Vatican City, one of the holiest places on earth for Christians everywhere, is home to a number of famous museums that draw in millions of visitors each year. You won't soon forget your trip to the Vatican, and there are a ton of museums waiting for you there. Despite having the smallest land area in the globe (44 hectares), Italy is home to numerous religious and cultural landmarks as well as enormous, priceless collections of historical and aesthetic masterpieces created by the greatest painters in the world spread throughout the renowned Vatican Museums. With the aid of this guide, create a list of the sights and activities you must not miss while there.
The Vatican Museums' Top Attractions:
- Sistine Chapel
- The Raphael Rooms
- The Gallery of Maps
- Pio-Clementino Museum
- The Gregorian Etruscan Museum
- The Gregorian Egyptian Museums
- The Gallery of Tapestries
- The Vatican Gardens
Vatican Museums Information for Visitors
Hours are from Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It is closed on the following holidays:
January 1 6, February 11, March 19, Easter Sunday, and Monday, May 1, June 29, August 14, August 15, November 1, December 8, 25 26.
The Vatican Museums are open on Friday evenings from mid-April to late October.
Free entry: Every last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums are open. Easter Sunday and June 29, December 25, or December 26 (if they happen on a Sunday) are exceptions. On September 27, the Vatican Museums will also be open to visitors without charge (World Tourism Day). While the Vatican Museums' free admission may be convenient for your wallet, expect huge waits during your Vatican Museum tour.
Visitor tip: Purchase your ticket in advance, within 60 days before your visit, to avoid the (very) long entrance line. The website for the Vatican Museums offers ticket sales.
Admission is €17 for in-person purchases and €21 for online reservations (highly recommended). On the website mentioned above, check the price range.
Guided Tours
There is no way to hurry through a visit to the Vatican Museums due to the crowds, miles of galleries, and staggering amount of artwork. If you want to maximize your vacation or have a limited amount of time to spend in the museums, guided tours can be your best option.
So, buy your tickets now and never miss anything. Vatican Museum tours are well worth the money in every way.
