About Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums contain 70,000 works collected by popes over 500 years. The 7-kilometer museum route culminates in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling - one of humanity's greatest artistic achievements. Without a guide, most visitors wander overwhelmed and miss key masterpieces.
⏰ Hours & Best Times
- Mon-Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM (last entry 4 PM)
- Closed: Sundays (except last Sunday/month - free & mobbed)
- Best: First entry 9 AM or Friday evenings (Apr-Oct, 7-11 PM)
💰 Costs
- Ticket: €20 (book online mandatory)
- Guided tours: €60-90 with skip-the-line
- Private art historian: €300-500 for up to 6
✨ Highlights
- 🎨 Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo's ceiling & Last Judgment
- 🖼️ Raphael Rooms: School of Athens fresco
- 🗿 Laocoön sculpture: Ancient Greek masterpiece
- 🗺️ Gallery of Maps: 16th-century cartographic art
📝 Tips
- Book 1-2 months ahead - sells out daily
- Dress code: Shoulders & knees covered (strictly enforced)
- No photos in Sistine: Guards enforce this
- Plan 3-4 hours: Museums are vast