does the vatican do tours on sunday

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Can you tour the Vatican on Sundays?

Home / Blog / Can you tour the Vatican on Sundays?

When organizing a trip to Rome, any tourist would be remiss if they didn’t pay the Vatican City a visit. Regardless of your religious views, the Vatican has a plethora of unique experiences to offer, from St. Peter’s Basilica (the biggest church in the world) to the countless art pieces stored in the Vatican Museum’s extensive collection.

Every week hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this miniscule city-state to see living, breathing history and immerse themselves in the heart of civilization.  While the Sistine Chapel may be beautiful, the crowds can be suffocating, so it’s important to carefully plan your trip to the Vatican to avoid swimming in a sea of people. 

This guide will walk you through the best day to visit Vatican city so that your experience is peaceful and seamless. We’ll also discuss what day the Vatican is closed and the closing time of the Vatican Museums . 

Let’s dive right in! 

Can you visit the Vatican on Sunday?

Given its religious importance, Sunday is a popular time to visit the Vatican. Unsurprisingly, Vatican City is more than busy on Sundays , its bustling crowds making it almost impossible to maneuver around the city. Thousands of tourists and believers gather in St. Peter’s Square throughout the morning to get a glimpse of the Pope’s public Sunday Mass. 

Luckily, this means that on Sundays, along with every other day of the week, you can just walk into the Vatican to see the Pope’s Sunday mass or visit St. Peter’s Basilica! These experiences are completely free of charge and won’t require you to fill out any paperwork, even though you’re technically entering another state to attend them. 

However, because Sundays are so significant in the Catholic church, you can expect your Sunday at the Vatican to move more slowly as there will be large crowds and long lines. That said, this is a small price to pay for the unique experience to see the Pope preach and be immersed in this timeless city state on its holiest day. 

While strolling around Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica are uniquely marvelous experiences, there’s more to the holy city, such as its precious heritage from an architectural and artistic point of view . 

Is the Vatican Basilica open on Sundays?

Yes, the Vatican Basilica is open on Sunday. 

As the Pope hosts Mass each Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Basilica is open every Sunday. St. Peter’s Basilica is not only a popular tourist attraction, but also an active church used to host many important Catholic events throughout the year. 

You can visit the Vatican on Sunday whether you want to attend Mass as a believer or simply marvel at its splendid collection of statues and frescoes. 

Are the Vatican Museums open on a Sunday?

No, the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month.  While visitors usually have to pay a fee to enter the Vatican Museums, the last Sunday of each month presents a unique opportunity to see the church’s vast collection of art for completely free! 

To visit the Vatican museum free of charge, simply show up anytime from 9 am to 12:30 pm and roam the museum halls until 2pm.  Naturally, this unique opportunity to see the Vatican Museums for free can attract thousands of people, tourists and locals alike. So, expect lengthy lines and tight crowds.

What is the best day of the week to visit the Vatican?

There’s nothing quite like walking through the historic halls of the Vatican with little to no few people surrounding you. If you too want to experience the holy city without the hustle and bustle of the crowds, it’s essential to find the best time to visit the Vatican City . 

What is the best time to visit the Vatican City?

The high tourist season in Rome is usually during the spring and summer months. So, if you want to skip lines and beat the crowds, it’s best to plan your visit to the Eternal City during the late autumn or winter months. 

This save you hours of waiting in the blistering sun to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. To ensure your day at the Vatican goes even more seamlessly, consider planning your visit during the week. Please note that St. Peter’s Basilica is closed Wednesday morning .

When does the Vatican Museum open?

As of now, the Vatican museum is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm. However, final entry is at 5 pm, so make sure you’re admitted to the museum before this time. 

From 1 March 2024, the Vatican Museum’s hours will be extended on Friday and Saturdays, admitting visitors until 6 pm and staying open until 8 pm.  As discussed, the Vatican Museum is usually closed on Sunday but is open the last Sunday of each month for free admission from 9 am to 2 pm, with final entry at 12:30 pm. 

However, the Vatican Museum will be closed on the Sunday of each month should this day coincide with the following holidays: 

• Easter Sunday 
• 29 June – St. Peter and Paul’s Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Feast of St. Stephen 
• 31 December – Feast of St. Sylvester

What day is the Vatican Museum closed?

While Rome may be eternal and open for exploration 24/7, the Vatican Museum is closed to the public on the following dates: 

• Sundays (except for the last Sunday of each month, given it doesn’t fall on a holiday)
• 1 January – New Years
• 6 January – The Epiphany
• 19 March – Saint Joseph’s Day 
• 1 April – East Monday
• 1 May – Labor Day 
• 14 and 15 August – Ferragosto 
• 1 November – All Saints’ Day

When is St. Peter’s Basilica closed?

St. Peter’s Basilica still holds importance in modern-day Catholicism. Thus, it’s closed Wednesday mornings until 12 to 1 pm. During this time, the basilica hosts the Papal audience and Pope, and is temporarily closed to the public.

What to know before visiting the Vatican?

Millions of eager tourists visit the Vatican every year. To ensure your trip is as seamless and pleasant as possible, it’s essential to meticulously plan your day in the holy city. 

If you want a Vatican experience tailored to you, consider booking one of our exquisite Vatican tours which include: 

• Reserved access to St. Peter’s Basilica and/or the Vatican Museums;
• Pre-booked tickets, saving you the hassle of waiting in lengthy queues;
• The possibility of visiting the museums early in the morning, allowing you to avoid crowds and foster a serene experience;
• A knowledgeable, English-speaking guide who will offer unique insights into the Vatican’s art, history, and architecture;
• The unique experience of witnessing the Vatican’s dedicated clavigero unlocking the museum’s doors, opening it to the public.

Planning your trip to the Vatican can be daunting. Let us tailor a custom experience for you so you can experience all the Vatican has to offer with no lines, fewer crowds, and less stress. 

Vatican Early Morning Clavigero Tour

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Can I Visit the Vatican on Sundays?

Another big question I always get: can I visit the Vatican on Sundays?

Well, like most things in life, the answer to visiting the Vatican on Sunday is yes and no .

Let’s figure out whether it’s possible to visit the Vatican on Sundays or not.

Before starting, I would also like to suggest some passes with their main differences for visiting the city of Rome

Can I Visit the Vatican on Sunday?

If you’re planning a trip to Rome and hoping to visit the Vatican and the Vatican Museums , you might be wondering whether it’s possible to visit on Sundays.

As we know, Sundays are significant days for Catholics, with special religious observances taking place at the Vatican, including the Angelus prayer and the Papal Mass.

Furthermore, this unique world attraction it has its own set of unique rules to follow .

That said, I assume when you mean ‘Vatican’ you’re talking about the Vatican Museums.

This is home to most of the best things to see at the Vatican including an extensive collection of art and artifacts and the famous Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican Museums are closed to the public on Sundays except the last Sunday of every month (9:00 am to 2:00 pm).

This is to allow for the Papal Mass and other religious observances.

I strongly suggest visiting another day as the last Sunday of the month has enormous lines – it’s also strongly recommended to book online in advance to avoid lines.

If you don’t do it you could end up spending an hour in line.

While the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, St. Peter’s Basilica, the iconic and breathtaking church within the Vatican City, remains open to the public.

Visitors can still access St. Peter’s Basilica on Sundays and attend the Papal Mass held in the basilica’s main square, St. Peter’s Square.

The Papal Mass is a significant event for Catholics and draws crowds of devout worshippers and tourists alike.

Attending the Papal Mass on Sundays can be a unique and memorable experience for visitors to Rome. However, it’s important to plan ahead and follow the dress code guidelines of the Vatican .

🎟️ Looking to buy? Read my post: Where to Buy Tickets for the Vatican

In addition to St. Peter’s Basilica, visitors can also explore the stunning Vatican Gardens on Sundays . The Vatican Gardens are a lush and peaceful oasis within the Vatican City, with beautifully landscaped lawns, colorful flowers, and ancient statues.

Guided tours of the Vatican Gardens are available on non-Sundays, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of this hidden gem.

👍  Pro tip :  Best Days to Visit the Vatican

Still Wanting to Visit the Vatican on a Sunday?

I’m only going to suggest you visit the Vatican on a Sunday if it’s the only day you can do it, or if you’re there for religious purposes – I mean, how can you beat seeing the Pope?

At any rate, make sure you book your smart phone tickets in advance or you could end up lining up for hours.

Anything else about the Vatican on Sundays? Write me in the comments below.

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Vatican Hours: Opening and Closing Times

The Vatican is one of the most well known and busiest museums in the world. It is open all year round except for a select number of days in the year. To best plan your trip, below you will find the Vatican hours, with opening and closing times, along with which days of the year the Vatican is closed to the public.

Vatican Museum Hours

The Vatican is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm with the last entrance at 4 pm. The Vatican is closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month when it is open for free between 9 am to 2 pm with the last entrance at 12 pm.

St. Peter’s Basilica Hours

St Peter’s Basilica is open from 7 am to 7 pm from April to September and from 7 am to 6 pm from October to March.

Vatican Closures

The Vatican is closed on Sundays (except the last Sunday of the month) as well as on some religious holidays. Here is an updated list of closures for 2019:

January 1st: The Vatican is closed on New Year’s Day. January 1st is also the Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God which is a feast day for the mother of Jesus.

January 6th: This is a public holiday in the Vatican which celebrates the Adoration of the Magi where the three wise men come to visit Mary, the mother of God after giving birth to Jesus.

February 11th: This is a Vatican public holiday commemorating the Lateran Treaty which is the official day the Vatican became a separate country from Italy in 1929.

March 19th: This is St Joseph’s Day, celebrating St. Joseph who was the husband of the Virgin Mary and legal father to Jesus.

Easter Monday: The Vatican Museums close on Easter Monday celebrating the day after the resurrection of Christ. The Pope gives an Easter mass on St Peter’s Square. (Note: Easter changes calendar dates every year and it is best to check the exact day).

May 1st: This holiday is known as Primo Maggio in Italy. It recognizes workers and the Pope often addresses the public on this day.

June 29th : The Vatican is closed to celebrate the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. St. Peter and St Paul were two apostles of Christ who were both martyred in Rome.

August 14th and 15th: The Vatican is closed to celebrate the Assumption of Mary. This is the day Catholics believe Mary ascended into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

November 1st: The Vatican is closed on this day to celebrate All Saints Day. This is to honor all souls who have died who were later made into Saints.

December 8th: The Vatican closes on this day to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is the conception of Christ free from original sin. The Pope travels to the center of Rome for a special ceremony near the Spanish Steps.

December 25th and 26th: The Vatican is closed on Christmas Day, celebrating the birth of Christ. The Vatican is also closed the following day celebrating St. Stephen’s Day, who was said to be the first person to be martyred for being a Christian.

• Post author: Jimmy Kennedy
• Post published: November 8, 2019
• Post category: Basic

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Visiting the Vatican in Rome 2024: A Detailed Guide to Help you Plan Your Visit

Last updated: March 25, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you are planning to visit Rome, then we think a trip to the Vatican is a must. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and one we have been lucky enough to visit several times over the past 20 years.

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, as well as many options for visiting and purchasing tickets for the various attractions at the Vatican.

It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to visit, as well as what to see and do when you visit the Vatican.

In this guide we’re going to share with you everything you need to know to plan your visit, from the best time to visit, to how to skip the lines, to the highlights you must not miss when you visit.

We’ll also tell you the best places to get Vatican tickets, share some of our favourite guided tours, share practical information for your visit, and much more. Once you’re finished reading, you’ll be fully prepared for your Vatican visit!

Let’s start with an overview of the Vatican.

Table of Contents:

What is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is an independent city-state found within the city of Rome, Italy. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is home to and ruled by the Pope.

Vatican City is also the location of a number of popular attractions, including the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Sistine Chapel. It is both a pilgrimage site for Catholics as well as a place that appeals to all types of visitors interested in the architecture and world-class art that is found within the museums and churches here.

It’s worth noting that when people talk about “the Vatican”, they are normally referring to either Vatican City or the Vatican Museums within, which can be a bit confusing.

For clarity, this guide will cover all the attractions inside Vatican City which includes the Vatican Museums.

An Overview of the Vatican

The Vatican (formally the Vatican City State) was established in 1929 at the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which helped resolve a long-running issue concerning the power of the Pope in Italy.

It is named after Vatican Hill, where it is located, which is one of the traditional seven hills of Rome. The name “Vatican” dates back to Roman times.

Vatican City is 49 hectares (121 acres) in size, with a population of under 500 people.

The Vatican is ruled by and home to the Pope, who is both the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. The Pope lives in the Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace, also known as the Vatican Palace and the Palace of Sixtus V in honor of the Pope who oversaw the majority of its construction.

As well as the Papal Apartments, the huge Apostolic Palace is also home to the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Library, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, and the Borgia Apartments.

The other main sight in the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and an architectural masterpiece, and the square in front is also very impressive.

About half of Vatican City is taken up by the Vatican Gardens, a large private garden area which is home to a number of buildings such as the Vatican Radio building and the Palace of the Governorate.

Many areas of the Vatican, such as the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are open to the public and can be visited. Other areas, such as the private apartments of the Pope, are not open to visitors. In this guide we’ll cover all the areas of the Vatican and your options for visiting them.

Where is the Vatican?

The Vatican, or Vatican City, is within the city of Rome, Italy. In fact, Rome entirely surrounds the Vatican City. It is located to the west of the Tiber River. You can see it on Google Maps here .

How to get to the Vatican

Found in Rome, the Vatican is relatively easy to get to. Just bear in mind that the Vatican covers an area of around 49 hectares (121 acres), so you will want to plan accordingly depending on which part of the Vatican you wish to visit.

For example, the access to the Vatican Museums is at the north side of Vatican City ( here on Google Maps ), whilst St. Peter’s Basilica is towards the south of the city ( here on Google Maps ).

There are a number of options for reaching the Vatican. These include walking, the metro, taking a public bus, taxi, or the hop on hop off sightseeing bus.

First, it is relatively easy to walk here. From Piazza Navona for example it is 20 minutes’ walk to St. Peter’s Basilica, or 30 minutes’ walk to the Vatican Museums entrance.

The closest metro station to the Vatican is Ottaviano, which is a 7-minute walk to the Vatican Museums entrance or a 10-minute walk to St. Peter’s Basilica. Ottaviano is on the red line, which connects you to locations such as the Spanish Steps and Rome’s Termini station (where you can transfer to the blue line for the Colosseum for example).

Numerous public bus routes also pass by the Vatican from all over the city. It is also easy to take a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to get to the Vatican. Just be sure to specify exactly where you intend to go in the Vatican so they can drop you at the closest drop-off point.

Finally, a number of hop on hop off buses in Rome include the Vatican as one of their stops, so if you are using one of these services this is also an option.

If you have an attraction pass such as the Omnia Vatican and Rome Card , many of these include either a public transit card or sightseeing bus that you could use to visit the Vatican.

Vatican Opening Times

The Vatican is a country but here are no gates or security controls to cross from Rome to Vatican City, and you probably won’t even notice when you do. So you can visit it whenever you want although most indoor attractions are only open during the daytime.

A number of the attractions within the city-state do have specific opening times, which are as follows.

Vatican Museum Opening Times

The Vatican Museum is usually open as follows:

• Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm (last entry at 5pm)

From 1st March 2024, there are extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, until 8pm (final entry 6pm).

The Vatican Museum is closed on Sundays with the exception of the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). On these days entry is free.

In addition, the Vatican Museum is also closed on the following days in 2024:

1st & 6th January, 19th March, 1st April, 1st May, 29th June, 14th & 15th August, 1st November, 8th, 25th and 26th December.

For more information on opening times and closing times, see the official website here . Note that there are multiple sites with information on the Vatican Museums, but the only official site is https://www.museivaticani.va/ .

St. Peter’s Basilica Opening Times

St. Peter’s Basilica is usually open as follows:

• 1st October – 31st March: 7am – 6.30pm
• 1st April – 30th September: 7am – 7pm

Note that this is a working church and mass is regularly celebrated here. Access is normally not restricted during these times but you should be aware when it is going on and behave respectfully.

