tickets - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Enjoy skip-the-line entry and bypass the winding ticket queue at the intriguing Vatican Museums.
- Begin your tour at the Vatican Museum and explore the Pigna Courtyard, Pius Clementino Museum, Chandelier’s Gallery, Tapestries Gallery, Raphael’s Rooms, and many more at your own pace.
- You have about 9 miles of historical masterpieces from the Renaissance era to check out.
- Head to the glorious Sistine Chapel to admire world-famous frescoes and artworks that have been dubbed “the cornerstone of Western art”.
- Don’t forget to check out the renowned painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgement, two of Michelangelo’s most revered works of art.
- Make use of the optional audio guide, available in a choice of 10 languages.
Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-17yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail).
- This ticket cannot be canceled but can be rescheduled 6h prior to the schedule (based on availability).
Semi Private Guided Tour - Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
- Gather in cozy groups of 10 members or less and follow your tour guide through a special entrance into the Vatican Museums, the first stop on your itinerary.
- Traverse through the Galleries of Tapestries, Maps, and Muses, the awe-inspiring Raphael’s Room, and other galleries while learning interesting facts about each.
- Make an appearance at the world-famous Sistine Chapel where you will spend time admiring the finer details of Michelangelo’s stunning murals.
- Choose between English and Italian-speaking guides.
- Ages 2yrs and below go free. Ages 3-7yrs enjoy reduced pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
- Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hrs before the schedule.
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms, and back.
Special Early-Morning or After-Hours Access - Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel VIP Tour
- Get early, priority access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- While the Vatican Museums open at 9 AM, you will be able to enter the museum just before 8 AM before the general public and enjoy an immersive guided tour of these iconic attractions
- Gather in cozy groups (10-15 guests at max) and commence your tour at the Vatican museums; tour through the stunning 54 galleries and pick up facts about Renaissance artists you knew not of
- Next up, make your way to the historical Sistine Chapel and marvel at the staggering collection of artworks by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Ghirlandaio
- Your last stop is at the world’s most opulent church, St. Peter’s Basilica; gear up for a blast of Renaissance brilliance through artworks like Baldacchino, La Pieta, and the Statue of St. Peter
- Whether you choose the early-morning entry or after-hours exclusive tour, you get to walk through the deserted Vatican Museums- a rare occasion.
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
This ticket has the following variants that you can choose from:
- Early morning entrance
- After-hours exclusive night entrance
- Reduced Prices are available as per the time and date of experience chosen. Please check the booking page for further information.
- Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 72 hrs before the schedule
Rome in a Day: Colosseum, Vatican & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
- Skip the lines to the stunning Vatican museums and explore the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (on Wednesdays, your visit to the Basilica will be replaced with a visit to the Vatican Library).
- Break for a quick lunch (at your own expense) before heading to the second part of your semi-private tour.
- Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
- At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient. amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows that were hosted here.
- Finish your 9-hour tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.
- Visit the temple of Vesta, Antonino and Faustina, and the Basilica Julia and Aemilia while you’re here.
- Immersive full-day guided tour is available in a choice of 5 languages - English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian.
- Ages 2yrs and below go free. Ages 3-14 yrs enjoy reduced ticket prices (carry valid photo ID).
- Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours before the schedule.
Vatican City Tour with St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
- Commence your tour by climbing to the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will uncover unmatched panoramic views of Rome from atop Michelangelo’s Cupola.
- Make your way to the other parts of the Basilica before heading towards the fantastic Papal Sarcophagi, where you will witness Renaissance masterpieces of Bernini and Michelangelo.
- Enjoy fast-track entry into the glorious Vatican Museums, and tour around its many alluring galleries, such as the Chandelier’s Gallery, the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, the Raphael Rooms, and many others.
- Continue your tour by paying a visit to the beguiling Sistine Chapel, and marvel at the cherished murals here, such as the painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo.
- Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-17yrs enjoy reduced pricing (carry a valid photo ID to avail).
- Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 48 hrs before the schedule.
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms, and back.
Vatican Museums Reopen To The Public Post Coronavirus Closure
On 3 May 2021, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Gardens reopened to the public, following a closure due to the pandemic. If you’re planning to visit Vatican City, please ensure that you’re aware of all safety measures and guidelines in place. The Vatican now only accepts online reservations.
Updated Safety Measures and Rules at The Vatican Museums (May 2021)
- Only reservations made online will be accepted. Based on the slots booked, access is restricted and visitors will be allowed into the museum only in 30-minute intervals. For this, guests will have to choose their preferred time slots in advance and arrive at the venue in time.
- All visitors must wear masks that completely cover their nose and mouth throughout the duration of their visit to the museums
- Each visitors’ temperature will be scanned before they enter the museum. Any visitor with a temperature higher than 37.5º C (99.5º F) will not be permitted into the venue.
- It is mandatory that visitors maintain a minimum of 1-meter distance from others at the museums
- Hand sanitizer dispensers are also available at the Vatican Museums
- Guided tours will now comprise groups with a maximum of 20 members
- Audio guides can be rented on-site or booked through online reservations
- St. Peter’s Basilica can be accessed only through the main entrance. The access point through the Sistine Chapel will remain closed until further notice.
