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Vatican Museums
Type: Art Museums, History Museums, Museums, Religious Sites, Uniquely Here
10Best Says
Visiting the Eternal City and not making a stop at the Vatican Museums is almost like breaking one of the ten commandments. It's where some of the world's greatest art collection is stored. The... Read More
Visiting the Eternal City and not making a stop at the Vatican Museums is almost like breaking one of the ten commandments. It's where some of the world's greatest art collection is stored. The Vatican Museums are actually a part of the Vatican palaces, where popes have lived since the 1200s. Inside you'll find works such as Egyptian relics, Etruscan artifacts, Renaissance paintings and Greek and Roman sculptures and busts, all housed in maze of apartments, galleries and palaces. Let's also not forget about, perhaps what many consider to be the true gem of it all, the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo's famous Last Judgement can be seen. Entrance is free on the last Sunday of the month (9:00am-2:00pm), with last entry 90 minutes before doors close.
From Monday to Saturday (9:00am-6:00pm), last entry is 2 hours before closure time. Metro: stations Ottaviano-Musei Vaticani; Cipro. Bus: 49. Tram: 19.
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Hours:
Due to COVID-19, please check with the attraction for the most recent updates to their opening hours. Admissions:
- Ticket Concessions Available; Adult 15; Child (0-5) Free
EXPERT TIPS BY:
Maria Pasquale
Rome Local Expert
- Best Attractions & Activities: "Book your tickets online (http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va) and you'll avoid having to wake up at the crack of dawn to wait in line for a couple of hours. Buying your tickets online only costs you 4 euros more than what you'd pay at the ticket booth and is definitely worth it as you get to skip the line."
- Free Things to Do: "If you decide to visit the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month when it's free entry, expect to wait in a long line. Your best bet is to make the line early."
- Museums: "Book your tickets online (http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va) and you'll avoid having to wake up at the crack of dawn to wait in line for a couple of hours. Buying your tickets online only costs you 4 more than what you'd pay at the ticket booth and is definitely worth it as you get to skip the line."
- Family-Friendly Museums: "Book your tickets online (http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va) and you'll avoid having to wake up at the crack of dawn to wait in line for a couple of hours. Buying your tickets online only costs you �4 more than what you'd pay at the ticket booth and is definitely worth it as you get to skip the line."
- Recommended as Best Attractions & Activities Because: The Vatican Museums will beyond impress any visitor and features the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.
- Best for Free Things to Do Because: On a Sunday, if you can face an early start, the Vatican Museums can be visited for free.
- Best for Museums Because: The Vatican Museum has one of the biggest artwork collection in the world plus the famous Sistine Chapel.
- Best for Family-Friendly Museums Because: 'Leave' Rome for the day and visit the independent state of Vatican City. The Vatican Museums are beyond breathtaking and a sight to see not only for Catholics but for lovers of art and history.
