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Explore Vatican City’s top 3 sites & Entry to the Basilica with a guided tour
Explore Vatican City’s top 3 sites & Entry to the Basilica with a guided tour
Inclusions
Exclusions
Your fast-track access ticket to Rome's most popular museum.
Your fast-track access ticket to Rome's most popular museum.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Bypass the crowds and dive straight into the Vatican’s rich history with a local expert.
Bypass the crowds and dive straight into the Vatican’s rich history with a local expert.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Small group tour with up to 15 guests that allows more interaction and attention.
Small group tour with up to 15 guests that allows more interaction and attention.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Get ahead of the crowds by entering the venue before it opens to the general public.
Get ahead of the crowds by entering the venue before it opens to the general public.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Experience the Vatican with a skip-the-line private tour tailored to your interests, at your pace.
Experience the Vatican with a skip-the-line private tour tailored to your interests, at your pace.
Inclusions
Experience Basilica's Dome and uncover its stories with an expert guide.
Experience Basilica's Dome and uncover its stories with an expert guide.
Inclusions
Exclusions
10% off
Tour both iconic sites in one day or on separate days with this convenient combo.
Tour both iconic sites in one day or on separate days with this convenient combo.
Inclusions
Colosseum
Vatican Museums
Exclusions
Colosseum
Vatican Museums
Colosseum
Vatican Museums
Duration: Flexible (self-paced)
Vatican Museum access: Yes
Sistine Chapel access: Yes
St. Peter's Basilica access: No
Guide: No
Why go for it?
Recommended tickets:
Duration: 2-3 hrs.
Vatican Museum access: Yes, with skip-the-line entry
Sistine Chapel access: Yes
St. Peter's Basilica access: Optional
Guide: Yes
Why go for it?
Recommended tickets:
Duration: 3 hrs.
Vatican Museum access: Yes, with skip-the-line entry
Sistine Chapel access: Yes
St. Peter's Basilica access: Optional
Guide: Yes
Why go for it?
Recommended tickets:
Duration: Full day (approx.)
Vatican Museum access: Yes
Sistine Chapel access: Yes
St. Peter's Basilica access: No
Guide: Yes
Why go for it?
Recommended tickets:
Visitors between the age of 18-25 enjoy reduced pricing on their tickets.
Most Vatican tickets can be canceled 24-72 hours before the experience begins. However, some tickets cannot be canceled or rescheduled. Please check your ticket for details at the time of booking.
A complex of art and historical museums situated within Vatican City, established by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century. The museums house an immense collection of art and artifacts amassed by the Roman Catholic Church over centuries.
Access included: Yes
Highlights & history of Vatican MuseumCommissioned by Pope Sixtus IV and consecrated in 1483, the chapel is renowned for its Renaissance art, most notably the ceiling painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 depicting scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the famous Creation of Adam.
Access included: Yes
Book Tickets to Sistine ChapelOne of the most significant and revered sites in Christianity, St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried. The basilica was consecrated in 1626, replacing an earlier church that stood on the same site.
Access included: Free entry, but guided tours and dome access require separate tickets.
Book St. Peter's Basilica ToursThe official residence of the Pope, the Apostolic Palace is a complex of buildings including the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Access: Yes, the rooms of the Apostolic Palace that visitors are allowed to view are a part of the Vatican Museums tour.
What's the Apostolic Palace?Beautifully landscaped gardens and green spaces that cover approximately half of Vatican City's 44 hectares. Established during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, the gardens are designed with a mix of traditional Italian, French, and English styles, and feature a variety of fountains, sculptures, and grottoes set amidst lush lawns, flower beds, and tree-lined paths.
Access included: You will have to book tickets that specifically include entry into the Vatican Gardens.
Vatican Gardens Tour OptionsThe Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Palace, is the official residence of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. It is thus, a symbol of symbol of the papacy and the Catholic Church and serves as the venue for many official ceremonies, gatherings, and decisions related to the governance of the Church.
Access included: Not all Vatican tickets include access to the Vatican Necropolis. You will have to book tickets that specifically include entry into the Vatican Necropolis.
The Vatican Grottoes are a series of underground chapels and tombs located beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. They serve as the final resting place for many popes and other significant figures associated with the Catholic Church.
