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Vatican Museums
2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Vatican Museums

10
4.6/5
1.7k reviews

The Vatican Museums are among the earliest museums in the world, bringing together ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts along with the finest art of the Renaissance, making it a museum that houses priceless treasures. Although the Vatican Museums occupy a modest footprint, their collection of monumental masterpieces is beyond counting. Michelangelo's "Genesis" is housed here and is well worth seeing. At the same time, for those interested in archaeology, the museum's holdings of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts are equally worthy of study. Of course, beyond the collections inside, the museum's own architectural style also deserves high praise. The ancient exterior walls that resemble fortress ramparts, the spiral ramp at the exit, and the sculpture "Sphere Within Sphere" in the Pinecone Courtyard are all worth savoring in detail. The Vatican Museums are located within Vatican City and are a world-renowned complex of museums, with collections tracing a path from ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek and Roman civilizations all the way to Renaissance art. Their origins can be traced back to the early 16th century, when Pope Julius II brought the unearthed statue "Laocoön" into the palace for public display; over the following centuries the collections continued to expand, and today the museums are linked together by numerous exhibition halls and art galleries. The visiting route is largely one-way: entering from the side of the Pinecone Courtyard, visitors pass through the Gallery of Sculptures, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Gallery of Maps, ending at the Sistine Chapel. Classical sculpture is widely regarded as the museum's main attraction. The "Laocoön" and the "Apollo Belvedere" in the Octagonal Court have been classics repeatedly copied and interpreted since their excavation; the "Belvedere Torso" at the center of the Hall of the Muses, though only a torso remains, once profoundly influenced Michelangelo's work with the vitality bursting from its muscles. The Egyptian collection houses mummies and stone artifacts dating back thousands of years, while the Etruscan collection brings together artifacts from early Italian civilizations. In the Pinecone Courtyard, the first area reached after entering, beside the bronze pinecone about 4 m tall, Arnaldo Pomodoro's bronze sculpture "Sphere Within Sphere" is the first photo spot for many visitors. The Renaissance section is equally dazzling. The Raphael Rooms were originally the papal apartments, and the frescoes in the four chambers form a continuous whole; among them, "The School of Athens" in the Room of the Segnatura brings philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle together in a single scene and is regarded as one of the representative works of the High Renaissance; the nearly 20 tapestries in the Tapestry Gallery, woven by Brussels craftsmen after Raphael's cartoons, and the wall-to-wall giant maps of Italy and the ornate ceiling in the Map Gallery are all worth slowing down to examine closely. In the culminating Sistine Chapel, looking up brings Michelangelo's "Genesis" ceiling fresco into view, and "The Last Judgment" behind the altar is equally breathtaking; photography is not allowed inside the chapel, which is just as well for quietly contemplating the works. A few tips: a full walkthrough usually takes more than half a day, and when it is crowded, it is advisable to prioritize your energy and time for the Sistine Chapel; the painting gallery next to the entrance courtyard is not on the main visiting route, and Raphael's "Transfiguration" and Leonardo da Vinci's unfinished "Saint Jerome" are both housed here, so it is easy to miss while rushing through; at the exit before leaving the museum, the double-helix ramp designed by Momo is itself an architectural work, and shooting downward from the top of the ramp is a highly photographed vantage point in this museum.

Vatican · 397m from downtown
Saint Peter’s Basilica
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Vatican

