BUY VATICAN MUSEUM TICKETS & GUIDED TOURS
Skip the Line Tickets - Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Swift access priority pass to the Vatican's historical monuments
- Optional audioguide in a choice of 10 languages that offers insightful commentary and guidance
- Begin your tour at the Vatican Museum and explore the incredible collection of paintings and sculptures at your own pace (that’s about 9 miles of historical masterpieces from the Renaissance era)
- Next up, 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
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- 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)
- Tickets cannot be cancelled.
Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica
Guided tour to Vatican's three gorgeous landmarks in a choice of six languages
- Starting with the Vatican Museums, your expert historian guide will fill your tour with fascinating anecdotes about the world-famous sculptures and paintings housed in these corridors
- Serenade your senses with the timeless beauty of Raphael Rooms, Tapestries Gallery and other marvels of immense significance
- Next up is the Sistine Chapel that is home to Michelangelo’s iconic artworks, including the elaborate fresco on the ceiling
- Wind up this memorable day at the St. Peter’s Basilica, the central pilgrimage in all of Christendom and a treasure trove of Renaissance art
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms, and back
- On Wednesday mornings and afternoons, St. Peter's Basilica may be closed as the Papal Audience takes place in St. Peter’s Square. If you’re considering visiting St. Peter's Basilica, please make plans on another day
- The Basilica is also subject to last-minute closures. In the event that it’s closed, you will be taken to see the Vatican Library instead
- This ticket cannot be canceled, amended or rescheduled
Exclusive Early Access Tickets - Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Early entry (1hr 30min before entry time) to Vatican City’s most popular attractions. Optional audio guide for a fully immersive experience
- Get priority access at 7:20 AM to explore the largest collection of historic Renaissance artwork, before the crowds flock in at 9:00 AM
- Choose from 10 audioguides (Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Korean, Russian, Japanese and Chinese) offering intuitive commentary as you witness these marvellous creations
- Begin your tour at the Vatican Museum and experience Renaissance in all its glory as you walk through 54 galleries and the sprawling Pinecone Courtyard
- Head to the historical Sistine Chapel next, where you will see a large collection of sculptures and paintings by Renaissance artists such as Botticelli, Cosimo Roselli and Ghirlandaio
- The highlight of the Sistine Chapel is the extravagant fresco paintings on the ceiling by Michelangelo
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 24hrs before schedule
Guided Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
A comprehensive 2.5-hour guided tour of Vatican's historical monuments
- Select the language of your preference (English, Italian, German, French or Spanish) for an insightful guided tour of all three attractions
- Start your tour at the magnificent Vatican Museums where you will follow a well-planned route that showcases the crucial collections of the 54 galleries
- Tour through the wondrous Sistine Chapel and view the world-famous frescoes by Michelangelo, which have been dubbed “the cornerstones of western art”
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Ages 6-18yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- Cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled
Early Access Group Tour to St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Guided tours (in English and Spanish) of Vatican's most visited attractions
- Gain priority access to the most popular attractions in Vatican City at 8 AM before the tourist crowds come flooding in at 9 AM
- With the option to choose between 2-hour, 2.5-hour, and 3-hour guided tours in either English or Spanish, choose the option that best fits your itinerary
- Gather in cosy groups 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
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Reduced Prices are available as per time and date of experience chosen. Please check the booking page for further information
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 72 hrs before schedule
Priority Access Guided Tour: Colosseum & Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
Immersive full-day guided tour available in a choice of 5 languages - English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese
- Skip the lines to the stunning Vatican museums and explore the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica (on Wednesdays, your visit to the Basilica will be replaced with a visit to the Vatican Library) before breaking for a quick lunch (at your own expense)
- Post lunch, head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city
- At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary about this ancient amphitheatre 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 and visit the temple of Vesta, Antonino and Faustina and the Basilica Julia and Aemilia while you’re here
- Ages 2yrs and below go free. Ages 3-7yrs enjoy reduced ticket prices (carry valid photo ID)
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 48hrs before schedule
Vatican Gardens Guided Tour with Vatican Museum Access
45min Open Bus ride with audio guide across the sprawling Vatican Gardens. Skip the Lines access to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
- Hop aboard an eco-friendly Open Bus to explore the lush landscapes of the Gardens of Vatican City featuring timeless fountains and sculptures from the Renaissance and Baroque era
- Don’t miss the 17 Marian images enshrined amidst stunning flower beds as your multilingual audio guide offers insightful commentary on the historical significance of the gardens
- After you’ve had your heart’s fill of foliage, head to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. This tour includes skip the lines access to both attractions so you don’t while away time in long queues
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- No entry for 5yrs and below. Ages 6-17yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing
- Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled
Entire Vatican City Guided Tour with St Peter's Basilica Dome Climb
Early guided tour (English or Spanish) of Vatican City, including the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with an Exclusive 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 an ID to avail)
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 48hrs before schedule
Semi Private Guided Tour - Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica
An exclusive guided tour (in English and Spanish) of Vatican's iconic attractions
- Gather in cosy groups of 11 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
- Finally, head out to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church for a blast of art, culture, and architectural brilliance and admire striking mosaics and Michelangelo’s Pieta
- On Wednesdays, your tour to St. Peter’s Basilica will be replaced with the Vatican Library due to the weekly Papal audience gathering
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Ages 2yrs and below go free. Ages 3-7yrs enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- Get a full refund on cancelling this ticket up to 72 hrs before schedule
Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo & Pontifical Villas Gardens
A tour to the sleepy town of Castel Gandolfo with access to the Apostolic Palace & Pontifical Villas Gardens. Includes a multilingual audio guide