In addition, when the Pope is in Rome there is normally a Papal Audience held on a Wednesday. This is normally held in St. Peter’s Square outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning from around 9am. On these days, access to St. Peter’s Basilica is normally not allowed until the audience is complete. See more about attending a Papal Audience in that section of this guide.

For more information on opening times and visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, see the official webpage from the Vatican here .

What to see and do at the Vatican

There is a huge amount to see and do at the Vatican, at least enough to spend at least half a day here if not a whole day.

Here are the main sights you can take in when you visit Vatican City.

Vatican Museums

A definite highlight when visiting Vatican City are the Vatican Museums. These are found within the Apostolic Palace, and are the main public museum of the Vatican City.

The collection, which includes a rather staggering 70,000 pieces (of which around 20,000 are on display at any one time), was founded in the early 16th century.

Today, the collection spans seven kilometers across a number of galleries. and includes paintings, sculptures, religious artifacts, and tapestries. Art from some of the world’s greatest artists is on display, including Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, Van Gogh, and Picasso. It’s one of the most visited museums in the world.

As you will have noticed, the Vatican Museums are plural. This is because this is not just one museum. In fact, there are 26 museums listed as being contained with the Vatican Museums complex.

However, as a visitor you will likely just feel like you are visiting one giant museum that spans numerous galleries rather than 26 museums. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and wondering what to see, see the section of this guide covering our highlights of the Vatican Museums.

The Vatican Museums require a ticket, and you can see more about buying a ticket in our guide to tickets for the Vatican City sights elsewhere in this guide. You can buy a ticket on site, but the lines are very long and we highly recommend booking a ticket in advance.

If you have a limited time or are wanting to see the highlights in around 3 hours or less, we highly recommend considering a guided tour such as this one or this one .

We took tours on our first two visits to the Vatican and found them very helpful in seeing and learning about the most important pieces and rooms without being too overwhelmed. They all include a visit to the Sistine Chapel as well.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, or Capella Sistina , is a chapel located within the Apostolic Palace. It was built in the 15th century and named after Pope Sixtus IV. It is best known for the frescoes within, notably those done by Michelangelo (the ceiling and Last Judgement above the altar), which are often considered to be some of the best artistic work to come out of the Renaissance period.

The Sistine Chapel is also known as being where Popes are selected, in a process known as the Papal Conclave.

The Sistine Chapel has been drawing visitors for over 500 years, since Michelangelo completed his masterpieces, and is still a major attraction today.

The Sistine Chapel is found within the Apostolic Palace, and can only be visited when you visit the Vatican Museums. So to all intents and purposes it is a part of the Vatican Museums. However, it is technically separate, hence why tickets are sold as being for both the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel. But all Vatican Museums tickets include entrance to both.

Entry to the Sistine Chapel is included as part of a Vatican Museums ticket, and you can also book tours which give you early access such as the Pristine Sistine tour and the more exclusive Key Master tour .

St. Peter’s Basilica

One of the most visually spectacular buildings in the Vatican is the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, more commonly known as St. Peter’s Basilica.

Its famous dome can be seen from around Rome, and a visit to this church is a must when visiting the Vatican.

Construction began in 1506, and the church was consecrated in 1626. It replaced the fourth century Old St. Peter’s Basilica, which was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

St. Peter’s Basilica is impressive for a number of reasons. First, for it’s incredible size. By volume, it is the largest church in the world and it has a footprint of almost six acres.

Second, its design. It was built during the Italian Renaissance period, with help from famous artists, designers, and architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. It is widely regarded as one of the foremost examples of Renaissance architecture in the world.

Third, the interior. This is filled with priceless artworks from Renaissance masters, including Bernini and Michelangelo.

Finally, St. Peter’s Basilica has enormous significance to members of the Catholic faith. Whilst it is not the mother church of the Catholic faith, it is still regarded as one of the most important of Catholic shrines. 91 popes are buried here, and it is widely believed to be the final resting place of Saint Peter himself, the head of the apostles.

Suffice to say, we think a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is a must when you visit the Vatican. Entry is free and you do not need a ticket to visit, although you can book a tour like this or this .

There’s also the option to visit the dome for a small extra fee. As with any holy place in Italy, it is important to adhere to the dress code as otherwise entry may be denied.

See our sections in this guide on dress code, tickets and tours for more information. This guide also has a detailed section covering the highlights of St. Peter’s Basilica that you won’t want to miss when you visit.

• St. Peter’s Square

Directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is St. Peter’s Square, a large plaza whose current design was created by Bernini in the mid 17th century.

The center of the plaza is dominated by a 25.5 meter (84ft) high ancient Egyptian obelisk which was brought from the city of Alexandria in Roman times and placed in its current location in 1586.

The plaza is surrounded and almost entirely enclosed by a series of massive Doric colonnades, four deep, with the design aiming to enclose and embrace visitors in the arms of the Mother Church.

There are also a pair of fountains in the plaza on either side of the obelisk, one designed by Bernini, and an earlier one designed by Maderno.

Overall, St. Peter’s Square is a hugely impressive foreground to St. Peter’s Basilica. It is also here where Papal Audiences are most regularly held, which was one of the reasons it was designed as it is, in order to hold large crowds and provide a good view of the Pope to visitors.

St. Peter’s Square is free to visit and open all the time. During Papal Audiences it can get very busy and some sections will be closed off.

• Vatican Gardens

Around half of the Vatican City is taken up by the Gardens of Vatican City, which date back to medieval times when the area was largely used for orchards and vineyards.

However, the more formal landscaped gardens that are visible today largely date to the beginning of the 16th century. Despite taking up a large part of the Vatican and being filled with beautiful sculptures and fountains, the gardens were not open to the public until 2014.

Today, it is only possible to visit the gardens as part of a guided tour. You can get a view of part of the gardens from various points whilst touring the Vatican Museums and from the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Grottoes

The present-day St. Peter’s Basilica, as previously described, was built atop a fourth century building known as the Basilica of Constantine.

That basilica was in turn built upon a Roman-era cemetery, or Necropolis, which we will cover in a separate section as it is visited separately. Rome, as you will quickly learn when you visit, is a city of many layers!

Construction of the new St. Peter’s Basilica did not completely destroy the old Basilica, which can still be visited today.

The parts of the Constantine Basilica which can be visited are generally known as the Vatican Grottoes, or Vatican Caves. It’s not quite an accurate name because what you are actually visiting is the original basilica, but that’s the name that is used.

The Vatican Grottoes are also sometimes called the Vatican Crypt and Catacombs.

Within the Vatican Grottoes you can see the ancient basilica, complete with chapels, funerary monuments and artworks. This is also where a great many popes are buried , along with some European Royalty, as they wanted to be near the final resting place of St. Peter.

Just note that St. Peter’s tomb is not actually in the Vatican Grottoes, it is in the Vatican Necropolis, which is below the Grottoes and accessed separately on a special tour. See the next section for details of that.

Access to the Vatican Grottoes is free, although tours which include it are available, like this one . The entrance to the Vatican Grottoes is inside St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

• Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis (literally, city of the dead) dates from the Roman Empire, and was built here because Roman law at the time decreed that the dead must be buried outside the city walls.

Much of the Vatican City was built on top of the Roman Necropolis, and it can be accessed in a number of different ways, depending on what you want to see.

The two main parts of the Necropolis that will be of interest to visitors are the Necropolis containing the tomb of St. Peter, the the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis. We’ll cover visiting both of these.

Vatican Necropolis and The Tomb of St. Peter (Scavi)

In the 1940s, the Vatican set out to find the tomb of St. Peter, the apostle for whom St. Peter’s Basilica is named. He, along with many other Christians of the time, was martyred at the Circus of Nero.

This Circus was found essentially where the present-day St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square are situated.

There was a widely held belief that St. Peter was buried near the location of his martyrdom, and so the Vatican set out to discover this grave.

A number of mausoleums were discovered as part of the extensive Necropolis which is buried beneath the Vatican, and in 1968 the Pope announced that the tomb of Saint Peter had officially been discovered directly beneath the Vatican Grottoes and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Today, the area of the Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica is now widely known as the Scavi , which means excavation in Italian. It can be visited as part of a special guided tour.

The tour takes you under the Basilica (and the grottoes) and essentially back in time to an ancient Roman cemetery where you see the old mausoleums, as well as what is believed to be the final resting place of St. Peter.

Normally, as you exit the tour you also go through the Vatican Grottoes and then up into St. Peter’s Basilica itself, which is handy as it skips what can be lengthy lines to get into the Basilica.

This tour has very limited availability, and needs to be booked in advance. See the ticket section of this guide for information on how to book Vatican Necropolis tickets.

It is definitely a unique experience if you have the extra time, however there are only 250 spaces per day so you will want to book as far in advance as you can if this is of interest. We really enjoyed this tour when we did it and think it is well worth doing.

Note that to get access to the Necropolis tour you need to go to the far left of St. Peter’s Basilica as you face it, the entrance is in the columns to the left. It’s approximately here on Google Maps .

You have to go through security and you will need a printed copy of your ticket. If in doubt, I advise arriving early and asking a Swiss Guard for directions.

Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis

The other Necropolis that you can visit in the Vatican City is the Necropolis of the Via Trimphalis , which was discovered in 2003 and only fully opened to visitors in November 2023.

Note this is different from the visit to the Vatican Necropolis below St. Peter’s Basilica, although it is likely part of the same ancient Necropolis site.

Visiting the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis requires a separate ticket purchase and they are not always available, check the official ticket site for options.

The entry to the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis can be found in the walls of the Vatican Museum as you walk up towards the Vatican Museum entry, near Piazza Risogimento. The exact location is here on Google Maps .

Attend a Papal Audience

As the Vatican is home to the Pope, one reason many people come to visit is to actually see him. The best way to do that is to attend a Papal Audience, also known as a General Audience.

This isn’t a mass, instead, it’s basically an audience with the Pope. He normally gives a speech and says some prayers, and often gives out blessings.

The Papal Audience is free to attend, and is held on Wednesdays when the Pope is in residence. It is held either in front of St. Peter’s Basilica (during warmer times of year), or in the Paul VI audience hall (normally in the winter months and in times of bad weather).

It is absolutely vital that you get a ticket for the Papal Audience, as you cannot just show up. Tickets are free, and we have a detailed guide to getting them in the ticketing section of this guide.

The Papal Audience starts at 9am, however you will have to go through security, and seating is on a first come first served basis. There are also capacity limits, so even if you have a ticket, once the venue is full admission is closed.

As such, we recommend arriving between 7am and 7.30am to be sure of a good seat. In the busier summer months, it is recommended to arrive even earlier if you want a good view.

Note, you can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

All you have to do is show up, no tickets are required for this event. It will be quite busy and it’s going to be a brief, distant view, but it is an option as well.

Attend Mass

Another popular option when visiting the Vatican is to attend mass.

The best place to do so is at St. Peter’s Basilica, where services are held multiple times a day. You can see the full schedule of services on this page . These services do not require booking, you just need to show up at the Basilica.

Depending on when you visit Rome, there is also the possibility to attend a Papal Mass, which is a mass led by the Pope. These are also known as Liturgical Celebrations.

A Papal Mass is a less regular event than a Papal Audience, normally held to celebrate a special event such as Christmas or Easter. They are held either inside St. Peter’s Basilica or on St. Peter’s Square. They may also be held in one of the other basilicas in Rome (you can see a list of these here ).

As with a Papal Audience, you need a ticket for a Papal Mass. These are also free.

The procedure for booking a Papal Mass is the same as for booking a Papal Audience. You can check when there are Papal Masses on this Vatican page for 2024 .

Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance, however for particularly popular masses (Easter and Christmas specifically) you will want to book as far in advance as possible. The dates may not be shown on the calendar, but there is normally a mass held on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and on Christmas Eve.

Use the Post Office

The Vatican, as already mentioned, is a country unto itself. That means it has all the things you would expect to find in a country, including its own postal system .

There is a post office open to all found on St. Peter’s Square, and there is also one near the giftshop just before you exit the Vatican Museums.

If you are looking to send a postcard or mail from your trip, we think doing so from the Vatican post office is a great idea. Jess always send a postcard from the Vatican to her grandmother.

The stamps and postage mark are obviously unique, and in our experience anyway, the mail service is much more effective than the Italian postal system! Our international postcards mailed from the Vatican arrived weeks before the ones we mailed from Italy!

For everything you need to know about using the post office, including where to find them, buying stamps and more, see our detailed guide to the Vatican Post Office . You can find out more about the Vatican post office, including opening hours and tariffs, on the official website .

Highlights of the Vatican Museums

With 20,000 objects on display, you could literally spend weeks exploring the Vatican Museums collection. However, as you probably don’t have weeks, we’d recommend focusing on some of the highlights for your first visit.

Whilst there are countless highlights to choose from, and you can of course make your own selection, we’d recommend at least seeing the following when you visit. We would also recommend visiting the official site which has a list of masterpieces in each of the main museums.

We’d also honestly recommend taking a guided tour like one of these if you can, because there is so much to see and understand here, and a good guide can really bring what you are seeing to life.

See more on tours in the section on tours in this guide.

Below are some of our favourite parts of the Vatican Museums. These are all accessible with a standard ticket. There are other areas of the Vatican that we love that require a special ticket, like the Bramante staircase, but we wanted to focus on the general access areas for the highlights.

If you would like to plan a route before you visit, we suggest downloading the free Vatican Map from the official Vatican website here . This map is also available for free from the Vatican ticket office.

The Sistine Chapel is definitely one of the highlights of a visit to the Vatican Museums. This chapel, named for Pope Sixtux IV who had it commissioned, is world famous for its incredible frescoes.

The most famous of these frescoes are those painted on the ceiling, and the one above the altar. They were both created by the Renaissance master Michelangelo.

The frescoes on the ceiling depict the creation of Earth as told in the Book of Genesis. This story is told in nine panels, starting with The Separation of Light from Darkness and finishing with the Drunkenness of Noah . Perhaps the most famous of these is the Creation of Adam panel, which depicts God giving life to Adam.

The frescos above the altar depict the Last Judgement, essentially the Second Coming of Christ and the separation of sinners from the saved.

There is of course more to the Sistine Chapel than the incredible frescoes by Michaelangelo. The other walls are also all decorated, with artwork from Boticellii, Perugino and Ghirlandaio to name but a few. As you would expect, these also depict various religious scenes.

A visit to the Sistine Chapel is a must when visiting the Vatican. It is not a huge space but it does tend to get fairly crowded as the day goes on.

This is also one of the few places in the Vatican Museums where photography is strictly prohibited. We have seen people escorted out for violating this rule, so we’d suggest just enjoying the incredible art on display, and then if you want a memento, buy a postcard on your way out from the Vatican Gift Shop.

If you want a special experience of the Sistine Chapel with fewer people, then we recommend taking an early access tour.

We have done both the Pristine Sistine tour and the Key Master tour (see our Key Master Tour review here ), both of which get you into the Sistine Chapel earlier than normal for a more peaceful experience.

Gallery of Maps

One of my personal favourite attractions in the Vatican Museums is the Gallery of Maps , or Galleria delle carte geografiche.  This is located on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard.

The Gallery of Maps is essentially a 120 metre long, six metre wide corridor. On the walls, 40 maps depict the main regions and cities of the Italian Peninsula.

These date from the 1580s and were painted by the friar and geographer Ignazio Dante at the request of Pope Gregory XIII.

He wanted to be able to “travel” to the different Italian states on the Italian peninsula (Italy was not a single country at that point) without actually have to leave the Vatican, and the incredibly detailed maps allowed him to do so.

A visit to the Gallery of Maps is always a highlight of our time in the Vatican Museums, and one we highly recommend.

The Borgia Apartment

The Borgia Apartment ( Appartamento Borgia ) is a series of six rooms in the Vatican Museums which were commissioned by Pope Alexander VI in the late 15th century. He was from the Borgia family, hence the name given to the apartments.

Alexander VI engaged the Italian painter Pinturicchio to decorate the six rooms with frescoes, which feature a range of subjects, from Old and New Testament scenes through to depictions of the planets.

