sistine chapel tour cost

How to visit the Sistine Chapel: all you need to know

A practical guide detailing how to visit the Sistine Chapel in 2023: passes, best tickets, dress code and practical tips for seeing Michelangelo’s masterpiece in Vatican City.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited attractions in Vatican City and Rome in general.

A masterpiece by Michelangelo and a space of great religious significance for Catholics, the Sistine Chapel is a must see for art lovers and pilgrims.

It is also popular with curious visitors to Rome, attracted here by the beauty and stature of the place.

Visiting the Sistine Chapel is easy.

Many tickets and tours exist and you can choose between different options including a self guided visit, a big or small group tour or a semi-private guided visit.

Despite these many options or maybe because of them, deciding how to visit the Sistine Chapel can be overwhelming.

This guide details all you need to know to plan your visit.

In particular, we look at the best Sistine Chapel Ticket options, Sistine chapel dress code, how much time to plan in the chapel and visiting the Sistine Chapel with kids.

Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

How to visit the Sistine Chapel – need to know

The Sistine Chapel is part of the complex of the Vatican Museums and you access it through them.

Tickets for the Sistine Chapel are part of those for the Vatican Museum and there is no Sistine Chapel Ticket as such. The chapel is close to the museum exit and visitors usually get there after a visit to the rest of the collection.

However, it is also possible to go straight to the Sistine Chapel by following signs for it, marked with ‘Cappella Sistina percorso Breve’.

This path is perfect for people who are short on time and allow you to see part of the Vatican Museum Collection and then see the Chapel in as little as a couple of hours.

Please note: there is no discount for this path, the cost of the ticket is the same, no matter what itinerary you follow once in the museum.

The best time to visit the Sistine Chapel

The best time to visit the Sistine Chapel is the early morning, before the crowds come in.

This option is possible thanks to early bird tours offering early bird entrance before 8 am (see below).

In terms of seasons, the Sistine Chapel is always busy and the flux of tourism follows the high tourism season in Rome. In general, Saturday and public holidays are the busiest, the time around Christmas and Easter being the busiest of all.

How to get to the Sistine Chapel

Access to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums is from the main museum gate on Viale Vaticano.

Closes Metro Stations are Ottaviano – San Pietro or Cipro (Metro Line A)

Buses serving this area are: 32, 49, 81, 492, 982, 990, tram 19

Taxis will leave you just in front. Taxis are stationed in the square outside the museums.

If you are walking to the Sistine Chapel from Piazza San Pietro, schedule about 10-15 minutes as the entrance is on the opposite side of the complex.

Sistine Chapel opening hours in 2023

Monday to Saturday: 9am – 6pm (last entrance 4pm)

14-30 April 2023 – prolonged opening hours on Friday and Saturday until 10.30pm (last admission 8.30pm)

5 May – 28 October – prolonged opening hours on Fridays, until 10.30pm (last admission 8.30)

Last Sunday of the month: 9am – 2pm (last entrance 12pm) FREE ADMISSION. Except Easter, St Peter and Paul (29 June), 25, 26 and 31 December.

Days of Closure in 2023: the first three Sundays of each month, plus:

• 1 and 6 January
• 11 February
• 15-16 August
• 8, 25, 26, 31 December

The best tickets for the Sistine Chapel

There are many different types of tickets available for the Sistine Chapel.

They range from cheaper ones you can get directly from the Museum Ticket website to every expensive tours offered by external providers.

The best Sistine Chapel ticket for you will depend on your interest and time available. In this table, I have collected what I believe are the best tickets to see the Sistine Chapel at different price points.

Good to know: The Sistine Chapel is one of Rome’s most visited sites. If you go without a ticket, it is likely you will encounter a long line, sometimes lasting many hours. In the past, the only way to avoid it was to invest in pricey skip-the-line tickets.

Since 2020, there is a cheaper way to avoid it!

The museums now operate on shifts and you must pick the time of your visit at the time of booking so you can go straight to the gate for ticket holders.

This has made the visit easier and more pleasant: while you will have to pass security, which may cause a little bit of a line, entering the museums is now pretty quick.

This also means you do not need to break the bank on skip the like tickets: all timed tickets are skip the line tickets, including the cheap ones on the official museum website !

My selection of the best Sistine Chapel tickets and Tours with links for ticket purchase (ticket prices vary even within the same tour depending on time of purchase. Click on the links for full info on each):

Good to know : if your tickets come in voucher form, you will have to exchange them with your actual entry ticket at the ticket booth inside the museum. The booth is immediately after security and the process usually only takes a couple of minutes.

How much in advance to arrive at the Chapel

To limit gathering and waiting time, entrance to the museums follows a strict schedule.

On the day of the visit, you will be allowed in during a 15 minute window around the time of your visit.

So for instance, if you have a booking for 10 am, you will be able to entry between 10 and 10.15 but not earlier not later.

Top tip: If you arrive much earlier, there are cafes nearby where you can get a quick coffee but please be aware that the cost can be high. To avoid bad surprises, head to the till first, place your order and pay there: then head to the bar and consume your coffee the Italian way, standing at the bar. This is the best way to avoid surcharges for sitting at the tables.

What to wear to visit the Sistine Chapel: dress code

The Sistine Chapel is a sacred space and a strict dress code applies.

The rules are the same as the Vatican dress code and call for ‘modest’ clothing as. well as some additional requirements:

Cover knees and shoulders (this applies to men and women): no spaghetti straps or tank tops

Avoid above the knee skirts, even if wearing thick tights.

Do not expose cleavage, bare back or your stomach

Avoid see though and skin tight clothing

Sweaters with slogans may cause offence; double check that the message you are wearing doesn’t come across as offensive or violent

Cover tattoos if they convey a message Catholics may consider offensive

How strictly is the Sistine Chapel dress code applied?

You will hear different opinions about how strict the dress code for the Sistine Chapel is.

Some people will report no checks, while others report being turned away for skirts one inch over the knees.

I highly recommend you follow the rules and take a cautious approach, even if you do not share the Vatican views on what is modest .

This will avoid issues and admissions and will also avoid potentially causing offence since the dress code comes from the religious nature of the site.

What are the best shoes for the Sistine Chapel

There is no specific rule about shoes for the Sistine Chapel. However, for comfort and overall tone, it is best to avoid flips flops and shoes with noisy soles that can echo in the chapel.

Once in the Sistine Chapel: what to expect

Once you are in the Sistine Chapel, it important to know a couple of things.

Inside the chapel, you must stay in silence.

The chapel is mostly likely gong to be very full while you are there and both for respect to the place and other visitors, silence is required. Vatican Museum staff is present and they do enforce the rule.

No photographs are allowed in the chapel, to preserve the frescoes.

Please be aware that the photography rules is strictly enforced and you will be ask to delete photos form your camera and mobile phone and you may be asked to leave the chapel.

As you walk into the Sistine Chapel, you will be surrounded by its stunning frescoes on the walls and on the ceiling.

A good way to see them it to walk towards the back of teh chapel, where you usually get a bit of space and a great vantage point!

Visiting the Sistine Chapel with kids

The Sistine Chapel is unlikely to be interesting for a small child as you are forced to stay almost still, quite and not touch anything.

That said, the visit to the chapel itself doesn’t take long and you can make it interesting by preparing them beforehand.

We love showing them the frescoes on the iPad before we went in, so they could try and spot specific bits on the actual ceiling and our children enjoyed hearing about Michelangelo and how he had to paint on his back, with paint dripping in his eyes!

While you cannot bring food into the Sistine Chapel, parents usually manage to had a lollypop to help keep the children busy!

What to see near the Sistine Chapel

The easiest attractions to visit with the Sistine Chapel are Vatican’s City main sites, but not only.

Things you may enjoy in this area are:

The Vatican Museum

St Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s Pieta’ and Bernini’s Baldaquin

St Peter’s Square and Bernini’s Colonnade

St Pete’r’s dome climb

The Vatican Gardens

Borgo, the lovely medieval neighborhood around the Vatican. Find our Guide to Borgo here.

Castel Sant’Angelo – Find our tips for visiting Castel Sant’Angelo here

Where to eat near the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museums have a cafe/ restaurant inside but it does get very busy.

My favorite places to eat neat the Sistine chapel are on Borgo Pio and nearby. They are:

Pastificio Barghigiana, perfect place for a lunch offering pasta and small plates

Il Sorpasso, lovely lunch place with indoor and outdoor seating

Arlu’, very nice restaurant for lunch or dinner

Mama Eat Lab, a great Gluten Free option

Trapizzino, Informal, gastropub

To end the day on a high note, you can also enjoy aperitivo or dinner at the stunning Etoile Terrace, one of the best rooftops bars in Rome.

Where to stay near the Sistine Chapel

The best place to stay near the Sistine Chapel is the lovely area of Borgo, only a few minted from Vatican City and full of charm.

You can find here >>> my guide to Borgo .

Places you may enjoy are:

Trianon Borgo Pio Aparthotel  – nice Aparthotel with self catering apartments between Castel Sant’Angelo and St Peter’s square: ask for an apartment with terrace for great views over the city!

Hotel della Conciliazione  – lovely 4 star hotel right on Borgo Pio, in a perfect location to visit the Vatican. Family rooms available. Ask for those that look internally for extra quiet at night.

How to visit the Sistine Chapel in Rome – pin this

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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Sistine Chapel

Regarded as Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) is a jaw-dropping attraction you must see at least once in your lifetime.   

The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest treasures of the Vatican City , of Rome, and of the world in general. It's known as much for its decoration, as for being the temple in which popes are chosen and crowned.

The construction of the building was carried out between 1473 and 1481 during the mandate of Pope Sixtus IV , to whom it owes its current name. The architect responsible for the construction was Giovanni of Dolci and it's the only work that he is remembered for.

The most striking thing about the Sistine Chapel is not its architecture, but the frescoes that completely cover the walls and the ceiling. Some of the most important artists who worked in the chapel are Botticelli, Perugino, Luca, and Michelangelo .

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

All of the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are the work of Michelangelo , who spent four years painting the vault between 1508 and 1512.

If there is one thing that stands out from among the images on the ceiling, it's the nine stories from Genesis that occupy the central area : The scenes from the Drunkenness of Noah to the Separation of Light from Darkness are represented.

The Creation of Adam

Without any doubt, The Creation of Adam is the best-known image from the Sistine Chapel . It's located in the central part of the vault and represents the story from Genesis in which God gives life to Adam.

The Final Judgment

Located over the high altar and with some magnificent dimensions (13.7 by 12.2 meters), Michelangelo’s other masterpiece , The Final Judgment, is found. It's a fresco that represents the Apocalypse of St. John.

Decorating the apse occupied five years of Michelangelo’s life, between 1536 and 1541 . It was an assignment of Pope Paul III to cover the murals that existed to that point.

Skip the lines

If you're visiting the Sistine Chapel, you'll have to visit the Vatican museums, the most popular attraction in Rome and Europe.

The best way to do this is to take a combo tour that takes in the Basilica, Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, with a local guide,  we recommend reserving a guided tour of the Vatican  so you can make the most of the attraction.

If you hope to visit on your own, the best time is to go at 1 pm . We don't recommend going on the first Sunday of the month (when it's free) or over Easter . We also recommend that you avoid weekends, above all in high season.

You can get the  Go City: Rome Explorer Pass  to enter the Sistine Chapel, saving time and money on your visit.

Inside the Vatican Museums , in the Vatican City.

Check the opening hours of the Vatican Museums.

Check the prices of the Vatican Museums.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour € 70 ( US$ 78)

Metro station: Cipro-Musei Vaticani , line A (orange).

Nearby places

St. Peter's Basilica (95 m) Vatican City (123 m) St. Peter's Square (261 m) Vatican Museums (432 m) Castel Sant'Angelo (1 km)

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Sistine Chapel: Tickets

Where and how to buy tickets for the Sistine Chapel? How much do they cost?

Top selling tickets on ArcheoRoma

starting from 40 €

starting from 144 €

starting from 97 €

starting from 43.75 €

Tickets for the Sistine Chapel are both available:

• as an addition to the offer relating to the visit to the Vatican Museums
• integrated into packages offered by tour operators
• integrated into the Omnia Card (the tourist card offered by the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi)

Official tickets

Visit to the vatican museums and sistine chapel.

4.6 /5      | 28574 reviews

The best-selling tickets for access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Skip the line tickets with priority access.

Reduced tickets:

Reduced tickets are available for children from 6 to 18 years of age, as well as for students between the ages of 18 and 25. It is necessary to present a document certifying enrollment at the university for the current year. There are no reductions for the over 65s.

Free entry:

Admission is free for children under 6 years of age . It is also free for disabled visitors and their carers. As it is not possible to book in advance, they will have to go directly to the “Special Permits” and / or “Reception” counters located in the entrance hall of the Vatican Museums.

Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with audio guide

Visit to the vatican museums and sistine chapel with lunch, visit to the vatican museums and sistine chapel with breakfast, open tour of the vatican museums and sistine chapel with happy hour.

The Vatican Museums also offer the possibility of enjoying a happy hour (apericena) in the square garden, the “secret garden” in front of the Vatican Pinacoteca. On the menu: platter of cold cuts and cheeses, tasting of three first courses, fried, bread, pizza, dessert or fruit, prosecco or wine.

Important information

Bookings made on the official website are non-refundable . However, it is possible to change the date and title of the ticket (tickets are nominal). It is also not possible to change the number of participants if you are in a group.

It is important to wear appropriate and decent clothing. Shorts, miniskirts, hats and low-cut dresses are not allowed.

Guided tours

4.6 /5      | 1118 reviews

2-hour guided tour and skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Combined tickets

starting from 84 €

4.1 /5      | 427 reviews

Visit the Vatican with the Vatican City Pass! Skip the line entrance to the Vatican Museums, Quick access to Castel Sant'Angelo and audio guide of Rome

4.1 /5      | 2372 reviews

The Rome Tourist Pass is a complete package for tourists in Rome. The ticket includes visits to Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and more.

4.9 /5      | 37 reviews

Full day tour of Rome visiting the most important tourist attractions of the eternal city. From the Colosseum to the Vatican Museums, to the Sistine Chapel.

starting from 129 €

3,2 /5      | 12 reviews

The Omnia Card is a box that includes the Roma Pass 72h and allows you to visit, in addition to the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica

4.7 /5      | 1030 reviews

Combined ticket for visiting the main places of interest in Rome. Priority access and audio guide included in the price.

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VIP Vatican Key Master’s Tour: Unlock the Sistine Chapel

• Join the Vatican Key Master on a special access tour and witness the opening of the Vatican Museums for the day.
• Spend a few precious moments alone inside the Sistine Chapel.
• Enjoy two exquisite hours inside the museums, sharing the space with a group of no more than 20 guests in total.
• Follow an official Vatican guide who will reveal fascinating context and hidden details in each of the galleries you visit.
• Spend as much time as you desire inside the museums at the conclusion of your tour.

Tour description

The key master's tour is the most incredible vatican experience available..

Just before dawn in Vatican City, the Key Master moves from gallery to gallery, unlocking the various sections within the Vatican Museums. For the very first time, officials at the Vatican have invited a select few tour operators (including us!) to take part in this incredible morning ritual. For two memorable hours, join a small group before any other visitor steps foot inside, following the official Vatican Key Master to unlock the galleries (including the Sistine Chapel) for their thousands of daily visitors—none of whom you will even see.

Enjoy two full hours with an official Vatican guide.

Along with the Key Master, an official Vatican guide will join you on the tour, adding color and character to these hallowed halls. Along the way, they'll introduce you to famed frescos, marble sculptures, and artifacts of grandiose proportions. Void of the daily crowds, you'll appreciate the time and space given in one of the world's most revered spaces. Greet world-renowned works of art including Raphael's School of Athens, the celebrated Apollo Belvedere, and Laocoön and His Sons. Float through the most famed galleries such as the Gallery of Maps and Gallery of the Tapestries.

Spend time (truly) alone in the Sistine Chapel.

With great anticipation, you'll approach the small, unassuming wooden doors leading to the Sistine Chapel. Here, the Key Master graciously allows our guests a chance to turn the key and pry open the old doors, just as cardinals and popes have done for centuries. Beyond the threshold, celestial figures of Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Perugino await your arrival. Step inside and feast your gaze upon the most famous work of art in the world in unrivaled silence and peace.

Once your Vatican Key Master's Tour draws to a close, you're welcome to stay in the museums at your own leisure for as long as you choose. You'll depart full of wonder and awe, with memories of uninterrupted access to the world's greatest masterpieces that will be with you for years to come.

Please note that this description is an example and your experience may vary depending on the season, day of the week, and group size. Regardless of where your tour goes, you always have an excellent experience.

Sites visited

Verified guest reviews, aug 17, 2024.

This tour is totally worth the cost! The experience is just amazing. The ability to see the Vatican museum and Sistine chapel with only 18 other people was simply magical. This gave us the opportunity to not feel rushed and our guide was incredible. This is the only way I would consider seeing these sights again — 5 stars for sure!!

