Rome Sights

Vatican Museums

#5 of 963 things to do in Rome

#1 of 3424 museum sights in Europe

7 reviews | Write a review

Good for: ... good for everyone!

Not good for: avoiding tourist crowds, …angry kids, radical atheists

  • Address
    • Viale Vaticano
  • Transport
    • Ottaviano-San Pietro
  • Website
  • Phone
    • 06 698 84 947
  • Price
    • adult/6-18yr & student/under 6yr €14/8/free, last Sun of the month free
  • Hours
    • entry 9am-4pm & closing 6pm Mon-Sat, entry 9am-12.30pm & closing 2pm last Sun of month

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Lonely Planet review for Vatican Museums

Visiting the Vatican Museums is an unforgettable experience that requires strength, stamina and patience. You’ll need to be on top of your game to endure the inevitable queues – if not for a ticket then for the security checks – and enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the world’s great museum complexes.

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the museums are housed in what is known collectively as the Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano. This massive 5.5-hectare complex consists of two palaces – the Vatican palace nearest St Peter’s and the Belvedere Palace – joined by two long galleries. On the inside are three courtyards: the Cortile della Pigna, the Cortile della Biblioteca, and, to the south, the Cortile del Belvedere.

You’ll never manage to explore the whole complex in one go – you’d need several hours just for the highlights – so it pays to be selective. There are several suggested itineraries, or you can go it alone and make up your own route.

Each gallery contains priceless treasures, but for a whistlestop tour get to the Pinacoteca, the Museo Pio-Clementino, Galleria delle Carte Geografiche, Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms) and the Sistine Chapel. On the whole exhibits are not well labelled so you might find it useful to hire an audioguide (€7) or buy the Guide to the Vatican Museums and City (€10). There are also authorised guided tours (adult/concession €30/25), bookable on the Vatican’s online ticket office. The museums are well equipped for visitors with disabilities: there are four suggested itineraries, lifts and specially fitted toilets. Wheelchairs can also be reserved in advance – fax 06 698 85 433. Parents with young children can take prams into the museums.

 

Traveller reviews for Vatican Museums (7)

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    sublime, masterpiece after masterpiece, glorious, go!

    anabellls recommends this,

    I would say, if you have the time and patience, it is really worth it.

    Good for: ... good for everyone!

    Not good for: avoiding tourist crowds, …angry kids, radical atheists

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    Crowded, but an experience not to be missed.

    krismarie29 recommends this,

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    Not worth the crowds.

    christieann does not recommend this,

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    The layout of this museum is horrible. I felt like I was in a herd of cattle trying to walk through this place.

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    Caution: massive crowds may make your experience unpleasant.

    americaninrome recommends this,

    As just about everyone who visits Rome knows, your time in the Vatican Museums will be greatly affected by how many other people are joining you. Winter is best; summer is worst. When the place is packed, you'll feel like one head in a vast herd of cattle as you push and shove your way from the entrance toward the Sistine Chapel, located at the very end of the Museums. Save a bit of time and buy your ticket online. A good tip: the Pinacoteca (picture gallery), which is located to the right of the main entrance, isn't nearly as crowded as the rest of the galleries, and features some of Rome's best paintings.

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    enjoy the giant pinecone

    melyuan recommends this,

    Funny how certain things stick in your mind - but at the Vatican Museums it's the giant pinecone outdoors. There are so many highlights - spend enough time to find yours.

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    Amazing art

    matpalm recommends this,

    Some of the best art we saw in Italy was in the Vatican. Some absolutely classics

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    Vatican Info

    monaove recommends this,

    The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
    The Vatican Museums are some of the biggest in the world and although a lot of people say: “We would like to see the Vatican Museums and then the Sistine Chapel, l'll tell you: “Don't worry, you will see both, because it's not possible to reach the Sistine Chapel without passing through the Museums. One important thing: Remember about the dress code! You have to have your knees and shoulders covered otherwise you risk not being allowed to enter the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica. Water bottles are allowed and strongly recommended as in the summer time the Museums get really hot!
    The Basilica of Saint Peter
    While going to the Museums and Sistine Chapel means paying the entrance fee (15 euro adults; 8 students), going to the Basilica is free and accessible through Saint Peter's Square. If you visit the Museums you can go to the Basilica using the right-side exit from the Sistine Chapel which will guarantee you skipping the line. Otherwise you might spend a while waiting to go inside. It is absolutely necessary to see this huge church dedicated to the first pope, Saint Peter. Geniuses like Michelangelo, Bramante, Bernini, and Fontana worked on it for 120 years, so need I say more to convince you?

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