Saint Peter’s Basilica

9.4
4.7/5
1.3k reviews

Saint Peter's Basilica is located in the Vatican and serves as the central sanctuary of the Catholic world, traditionally believed to be built on the burial site of Saint Peter. The current church was constructed in the early 16th century, taking over a hundred years to complete, with Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Raphael contributing to its design. It can accommodate tens of thousands of worshippers simultaneously. The central dome, designed by Michelangelo, spans over 40 m in diameter and stands more than 130 m tall, towering as one of Rome's most recognizable landmarks. The expansive square in front is encircled by a colonnade topped with statues of saints, creating a majestic atmosphere. The facade features five gates, from right to left: the Holy Door, the Door of the Sacraments, the Central Door, the Door of Good and Evil, and the Door of Death, each adorned with reliefs of biblical figures and stories. The Holy Door opens only during Jubilee years, typically every 25 years, and remains closed otherwise. Inside the nave, massive pillars divide the central aisle from the side passages, with arches between them covered in sculptures and decorations so lavish they take one's breath away. The interior is an artistic treasure trove, with three masterpieces not to be missed: Michelangelo's "Pietà," housed in a small chapel to the right of the entrance, depicts the Virgin Mary cradling Christ's body with solemn restraint—now viewable only behind protective glass; the bronze baldachin above the main altar, crafted by Bernini, features four spiral columns approx. 20 m tall supporting a nearly 30 m-high structure, adorned with a white dove at its center and guardian angels at the corners, surrounded by eternal lamps; and Bernini's "Chair of Saint Peter" at the far end of the nave, where a gilded bronze throne is crowned by cherubs encircling a stained-glass window with a white dove, radiating light. Additionally, the bronze statue of Saint Peter inside has had its right foot polished shiny by generations of visitors, making it a bustling spot. To reach the top, follow the passage marked "Cupola" to the right of the entrance: the full climb involves over 500 narrow spiral steps, though an elevator can take you partway, leaving about 300 steps to ascend. The dome's interior is adorned with exquisitely detailed mosaic panels arranged in petal-like layers. From the circular platform inside the dome, you can overlook the entire nave, then climb a narrow staircase to the outdoor terrace for panoramic views of Rome, including a close-up look at the 13 statues on the facade's cornice, with Christ holding the cross at the center. If visiting on a Sunday, you might witness the Pope leading prayers in the square, adding a special memory to this itinerary.

Vatican · 94m from downtown
Sistine Chapel
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Vatican

Sistine Chapel

7.6
4.8/5
330 reviews

The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican. It serves as the chapel for the Catholic pope and the venue for the secret election of new popes—when white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof during an election, it signifies the birth of a new pope. The chapel was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in the 1470s and consecrated in 1483. It measures over forty m in length and approx. thirteen m in width, with no supporting columns inside. Six semicircular arched windows are set high on each side wall, while a towering vaulted dome spans overhead. Light pours in from above, perfectly illuminating the frescoes on the walls and ceiling. What made it world-famous are the two sets of frescoes Michelangelo left here. Commissioned by Pope Julius II at just 33 years old, he spent over four years painting the Genesis-inspired ceiling on the high vault, with nine scenes arranged in reverse narrative order, surrounded by figures of prophets and sibyls. More than two decades later, now in his sixties, he returned to the chapel and spent approx. five years painting The Last Judgment on the entire wall behind the altar. These frescoes are hailed as "the divine comedy of painting history." Standing in the chapel and looking up, the densely packed figures and dynamic compositions create a powerful impact. During your visit, note these details: The ceiling is about 20 m above the ground, making brushstrokes hard to discern with the naked eye—bringing a small telescope will reveal finer details. To protect the frescoes, photography and videography are prohibited inside the chapel, and silence is required, so allocate ample time for quiet contemplation. The side walls are equally noteworthy, featuring Botticelli's The Trials of Moses, Rosselli's The Crossing of the Red Sea, and Perugino's depiction of Moses' departure. Together with the ceiling fresco and The Last Judgment, they form a comprehensive collection of Renaissance murals.