Aug 03, 2024

This was undoubtedly the best tour I have ever done anywhere! I would return to Rome just for a chanced to do it again. Being in the Vatican Museum in a time of quiet with and EXCELLENT guide was magical. I cannot reccommend it enough

Jul 21, 2024

The only way to see the Vatican. Truly a special experience. Will have lasting memories of this experience.

Jul 15, 2024

The Vatican Museum Sistine Chapel Key Masters Tour is a one-of-a-kind awesome experience! Our guide was the absolute best! She’s a gem - I think her name was Julianna and I’m sorry if I’m wrong because she made the tour excellent! Of course seeing all the amazing works will be remembered for a lifetime! Everything was just as it was supposed to work! You cannot go wrong with the Walks Key Masters Tour!!

Jul 12, 2024

The tour guide was excellent Sara Bongirolami was our guide. She is very knowledgeable about the history and current culture of the vatican museums. She provided a very unique small group experience that 90% of the general public may never see, the experience of the key master tour and using the keys to open the vatican museum is not one to be passed up if you have the chance to do it. No crowds, you and 19 other people are there and you have the entire museum to yourself and an excellent guide. One thing to note yes the key master tour is always a small group but remember to succeed with viewing the history and getting the most out of the key master tour is matter of how good your guide is navigating the museum in 2 hours which in my opinion is very challenging for a guide to accomplish but sara made it look like a breeze and she’s very proficient at what she does it felt like i got every bit of the museum by ourselves with alot of detail. We are so pleased with our guide i want to contact the tour operator when i come back to italy and ask for her exclusively for several tours we want to do because of her passion and knowledge of roman and vatican history

Know before you book

Make it a perfect day.

Enjoy the finer things in Rome on this one-day itinerary. Start the day with a VIP tour of the Vatican Museums and end with a food tour in the charming Trastevere for a day you won’t soon forget.

Similar tours

Alone in the vatican: exclusive vip access vatican museums & sistine chapel tour, pristine sistine™ early entrance small group vatican tour, the complete vatican tour with vatican museums, sistine chapel & st. peter’s basilica.

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Sistine Chapel

Tickets sell out fast in Rome: check availability now »

The Sistine Chapel is home to some of the most fascinating frescoes in the world. Come join visitors from all four corners of the earth in gazing up at the world’s most famous ceiling.

• Rediscover one of the most famous images in Western art: the Creation of Adam
• Explore the lofty heavens and the fiery depths of hell in Michelangelo’s Last Judgment
• Get lost in the details of the chapel’s walls, painted by a team of top Renaissance artists, which include Botticelli and Perugino

Visiting the Sistine Chapel

To visit the Sistine Chapel, you must also visit the Vatican Museums . 

Or at least buy a ticket for the Vatican Museums, walk through them blindfolded, and then visit the Sistine Chapel. There really is no other way. 

Here’s the thing, though; visiting the Vatican Museums is like going to a Michelin-starred restaurant and having a fifteen-course meal. It’s all great, but what you’re super excited about is the dessert (in this case, the Sistine Chapel).

The trouble is, by the time it’s served, you barely know where you are or what you are looking at anymore. 

Such is the way the Vatican Museums are laid out, and such is the vast amount of stamina that will be required of you when you go. 

Should you go?

Absolutely.

It’s how you go that’s going to change everything. The Sistine Chapel is more than just Michelangelo ’s ceiling. 

But first things first. Let’s get you there and discuss what to wear.

Tickets & Prices

Tickets grant you access to the world-famous Sistine Chapel, as well as the many other galleries and collections in the Vatican Museums.

By booking online, you’ll avoid the queue – infamous for being the longest in Rome. Use that saved time to spend even longer enjoying the galleries.

Visit the Sistine Chapel with one of these hand-picked tickets.

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Last Minute) – Escorted entrance and unlimited time inside the Vatican Museums.
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Skip The Line) – Skip past the long lines and get quick access to both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel.
• Rome Tourist Card (Bestseller) – See the best of Rome with this popular combi-ticket. Includes access to The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica (official guided tour), and more…
• The Vatican City Pass – Explore the best of the Vatican City. Includes access to St. Peter’s Basilica (official guided tour), Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (last-minute tickets), and more…

A few things to keep in mind:

• Book your time slot online and arrive at least 15 minutes before your designated time.
• The tickets will arrive in your email, which you can then show either printed out or in digital form.
• Discounted tickets for children aged 12-17 and students up to 25 years old (with a valid student ID).
• Optional audio guides are available, for an additional fee, in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian.

Rome Tourist Card

Get this nifty card and enjoy skip-the-line access to the collections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. 

With the same pass, you can also enjoy visiting other famous Roman attractions, such as a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica ; an audio guide of the Pantheon ; and priority entrance to the Colosseum , Roman Forum , and Palatine Hill .

Additional ticket information:

• Includes an audio guide in 10 languages, plus a guide to the city of Rome.
• Select your visit dates online and receive tickets by email. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your designated time.

The Vatican City Pass

Discover the holiest country in the world with this handy pass. Simply book your visit dates online and receive tickets by email. Valid for three days from the starting date.

What’s included:

• Skip-the-line access to the collections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
• Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with an official Vatican guide.
• Rome: City Audio Guide App with over 130 hotspots to discover.
• Big bags and suitcases are not allowed inside. You can leave them in the on-site lockers
• Shoulders and knees must be covered
• Photos and videos are strictly forbidden inside the Sistine Chapel

Getting There (And What Not to Wear)

It’s a museum, but the Sistine Chapel is still an actual place of worship, so be mindful of modesty rules. 

Basically, regular-length shorts are acceptable. Very short shorts and strappy tops are not. Make sure you have a thin scarf to cover up those shoulders, just in case. If you’re planning on visiting St Peter’s on the same day, the same rules will apply, so keep a scarf handy.

(Souvenir and convenience shops are aware of this and will often sell scarves, so if it does slip your mind, you ought to be able to pick something up along the way).

Metro 

Your closest Metro stop is Ottaviano on the A-line (orange). It’s a six-minute walk away. 

It’s worth noting that Rome only has 2.5 lines – the A, B, and the interminable work-in-progress C.

If you’re staying in the historical centre, you’ll have already seen that metro stations are few and far between. Most of the time, you’re better off walking (you will get to see more of the city that way). 

If you choose to walk to the Vatican City , try the following:

Walking Directions From Piazza Navona

Take Via dei Coronari until you reach Via del Panico, and then cross Ponte Sant’Angelo. From there, the dome of St Peter’s Basilica will be visible, and signs for the Vatican Museums will be plentiful. 

It’s a 25-minute walk – only ten more than the bus, and a far more scenic route.

Walking Directions From Metro Stop Ottaviano (6 minutes)

If you are staying near a Metro stop, get off at Ottaviano (A). If you need to take the B line (blue), you will need to change at Termini. 

At Ottaviano, take one of the left-hand side exits up. 

There are a couple of routes (as the conflicting signs indicate), but I’d recommend the following:

• Turn right down Via Germanico. 

Three reasons for this recommendation:

• Castroni . Bookmark Castroni as a gourmet Italian produce store or somewhere for random items you crave from their world foods section. There are several Castronis in and around central Rome.
• Pam . On Via Ottaviano, a one-minute walk from Castroni (on the same side of the street),  is a supermarket called Pam. Cheaper than other local supermarkets; come here for water and honestly-priced snacks. You’re going to need them. 
• Clementina . At the start of Via Germanico, opposite Castroni, is Cafe Clementina. Come here for fruit bowls, eggs, pancakes, and salads in addition to traditional Italian breakfasts. If you like a big breakfast, this might be the perfect pre-museum spot. 

3. Continue down Via Germanico until you reach the end, where you meet Via Leone IV. 

The left side is for non-ticket holders, while the right is for ticket holders. Official staff will check with you and guide you to the appropriate lane. 

The ticket holder line will be much shorter and should move quite quickly. 

(This guide is on the assumption you have a pre-booked ticket and a Vatican-guided tour).

Entrance 

Once you’ve walked up Viale del Vaticano, head to this canopy, where staff check tickets and direct you towards the entrance. 

Vatican Museum Staff, scan the QR code on your ticket at the door. Bags go through the metal detectors. 

(Water bottles are permitted). 

You’re Finally In. Now What? 

As instructed on the Tiqets app, after you’ve passed the metal detectors, look for the big ‘guided tours’ sign. Go up a short flight of stairs, and on your right, you’ll see the guided tours ticket office. 

Big ‘Guided Tours’ sign you see just after the metal detectors

The ticket office for guided tours where you get your physical tickets.

Join the line and show a member of staff your ticket (a printout or on your phone). They will once again scan the code and give you a receipt and a physical ticket in return. Hold on to both of these.

The letter they write on the receipt corresponds to the Meeting Point stand you need to wait at for your guide. 

At the Meeting Point, someone will take your receipt in exchange for an earpiece for the tour. 

You will need the physical ticket to go through the museum barriers with your guide once you’ve joined your group. 

You scan the barcode on the back of the ticket, which allows you through the barriers just like on the Metro. 

One of the meeting points. Staff will ask you to redeem your receipt for an earpiece.  

In the high season, groups can reach up to 30. Your Vatican Museums guide will be carrying a pole with a numbered yellow flag attached at the top. Be careful not to fall behind too much, as the radio signal gets weak, and you won’t be able to hear the guide. 

How to Ace Your Sistine Chapel Visit

Official Vatican Guided Tours end just after the Raphael Rooms. After this, you are instructed to walk through the Contemporary Art Collection, at the end of which is a short flight of stairs that take you to the Sistine Chapel. 

While it’s true that good things come to those who wait, it’s utterly unfair to sandwich what is actually a semi-decent collection of modern art between the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. 

How can you possibly take in Matisse, Picasso, and Van Gogh (not to mention countless other contemporary artists) in full knowledge that you’re about to witness one of Renaissance Art’s greatest masterpieces? 

Here is where you will need that stamina and resilience. The Sistine Chapel isn’t even the finishing line in this museum marathon, so stay focused.

At the start of your Vatican Museums tour, your guide will take you to either an interactive screen like this or to a series of old-school panels outside in the Belvedere Courtyard. 

Both show details of the Sistine Chapel. 

The reason for this is that guides (Vatican Museum tour guides, at least) do not go in with you to the chapel. The tour ends just before. 

So they give you the spiel beforehand and hope you remember the key takeaways by the time you get there. 

Our guide Kinga was great – she pointed out this detail from the Last Judgment.

Here we see a poor soul, condemned to hell, with donkey ears and a serpent apparently biting his member. 

Then we learn that this is, in fact, an archnemesis of Michelangelo, a purist priest called Biagio da Cesena, here depicted as Minos from Greek mythology.

He violently opposed Michelangelo’s depiction of the angels and saints in total nudity and ordered they be covered up instantly. 

(Another painter later covered up people’s unmentionables with loincloths). 

Michelangelo never forgave him, and this was his final revenge.

Sign indicating the Sistine Chapel and the Contemporary Collection are next.

At this point, your guide will collect your radio earpieces and wish you farewell. 

You’ll be pretty excited to see the Sistine Chapel by now. 

But there’s still a way to go, I’m afraid. You’ll first come to the quite lovely Matisse Room. Which, in any other museum, would be a considerable ‘wow’ moment, but here, it’s like, ‘yeah yeah…let’s keep it moving’. 

It’s really remarkable. I really can’t think of anywhere else in the world where one would be that dismissive of a Matisse collection.

A very sweet depiction of the Virgin and Jesus Christ by Henri Matisse.

You will then go through several more rooms featuring works by Chagall, Picasso, and even a couple of small Van Goghs. If you like modern sculpture, this is also a place to linger for a while. 

Alternatively, steel yourself, and keep your eyes firmly facing forward until you get to a short flight of stairs and finally a sign pointing you in.

Guards will greet you at the door, and there will be several up on the raised platform by the altar on the lookout. Expect to be reminded at regular intervals:

‘No photo’.

‘No video’.

‘Silenzio’.

You are almost there.

Dos and Don’ts for Visiting the Sistine Chapel

• … be prepared mentally . Arm yourself with patience. It will quite likely be extremely busy. You will have seen a lot by the time you get there.  
• … dress appropriately . Remember to keep your shoulders covered. Technically, you should also remove any hats and caps too. 
• …research a little before you go . Hey, I’m not saying get an MA in Art History before you go there or anything like that. But it will help to know a little bit about what you’re going to see, a little backstory. (Don’t worry, I’m going to help you out on this one). 
• … download some music on your phone to listen to (reception is patchy down there, you might not be able to get online). This is optional, but it might be helpful to create a little ambiance for yourself amid the crowds of people. 
• … hurt your neck by looking up too much. Seriously. Looking up at all those Renaissance wonders had me fantasising about VIP sessions where they bring in sun loungers for a more comfortable ‘horizontal’ viewing experience. 
• …take pictures. Don’t do it. Guards get really cranky about it, which kind of harshes the vibe. It turns the Sistine Chapel into one big school trip with the guards keeping us unruly kids in check. They have microphones, too, and will routinely remind everyone, ‘No photo, no video’. And then add a solemn (and arbitrary) ‘silenzio’ when people get too rowdy. 
• …forget about the Last Judgment behind the altar. It’s not just the ceiling that’s impressive. 

Ok, I’m There. So What Am I Looking At? 

I know you know The Creation of Adam … but then what? 

Let’s divide the Sistine Chapel into five more manageable parts and then pick out a ‘best of’ from each one. I’m no art historian, but here’s what I liked the most. 

• The Ceiling – that’s a no-brainer. This is what we paid for, right?

The ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 is the real showstopper here. The nine panels depict key scenes from the book of Genesis, From The Separation of Light and Darkness to The Deluge (Noah’s Ark).

Everyone will be inching towards the centre of the chapel to see The Creation of Adam. 

Ok yes, your eyes are going to immediately want to go there. It’s a real visual kind of ‘gimme, gimme’ moment. But you have time. Why not build up some anticipation here?

Take a look at The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Planets; it’s the second one along. See God there with the long beard? OK, now see a shapely behind seemingly flying away? Yep, that’s also God, flying off again after creating the planets. As our guide pointed out, how often do you get to see a painting of God’s rear? 

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, sixth panel along. Note how grotesque Eve is all of a sudden now she’s to blame for the downfall of all mankind. 

• The North Wall  (the Stories of Jesus)

Take some time to appreciate Christ Consigning the Keys to Peter by Perugino, depicting Jesus handing over the keys of heaven to Saint Peter. It’s the fifth panel. Widely considered to be a cornerstone of Western Art in terms of linear perspective (it’s all math) – take some with this one. 

The Baptism of Christ by Botticelli, the first panel, also gets my vote for the pleasing composition. (But what do I know… we like what we like.). 

• The South Wall   (the stories of Moses).

I liked Botticelli’s The Temptation of Moses the best here.

What looks like a chaotic scene is actually seven different crucial scenes of Moses’ life. Instantly recognisable will be Moses receiving the ten commandments in the top left, followed by leading the Jews out of Egypt beneath. 

• The Entrance Wall

It doesn’t get a lot of press on this wall, and it will be less crowded in this section, so it’s actually a good place to hang back. The two frescoes are not the originals since back in the 16th century the doorway caved in and the walls collapsed, destroying the frescoes and taking the life of a Swiss Guard, narrowly avoiding taking Pope Adrian VI’s life too. 

The frescoes show the Resurrection of Christ and the Archangel Michael defending the body of Moses.

• The Last Judgment

Last but not least is the Last Judgment. Michelangelo painted this when he was in his 60s between 1533 and 1541 and it is immense. In every sense of the word. 

Sooo much to look at here. We’ve already covered bad boy Michelangelo’s revenge portrait of the Puritan priest; it’s in the bottom right corner. You can check it out for real now.

Have a look at St Bartholomew, below and to the right of Jesus, holding his own skin (a reference to being flayed alive). His face is thought to be a self-portrait of Michelangelo himself. 

Also, notice the radical way Michelangelo painted Jesus. Apart from being mega ripped, (as is everyone in this painting, women included) the way Michelangelo painted his torso is said to be inspired by the Belvedere Torso. Callbacks like that are great. 

The cluster of super sculpted angels (no pudgy cherubs here) blowing trumpets, bottom centre, are awakening people from the dead- but only Jesus can decide their fate.

Walk back to the Entrance Wall. It’s less busy than the main hall, you might be more likely to find some free seating and look up without straining your neck. When you’ve composed yourself, you can go back to the main part of the chapel. Head over to the Last Judgment and look at all the details. 

Keep an eagle eye out for a free spot on the benched seats against the walls. 

If you’ve got some good quality earphones, now might be the time to use them. Listen to some soothing music and take it in. 

Bars/Restaurants / Gift Shops / Recommended Souvenirs 

Exit through the gift shop(s).

After the Sistine Chapel, you will still have yet to walk through what will feel like fifty more sumptuous galleries that look like the one below. 