Some of the frescoes also references notable events of the time, including what is believed to be one of the first depictions of a Native American in Europe. The frescoes were painted around the time that Columbus returned from the New World, and “The Resurrection” in the Room of Liberal Arts contains these depictions.

Alexander’s legacy as Pope was somewhat tarnished by his various affairs. In fact, the word Borgia became a common term for a lack of morals, corruption and nepotism.

After his fairly gruesome death (believed to be poisoning), the Borgia Apartments were sealed, and only re-opened and restored in the 19th century by Pope Leo XIII.

Today, the six apartments feature the original frescoes which have been restored. They also house part of the Vatican’s collection of contemporary art. They can now all be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Raphael’s Rooms

There are four rooms in the Vatican Museums which are together known as the Stanze di Raffaello , or Raphael’s Rooms .

These rooms were originally intended to be an apartment for Pope Julius II, with some suspecting the idea was to outdo the Borgia Apartment of Alexander VI.

Whatever the reason, he commissioned Raphael to create the frescoes in the early 16th century, starting with the library.

Unfortunately, Julius II died before they were completed, and in fact Raphael himself died in 1520 before all four rooms were completed in 1524.

However, Raphael did complete the majority of the work, with his students finishing the rest after his death.

Our favourite of the rooms was the first to be completed, which features “The School of Athens”, “The Parnassus” and the “Disputa”.

The School of Athens in particular is a highlight, and is widely regarded as one of Raphael’s best works. It has incredible perspective and there’s even a sneaky appearance by the artist himself, staring out at the viewer.

It’s definitely worth taking a tour like one of these to get the most from these paintings as there is a lot to unpack in just these four rooms!

The Pinacoteca / Vatican Art Gallery

The Pinacoteca , or Vatican Art Gallery, has been the home of some of the Vatican Museum’s most impressive art since it opened in 1932.

It’s essentially a mini art museum inside the Vatican, and you have to ensure you include it on a visit.

Across 18 rooms you will find over 400 works from some of Italy’s most well-known artists including Raphael, Caravaggio, Tiziano, Titian, and Da Vinci, to name but a few.

The museum was purpose-built to provide the best viewing conditions of the collection, whilst preserving them for future generations. It’s arranged chronologically, so as you move through the rooms you are essentially taking a tour through time from the 12th century Medieval period right up to the 19th century.

Obviously, 400 paintings are a lot, and you could honestly spend a big chunk of your time in the Vatican just exploring the Pinacoteca. But if you wanted to hone in on some highlights, consider:

• Giotto’s “ Stefaneschi Polyptych ” (Room II)
• Raphael’s “ The Transfiguration of Christ ” (Room VIII)
• “The Last Supper Tapestry” (Room VIII)
• Leonardo Da Vinci’s “ St. Jerome in the Desert ” (Room IX)
• Tiziano’s “ Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints ” (Room X)
• Caravaggio’s “ Deposition from the Cross ” (Room XII)

Of course, there are highlights in every room. The Vatican Museum websites list their highlights by room on the official Pinacoteca website here .

The Pio Clementino Museum

The Pio Clementine Museum (Museo Pio Clementino) is home to a collection of classical sculpture, and is where some of the first objects in the Vatican Museums were displayed. Pope Julius II used this area of the Vatican in the early 16th century to display a collection of antique sculptures.

There are many highlights in the Pio Clementino Museum, but some stand out rooms and sculptures not to miss include the following.

The Octagonal Court

The Octagonal Court is a stunning courtyard found in the Pio Clementino Museum. Many of the objects on display here are still in exactly the same place they were back in the early 1500s, including the Belvedere Apollo and the statue of Laocoön and His Sons.

The Belvedere Apollo is definitely not to be missed when you visit the Octagonal Court. Depicting the Greek god Apollo, it dates from around 120AD, and is widely regarded as being one of the greatest ancient sculptures.

The statue of Laocoön and His Sons is another must-see marble statue in the Octagonal Court. This one depicts the Trojan Priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents. It is believed to date from around 200BC, and was put on display in the Octagonal Courtyard in 1506.

The Round Hall

The Round Hall , also known as the Round Room, is, as the name suggests, a circular room. It was designed int he 18th century in homage to the circular Pantheon.

It’s hard to miss the highlight of this room, which is a massive red porphyry basin which dates to Imperial Rome. Around this enormous basin are niches displaying huge statues.

There is of course more to see in the Pio Clementino Museum, including the Gallery of Statues and the Hall of Busts, the Hall of Muses, and much more.

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

When you enter St. Peter’s Square, you will instantly notice the giant Ancient Egyptian Obelisk sitting at the centre. It’s fair to say that Imperial Rome was pretty obsessed with and influenced by Egypt.

To learn more about the relationship between Ancient Rome and Egypt, you’ll want to visit the Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Museo Gregoriano Egizio) in the Vatican. Spread across six rooms, this museum has everything from stone tablets to artefacts relating to death. Definitely worth a visit for those with an interest in Egyptology.

Carriage Pavilion

Founded in 1973, the Carriage Museum ( Padiglione delle Carrozze ) is one of the newer museums you can visit at the Vatican. It can also be a bit tricky to find, but it is marked on the map.

As the name suggests, it’s home to various modes of transport used by Popes from carriages to motorcars known as the Popemobiles. It’s not well-known and so makes for a welcome escape from the crowds!

Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase

Even the exit from the Vatican is going to be a highlight of your visit. Once you have finished with the gift shop you are going to head down the stunning double-helix staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932.

This is actually only one of two double-helix staircases in the Apostolic Palace. The other one was designed by Bramante in 1505. Both the original and the homage to the original by Momo are often referred to as the Bramante staircase, which can be a bit confusing.

The original Bramante staircase though is not normally open to the public.

Still, the 1932 version is absolutely stunning and you will definitely want to capture some images of it before and as you descend.

And now we are done with the highlights of the Vatican Museums! Let’s move on to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Highlights in St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there is a lot to see and do in St. Peter’s Basilica. However, we do have some favourites that we recommend you include when you visit.

High Altar & Bernini’s Canopy (Baldachin)

The centrepiece of any church is normally the altar, and St. Peter’s Basilica is no exception. Whilst the basilica is home to at least 15 altars, the High Altar is naturally the most impressive.

This is situated directly underneath the dome of the basilica, and above what is said to be the resting place of St. Peter himself.

The most impressive part of the High Altar has to be the incredible sculpted bronze canopy (known as a Baldachin) designed by Bernini. This soars almost 100ft (30 metres) above the altar itself, with four helical columns presided over by four massive angels.

It’s hard to miss, and definitely something you will want to see in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Chair of St. Peter

The Chair of St. Peter, also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a wooden throne which is one of the more important relics in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The original wooden chair was believed to have belonged to St. Peter himself, and today it is displayed above the second major altar in the basilica, which is found in the apse of the basilica behind the main altar.

The chair is enclosed in a sculpted bronze encasing which was designed by Bernini, and which is itself an important artwork.

Michaelangelo’s Pietà

The Madonna della Pietà, often just referred to as La Pietà, is one of the many sculptures created by the Renaissance master Michaelangelo. It’s particularly noteworthy as it’s the only piece he ever signed.

It is also, of course, a masterpiece. The sculpture, which dates from the late 15th century, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus following his death. It is remarkably lifelike and beautifully detailed.

The Pieta is easy to find in Saint Peter’s Basilica, it is in the first chapel to the right as you enter the church.

The Vatican Grottoes (not to be confused with the Vatican Necropolis, both of which are under St. Peter’s Basilica) are where you will find the remains of the original 4th century Basilica. This stood until the 15th century, when the new Basilica was built.

You can visit the Vatican Grottoes for free as part of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, and it is well worth doing. This is where you can see sections of the original Basilica, as well as the graves of a great many Popes who were buried down here.

Access to the grottoes is near the high altar at the Pier of St. Andrew. Note that there may be a line to visit the grottoes, and photography is not allowed in the grottoes.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave

One of the most well-known Popes of the 20th century was Pope John Paul II, who because a Saint after his death. It is a popular place of pilgrimage, and can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Pope was originally buried in the Vatican Grottoes, however, following his canonization in 2011 his remains were moved to the Chapel of St. Sebastian.

This can be found on the right of the central nave in the basilica (as you are looking at the High Altar from the entrance), and is next to the niche where you will find Michelangelo’s Pieta.

Pope Saint John Paul II’s grave is under the altar in the Chapel of St. Sebastian, and there is a marble slab marking his grave with the inscription IOANNES PAVLVS PP. II.

Statue of Saint Peter

At many pilgrimage locations around the world you will find some sort of item that pilgrims wish to touch, usually in order to receive a blessing.

In St. Peter’s Basilica, that item is the 13th century Statue of Saint Peter. This bronze statue features St. Peter sitting on a marble chair, holding the keys of heaven in one hand and giving a blessing with the other hand.

Touching (or kissing) the feet of the Saint is a very popular tradition that has likely been going on for hundreds of years. It’s quite easy to find the Statue of St. Peter, it is by a pillar in the centre of the nave near the High Altar. There will also likely be a line of people queuing up to touch the foot of the statue.

Tomb of Pope Alexander VII

I think it is fair to say that Bernini did quite a lot of work in and around St. Peter’s Basilica! His last great work, designed when he was 80, is the monumental tomb of Pope Alexander VII.

This was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, who unfortunately died around 11 years before it was actually completed and unveiled in 1678.

The monument itself is created from marble and has six main figures, including Alexander himself. There are then four female statues representing four virtues, Charity, Truth, Prudence and Justice. The last statue features Death holding an hourglass to represent the passing of time and of course mortality.

The monument is found in the south transept of St. Peter’s Basilica.

My personal favourite activity at St. Peter’s Basilica is the climb to the top of the dome. This does have a small fee, which you can pay on site, but the experience is very much worth it.

The dome climb has you climbing from the bottom of St. Peter’s Basilica right to the very top of the dome, from where you will get excellent views across St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican, and most of Rome.

If you are not feeling fit enough to tackle the 500+ steps, you can pay a little bit more to take the elevator. However, this still requires climbing quite a few steps.

We actually prefer the steps over the elevator, not because of the sense of accomplishment, but because the route takes you up through some fascinating parts of the basilica that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see.

And yes, there is a definite sense of accomplishment when you see the view having done all the steps!

Note that you have to pay on site for the dome climb unless you book a tour like this which includes a dome climb. For a long time this was cash only, however the last time we visited they accepted cash and credit cards. When we visited it cost €8 to climb the steps and €10 to take the elevator. The entrance is to the left of the Basilica as you face the entrance, and is well signposted.

Planning your Vatican Visit

We’ll now cover some important information to help you plan you visit to the Vatican City attractions.

Options for how to visit the Vatican

You have a number of options for visiting the Vatican City attractions. These are as follows:

• Turn up on the day without any tickets and purchase tickets in person (not recommended except at the quietest times of year)
• Book tickets directly or via third-party sites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets
• Book a guided tour with a walking tour company
• Use a Rome attraction pass which includes some of the attractions in the Vatican City

How Long to Visit the Vatican For

As you have probably noted by now, there is a lot to do and see at the Vatican. We’d recommend spending at least four hours here, which will allow you to see the highlights of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as the main outdoor spaces like St. Peter’s Square.

However, there is plenty to see, so you could easily spend all day here, or even multiple days! But four hours would be our recommended minimum.

Most people do not have days to see everything within Vatican City. So here are some ideas for what to prioritize depending on how much time you have:

Suggested Half Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have half a day to visit the Vatican, we’d suggest the following highlights:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter and Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
• Vatican Museums, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

We would recommend either booking a tour which includes the above attractions like this one  or  this one .

If you would prefer to be self-guided, then we recommend visiting St. Peter’s Basilica first at opening time, and then booking timed entry for the Vatican Museums at opening time. This will ensure you don’t get caught up in the lines for St. Peter’s Basilica, which get longer as the day progresses. You also won’t have to stand in the ticket line for the Vatican Museums.

Suggested Full Day Vatican Itinerary

If you have a full day to visit the Vatican sights then you can take your time and have more of a leisurely experience.

In this case we’d probably recommend something like the following:

• St. Peter’s Basilica, including the High Altar, Pieta, Statue of St. Peter, Tomb of Pope Alexander VII, the Grottes and Dome. You may also consider advance booking a Necropolis Tour.
• Break for lunch / coffee
• Vatican Museum, to include the Pio Clementino Museum, Gallery of Maps, Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms, Momo’s Double Spiral Staircase, Vatican Historical Museum, Sistine Chapel and Pinacoteca

Again, you could look at booking tours of both of these attractions. Timing wise, this will depend a little on the time of year you visit. In the summer months the Vatican Museums can get very hot, so you might want to do this in the morning and then visit St. Peter’s Basilica in the afternoon.

Tips for Pilgrims & Seeing the Religious Highlights

If you are visiting the Vatican as a pilgrim, then you will likely want to prioritize the religious highlights of the Vatican City.

Our recommended activities would be:

• Attending mass at St. Peter’s Basilica
• Attending a Papal Audience or Sunday Blessing if the Pope is in residence
• Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, including the Necropolis where St. Peter is buried
• Visiting the religious highlights in the Vatican Musuems, including the Vatican Historical Museum
• Visiting the museum gift shop which offers a number of religious items including rosaries and crucifixes.

You may also consider booking a specific tour which focuses more on the religious highlights and history of the Vatican attractions.

Can you Visit the Papal Apartments at the Vatican?

You cannot visit the private Papal Apartments where the current Pope lives. However, previous Popes have lived in different areas of the Apostolic Palace, and some of these areas can be visited as part of a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Two stand out locations in the Vatican Museum which were former Papal Apartments are the Raphael Rooms and the Borgia Apartments. These can both be visited as part of your Vatican Museums ticket.

Can You See the Pope at the Vatican?

When the Pope is in residence, it is possible to actually see him if you plan ahead.

The best option to see the Pope at the Vatican is to attend either a Papal Audience or a Papal Mass. These are free events, you just need to book a ticket.

You can also catch a glimpse of the Pope during the Sunday Blessing, or Angelus. When the Pope is in Rome he appears at his Papal Palace window at noon on a Sunday for around 15 minutes to bless those in St. Peter’s Square.

Where is Castel Gandolfo?

You may have heard of Castel Gandolfo, or the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo to give it its more formal name. This was long used as the Pope’s summer residence, but it is not found in Vatican City. It’s actually 16 miles (25 km) southeast of Rome, overlooking Lake Albano.

The Palace is a 135-acre complex of buildings and gardens, found in the town of Castel Gandolfo. The current Pope does not use it as his summer residence, but many previous Popes have.

The good news is that you can actually visit Castel Gandolfo and tour the Papal Palace and Gardens. You can either do this yourself, or you can book a tour from Rome which includes transport and access to the gardens and palace.

The Vatican Museums sell tickets for a tour which includes a tour of the Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, a return train trip and a tour of the Palace and Gardens. Other companies also do tours, including this tour with Take Walks and these options on GetYourGuide.

Vatican Ticket Information

Below we’re going to cover everything you need to know regarding getting tickets for the Vatican City attractions. This will cover which attractions you need tickets for, how much tickets cost, where to get them and more!

Do You Need a Ticket for the Vatican?

You do not need a ticket to visit the Vatican City State.

However, many of attractions and activities do require visitors to have a ticket or to be part of a tour, which includes:

• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Papal Audience / Papal Mass
• St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

We recommend booking tickets in advance where possible to avoid disappointment.

How Much does it Cost to Visit the Vatican?

Prices for the attractions inside the Vatican City vary depending on exactly what you want to see. However, you can see an idea of prices for the attractions as follows.

Prices are correct as of January 2024.

Vatican Museums Ticket Price

There is an entry fee for the Vatican Museums. This is as follows:

• €20 if booked in person at the ticket office (not recommended due to the length of the lines!)
• €20 + €5 booking fee (€25 total) if booked on the official Vatican tickets website ( recommended option )
• From around €31 via a third-party site such as GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ). Recommended option if the official site is sold out.

