ArcheoRoma / Sites / Tours

Vatican Museums: Tours

Discover the Vatican Museums through guided tours designed to offer a comprehensive experience, with artistic masterpieces and invaluable historical treasures. Book online.

  • Location:
    Vatican City

  • Price:
    From €43.75

  • Opening hours:
    Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • What to see:
    Vatican Pinacoteca, Egyptian Museum, Etruscan Museum, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms

Skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
View of the double flight spiral staircase designed by architect Giuseppe Momo in 1929/1932

Vatican Museums Tours: Which One to Choose

Ticket Types

The Vatican Museums form an extensive museum complex featuring numerous collections and galleries.

Standard tickets generally include access to:

  • Tapestry Gallery
  • Gallery of Maps
  • Raphael Rooms
  • Sistine Chapel

For entry to certain areas or specific experiences, such as priority admission to the Vatican Gardens or dedicated evening visits, you need special tickets or must join specific guided tours.

  • Vatican Gardens
  • Evening visits
  • Private specialized tours
  • Limited or after-hours access


Where to Buy Tickets for the Vatican Museums?

Tickets for the Vatican Museums can be purchased:

  • Online
  • Via the official website
  • At the ticket office

The Vatican Museums set a daily limit on admissions. Hence, it is inadvisable to buy tickets directly at the ticket office, especially in high season. By booking online, you’ll be sure to visit the Vatican Museums on your chosen date and time.

Buying Vatican Museums tickets online through ArcheoRoma allows you to:

  • avoid the long lines that typically form at the entrance
  • guarantee admission and avoid the possibility that on-site tickets sell out

PS: Besides ordinary priority-access tickets available online, you can also purchase tours that offer, in addition to special entry privileges, an educational, personalized itinerary guided by an expert.

Basic Tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Basic tours of the Vatican Museums include the standard route through the main galleries and the Sistine Chapel. They don’t feature, for example, guided access to the Vatican Gardens or evening visits, but still deliver a rich experience of art and history. Generally lasting between one and two hours, these tours are ideal for those seeking an introductory visit, leaving the rest of the day to explore more of Rome’s marvels.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel expert guide tour

65 €

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour: Fast-Track + Expert Guide

3.8 /5      | 162 reviews

Enjoy a seamless, guided journey through the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Skip the lines and explore artistic masterpieces in an intimate, informative tour setting

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour

98 €

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: tour with reserved entrance

4.4 /5      | 1190 reviews

Tour with reserved entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to enjoy the vast collections of paintings, sculptures and monuments of one of the world's most important exhibitions.

Guided tour Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

159 €

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tour: Early Morning Fast-Track Entry

4.3 /5      | 9 reviews

This early morning guided tour offers exclusive, fast-track access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Explore iconic works with a small group, led by an expert guide in a peaceful setting

Tours Including a Visit to the Vatican Gardens

Some tours offer a combined visit to the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Gardens, giving you the opportunity to explore the splendid green spaces attached to Vatican City. The Vatican Gardens are a peaceful oasis adorned with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic views of St. Peter’s Dome.

Special Tours

There are special tours, often at exclusive times or with reserved entry, which allow visitors to enjoy a quieter atmosphere and discover lesser-known collections or areas usually closed to the public.

Note: Many of these tours have limited capacity and fill up quickly—especially during the high season. We recommend booking well in advance to guarantee your spot.

Combined Tours

These tours allow you to plan a full day of art and culture, offering not only the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, but also other sites of interest in Rome (such as St. Peter’s Basilica or Castel Sant’Angelo).

Guided tour: Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Square

65 €

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel St. Peter’s Square Guided Tour

4.4 /5      | 57 reviews

Enjoy priority access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a fast-track ticket. This guided tour offers a personalized experience, accessible for wheelchair users, with smartphone tickets and instant booking available

Full day tour: Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

180 €

Guided Tour: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel

4 /5      | 10 reviews

Complete guided tour covering three essential landmarks for tourists in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel

Bus tour of the Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums ticket

79 €

Vatican Gardens with Bus Tour & Vatican Museums

4 /5      | 243 reviews

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the Vatican Gardens with a bus tour and explore the Vatican Museum and Sixtine Chapel

Guided tour Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square

90.35 €

Guided Tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Square

4.4 /5      | 91 reviews

Explore the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Square with skip-the-line tickets and expert guidance. Enjoy seamless access and fascinating insights into these world-renowned Roman landmarks

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica guided tour

85 €

Vatican tour: Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica

4.4 /5      | 106 reviews

Skip the lines at the Vatican Museums with fast-track entry and expert-led tours, providing multilingual insights and convenient access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica

Guided tour of the Vatican: Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica

99 €

Early Morning Guided Tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica

4.5 /5      | 555 reviews

This exclusive early-access Vatican tour offers guided entry to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, providing a peaceful experience of iconic masterpieces

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Why Buy Tickets on ArcheoRoma?

Buying your tickets through ArcheoRoma comes with multiple benefits:

  • Free cancellation on most tickets, allowing for a full refund if any unexpected issue arises.
  • An extensive selection of tickets, including combined packages and guided tours for a more complete experience.
  • Access to exclusive discounts, available only to those who book via our platform.

Additionally, the purchase process is straightforward and secure, ensuring instant booking confirmation and support if needed.

Should I Book Vatican Museums Tickets in Advance?

Yes, it is strongly recommended to book in advance. The Vatican Museums rank among the world’s most visited attractions, and daily admissions are limited. Getting your ticket ahead of time avoids the risk of being sold out and lets you freely choose your preferred time slot.

Moreover, for certain types of special tickets or tours—such as those featuring the Vatican Gardens or evening visits—advance reservation is mandatory, given the limited availability.

Can I Use the Roma Pass for the Vatican Museums?

The Vatican Museums are not included in the Roma Pass network in the same way other Roman attractions are. However, there may be occasional or temporary promotions or discounts. It’s advisable to check the official Roma Pass or ArcheoRoma website to see if any special deals or partnerships are in effect.

Is It Worth Buying a Tour?

The decision depends on the kind of experience you want. Visiting the Vatican Museums independently can be fascinating, but without a guide you might miss details and information that could enrich your visit.

A guided tour allows you to delve deeper into the history of the artworks and collections, as well as discover anecdotes and curiosities shared by experts. Furthermore, some tours provide exclusive sections or time slots, making the tour more intimate and evocative.

If you want a more in-depth and immersive experience, a guided tour is an excellent option, letting you explore the Vatican’s artistic heritage with more insight.

Are the Vatican Gardens Included in the Standard Ticket?

No, admission to the Vatican Gardens is not included in the standard Vatican Museums ticket. The Gardens can only be visited through special tours, usually with a required guide and limited availability. Booking a tour that includes the Vatican Gardens is the only way to access this delightful green enclave of the Vatican.

Are There Evening or After-Hours Visits?

Yes, at certain times of the year, the Vatican Museums hold evening tours or special events that allow visitors to explore the collections at quieter times. These offerings provide a unique atmosphere, ideal for enjoying the artworks in a more intimate setting.

Spaces for evening visits are often limited and in high demand, so we suggest booking well in advance.

0 0 votes
Review

Tours: your opinions and comments

Have you visited this monument? What does it mean to you? What advice would you give to a tourist?

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Tours

All tours