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Planning on visiting the Vatican Museum in Rome? Here’s everything you need to know, including how to get there, ticket prices, and what to expect when you’re there. The Vatican Museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome, and with good reason – it’s home to some of the world’s most famous artworks, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.
How to get to the Vatican Museum
Getting to the Vatican Museum is easy – it’s located just a short walk from the Cipro-Musei Vaticani metro stop on Line A. Once you’re there, follow the signs to the museum entrance. If you’re coming from central Rome, it’s also easy to walk – it should take you about 30 minutes from places like the Spanish Steps or Piazza Navona and 12 minutes with a taxi.
If you own a A Rome City Card (Grab one with a 8% discount here) you can get to the Museum completely free either with the public transportation or with a tour bus.
Ticket prices for the Vatican Museum
Once you’re there, you can purchase tickets at the entrance. Ticket prices vary depending on age, but are generally around 26 euros for adults and 16 euros for children ages six to 17. Children under the age of six can enter for free.
If you’re planning to visit the Vatican Museum, be prepared for long lines – especially during peak tourist season. To avoid the crowds, try to visit during off-peak times or purchase tickets in advance online.
How to buy online tickets
If you’re looking to purchase tickets to the Vatican Museum online, be careful – there are a lot of scams out there. Lots of people selling fake or overpriced tickets, so make sure you buy your tickets from a reputable source.
There only two safe ways to buy a valid online ticket for Vatican Museum:
Vatican: Museums & Sistine Chapel Entrance Skip The Line Ticket
You can buy your ticket online here at 26 euros.
Vatican Museum Tickets from Tiqets
In Tiqets you can even buy last minute tickets from the Vatican Museum, even if you are planning to visit the same day. They are a little bit more expensive than the ordinary tickets, but they worth the money since, your only other choice is to wait in the never ending waiting ticket line.
What to expect when you’re there
Vatican City is home to some of the most renowned museums in the world, and a visit to the Vatican Museums is a must for any traveler to Rome. With over 20,000 works of art on display, the Vatican Museums offer a staggering array of artistic and historical treasures. From ancient Roman sculptures to Michelangelo’s masterful frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Once you’re inside, take some time to explore all that the Vatican Museum has to offer. In addition to the Sistine Chapel, there are dozens of other galleries and museums to explore, housing everything from ancient Egyptian art to modern paintings. There’s also a beautiful garden on the grounds – definitely worth a visit if you need a break from all the art. Start your tour of the museum’s 24 galleries after you’ve entered. Explore the Greek Cross Gallery to witness intricately carved sarcophagi that are purported to hold some of the renowned kings and queens of antiquity.
On the lowest level of the Vatican Historical Museum, explore the many papamobili (Popemobiles) of Popes and Cardinals. Watch some of the early motorcars and horse-drawn carriages used by popes as they perform their responsibilities.
Discover the creative menagerie of amazing animals, both real and imagined, in the Sala degli Animali. Explore the Upper Galleries, which include the Gallery of Maps, to observe how global representations have changed over time.
View the magnificent Renaissance frescoes, including the masterwork “The School of Athens,” that adorn the four Raphael Rooms. After taking it all in, unwind at the Borgia Apartments, which opened to the public only this year.
Keep in mind that photography is not allowed inside the Vatican Museum, so be sure to put your camera away before you enter.