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Vatican Museums entrance guide

TL;DR: Which entrance should you use at the Vatican Museums?

All visitors enter the Vatican Museums through one main entrance on Viale Vaticano, but your queue depends on whether you’ve pre-booked tickets or not.

  • No tickets? Join the regular on-site ticket queue on the left side of the entrance
  • Skip-the-line, hosted entry, or guided tour? Use the priority entry lane directly in front of the entrance
  • Wheelchair users: Step-free access is available at the same entrance

→ Jump to choose the best entrance for you

How many entrances are there at the Vatican Museums?

The Vatican Museums have one public entrance only, located along Viale Vaticano, on the north side of Vatican City walls.

What often causes confusion is not the number of entrances, but the two different queues formed outside the same gate:

  1. A regular queue for visitors buying tickets on the spot
  2. A priority queue for visitors with pre-booked tickets, guided tours, or hosted entry

During peak season, choosing the right queue can save you over an hour of waiting.

Vatican entrance & queues by ticket type

Ticket typeUse this entranceSkips the ticket line?Notes

Standard walk-up entry

Viale Vaticano (Regular queue)

No

Long waits in peak season

Skip-the-line ticket

Viale Vaticano (Priority queue)

Yes

Security still applies

Guided tour

Viale Vaticano (Priority queue)

Yes

Arrive at the meeting point mentioned on the voucher

Hosted entry

Viale Vaticano (Priority queue)

Yes

A representative validates your ticket and points to the right queue

Choosing the right queue at the Vatican Museums

Visitors in line outside Vatican City walls, Rome, May 2023.

Regular queue (Walk-up tickets)

  • For: Visitors without pre-booked tickets
  • Where: Runs along the Vatican’s long stone wall on Viale Vaticano
  • Wait time: ~90–180 mins in peak hours
  • What to expect: Buy tickets on-site first, then clear security; queues can stretch far and move slowly
  • Good to know: Availability isn’t guaranteed on busy days and waits are often long under the sun
People standing in line outside a historic building, skip-the-line tour option available.

Priority entry queue (Pre-booked tickets)

  • For: Skip-the-line tickets, hosted entry, and guided tours
  • Where: Starts closer to the entrance canopy, clearly signed for ticket holders
  • Wait time: ~10–30 mins (mainly security)
  • What to expect: Ticket validation → direct access to security; smoother, faster flow
  • Good to know: Security isn’t skipped; arrive ~15 minutes before your slot

Know before you get to the Vatican entrance

Visitors viewing classical statues in the Round Hall, Vatican Museums, Rome, Italy.
  • Monday–Saturday: Open 8am–8pm, with last entry at 6pm. Entry queues are longest between 9:30am and 1pm, when wait times can stretch even for pre-booked visitors due to security checks.
  • Last Sunday of the month: Open 9am–2pm, with very limited entry slots and heavier crowding.
  • Closed: Sundays (except the last Sunday of each month), 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 21 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November, 8, 25, 26, and 31 December.
See full Vatican schedule

Viale Vaticano is the main and only public entrance to the Vatican Museums.

Address: North-west side of Vatican City (Viale Vaticano) [Find on maps]

Getting there:

Check detailed directions
Security screening with handheld metal detector before tour.
  • Airport-style security for all visitors; large bags and tripods not allowed
  • Lockers available; no re-entry once you exit
  • Security queues apply to all ticket types, so allow buffer time even if you’ve pre-booked your entry.
Girl in a wheelchair holding a smartphone on a city sidewalk.
  • Entrance: Step-free ramp at the Viale Vaticano entrance
  • Inside: Elevators and ramps across many galleries; staff assistance available
  • Wheelchairs: Free hire at the cloakroom (photo ID/security deposit); large mobility scooters may need to switch to manual chairs in narrow areas
  • Facilities: Accessible restrooms along the route
  • Routes & tours: Barrier-free itinerary supported by staff; accessible guided tours available
  • Sensory support: Audio-tactile and multi-sensory experiences, with some braille/large-print panels

Frequently asked questions about Vatican entrances

Is there an entrance fee to enter Vatican?

No, you don't need to pay to enter Vatican City. However, you do need a ticket to visit the attractions including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

Which Vatican entrance to use to visit Vatican Museums?

If you want to visit the Vatican Museums first, take the museum entrance located on the northern side of the city from Viale Vaticano.

Which Vatican entrance to use to enter St Peter’s Square?

If you want to visit St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, use the entrance located on the southeastern side of the city from Via Della Conciliazione.

How long does the visit to the Vatican last?

We recommend spending the day at the Vatican, however, if you’re on a time crunch, make sure you spend at least 3 hours so you can see the major attractions inside.

How do I get to the Vatican from Rome?

Vatican City can be easily accessed via public transport - metro, train, or bus.

Which Vatican entrance is used by skip-the-line ticket holders?

The Viale Vaticano entrance is used by for skip-the-line ticket holders, offering direct access to the Vatican Museums with minimal wait time.

Are there any special entrances for visitors with disabilities?

No, the Viale Vaticano entrance itself has step-free access and elevator services for visitors with disabilities.

How early should I arrive at the Vatican entrance?

It’s recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time, especially during peak tourist seasons. This ensures a smoother experience through security and faster entry.

More reads

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Inside Vatican Museums

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Timings

Tour group examining Vatican model at Vatican Museums, Rome.

Guided tours