What famous paintings and artworks are in the Vatican Museums?

The Vatican Museums house an exceptional collection of masterpieces. Highlights include Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling and The Last Judgment, Raphael’s The School of Athens, Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ, and iconic sculptures such as the Laocoön Group and Apollo Belvedere. Every gallery offers remarkable works of art.

How big are the Vatican Museums, and how long does it take to visit? Are the Vatican Museums worth visiting?

The Vatican Museums include 54 galleries and showcase over 20,000 artworks. A typical visit lasts 2–3 hours, although art enthusiasts may spend longer exploring. The museums are widely considered a must-visit destination for their unparalleled contributions to art and culture.

Do you need to book tickets in advance, and what are the best times to visit to avoid crowds?

It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid long lines. The best times to visit are early morning, late afternoon, or during the off-season (November to February). Some tours offer early access before the museums open to the public.

Where should you queue for the Vatican Museums?

The main entrance to the Vatican Museums is located on Viale Vaticano. Visitors with pre-booked tickets can use the fast-track line. Arriving early is advisable to ensure a smoother entry experience.

What is the dress code for visiting the Vatican Museums, and are sleeveless tops or shorts allowed?

Visitors are required to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Sleeveless tops and shorts above the knee are not permitted. This dress code allows access to all areas, including sacred spaces like the Sistine Chapel.

Can you wear jeans in the Vatican Museums?

Yes, jeans are acceptable as long as they are neat and presentable.

What items are prohibited from being brought into the Vatican Museums?

Prohibited items include large bags, luggage, food, drinks, sharp objects, tripods, and professional photography equipment. Security checks are in place to ensure compliance.

Is there a cloakroom to store personal belongings, and are strollers or wheelchairs available for visitors?

A free cloakroom is available for storing large items. Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability.

Can you take pictures or use mobile phones inside the Vatican Museums?

Photography is allowed in most areas, provided no flash is used. However, photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. Mobile phones must be on silent mode.

What happens if you take pictures in the Sistine Chapel?

If visitors are caught taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel, they will be asked to delete the photos and may be escorted out. Compliance with this rule is strictly enforced.

Can you film a movie or commercial inside the Vatican Museums?

Filming for commercial purposes or movies requires prior authorization. Unauthorized filming is not permitted.

Are there any cafes and restaurants inside the Vatican Museums?

Yes, the Vatican Museums feature several cafes and restaurants where visitors can enjoy refreshments, snacks, or meals during their visit.

Plan Your Vatican Museums Visit

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All practical information for planning your visit to the Vatican Museums: opening hours,
how to get to the museums, where to eat nearby, things to know before the visit, and the must-see masterpieces.

Opening hours

Usual opening hours

Monday to Saturday: 08:00–20:00
Last entry: 18:00

Limited opening hours

24 and 31 December: 08:00–15:00
Last entry: 13:00

Free entry

Almost every last Sunday of the month:
09:00–14:00
Last entry: 12:30
Read more about free entry to the Vatican Museums.

Papal Audience

Free public event held on most Wednesdays, often starting at 10:00.
Read more about the Papal Audience.

Closed

Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month),
1 and 6 January, 19 March, 1 April, 1 May, 29 June, 14 and 15 August, 1 November, 25 and 26 December

Tourists visiting the Vatican Museums on the Bramante spiral staircase

How to get

There is only one entrance to the Vatican Museums that is from Viale Vaticano.
Note that it is 20 min walk from Piazza San Pietro, and it is not through the St. Peter’s Basilica.
You can exit the Museums through the St. Peter’s Basilica only if you go with a guided tour.

Metro

Ottaviano + 10 min

Tram

Risorgimento/S. Pietro + 10 min

Train

Roma S.Pietro + 30 min

FL3 FL5

Bus

V.Le Vaticano/Musei Vaticani + 2 min

Bastioni Di Michelangelo + 5 min

23 32 492 590 913 982

Walk

Piazza San Pietro - 20 min

Castel Sant’Angelo - 25 min

Piazza Navona - 35 min

Piazza del Popolo - 35 min

How to Get to the Vatican Museums route map

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Where to eat near the Vatican Museums

Visiting the Vatican Museums can take a half of your day and you might get hungry. While there is a cafe inside the Museums, you may want to grab a snack before your visit or have lunch afterward.

Restaurants

Il Segreto 4 min

Traditional Italian restaurant bistrot with good selection of wine and friendly service. Try their grilled octopus and pasta cacio e pepe.

La Locanda di Pietro 3 min

Roman-style pasta dishes & Lazio region wines at a cozy traditional trattoria with a shaded terrace.

Ristorante dei Musei 3 min

Typical Roman street-corner pasta joint with a family atmosphere.

Cafe/Bars

Forno Feliziani 4 min

Popular eatery serving simple Italian plates by weight and delicious pastry. Don’t go away without trying the maritozzo.

