MUSEUM · Timed entry
Vatican Museums
The Apostolic Palace's galleries hold the Route of the Painted Tombs, classical sculptures, the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. One timed ticket covers the entire route; it is the only way in.
TicketsMandatory timed ticket for the full route incl. Sistine Chapel. €25 official online (€20 + €5 booking fee), non-refundable. No ticket = no entry.
| Hours & access | |
|---|---|
| Open | Mon–Sat 08:00–20:00 (last entry 18:00); last Sunday of month 09:00–14:00 (last entry 12:30, free with booking). Verified 2026-10-11 via museivaticani.va. |
| Closed | Closed 1 Jan, 6 Dec, and selected feast days (e.g. 11 Feb). Verify against official 2026–2027 calendar PDF before visiting. |
| Tickets | Mandatory timed ticket for the full route incl. Sistine Chapel. €25 official online (€20 + €5 booking fee), non-refundable. No ticket = no entry. |
| Official | tickets.museivaticani.va |
| Before you book | |
|---|---|
| Lookalike ticket sites | The only official online seller is the Vatican portal (tickets.museivaticani.va) — lookalikes charge more. |
| Expecting a refund | Official tickets cannot be refunded — only book dates you can keep. |
| Dress code | No sleeveless or low-cut tops, short shorts, miniskirts or hats — checked at entry. |
| Free cloakroom | Large bags and umbrellas go in the free cloakroom, not into the galleries. |
Getting there & practical
- Entrance & how to get there
- Official timed-entry entrance on Viale Vaticano (the queue runs along the wall). Metro A to Ottaviano or Cipro, then a short signposted walk.
- How long to allow
- Allow 2–3 hours for the main route to the Sistine Chapel; 4–5 hours to see every gallery.
- Accessibility
- Most of the route is step-free; the historic galleries and Sistine Chapel include stairs and narrow sections. Wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed at the entrance.
- Rules & restrictions
-
- No large bags, backpacks, tripods or umbrellas — cloakroom at the entrance.
- Knees and shoulders covered (all visitors).
- No flash anywhere; no photos or filming inside the Sistine Chapel.
- Silence is required in the Sistine Chapel.
What you will see
The Museums span classical antiquities, Renaissance art, the Gallery of Maps, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. The timed ticket takes you end-to-end through the entire route; you cannot visit the Sistine Chapel separately.
Official ticket
The Vatican Museums ticketing portal (tickets.museivaticani.va) is the only official online seller — official links earn us no commission. How we earn.
Partner booking (Tiqets)
Tiqets is a third-party booking provider, not the official ticket portal. Nerovelle may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through these partner links, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set by Tiqets on its own site. Disclosure.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel — Fast-Track Ticket (Tiqets)
What's included
- Fast-track entrance to the Vatican Museums
- Fast-track entrance to the Sistine Chapel
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel — Guided Tour (Tiqets)
What's included
- Fast-track entrance to the Vatican Museums
- Entry to the Sistine Chapel
- Guided tour
- Headset to hear the guide
Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter's — Full Guided Tour (Tiqets)
What's included
- Fast-track entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- VIP entrance to St. Peter's Basilica
- Live guide
Guides
Practical information
What to wear, what to leave behind, and what you can photograph.
Dress code
Sleeveless or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, miniskirts and hats are not permitted — this applies to the Museums, Sistine Chapel, Basilica and Gardens.
Security & bags
Metal-detector checks at entry. Large bags, rucksacks and medium/large umbrellas must be left in the free cloakroom.
Photography
Personal photos are allowed except in the Sistine Chapel; flash is forbidden everywhere. No photos or film of any kind in the Sistine Chapel, and silence is required.
Entrance
Entry is by timed ticket through the official portal. Follow the entry instructions in your booking confirmation and arrive for your time slot.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Sistine Chapel included in the Museums ticket?
- yes — the entry ticket covers the Museums and the Sistine Chapel for the day it is issued. Silence and no photography apply inside the Chapel.
- Can I get a refund if my plans change?
- no — official tickets cannot be refunded, per the official prices page.
- Is there a free day?
- the last Sunday of the month has free entry, subject to the official openings calendar.