Vatican Museums Tours and Activities

Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums


See a collection of classic art worthy of a place in the Louvre, the Met or the Hermitage as you explore this illustrious museum.

Some say the art housed within the Vatican Museums is the best in the world as it features stunning Renaissance masterpieces interspersed with ancient Roman relics.

Created by Pope Julius II during the 16th century, the Vatican Museums collection is as old as St. Peter’s Basilica. The collection was founded in order to display the extensive assemblage of work acquired by the Catholic Church. Today, the paintings, sculptures and artefacts attract approximately 5 million visitors annually.

Within the broad collection there are many subsections that each boast impressive works of their own. There are notable highlights, including pieces by Giotto, Raphael, da Vinci and Caravaggio’s famous The Entombment of Christ. Discover a wide range of Greek and Roman sculpture in the Museo Pio-Clementino alongside a vast collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts, intricately drawn Italian maps and an impressive body of recent religious art.

Walk through the series of room that look at the life work of Raphael, one of the biggest names from the Renaissance period. The rooms were once going to be used as a suite for the Pope to reside in but were instead converted into a shrine for the artist. See his seminal works including The School of Athens, Adam and Eve and The Parnassus.

As you leave the museum you’ll see the most impressive and recognisable works in the area. The Sistine Chapel’s walls are adorned by the brushstrokes of some of history’s most notable painters, including Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Cosimo Rosselli and Michelangelo, whose ceiling fresco is considered one of the world’s greatest works of art.

The Vatican Museums are located in the heart of Rome. They are closed on Sundays and Catholic holidays. An admission fee applies for entry, except for on the last Sunday of the month when the museum opens its doors free of charge. To reach the museums from the city centre, cross the Tiber and walk along Via della Conciliazione, or depart the metro at Ottaviano station.

Plan a trip to see Vatican Museums

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Hotel Delle Civette
Albergo Etico Roma
Relais de la Poste

Tours & day trips

See all 391 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 73 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 66 activities

Shows & concerts

See all 11 activities

Popular places to visit


Top Vatican Museums Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Hotel Imperiale by OMNIA hotels

Hotel Imperiale by OMNIA hotels

4 out of 5
Via Vittorio Veneto, 24, Rome, RM
Hotel Imperiale by OMNIA hotels
Grand Hotel Olympic

Grand Hotel Olympic

4 out of 5
Via Properzio 2/a, Rome, RM
Grand Hotel Olympic
Hotel Pacific Roma

Hotel Pacific Roma

3 out of 5
Viale delle Medaglie D'Oro 51, Rome, RM
Hotel Pacific Roma
Mama Shelter Roma

Mama Shelter Roma

4 out of 5
Via Luigi Rizzo 20, Rome, RM
Mama Shelter Roma
Vatican Style

Vatican Style

Via del Mascherino 46, Rome, RM
Vatican Style
citizenM Rome Isola Tiberina

citizenM Rome Isola Tiberina

4 out of 5
LUNGOTEVERE DE CENCI 5-8, Rome, RM
citizenM Rome Isola Tiberina
Hearth Hotel

Hearth Hotel

3 out of 5
Via Santamaura 2, Rome, RM
Hearth Hotel
The Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican, Tapestry Collection Hilton

The Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican, Tapestry Collection Hilton

4 out of 5
Via Mocenigo 7, Rome, RM
The Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican, Tapestry Collection Hilton
Hotel Quirinale

Hotel Quirinale

4 out of 5
Via Nazionale 7, Rome, RM
Hotel Quirinale
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.