Smart marketing folk at the Vatican have positioned two pop up gift shops along the way to break the monotony as well as provide pockets of retail relief. (In case you’re absolutely bursting for a magnet).

Eventually, you will arrive at the main foyer / gift shop next to the spiral staircase that heralds the end and will lead you out.

Here, you can expect overpriced artbooks on Michelangelo, various religious artifacts and paraphernalia, and decorative plates featuring Popes of years past. Frankly, not much you couldn’t find outside the Vatican City Walls for a fraction of the price.

Did you know Vatican City has its own laboratories? With monks creating and distilling perfumes and colognes, all with their own secret formulae? Unavailable to buy outside the Vatican City Walls and modestly priced, I went for this gift set for my mother. 

You’ll find Farmacia Vaticana at the very end right before you exit the gift shop area and take the spiral staircase down.

Solid Lemon-scented soap with Vitamin E. 

Vatican Eau de Cologne. (Only available to buy within the Vatican City).

Restaurants

There are several places available for a pit stop, albeit an overpriced one: 

After leaving the Sistine Chapel, look for signs to take you to Caffetteria Il Forno- a cafe split over two levels, providing a welcome moment of respite before continuing on. 

On Level 1 (where you enter the museum after getting your ticket), you’ll find the Self Service (offering cafeteria/canteen style food), the Caffetteria Centrale for a quick espresso, and the Pizzeria.

The most evocative bistrot restaurant has to be La Pigna – placed in the middle of the Belvedere (Pinecone) Courtyard, shown below to the left. Expect inflated prices and below-average food (by Italian standards).

The tranquil Belvedere Courtyard with La Pigna to the left and plenty of benches to relax on.

•  Top Tip :

If time is on your side, then plan to spend the day.

Get a morning ticket for the Vatican Museums with a guided tour. Our Vatican guide Kinga was a Doctor in Art History and she really brought the whole thing alive.

My top tip is to bring a packed lunch/trail mix since it’s essentially a marathon (over 7kms of galleries). 

Take a well-earned break after the Sistine Chapel but do not leave the museums (as you won’t be able to get back in). 

Make your way back out into the Cortile of the Pigna (above), find a bench, and take a load off. Rest your eyes. Hydrate. Refuel with that trail mix or a sandwich from Pam. 

It’s been a lot.

Now head back in.

Nearby Attractions / Food & Drink

Castel sant’angelo – 15 minute walk.

Once the site of Emperor Hadrian’s tomb, then a fortress, a castle, and now a museum covering two thousand years’ worth of Roman history. 

Very nice views from the top and photos on Ponte Sant’Angelo practically take themselves, it’s that photogenic. 

The area alone is worth a visit. There’s an outdoor library/bar to the right called Bibliobar which has echoes of Paris and the Seine.

Castel Sant’Angelo and Sant’Angelo Bridge. 

Bibliobar. An outdoor / cafe with snacks, coffee, and drinks.

Food & Drink 

The area closest to Vatican City is Prati. It can be a bit on the pricey side, but this is still Rome, and good food at honest prices is never too hard to find. 

7 minute walk away (closest metro- Cipro on the A):

• Eroi della pizza – Piazzale degli Eroi, 4, 00192

Superb pizza by the slice and cracking suppl ì . Friendly staff and friendlier prices. 

• Fischio – Piazzale degli Eroi, 00136 

Cross over and you’ll find Fischio (FISkio); an outdoor kiosk turned bar where you can buy spritz and gin and tonic in hipstery cans, or a glass of organic (quite pungent) wine. It’s laidback and potentially just the ticket after all that high culture at the Vatican. 

10 minute walk away:

• Il Sorpasso – Via Properzio, 31/33, 00193 

Relaxed wine bar with a great wine selection (without being pretentious about it). Try one of their Italian ham and cheese boards (with advice on which order to eat the cheese). Good mix of locals and expat residents. Where pretty Prati people go for a chilled out wine evening. 

15 mins metro and or walk away:

• Argot (Prati) – Via Alessandro Farnese 2, 00192 (Closest Metro Lepanto, one stop after Ottaviano on the A line).

Superior cocktails and food at trendy yet friendly cocktail bar/restaurant Argot. Cocktails are a bit expensive but made by people who know their stuff and go down a treat.

Did You Know That: 5 Interesting Facts

• Michelangelo initially didn’t even want to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel because he considered himself a sculptor and not a painter. He was eventually persuaded to accept by Pope Julius II.
• Biagio de Cesena, the papal master of ceremonies, was a harsh critic of the Last Judgment’s composition, so Michelangelo painted him into it as Minos, the supervisor of the damned into hell. He’s the one with donkey ears.
• It took four years for Michelangelo to complete the ceiling, and the experience was so unpleasant that he wrote a poem about his physical discomfort.
• The nudes in the Last Judgment were considered improper for a papal commission, so Pope Pius IV ordered many of them to be covered up with strategically placed cloths. Luckily, that was mostly undone during later restoration work.
• Michelangelo was much more adept at painting the male body rather than the female. In fact, the few female figures represented are considered by many to be quite ‘manly’.
• Pope Sixtus IV, from whom the Sistine Chapel gets its name, had it built between 1473 and 1481. It was originally called the Cappella Magna (‘Great Chapel’). It served as a place of religious and functionary papal activity.
• He also commissioned a team of great Renaissance artists to paint the walls, which they finished in 1482.
• In 1483, Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass there, at which the chapel was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• It wasn’t until 1508 that Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned to paint the ceiling, under the patronage of a new pope: Julius II.
• A further 22 years passed before Michelangelo returned to paint the Last Judgment under the patronage of Pope Clement VII and Paul III.
• In the 1980s, major restoration work began on the artworks in the chapel and many of Michelangelo’s figures were finally returned to their nude selves.
• Today, apart from being an extremely popular tourist destination, the chapel still serves as the venue for the papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is elected.

The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican City of Rome.

It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel.

It took Michelangelo 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel due to the scale of the task and his reluctance to do it. Not only was it physically taxing but also permanently damaged his eyesight.

Michelangelo was paid around 3000 ducats for painting the Sistine Chapel.

Address: Sistine Chapel, , 00120 Vatican City, Vatican City · view larger map

Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel)

Vatican museum tickets & sistine chapel tours in rome.

All information about the Vatican museum tickets, which includes a visit to the famous Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina) and immense art collections. More tips, tours and skip the line tickets for the Vatican City museums (Musei Vaticani).

Vatican Museum, an immense art collection

The Vatican Museums (‘ I Museu Vaticani ’) are some of the largest museums in the world with an enormous art collection that varies from ancient Roman and Egyptian artefacts, religious objects, beautifully painted rooms and even modern art. The 26 different museums of the Vatican are housed in a complex of multiple Apostolic palaces, and are by far the most popular museum destination in Rome, in part because of the famous Sistine Chapel . During your visit, you will marvel at the many art treasures that the popes have collected in 54 halls since the 16th century.

Sistine Chapel: paintings by Michelangelo

The absolute highlight of the route through the Vatican museums is a visit to the Sistine Chapel ( 'Capella Sistina' ). The name is derived from the founder of the chapel, pope Sixtus IV. The impressive ceiling of this 15th-century Sistine Chapel was painted in the 16th century by Michelangelo . It portrays the story of creation, the great flood and other scenes. The side walls are equally beautiful with paintings of the life of Jesus made by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio and others. The wall behind the alter shows Michelangelo's painting of the ‘Last Judgement’. The Sistine Chapel is mostly known for being the space where the cardinals meet for conclave when electing a new pope. When a new pope is being elected, smoke comes from the chapel's chimney twice a day. White smoke means a new pope has been elected, while black smoke means the cardinals were not yet successful in their mission.

Other highlights of 'I Museu Vaticani'

If you would like to learn more about the background of the artworks in the Vatican Museums , we recommend using an audio guide. Do you plan not to spend too much time in the museums? Then – in addition to the Sistine chapel tour – these are the rooms and artworks you should not miss on your visit to the Vatican museums :

• Stanza della Segnatura : This room lies on the second floor and was originally pope Julius II's library. Later it was used as a church tribunal. This room is one of the main attractions as it displays the works of Raphael Santi.
• Stanze di Raffaello : These rooms on the first floor were decorated by Raphael Santi for Pope Julius II. The paintings represent theology, philosophy, poetry and law. For instance, the famous painting of ’The School of Athens ’ from 1509 depicts philosophy with philosophers Plato and Aristotle being displayed centrally.
• Laocoön group : A group of marble statues from 40 – 20 BCE of the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons. According to tradition, the priest wanted to prevent the Trojan horse from being let inside the city. The statue shows Laocoön being strangled by Poseidon's snakes.
• La Galleria della Carte geografiche : The first floor is also included in your Vatican Museum ticket and is home to the 16th-century gallery of maps with enormous topographical maps on the walls and the ceiling. The 40 beautiful wall panels were created by Ignazio Danti.
• The Pinacotheca : The ground floor houses a large collection of tapestries and paintings of the Vatican with works by the great masters, including Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Raphael Santi.

Vatican City Tickets & Guided Tours

Video: tour of vatican city & capella sistina, where are the vatican museums in rome.

I Musei Vaticani are located in Vatican City , the closest address in Rome to the entrance of the museum with the Cappella Sistina is Viale Vaticano 100 Roma.

FAQ Vatican Museum visit and tickets

Do i have to buy tickets for the vatican museums.

Without tickets it is not possible to visit the museums. A limited number of visitors are admitted per hour and due to the enormous popularity of the Vatican museums, it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance , which allows you to secure your visit at your preferred timeslot and your great advantage will be avoiding the long queues.

Do I have to buy tickets for the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums. To visit the Sistine Chapel you just need a regular Vatican Museum ticket, which also includes the chapel.

How can I book a guided Vatican city tour?

Read more about booking guided tours at this guided tours page . You should especially consider whether you want a guided tour including St. Peter's Basilica or not.

Is there a dress code in the museum?

Wear appropriate clothing. Your knees should be completely covered, as should your shoulders. Flip flops are also prohibited.

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• Tickets Sistine Chapel

Buy tickets

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Skip The Line

Buy online. Select the time you prefer. Visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, one of the most famous and visited attractions in Rome. You can cancel your ticket for free up to the day before your visit.

Visit the Sistine Chapel

Book your entrance to the Sistine Chapel online and you will be able to save time and enjoy your visit. With your reserved ticket, you can immerse yourself completely in the rich history and art of the Vatican Museums, discovering all the treasures accumulated by the Popes over the centuries.

If you want to learn all about Michelangelo's decorated ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the Last Judgment , you won't be able to do without an expert guide who will reveal all the fascinating facts. With the guide, you will visit all the most important rooms of the Vatican Museums.

If you prefer a more individual experience, you can also make use of the audioguides available in ten different languages , which will allow you to explore the museum at your own pace, deepening your knowledge and discovering fascinating details along the way.

Vatican Museums Tour: 2-hour visit with a guide

Visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel like a true VIP. Quick access and guided tour with an expert art historian.

Discover Rome at the best price with the Roma Tourist Card

You can get the best of Rome with a single ticket at discounted prices. With the Roma Tourist Card you can save time and money. With a single pass you can visit the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, take a tour of the Pantheon and listen to the audio guide in over 130 attractions in Rome.

Discover the Roma Tourist Card

Visit the main attractions of Rome at a discounted price: Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum with audio guide in over 130 attractions at a special price .

Discover Rome by bus

You can see the main attractions of Rome on a full-day bus tour. The combined bus ticket with the Vatican Museums saves you time by skipping the queue.

Tour to Rome by bus + Vatican Museums

Buy the combined ticket which includes skip-the-line entry to the Vatican Museums and a sightseeing bus tour of Rome.

Discover the Vatican City Pass

If you want to know all the secrets of the Vatican buy the Vatican City pass. One package includes the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, the Guided Tour of St Peter’s Basilica and the audio guide with over 130 points of interest in Rome .

Buy the Vatican City Pass

With a single ticket you can visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, take the Guided Tour of St Peter’s Basilica and you will also have the audio guide for hundreds of attractions in Rome.

Visit St. Peter's Basilica

The symbol of the Vatican and the Catholic Church is located a short distance from the Sistine Chapel. St. Peter's Basilica is certainly a must for tourists and the believers who decide to visit the Vatican Museums. It can be visited for free but it is recommended to visit it with an audio guide or with an expert guide who will introduce you to the secrets of one of the largest churches in the world.

St. Peter's Basilica: Guided Tour

Guided tour of the largest church in the world. Entrance to St Peter's Basilica and guided tour with official guides.

Single ticket for Colosseum and Vatican Museums

The best way to enjoy a day of culture in Rome is to combine the visit to the Vatican Museums with the Colosseum . The Flavian Amphitheatre, known as the Colosseum, is the symbol of Rome and with our ticket you will also have access to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.

Vatican Museums + Colosseum Tickets

Visit the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum at a special price. Save money and buy online. You will also have included the app with the audio guide with more than 130 attractions in Rome. .

Visit also Castel Sant'Angelo

Near the Vatican Museums is Hadrian's Mausoleum known as Castel Sant'Angelo . You can buy the combined ticket of the Museums with Castel Sant'Angelo at a special price .

Castel Sant'Angelo tickets

Visit Castel Sant'Angelo not far from the Vatican. Save time by purchasing admission online.

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• Visit the Sistine Chapel

Visit The Sistine Chapel - How To Prepare For The Best Experience!

By Elyssa Bernard

November 21, 2023

When I went to visit the Sistine Chapel for the first time, I don’t think I was prepared for how much I would have to take in.

My senses were completely overloaded, and a feeling of true awe washed over me.

I wish I could bottle that feeling.

It was just so wonderful, and I feel it every time I visit this beautiful place.

The best way to visit the Sistine Chapel

I feel very lucky that I've been able to visit the Sistine Chapel many times since then.

And every time, I feel the same way.

I step inside, my eyes try to take it all in, and I let the overwhelming power of the art, the artists, and the history envelope me. 

If you’re planning to visit the Sistine Chapel, here’s everything you need to know (yes I know it's a lot!)

Where is the Sistine Chapel and how can you visit it?

• What are the Sistine Chapel hours?
• How much does it cost? Are there any discounts? Is it possible to see the Sistine Chapel for free? 

Can you visit the Sistine Chapel with the Roma Pass?

• Can you visit just the Sistine Chapel without visiting the Vatican Museums?
• How can you avoid the crowds inside the Sistine Chapel?
• Is there a limit to how much time you can spend inside the Sistine Chapel?
• What is the difference between Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel?

Why is it called the Sistine Chapel?

Did michelangelo lie on his back to paint the ceiling, what is the sistine chapel used for is it really a chapel, why can’t you take pictures inside the sistine chapel, is the sistine chapel wheelchair accessible, what are the best tours to take of the sistine chapel.

• Is it worth taking an early morning tour to see the Sistine Chapel before it’s open to the general public?

The Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums in Vatican City .

Click here to view a map of Vatican City (it opens in a new window.)

It’s the last thing you visit in the museums.

You can visit the Sistine Chapel by purchasing a ticket to the Vatican Museums .

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What are the Sistine Chapel hours and opening days?

As the Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums , it's open every day Monday-Saturday from 8am-7pm.

With extended hours on Saturday and Sunday to 8pm during high season.

Last entry to the museums is at 5pm.

The museums are also open the last Sunday of every month for free , from 9am-2pm.

Last entry is 12pm - expect crowds!

Sistine Chapel costs and discounts

How much are tickets are there any discounts.

Starting January 1, 2024 tickets to the Vatican Museums (where the Sistine Chapel is) will increase in price:

• 20€ per person over 18
• 8€ for anyone 6-18
• free for children 5 and younger

Tickets are also free for the disabled and their caregiver .

Buy Sistine Chapel tickets now

when can you visit The Sistine Chapel for free?

• On the last Sunday of the month (unless it falls on a Catholic holiday), the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are open and free for everyone .
• On World Tourism Day , September 27, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are open and free for everyone.

No, you cannot use the Roma Pass to visit the Sistine Chapel.

The Roma Pass does not include anything in Vatican City .

There are other passes that can be used - read more about them here .

Can you visit JUST the Sistine Chapel?

No, it’s not possible to just visit the Sistine Chapel without visiting the Vatican Museums. 

You can, however, take the shortest route possible from the entry of the museums.

Go up the escalator as soon as you enter the museums.

Skip the Pinacoteca, Pinecone Courtyard, and Octagonal Courtyard.

Make a left at the top of the elevator and walk until you come to a set up stairs going up on your left.

Go straight up two sets of stairs.

Walk through the Candelabra room, Tapestries gallery and the Maps hall.

Skip the Raphael rooms, and go directly to the Sistine Chapel.

This will take less than half an hour if you don’t stop to look at anything.

How to see JUST the Sistine Chapel (sort of), without massive crowds

This is what tour companies offer with their "pre-opening, visit the Sistine Chapel before the crowds come" tours.

They beeline to the Sistine Chapel so you can enjoy it before the doors open to the public.

Then, the tour guide will do a loop back to the exit/entrance of the museums before doing a normal tour through the museums so you don't miss out.

But, you can sign up for one of these early morning tours, and simply leave after you've visited the Sistine Chapel.

You can sign up for this Pristine Sistine tour with Walks of Italy.

It's a superb tour, even if you only visit the Sistine Chapel and leave the tour early.

How can you avoid the crowds? When is the least crowded time to visit the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most popular sites in Rome , so it can be notoriously crowded in there, to the point where you don’t even want to be there and can’t deal with the crowds.

I have heard so many visitors say they just wanted to get out. 

The most amazing way I've ever visited the Sistine Chapel is with the Vatican Museums clavigero - the key master who opens the museums at 6 AM and turns on all the lights .

You can book this tour, too!

Click here to book a tour with the Vatican Museums key master and turn on the lights in the Sistine Chapel!

And more likely than not, they missed a lot of the beauty because they didn’t feel good, and the crowds can make it hard to take it all in.

But there are times when it’s less crowded, believe it or not.

Here’s when you can try to visit the Sistine Chapel without (so many) people:

• Take an early-morning (pre-opening) tour . These tours are NOT exclusive, as many tour operators offer them. But you do race to the Sistine Chapel and get to be inside before the main door opens, and you will be with less people than during normal hours. You will then get to go back and have a tour of the museums.
• Visit Rome in low season , like early December, mid-January – mid-February , parts of November and parts of August .
• Visit the Vatican Museums as close to closing-time as possible. The crowds are on a kind of bell curve – there are fewer people first thing in the morning and then again at the end of the day. With this, you need to be careful to time it right, or you may miss something you want to see.
• Book an exclusive after-hours tour. This type of tour is expensive because it's truly exclusive. These tours are typically not offered in low season as there's not enough demand to make it worthwhile for a tour agency.

My Zen Bubble

Maybe you won't have the chance to visit the Sistine Chapel without the crowds.

I have visited it many times with large crowds.

This is what I do.

Throughout my visit to the Vatican Museums on a crowded day, I accept from the beginning that it's crowded.

Very crowded.

Once I accept it and let it go, it doesn't bother me any more.

Then, I decide what art I want to enjoy and I do my best to see it and get close to it.

I find some art without crowds.

This is ALWAYS possible, even on crowded days.

There are many rooms in the Vatican Museums that usually have fewer visitors, like the Etruscan collection, Pinacoteca and New Wing .

I get into my Zen Bubble.

I just decide I am alone with the art.

I decide not to let the crowds irritate me, I close off my senses to everything except the art and what's happening inside my heart and mind.

And when it comes time to visit the Sistine Chapel, I keep the zen bubble around me.

Michelangelo is there.

I can feel him.

I want to get close to him.

I do not let the crowds take away anything from me. 

Mind over matter.

Is there a limit to how much time you have to visit the Sistine Chapel?

If you are visiting alone, when you get to the Sistine Chapel, try to find a seat, sit down and try to block out everyone and everything and just take it all in.

You may want to try to then find a seat on the opposite side so you can see all the paintings on both sides.

The only limits as to how long you can spend in the Sistine Chapel are:

• If you're on a tour and your group has a schedule. You could leave the tour if you wanted to stay inside the Sistine Chapel. Just inform your guide you'll be staying there and not completing the tour.
• If you are inside close to closing time .

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican , Colosseum , Trevi Fountain , Pantheon , Piazza Navona , Spanish Steps , Castel Sant'Angelo , and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers .

What is the difference between Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel? Are they both in the Vatican?

St Peter's Basilica Shortcut

You can only take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's Basilica if you are on a tour that INCLUDES the basilica.

The shortcut is open from 9:30 am - 5 or 5:30PM, and it's ONLY accessible to tour companies or private guides that you book OUTSIDE the Vatican Museums website.

The Vatican Museums does not have any ticket or tour that includes the shortcut.

This means that you won't have access to the shortcut during the  KeyMaster tour , the  Extra Time tour , or any other tour that does not specifically include the basilica.

If you book any tour of the Vatican Museums, you can check the details to see if it finishes in the  Sistine Chapel  or the basilica.

Click here to view a map of Vatican City  (it will open in a new page.)

St Peter’s Basilica is one of the most important churches in the Catholic world, one of the four papal basilicas in Rome (the others are Santa Maria Maggiore , St John in Lateran  and St Paul Outside the Walls ).

It was built on the site of Saint Peter’s tomb ( which you can visit if you book in advance .)

You can easily visit Saint Peter’s Basilica by entering from Saint Peter’s Square .

You can also attend mass there, even mass with the pope if you book in advance .

All this is free.

The Sistine Chapel is a working chapel.

You will need to visit the Vatican Museums to see the Sistine Chapel, usually you need to pay for this, although there are some free dates (see above).

Unlike Saint Peter’s Basilica , you cannot (easily) attend any liturgical services inside the Sistine Chapel.

This is typically reserved for the pope, some clergy, residents of Vatican City and their families.

Michelangelo had a huge part in the architecture of the basilica and the Sistine Chapel, designing both structural elements and artistic features that make both these places unique.

Many other artists were involved with both the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and its famous dome but it’s Michelangelo who is most famously associated with them both.

One of the things that strikes me the most when I visit these holy places is the overwhelming presence of Michelangelo.

At least, it’s how I feel, and it’s one reason he is my favorite artist of all.

Click here to visit my page all about Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel for more!

When the pope is elected, he takes on a papal name.

For example, Pope Francis’ actual name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

In the Renaissance, many popes came from noble families.

Two popes came from the della Rovere noble family, Pope Sixtus IV , and Pope Julius II . 

The Sistine Chapel is named for Pope Sixtus IV who commissioned its construction as his private chapel.

Pope Sixtus IV's nephew Pope Julius II is the one who later had Michelangelo paint the ceiling.

One of my favorite books about Michelangelo is Irving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy".

It's not 100% biographical but almost.

And it's a fun, fascinating, and easy read.

Yes, Michelangelo laid on his back to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – in the 1965 movie called “ The Agony and the Ecstasy ”, starring Charlton Heston as Michelangelo.

But the truth is that NO, Michelangelo did not lie on his back to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

It’s much more complicated than this.

Find out more over here .

Ready to plan your trip?

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With one handy pass, it's all included.

The Sistine Chapel is the Pope's private chapel, as well as being a place for visitors like you and me.

There are many liturgical celebrations held here throughout the year.

In fact, the Sistine Chapel has a choir box with their own choir.

The Sistine Chapel is also where the conclave is held when it's time to select a new pope.

The word "conclave" comes from " con clave ", which means "with a key."

The cardinals lock themselves into the Sistine Chapel until a new pope is chosen.

This is a funny topic.

I think I've heard just about every answer to this question, but I believe I know the truth.

These are incorrect answers :

• Because the flash would damage the paintings
• Because a Japanese company paid for the restoration of the Sistine Chapel and they own the rights to images of it. (Those rights have long expired.)
• Because it’s the Pope’s chapel and a holy place
• Because the Vatican wants you to buy their merchandise

I have had the great fortune to visit the Sistine Chapel on several occasions where I was not only allowed, but encouraged, to take all the photos and video I wanted .

That’s why I have these images on the website.

I did not take them clandestinely, nor would I have.

On those occasions, we were inside the Sistine Chapel for a special reason. 

On two separate occasions, I was graciously invited to attend Vespers inside the Sistine Chapel, and we all had time before and after services to take photos and video.

On a few other occasions I have been alone (with a small group) inside the Sistine Chapel, and then we were allowed plenty of time for photos and videos.

This leads me to believe that the reason they don’t allow you to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel is crowd control.

They would never get people out if people could take photos.

It’s already a limited space, and it easily fills up to the brim during peak season.

Imagine if all those people were snapping away, taking pictures of the art, themselves, and each other.

They would not be able to get people IN and it would cause a huge bottleneck and fire hazard.

This is just my opinion, but I believe it makes sense.

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Yes, you can visit the Sistine Chapel (and much but not all of the Vatican Museums) in a wheelchair .

They also have a few wheelchairs at the Vatican Museums if you need one.

You cannot reserve this in advance.

Just ask for it when you arrive.

You cannot specifically take a tour of JUST the Sistine Chapel.

You need to book a tour of the Vatican Museums.

I have a whole page about the different types of Vatican Museums tours here .

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 essential things we recommend never leaving home without:

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Is it worth it to take an early morning tour to visit the Sistine Chapel?

I think the price of this type of tour is reasonable considering what you get.

It’s not super expensive like the after-hours tours, and it’s also not exclusive.

But you do get to see the Sistine Chapel without huge crowds and as a bonus, you get to finish your Vatican visit relatively early in the day.

Is it worth getting up that early ?

I have done it and it’s definitely worth it, at least in my opinion. 

Bottom line – if seeing the Sistine Chapel without the crowds is important to you, then bite the bullet and set your alarm.

One of the best early-morning tours to visit the Sistine Chapel before regular opening hours is Pristine Sistine with Walks of Italy .

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• Vatican Museums & Sistine
• Sistine Chapel Entrance Tickets

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-the-line tickets

VATICAN MUSEUMS TICKETS - QUICK ENTRY Includes all the open sections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Every day, except Sundays and religious holidays. 

Flexible. After entering the Vatican Museums you can stay as long as you like until closure.

+39 055 5321180 (Mon-Fri 8:30 am -6:30 pm/ Sat-Sun 8:30 am -4:30 pm)

The ticket includes booking to skip the line at the entrance. 

Entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is only allowed to visitors who are appropriately dressed. Low-cut or sleeveless outfits, shorts, miniskirts, and hats are not allowed. 

Routes available for visitors with motor disabilities.

Electronic voucher can be shown on tablet or cell phone. The voucher image must be clear and legible for the scanner.  The voucher is sent by email.

Description of your booking

Your booking to the Vatican Museums lets you visit one of the most important and most popular museums in the world, cutting down on waiting time at the ticket office . Book your tour online. Choose the date and entry time. You will immediately receive an email with a copy of your order. Your ticket will be emailed to you later. If you order after 6:00 pm, you will need to wait until the following morning to receive your or our email informing you when you will receive the ticket. You will still need to wait your turn to go through security at the metal detector. Please be as punctual as possible. Arrive at least 15–20 minutes ahead of your entry time. If you come late, you will lose the right to use the ticket and will not be eligible for any refund.

What is included

- Vatican Museums entrance ticket - Quick admission to the Vatican Museums - Admission to the Sistine Chapel

What is not included

- Guided Tour - Audio Guide - Admission to the Vatican Gardens

confirmed entrance time may not be always the same time you have requested; museum automatically confirms the closest available time on the same date if requested time is sold out. In case you want to point out some time restrictions (for example, no later than..., or not before than...) please write them in the form blank space. If no restrictions are pointed out, this means you are open to accept any different entrance time in the day you have requested, one hour before or later than the original requested time.

For example: you selected 11.00 am. No time restriction is pointed out. This means you will accept any entrance time between 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.

children 6 -17 years old and students 18-25 years old with valid International Student Card or a student identity document. If a reduced price ticket is purchased without the required documents, the visitor will be asked to make payment of a full price ticket so as to enter. The reduced ticket will not be refunded.

Children under 6 years old do not need any reservation nor any entrance ticket. Disabled people (over 74% disability with certification) do not need any reservation. Price includes skip-the-line service 4.00 euros and on line reservation fee 6.00 euros.

Cancellation policy and changes

Vatican Museum tickets are non-refundable in any case and cannot be cancelled. This booking is in NO way refundable, even partially.  This reservation cannot be modified in any way. Furthermore, it is not possible to modify the reservation in any way, nor the date, nor the time, nor the type of ticket, nor the name of the visitor. Please therefore pay maximum attention when booking.

When the Vatican Museums are open

Opening hours : from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Last entrance time 3:30 pm. Closing : Sundays and religious holidays. Entrance can be booked every 30 minutes.

Where the Vatican Museums are located and how to arrive

Instructions for entry are printed on the voucher that will be sent by email to confirm booking and vary based on the type of booking. Address : Viale Vaticano, Vatican City, Rome Metro:  line A, stop Cipro/Musei Vaticani

Useful Info

Backpacks, suitcases, or large bags may not be brought in the sites. The ticket allows you to access to museums only once. You must go through security checks at the metal detectors . The wait for these mandatory procedures cannot be avoided. Do not forget to bring a valid identification card or valid passport (one per person). Italy Travels cannot be held responsible for partial closing museum rooms, itinerary variations inside the museum, cancellations or entrance delays due to unexpected events, strikes or decisions taken by the museum direction or unexpected variations of the Pope movements which involve the museum buildings.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - Skip-the-line tickets

You might also like.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Capitoline Museum Tickets

Borghese Gallery Tickets

About the vatican.

The Raphael's Rooms in the Vatican Museums

Sistine chapel with no waiting line – How to visit it

Tickets for the Vatican Gardens

The Pantheon in Rome: history, curiosities and how to visit it

Opinions of this experience, faq - all you need to know to visit the vatican museums.

How much time it takes a visit at the Vatican Museums?

To visit the Vatican Museums it takes at least 3 hours. Once inside the museum you can stay inside until the closing time.

In which times of entry it is possible to visit the Vatican Museums?

Vatican Museums are open from Monday to Saturdays from 09:00 am to 6:00 pm, the last bookable entry is at 3:30 pm.

In which days the Vatican museums are closed?

Vatican Museums are closed every Sundays and for public holiday days.

What happens on the last Sunday of the month at the Vatican Museums?

On the last Sunday of the month the museums are exceptionally open and entrance is free. Visits are possible from 09:00 am to 2pm, last entrance at 12:30.

Is there a Dress code for the Vatican Museums?

To visit the Vatican Museums it is necessary to be properly dressed. For this reason, sleeveless, low-cut clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed.

How long do I have to wait if I do not have the reservation?

The line for the entrance at the Vatican Museums is usually very long. We are not able to know precisely the waiting time, it may depends on the days and the period.

Is it possible to take photos and/or videos inside the Vatican Museums?

In the exhibition halls it is possible to take photos and/or videos without flash. Non- authorized professional equipment are not allowed and must be authorized from the museums.

Is it possible to take photos and/or videos inside the Sistine Chapel?

Inside the Sistine Chapel it is strictly forbidden to take photos and / or videos with or without flash.

Is it possible to talk inside the Sistine Chapel?

Inside the Sistine Chapel it is not possible to talk, official guides also do not have the permission to give explanations inside.

It is possible to eat inside the Vatican Museums?

Inside the exhibition halls it is not possible to eat. Along the museum path you can find many vending machines and refreshment points, snack bars, restaurants, a pizzeria and a self-service.

Is the Sistine Chapel included in the entry ticket?

Yes, in the simple entrance tickets for the Vatican Museums the Sistine Chapel is included.

Do I have to print the voucher for the Vatican Museums?

For the no-line entrance at the Vatican Museums it is possible to show the voucher from the mobile phone.

Do families visiting the Vatican Museums have any reductions?

No, there are no reductions for families.

Do I have to pre- pay the ticket to jump the line at the Vatican Museums?

Yes, the ticket must be paid in advance.

Is there an access for people with reservation at the entrance?

Yes, there is a reserved access for visitors with reservation, restricted by barriers and marked by a sign.

Are People older than 65 entitled to discounts or free tickets?

Visitors older than 65 years old need to pay the full ticket.

Are teachers entitled to any reductions for the Vatican Museums?

No, they do not have any reductions; they need to buy the full price ticket.

Are journalists entitled to gratuity?

Yes, they gain free ticket at the entrance if they present the journalist press pass. However, if they wish to jump the line they need to pay the full ticket, as the free entrance is considered only without reservation.

Are students entitled to any reduction for the Vatican Museums?

International students not older than 25 years old are entitled to a reduced ticket.

Which ticket do I have to purchase if I am under 18 years old?

Children under years old do not need any ticket and they are free. Visitors from 6 to 18 years old must book the reduced tickets.

Can I pay the tickets of the Vatican Museums with bank transfer?

Yes, when the date of the visit is not too near. The bank transfer takes 2 or 3 days to be effective and during the high season the availability of the museum may change rapidly. The order will be worked just when the amount of the bank transfer will reach the bank account.

How does it work reservation for schools?

Schools willing to reserve entrances for the Vatican Museum should contact directly the Vatican Museums.

Once that I did the order, how should I expect the tickets to arrive?

The ticket is sent per e-mail and can be shown directly from the mobile phone. The bar code on the voucher must be visible.

Can I reserve the ticket on line and pay it at the museum?

No, the ticket must be paid when reserved.

Once that I received the voucher it is possible to modify the date or the time?

Yes, it is allowed to do just one modification at the date or the time with a forewarning of 48 hours at least. The modification is subordinated to the availability of the places.

It is possible to cancel the reservation at the Vatican Museums?

