Since Vatican Museum tickets sell out well in advance, it is best to book them as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
Your Vatican Museums experience can be greatly influenced by some of the choices you make while booking your tickets. Here are some tips to help you plan better:
Always book your Vatican Museums tickets online to avoid long queues at the Museums’ ticket counter and save 1 to 3 hours of waiting time
Opt for a guided tour for expert insights into the art, architecture, and history of the Vatican instead of just an audio guide
The best time to visit the Museums would be early mornings or late afternoons because these slots have fewer crowds
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free, but the lines can be long. A guided tour ticket lets you skip the wait, though security checks are still required
The time you choose when booking your tickets is your entry time for the Vatican Museums. It’s best to visit them first, then explore St. Peter’s Basilica at your own pace since it has no set entry time. These two sites operate at different hours, and their entry doors are 15 to 20 minutes apart.
For a complete Vatican experience, book a ticket to the Vatican Gardens, a hidden gem often overlooked by tourists.
The Museums operate from Monday to Saturday and remain closed on Sundays except for the last Sunday of the month (free entry and very crowded)
The Vatican follows a strict dress code across all three sites. Make sure you dress appropriately
Some tours are wheelchair-friendly, while others are not. Check your ticket details before booking
Vatican Museums entrance requires a valid ID or passport as proof of identity
Visitors must go through security screening (water and liquids are allowed)
Make sure to arrive on time because late arrivals won’t be allowed in the Museums
Mark Lancy Sebastian is a traveler at heart with a strong passion for history—mostly Classical Greek and Roman, culture, food, and art. He thrives on poetry, baking, climbing hills, and befriending local cats (the 'pspspspspspsp' actually works!) and dogs.