- The bar, cafeteria, and restaurant service will be available only in the Bistrot area, which is located in the Courtyard of the Pine Cone. The timings are now from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM. Moreover, seating access will now be limited.
Vatican Tickets and Tours 2021
Michelangelo, Renaissance-era art and architecture, the Sistine Chapel and the eternal seat of Roman Catholicism, perhaps best describe Vatican City. The beating heart of riveting history and culture, Vatican City is a paradise for art lovers around the world. From admiring stunning paintings like Raphael’s ‘The School of Athens’ and Caravaggio’s ‘The Entombment of Christ’ to exploring St. Peter’s Square and the immaculately-maintained Vatican Gardens, there’s plenty to soak in during a visit to Vatican City.
Primary landmarks include Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica -- all accessible under a Vatican ticket, allowing you to explore and discover the rich culture and heritage of the world’s smallest country.
All Vatican Ticket Options Explained
All Vatican tickets include skip-the-line access, allowing you to bypass long queues. Your ticket includes access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. A standard Vatican ticket might not include access to St. Peter’s Basilica; you will have to purchase tickets that specifically include entry into the basilica.
Depending on what you opt for, your ticket may also include a guided tour or a multilingual audioguide.
The best way to explore all major and minor aspects of the Vatican is by opting for a guided tour. While a standard Vatican ticket might not include a guided tour, you can opt for one that does include the services of a professional tour guide. A Vatican tour will guide you past the priority entrance into the different landmarks in Vatican City, like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica and enlighten you with interesting trivia and facts. The alternative option is opting for a ticket that includes an audioguide, which you can carry along while you tour the Vatican.
A standard Vatican ticket does not include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. You can opt for tickets that specifically provide access to this landmark. Your professional tour guide will accompany you while you explore the historic church. If you would like to avoid long lines outside St. Peter’s Basilica, opt for a guided tour of the Vatican; this allows you to use the entrance that goes directly from within the Sistine Chapel into the basilica. Only with a tour guide can you access this entrance.
There’s plenty more to see outside of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. If you would like to further explore, opt for Vatican tickets that provide access to the Apostolic Palace, Villa Barberini and the pontifical gardens, all located in Castel Gandolfo, less than 30 km from Vatican city. The Palace served as the summer residence of Popes throughout history, making it a must-visit away from the crowds of Rome.
Vatican tickets discounts
Visitors between the age of 18-25 enjoy reduced pricing on their tickets.
Vatican audio guides
Guests can rent audio guides at the Vatican Museums directly. Alternatively, they can book audio guides with their online reservations.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica
Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, Pontifical Villas Gardens
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Audioguide
Audioguide (Optional)
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Access to St. Peter's Basilica
Cancel up to 72 hours in advance for a full refund
Tickets cannot be canceled
Tickets cannot be canceled, but can be rescheduled 6hrs prior to the schedule (based on availability).
Yes
Yes
Yes
Which Vatican Ticket Should You Choose?
1. If you would like to save time
The best way to save time during your visit is by opting for skip-the-line Vatican tickets. They allow you to bypass the long waiting lines and get priority access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
2. If you’re on a budget
Opt for standard skip-the-line Vatican tickets if you’re traveling on a budget. These tickets give you access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, along with an audioguide to accompany you along your tour.
3. If you’re looking for a guided tour
If you’re looking to explore in-depth, opt for a guided Vatican tour. Your multilingual professional tour guide will lead you to all major attractions in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel while enlightening you with interesting facts and historical trivia. An added bonus is that you get direct access to St. Peter’s Basilica via the Sistine Chapel entrance by opting for a guided tour.
4. If you’re looking to explore further
You can explore beyond the Vatican by opting for a combo tour. Travelers can now visit the Pope’s summer residence -- the Papal Villas, also known as the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo. Visitors can explore the Palace, the pontifical gardens, Villa Barberini and more with these tickets.
Explore the Vatican
Yes. All your Vatican tickets include skip-the-line entry, allowing you to bypass the long lines.
The best way to explore all the attractions in Vatican City is by opting for a guided Vatican tour. Not only do you get skip-the-line access with your Vatican tour, but you also get early bird access to the museums in the morning, before the general crowd fills in.
A standard Vatican ticket gives you skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Not all Vatican tickets include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. You would have to purchase tickets that specifically offer admission into the basilica.
Yes. Your Vatican ticket includes skip-the-line entry into the Sistine Chapel as well.
Yes, only if you opt for a guided Vatican tour; your ticket will also include a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel as well.
Since the Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums, it can only be accessed by going through the Museums and not via a separate entry.
No, you do not need an additional ticket to enter the Sistine Chapel. Your Vatican ticket includes entry into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Entry into St. Peter’s Basilica is free and does not require a ticket. However, if you would like to skip-the-lines and opt for a guided tour, a Vatican ticket with entry into St. Peter’s Basilica allows you to do so. If you opt for a Vatican tour, you can enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly from within the Sistine Chapel.
Not all Vatican tickets include entry into St. Peter’s Basilica. You will have to purchase specific tickets that offer entry into the basilica.
If you opt for Vatican tickets that provide entry into St. Peter’s Basilica, you are by default eligible for skip-the-line access into the attractions.
Not all Vatican tickets include guided tours into St. Peter’s Basilica. Ensure that you book tickets that specifically offer entry and guided tours of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Beyond the Vatican
A visit to the Apostolic Palace -- located in the charming little town of Castel Gandolfo -- is the day trip from Vatican City you never knew you needed. Traced back to the 13th Century, the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Villas, is beautifully situated, overlooking Lake Albano. On a tour of the Apostolic Palace, visitors get a glimpse of papal history through time; from religious attire, furniture and art dating back centuries to back-and white photographs and a beautiful landscape adorned with lush greenery, there’s plenty to soak in and explore at the Apostolic Palace.
Prepare for a landscape unlike anything seen before: umbrella-shaped pines, patches of fresh fruits and vegetables, brightly-colored flowers, sculptures and more await you at Villa Barberini. First built during Emperor Domitian’s reign, the serene Villa Barberini and its gardens are the perfect escape from the crowds and sweltering heat of Rome and Vatican City. Opt for a guided tour of Villa Barberini and the pontifical gardens to soak in its architecture, rich history and a delightful variety of immaculately-maintained foliage.
Plan Your Visit
Vatican Museum hours have been renewed following the reopening in 2021. The opening hours are now open from 08:30 AM to 06:30 PM from Monday to Saturday. Last entry into the museums will be at 04:30 and all guests must exit the exhibition rooms by 06:00 PM.
The Vatican Museums are closed every Sunday (excluding the last Sunday of every month), 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, 13 April, 1 May, 29 June, and 8, 25 and 26 December.
You can expect the lowest crowd between November to March, making it the best time to visit the Vatican Museums. April to September is considered to be the busiest time of the year.
Getting to the Vatican is easy with multiple transport options available. You can take the Rome Metro, a train, bus or simply walk to Vatican City.
Yes. The Ottaviano-S. Pietro metro station is located right outside Vatican City. You can take Line A of Rome Metro to reach this station; from there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square.
Yes. You can take buses 40, 64, 62 and 81 to reach Vatican City. Buses 40 and 64 can be taken directly from Roma Termini.
No, you do not have to pay to enter Vatican City; however, you do have to purchase a ticket to enter landmarks like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Your Vatican ticket includes skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines.
Not all Vatican tickets include guided tours. You will have to opt for tickets that specifically provided a guided Vatican tour.
Your Vatican tickets include access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Not all skip-the-line Vatican tickets include access to St. Peter’s Basilica. You will have to purchase tickets that specifically provide entry into St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican rules and regulations state that visitors must dress modestly during their visit. Low cut clothing, shorts, skirts, etc., are not permitted.
Mobile phone usage is allowed on the premises of Vatican City. However, Vatican rules and regulations state that it is discouraged in the Vatican Museums and completely restricted in the Sistine Chapel.
No. Outside food and drinks is strictly prohibited inside the Vatican Museums. If you are carrying any edible items, you can check it into the cloakrooms.
Vatican Tickets FAQs
The Vatican Museums reopened to the public on 3 May 2021 following a closure to the pandemic. For the safety of its visitors, the Vatican now accepts only online reservations and has administered several health measures in place.
The Vatican Museums have reopened to the public in 2021 with various public safety measures in place. Only bookings made online are accepted at the entrance. It is mandatory that visitors wear masks that cover their nose and face at all times and their temperature will be checked before entry. Hand sanitizer stations are also available for public use. Guided tours now permit only groups of 20.
Yes. The Vatican Museum is only accepting online reservations now. You can book your Vatican tickets online.
It depends on the ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
While the Vatican is accepting reservations for guided tours, it has placed a cap on the maximum number of visitors in a group. Each guided tour group can comprise a maximum of 20 visitors now.
Vatican Museum opening hours have been renewed following the reopening in 2021. The opening hours are now 08:30 AM to 06:30 PM from Monday to Saturday. Last entry into the museums will be at 04:30 and all guests must exit the exhibition rooms by 06:00 PM.
Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel requires you to purchase tickets. On the other hand, entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. However, if you wish to skip the long lines at St. Peter’s Basilica, it is advised that you purchase a skip the line ticket as the queue can easily be up to 60 minutes long.
Yes, your Vatican tickets do include skip-the-line-access. With this, you get fast-track access to Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel without having to wait in long lines.
Yes, guided Vatican tours do include skip-the-line access. Your professional tour guide will escort you pass the long lines.
Not all Vatican tickets include access to St. Peter's Basilica. You will have to purchase tickets that specifically include access to the basilica.
Yes, the Vatican Museums are wheelchair accessible. In fact, the Vatican offers free entry to all disabled visitors with certified invalidity of more than 74%.