Access included: You can plan your visit to the Vatican Grottoes as part of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica. Once you enter St. Peter’s Basilica, you can make your way below towards the grottoes.
From Monday to Thursday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 10:30 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM
Last Sunday of the month: 9 AM to 2 PM
Last admission: 2 hours before closing
Closed: Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 10 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November,
8, 25, 26, and 31 December.
Best time to visit: The ideal period to visit the Vatican Museums is between November to March due to fewer crowds. However, the peak season, which sees the highest number of visitors, is from April to September.
Detailed Vatican Museum TimingsAddress: Città del Vaticano, 00120 Vatican City
There are two entrances to the Vatican City:
The Vatican has a dress code, as it is a religious state and is quite stringent about it. Failure to adhere to the dress code can lead to you being denied entry. Clothes that expose your knees, including shorts, skirts, and dresses, are not allowed, as are offensive tattoos.
Celebrating Christmas at Vatican is a magical affair. The city decks itself in pretty lights, a Christmas tree, and a Nativity scene. However, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is closed on December 25 and 26.
The Mass
The mass at St. Peter's Basilica, which takes place on December 24, at 9.30 PM, is one of the most viewed masses around the world. To book the Papal Audience tickets, you have to fill out a form and fax it to +39 06 698 85863 at least 2 months in advance. You’ll receive a letter that confirms that the church has received your request. However, this is not a ticket confirmation. You will have to go to the Preffetura Office 4-5 days before the mass, between 8 AM to 6 PM, to get the ticket.
The Vatican doesn't have its own airport, so tourists arrive or depart from the Rome airports. Book Rome airport transfer services for a smooth connection from and to Rome's city center, the Vatican, and the airport.
International airports near the Vatican:
Some popular operators like SIT Shuttle Bus provide airport transfer services directly to and from Vatican and Rome Airports. Check out Rome Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican for more information.
Rome Airport TransfersBuilt of concrete and stone, it is the largest amphitheater ever built. It was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in 70-72 AD and completed in 80 AD.
Colosseum TicketsAn ancient villa set amidst lush gardens, that dates back to the seventeenth century. It offers visitors an opportunity to experience life in this historic region and explore the beauty of its architecture and art.
Visit Villa BarberiniThe historic summer residence of the Pope, nestled in Castel Gandolfo, was built in 1596 and is home to several historical artifacts from its past use as a papal retreat. The palace gardens are also open to visitors, filled with sculptures and fountains.
Explore Apostolic Palace of Castel GandolfoThe starting price for Vatican Museums tickets is €29. This typically includes skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Prices may vary based on additional features like guided tours or access to special areas.
You can purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums online or at the venue. Online purchasing allows you to avoid the long queues at the ticket office. Additionally, some tickets offer combined access to St. Peter’s Basilica, providing a more comprehensive experience.
Booking Vatican Museums tickets online offers several advantages:
- Skip the lines: The Vatican Museums are a major tourist attraction, and the lines can be extensive, especially during peak seasons. By purchasing tickets in advance online, you can bypass the ticket lines and save valuable time.
- Guaranteed entry: Especially during peak seasons, walk-in tickets might be sold out. By booking in advance, you ensure your entry.
- Variety of options: Plan your experience by choosing from various options, such as guided tours or evening tours. Combo tours to visit other attractions in Rome are also available.
- Discounts & offers: Online bookings often come with special discounts and offers not available at the ticket office.
- Customer service: Benefit from 24/7 customer service via phone, email, or chat.
A standard Vatican Museums ticket includes skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Depending on the experience you choose, you may also get guided tours or special access to areas like the Raphael Rooms.
Yes, EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 can avail of reduced pricing on their tickets with a valid ID. EU and non-EU citizens under 18, as well as teaching staff, can enjoy free or reduced entry into the Vatican Museums.
Absolutely! You can purchase Vatican Museums skip-the-line tickets, allowing you to bypass the long queues and enter with priority access. Some popular options include:
- Tickets to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel with Escorted Entrance
- Early Morning or After-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour of Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Standard Vatican Museums tickets grant access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. For entry into St. Peter’s Basilica, you'll need to opt for specific combo tickets.
The cancellation policy varies based on the ticket type. Some tickets offer a full refund upon cancellation up to 48-72 hours in advance, while others might be non-refundable. Always check the specific terms before booking.