Once that the voucher is emitted it is no longer possible to cancel the reservation.

How can I require a modification at my reservation?

To require a modification for the ticket or the tour it is necessary to send an e-mail to [email protected] in the due time specified on the voucher.

Can I change the type of the reservation?

No, if you reserved a ticket you will be able to modify just the date or/and the time. It is not possible to modify the type of the ticket from full to reduced nor it is possible to change the activity reserved, for example from ticket to guided tour. In this case it will be required to do a new reservation and the first one won’t be refunded.

It is possible to visit the Vatican Museums in the evening?

Yes, from April to October there are evening openings every Fridays.

How much does the evening ticket cost?

The ticket has the same cost of the ordinary ticket that permit the entrance during the day.

It is possible to visit the Vatican Museums during the evening with a guide?

Yes, by reserving a tour with a private guide.

What it is possible to see during the evening openings at the Vatican Museums?

All the halls opened by the administration and the Sistine Chapel.

It is possible to bring luggage, bags or backpacks inside the museum?

It is not possible to bring inside the Vatican Museums luggage that the museum does not consider proper. You can deposit your personal objects by the cloakroom, which is free for the visitors of the Vatican Museums.

When is it the cloakroom?

Ground floor, in front of the ticket offices.

How much is the cost for the cloakroom?

The service is free.

It is possible to bring pets inside the Vatican Museum?

It is not possible to bring any pets inside the Vatican Museum. The only exception is for guide dogs for blind people with certificate attesting support for therapeutic treatments.

How does it work the entrance for people with disability?

All visitors with certified disability superior to 74% can go directly at the tickets office with the disability certification and have free access.

Does the person accompanying the disable people have to pay at the Vatican Museums?

The people accompanying has free entrance just if the disable person is certifies as non self-sufficient.

Are there wheelchairs available at the museums?

Yes, it is possible to rent wheelchairs for free while stocks last.

It is possible to have a guided tour for the Vatican Museums?

Yes, it is possible to reserve guided tours or private tours. All our proposals are on line on our site. For special requests or large groups you can send an e-mail to [email protected] or call us at the +39 055 2670402.

How much does a guided tour at the Vatican Museums cost?

Fares may vary, on our site they are in any case updated. The cost of the guided tour varies belonging to the type and duration of the tour.

How much does a private tour at the Vatican Museums cost?

A tour in English with private guide of the Vatican Museums for two persons has a cost that starts from € 290.00 on. Rates are subject to variations based on seasonality, language and number of people. The price varies according to the number of participants, the language in which the tour takes place, if it takes place in holyday days or during the evening and to the duration. For any other information, please visit our website or call us at +39 055 2670402.

How can I visit the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums. You can visit it by purchasing the ticket for the Vatican Museums.

Can I visit just the Sistine Chapel?

Once inside the Vatican Museums, you can go directly to the Sistine Chapel by following the signs "Sistine Chapel - short path" which are situated along all the rooms.

Is there a ticket just for the Sistine Chapel?

No, the ticket is the same for the Vatican Museum.

Can I book a tour just for the Sistine Chapel?

Yes, it is possible to book a tour with a private guide that will focus just on the Sistine Chapel. In this case it is a special tour that it is necessary to require per e-mail to [email protected]

How can I visit the Vatican Gardens?

The Vatican Gardens can be visited with a tour by bus or a walking tour.

Is there a ticket for the Vatican Gardens?

There is a ticket that permits the visit at the Vatican Gardens.

Which kind of tour can I do at the Vatican Gardens?

It is possible to book a tour with ecological bus with multilingual Audio Guide, a group tour with a guide or a visit with private guide.

Where is the entrance for the Vatican Museums?

If you have the reservation for the Vatican Museum, it is necessary to entry from Viale Vaticano from the main entry of the Vatican Museum.

What is included in the tour of the Vatican Garden?

All the tours of the Vatican Garden include also the ticket to see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which can be visited once that the visit at the Garden is finished.

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How to Visit the Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most stunning attractions in all of Vatican City, and it's located fairly deep within one of the biggest collections of museums in the world, the Vatican Museums.

Having lead tours in Rome, I have quite a bit of experience visiting the Sistine Chapel, and I thought I'd write this helpful guide to make the whole process more painless for readers.

This post provides details about where you will find the Sistine Chapel, including a map with directions to follow from the entrance to the historic site.

I've also included tips to save money on admission or even see this beautiful chapel for free!

How to Enter the Sistine Chapel

• Is the Sistine Chapel Free?

How to Find the Sistine Chapel

• Guided Tours
• How to Visit the Vatican Museums
• Things to Do at St. Peter’s Basilica

The Sistine Chapel is located in Vatican City , and you need to enter the Vatican Museums to see the interior of this historic site.

The chapel itself is to the right of St. Peter’s Basilica, but it’s not really the exterior that most people come to see.

You will need a ticket to enter the Vatican Museums , and there are several ways to save money on admission to this attraction.

Once you’ve paid for tickets to the museums, you’ll be granted entry to the Sistine Chapel as well.

The Vatican Museums are very big, and it will take a long time for most people to walk through.

As such, you might want to consider taking a guided tour to ensure you see all of the most notable attractions, including the Sistine Chapel.

During the guided tour, don't miss the famous frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio and Sandro Botticelli, adding a richer history to your visit.

The variously themed months, from January to December, often highlight specific masterpieces, enhancing the overall experience.

Once you've entered the Vatican Museums, you'll want to head to the left initially, but after another quick turn to the right, it's almost a straight shot to the Sistine Chapel, as you can see in the map below.

Here are step-by-step instructions to take the quickest path to this historic site:

• Go up the escalators after entering the museums.
• At the top of the escalators, make a left and walk to the set of stairs going up on your left.
• Walk up two sets of stairs.
• Candelabra Room
• Tapestries Gallery
• Raphael Rooms

Another useful tip to keep in mind is that there will be signs pointing the way to the Sistine Chapel from the entrance. You might not immediately recognize it, but in Italian, this location is known as "Cappella Sistina," and all signs pointing to that attraction will take you exactly where you want to be!

Sistine Chapel Tickets Price

Tickets currently cost €20 for adults and €8 for children between the ages of 6 and 18.

You can skip the ticket line for an extra €5 per ticket. This is the same price charged for tickets purchased in advance.

What this means is that you can expect to pay €25 for adults and €13 for children before taxes or other fees if you are interested in skip the line Vatican tickets.

Alternatively, there is also one opportunity each month to see the Sistine Chapel for free.

The Vatican Museums open their doors to the public for free on the last Sunday of every month, which means you can actually see the Sistine Chapel without paying a dime, but you should expect long lines on these days!

You can also get tickets at a discounted rate by using a Rome and Vatican pass , as many of the Rome tourist cards include this attraction at no additional cost.

The museums are open every Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 6 pm.

For more details, make sure to read our full post covering how to visit the Vatican Museums .

Each ticket also enables you to observe the papal conclave's historical space, a process shrouded in mystery where the smoke turns white, signifying the selection of a new pope.

The beauty of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, displaying the book of Genesis and the Life of Christ, is an awe-inspiring sight to behold.

How to See the Sistine Chapel for Free

Is the Sistine Chapel free to visit? Well, you can see it for free, but it's not necessarily the most convenient option.

Although entry to the Vatican Museums is usually ticketed, there is one day every month when they offer free admission to all visitors.

On the last Sunday of each month, the museums are free to visit from 9 am to 2 pm, including entry to the Sistine Chapel.

The only issue with this option is that it’s very popular.

This means that the lines are always very long on the last Sunday of the month, and you can expect it to take even longer than usual to get through the museums.

If you want to avoid visiting during the busiest time of the month, we recommend getting a ticket for another day of the week.

You can save money on tickets by using one of the following Rome tourist passes:

• Omnia Vatican and Rome Card
• Go City Rome Explorer Pass
• Rome Tourist Card
• Roma Super Pass
• Rome Turbo Pass
• Vatican City Pass

Sistine Chapel Tours

While most tours of the Vatican Museums include a visit to the Sistine Chapel, some of them focus specifically on visiting this attraction. 

Some tours actually include early access to the museums, ensuring you’ll have the opportunity to see sites such as the Sistine Chapel before anyone else. 

The Sistine Chapel tour often commences with the first mass, a sight to behold at the beautifully decorated altar.

The life of Moses, as depicted through timeless artworks, along with the portrayal of prophets and sibyls, brings alive the old testament tales in the most engaging manner.

If you want to make sure that you’ll have an opportunity to see the historic site, consider one of the following guided tours.

This company is highly regarded by most of their customers, and they currently offer an early bird tour which includes a visit to the Sistine Chapel.

If you want to get inside the Vatican Museums before anyone else, consider one of the following tours:

Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Vatican Tour

• €95/Adults | €95/Students | €85/Kids
• Duration: 4 hours
• Availability: Mon-Tue, Wed-Sat
• Includes early Vatican access.
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

VIP Pristine Sistine Vatican Tour w/ Breakfast

• €109/Adults | €109/Students | €102/Kids
• Availability: Limited
• Includes full buffet breakfast.

City Wonders

This is another excellent company known for offering excellent tours of the Vatican Museums, and they currently offer a service covering the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

• €59/Adult | €54/Child (6-18)
• Children under 5 are FREE
• Every day but Sunday at 9:00 am
• Read here for reviews and to purchase tickets .

The Roman Guy

Like their competitors, this company also offers a Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel/St. Peter’s Basilica tour.

Considering that this tour has a 7:45 am time slot, it’s technically an early bird tour, which means you’ll get into the museums before anyone else and potentially see the Sistine Chapel before it becomes crowded.

If you use the promo code FREETOURSBYFOOT , you’ll save an extra 5% off tickets for this tour!

• Tickets: Adult € 80.70/ Youth  (age 6-17) : €63.70 / Child under 6 Free
• Every day at 7:45 am, 8:15 am
• Click here for more details .

Free Sistine Chapel Audio Tour

Although you still need to pay for tickets to the Vatican Museums, Rick Steves actually has a free tour of the Sistine Chapel that you can listen to using your smartphone and headphones.

They also have an audio tour of the Vatican Museums themselves, including a map you can download to help find the Sistine Chapel and other notable attractions.

You can use both of these audio tours to find out exactly how to reach the Sistine Chapel and what to look out for when you get there, and they’re entirely free to use!

Download the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel audio tours .

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As you move through the Vatican museums, keep an eye out for significant artworks from the School of Athens and the depiction of the Garden of Eden.

Not only do they provide valuable insights into religious history, but they also showcase the magnificence of Renaissance art, including work by Pietro Perugino.

Who painted the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo, including the famous "Creation of Adam." Other painters like Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Pinturicchio also contributed to other parts of the chapel.

Did Michelangelo ever fall while painting the Sistine Chapel?

There are no known records of Michelangelo falling while painting the Sistine Chapel. He did face various challenges during the process, creating complex narratives and masterpieces on the chapel's ceiling.

Did Leonardo da Vinci work on the Sistine Chapel?

Contrary to popular belief, Leonardo da Vinci did not work in the Sistine Chapel. Artists like Raphael, Luca Signorelli, and Cosimo Rosselli were involved, but Da Vinci was not among them.

Can you take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel?

Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican has imposed this rule to protect the integrity of the artworks and ensure a respectful environment for viewers.

Are phones allowed inside the Sistine Chapel?

Similar to the restriction on photography, phones are also not allowed to be used inside the Sistine Chapel. This is to minimize distractions during the viewing of such significant narratives and masterpieces.

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Private Early Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Get privileged access to the vatican on a vip early morning private tour with st. peter’s basilica.

Looking for the ultimate private Vatican experience? This early morning tour lets you into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel a full hour before the general public! With your own personal guide to lead you through the iconic sites and artwork, Vatican tours don’t come more exclusive than this. Be one of the first of the day to step inside the magnificent Sistine Chapel, get a closer viewing of the masterpieces inside the Vatican galleries, then skip the line to explore St. Peter’s Basilica!

• Super-early first entrance to the Vatican
• Beat the crowds for a more private experience
• Candelabra Gallery
• Gallery of the Tapestries
• Gallery of Maps
• Be one of the first inside the Sistine Chapel
• Skip the line to the Basilica
• St. Peter's Basilica
• Papal Tombs

Most early entrance Vatican tours will let you start exploring at 8:30 am, half an hour before the general public. But with our special access early morning private tour, you'll be one of the privileged few to enter even earlier, and you'll have a full hour to explore the Vatican before it opens its gates to the masses! You'll meet your expert guide early in the morning by the Vatican Museums entrance, then it's time to begin your private Vatican tour.

Although your guide will have a carefully planned itinerary to show you the best of the Vatican, there's room for flexibility depending on your group size, the things you want to see, and the pace you're comfortable with. Enjoy a tailored experience viewing the iconic works of the Vatican Museums and marvel at the Sistine Chapel without the crowds, before skipping the line to explore St. Peter's Basilica with your guide.

Early Morning Private Vatican Tour Description

Your 2.5-hour private Vatican tour includes:

Early entry, skip-the-line Vatican tickets

Tailored highlights tour of the main Vatican galleries

Exclusive Sistine Chapel tour before the crowds arrive

Skip-the-line tour of St. Peter's Basilica

An expert English-speaking private tour guide

The Best Galleries at the Vatican

Your private guide will lead you on through the Vatican Museums before the crowds arrive, visiting the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy.

At the height of the Roman Empire, pontiffs rarely left Rome. In order to understand the Italian peninsula without endangering his life, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned 40 giant meticulous maps to be created for his use. Most of these maps measure more than 15 by 16 feet, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular.

You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as you see the most popular highlights of the Vatican Museums.

Sistine Chapel Without the Crowds

One of the top things to do in the Vatican City is, of course, to visit the Sistine Chapel. The chapel opens its doors at 8:00 am, well before the main crowds arrive, meaning you can literally be one of the first few people of the day to step inside and admire this beautiful, iconic chapel where popes have been elected for centuries. Speaking is not allowed in the chapel since it's a sacred space, so your guide will explain what you'll see before entering and give you a handy guide for reference.

Only when you are inside, it's clear why the Sistine Chapel is one of the most celebrated works of art in Western civilization. Michelangelo painted more than 600 figures in all, and the sheer magnitude of his endeavor is mind-blowing. As one of Michelangelo’s most prized masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel also serves as a gathering place for cardinals of the Catholic Church.

Majestic St. Peter’s Basilica

After your time in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, you'll walk through a passageway that allows you to bypass the ticket lines and enter St. Peter's Basilica more quickly. Here, you'll be awestruck as your guide leads you around by the impressive architecture, statues, and artwork made by famous artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. Gaze upon the beautiful Pietà, the incredible mosaics, the Tomb of Innocent XI, and Bernini's canopy under the dome.

You tour ends here, but feel free to spend extra time enjoying the Basilica on your own afterwards.

  If your tour falls on a Wednesday, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed due to the Papal Audience. In this case, your guide will use this time to show you more masterpieces that the Vatican Museums has to offer.

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What you get with this tour

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AMAZING!!!!

The ROMAN Guy made my daughters and I'd vacation and tours extremely simple, easy and full of knowledge. Its the best way to go!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.

I have some doubts about my mobility. Is this tour right for me?

If you have any doubts about your mobility then this is a great tour for you to take. Your private guide will ensure you are comfortable the entire way and can tailor the tour to your needs.

What are the chances my tour will be canceled or the Vatican will close something.

Although it is rare, sometimes part of the Vatican closes with little notice. If an area normally covered on a tour is closed, your guide will be sure to make up the time in other areas.

Does this tour really enter before other groups?

Yes! The public has access at 9:00 am, while other early-access tours enter at 8:30 am. This tour is admitted at 8:00 am, which is a full hour before the crowds.

Does this tour always include St. Peter's Basilica?

St. Peter's is always included on this private Vatican Museums tour, except on Wednesdays when it is closed in the morning for the Papal Audience.

In addition to wearing or bringing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes. You're also welcome to bring a water bottle as it can get hot inside the Vatican during the summer months.

Is photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel?

No, photography is not allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.

Does the Vatican ever experience sudden closures?

During state visits or special religious events, parts of the Vatican may be closed unexpectedly and without much notice. If an area normally visited during a tour is suddenly closed, our guide will still provide explanations of the closed areas and show you another gallery to compensate for the lost time in the usual location.

Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?

We ask both men and women to cover knees and shoulders, otherwise the Vatican might refuse entry to religious sites and you’ll miss out on a portion of your tour. We understand the summers in Rome can be hot, so a great alternative is to bring a shawl/scarf/sweater with you. That way you can cover your knees and shoulders when necessary.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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Taste of Venice Food Tour in San Marco & San Polo

Discover authentic Venetian flavors as you hop between backstreet bacari enjoying cicchetti and wine

From: $148.48

Milan Cooking Class: Pasta and Gelato

Savor an unforgettable Italian culinary experience with a local market tour, pasta making & more!