Note that if you buy a ticket from a third-party site our experience is that it is normally a voucher that needs to be exchanged for an actual ticket on entry. Instructions will be provided on purchase and there should be a specific entry line for holders of these tickets.

St. Peter’s Basilica Ticket Price

St. Peter’s Basilica is free to visit, although there are some passes which include fast-track entry such as the Rome Tourist Card . Alternatively, you can book a guided tour which includes fast-track entry.

In busier months these can definitely be worth it as the lines for entry can be very long.

You can also pay for additional activities as follows:

• Sacristy & Treasury Museum of St. Peter’s Basilica (€5)
• Dome climb €8 (stairs), €10 (elevator)
• Official 1hr audioguide €5

Vatican Necropolis Ticket Price

The part of the Vatican Necropolis under St. Peter’s can only be visited on a guided tour. This costs €13 per person as of 2024. See the entry on the Vatican Necropolis for booking instructions.

Note the last time I booked this tour it included some discounts on St. Peter’s Basilica activities, including the museum, audio guide and dome entrance. These discounts were sent to me by e-mail after I booked the tour.

The Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis is a separate ticket. It includes a guided tour of the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis lasting around 90 minutes, and ticket prices are €20 for adults in 2024. Tickets can be purchased online in advance from the official Vatican ticket site here .

Papal Audience / Papal Mass Ticket Price

Tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Masses are free and there is no booking fee. See the section on tickets for the Papal Audience and Papal Mass for booking instructions.

Where to Buy Vatican Tickets

As covered above, some of the attractions in the Vatican require tickets. There are various options for purchasing tickets for these attractions, as follows.

Where to Buy Vatican Museums Tickets

Normally the first place you should check for tickets for the Vatican Museums is on the official website here . These tend to be the best value tickets and the website has a range of ticket options including basic entry tickets, guided tours, and tickets which include locations like the Vatican Gardens.

We also recommend checking ticket options on third-party sites, and we specifically recommend either GetYourGuide ( check prices here ) or Tiqets ( see prices here ).

Whilst prices on third party sites can be higher, they sometimes have more availability as well as more flexible cancellation policies (depending on the ticket type). So they are definitely worth checking.

Vatican Museum Tickets Sold Out? You still have options to visit the Vatican!

The Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are a very popular attraction, and they do have capacity limits. That means tickets can sell out, especially at busier times of year.

The good news is that even when tickets have sold out on the official site you still have options. These will be slightly more expensive, but often come with additional features.

First, check other ticket types on the official site here . Whilst the standard entry ticket might have sold out, other ticket types such as guided tours or tickets with access to other areas of the Vatican may have availability.

Next, check the options for Vatican entry on GetYourGuide . There are a range of options, including guided tours like this one which includes St. Peter’s Basilica. This can be a good way to get last minute entry to the Vatican and get a tour as well, which is our recommended way of seeing the Vatican Museums. GetYourGuide tickets also have a specific entry line.

Finally, check these tickets on Tiqets . They are pre-purchased so they do often have availability even if the official site is sold out.

Speaking of tours, our favourite walking tour operator in Italy is Take Walks. We’ve done walks with them all over the world, including a number of tours in the Vatican. You can see their Vatican tours here . Again, these might have availability even when entry tickets are sold out.

We hope that one of the above options will allow you to visit the Vatican Museums, even if you are looking for tickets at the last minute.

Where to Buy St. Peter’s Basilica Tickets

St. Peter’s Basilica is free, so there is no need to purchase tickets.

In previous years, there was the option to purchase a skip the line ticket, which allowed you to skip the often very long lines and get into the Basilica more quickly for a fee. This was discontinued in 2022 (although many sites still talk about it).

This ticket type is supposed to return. However, in the meantime, the only option for skipping the lines is to book a tour like this one .

Another option is to book a Vatican tour like this one which also include St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of the Take Walks tours also include St. Peter’s Basilica. You can see all their Rome tours here .

Where to Buy Vatican Necropolis Tickets

The only way to book Vatican Necropolis tickets is to e-mail the Vatican Scavi office at [email protected].

In the e-mail you need to provide the exact number of participants, their full names, language of the tour, the dates you are available to visit and your full contact information.

There is more information on the official website here , but the last time we checked it was a little out of date as it mentions faxing, when e-mail is actually the preferred option. When we have booked the tour we have always gotten a response within a day or two via e-mail.

Where to Buy Papal Audience and Papal Mass Tickets

Papal Audience and Papal Mass tickets are free, however you do need to arrange them in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

The tickets are usually easy to come by (except at popular times like Easter), and you have a few options for getting them.

First, you will want to check there is an audience or mass on the date you wish to attend, which you can do on this Vatican page for 2024 . Note this page is normally updated around a month in advance.

Next, for advance bookings (recommended) and groups over 10, you need to contact the Prefecture of the Papal Household, which you can do as follows:

• by e-mail at [email protected]
• by fax on (+39) 06 698 85863
• by mail at: Prefecture of the Papal Household, 00120 Vatican City State

Include the number of tickets required, the event you wish to participate in, the date you wish to visit, your first and last name, and your e-mail address. You can see this information here on the official Vatican website where there is also a form you can download to make things easier.

If you book in advance, you will still need to collect your tickets in person at the Bronze Door in the Vatican (found under the right-hand colonnade in St Peter’s Square, here on Google Maps ), either the day before the event between 3pm and 7pm. or on the day from 7am. We would recommend collecting them the day before if possible.

It is also possible to obtain tickets when you are in Rome, just by going up to the Bronze Door and asking the Swiss Guards. These are of course subject to availability.

For more information on how to reserve tickets and attend a papal ceremony, see this page of the official Vatican website.

Can you Skip the Lines at the Vatican?

The various attractions at the Vatican have slightly different systems in place for access.

All the Vatican attractions have a security line, which cannot be skipped. However, there are different options for skipping the ticket lines, so we will go through these.

Vatican Museum Skip the Line Access

The main line you can skip at the Vatican is the ticket line. This line can be incredibly long on a busy day, and is definitely one you will want to try and skip.

The good news is that the Vatican Museum ticket line is easy to skip. You can skip this line by purchasing an advance ticket or booking a tour. Both of these include your entry ticket so you can skip the ticket line.

St. Peter’s Basilica Skip the Line Access

As of 2024 there is no fast-track entry for St. Peter’s Basilica. The only line is for security, but this can take a while on a busy day. We’d suggest getting here as early as possible to avoid this line.

The good news is that there are a few options for getting faster entry. Currently, these all involve booking a tour.

First, you can book a combined tour of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Group tours are able to use a special access corridor that leads from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, which entirely skips all the lines and saves you walking around the whole Vatican Museum building.

The disadvantage of this is that you don’t get the opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums at the end of your tour. Most tours which just cover the Vatican Museums end inside the Museum, so you can then go see any additional areas that the tour might have missed.

Another option is to just book a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica like this . Whilst these tours do still have to go through security, entry is normally quicker than the standard entry line.

Finally, you can book the Vatican Necropolis tour. This tour actually ends inside St. Peter’s Basilica, so you skip the main entry line.

Rome Passes that Include the Vatican

Another option for visiting the Vatican City attractions is to purchase an attraction pass which includes either entry or a guided tour of the attractions. There are a few to choose from, our suggestions to check out are:

• The Rome Tourist Card
• The Omnia Card
• The Omnia Vatican and Rome Card

The right card for you will depend on what other attractions you plan to visit during your time in Rome and the Vatican.

We’d recommend reading our guides to spending 1 day in Rome , 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome for some inspiration to help you decide what other attractions you would like to see.

When is the Vatican Free in 2024?

Visiting the Vatican City is always free. St. Peter’s Basilica is also free, although you can pay for a tour to skip the lines at busier times of year.

The Vatican Museums are normally free on the last Sunday of the month when it is open from 9am – 2pm (last entry 12.30pm). However, beware that the museums, which are normally busy anyway, can be super busy during free days.

Tours at the Vatican

We highly recommend taking a tour of the major Vatican attractions like the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. There is so much to see here, and having a guide can really help you navigate, see the major highlights, and really get a feel for what you are seeing.

Tours of the Vatican Museums

There are a lot of guided tours to choose from at the Vatican Museums. We’d recommend picking a tour that is at least 3 hours long as there is so much to see and a shorter tour might not cover enough.

We’ll go through some of our recommended tour options, although of course there are lots to choose from across a range of price points.

• The Pristine Sistine tour with Take Walks. It includes early entry, a smaller group, and it also includes St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ve done walks with Take Walks all around the world and always enjoyed their tours.
• Vatican Key Master Tour . Another tour with Take Walks, this is the most exclusive tour of the Vatican currently available. It basically has you walking through the Vatican and opening it up before anyone else is allowed inside. It’s an incredible experience, one of our favourite Vatican tours, but it’s not going to be for everyone. See our full Vatican Key Master Tour review to see if this tour might be right for you.
• This five hour tour covers many of the highlights of the Vatican Museums as well as St. Peter’s Basilica including the Dome.
• This is a shorter 3 hour tour which focuses on the highlights, and includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
• This private tour includes the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, and has the option for hotel pickup as well.
• Visiting the Vatican Museums with kids? Check out this private kid-friendly Vatican Museums tour

Of course, there are many more tours to choose from. You can see all the Take Walks Vatican tours here , as well as Vatican tours on GetYourGuide here and Viator here .

There are also full day tours of Rome which cover more than just the Vatican. If that’s of interest, we recommend this 1 day Best of Rome tour from Take Walks which includes the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Vatican Museums.

When it comes to picking the right tour, we recommend reading recent reviews and of course picking a tour that matches your budget.

Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica

As with the Vatican Museums, there’s a lot to see in St. Peter’s Basilica, and a tour can be a great way to do that.

Many of our recommended Vatican tours (see above) also include St. Peter’s Basilica, which can be a good option for visiting both locations. However, there are also tours which only visit the Basilica, which is what we’ll focus on in this section to avoid repeating ourselves!

• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica with Take Walks offers early entry, a dome climb and a visit to the crypt
• This tour of St. Peter’s Basilica includes the main areas of the Basilica as well as the Dome and Crypts
• This early morning tour of St. Peter’s Basilica will let you enjoy the Basilica with less crowds. It also includes a dome climb.

Again, there are plenty more tour options to choose from, including this selection on GetYourGuide and this selection on Viator .

Practicalities for Visiting the Vatican

Now we will go through some practicalities for visiting the Vatican, which covers all the things you need to think about when planning a visit.

Dress Code at the Vatican

Whilst the Vatican State does not have a dress code, the major attractions within it do. These are religious venues, and as such a dress code is strictly enforced.

We have seen many people turned away from entering these attractions because they didn’t dress appropriately. This is not unique to the Vatican, most religious sites across Rome & Italy have similar dress codes in place.

The good news is that the dress code is not hard to get right. Basically, everyone visiting the Vatican needs to have their knees covered and the shoulders, chest area, and upper arms covered. T-shirts are fine.

Men are also required to remove any hats. Women can continue to wear headwear.

Essentially, if you dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, you’ll be fine. You’ll want to avoid any short skirts, shorts, or dresses (they need to be knee length or longer). You’ll also want to avoid sleeveless tops, tank tops, crop tops, and low-cut shirts. Tops need to cover shoulders, cleavage, and midriff/belly. This applies for all visitors, including both men and women.

It is also worth noting that the dress code extends to include any visible personal objects or signs (including tattoos) that may offend Catholic morality, the Catholic religion, or common decency.

The Vatican is not specific about precisely what this means, but we’d advise against wearing any clothing which has explicit content, and if you feel you have body art which may offend, to consider covering it up.

You can learn more about the dress code requirements here .

We normally are appropriately dressed when travelling in Italy, but Jess always carries a travel wrap or travel scarf in her day bag just in case we forget or someone is being especially strict. A scarf or wrap is handy as it can be used to cover shoulders and chest or be tied around the waist.

Facilities at the Vatican

There are a number of toilets that are available for public use in the Vatican State. In St. Peter’s Square there are two toilets that are open to the public. There are also toilets inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For food and drink, there are a number of food and drink options in the Vatican Museums, including self-service options and sit-down options.

You can bring your own snack food and soft drinks into the Vatican Museums, but be aware that you are not allowed to consume food or drink in the actual exhibition halls inside the Vatican Museum.

There are also a number of dining and cafe options around the Vatican area, including some of our favourite coffee shops in Rome and gelaterias in Rome .

Security at the Vatican

All the major attractions at the Vatican have security checks in place, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

There are fairly common-sense restrictions around what is not permitted inside. Items like knives, scissors and other metal tools are forbidden. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted inside. All these items can however be stored in the Vatican Museums cloakroom which is a free service.

Weapons and hazardous materials are not permitted in Vatican attractions, and these cannot be stored at the Vatican Museums Cloak Room.

Accessibility at the Vatican

Despite being found in some very old buildings, the majority of attractions in the Vatican are set up to be as accessible as possible. Just be aware that parts of the outside are quite uneven, especially St. Peter’s Square which is cobbled, so care will need to be taken.

The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire for those with mobility issues. Mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are also permitted in most areas (with some exceptions). There are also lifts and ramps for access to most areas. Accessible toilets are also available.

There is a suggested itinerary for those with mobility issues which allows visitors to access the majority of the museum. You can see this on the accessibility page here .

The Vatican Museums also have special services for hearing impaired and both blind and partially sighted visitors. More information on these services can be found on the accessibility page .

St. Peter’s Basilica is also accessible via ramps and an elevator and the interior of the Basilica is flat. There are also accessible toilets near the entrance. However, the grotto and necropolis cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. There is an elevator to the dome area, however there are still some steps to the top of the dome making this not accessible.

If you are visiting the Vatican as a wheelchair user, this company offers wheelchair hire as well as wheelchair friendly guided tours of the main Vatican attractions.

Luggage storage Near the Vatican

Large bags, including rucksacks, suitcases, packages and containers are not allowed in the Vatican attractions. This also includes tripods, selfie-sticks umbrellas and any banners or signs. Walking sticks are permitted.

The Vatican Museums have a free cloakroom where these items can be left. St. Peter’s Basilica does not have a cloakroom, however there are a number of luggage storage options near the Vatican.

Tips for Visiting the Vatican

We have been lucky enough to visit the Vatican a number of times over the years, both as part of guided tours and on our own. From our experiences, we wanted to share some tips for visiting.

Plan your day in advance

You will definitely have an improved experience at the Vatican if you plan your activities in advance. That means booking any tours or tickets in advance.

The Vatican attractions, and especially the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, are amongst the most popular visitor attractions in the world. That means the queues can be long, and they can sell out.

It’s also important to check that the attractions you want to visit are going to be open on the days you plan to visit, and that events like a Papal Audience are not going to impact your visit.

Overall, having a plan for what you want to see and when, and booking any tickets, tours or passes in advance of your visit is going to make for a much more pleasant visit.

Consider a Guided Tour or Audio Guide

We highly recommend taking a guided tour of the Vatican attractions when you visit. A guide will be able to lead you to the highlights and help give you context and information about what you are seeing.

We’ve taken a number of tours of the Vatican, and our favourite tours have all been with Take Walks. Their guides really know their stuff, and their passion always shines through. That said, there are lots of tour operators running Vatican tours, so you should be able to find something that meets your requirements.

If you decide not to take a guided tour, then we recommend at least getting an audio guide. Both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica offer audioguides which are available just near the entrance for a small fee. These are well worth it in our opinion.

Dress and Pack Accordingly

First, you are going to want to ensure you adhere to the dress code for your visit to the various Vatican attractions, as already outlined in this section on what to wear in the Vatican.

The next thing you are definitely going to want to bring is a pair of comfortable shoes. You will be walking a great deal as you explore the Vatican, and a good pair of shoes will ensure your feet are comfortable throughout the day. Check out our guides to the best travel shoes for men and the best travel shoes for women to help you find the right shoes.

You will also want to bring some drinking water so you can stay hydrated, we always travel with a reusuable water bottle. A camera is of course also a must!

