How to visit and what to see in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: schedules

La Sistine Chapel It is one of the great works of art that you can visit in your tourist trip to Rome.

If you want to enjoy its great artistic beauty, you must visit the Vatican museums what you find next to the St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican.

It is one of the largest and most visited museum complexes in the world, housing a vast collection of art and historical relics spanning from ancient times to contemporary times.

The best things to see in the Vatican Museums

The history of the Vatican Museums dates back to the 16th century, when the Pope Julius II He began collecting antique sculptures.

Since then, the collection has grown enormously and now encompasses approximately 70.000 works of art.

Sistine Chapels in Vatican Museums

La Sistine Chapel It is the highlight of the Vatican Museums and one of the most famous artistic treasures in the world.

It was decorated by Renaissance artists such as Miguel Angel, Botticelli y Perugino.

The ceiling of the chapel, with its famous fresco “Adan creation“, is especially iconic.

Vatican Pinacoteca

This gallery houses an impressive collection of paintings spanning from the 12th century to the 19th century.

Includes masterpieces by artists such as Rafael, Caravaggio, y Leonardo da Vinci.

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

This museum exhibits a wide range of egyptian antiques, including mummies, sarcophagi, statues and papyri.

They highlight the “Nile Group" and the "Vatican Obelisk".

Bramante Staircase in Vatican Museums

La Bramante's Staircase was designed by Donato Bramante in the sixteenth century.

It is a double helix ladder It is an architectural masterpiece.

Although it is not open to the public, its innovative design has influenced many other similar structures around the world.

Pio-Clementine Museums

These museums house a wide range of classic antiques, including sculptures, sarcophagi and statues from Ancient Greece and Rome.

The iconic statue ofLaocoön and his sons” is one of the main attractions of this section.

Gallery of Maps

This gallery has a series of frescoes depicting maps of Italy painted in the 16th century.

These detailed maps offer a fascinating insight into the geography and cartography of the period.

Vatican Gardens

In addition to museums, Vatican Gardens They are also a notable attraction.

These historic gardens They cover more than 23 hectares and contain fountains, statues and a wide variety of flora.

The Vatican Museums receive millions of visitors each year, making them one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome and the world.

Due to its popularity, lines can be long, so it is recommended to book in advance or visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Therefore, it will be essential for you to have all the useful information to plan your visit, which I can tell you will take several hours.

Tour in Spanish through the Vatican Museums

Without a doubt, the most comfortable way to visit this place is to sign up for a guided tour in Spanish of the Vatican, which for 3 hours will take you through the Vatican museums, including Sistine Chapel, to finish in the St. Peter's Basilica.

This tour already includes the entrance to the Vatican museums without having to wait in lines.

Vatican Museums Tour with Pope's Audience

You also have the option of a tour that combines attendance at the Wednesday Pope's Audience with a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

After assisting with the help of a guide in spanish At this audience, which takes place at 9 a.m. every Wednesday, you will have some time to rest before meeting your guide again to visit the Vatican museums.

Here you have all the information about the Tour of the Papal Audience and the Vatican Museums.

Vatican museum visit schedules

The Visiting hours of the Vatican museums, in Rome, are from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m., although you must keep in mind that the last access time is 16 p.m.

Of course, on Fridays and Saturdays you can visit them until 22,30:20,30 p.m., with last access at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., and on Sundays the Vatican museums are closed for visits.

How to visit the Vatican museums for free

You should know that on the last Sunday of each month you can visit the Vatican museums for free, with entry hours from 9 a.m. to 12,30:14 p.m., and closing at XNUMX p.m.

In the following link you can consult the Vatican Museums Visiting Calendar, which includes holidays when they are closed to the public, as well as Sundays with free access.

Vatican museum ticket prices

The  ticket prices to visit the Vatican museums on your own are, in the standard rate, 17 euros, with a reduced rate 8 euros and the possibility of free access, but there are also other rates with options for complementary visits, such as Vatican gardens, Bramante Stairs and Niccolina Chapel.

They can visit museums for free, among other groups, children under 6 years of age, people with disabilities, and the entire public in the World Tourism Day (September 27).

How to avoid lines when visiting the Vatican Museums

Of course, keep in mind that there are usually long lines, so it is highly recommended to book in advance. buy tickets online without waiting in lines all with visit the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel.

When purchasing these tickets you must select the day and time of your visit, which ensures that you will not wait in lines to make this visit.

For this service you must pay an extra cost in the price, and also keep in mind that you will not have the possibility of a later refund.

VIP visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

You also have the option of VIP visit of the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, in which an escort awaits you at the entrance, and after avoiding the lines, he will take you to the most notable places so that you can see them at your own pace.

Visit Vatican museums before their opening

Another option you have is a day in which you will start with a exclusive visit of the Vatican museums with the Sistine Chapel, starting at 8 tomorrow, before they open to the public, with the help of an audio guide.

Later you will visit the Vatican Gardens, also with an audio guide.

Visit of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo

Then you will take the train to get to Castel Gandolfo, where you will start by visiting the enormous Gardens of the Pontifical Villas, after eating, visit the Apostolic Palacefamous summer residence of Pope, which opened in 2014 to limited visits.

Here you have all the information and you can reserve the Tour of Vatican Museums and the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

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• 16 curious and little-known places in Rome
• Tours and guided visits offered to get to know Rome