Things to do · Rome
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel: how to choose a ticket
You have walked through gallery after gallery of maps, tapestries and marble. Then a door opens, a guard says ‘no photo’, and everyone in the room looks up at once. This is the Sistine Chapel, and it is quieter than you expect.
In short: Vatican Museums tickets
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are one visit. St Peter's Basilica is another, with its own queue. To do both in a day, a guided tour that takes you from the chapel straight into the basilica is the easiest option. Always book the museums ahead.
How to choose the right Vatican ticket
You want your own pace: timed entry with an audio guide. The cheapest and most flexible option.
First time in Rome: a guided tour of the museums, the chapel and St Peter's. The guide knows which rooms to skip.
You want the dome: a separate St Peter's tour with the dome and the crypts.
Three ways to see the Vatican
Choose by how much time you have.
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Worth knowing
Dress code
Cover your shoulders and knees in both the museums and the basilica. Bring a scarf if you are in a vest top.
No photos in the chapel
Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, and the guards will tell you.
Sundays
The museums are closed on most Sundays. Check opening days before you book.
Getting there
Metro line A to Ottaviano, then about ten minutes on foot.
Time
Allow three hours for the museums and another hour for St Peter's.
How Picolo chooses
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Hotels in the centre
Spanish Steps
Hassler Roma
- Rooftop restaurant
- Family-run since 1893
At the top of the Spanish Steps since 1893, run by the same family for six generations. From the rooftop restaurant Imàgo you see the dome of St Peter's above the rooftops.
Best for: For the view
Piazza del Popolo
Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie
- Terraced garden
- Near the Pincio
Between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. Behind the facade lies a terraced garden of around 2,800 square metres, and Picasso and Cocteau stayed here in 1917.
Best for: For the garden
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More things to do in Rome
Vatican Museums tickets: FAQ
Do I need to book the Vatican Museums in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold with a time, and without a booking you may queue for a long time or not get in at all. Book a couple of weeks ahead, especially in spring and summer.
Is the Sistine Chapel included in the Vatican Museums ticket?
Yes. The Sistine Chapel comes near the end of the route through the museums and is included in the standard ticket. St Peter's Basilica is not part of the museums and has its own entrance.
Is St Peter's Basilica free?
Yes, entry to St Peter's Basilica is free. You go through a security check, and the queue can be long. The dome and some tours cost extra.
What is the dress code at the Vatican?
Shoulders and knees must be covered, in both the museums and St Peter's. Short shorts and vest tops may be turned away. A light scarf solves most problems.
How long do I need at the Vatican?
Allow three hours for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, and another hour for St Peter's. With the dome it becomes half a day.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles