Vatican Museums Tickets

If there is one place in the world that holds a powerful amalgam of artistic, historical, religious, and political value that is within the open borders of the Vatican City.

Opening Times:

Monday - Saturday                          8.00 - 19.00
Sunday                                                   Closed

Extended opening hours (from 1 March)

Friday - Saturday                             9.00 - 20.00
Every last Sunday of the month*      9.00 - 14.00

Last admission two hours before closing

*provided this does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29 June Sts. Peter and Paul, 25 December Christmas Day, 26 December Feast of St. Stephen and 31 December Feast of St. Sylvester

Highlights and Description

Spread over just 0.44 sq km, Vatican is a small city-state and enclave located within Rome, Italy. The seat of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican is more than a place of pilgrimage. The Vatican is a treasure trove in every sense of the word. It is home to some of the most significant works of art across centuries, drawing history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

The Vatican Museums established by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, houses masterpieces spanning several millennia, including classical sculptures, Renaissance art, and Egyptian artefacts. The Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's intricate frescoes, is a highlight. Marvel at themed galleries, such as the Raphael Rooms and works by Raphael, Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci here.

The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Maps, a 120-meter-long frescoed masterpiece completed in 1583, showcases 40 detailed maps of Italy by Ignazio Danti. These maps, exceptional for their time, predate modern cartography by centuries and display remarkable geographical accuracy.

The Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo are located a few kilometers from Rome and are the Pope's resting place in the summer. Visit the gardens and relax enjoying a splendid view of Lake Albano and the city of Castel Gandolfo.

Just 25 kilometers southeast of Rome and easy to reach by train is the small town of Castel Gandolfo. The town with just more than 8,000 inhabitants, which is located on the green Alban Hills, is mainly known for the papal summer residence. The palace is a so-called exclave of the Vatican City. The complex contains the Apostolic Palace, the Villa Cybo, the Villa Barberini and even a small farm.

The Vatican acquired the Castel Gandolfo castle in 1596 as a payment for a debt owed by the Savelli family. The palace was then built in the 17th century at the behest of Pope Urban VIII and was designed by the architect Carlo Maderno. Since then, the palace has been used by many popes as a popes summer residence and has a beautiful view over the lake of Lago Albano (a volcanic crater lake).

More than 30 Popes have relaxed in this residence since the end of the sixteenth century when the Pontifical became the owner of the area. The garden is full of statues, marbles and fountains of great value. A visit to the Apostolic Palace is also recommended.