Planning a Visit to the Vatican Museums

Planning your visit well is essential to avoid long queues, maximise your time and fully enjoy this unique experience.

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Vatican: Entrance ticket for museums and the Sistine Chapel
(109200)
✓ Skip the ticket line
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from 31.00 €
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Costs and ticket types

If you are planning a visit to the Vatican Museums, it is important to be clear about the cost of the tickets and the various options available. Prices vary depending on the type of ticket, age groups and additional services such as guided tours or special access. Here is a detailed guide to help you plan your visit.

Tickets

Visiting the Vatican Museums may seem a bit complicated, but with the right tips, it will be a piece of cake! The first thing to do is to buy tickets. You have several options at your disposal:

Standard ticketsThese give you access to museums and the Sistine Chapel, but beware, queues are often long, especially during the high season.

Skip-the-line tickets: If you don't feel like waiting, these tickets allow you to enter directly, avoiding the kilometre-long queues.

Guided tours: Do you want to know all the secrets of the Vatican Museums? A guided tour is just the thing for you! You will have an expert guide who will tell you anecdotes and curiosities.

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Cost of the Vatican Museums: guided tours

If you prefer a more structured visit, the guided tours are an excellent option. Experienced guides will accompany you through the halls of the Vatican Museums, providing insights and anecdotes about the most important works. Guided tours generally last about 2-3 hours.

  • Guided tour for adults: 40-50 euro (depending on provider and type of tour)
  • Guided tour for children: about 30 euro

There are also private tours, the costs of which can vary widely depending on the number of participants and customisation.

Vatican Museums: free tickets

There are certain circumstances in which admission to the Vatican Museums is free. These options are ideal for those who want to save money, but require attention to dates and times:

  • Last Sunday of the month: Admission to the museums is free on the last Sunday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last admission at 12.30 p.m.). However, these days tend to be very crowded, so be prepared for long waits.
  • Children under 6 years: Admission is free for children under 6 years of age.
  • Disabled and accompanying persons: Visitors with disabilities are entitled to free admission, as is their accompanying person, subject to presentation of a medical certificate attesting to a disability greater than 74%.

Cost of Tickets Vatican Museums + Vatican Gardens

If you want a more complete experience, you can purchase a combined ticket that also allows you to visit the magnificent Vatican Gardens. This option includes a guided tour of the gardens and access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

  • Full Ticket for the Vatican Museums and Gardens: 35 euro
  • Reduced ticket for the Vatican Museums and Gardens: 26 euros

Cost of the Vatican Museums: family tickets

If you are travelling with your family, you can take advantage of special rates. There are family packages that offer a combined discount for parents and children, making the visit more convenient.

  • Family package (2 adults + children): 35 euro (but may vary depending on current promotions)

Cost of the Vatican Museums: Tickets with audio guide

If you want to enrich your visit with more information about what you are seeing, you can opt for a ticket that includes an audio guide. This is a good option for exploring the museums on your own, but with details and curiosities that you might otherwise miss.

  • Full ticket with audio guide: 24 euro
  • Reduced ticket with audio guide: 15 euro

Additional costs

Beyond the cost of the ticket, there may be additional costs if you wish to take advantage of some extra services:

Luggage storageFree of charge. If you carry large bags or backpacks, you will have to leave them at the depot.

Catering services: Inside the Vatican Museums there are cafés and restaurants, with prices ranging from 5 to 20 euro depending on the meal.

Photos and videos: Photography without a flash is allowed inside the museums, except in the Sistine Chapel where photographs are forbidden.

How to save money on Vatican Museum tickets

Opt for a combined visit: Packages that include access to the Vatican Gardens or guided tours can offer excellent value for money

Buy the Vatican City Pass

The cost of a visit to the Vatican Museums can vary depending on your needs and preferences. Whether you want to explore everything at your leisure, join a guided tour, or save money by choosing a standard ticket, there are options for every type of visitor. Choose the one that best suits your budget and get ready for an unforgettable day among artistic and historical masterpieces!

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