From: $138.04

Indulgent Pizza and Gelato Making Class in Milan

Learn the tips and tricks for making your own authentic creations of two of Italy’s beloved foods

( 1 ) From: $114.84

Water Activity

Capri and Sorrento Coast Boat Tour from Positano

Swim, snorkel, relax, and explore colorful caves on your way to Capri with this small group day trip

( 6 ) From: $196.04

Matera, Sassi Caves and Alberobello Private Day Trip from Bari

Easily explore more of Puglia and Basilicata, including the UNESCO cave dwellings and trullo houses

From: $580.00

Cinque Terre Tour with Locally Produced Limoncino Tasting from La Spezia

Explore the Beaches and Picturesque Peaks in a Small Group

( 3 ) From: $98.60

Ischia and Procida Boat tour from Sorrento

Sail the Bay of Naples to discover two unique islands, the Green Grotto, and more in one amazing day

From: $219.24

Capri and Li Galli Islands Boat Tour from Amalfi

Set sail to explore Capri's coast and visit stunning private islands on this VIP day trip

( 5 ) From: $242.44

Ultimate Pizza & Tiramisu Making Class Near Piazza Navona

Learn the secrets of making authentic tiramisu and pizza from a pizzaiolo chef before devouring them

( 6 ) From: $91.64

Amalfi Coast Kayaking Tour

Paddle the Amalfi coastline to discover hidden beaches, coves, and caves like Runghetiello Grotto

( 4 ) From: $80.04

Polignano a Mare Sea Caves Boat Tour with Local Skipper

Explore the caves, swim in the clear waters, and enjoy a glass of Prosecco in a small group

From: $34.80

Cinque Terre Hiking Tour from La Spezia

Walk clifftop trails to discover vineyards, epic views, and famous villages on Italy's magical coast

( 2 ) From: $103.24

Naples Pizza Making Class with a Local Maestro Pizzaiolo

Make authentic pizza at the birthplace of the world's favorite food in a historic pizzeria

( 2 ) From: $49.88

Secret Venice Tour of Dorsoduro District

Get to know the quiet but trendy academic district that has a Banksy mural and cool movie locations

From: $69.60

Authentic Tuscan Cooking Class in Florence with San Lorenzo Market

Create delicious pasta, tiramisu, and more with market-fresh ingredients and an expert local chef

( 4 ) From: $138.04

Tasty Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class Near Piazza Navona

Cook like a pro with a local chef as you master two Italian dishes then savor your own creations

( 27 ) From: $91.64

Pisa and Lucca Day Trip from Florence

Book a stress-free trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Lucca's medieval walls in a day

( 18 ) From: $75.40

Capri at Sunset Boat Tour from Sorrento

Cruise the Sorrento coast and sip wine as the sun goes down, then enjoy an evening in stylish Capri

From: $178.64

Naples Local Food Tour in Montesanto

Taste pizza fritta, the freshest mozzarella, local seafood and more in the city's oldest market

From: $40.60

Florentine Gondola Boat Tour

Sip wine on the Arno River and cruise by Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi, and more on a classic Barchetto boat

( 5 ) From: $80.04

Trastevere Pasta Making Class: Fettuccine and Maltagliati

Head to Rome’s trendiest food district to try your hand at authentic pasta making (and eating!)

( 7 ) From: $69.60

Amalfi Coast Snorkeling and Boat Cruise

Discover the underwater world of Amalfi in style on a VIP half-day tour from Amalfi Town

( 4 ) From: $161.24

Skip the Line Brera Gallery & Neighborhood Tour in Milan

Stroll through Milan's historic neighborhood and visit its palatial art museum with a local guide

( 3 ) From: $69.49

Meet Your Guide and Head to Alberobello

Full Day Alberobello and Winery Day Trip from Polignano a Mare

In a small group, see historic trulli homes and taste authentic Puglian wines with a local guide

From: $220.40

Fishing Experience and Capri Day Trip from Sorrento

Learn to Fish with an Expert Fisherman and Explore Capri by Boat in a Small Group

( 2 ) From: $184.44

Walking Tour of Artisanal Crafts in Venice

Uncover centuries-old trades on a stroll through authentic, artisan shops of the Floating City

From: $250.56

Idyllic Lake Como Day Trip from Milan with Boat Tour

Escape the city for a day of epic scenery and quaint towns along Italy's most famous lake

( 2 ) From: $261.00

Private Catamaran Tour of the Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare Sea Caves Sailing Tour by Catamaran

Sail the caves and along the cliffs of the Adriatic Coast in Luxury by private boat

From: $719.20

Duomo and Sforza Castle Guided Tour in Milan

Join a local guide to see two Milan icons in half a day, with epic views from the basilica terraces

( 3 ) From: $132.24

Tuscany Wineland Safari from Florence

Get off the beaten track to explore vineyards, castles, food, and Chianti wine on this 4x4 day tour

Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Naples

Explore the best of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello from lemons to pizza and swimming in the sea

Thrilling Mount Etna Jeep Tour from Taormina with Lunch Included

Adventure abounds when you explore the north side of Sicily on this off-road experience

Vatican Uncovered: A Private, Detailed Tour

Get an in-depth experience tailored to your interests of art, sculptures, and the Sistine Chapel

( 35 ) From: $719.15

Private Half Day E-Bike Tour of Rome

Cycle through the Roman streets with ease to see the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

( 37 ) From: $455.88

Private Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica Tour

Enjoy a tailored VIP Vatican experience with a dedicated private guide

( 148 ) From: $468.64

Private Family-Friendly Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour

Enjoy a boredom-free Vatican private tour that's perfect for kids, with treasure hunt and fun guide

( 23 ) From: $518.52

Rome Evening Cocktail Tour with Local Guide

Experience Rome’s cocktail culture as you stroll by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trastevere!

( 48 ) From: $519.68

Catacombs Private Tour in Rome

Discover the mysterious Roman Catacombs, Capuchin Crypts, and Appian Way on an personal private tour

( 23 ) From: $809.68

Private Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip from Rome

An unforgettable visit to ancient ruins with all the details and transportation taken care of

( 17 ) From: $2,198.15

Private Borghese Gallery Tour

Admire stunning Baroque art most miss like Bernini's Rape of Proserpina & Apollo and Daphne

( 26 ) From: $439.59

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Private Rome Tour

With a private guide, unearth the trendiest Rome districts from Santa Maria Basilica to Tiber Island

( 19 ) From: $203.00

Kid-Friendly Private Florence Walking Tour: David & Gelato

Bring the fun to Florence on this family walking tour that includes a merry-go-round and papermaking

( 8 ) From: $422.19

Alone at the Vatican: Private After Hours Tour

Experience the quiet of the Sistine Chapel without the crowds after your tailored tour

( 9 ) From: $5,846.40

Basilicas of Rome Private Driving Tour

Uncover relics of Catholic history across three of Rome’s major churches with an expert local guide

( 14 ) From: $693.68

Milan Private Walking Tour

Get in touch with Milan's roots and famous sites with the help of a local, private guide

( 10 ) From: $400.20

Private Family-Friendly Rome Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour

Bring the Colosseum to life on this interactive kids tour with a treasure hunt and fun local guide

( 24 ) From: $577.68

The Quickest Direct Access Private Vatican Tour

Explore the Vatican on a shorter, tailored tour that includes the Sistine Chapel

( 29 ) From: $461.68

Florence Private Walking Tour with Michelangelo's David

Explore the famous sites of Florence, with Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, and skip-the-line Accademia entry

( 37 ) From: $388.55

Private Wine Day in the Chianti Hills from Florence

Enjoy an intimate day trip tasting wine and organic food from local farms and vineyards in Tuscany

( 6 ) From: $1,199.44

Private Pisa Day Trip from Florence with Lunch in Vinci

Discover Tuscany on this VIP private tour, with Leaning Tower of Pisa, Da Vinci Museum, and more!

( 15 ) From: $933.80

Uffizi Private Tour in Florence

Skip the line to see Birth of Venus, Medusa, Doni Tondo, and more with your own private art guide

( 37 ) From: $312.04

Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio & Winery Private Day Trip from Rome

Escape the city on a memorable journey through Umbria’s historic towns to taste fine local wines

( 6 ) From: $1,599.64

Venice Discovery Private Tour

Skip the line at St. Mark's, explore Rialto Bridge, and ride a private boat through the Grand Canal

( 12 ) From: $869.95

Private Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip from the Amalfi Coast

Includes hotel pickup, private guide at Pompeii, and volcanologist on Mt Vesuvius

( 6 ) From: $1,273.63

Venice Doge's Palace Private Tour

Dive into Venice's dark history at its grand Gothic palace, Bridge of Sighs, and ancient dungeons

( 11 ) From: $388.55

Venice Islands and Artisans Private Tour

Explore colorful streets and ancient trades in Murano and Burano with a private boat and local guide

( 15 ) From: $510.35

Livorno Shore Excursion: Florence & Pisa

Maximize your day ashore on this jam-packed private tour with Leaning Tower, David, and more!

( 12 ) From: $1,705.20

Tuscany Shore Excursion: Chianti Wine Country and San Gimignano

A Chianti Wine Tasting Excursion

( 4 ) From: $1,496.40

SHORE EXCURSION

Naples Shore Excursion: Pompeii and Vesuvius

Pompeii Tour from Naples

( 4 ) From: $1,252.75

Private Pompeii & Sorrento Day Trip from Rome

Step back in time with a private guided tour of Pompeii then enjoy a lazy afternoon in Sorrento

( 11 ) From: $1,855.95

Hidden Canals - Private Venice Boat Tour

Uncover the real Venice as you explore secret gardens, local neighborhoods, and sail the Grand Canal

( 13 ) From: $1,350.24

Private Transfer from Rome to Amalfi Coast with Tour of Pompeii

Travel south in style with door-to-door service, and explore Italy’s lost city with a private guide

( 9 ) From: $1,914.00

Private Rome City Driving Tour

See the best of Rome with the comfort of your own private vehicle and a dedicated local tour guide

( 37 ) From: $722.68

Transportation Included

Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia

Book a private Rome tour and see the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and more in just one day!

( 32 ) From: $2,087.95

Naples Shore Excursion: Pompeii and Amalfi Coast

Tour the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii

( 4 ) From: $974.35

Private Siena Walking Tour

Explore this charming Tuscan city with an engaging local guide to see the Duomo, San Domenico & more

( 11 ) From: $359.60

Full Day Private Boat tour to Capri from Amalfi

Enjoy a luxurious day with a private skipper and boat as you explore the most famous Italian island

( 5 ) From: $1,613.51

Brunello di Montalcino Helicopter Tour from Rome or Florence

Soar above Tuscany on an exclusive VIP tour, complete with private wine tastings and a gourmet lunch

( 7 ) From: $11,484.00

Day Trip from Milan to Lake Como

Private transfer from Milan and luxury boat tour of Lake Como included

( 4 ) From: $2,445.28

Locals’ Favorites Food Tour in Bologna

Indulge in authentic tortellini and tagliatelle pasta paired with local wine, taste gelato and more!

From: $91.64

Pisa & Cinque Terre Day Trip From Florence

Explore the charming towns of Monterosso and Manarola, embark on a coastal hike, and tour Pisa

( 1 ) From: $118.32

Classic Palermo Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class

Learn to craft three iconic Italian delicacies from a professional chef and sample premium wines

From: $80.04

Tuscan Countryside Vespa Tour from Florence

Cruise to the rolling hills of Tuscany and taste local food and wine!

From: $174.00

Trastevere Food Tour and Pasta Making Class

Sample classic Roman delicacies and learn how to make fettuccine from scratch!

From: $170.52

2-Hour Tour by Segway​

Segway Tour of Imperial Rome

Admire the Colosseum, Circus Maximus and more, during a guided 2-hour journey in a Small Group

From: $68.44

Small Group Palermo Highlights Walking Tour

Join our expert guide to discover Sicily's largest city

( 2 ) From: $40.60

E-Bike Tour Through Florence and Tuscan Countryside

Ride along Tuscany’s majestic rolling hills, visit a medieval village, and sample local delicacies!

( 1 ) as low as $91.87

Self-Drive Rome Sightseeing Tour by Electric Car

Take the wheel of a Fiat Topolino for an eco-friendly convoy around the Eternal City’s iconic sights

From: $207.64

Four-Course Roman Dinner with Wine Pairing Near the Pantheon

Taste exquisite Italian food with sommelier-style pairings in a stunning 15th-century building

( 5 ) From: $168.20

Tuscany Winery Tour and Gourmet Bites in Montalcino

Pair irresistible wine with delicious gourmet bites after strolling through picturesque vineyards

From: $92.80

E-Bike Tour of Milan​

Ultimate Milan Small Group Tour by E-Bike

Effortlessly cycle past the Sforza Castle, Piazza Gae Aulenti, the San Lorenzo columns, and more

( 1 ) From: $52.20

Val d’Orcia Day Trip with Two Wine Tastings from Florence

Sip on Brunello in Montalcino, wander through Pienza, and savor pecorino cheese in Montelpuciano

From: $106.72

Verona Food and Wine Walking Tour

Enjoy this small group experience featuring indulgent cheeses, wines, pasta, and gelato

From: $103.24

Half-Day Cruise to Isola Bella From Giardini Naxos with Snorkeling

Snorkel, sunbathe, and soak in views of Sicily from the Bay of Naxos near Taormina

From: $63.80

Rome by Vespa Small Group Driving Tour

Join an intimate Vespa convoy and scoot past the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona

From: $168.20

Full Day Tour from Rome to Ponza Island with Boat Tour and Lunch

Indulge in an ultimate day of comfort and adventure featuring a 5-hour cruise with food

From: $230.84

Testaccio Food Crawl

Testaccio Small Group Food Tour

Sip an espresso, indulge in authentic Italian pasta and wine, and explore a local Roman Market

( 4 ) From: $133.40

Rome Vintage Fiat 500 Sightseeing Tour

Cruise around in style as you explore the Eternal City’s top landmarks, sights, and attractions!

( 7 ) From: $350.32

Syracuse, Ortigia and Catania Day Trip from Taormina

Explore three of Sicily’s most breathtaking Baroque cities on this full day tour

Palermo Market Tour and Cooking Class

Choose your ingredients at Mercato del Capo and learn to make a 3-course Sicilian meal with a chef!

Ultimate Palermo Food and Wine Night Tour

Experience the flavors of Sicilian street cuisine alongside a local guide

From: $85.84

Brunello di Montalcino Winery Tour & Tasting

Sip wine and stroll through vineyards alongside an expert guide in the hills of Montalcino

Small Group Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Cinque Terre

Step into a local host’s home in Cinque Terre, to discover the art of Italian cooking

Unforgettable Lake Garda Small Group Day Trip from Verona with Boat Tour

Take in panoramic views from the water, explore the village of Sirmione, visit an ancient castle!

From: $127.60

Bernina Train and St. Moritz from Milan​

Bernina Train to St. Moritz Day Trip from Milan

Discover one of the world’s steepest railway journeys and explore Switzerland’s premier resort town!

( 1 ) From: $161.24

Three Days at a Charming Country Resort in Val d'Orcia

Experience Tuscan cuisine, learn the secrets of olive oil and relax at an idyllic countryside estate

From: $517.36

500 tour from Florence​

Private Vintage FIAT 500 Chianti Tour with Driver from Florence

Cruise through the hills of Tuscany in style and dine at a Tuscan villa on this exclusive experience

as low as $350.78

Palazzo Vecchio Small Group Skip the Line Guided Tour

Roam through the lavish apartments and halls that were home to the iconic Medici family in Florence

Best Squares of Rome by Segway

Segway Tour of Baroque Rome in a Small Group

Zip to the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, theTrevi Fountain, and more of ancient Rome’s treasures!

Authentic Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Bologna at a Local's Home

Alongside a small group, uncover the secrets of Italian cooking at a local Cesarina host’s house

From: $156.60

Exclusive Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina Tour in Palermo

Visit the regal Royal Palace of Palermo and the historic Palatine Chapel

Historical Guided Tour of Milan and Last Supper

Get up close to Leonardo’s masterpiece, explore Piazza dei Mercanti, and admire the iconic Duomo!

( 3 ) From: $104.40

Social Pasta and Tiramisù Cooking & Dine with locals in Palermo

Learn to make an iconic meal and dine in an authentic Sicilian house

Three-Days in Tuscany: Wine & Spa Getaway for Two

Rejuvenate at the rustic Borgo Casa al Vento while learning the secrets of Tuscan wine and cuisine

From: $689.04

Scala Theatre and Duomo Cathedral Skip-the-Line Tour

Bypass the queues and uncover the storied history of Milan’s most iconic landmarks

From: $78.88

Venice Rooftops Tour​

Rooftops of Venice Small Group Walking Tour with Prosecco Tastings

Admire San Polo from above and uncover the hidden gems of Rialto market and the Red Light District

( 2 ) From: $87.00

Guided Buggy Tour of Rome ​

Guided Buggy Self-Drive Tour of Rome

Cruise to the Eternal City’s most iconic landmarks, historic monuments, and breathtaking viewpoints!