It is also a good idea to leave items such as large bags, luggage, food and drinks, knives, laser pointers, tripods, scissors, video cameras, etc. at your hotel if you don’t need them that day. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait in line to check them at the Cloakroom as they are not permitted inside the Vatican Museums.

Be Wary of on-site Touts at the Vatican

When you arrive at the Vatican it is very likely that you will be approached by official looking individuals offering you tours or tickets which might include fast-track entry. They may even try to tell you that you need to book a tour or a ticket with them in order to get entry.

Normally these folks are not affiliated with the Vatican. Instead, they are trying to sell guided tours or pre-bought fast-track tickets. These will generally be at inflated prices.

If you don’t pre-book a ticket for the Vatican Museums and find yourself in the long ticket lines, they will also attempt to persuade you to purchase a fast-track ticket, which will likely be tempting if the ticket line is stretching out of sight around the building.

Our recommendation is to skip the touts entirely, and to plan your tickets in advance. That way, when you are approached, you can just politely refuse their services. If you do happen to turn up at the Vatican without a ticket, I’d suggest finding a coffee shop or similar location with free WiFi and either checking the official website, or using a service like GetYourGuide or Tiqets to book a same day ticket.

Skip the Free Days, or Arrive Very Early

As mentioned previously, the Vatican Museums are free on some days of the year. Whilst these days can be a good way to see the museums without spending any money, they are also incredibly popular. The queues stretch for hours on the free days.

If you really want to visit the Vatican Museums on a free day, then I would advise arriving as early as possible so you don’t have to queue for as long.

Arrive Early

Regardless of whether or not you are visiting on a free day, you will want to arrive early for both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

For St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to visit, this is because the line for security tends to just get longer as the day progresses. The Basilica opens early, so if you can be here at opening time you will be able to skip that lengthy wait.

For the Vatican Museums, if you pre-book your ticket, you will be visiting with timed entry. We suggest booking your entry for as early in the day as possible, especially in the warmer months.

This is because the majority of the Vatican Museums are not air-conditioned, and it gets progressively hotter as the day goes by. If you arrive early, you will be able to explore with fewer people and at more manageable temperatures.

If you are taking a a guided tour, then we suggest booking a tour with early entry for the same reasons, but also so you can experience the museums with even fewer people.

Escape the Crowds at the Vatican.

Almost any time of year that you visit the Vatican it is going to be crowded, and it just seems to get busier as the day goes on. Between giant tour groups and security guards ushering you on, it can become a bit of an overwhelming experience.

The good news is that there are far less popular areas of the Vatican that are well worth visiting, where you can take a break from the crowds. Whilst the Map Room, Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms are nearly always crowded, locations like the Pinacoteca and Carriage Pavillion receive far fewer visitors.

If you want to really escape the crowds, head to the basement level where you’ll find the coin and stamp collection ( Museo Filatelico e Numismatico ). Sure, it might not have quite the headline status of the Sistine Chapel, but it is almost guaranteed to be a more peaceful experience!

Attractions Near the Vatican

Vatican City is home to a great many attractions, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do. However, if you are planning your time in Rome and want to see some other sights on the same day you might be wondering what other attractions are near the Vatican. Here are some ideas for nearby attractions, ordered by distance.

• Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci – this small museum is dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci’s life and works. There are no original artworks but it is interesting nonetheless. 5 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.
• Castel Sant’Angelo – a stunning 2nd century castle, 10 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Piazza Navona – one of Rome’s most famous squares, with a stunning Bernini waterfall as the centrepiece. 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Villa Farnesina – a beautiful Renaissance-era suburban villa, found in trendy Trastevere neighbourhood, 20 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square
• Belvedere del Gianicolo – a popular viewpoint which overlooks the city of Rome. 25 minutes’ walk from St. Peter’s Square.

There are of course more sights all around Rome that you can visit, but this should give you some ideas of nearby attractions to consider.

Where to Stay Near the Vatican

There are a lot of accommodation options in Rome, across a wide range of budget and styles. Here, we’ll share some options for accommodation near the Vatican. These are ordered approximately by distance. Prices do vary, so you will want to compare before booking.

We’d recommend booking a hotel with air-conditioning if visiting in the summer especially as Rome can get very hot.

• Residenza Paolo VI – this well-rated four star hotel set in a converted monastery is just moments away from St. Peter’s Basilica. There are lovely views of both the Basilica and St. Peter’s Square from the Terrace, and it’s only 15 minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums.
• Palazzo Cardinal Cesi – another well-rated four-star hotel just 150 yards from Saint Peter’s Square. The 15th century building has a courtyard garden and a selection of comfortable rooms to choose from.
• Elle Boutique Hotel -this four-star boutique hotel is around 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica with views of the Dome.
• Starhotels Michelangelo Rome – another well-review four-star hotel just 500 yards from St. Peter’s Basilica offering classically decorated rooms. There’s also an on-site restaurant.
• Tmark Hotel Vaticano – this four-star hotel is moments from the entrance to the Vatican Museums and about a 10 minute walk to St. Peter’s Square.
• Best Western Plus Hotel Spring House – this well reviewed hotel is just three minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museums and around 10 minutes from St. Peter’s Square
• Hotel Silla – this 2-star hotels offers great value accommodation just eight minutes walk from the Vatican Museums and 13 minutes from St. Peter’s Square. It’s also right next to Ottaviano metro station, for easy access to sights around Rome.
• Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá – this luxury 5* hotel is abouta 15 minute walk from St. Peter’s Square or 25 minutes to the Vatican Museums entrance. It’s also just 10 minutes from the trendy Trastevere region.

Of course, there are many more options. See the listings for accommodation near the Vatican on Booking.com here .

How to Find More Information on Visiting the Vatican?

There are a great many websites with information on visiting the Vatican (including this one!).

I have endeavored to make this site as accurate as possible based on our personal experience and knowledge from multiple visits to the Vatican over many years.

There are of course official sites for the Vatican which I would also recommend reading. These are:

• https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html – the official Vatican website, which has information on opening times and visiting, attending Papal Audiences , visiting St Peter’s Basilica and more. I’ll be honest, this site can be difficult to navigate and pages are not always available, but it’s the best place to start
• https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/ – the official Vatican State website, which has information on services, live webcams and history. Currently only in Italian as far as we can tell.
• https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html – the official Vatican Museums website, where you can purchase tickets, learn about the collection, take virtual tours, and plan your visit. Well worth visiting in advance of your trip to get some ideas for what to see.

Personally, I would suggest starting with the above sites when looking for information on visiting the Vatican and purchasing tickets. You can also see a list of official Vatican websites here .

If you have any questions, we’re also happy to answer them in the comments below.

Further Reading for Visiting Rome

That’s it for our guide to visiting the Vatican. We also wanted to share some more guides we’ve put together for Rome, based on our many visits to the city.

We’ve also visited many other parts of Italy, and we’ve included some of these posts below as well, as well as some other resources we think you’ll find useful.

• We have a guide to spending  1 day in Rome , as well as guides for  2 days in Rome  and  3 days in Rome , which should help you plan your time effectively. We also have a guide to  things to do in Rome  in general.
• You can’t visit Rome without trying gelato – the Italian version of ice cream. See all our favourite places to find the  best gelato in Rome
• Another popular Italian pastime is drinking coffee, particularly espresso! See some of the  best cafes to drink coffee in Rome
• We’ve taken a number of other walking tours in Rome. See our guide to our favourite  walking tours of Rome here , and our favourite Rome food tours here .
• We also have a full review of the Vatican VIP Key Master’s tour , which is one of the most exclusive tours of the Vatican you can take.
• We have a detailed guide to  visiting the Borghese Gallery in Rome  which is one of our favorite art museums in Rome.
• We also have a  guide to visiting the Colosseum , which has everything you need to know to plan your visit to this remarkable attraction
• Beyond Rome, we have a  guide to Florence , suggested  things to do in Milan , and tips for  a day in Venice
• We also have a detailed  10 day Italy itinerary  to help you plan a trip in this wonderful country
• If you’re planning on visiting Rome in summer, read our  tips for visiting a European city in summer  to stay sane
• If you’re looking for a physical (or Kindle!) guidebook, we recommend the latest edition of  Rick Steves Rome guide , which has lots of practical information to help you make the most of your stay

And that’s the end of guide to visiting the Vatican City and its attractions. We hope you found it useful. As always, if you have any questions or feedback on this post, let us know in the comments below!

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Alexander says

25th March 2023 at 1:56 pm

All your photos are simply awesome and your posts are speaking a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this article.

Laurence Norah says

25th March 2023 at 5:11 pm

Thanks Alexander!

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• Things to do
• Vatican City

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)

You may also be interested in

St. Peter's Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica, located in the Vatican City, is considered one of the Catholic Church’s holiest temples and an important pilgrimage site.

Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps

A magnificent example of Italian Baroque style, Piazza di Spagna and its “Scalina Spagna” is one of the most-visited squares in Rome.

Travel Tips

• Attractions
• Things to do
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Rest of the world

The Biggest Mistakes When Visiting the Vatican – and How to Avoid Them

• Like a local
• Planning your trip

August 25, 2023

Planning a tour of the Vatican ? With so much to see it can be tempting to dive straight in without a second thought. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Vatican City to experience one of the most significant religious sites in the world . Numbers soar well into the tens of thousands during the summer months, and are always high on Mondays and the last Sunday of every month. But with so much to take in, it’s essential to plan ahead when visiting the Vatican.

Keep reading for general guidelines that make visiting the Vatican so much easier!

Table of Contents

What not to do when visiting the Vatican

Of all the sites in Rome, a trip to the Vatican is perhaps the one that takes the most planning and consideration. From the entrance lines, tickets, and dress code, to whether or not to book a guided tour, planning a trip to the Holy City can be disorientating even before stepping into the hallowed halls.

But trust us, it’s worth the effort!

To steer you straight, we’ve complied a list of some of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting the Vatican – and how you can avoid them.

Planning for your Vatican visit makes all the difference.

Arriving at mid-day

Numbers visiting the Vatican can reach as high as 20,000 per day. With ticket lines often snaking around the walls, it’s best to get there early. The Vatican Museums opening times are 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and we recommend getting there when the doors open – if not a bit earlier to allow for delays.

Luckily, the Vatican is pretty easy to reach, which means you won’t have to spend hours planning a route. Bus 49 stops outside the entrance to the Vatican Museums or simply hop on the Metro (Line A) and get off at Ottaviano or Battistini – both of which are approximately a 10 minute walk away.

Alternatively, you could plan a visit later in the day when the crowds have thinned out (and – if you’re visiting during the summer – the heat has cooled down). Although the Museums officially closes at 6pm, keep in mind that the last entrance is at 4pm. The Vatican also opens for extended opening hours during the summer months which you can take advantage of on a very special Vatican at Night tour.

Ticket lines for the Vatican often snake around the walls; plan accordingly by arriving early or late in the day. Photo credit: Vangelis Kornilios

Not buying tickets in advance

How far in advance should you purchase your tickets? Ideally, aim to reserve your tickets as early as you know when you’d like to visit. (This will also make planning the rest of your trip easier). Occasionally you can be lucky and find last-minute availability for the next day. Other times, they can be sold out for the entire month. Don’t take any chances – buy your ticket in advance. 

Didn’t score a ticket from the official website? Opt for a guided tour to ensure you can skip the lines at the Vatican.

Dressing inappropriately

You’ve waited a long time to get inside the Vatican – don’t risk being turned away because you weren’t dressed the part! The Vatican operates a strictly enforced dress code , but it’s not difficult to follow once you know what to avoid.

The official website says that only “appropriately dressed visitors” will be allowed to enter the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica . They explicitly state that low cut, sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts, and hats are not considered appropriate. Of course, if you’re visiting during summer, when temperatures in Rome can soar, this is easier said than done. What’s more, it can often be left to the interpretation of the guards stationed at the entrance.

Our advice? Keep shoulders and knees covered, opt for lightweight materials, and consider bringing a scarf or wrap so you can cover up inside (you can take it off if it gets too hot later in the day). Also beware of inappropriate slogans or graphics on clothing – you may not find them offensive but if you think they may not be suitable for a religious site, leave them at home.

Don’t get caught out! There is a dress code when visiting the Vatican.

Trying to see everything

This one goes hand-in-hand with not booking a tour. Usually, people who are visiting solo rush through the museums, trying to fit everything in at once. Remember, this isn’t a test – so don’t try to cram! Not only is this a poor strategy to appreciate the real beauty that lies within the Vatican, but it’s sure to result in a stressful visit.

There are a number of iconic parts of the Vatican that you should take your time with such as Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica and, of course, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel .

That said, there are also hidden gems within the Vatican that are worth taking the time to absorb. Find out what you’re most interested in seeing and divide your time up accordingly. For example, most people tend to bypass the Borgia Apartments – but this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re an avid history buff (or just a fan of the Showtime series!).

The Belvedere Torso may or may not be on your must-see list.

Visiting during peak season

In a similar vein, it’s worth noting that a Papal audience is held every Wednesday. This is a ticketed event where the Pope addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s Square with a speech, blessings, and homilies, and can attract thousands of attendees. As a result, St. Peter’s Basilica is closed every Wednesday morning while the general Papal audience is in the Square (it re-opens at approximately 12:30pm). So overall, it’s a good idea to keep the general Vatican schedule in mind when planning a visit.

Events such as mass draw large crowds to the Vatican. Photo credit: Kai Pilger

Going on a Sunday… or a Monday

Most museums in Rome tend to close on Monday, which makes museums that remain open (like the Vatican) particularly popular. One of the attractions closed on Monday is the often-overlooked Castel Sant’Angelo , which sits above the Tiber River. The striking fortress is steeped in history but is also easily manageable within an afternoon, and with a nearby location so it makes a great pairing with a visit to the Vatican. Instead, use Monday to see an off-the-beaten-path attraction in Rome and save the Vatican for Tuesday – Friday.

A visit to Castel Sant’Angelo makes a great addition to the Vatican.

Not booking a tour

Okay, we might be a little biased on this one, but hear us out. It may be the smallest country in the world but at 110 acres, the Vatican still has a lot of ground to cover – especially in one visit. The palace has an estimated 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries, all filled with beautiful paintings , impressive sculptures, and stunning architecture. This can make it difficult to know what to prioritise.

Unless you’re planning to do some serious research ahead of time, trying to see all of these magnificent pieces without any real context can be a little like trying to read a map without a legend. So it’s worth taking the time to research what tours are on offer.

Opting for a guided tour provides more context to the sprawling Vatican Museums. And it brings the place alive – for children and adults alike!

Update notice: This article was updated on August 25, 2023. 

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Can You Tour the Vatican on Sundays?

Every year, countless visitors travel to the heart of Rome with one question in mind: “Can you tour the Vatican on Sunday?” The allure of the Vatican City, with its unrivaled religious and historical significance, makes it a must-visit, especially during the Holy day of the week (at least, for the Catholic Church).

However, as with many religious sites, there are certain protocols and schedules to be aware of, and Sundays at the Vatican aren’t the same as weekday visits. In the following guide, we’re going to aim to answer all your questions about experiencing the wonders of the Vatican on Sundays – so let’s take a look!

Is the Vatican Open on Sundays?

The Vatican City is indeed open on Sundays, but it operates differently than on other days. The primary reason for this distinction is the series of religious observances that take place, most notably the Papal Mass; visitors can attend the Mass and witness the Pope’s address, offering a unique spiritual experience that is markedly different from the usual touristic exploration.

St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the key attractions of the Vatican City, is also open to the public on Sundays. However, visitors should note that during Mass times, especially the Papal Mass, the basilica might be quite crowded. This can impact the nature of the visit, transforming it from a sightseeing trip to a more spiritual encounter, so it’s essential to be respectful and maintain decorum during these religious ceremonies. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive and less limiting experience, you might want to visit the city on a weekday, either alone or with the guidance of VIP Vatican tours .

Is the Vatican Free on Sundays?

While St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter regardless of the day, the Vatican Museums, which are usually ticketed, have a special provision for Sundays. On the last Sunday of every month, the Vatican Museums open their doors to the public from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, free of charge. This gesture allows more visitors to access the wealth of art and history housed within, without the burden of an entry fee. However, the downside is the potential for larger crowds due to the complimentary admission.

