The entrance to the Vatican Museums is located at a very short distance from the Basilica. It houses innumerable works of great value. The main attraction is, of course, the masterpiece by Michelangelo – the Sistine Chapel. There are also works of Giotto, Caravaggio, Perugino, Leonardo, Titian & Raphael. At the Vatican Palace you will find the Raphael Rooms which are decorated with beautiful frescoes that the famous painter created between 1508 & 1524.
It takes around 3 hours to see the magnificent pieces of art and this experience is worth every penny. There are also rooms dedicated to Egyptian relics, sarcophagi, sphinxes, arts of ancient Greece and Rome. All these different types of art, the beautiful ceilings and the frescoes will make your trip to the Vatican museum a memorable one.
Vatican Museums
How to enter the museum and skip the queue?
The most common question among the tourists is how to avoid the long queue at the entrance of the museum? Well, it is very easy. Just buy the ticket to the Vatican Museum online, stamp it at home and carry it with you when you visit the museum. There is an additional fee of EUR 5 for this service but if you do not mind waiting for around 30 – 60 min in the queue, then you can buy the entrance ticket on the spot for EUR 17 only.
The working hours of The Vatican Museum
The museum is open from Monday to Saturday (9 am to 6 pm) but last entry is allowed only at 4 pm, at the time of closing of the ticket office.
Cost of the ticket and the types of tickets
As we had mentioned earlier, the ticket price for the Museum and the Sistine Chapel is EUR 17 but online purchase of the ticket will attract an additional charge of EUR 5. The audio guide service is also there which is optional and costs EUR 7. There are different types of tickets available for Vatican City such as guided tours, individual tours, visiting Vatican Museum after sunset et al.
The Museum allows free entry on every last Sunday in a month from 9 am to 12:30 pm. On Sundays, museum closes at 2 pm.
There is no need to make any reservation but you need to come here as soon as the ticket counter opens.
How do I get there?
The best way to get here is to hop on Metro Line A in the direction of Battistini. Get down at the Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticani.
You may also take the Bus #49 which stops in front of the Museum entrance.
Is there any dress code for Vatican City?
Yes, there is actually a dress code in place. You need to cover your shoulders and knees if you want to enter the museum and you are also prohibited from wearing any type of hat.
Can you carry your personal stuff inside the museum?
It is important to note that one may use the cloakroom services for backpacks and suitcases which are not larger than 40x35x15 cm. You are also advised to leave the umbrellas, knives and scissors or any tools that can hurt another person in the Museum. You can take food and drinks with you but not alcohol.
Clicking photos inside the Museum is allowed but flash should not be used and no ‘selfie stickers’ too.
Sistine Chapel Rules of Conduct
You must be very quiet here as talking here is strictly prohibited. You are also not allowed to use cell phones, eat or drink. You should wear proper clothing otherwise you will not be allowed to enter.
Vatican Gardens
If you are coming to Rome especially the Vatican City then you should consider visiting the Vatican Gardens. A visit to this place is very fulfilling and you will enjoy each moment you spend here. This is a very peaceful place with greenery all around and the whole area is decorated with fountains and sculptures. Its history dates back to 1279 and be informed that reservations are a must to get access to the Gardens and visit the different sights.
What are the opening hours?
The gardens are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (except holidays) from 10 am to 2 pm but last entry is at noon only.
What is the cost of a ticket to Vatican Gardens and the types of tickets available?
The full price for a Guided Tour of the Vatican Gardens would cost EUR 37 and this ticket allows you to explore, on your own, a tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with the same ticket. Another option is to visit the Vatican Gardens and Necropolis via Triumphalis which is basically an archaeological excavation that extends well below the Vatican City.
A Guided Tour would cost EUR 40. This ticket too would allow you to self-explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.
If you want to tour Vatican Gardens alone then it is advisable to purchase the tickets online.
What will you see?
In the Gardens you will find temples, shrines and caves which are dedicated to the Madonna. The garden has a good collection of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs from all around the world. The many sculptures and fountains created during the Renaissance period make these Gardens a beautiful place.
When you are here do not miss the opportunity to enter the Vatican Grottoes which are open on all days from 7 am to 6 pm (April to September) and from 7 am to 5 pm (October to March). There are no admission charges and the entrance is located in the underground of St Peter’s Basilica. One will also come across the tombs of many popes; some are buried in the Basilica while the others are in various Churches.
We sincerely hope that these set of articles about Vatican City will help you a lot and you will surely find a suitable way to organize your tour in the Vatican City.
Additional Tip : What to see first and organize your tour in the Vatican City?
The best way to explore Vatican City is to see the museums first in the morning, then the gardens and in the end you can enter the Basilica if you intent to see the city in a single day. But if you are staying here for at least 2 days then in the morning of Day I you can visit the Vatican Museums and the Gardens and on the morning of Day 2 you can check out the St Peter’s Basilica and climb on the Dome.