From: $276.08

Authentic Pizza Making Class in Taormina

Learn the secrets to assembling the perfect pizza, taught by a master chef!

From: $75.40

San Lorenzo Market Tour and Wine Tasting in Florence

Eat your way through Florence’s historic market, enjoy a wine tasting, and try real Italian gelato!

From: $96.28

Three unique islands in one day

Island Adventure Boat Tour to Mazzorbo, Burano, and Murano

Hop around the Venetian islands to discover glassblowing, colorful houses, and a serene lagoon

From: $143.84

Full Day Lake Como, Bellagio, and Lugano from Milan Tour

Experience Italy and Switzerland’s majestic mountain towns and cruise Lake Como

( 2 ) From: $145.00

Authentic Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in Rome

Embark on an Italian culinary adventure in a 17th-century palace near Piazza Navona!

From: $120.64

Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in a Tuscany Farmhouse in Florence

Pick fresh ingredients and learn to make authentic, Italian cuisine on an unforgettable day trip!

From: $139.20

Erice and Marsala Full Day Tour From Palermo

Travel along the Marsala Salt Route and indulge in traditional Sicilian food and wine

From: $196.04

Sunset Experience in Riomaggiore

Spritz Masterclass and Dinner in Cinque Terre at Sunset

Enjoy sunset views, spritz, wine, and a two-course meal at a local’s home in Riomaggiore

Prosecco Tour from Venice​

Prosecco Hills Small Group Tour from Venice

Sample bubbly wine alongside an expert guide at two renowned wineries and savor a light lunch!

( 1 ) From: $184.44

Sicilian Cooking Class with a Local Chef in Taormina

Visit a local market and learn the secrets to making a traditional, 3-course Sicilian meal

From: $110.20

Valpolicella and Amarone Wine Semi Private Tasting Tour from Verona

Visit two local wineries and learn insider secrets and techniques from a professional sommelier!

Sorrento Small Group Walking Food Tour

Taste your way through the streets of Sorrento and take in the city’s highlights

From: $76.56

Skip-the-Line Verona Arena Express Tour

Experience the storied grandeur of Verona’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site

From: $33.64

Oltrarno Local Food Tour in Florence

Take a break from the crowds and eat like a local in the lively neighborhood of Oltrarno

From: $129.92

Caravaggio's Masterpieces

Private Palazzo Barberini Museum Tour with Art Historian Guide

See Judith Beheading Holofrenes, La Fornarina, and more inside this opulent 17th-century palace

( 1 ) From: $461.68

Dolomites day trip from Venice​

Unforgettable Dolomites Semi Private Day Trip from Venice

Admire stunning mountains while exploring Cortina, Lake Misurina, and the Three Peaks of Lavaredo

as low as $225.91

Vintage FIAT 500 Tour from Florence​

Vintage FIAT 500 Self-Drive Tuscany Tour from Florence

Get behind the wheel of an iconic Italian car, cruising to the Tuscan countryside

( 1 ) From: $145.00

Pesto Cooking Class in Riomaggiore​

Small Group Pesto Cooking Class in Cinque Terre

Sip wine and learn the secrets of making pesto in a local’s picturesque home in Riomaggiore

From: $184.44

Semi Private Day Trip to Prosecco Hills from Venice

Complete with round-trip transport from Venice, sample 3 wines, and savor a 2-course lunch

Small Group Tour of Agrigento Valley of the Temples at Sunset

Behold Temple of Concordia, Heracles Temple and more in the landscapes of Sicily with a local guide

From: $45.24

Full Day Mount Etna Trekking Tour From Taormina

Explore Europe's highest volcano alongside an expert guide, complemented by Sicilian lunch

Authentic Sorrentine Cooking Class with Lunch

Learn the secrets of local specialty dishes and enjoy a delicious 4-course meal

Traditional Roman Cooking Class in Jewish Ghetto

Learn how to make pasta, seasonal vegetables, and a traditional dessert in a charming neighborhood

( 4 ) From: $112.52

Ultimate Milan Small Group Walking Food Tour

Explore the waterfront neighborhood of Darsena. Sample wine, Milanese cuisine, & decadent dessert!

From: $126.44

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Sistine Chapel tickets

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

Bypass the crowds and dive straight into the Vatican’s rich history with a local expert.

• Looking for the quintessential bucket-list experience? Opt for this guided tour giving you access to two tourist favourites with an expert guide.
• Without the fast-track access included in this tour, you may have to wait up to 2 hours in line. Explore more, wait less!
• Don't let the collection of over 70,000 artworks overwhelm you. Your expert guide will show you around and ensure you get to admire all the greatest masterpieces like the Raphael Rooms.
• If you want more interaction with your guide for art and history insights, upgrade your tour to a small group.
• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
• Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Small group tour (as per option selected)
• Nighttime tour (as per option selected)
• Entry to St. Peter's Basilica and/or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Tip: Stop for a coffee in the Belvedere Courtyard, or extend you visit to the Carriage Pavillion at the end of the tour.
• Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
• Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatting, no phones, and no photos, just pure admiration. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the cool details before you step inside.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour

Unlock skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica with this 3-in-1 tour!

• Get the complete Vatican City experience coupled with expert insights about the smallest country in the world with this guided tour.
• This is the only experience that grants you fast-track access to all 3 sites – Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
• An engaging storytelling experience awaits. Watch art and history come to life as you walk through the Gallery of Maps with your guide.
• Get the flexibility to choose skip-the-line entry or a guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and curate a Vatican City experience that suits you best.
• The cherry on top? With this tour, you'll head to St. Peter's Basilica via a back door from Sistine Chapel saving you 20 mins of walking time and a 2-hour queue.
• Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
• Tip: Planning your Rome itinerary? Be sure to set aside one entire day to fully explore the Vatican City. Comfy shoes are a must as you traverse all the nooks of this tiny nation!
• Accessibility: While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
• Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatter, no phones, and no photos, just pure awe. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the details before you step inside.
• Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Tour

Small group tour with up to 15 guests that allows more interaction and attention.

• Say goodbye to long lines and escape the crowds with fast-track entry on this personalized tour.
• Experience the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel’s artistic wonders in a more intimate setting with a guide.
• Learn how the Renaissance shaped the Roman Catholic Church as you unveil Vatican City's best-kept secrets in your language of choice.
• Wrap up your tour in the Sistine Chapel. Experience the genius of Michelangelo's impressive frescos first-hand and get bragging rights for life.
• Small group of up to 15 guests
• Expert English, Spanish, French, Italian, or German-speaking guide (as per option selected)
• Tip: The early bird gets the worm! Crowds at the Vatican start to build around around 10am. Book an earlier spot to beat the crowds.
• Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes: no chatting, no phones, no photos, just pure admiration. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the cool details before you step inside.

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

Your fast-track access ticket to Rome's most popular museum.

• The Vatican draws over 5 million people annually, so crowds are a given. Save around 2-3 hours bypassing the ticketing queue with these tickets.
• Get direct entry tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or choose to skip ticketing queues with a host.
• Admire The Last Judgement , the mighty composition by Michelangelo that has been one of the most influential (and controversial) masterpieces of all time.
• Upgrade to a hosted experience, a minibus tour of the venue, or entry to Castel Sant'Angelo.
• Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Hosted entry to Vatican Museums with ticket redemption (as per option selected)
• Minibus tour of Vatican Gardens with audio guide (as per option selected)
• Entry to Castel Sant'Angelo (as per option selected)
• Booking and service charges
• Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
• Tip: Make the most of your visit and explore some of the collections off the main route, such as Braccio Nuovo.
• Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
• The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required. Click here for the accessible route.
• Entrance to the Museums is timed. Be sure to select your activity starting time when booking. Once inside the Museums, you will be free to explore at your own pace.
• Please note that the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are separate sites from St. Peter’s Basilica.

Rome in a Day: Vatican Museums & Colosseum Guided Tour

• Head to Rome's renowned spots Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this expertly crafted tour.
• Admire masterpieces by Renaissance maestros at the Vatican Museums followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel and time to explore St. Peter's Basilica.
• Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
• At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows hosted here in the past.
• Finish your full-day tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.
• Full-day guided tour of Rome
• Expert English-speaking guide
• Access to the Colosseum floors 1 & 2
• Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Access to Vatican Museums
• Access to Sistine Chapel
• Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
• Audio headsets
• Tip: Don't miss checking out Pietà by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most famous sculptures to exist in the world.
• All visitors must carry a photo ID for security checks.
• Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly.
• Please note that you will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica on your own. Your guide will not take you inside, since direct access from Vatican Museum is not possible.
• St Peter’s Basilica is an active place of worship and may be closed without prior notice for religious events: in this case, the visit will be substituted by a visit to the Vatican Library.
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering venues. Guests with a pacemaker will need to show a certificate to bypass security screening
• Facilities: Cloakroom at Vatican Museums
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, people with mobility issues.
• Strict Dress Code : In order to enter St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums, one must abide by a dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Colosseum: large backpacks or pieces of luggage.
• Note that the following are not allowed inside Vatican Museums: suitcases, backpacks, containers, umbrellas, walking sticks (except those required by disabled visitors), tripods for cameras and video cameras, signage of any kind.

Top things to do in Rome

Sistine Chapel - Home to Michelangelo's The Last Judgement

The Sistine Chapel is a papal chapel located in the Vatican Palace and is one of the world's most important chapels. Built by Pope Sixtus IV between 1477 and 1480, its renowned frescoes, including the iconic The Last Judgment , painted by Michelangelo from 1508 to 1512, are Renaissance masterpieces. When you visit the Vatican Museums and its 54 galleries, the Sistine Chapel will notably be the last room you visit.

How to access the Chapel?

The chapel is situated in the Apostolic Palace , the official residence of the Pope. You can enter through the Vatican Museum entrance on Viale Vaticano, located on the north side of Vatican City. It's on the right side if you look at St. Peter's Basilica from St Peter's Square.

Access to the Sistine Chapel is included in all Vatican Museum tickets .

Sistine Chapel in a nutshell

Highlights : Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam , Botticelli's frescoes depicting the story of Christ and Moses, the chapel's architectural design. Current use : The Sistine Chapel serves as the Pope's personal chapel and the site of the papal conclave. Entrance : No separate entrance ; accessible through the Vatican Museums. Unique facts: 

• Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes, a globally famous artwork, covers about 12,000 sqft.
• In the 1560s, Pope Pius IV ordered fig leaves and loincloths to cover the nudes in Michelangelo’s paintings
• The chapel, initially for worship, had thick walls for Vatican defense

Your Sistine Chapel tickets explained

Skip-the-line tickets

Guided tours

After hours access

Combo deals

Is Sistine Chapel access included?

Why go for it?

Save time. Hosted entry ensures a relaxed experience. Explore the chapel's beautiful and symbolic frescoes without feeling rushed.

Includes skip-the-line entry for an efficient visit. Active engagement with complimentary audio equipment.

Crowd-free setting for a deeper connection with art. Enjoy 30-minute breakfast in the Vatican's Courtyard.

One package for complete experience, no separate tickets or multiple bookings. Great for those with time constraints or tourists wanting essential highlights.

Starting price

Recommended tickets

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tickets

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour

• Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Guided Tour

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Early Morning or After-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour

• Rome in a Day: Vatican Museums & Colosseum Guided Tour

What's inside the Sistine Chapel?

Entrance wall

The entrance wall of the Chapel is decorated with the following frescoes that depict the final episodes in the lives of Christ and Moses: • Resurrection of Christ • Discussion over the body of Moses

The original frescos created by Ghirlandaio and Signorelli respectively were destroyed in 1522 when the architrave of the door collapsed. They were replaced in 1522 by the works of Hendrik van den Broeck and Matteo da Lecce.

Chapel’s ceiling

The frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, include: • Nine scenes from the Book of Genesis , including the iconic The Creation of Adam • Ancestors of Jesus • Twelve Prophets • Sibyls • Four corner paintings representing the salvation of the Jewish people

Michelangelo painted over 300 figures on the curved ceiling, initially commissioned for the 12 Apostles. His innovative scaffolding system facilitated the work, inspiring artists.

The northern wall

The northern wall of the Sistine Chapel is decorated with the Stories of Jesus, painted in 1481-1482: • Baptism of Christ • Temptation of Christ • Cleansing of the Leper • Vocation of the Apostles • The Sermon on the Mount • The Delivery of the Keys • The Last Supper

Beyond the windows, you will also find three episodes of the Passion: the Agony in the garden, the Arrest of Jesus, and the Crucifixion. The cycle ends with the Resurrection of Christ on the entrance wall.

The southern wall

The southern wall of the Sistine Chapel is decorated with the Stories of Moses. Painted in 1481-1482, some of the famous frescoes on the southern wall are: • Moses Leaving to Egypt • The Trials of Moses • The Crossing of the Red Sea • Handing over the Tablets of Law • Descent from Mount Sinai • Punishment of the Rebels • Testament and Death of Moses

The cycle ends on the entrance wall with the Dispute over the body of Moses.

The altar wall

The entire altar wall of the Sistine Chapel features Michelangelo's masterpiece, The Last Judgment , painted between 1534 and 1541. This monumental fresco depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment of humanity, based on the 20th chapter of the Revelation of John. Highlights are: • Heroic central image of Jesus Christ surrounded by saints and prophets. • Figures of the blessed ascending to heaven on Christ's right, pulled by angels. • Figures of the damned being dragged to hell on Christ's left by demons. • Michelangelo's self-portrait as St. Bartholomew holding his flayed skin. • Intentionally distorted and exaggerated human proportions.

It's a climactic conclusion to the biblical narrative depicted in the chapel's ceiling and walls.

Architectural highlights of Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, built 1473-1481 under the Florentine architect Baccio Pontelli, epitomizes Renaissance design, where form and function come together to set a stunning stage for the renowned art it houses. The rectangular plan, a Renaissance hallmark, maximizes the visibility of the works, while the barrel-vaulted ceiling, a nod to Roman engineering, creates a unified space.

The six arched windows allow natural light to enter illuminating the famous frescoes by Michelangelo that accessorize the vaulted ceiling. The intricate geometric floor complements the artwork on the walls and ceiling. The marble chancel screen by Mino da Fiesole acts as a decorative barrier separating the altar area from the rest of the chapel.

Historical and cultural significance of the Sistine Chapel

• The Sistine Chapel was constructed between 1473 and 1481 under the patronage of Pope Sixtus IV, after whom the chapel is named. The original medieval chapel on the site was demolished, with the new chapel retaining the asymmetrical plan and brick walls of the previous structure.
• The interior walls were initially decorated with frescoes by Renaissance artists like Perugino, Botticelli, and Ghirlandaio in 1481-1483. These frescoes depicted scenes from the lives of Moses and Christ.
• In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the chapel's ceiling. Michelangelo completed this monumental work between 1508-1512.
• Michelangelo was also commissioned to paint The Last Judgment on the altar wall of the chapel, which he completed between 1536 and 1541.
• Since 1878, the Sistine Chapel has served as the site of the papal conclave, where cardinals gather to elect a new pope upon the death or resignation of the previous pontiff.
• The chapel's artworks, especially Michelangelo's frescoes, are considered some of the greatest achievements of the Italian Renaissance and have had a profound impact on Western art.

Notable figures of Sistine Chapel

Pope sixtus iv.

The Sistine Chapel is named after the Pope Sixtus , as he commissioned the original construction of the chapel between 1473-1481.

Michelangelo

The renowned Renaissance artist, Michelangelo was originally a sculptor, who painted the iconic frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the altar wall, including The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment .

Pope Julius II

Pope Julius II , known as the Warrior Pope, was a central figure of the High Renaissance and a patron of the arts. He commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1508.

Raphael designed a series of tapestries to cover the lower walls of the Sistine Chapel in 1515-1516. Inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael included Michelangelo's likeness in his School of Athens .

Giovanni dei Dolci

Dolci is architect who designed the original Sistine Chapel building in the 15th century.

Visitor tips

• Try to visit the Sistine Chapel either first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive, or later in the afternoon when the crowds have thinned out.
• Every corner of the chapel is adorned with beautiful frescoes, each backed by fascinating stories and rich symbolism. Consider a guided tour to fully appreciate the breadth of these masterpieces.
• If you prefer self-paced exploration, we recommend brushing up these artworks beforehand so you're not just left admiring the pretty pictures.
• Remember to dress modestly , covering your shoulders and knees, as a sign of respect for the sacred nature of the Sistine Chapel.
• Observe silence inside the Sistine Chapel, as speaking above a whisper is prohibited to preserve the contemplative atmosphere.
• Familiarize yourself with the layout of the Vatican Museums to streamline your journey to the Sistine Chapel and make the most of your time.
• Once inside, take your sweet time to fully appreciate the stunning frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance masters and understand the symbolism behind each scene.

Frequently asked questions about Sistine Chapel tickets

No, a ticket to the Vatican Museums includes entry to the Sistine Chapel. The chapel is located within the Vatican Museums complex. You can buy these tickets online. You can also join a guided tour with priority access.

