The Vatican Museums are one of the greatest art collections on Earth – and the only way into the Sistine Chapel. Founded by the popes in the early 16th century, they fill kilometres of galleries in the palaces of Vatican City.
What to see
The Sistine Chapel
The visit ends in the chapel where the conclave elects the pope. Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512 – including the *Creation of Adam* – and returned decades later to paint the Last Judgement on the altar wall. Silence is requested and photos are not allowed.
The Raphael Rooms
Four rooms painted by Raphael and his workshop for Pope Julius II, with the famous *School of Athens*.
The Gallery of Maps
A 120-metre corridor lined with painted maps of Italy under a gilded ceiling.
Ancient sculpture
In the Pio-Clementino Museum, look for the *Laocoön* and the *Apollo Belvedere*.
How to visit
- Book a timed ticket online: the queue without a booking can be very long.
- Allow at least three hours – more if you love art.
- Dress code: shoulders and knees covered, as in all Vatican sites.
- The museums are closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free and crowds are huge.
Tips
- Go early or in the late afternoon for fewer people in the Sistine Chapel.
- St Peter’s Basilica is a separate visit: plan it before or after, on the same day.