- Walk through the glorious Apostolic Palace and admire the brilliant mixture of Medieval and Baroque architecture as you tour through this capacious palace
- Explore the lush Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo as you walk through the vast gardens with cascades of flowers and reflections on the passage of time
- Choose from 6 audio guide languages (Italian, English, Spanish, German, French, and Russian) to gain inherent insight about the things you see
- Compulsory Apostolic Palace dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-18yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing (carry an ID to avail)
- These tickets cannot be cancelled, amended, or rescheduled
Vatican Museums & Pontifical Villas By Train
Early access audio-guided tour to the Vatican Museum, then an electric train ride to the picture-perfect Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
- Skip the morning queues at the entrance and tour the magnificent Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel with an audio guide available in a choice of six languages
- Listen to intricate historical stories as you walk through the Tapestries Gallery, Raphael's Rooms and other historical attractions
- Hop on to an electric train and zip through scenic countryside vistas before you arrive at Albano Laziale, a gorgeous town on the banks of Lake Albano
- Soak in stunning views of the Apostolic Palace perched on the Alban Hills; let time slip by as you stroll through vibrant gardens lining the Pontifical Villas
- You can pick from a set of add-on options to your ticket: a visit to the Apostolic Palace (the Pope's summertime retreat) or a lunch
- Compulsory Vatican dress code - visitors must cover knees, arms and back
- Ages 5yrs and below go free. Ages 6-17yrs and college students up to 25yrs of age enjoy reduced pricing
- Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled
Explore Vatican City
Why Visit Vatican City
Located within the boundaries of Rome, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and the seat of Roman Catholicism. The Vatican sits not just at the center of Roman Catholicism, but is also home to one of the most impressive collection of art in the world. Be it Caravaggio’s paintings, the frescoes of Michelangelo or sculptures by Bernini, some of the greatest works of Renaissance art can be found in the the Vatican.
Apart from a pilgrimage center, the Vatican is also one of the most important tourist destinations in Europe. The main attractions in Vatican City are St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
St. Peter’s Basilica, along with St. Peter’s Square, sits in the heart of the Vatican. It is a renowned work of Renaissance architecture and was designed by the likes of Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderno and Bernini. On the other hand, the Vatican Museums and its collections are considered to be of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance. The greatest of all though are the frescoes which adorn the Sistine Chapel, a chapel in the Apostolic Palace and a part of the Vatican Museums.
Visitor Tips & Hacks
- Make your plans ahead in time. If you don’t and find yourself at the waiting lines of the Vatican, then you very well may end up queuing for 3-4 hours. Make your plans ahead and purchase your tickets online in advance. On the day of your visit, you will be able to bypass the long ticket line and head inside without having to wait.
- Go for a guided tour of the Vatican. The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica have a lot of history and art stored within their walls. On a guided tour, you will be able to to learn much more than you would if you went alone. A guided tour is definitely a fulfilling way of experiencing the Vatican.
- Give it enough time. The Vatican may be the smallest country in the world but it holds some of the largest collections of historical, cultural and artistic exhibitions in the world. There is so much to see that a couple of hours may not be enough. During the course of the day, remember to fuel yourself as well as all that walking can be tiring.
- Know that entry to the St. Peter’s Basilica is free, however queueing outside the Basilica for mere entry can take upto 2 hours. The wiser option would be to purchase Guided Tour tickets to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel which allow you entry to St. Peter’s Basilica from a secret entrance in the Chapel. This way you can tour all 3 Vatican gems with zero hassle.
- Follow the rules. The Vatican is the holiest of all Christian sites in the world. Given its stature, there are rules that every visitor to the Vatican must follow. Many sections of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums are no-photography zones. Certain sections like the Vatican Grottoes require one to maintain silence in order to maintain the sanctity of the place. Do keep these in mind so that you don’t face any issues at the Vatican.
- Follow the dress code. It is extremely important to be dressed appropriately before you enter the Vatican. Sleeveless blouses, mini skirts, shorts and hats are not permitted. Large bags or backpacks cannot be carried inside. There are however cloak rooms that allow you to store your bags if you’re carrying any.
- To get a free visit, go on the last Sunday of the month when the Vatican Museum does not charge an entrance fee.
FAQ's
Q. Do I need tickets to enter the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica?
A. Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel require 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 upto 60 minutes long.
Q. Can I skip the long lines with these tickets?
A. Yes, you will be able to skip the long ticket queues with these tickets. Since the Vatican is one of the most visited attractions in Rome, the waiting line to get tickets to the museums can be anywhere between 30 minutes - 90 minutes long.
Q. What are my ticket options for visiting the Vatican?
A. There are basic entry tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel that allow you to skip the long ticket queue. You also have guided tour options with official Vatican guides available in multiple languages that cover not just the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but also St Peter’s Basilica. We also offer offbeat experiences of the Vatican such as exclusive early entry to the Vatican Museums before it opens to the general public for the day.
Q. Are there skip the line guided tours of the Vatican?
A. Yes, with these guided tours of the Vatican, you will also be able to skip the long entry line.
Q. Can I cancel my Vatican tickets if I have a change in plans?
A. Yes, some of our Vatican tickets can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the date of experience. Please refer to the experience’s cancellation policy for more details.
Q. How long in advance can I purchase my tickets?
A. You can purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica up to 3 months in advance.
Q. What languages are the audioguides available in?
A. Audioguides are available in 10 languages - Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese. Guided tours are also available in multiple languages, namely English, Italian, French, Spanish and German.
Q. What are the Vatican open hours and timings?
A. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are open from Monday to Saturday - 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Sundays are closed, except for the last Sunday of every month. Open hours for every last Sunday of the month is from 9.00 AM to 2.00 PM.
Q. Is the Vatican wheelchair accessible?
A. 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%.