It’s worth noting that while this free access is a wonderful opportunity, you might want to weigh the benefits against the challenges of navigating a more crowded space; for those aiming for a more in-depth, peaceful exploration, choosing another day might be advisable.

How can I see the Pope on a Sunday?

One of the most sought-after experiences for visitors to the Vatican on Sunday is the chance to see Pope Francis in person. Every Sunday at noon, when the Pope is in Rome, he appears from a window of the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus and address the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square. This cherished tradition is not just for devout Catholics but for anyone interested in witnessing a historical and spiritual event.

To ensure a good spot, it’s recommended to arrive at St. Peter’s Square well in advance of noon. No tickets are required for this event, but be prepared for large crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons. Additionally, on certain Sundays, the Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica or Square, which can be a deeply moving experience to attend. However, tickets are often needed for these Masses, so it’s wise to check the Vatican’s official website or consult with local parishes for details.

Availability of Tours and Attractions on Sundays

Despite the unique schedule of the Vatican on Sundays, many operate to cater to the influx of weekend visitors. Guided tours, particularly those focusing on St. Peter’s Basilica and its surroundings, can be an excellent way to delve deeper into the history, art, and spirituality of the site, and some private Vatican tours even offer “skip-the-line” access to avoid the throngs of visitors.

While many attractions within the Vatican remain accessible, it’s the ambiance that undergoes a transformation on Sundays; the day takes on a more serene, contemplative atmosphere, with many pilgrims and visitors pausing to pray, reflect, or simply soak in the spiritual environment.

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on Sundays

As noted earlier, the Vatican Museums and the iconic Sistine Chapel are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of each month. On this particular Sunday, they are open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, granting visitors free access. This is a rare opportunity to gaze upon the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Raphael, and many other legendary artists without an entrance fee.

However, this generosity often results in larger crowds, so for those desiring a more intimate experience with the art, it might be worth considering a visit on a regular weekday when the museums are less crowded, and the environment is more conducive to quiet reflection.

The Bottom Line

Overall, touring the Vatican on Sundays offers a blend of spiritual enrichment and cultural exploration. While the pace may be different, with certain attractions being unavailable, the experience is no less profound. It’s an opportunity to witness the Vatican in its most authentic, spiritual state, where history, faith, and art seamlessly converge.

Published:  03.01.2024

• Vatican Tours

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Vatican Museum Tours - How to pick the best one?

By Elyssa Bernard

December 21, 2023

Wondering which of the many Vatican Museum Tours is right for you?

There are so many options, so h ow do you decide which one to take?

Vatican Museum Tours - Why it's so hard to choose

One of the questions I get most often is "How do I decide which Vatican tour to take?"

I know there are a lot of choices.

There are early morning tours, small group tours, tours that include Saint Peter's Basilica, the  Necropolis of Via Triumphalis  or the Vatican Gardens . . .

And even then, there are a lot of different companies that offer the same or similar tours. 

So how do you choose?

I'm going to break down the different TYPES of tours, and then give you links to book the best ones of each type.

On this page about Vatican Museums tours, you'll find:

• Is it worth taking a Vatican tour?

Tours through the official Vatican website

• Standard Group Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museum Tours before Opening Hours
• Super-speedy Tours of Vatican Museums  - head straight for the Sistine Chapel and bypass the rest
• Small/ Semi-private Group Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Museums on Friday or Saturday Night
• Private Tours of Vatican Museums
• Vatican Gardens and Vatican Museum Tours Combo
• VIP Vatican Museum Tours with out-of-hours viewing of Sistine Chapel
• Tours that include the Vatican + Colosseum
• Do it yourself - build the Vatican tour you want!

Vatican Museum Tours - Is it Worth Taking a Tour?

I love to visit the Vatican Museums on my own because I can take as long as I want, and linger over a painting or a room if I feel like it.

But that is partly because I am lucky enough to live here and be able to visit often.

I've also taken part in pretty much every Vatican tour out there, and love that experience also.

Now the question is, is it worth taking a tour to visit Vatican Museums?

In my opinion, absolutely yes.

Here's why:

• Easy -  Your tickets will be bought and ready, nothing for you to do but show up.
• Focused -  With the vast amount of art to see in the Vatican Museums, having a guided tour can help you to focus on just some of the most important sections and pieces.
• Just the right amount of sight-seeing -  On a guided tour, you will keep your visiting time to a limit, and won't overdo or exhaust yourself trying to "see it all."
• Help with your questions -  When you have a guide, there is someone to answer your questions as they pop up. This happens to me all the time and I find myself asking museum guards (who may or may not know the answer), or trying to look things up on my phone. It's considerably nicer to have a knowledgable guide who can tell you (correctly, and in person) just what you want to know.
• Don't miss a thing! -  On a guided tour, you will no doubt see things you would have overlooked on your own. This also happens to me a lot in Rome, and every time I take a guided tour with an expert, I learn something new. The first time I went to the Vatican Museums on my own (years ago), without a guide, I breezed past the  Laocoön sculpture because I didn't even know what it was, let alone to look for it!

And if you take a more special kind of guided Vatican Museums Tour , like a private, small-group, out-of-hours tour, then it can make an even bigger difference.

Vatican Museums Audio-Guide

You may also decide to skip the Vatican Museum tours, and visit on your own with an audio-guide.

This can be a good compromise, because you will get more information than you can from the little printed info-cards next to some of the pieces in the museums.

I still would recommend a human guide because they are better able to bring the whole thing to life for you, and are there to answer questions.

If you do decide to use the Vatican Museums Audio-Guide, you can book this when you pre-book your Vatican Museums tickets through the Vatican website, or, you can opt to get the audio-guide once you enter the museum.

Vatican Museum Tours - Which One is Right for You?

One of the most frequent questions I get is, which Vatican Museum tours do you recommend?

And of course, there is not one right answer: this depends on what you are looking for, how much time you have and want to commit to, and your budget.

All Vatican Museum tours include skip-the-line tickets, a visit to the Sistine Chapel , and a licensed tour guide  (someone who is knowledgable and who is legally allowed to take you on this tour.)

Most tours are offered in English or Italian.

You can usually book a guide in other common languages too, such as Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, etc.

There are also a few options for pre-booking special tickets, without a tour.

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What happens when you book a tour of the Vatican Museums using the official Vatican Museums website ?

First, you will pay less, as there is no tour agency or middle-man.

Second, you will be assigned a tour guide who is directly employed by the Vatican Museums.

What is the difference between booking a tour of the vatican through the vatican website and a tour agency?

All guides who give tours of the Vatican Museums must be licensed guides and they must have permission from the Vatican Museums to give tours there.

The difference between a Vatican Museums employee/guide and an outside guide may simply be in the quality of the guide.

I must say that I have taken tours with Vatican Museum employees/guides, and some of them have been fantastic.

But you just never know.

No matter what tour you book, unless you hire a private guide that you either know or who has been recommended to you, you have no way of knowing what that guide will be like.

Reasons to choose booking with the Vatican Museums or with a tour company

Sometimes, tickets and tours may not be available on the Vatican Museums website but you might find more availability for tickets and tours on a certified reseller such as Tiqets, Get your Guide, or Viator.

Or, perhaps you have heard about a specific tours company or tour, such as Walks of Italy, who offer two of the most popular tours of the Vatican Museums, Pristine Sistine, and the Vatican Key Master Tour in which you get to open the museums.

Read on to discover more tour options, and the differences between the different types of tours you'll find, both on the Vatican website and on outside tour company sites.

NEW FOR 2024!

The archeological area of the Vatican Necropolis of Via Triumphalis is now open for visitors.

This is an ancient Roman burial site that is within the Vatican walls and before now was very difficult to get access to.

You can only enter as part of an official Vatican tour group, and tickets need to be purchased through the official website .

This is an entirely separate visit, so you will not have access to either St Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

Click here to watch my YouTube video about it and see what it's like!

Vatican Museum Tours - Skip the Line Group Tours

One of the most popular of the Vatican Museum tours is the group tour .

You skip the line of course, and have a knowledgable guide so you don't have to think about what to see or where to go.

All of these tours  include the Sistine Chapel , usually ending there.

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.)

When you take a group tour, you will have what's called "whisper" headphones, so the guides can speak in a normal tone and you can easily hear them.

As of January 1, 2024, all group tours will be limited to 20 people.

The best part about this kind of group tour is the price.

This is the least expensive option of the Vatican Museum tours.

Visit the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the public on this special access tour.

There are many options even for taking a group tour.

Click the below to book a group tour of the Vatican Museums that includes:

• Only the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (and not St. Peter's Basilica - just access, but no tour)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica (this is an excellent tour because you skip ALL the lines, even the priority lines, AND you get a tour of the Basilica)
• Handicapped access (most tours do NOT accommodate wheelchairs , so you need to pick one that specifically DOES. This tour covers the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel but not St. Peter's Basilica.)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and The Pinacoteca (The Pinacoteca is the Vatican Museums Paintings gallery - most tours skip this but it is amazing, full of masterpieces, and worth the time if you have it! The Basilica is not included on this tour, but you can visit on your own without queuing.)
• The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica with Hotel pick-up/drop-off 

A word about "skip the line"

Of course one of the benefits of taking a tour is the possibility to skip the line.

You can skip the line even without a tour, simply by pre-booking your tickets.

HOWEVER, you should know that nobody can skip the line for security, and when Rome is really crowded, as it is nearly all the time lately, you may find a bit of a wait to get through security.

So prepare yourself for that, and also plan to arrive a bit earlier than your entry time to give yourself plenty of leeway in case of long security lines.

Vatican Museum Tours - Early Access

The Vatican Museums open at 8AM Monday - Saturday.

(There can be different closing times depending on the time of year.)

However, it is possible to gain early access to the Vatican Museums.

There are two things you need to know about this kind of tour:

• There are a LOT of companies doing this , so you will not have an exclusive visit (although of course there will be a lot FEWER people than during the morning rush.)
• In order to get the advantage of seeing the Sistine Chapel before the crowds arrive, you will need to rush through the rest of the Vatican Museums on your way there, missing most of the major works of art along the way. Either the tour will go back through so you can see the rest of the museums at a slower pace, or, if the tour itself does not offer this, you can do it on your own. In either of these cases, you will wind up in the Sistine Chapel a second time before you finally exit.)

That said, it will still feel like a special experience to get in there before the crowds fill in.

Also, many people do want to "just" see the Sistine Chapel, so this helps to keep the visit short if you want to.

For a more exclusive experience, jump down to this section .

As of January 2024, it will only be possible to gain early access to the museums by booking a tour.

Previously you could book early access entrance tickets, but these have been removed with the extension of the opening hours from 9AM to 8AM.

Open the Vatican Museums and turn on the lights of the Sistine Chapel!

One of the most special tours I ever took was with the Key Master of the Vatican Museums .

We literally went through the museums and opened them up and turned on all the lights.

You can book this through Take Walks and I assure you it will be one of the most amazing things you've ever experienced!

Before Hours Vatican Museums Sistine Chapel and Basilica Tour

With this 3-hour tour, you will go with group of around 15 people into the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public. 

Click here to book this Early Access Group Tour of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

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 .

Speedy Express Tours of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Maybe I should have put this one at the top of the page.

One of the most common questions I hear about the Vatican Museums is:

Can I just go see the Sistine Chapel ?

I've answered this before (the answer is no) and even with a tour that guarantees this, you really cannot. 

There is an "express route" to the Sistine Chapel from the entrance of the Vatican Museums, which skips the Pinacoteca, the Pio-Clementine Museums, the Egyptian and Etruscan wings.

But you still have a lot of museum to get through before you make it to the Sistine Chapel, so even without visiting any of the above, and bee-lining to the chapel, it will still take you at least 30 minutes just to walk there quickly, without stopping to look at anything. 

That said, there are tours that help you do this.

In the section just before this one, about Early Access Vatican Museum Tours , you have options for going in before opening hours.

In theory, these could also be considered as fast tours, since you do go directly to the Sistine Chapel.

But with the above, you are also given the chance to go back and take more time in the museums.

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Normally I would urge you to visit the rest of the museums, as they are chock full of some of the world's most amazing and beautiful art.

But maybe you have really limited time, or who have been to the museums before and want to re-visit just the Sistine Chapel.

So, you can book an Express tour:

Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with option to add on St. Peter's Basilica .

Your guide will provide explanations of the Sistine Chapel, but as you are sort of speeding through the rest of the Vatican Museums, you won't get detailed explanations of what you're walking past.

Vatican Museums - Small Group Tours

In the section above, there is a link to a small group, exclusive tour.

That tour goes inside the Vatican Museums early, before they open to the general public.

It's an amazing experience and I highly recommend it! (More about this below.)

If you're looking for an excellent truly small group Vatican Museums tour, click here.

Their small-group tours are max 20 people, but when you go to choose your date, you can see they also offer even smaller groups or private tours (which costs a bit more but may be worth it.)

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Vatican Museums - Private Tours

Taking a private tour is exactly what it sounds like: this is a fantastic option if you want a completely private, personal tour, with the guide focused just on you.

Of course, if you are a family or group of 4-6 people, it becomes more affordable.

Click here to book a private tour (minimum 2 people), of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Vatican Museums + Vatican Gardens Combo Tour

The Vatican is home to some amazing gardens , which are beautifully kept and landscaped.

But they are in two places: one is just behind St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

The other is in the summer residence of the Pope, Castel Gandolfo .

You can easily book the Vatican Gardens tour through the Vatican Museums website .

It includes entry to the Vatican Museums but no tour or guide.

If you want, you can book this through an outside agency so you get a more complete tour experience.

See below for options.

Tour of Vatican Museums and Vatican Gardens in Vatican City

With this small-group tour, you will first visit the Vatican Gardens.

After visiting the gardens, your group will head inside to tour the Vatican Museums, finishing inside the Sistine Chapel.

Click here to book a Vatican Gardens + Vatican Museums combo small-group tour.

Currently unavailable - stay tuned for the updates!

Visit to Vatican Museums and Gardens in Castel Gandolfo

If you have a full day to dedicate to this, and want to experience something really special, a whole world of tranquility, quiet and beauty, away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, this is a wonderful tour.

It allows you to skip the line and visit the Vatican Museums, then walk through the Vatican Gardens and get on a train that will take you just half-hour outside Rome to the summer residence of the Pope: the stunning Barberini Gardens at Castel Gandolfo , only recently opened to the public. . 

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VIP Vatican Museum Tours with out-of-hours Viewing

There are a good selection of Vatican Museum tours that offer early morning entry to the museums (see above.)

This means that although your group is going in before the normal opening time, you will also be going in with all the other tour groups doing the same thing.

Which means it is not quite as exclusive as it sounds, even if it's definitely less crowded than going at opening time (which is why it's actually a pretty affordable tour, usually costing less than 100€ per person.)

If you're really looking for an exclusive visit to the Vatican Museums out of hours, here are a couple of options:

VIP: Sistine Chapel Private Viewing and Small-Group Tour of the Vatican's Secret Rooms

Visiting the Vatican Museums after hours and seeing the secret rooms was one of the best tours I ever took.

You can read more about it on my dedicated page .

VIP Vatican Museum Tours - After Hours Private Viewing of Sistine Chapel

For a really special experience, book a VIP tour , that features  after-hours viewing.

You really do have a much more exclusive experience than the groups going before the Museums open.

Most Vatican Museum tours do not offer this option, so you will have the Sistine Chapel almost entirely to yourselves.

Click here to book your VIP tour of the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel Private Viewing.

And for an even more exclusive, private, truly after-hours tour, you can book this one.

Tour the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum on the same day

While I normally don't recommend this, sometimes a day is all you have, and you really want to fit in these two Rome must-sees.

You can try to do this on your own, but if you want to make the most of this day, especially if you are doing this as a shore excursion, I really recommend doing it as a guided tour.

Click here to book visit my page about this, for more details .

Click here to book a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum in one day .

You can also book a night tour of the Colosseum at certain times of the year, so you could see the Vatican Museums during the day and then do this night tour.

