Vatican Museums

Vatican Museums (Italian: Musei Vaticani) are the art and archaeology museums of the popes in Vatican City, founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and today among the most visited museums in the world, with around 7 million visitors a year. Some 54 galleries hold ancient sculpture, Renaissance painting and the Sistine Chapel, and the route through them is about 7 kilometers long, so plan at least half a day.

Location and Access

• Entrance: Viale Vaticano, along the Vatican walls, about a 10-minute walk north of St. Peter’s Square.
• Nearest metro: Ottaviano or Cipro (line A).

Visiting Tips

• Tickets (2026): €20 at the ticket office, €25 online with a timed “skip the line” reservation; buy only on the official site tickets.museivaticani.va.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (last entry 6:00 p.m.); closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last entry 12:30 p.m.) and queues are very long.
• Holidays: also closed on the main Church holidays; check the calendar on the official website.
• Avoid crowds: book a time slot online and come early in the morning or late in the afternoon; without a booking, queues can take two hours or more.

Highlights for Visitors

1. Pinacoteca – paintings by Giotto, Raphael (The Transfiguration), Leonardo da Vinci (Saint Jerome) and Caravaggio (The Entombment).
2. Pio-Clementino Museum – classical sculpture, including the Laocoön group and the Apollo Belvedere.
3. Egyptian and Etruscan museums – sarcophagi, mummies and bronzes.
4. Gallery of Maps – a 120-meter corridor with 40 painted maps of Italy under a gilded ceiling.
5. Galleries of the Candelabra and Tapestries – on the way to the Raphael Rooms.
6. Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) – frescoes by Raphael and his workshop, including The School of Athens.
7. Sistine Chapel – Michelangelo’s ceiling (1508–1512) and Last Judgment (1536–1541); photography is not allowed.
8. Carriage Pavilion – historic papal carriages and popemobiles.
9. Cortile della Pigna – a courtyard with a huge ancient bronze pine cone, and cafés for a break.
10. Momo Staircase (1932) – the double-spiral ramp that leads to the exit.

Tips for Touring

• Set aside at least 3–5 hours; seeing everything takes a whole day.
• Shoulders and knees must be covered, especially for the Sistine Chapel.
• The passage from the Sistine Chapel straight to St. Peter’s Basilica is reserved for guided groups; individual visitors return to the exit on Viale Vaticano.

Quick Advice

• Wear comfortable shoes for long walking
• Take breaks in gardens or cafes
• Plan in advance to minimize time in queues

Vatican Museums are a must-visit for art and history lovers, showcasing centuries of collected masterpieces and Vatican treasures.