Caffè Delle Commari 3 min

Your go-to place for traditional Italian breakfast with cappuccino and cornetto (croissant) with pistachio.

Trecaffè - Vaticano 3 min

Not only a quick Italian breakfast, but some other options with eggs and avocado toast.

Things to know before visiting
the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00, with the last entry at 18:00 — so to see everything, arrive by mid-afternoon at the latest. They are closed on Sundays, with one exception: on the last Sunday of almost every month admission is free from 09:00 to 14:00 (last entry 12:30), though these free days are extremely crowded. The museums also close on several religious and public holidays through the year (including 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 29 June, 15 August and 25 December), so check the calendar before booking a specific date.

Must-see masterpieces

The Museums have approximately 70,000 art pieces, of which 20,000 are on display. It's nearly impossible to explore everything in one visit, but there are masterpieces that you definitely want to see.

The Creation of Adam

Michelangelo, fresco, (1508–1512)

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo's iconic fresco captures the moment when God gives life to Adam with a nearly touching finger. Its dynamic composition and emotional power make it one of the most recognized and celebrated artworks in human history.

The Last Judgment

Michelangelo, fresco, (1536–1541)

Altar wall of the Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo's breathtaking fresco captures the drama of humanity's final reckoning with unparalleled detail and emotion. The dynamic figures, from the saved to the condemned, showcase his mastery of anatomy and storytelling, leaving a lasting impression of awe and introspection.

The School of Athens

Raphael, fresco, (1509–1511)

Raphael Rooms, Stanza della Segnatura

Raphael's masterpiece celebrates philosophy and knowledge, depicting great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle in a grand, harmonious setting. Its perfect perspective, lifelike figures, and symbolic depth make it a triumph of Renaissance art and intellectual achievement.

Geographical maps

Ignazio Danti, frescoes, (1580–1585)

Gallery of Maps

Ignazio Danti's frescoes transform geography into art, depicting 16th-century Italy in stunning detail and vibrant colors. Spanning the entire Gallery of Maps, they showcase the craftsmanship and scientific knowledge of the time, offering a breathtaking journey through history and cartography.

Laocoön and His Sons

Unknown Greek artist, marble statue, (40–30 BC)

Museo Pio-Clementino

This dramatic marble sculpture captures the agony and heroism of Laocoön and his sons as they struggle against sea serpents. Renowned for its lifelike detail and emotional intensity, it exemplifies the mastery of ancient Greek art and the timeless power of storytelling in stone.

Apollo Belvedere

Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, marble statue, (2nd century AD)

Museo Pio-Clementino, Octagonal Court

The graceful marble statue embodies classical perfection, portraying Apollo with serene elegance and dynamic movement. This Roman copy of a lost Greek original symbolizes beauty, harmony, and the ideals of ancient art, inspiring artists and viewers for centuries.

The Belvedere Torso

Athenian sculptor Apollonios, marble statue, (1st century BC)

Museo Pio-Clementino, Hall of the Muses

This fragmentary yet powerful sculpture captures the raw strength and tension of the human form. Revered by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists, its dynamic anatomy and expressive detail have influenced art for centuries, showcasing the timeless genius of classical sculpture.

Saint Jerome in the Wilderness

Leonardo da Vinci, oil on wood, (1480–1490)

Pinacoteca, Room IX

The unfinished masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, this painting reveals the artist's genius through its emotional depth and meticulous anatomy. The raw, introspective portrayal of Saint Jerome highlights Leonardo's ability to blend human emotion with divine contemplation.

Stefaneschi Triptych

Giotto, tempera on wood, (1315–1320)

Pinacoteca, Room II

This exquisite triptych showcases the transition from Medieval to Renaissance art with its vibrant colors and lifelike figures. Revered for its emotional depth and innovative use of perspective, it beautifully illustrates sacred themes and Giotto's mastery of storytelling.

The Entombment of Christ

Caravaggio, oil on canvas, (1603–1604)

Pinacoteca, Room XII

Caravaggio's masterpiece captures raw human emotion and divine sorrow as Christ's body is laid to rest. With dramatic lighting and lifelike figures, it revolutionizes religious art, drawing viewers into the scene's profound grief and humanity.

Transfiguration

Raphael, tempera on wood, (1516–1520)

Pinacoteca, Room VIII

Raphael's final masterpiece unites the divine and human realms in a stunning composition. The radiant Christ above contrasts with the turmoil below, showcasing Raphael's unparalleled ability to convey spiritual power and emotional depth—a pinnacle of Renaissance art.

Bramante Staircase

Giuseppe Momo, double helix staircase, (1932)

Pio-Clementino Museum

This impressive staircase, inspired by the original Bramante's Staircase built in 1505, features a unique double helix design that blends beauty with practicality. Its flowing spirals evoke a sense of endless motion and progress, making it a striking example of innovative engineering within a historical context.

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