Do it yourself - build the tour YOU want!

If you are still not sure which tour to book, you can  visit this tour booking page where you can choose the length of the tour, the time of day, and the maximum group size you want  (the smaller the group, the more it costs per person.)

Click the "filters" button and go through and check the boxes you want, and you'll see all the tour options available according to your criteria.

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Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

The Best Vatican Tours To Take in 2024 and Why + Maps

Sean Finelli Last Updated: February 21, 2024

You already know that a trip to Rome is not complete without a visit to the famous country within the city: Vatican City. But there are so many different tour options, so how do you choose? It all depends on your travel interests and schedule. In this guide, you’ll discover our best Vatican tours and which one’s right for you.

Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post in your browser along with our article on the best Colosseum tours . We also have a dedicated guide to all things Vatican City where you’ll find everything you need.

All Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica Tours

All of our Vatican tours include skip-the-line tickets, local English-speaking guides, a tour of the Vatican Museums, and a visit to the Sistine Chapel. The right Vatican tour for you will depend on your interests, whether you want to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds, and how much time you have to soak up all this beauty.

To help you find your perfect Vatican experience, here is a link bank of all our tours, followed by more in-depth descriptions and maps below.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Vatican tour is worth it .

Express Vatican Tours (2 hours)

• Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel
• Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb

Classic Vatican Tours (2.5 – 3.5 hours)

• Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
• Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica (start times throughout the day)
• Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo

Full Experience Vatican Tours and Combos (4 or more hours)

• St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour
• Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip
• Rome in a Day Tour Including Colosseum and Vatican Museums
• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

Vatican Tickets

Skip-the-line tickets for a self-guided Vatican visit:

• Purchase skip-the-line Vatican tickets

1. Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Everyone knows the Vatican Museums are filled with crowds most of the day. That’s why this Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds and heat. Why? It enters before the general public so you can enjoy a less-crowded time throughout your tour.

With fewer crowds and cooler temperatures inside the vast Vatican Museums, you can easily follow your guide through the Vatican’s galleries and museums. Explore the Pio-Clementino, the Gallery of Tapestries, and Raphael Rooms as your guide brings each location to life.

Of course, you’ll visit the Sistine Chapel where you’ll stand in awe under the centuries-old ceiling that has captivated travelers from around the world. Starting your day early in the Vatican is the best way to maximize your vacation.

2. Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

Want to see both the Vatican and the Colosseum? This combo tour gets you more bang for your buck by combining them! You’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry at both the Colosseum and the Vatican. First, dive into ancient Roman history at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill where you’ll walk in the steps of Gladiators and Emperors.

After lunch, rejoin the tour at the Vatican to hear stories of papal intrigue and see some of the world’s most celebrated artworks by masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it .

3. Private Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

If you don’t have time for an early morning tour or would prefer to visit in the afternoon, then our Private Skip the Line Vatican Tour is the one for you. With multiple start times throughout the day and skip-the-line tickets, you’ll find a time that’s just right for you and get straight to exploring.

4. Rome in a Day including Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Our Rome in a Day Tour is one of our most popular tours to date. You start your day with a comprehensive tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica with an English-speaking guide. Then you head to the city for a walking tour of the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. End your day tour of Rome with a full Colosseum tour that includes the Roman Forum.

This is a great way to get the main highlights of Rome before you head out to discover it even better on your own. We provide transportation from the Vatican to the center of Rome, but this tour spends a lot of time on your feet. You’ll be ready for a delicious dinner when you’re done exploring one of the best tours of the Vatican and Rome!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Rome tours to take and why .

5. Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb

Looking for the best views in Rome? We know where to go. Our Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb  takes you to the top of the famous dome right as it opens and before there are any lines. Most of all, it’s before the heat of the day!

After you’ve climbed to the incredible lookout and soaked up those views, your guide will escort you into St. Peter’s Basilica for a guided tour that includes the Papal Crypts. For a quick tour of St. Peter’s and the dome, this is one of the best Vatican tours you can take.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Vatican Guide for more info.

6. Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel with Aperitivo

Looking for that truly exclusive opportunity to enjoy the Vatican and Sistine Chapel? This might just be what you need. With a late afternoon entry to the Vatican, you’ll be led with your small group through the highlights. Then you’ll step into the Sistine Chapel along with no more than 100 other people (usually at least 2,000 during the day)!

Your guide’s stories about this magnificent ceiling will come to life as you experience quiet time in the Sistine Chapel that few ever will. Afterwards, enjoy a drink on us during your aperitivo in the Pinecone Courtyard.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit the Sistine Chapel .

7. St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour

Want to get more bang for your buck? Book our St. Peter’s Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour . No matter how many times you’ve been to Rome, this is a great way to start your trip.

Enjoy views from the most scenic viewpoint at St. Peter’s Basilica before the crowds and the heat. Then follow your guide to your skip-the-line entrance at the Vatican where you’ll see the top highlights before stepping into the Sistine Chapel.

8. Vatican Night Tour with Sistine Chapel

On this guided Vatican visit, enter the Vatican Museums after hours and experience the museums with very few other people. You’ll feel like a VIP on this after-hours night tour of the Vatican. It’s the best way to really enjoy the quiet solitude in the 9 miles of museums here.

Not to mention, you’ll get to stand under the Sistine Chapel with just a handful of people around you. It’s almost as exclusive as you can get without booking a private tour. This Vatican Night Tour only runs on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer, making it a very exclusive experience.

9. Skip the Line Vatican Tickets

Want to explore the Vatican Museums at your own pace but with the benefit of skip-the-line tickets? Then reserve your own tickets with our privileged access that lets you bypass the crowds.

You’ll meet our helpful attendant near the Vatican Museums entrance, where they’ll escort you past the general line and into the reserved group entry. There you’ll go through security and be free to explore the Vatican and Sistine Chapel as long as you like.

10. Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip

Are you visiting Rome on a Saturday during the spring or summer months? Why not make a whole day of it with our Vatican Museums, Gardens, and Castel Gandolfo Day Trip ?

With this experience, you will take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens, and a day trip by train to the Pope’s summer residence. A return train ticket and delicious lunch fit for a pope are included!

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July 5, 2019

We are currently looking at all the various tour possibilities. Do you have tours which cover one or more of the restricted hidden areas of the Vatican Museums; namely the Bramante Staircase, the Niccoline Chapel and the Cabinet of Masks? Thank You.

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Vatican skip-the-line 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 & 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.
• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
• Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
• Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
• 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!
• Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
• 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!
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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How Long Are the Queues at the Vatican Museums' Viale Vaticano Entrance?

Wondering how long the queues at the Vatican Museum Viale Vaticano Entrance really are? Being an extremely popular destination, with millions of visitors every year, the Vatican Museums have queues that last hours. However, with skip-the-line tickets and strategic planning, you can appreciate the exquisite art and architecture of the Vatican Museums without any hassle and no wastage of time.

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How to get skip-the-line entry at the vatican.

There are two queues at the Viale Vaticano entrance of the Vatican Museums. Choosing the right queue on the day of your visit will help you breeze past the long lines and make your way into the museum.

If you have purchased your skip-the-line tickets online, head straight towards the queue, on the left-hand side when facing the entrance. This queue is reserved for those who have purchased tickets online. The wait time is usually only between 5-25 minutes, depending on the season.

The visibly longer queue you will see towards the right side when facing the main entrance is for those looking to purchase tickets on the spot. The wait times here can extend up to 2 hours during peak season. That's 2 hours you could be spending admiring Michelangelo's iconic ceiling in the Sistine Chapel instead of standing in line.

Plan Your Visit to the Vatican Museums >

Why You Should Skip the Line at the Vatican Museums?

• Avoid long queues: Each day, countless people gather in the holy city, so the wait times could be a few hours. Skip-the-line tickets allow you to race past the long lines and enter the museum directly.
• Save time: Avoid spending your precious vacation time waiting in a queue by getting skip-the-line tickets in advance. Instead, get inside, and spend all your time exploring the art and architecture of the Vatican Museums.
• Flexible options: Whether you're an early riser or prefer a late afternoon visit, skip-the-line tickets come in various options that fit your schedule. This means you can plan your visit and avoid crowds during peak hours.

Don't let long queues dampen your Vatican experience. Book skip-the-line tickets to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable visit.

How to Skip the Line at the Vatican Museums?

1. Buy Skip-the-line Tickets

The only surefire way to bypass the line at Vatican Museums is by purchasing skip-the-line tickets online. These tickets allow you to join the second queue and proceed directly to the entrance of the Vatican Museums.

2. Purchase Tickets Online

If you secure your Vatican tickets online and in advance, then you can bypass the queue in front of the ticket office and head straight to security. A small, unavoidable, but fast-moving line at the security, later, you will be inside the museums.

3. Visit During Early Hours

Visiting the Vatican Museums in the morning, as soon as it opens, is an excellent way to avoid crowds. Late-evening visits also allow for a quieter experience. Mid-morning to early afternoon tends to be the busiest period. Once the early wave of tourists lessens, the queue shortens down but is still pretty formidable.

However, if you have purchased your tickets online in advance, you won't be affected by the waiting lines, and you should be able to enter the museums easily. Remember to account for the time needed to pass through security when you plan your visit since the visitors are expected to undergo security checks to ensure the safety and preservation of the museum's collections.

4. Opt for Guided Tours

Guided tours allow you to gain a more in-depth understanding of the vast collection with the help of expert guides along with fast-track entry. These tours cater to those seeking a comprehensive and educational experience, along with the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized attention.

Although guided tours can come at a higher cost, they may be the sole option during peak seasons since skip-the-line tickets frequently sell out due to high demand and do not have guides. Ultimately, a guided tour featuring skip-the-line access would be the ideal choice, to enter quickly and get full expert insight. 

Which Entrance to Use for Skip the Line Tickets?

The entrance for skip-the-line ticket holders is located at the Vatican Museums' main entrance, at the Viale Vaticano. This is also the entrance where you'll find the ticket office, information desk, and security checkpoint.

Follow the signs for pre-booked tickets and proceed to the priority queue. You can easily find the entrance as it is well marked, and the staff is always ready to help. There may be separate queues for different types of skip-the-line tickets, so make sure to check which queue to use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vatican Museums Skip the Line Tickets

A. Yes, you can skip long queues by booking tickets to the Vatican Museums online. There are three ways to experience the Vatican — purchasing the tickets on the day of the visit, which could mean a wait time of 2-3 hours; using skip-the-line tickets that have been purchased in advance and will allow you to visit the museum within a specified time slot; or by opting for a guided tour. We offer a carefully curated selection of skip-the-line tickets and guided tours at the possible best prices.

A. While we strive to offer last-minute availability, it is highly recommended that you purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican in advance as they tend to sell out 3-4 days ahead of time. However, if you're looking to visit on short notice, we do offer guided tour options with last-minute availability.

A. The cost of Vatican skip-the-line tickets depends on several factors, with prices typically starting from €28.5. However, these tickets tend to sell out in advance, and in the rare case of last-minute availability, prices can go up to €34. If you are willing to wait in line for 2 hours or more on the day of your visit, you can purchase tickets for €17. However, we highly recommend avoiding the queues by purchasing your tickets online. Additionally, we offer guided tours of the Vatican , starting from €45, which are highly recommended given the rich history of the site. Prices are subject to change, it is advisable to check real-time availability and prices by exploring our curated collection of experiences.

A. Booking skip-the-line tickets for the Vatican Museums offers several advantages: they help avoid the inconvenience of waiting in lines that can go up to 2 or more hours and enjoy immediate access to the museum following a security screening, saving you valuable time and allowing you to make the most of your visit.

A. Yes, when you purchase skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums online, you can select a specific time slot for your visit. This allows you to plan your day accordingly and ensures a seamless entry to the museums without waiting in long queues. Ensure to arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time to prevent any potential delays.

A. Vatican skip-the-line tickets are typically valid for the date and time slot you have chosen during the booking process. It is important to arrive on time for your designated entry time to guarantee entry.

A. Yes, there is a limit on the number of skip-the-line tickets to Vatican Museums available for each time slot on any given day. And, given the popularity of the attraction and the guaranteed long lines at the attraction, these passes tend to sell out 3-4 days in advance. We recommend booking your tickets as early as possible to secure a visit for your preferred date and time.

A. Skip-the-line ticket holders can join Queue 2 at the Viale Vaticano entrance of the Vatican Museums. This entrance allows you to bypass the regular ticket lines and proceed directly to the security check and entry point.

A. Yes, skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums include access to the Sistine Chapel, which is the last leg of our tour of the museums. The Sistine Chapel is one of the highlights of the museums and is a must-see during your visit, so make sure you save enough time to admire the iconic ceiling painted by Michelangelo.

a. No, skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums do not include access to St. Peter's Basilica. While they offer expedited entry to the museums, St. Peter's Basilica has its own separate entry and security procedures. However, you can easily access St. Peter's Basilica by booking specific tickets that grant access to the church. We recommend combining your visit to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica by opting for a guided tour that offers access to both iconic attractions.

A. Vatican skip-the-line tickets are only valid for a single entry on the selected date and time slot. Once you exit the museums, re-entry is not permitted with the same ticket.

A. Unfortunately, the Vatican skip-the-line tickets cannot be rescheduled or cancelled. It is imperative that you double-check your selected date and time before completing the purchase.

A. Audio guides are not included with skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museums, but, they are available for rent at the entrance for an additional fee. The audio guides provide informative commentary that will help enhance your self-guided tour by offering insights into the artwork, its history, and its significance.

Getting to Vatican

Vatican Dress Code

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• +39 392 216 3049
• Via Boezio 4/c Roma, Italy

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5 best vatican tours of 2024 (with skip-the-line access).

Guided Vatican tours can make the experience less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

The Best Vatican Tours

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One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Vatican City draws more than 5 million people each year, which means that no matter when you visit, you can expect massive crowds. Along with the throngs of tourists, the sheer size of this sovereign city-state in Rome can make a visit to Vatican City feel overwhelming.

If you're feeling intimidated by the experience, consider one of the following small-group Vatican tours, guided by local experts who can both explain the history of the Eternal City and help you navigate the crowds.

Best Overall: What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

Best after hours: the roman guy – vatican after hours tour with sistine chapel.

• Best Small Group: Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

Best Private: Private Tours of Rome – Vatican and Sistine Chapel Private Tour

• Best Full Day: Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

To determine the best Vatican City tour in each category, we used our own experiences along with recent traveler reviews. All of the featured tours have at least 100 reviews and a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars across multiple websites.

Price: Adults from 99 euros (about $108); kids from 94 euros (around $102) Duration: 3 hours

Laura Itzkowitz

U.S. News independently paid to send Laura Itzkowitz , a freelance journalist based in Rome, on this tour to provide readers with an unbiased, first-hand perspective of what to expect. What a Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour was selected by our team as an Editor’s Pick thanks to its popularity and favorable user reviews.

While the Vatican Museums are one of the must-see attractions in Vatican City (the city-state surrounded by Rome), they can can be overwhelming to navigate. After all, the site contains 26 museums, various chapels and numerous galleries. The engaging guide leading this skip-the-line tour wasted no time bringing us to the highlights, starting with the Pinecone Courtyard and ending at St. Peter’s Basilica . At the basilica, we saw Michelangelo’s Pietà and the guide explained why it’s the only work the artist actually signed.

Along the tour, you’ll see masterpieces from the Vatican Museums’ collection. Highlights include the ancient statue of Laocoön and his sons; the Belvedere Torso, which inspired Michelangelo; Greek Cross Hall; and the Round Hall, which contains a monumental bronze statue of Hercules. The Gallery of Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps – where the guide shared interesting facts about Italy in the 1600s – are other focal points, as is the Sistine Chapel. Since talking isn’t allowed in the Sistine Chapel, the guide explained Michelangelo’s frescoes at the beginning of the tour. Our guide had a great sense of humor and a deep knowledge of the artworks, which was impressive. However, she didn’t bring us to the Raphael Rooms; you may want to book a different tour if this is a priority for you.