The Sistine Chapel can be very crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. Skip-the-line access is highly recommended to avoid long wait times and make the most of your visit to one of the world’s most significant chapels. You can buy these tickets online. You can also join a guided tour with priority access.

Yes, Vatican guided tours do include the Sistine Chapel . In fact, it's one of the key highlights. You can explore and admire the iconic frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists with a professional guide, enriching your experience with exciting stories and lesser-known facts.

Most visitors spend 30-45 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo's frescoes. Of course, this can vary depending on the crowds and your personal pace. However, it is recommended to allocate a couple of hours for your visit, as you will start your journey at the Vatican Museums and explore several rooms before reaching the chapel. The Sistine Chapel is a place where you don't want to rush, so taking the time to appreciate each detail in the frescoes is essential for a fulfilling experience.

You can book the tickets on-site, but both the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are famous landmarks and availability might run out, especially in the peak season. Therefore, to secure better deals and ensure access, it is recommended to book Sistine Chapel tickets in advance rather than waiting to purchase them on the day of your visit.

No, photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel. This is to protect the delicate frescoes from the damage caused by camera flashes.

The Sistine Chapel has a strict dress code that requires visitors to have their shoulders and knees covered. Sleeveless tops, shorts, and miniskirts are not allowed. Proper attire is required for entry.

Yes, the Sistine Chapel is accessible for visitors with disabilities. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted, and there are elevators available to reach the chapel. Visitors should inform their tour operator or the Vatican staff of any special needs.

The Sistine Chapel is generally considered appropriate for children, as it is a significant cultural and religious site. However, the long lines, strict dress code, and need for quiet contemplation may make it challenging for very young children. Parents should use their discretion based on their child's age and attention span.

Plan your visit

Vatican Museum Entrances

Inside Vatican Museums

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Best Vatican tours: Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

Touring the Vatican is one of the top things to do in Rome. But deciding which tour to choose can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you find the best Vatican tour for your trip.

Summary of recommended tours

We’ve provided a complete analysis of the best Vatican tours available in this article. This includes dates and times available, duration and other useful information. Here is a summary if you’re the kind of person who wants quick answers.

Best standard tours

• Walks of Italy – Complete Vatican Tour  (small groups up to 20 people)
• LivTours – Skip the line Highlights of the Vatican tour (small groups up to 6 people – 5% off with code – UntoldItaly)
• CityWonders – Skip the line tour of the Vatican (larger groups)
• Vatican official – Standard Vatican tour (provided by the museums – historic focus)

5% discount on small group tours with LivTours. Discount applied at checkout when you click this link  or use code ‘UntoldItaly’

Best early access tours (beat the crowds).

• Walks of Italy – VIP Key Masters Tour (open the Sistine Chapel at 6.00am – small group tour) – this is the earliest and most exclusive tour
• Walks of Italy – Alone in the Vatican (small group and early access from 6.30am)
• LivTours – Alone in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums (small group with early access from 6.30am, includes breakfast in the Pine Cone Courtyard)
• Walks of Italy – Pristine Sistine – best first access with the general public tour

*Note, in 2024 the Vatican Museums changed it’s early entry policy to allow only a handful of visitors access prior to 8am when doors are open to the general public. Places on these exclusive tours are extremely limited

What to see on a Vatican tour

First, let’s clear up exactly what ‘the Vatican’ is so you can decide which parts you wish to tour. The Vatican is in fact an independent city state within Rome ruled by the Pope – the head of the Catholic church. It is the smallest country on Earth with an area of 0.44 square kilometers and population of just 1,000.

The main areas to visit inside the Vatican City are:

• St Peter’s Basilica including cupola (dome), tombs and square – more info
• Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel – the world’s greatest art collection with works by Raphael, Giotto, Caravaggio and of course Michelangelo
• Vatican Gardens – arguably the most beautiful gardens in Rome with stunning views of St Peters, grottoes and lawns

Most Vatican tours will include visiting both St Peters and the Vatican Museums as part of their package. The gardens can only be accessed by a separate tour usually combined with a tour of the Vatican Museums (but not St Peters).

Why take a tour of the Vatican Museums and St Peters

There are two main reasons to join a tour of the Vatican – experience and convenience.

With over 6 million visitors a year, the Vatican Museums and St Peters are among the most popular attractions in Rome and the world. And rightly so. Their collection of art is mind boggling in scale and value. And the historical importance of the buildings is almost unparalleled.

Unless you are a highly educated art historian, there is no way you will know what to look for among all the glitz and walls dripping with priceless paintings. And unfortunately, the information provided by the museums is disappointing.

Visit with a guide and they will be able to point out the most important pieces and their symbolism and significance. Not to mention the major events that have taken place between those walls.

You will spend at least 2 – 3 hours visiting the Vatican no matter how you approach your visit. This is because it takes that amount of time to move through the buildings. That being the case, it makes sense to have an expert guide you through the highlights.

Tours start in the Vatican Museums skipping the long lines for tickets and use a special entrance to St Peter’s from the Sistine Chapel to avoid the separate lines for the Basilica. So if you are not on a tour or have not pre-purchased tickets you will need to line up twice to see both main areas of the Vatican.

Prefer to visit without a guide?

Make sure you buy skip the line tickets prior to your visit to avoid waiting in lines – around 2-3 hours during peak periods.

You can buy tickets for the Vatican Museums on the official site here or if you are having trouble using the site or they are sold out you can buy Vatican  Museums skip the line tickets with authorized ticket seller GetYourGuide here .

St Peter’s is a separate entrance. Buy tickets to skip the line at St Peter’s here .

What to look for in a tour of the Vatican

By law, all guides operating in the Vatican must hold a license that can only be obtained by a very strict examination process. So you know that any guide you tour with will have a thorough knowledge of the details, dates, and facts of the art and buildings you visit.

Your choice really comes down to timing, group size, inclusions, length and style and price of tour. Generally, the size and length of tour will determine the price, however, you also pay extra for exclusive experiences.

• Timing – early morning and evening tours are available and are strictly limited so you will have fewer crowds to contend with
• Group size – if budget allows, try to book a tour with a group size less than 20. Any more than this and you’ll be struggling to hear (despite headsets) or engage with your guide
• Inclusions and itinerary  – basic and express tours of the Vatican focus on the highlights of the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel, Gallery of Maps, Michelangelo’s masterpieces, Pinacoteca Courtyard) plus St Peter’s interior. Longer tours will take you to the Underground Crypts, the Carriage Pavilion and Nero’s bath
• Length – the shortest tours available are around 2 hours and you can also join full day tours of the Vatican.
• Budget – basic tours start at around €40 for large group tours while you can pay between €300 – €500 per person for a private tour of the Vatican

Worth Noting

• We have not found a tour that includes visiting St Peter’s dome. If you want to ascend the dome you will need to buy a ticket at the basilica office at the conclusion of your tour
• If you find yourself waiting in line for tickets and wishing you had booked a tour, please do not join one of those offered by the scammers that work the crowd. They are not recommended – expensive and basically just entry tickets (if that!)

The best Vatican tour companies

Here are some of the most popular operators and our assessment of how they differ. There are literally hundreds of tour operators working in the Vatican so we have chosen the best for different types of travelers.

• Walks of Italy – working closely in partnership with the Vatican Museums to create unique and engaging experiences for English speaking visitors, the Walks of Italy offerings Pristine Sistine and VIP Key Masters tours are outstanding 
• Vatican official tours – The Vatican Museums tours are generally the least expensive option but note that group sizes start at 16 people. Expect a focus on religious history and the church. Their Art and Faith tours are focused on the relationship between art and religion in the context of the history of the Catholic Church in Rome – view all official Vatican tours
• LivTours – this Rome based company is known for their very small group and private tours and knowledgeable guides who are expert at adjusting tours for their guests’ interest and knowledge level – view all LivTours Vatican tours PLUS 5% off with code ‘UntoldItaly’ 

Best Vatican tours

We chose the best small and larger group tours of the Vatican offered by the tour companies mentioned above. We used our own experience and cross checked this with ratings on tours on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and other media. This is updated on an ongoing basis so we can bring you the best tours available.

Please note – If you are visiting on a Wednesday, your tour group will not be able to enter St Peter’s basilica due to the weekly Papal Address. In this case, the tour will include additional galleries of the museums.

If you are looking for a private Vatican tour please skip forward to the section below.

Standard tours of the Vatican

Most tour operators offer a standard 2 – 3 hour Vatican tour that includes highlights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s. These tours start at the same time the museums are open to the general public.

Your tour includes skip the line for tickets and have a dedicated guide escorting you and explaining the art and history.  But, there is no escaping the crowds, unfortunately. You will however be able to use the group entrance into St Peter’s avoiding a half hour walk back to the main entrance and line for the basilica.

Early morning Vatican tours

We think that early access tours are the best way to experience the Vatican. You can see the priceless artwork in relative solitude as you pay a premium to enter without the crowds. If these tours are within budget then we strongly suggest choosing the earliest tour available.

The Vatican Museums allow a very limited number of people each day in to the galleries at 6:00am with the “ clavigero ” or key keeper of the Museums. You can join this unforgettable tour led by the wonderful team at Walks of Italy – more info and booking instructions here . Note – this applies to the museums only and does not include access to St Peter’s. If you would like to read our complete review of this experience – visit this page

LISTEN: to our Vatican Museums Tips and   Highlights podcast episode with Walks of Italy co-founder Stephen Oddo

Complete Vatican tours

If you’re an art and history lover it is fair to say that 2-3 hours will barely scratch the surface of the 54 galleries and 20,000 works on display. These early start tours ensure you see the highlights as well as some of the lesser known treasures in the museums such as Nero’s bath, the Borgia apartments, Pinacoteca Vaticana and 16th century double helix Bramante staircase which inspired the modern version of the same name. Visit the Vatican Museums ticket office to learn about openings of special galleries and sections of the Museums.

Family friendly tour of the Vatican

Do you want to take the whole family to tour the Vatican Museums? We suggest giving this a lot of consideration especially if you have very young children. They will need to do a lot of walking, often in hot and stuffy rooms and remain silent in the Sistine Chapel.

If you do decide to go, booking a family friendly tour is a great idea. Your tour will be tailored to the interests of children and your guide will assist in keeping your kids entertained so you can enjoy the experience too.

LivTours offer a fun family friendly interactive tour in the Vatican designed especially for families. This is a great way to introduce your children to the history and stories behind this precious art collection.

Special Vatican tours

Evening vatican museum tours.

During the summer months the Vatican Museums open from 19:00pm to 23:00pm on Friday evenings. With limited numbers allowed into the galleries you can enjoy them without the crowds and in the cooler night air. This exclusive experience will no doubt be a highlight of your trip to Rome.

Note – this experience does not include visiting St Peter’s basilica so you would need to go there separately

Recommended night Vatican tours

• Vatican Museums official [group size up to 30]  – click for info
• Walks of Italy [group size max 15] at 19:30pm – click for details

Claim your 5% discount on small group tours with LivTours.   Click here and use code ‘UntoldItaly’

Vatican Garden Tours

The Papal gardens are among the finest in Europe that are centuries old. A stroll through the gardens reveals sculptures, fountains and stunning views of the basilica. They are an oasis away from the chaos of the city beyond.

A tour of the gardens will help you appreciate the history and stories behind the many works of art within the gardens and their significance to the Catholic church. There is a replica of the sacred Lourdes grotto in France as well as monuments and statues collected by and dedicated to former popes.

An advantage of doing a tour of the gardens is that it also includes admission to the Vatican Museums. And yes, you skip the lines. No tour is provided in the museums, however.

Vatican Scavi tours

If you have a particular interest in Christianity and history, there could be no bigger thrill to see what is said to be the tomb of St Peter the apostle, deep below the basilica that bears his name. Only 250 people per day are allowed into this sacred area as part of escorted 90 minute tours run by the Vatican. Tour groups are small with only 12 people visiting the excavation site and tomb.

You need to book this tour months in advance by following the instructions on the official Vatican excavations office page . Please note – children under 15 years may not go on this tour. You may not take photos on the tour.

Private Vatican tours

Would you prefer a fully private tour of the Vatican Museums? Private tours are a great way to enjoy the Vatican at your own pace and to see those things you really want to see. Starting at around €350, they can also be more cost effective if you are traveling in a larger group. We recommend  LivTours for private Vatican tours.

DISCOVER: The Best hotels near the Vatican City .

Useful information for visiting the Vatican

Both the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s basilica are religious sites. Men and women should cover knees and shoulders as a sign of respect. You may be refused entry if you are not suitably attired.

During the hot Roman summers you might like to bring a light shawl or scarf as an alternative to wearing clothing that covers your shoulders.

Tours are not offered on Sundays when the museums are either closed or open to the public for free admission.

Tour itineraries do not include St Peter’s basilica on Wednesday due to the usual Papal audience in the piazza.

The best day to do a standard Vatican tour is probably Tuesday when you avoid the extended long weekend European visitors.

If you want to do an early morning tour choose from Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

Night tours of the Vatican are only available on Fridays from April to October.

Yes, it is a condition of entry that all people entering the Vatican Museums and St Peters pass security checks. Don’t worry, these lines move quickly

Yes, cloakroom facilities are found near the entrance to the Vatican Museums and there is a separate cloakroom for St Peters. Both are free of charge

Yes, you can take photos (without flash) in most areas except the Sistine Chapel where photography of any kind is not allowed. Flash photography is forbidden in all areas as it may damage the artwork

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Why Choose It?

• Absorb  more than  2,000 years  of history and culture.
• Witness  the  ethereal beauty  of the  Sistine Chapel's frescoes .
• Marvel  at the  miraculous relics  housed inside  Saint Peter's Basilica .

Tour Description

You are on holiday in Italy, so why not make the most of Rome during a visit of the Vatican Museums, the magical atmosphere of the Sistine Chapel and a guided tour inside the most important Catholic Church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica. Marvel at the miraculous relics housed inside it. Walks Inside Rome will be able to take you on a best Sistine Chapel Tour to admire the ethereal beauty of its frescoes.

A Vatican and Sistine Chapel private tour will take you through the splendor of the Rome of the Popes. A dedicated expert English-speaking guide has selected the very best of the Vatican’s collection, and condensed it just for you. So you can be sure that during your time in the Vatican City you don’t miss anything.

A guided tour with an official and private guide

In the company of an expert guide, you will visit the main sections of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. An unforgettable guided tour inside the splendid Vatican City which house one of the largest collections of masterpieces in the world.

• The fascinating experience in the Eternal City begins with the astonishing collection of the many masterpieces of the Vatican Museums . Here important works of art from the Egyptian period to the end of the Renaissance are kept, ancient statues such as the mythological Laocoon, the Apollo Belvedere and you have the opportunity to admire the magnificence of the Raphael Rooms and his frescoes, absolutely not to be missed once you are in the Italian capital.
• The Sistine Chapel is so famous that it almost needs no introduction. Impossible not to visit this incredible mix of paintings by the most glorious artists, such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio that adorn walls. However, they are quite literally overshadowed by the masterpiece above: Michelangelo’s frescoes decorate the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, depicting Old Testament scenes as rich as meaning as they are in color. Your seasoned guide will you explain the history and hidden meaning of the fresco. Admiring the creation of Adam or the Day of Judgment created by Buonarroti means experiencing a strong emotion, spending time in silent contemplation there would be such a pleasure. Nowadays, it still serves as the Pope’s personal chapel.
• The final stop (for tours lasting an additional hour) is the famous St. Peter’s Basilica , a true concentrate of beauty and majesty. Here there are the dome designed by Michelangelo and several world-renowned artworks as Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin, a huge bronze sculpture which stands above the main altar – where it is located the presumed tomb of St. Peter – made in the 17th century. At the end of the visit, outside Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the center of Saint Peter’s Square stands an obelisk brought to Rome by the mad emperor Caligula. This large square is known above all for the “Urbi et Orbi” blessings pronounced by the Pope at Easter and Christmas.

Discover the Sistine Chapel with Walks Inside Rome

For over 20 years Walks Inside Rome , a travel and guided tour agency, has been offering immersive, authentic and educational private and small-group tours in the Eternal City and beyond.

Our team of licensed local guides are experts in art, history, archaeology and food, a combined expertise and experience which transforms your stay in Rome into something truly exceptional.

Contact Us!

To consult our catalog of tours and experiences , please visit our website or contact us directly. We can’t wait to hear from you so we can customize your Sistine Chapel Tour, Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica and start exploring together!

**A three-hour tour is also available which excludes St Peter’s Basilica, concluding instead in St Peter’s Square.**

• Itinerary: Vatican Museums highlights Sistine Chapel Saint Peter's Basilica Saint Peter's Square
• Included: Skip-the-line tickets Private licensed guide
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes.
• Meeting Point: Vatican Museums entrance (under the statue of Michelangelo and Raphael)

excellent guides

Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!

Walksinsiderome

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