What is Included in Vatican Tickets?

Before hitting that ‘buy’ button it’s essential to know what’s included in Vatican Museum tickets.

Here, I’m going to quickly break down what you can expect and how to add on some valuable extras.

Let’s take a look at what you get with Vatican tickets.

What’s Included in Vatican Tickets?

Before knowing what you get with your Vatican Museum tickets I should warn you that there are quite a few options – for simplicity sake I’m going to break down the most common Vatican ticket options:

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Skip The Line with Optional Audio Guide

The most common ticket gets you in the door and allows you to experience all the best things to see at the Vatican:

• Skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Access to all the art, artifacts, and treasures accumulated over centuries by popes and the Catholic Church. This includes the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Pio Clementino Museum, among others.
• Sistine Chapel: Marvel at Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes on the ceiling and the Last Judgment on the altar wall. Please note that photography and speaking inside the Sistine Chapel are not allowed as a mark of respect for its religious significance.
• Raphael’s Rooms: Your ticket also grants you access to Raphael’s Rooms, a series of four rooms painted by Renaissance artist Raphael and his workshop. These rooms are known for their beautiful frescoes depicting various scenes, including the famous “The School of Athens.”

It also includes a handy audio guide to really bring the art and history to life.

Wondering if it includes St Peter’s Basilica? The answer is no, though that is free to enter on your own accord so it’s irrelevant to the ticket.

Tickets must be reserved in advance using the button below (or you risk waiting hours in lines):

Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica

For those looking to really sink their teeth into the knowledge, you can get a guided tour with a licensed Roman tour guide to take you through.

This Vatican ticket includes:

• Skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• 2.5 hour guided tour through the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel
• Audio headsets to follow your guide
• Access to all open rooms and galleries

These tours are capped at 30 visitors per tour, which is reasonable given the popularity of the museums.

However, if you’d like a smaller and more intimate tour you can book the small-group Vatican tour:

There’s also an optional Vatican Gardens add-on tour.

These tranquil gardens are home to fountains, sculptures, and beautifully landscaped areas, providing a serene escape from the bustling city.

It’s important to note again that due to massive lines, especially in summer, you should be booking your tickets well in advance.

Here’s some advice from a recent ticket buyer:

📜 Pro tip: 10 Rules for Visiting the Vatican

👍 Pro tip: Best Days to Visit the Vatican

Still Wondering What is Included in Vatican Tickets?

Most Vatican Museum tickets include access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael’s Rooms – a fascinating journey through art, history, and culture.

Additional optional add-ons, such as the Vatican Gardens ticket or guided tours, provide further exploration opportunities.

Still not clear? Feel free to write me about your ticket below 🙂

⌛ Pro tip: How Long to Visit the Vatican?

 🌚 Can You Visit the Vatican at Night?