Tours depart from the What a Life Tours office ( Via Santamaura 14B ) Monday through Saturday; the first tour starts at 9:30 a.m. What a Life Tours also offers skip-the-line access that omits the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, as well as local food tours and tours of the Colosseum .

Good to know:

• No more than 12 people can join the tour at a time.
• To capture perfectly framed photos of St. Peter’s Basilica, stroll down Via della Conciliazione after the tour.
• If you’re hungry after the tour, head to Ristorante Arlù, a family-run eatery nearby that’s been open since 1959. Be sure to ask for a table outside on the charming cobblestone street if the weather is nice.
• Prati, the neighborhood surrounding the Vatican, is a great place to shop, especially along Via Cola di Rienzo. Stop by Castroni for espresso and other gourmet foods or il Sellaio di Serafini for a handmade leather bag.

– Laura Itzkowitz

Check prices & availability on:

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz Aug. 19, 2024

The Tour Guy

Price: Adults from $124; kids from $100 Duration: 2 hours

Instead of early entry, this tour offers after-hours access to the Eternal City on select weekends in the summer months. Tours depart at 5:30 p.m. from Caffé Vaticano . Guided by a local expert, you'll see the Vatican museums, galleries, Raphael Rooms and School of Athens before the tour concludes at the Sistine Chapel. Recent reviewers highly recommend this tour, pointing to the tour guides' breadth of knowledge and the ability to experience Vatican City with fewer crowds.

The Roman Guy offers a number of other local tours that include visits to the Colosseum and Catacombs of Rome as well as food tours (and tours that combine some or all of the above).

Best Small Group: Liv Tours – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $140; kids from $124 Duration: 3 hours

This intimate tour is limited to just six people, making the experience more personal and enjoyable. Your tour guide will take you through the famous galleries, the Julius II apartments, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Recent tourgoers say they could see a difference in this tour versus the other Vatican tours. They also note how kind the tour guides are.

Tours, which are available during a wide variety of time slots each day, start and conclude at Caffé Vaticano , right across the street from the entrance to the museums.

Other experiences offered by Liv Tours include a Jewish Ghetto & Travestere Tour, cooking classes and tours designed for kids.

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Price: Adults from $364; kids from $87 Duration: 3 hours

Explore the Vatican with a professional historian on this private tour. Recent travelers say they're so glad they chose to visit the Vatican on a private tour, noting how much they enjoyed hearing the guides' personal stories about the museums and the pope.

Tours depart from Viale Vaticano at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

If you're looking for a private tour of other attractions, Private Tours of Rome offers a variety of options. It also offers shore excursions, with pick up and drop-off at your ship in Civitavecchia.

Best Full-Day: Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From $1,345 Duration: 7 hours

If you're short on time and/or prefer to see several Rome attractions at once, this jam-packed tour is a great option. During the six-hour excursion, you'll see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum , Trevi Fountain , Piazza Novana and the Pantheon before visiting the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's Square (and then moving on to other sites). This tour includes optional headsets and skip-the-line access at all ticketed attractions. Recent travelers say the tour guides make this experience especially fun.

This full-day tour starts at 9 a.m. in front of the Angelino "ai Fori" dal 1947 restaurant and concludes in St. Peter's Square. It's typically offered Monday through Saturday. While babies and toddlers up to age 2 are permitted free of charge, this tour is not recommended for children.

Through Eternity Tours offers a number of other guided experiences in Rome, including an Angels and Demons tour based on the bestselling book. The company also offers shore excursions and day trips to Tivoli, Florence and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

In short, yes. Vatican City is considered an independent nation-state and is the world's smallest such entity.

All visitors must dress appropriately for a place of worship. Shorts, hats, miniskirts, sleeveless tops, low-cut tops and garments that show the knees are not permitted. Guests dressed inappropriately will not be allowed inside.

When choosing your outfit, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes . Any visit to Vatican City requires a lot of walking.

All visitors are required to go through a security check to enter the museums, and there are a variety of items that you may not take inside:

• Luggage: Bags, backpacks and the like must not exceed 40 x 35 x 15 centimeters (16 x 14 x 6 inches); if they're too big, they must be checked in the cloak room (free of charge).
• Umbrellas: If necessary, these can also be checked in the cloak room.
• Video cameras: Non-flash photography is permitted in all areas except the Sistine Chapel.
• Food and drink
• Weapons and firearms

The Vatican is easily accessible from different sections of Rome.

Metro: You can take the metro to either the Cipro or Ottaviano stop on Line A (orange line) to be dropped near the Vatican Museums.

Bus: If taking the bus, multiple routes drop off near St. Peter's Basilica.

Taxi: You can also opt for a taxi or walk into St. Peter's Square.

Additionally, there are parking garages outside of Vatican City if you want to drive there, though driving in Rome is generally not recommended, as there are many areas where driving is restricted and you could be fined. Traffic in Rome can also be brutal, especially during the summer. Plan to arrive at the tour departure point at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

The Vatican museums are open Monday through Saturday.

Current hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday of the month and certain holy days throughout the year, including Christmas. Final entry to the museum is approximately two hours before closing.

St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7 a.m. year-round, closing at 6:30 p.m. in the winter months and 7 p.m. from April through September.

Be sure to check the Vatican Museums website to see if there are any museum closures ahead of your visit.

Yes, and there are a variety of ticket options you can purchase on the Vatican's website. However, many travelers opt for a guided tour to see the highlights with the help of an expert. Plus, many Vatican City tours include stops at other attractions in Rome.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Small Group Tours of Italy (+ Day Trips)

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2024 BMW Championship money: Here’s how much every player made 

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Adam Scott takes home a big check this week, but the biggest payout comes next week.

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott were both playing for their playoff lives this week.

Bradley was the last man in the field for this week’s BMW Championship at 50th in the FedEx Cup standings while Scott was No. 41 in the rankings with only the Top 30 advancing to East Lake for next week’s Tour Championship. But both players summoned their best games in Colorado to punch their tickets, with Bradley winning to vault to fourth in the standings, and Scott finishing T2 to move to 14th.

While points will be the big takeaway for position next week at East Lake, you’ll hear an awful lot about money over the next couple weeks.

In addition to each of the two initial Playoff events carrying $20 million purses, making it to the top 30 and the Tour Championship field means access to the FedEx Cup bonus pool . The Tour Championship has no separate purse, but the winner will get $25 million for himself.

Even 10th place will get $1.75 million. That’s more than the third-place finisher this week.

But, players still needed to avoid being one of the 20 that got sent home from the Playoffs this week.

With that, here is the complete payout breakdown for this week’s BMW Championship , played at Castle Pines Golf Club. The total purse is $20 million. 

How much every player made at the 2024 BMW Championship  

1. Keegan Bradley $3.6 million

T2. Sam Burns $1.503 million Ludvig Aberg Adam Scott

T5. Cam Davis $728,750 Tommy Fleetwood Si Woo Kim Xander Schauffele

T9. Chris Kirk $580,000 Alex Noren

T11. Sungjae Im $500,000 Rory McIlroy

T13. Tony Finau $344,111.12 Will Zalatoris Byeong Hun An Shane Lowry Patrick Cantlay Tom Hoge Sepp Straka Taylor Pendrith Wyndham Clark

T22. Billy Horschel $229,000 Corey Conners Russell Henley

25. Brian Harman $197,000

T26. Denny McCarthy $177,500 Viktor Hovland

T28. Matt Fitzpatrick $160,000 Max Greyserman Collin Morikawa

T31. Thomas Detry $142,500 Nick Dunlap

T33. Max Homa $119,666.66 Christiaan Bezuidenhout Matthieu Pavon Jason Day Scottie Scheffler J.T. Poston

T39. Justin Thomas $102,000 Stephan Jaeger

T41. Davis Thompson $94,000 Adam Hadwin

T43. Aaron Rai $86,000 Cameron Young

45. Akshay Bhatia $80,000

T46. Eric Cole $74,000 Austin Eckroat

48. Sahith Theegala $70,000

Latest In News

7 surprising players to miss the tour championship, lydia ko's stirring open win was a reminder: she's not done just yet, keegan bradley wins bmw championship, first title since captaincy nod, rory mcilroy snaps driver, then nearly pulls off the unthinkable.

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at [email protected] .

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From Monday to Saturday 08.00 a.m. – 07.00 p.m.  ( final entry 05.00 p.m. ) From 1 March On Fridays and Saturdays extended opening hours until 08.00 p.m. ( final entry 06.00 p.m. ) Every last Sunday of the month (provided this does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29 June Sts. Peter and Paul, 25 December Christmas Day, 26 December Feast of St. Stephen and 31 December Feast of St. Sylvester) 09.00 a.m. – 02.00 p.m.  ( final entry 12.30 p.m. ) Free entry Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before museum closing time

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Harris-Walz to kick off 'Road to Chicago' bus tour from Pittsburgh Sunday

Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Gov. Tim Walz will kick off a bus tour from Pittsburgh Sunday, stopping in multiple Western Pennsylvania spots.

The tour, dubbed "on the Road to Chicago," comes the day before the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, the Harris-Walz campaign told USA TODAY Wednesday.

The candidates' spouses Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz will join them on the tour, the first time all four are campaigning together. The group will focus on meeting voters in their communities, stopping at volunteer canvass events and local retailers.

This will be Harris' eighth visit to Pennsylvania this year. The tour is scheduled after Harris is expected to make her first policy-centered speech in Raleigh, North Carolina Friday.

More: Coach Walz's primetime debut: Four takeaways from the first Harris-Walz rally

Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.

Pennsylvania is a key battleground state

Pennsylvania provides 19 electoral votes (one less than it did in 2020). It was one of a handful of states that switched its vote from Donald Trump in 2016 to the Democratic Party in 2020.

In 2016, Trump won the state by less than 50,000 votes, beating Hillary Clinton with 48.6% of the vote compared to 47.9% of the vote for Clinton.

In 2020, President Joe Biden won 50% of the votes, beating Trump who won 48.8% of the vote.

Harris has already made several campaign stops in Pennsylvania, including her first appearance with running mate Walz. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was another top contender for vice president.

When is the Democratic National Convention?

Harris' western Pennsylvania tour comes as many others in the party are headed to Chicago for the DNC.

The DNC is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday Aug. 22.

Watch CBS News

Former aide H.R. McMaster on how Trump enjoys "pitting people against each other"

By David Martin

August 18, 2024 / 10:22 AM EDT / CBS News

Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster had been a soldier for three decades when Donald Trump named him his national security adviser just one month into his administration. "Lots of people told me not to do it," McMaster said. "People were calling me up who really detested President Trump and saying, 'You can't do it, it'll sulley your reputation.'"

Thirteen months later,  Trump fired him .

"I got used up essentially in the service of Donald Trump," McMaster said. "I was at peace with that. And I was not going to try to keep my job by telling the president what he wanted to hear."

Now, in a book titled "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," McMaster (a CBS News contributor) describes a White House where "everything ... was much harder than it needed to be."

"None of the friction that I encountered in the White House was completely unprecedented, but it was next level," he said. "It went to 11! Everything was cranked up to a higher level."

His first real business meeting with Trump was a presidential daily brief, an intelligence briefing that all presidents get. McMaster said, "I have a distinct impression of that meeting of being really not very effective for the president. President Trump plays to an audience, and it was too big of an audience in the Oval Office."

Martin asked, "And would the audience play to him?"

"The audience would play to him. I describe the environment as an environment of competitive sycophancy," McMaster replied.

"Did he want advice, or did he want flattery?"

"The president wanted advice; he also wanted flattery. He really likes the adulation. In many ways he's kind of addicted to adulation from his political base, from people around him."

McMaster was happy to serve and eager to reverse what he considered President Obama's "weak-kneed" foreign policy. He said, "I saw actually so many of our policies as in need of disruption. I was grateful for [Trump's] disruptive nature. I saw it as my job to try to help him disrupt what needed to be disrupted."

At his first NATO Summit, Trump took disruption to a whole new level. Unhappy some members were not spending enough on defense , he made some last-minute changes to his speech. According to McMaster, Trump added, "If countries don't pay their dues, then we're not going to defend that particular country."

McMaster found out just as they were departing for NATO headquarters. As Trump's limousine pulled up, there was an awkward delay while a frantic intervention took place in the back seat. "I convinced a reluctant Secretary of State Tillerson and Secretary of Defense Mattis to get in the Beast, the President's armored car, with me to talk him out of that," McMaster explained.

It was one of the few times the three of them agreed on something.

McMaster described his relations with Tillerson and Mattis as less than harmonious: "They were difficult at times. They regarded the president as a danger to U.S. interests, a danger to some of our relationships internationally."

Martin asked, "The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense viewed the President of the United States as dangerous? "

"Yes," McMaster replied. "He was dangerous in particular to what they thought an effective foreign policy should be."

McMaster never considered Trump "dangerous," but the president's affinity for autocrats made him uneasy. "President Trump sees in authoritarian leaders the qualities that he wants other people to see in him," he said.

In particular Russian President Vladamir Putin, whom McMaster said would appeal to Trump's "desire for flattery. He would appeal to the president's skepticism about long-term military commitments abroad."

"Could Putin play Trump?" Martin asked.

"He knew really what Trump's predilections were," McMaster said. "One of my roles was to alert him to that – to say, 'Mr. President, you know, this guy is the best liar in the world.'"

• Trump sides with Putin over U.S. intelligence during remarkable press conference in Helsinki ("CBS Evening News")

But when it came to listening to his own advisers, McMaster writes, Trump could be "reflexively contrarian."

"Oh my gosh, if you bring the president a course of action and say, 'Everybody agrees, whatever you do, don't do this thing,' he's going to do it just to spite everybody," he said.

With Venezuela's anti-American regime cracking down on protesters, Trump walked out to meet the press with McMaster, U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. "Rex Tillerson says to him, 'Hey, Mr. President, whatever you do, don't say that we're planning any military options for Venezuela," McMaster recalled.

Trump told the press, "We have many options for Venezuela, and, by the way, I'm not going to rule out a military option ."

Tillerson lasted just over a year before he was fired .

Martin asked, "Why do so many of the senior people who work for Donald Trump end up being either fired, or quitting ?"

"You get used up in that environment," McMaster replied. "President Trump does enjoy kind of pitting people against each other, you know? That creates a lot of angst in people."

"Was he just plain nasty?"

"At times he could be nasty," said McMaster, "especially when he's tired, especially when he's grumpy, especially when he feels beleaguered. There were a couple times where, you know, nobody wanted to be around him, you know? And I'm, like, the last guy. I mean, I have to be with him, right? I would get in the car and he would just unload on me."

The end came after a Trump phone call with Turkey's President Erdoğan, which got off to a bad start when McMaster tried to prep him.

Martin asked, "What did he have against preparation?"

"Well, he found it to be tedious," McMaster replied. "And he had great confidence in his own instincts, right? So, like, Why am I prepping for this? "

McMaster decided to quit, but Trump fired him first, and at a private farewell ceremony told his family, "Make sure he only writes nice things about me."

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests from "CBS Sunday Morning" for comment about McMaster's book.

McMaster retreated to the ivory tower of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he writes and teaches, and where he watched the events of January 6th . Trump, he said, "encouraged an attack, you know, on the first branch of government, and an attack on the peaceful transition of power, and I think that that was an abandonment of his responsibilities to the Constitution."

Martin asked, "Is he fit to hold office?"

"That's the judgment that the American people have to make; I don't want to tell people how to vote," McMaster replied.

"Will he be getting your vote?"

"I'm not gonna ever tell anybody my vote," he said.

But he will tell you what he experienced in the first Trump administration – and what that might mean for a second.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme," McMaster said. "I think it does, you know, foreshadow what we might expect in a second Trump administration as well."

        For more info:

• "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House"  by H.R. McMaster (HarperCollins), in Hardcover, Large Print, eBook and Audio formats, available August 27 via  Amazon ,  Barnes & Noble  and  Bookshop.org
• H.R. McMaster, Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

       Story produced by Mary Walsh. Editor: Emanuele Secci. 

• H.R. McMaster
• Donald Trump

David Martin has been CBS News' national security correspondent, covering the Pentagon and the State Department, since 1993.

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