Vatican · 90m from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Vatican

Featured Culture & history in Vatican

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Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour
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4.8/5
· 3.2k reviews· 27 booked
Duration: 2–4 hrs
English
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95% of travelers recommend
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Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour
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4.7/5
· 209 reviews
Duration: 3–5 hrs
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81 consecutive positive reviews
FromPHP 4,146.05
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip the Line Tickets
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115 booked
Duration: 1–3 hrs
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35 bookings in 7 days
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St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Entry
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4.4/5
· 22 reviews
Duration: 5 hrs
English
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Skip the Line: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel Tour & St. Peter's
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4.7/5
· 74 reviews· 270 booked
Duration: 1–3 hrs
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94.6% of travelers recommend
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Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
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5.0/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 2.5–3 hrs
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FromPHP 5,340.67
Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Skip-the-Line Tour
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4.7/5
· 3.9k reviews· 336 booked
Duration: 3 hrs
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92.2% of travelers recommend
FromPHP 4,216.32

Featured Food & drink in Vatican

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Rome: Vatican Food Tours, Cooking classes & Free Tours
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 3–4 hrs
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Rome: VIP Golf Cart Food Tour
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4.9/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
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Rome: Chocolate Tour with Artisanal Specialities and Gourmet Tastings
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Italian Food Tastings & Pottery Workshop
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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FromPHP 5,361.05
Highlights of Rome: E-bike Tour of the City with Gelato
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Duration: 4 hrs
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Vatican: Fun Treasure Hunt for Kids and Families with Gelato
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Fettuccine & Tiramisu Masterclass: Pasta & Dessert
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Duration: 3 hrs
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Rome: Breakfast & Tour of Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
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FromPHP 7,526.13

Featured City sightseeing in Vatican

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Vespa Sidecar Tour In Rome with Pickup, Drop-off, Gelato included
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
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Rome Vespa Tour: Hidden Gems and Iconic Landmarks
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4.9/5
· 27 reviews
Duration: 75–90 mins
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Rome: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & Navona Tour
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5.0/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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From Civitavecchia Port: Rome in a Day Guided Day Tour
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4.7/5
· 72 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
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Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica Walking Tour
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Skip-the-Line Vatican Entry & Panoramic Open Bus Tour
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Rome: City walking tour. The beauty.
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What travelers say about Vatican

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Viv’s VibesNovember 4, 2026
4.0
The booking and redemption was easy. I booked late and only managed to secured tickets half an hour apart. The security trigger when we entered but the staff kindly let us through as family. The museum is too crowded and confined. We didn’t enjoy it much.

Vatican Museums

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cathyjySeptember 23, 2026
5.0
Director Lu's explanations were professional and engaging. He explained the background and stories behind the important works in great detail, which was very rewarding. It was definitely worthwhile to follow my fellow Shanghainese, Director Lu, to appreciate the precious collection.

Saint Peter’s Basilica

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淡定求不得May 29, 2025
5.0
It is very convenient to make an appointment and buy tickets, which can reduce uncertainty. We went there at the appointment time and were quickly inside. This place is definitely worth a visit, as it houses a wide variety of collections from successive popes, as well as murals.

Sistine Chapel

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SUNSHINE ONUSApril 30, 2025
5.0
The world's largest Catholic church is highly recommended. It is majestic, luxurious and meaningful. St. Peter's Basilica is known for its magnificent architecture, exquisite art and profound religious significance. Countless art treasures are displayed inside the church. The most famous ones include Michelangelo's sculpture "Pietà" and Bernini's "Throne of St. Peter". These works of art not only show the artists' superb skills, but also convey deep religious emotions. The walls and domes of the church are decorated with a large number of mosaics and murals. These works are based on religious stories, with bright colors and rich details, showing the artistic styles of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Cupola di San Pietro

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poohwubearJune 7, 2023
5.0
Wow, wow, wow! St. Peter’s Square is stunning and larger than I imagined. The fountains, the architecture is all so grand!

Saint Peter's Square

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GeorgezouOctober 10, 2019
5.0
The Raphael Rooms contain four rooms where Raphael worked. Here are displayed 16 murals created by Raphael and his students over a period of 10 years. The most famous is the Academy of Athens, which is magnificent and a place worth lingering.

Raphael Rooms

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漂鸟WandervogeMay 25, 2020
5.0
From the top circular walkway inside St. Peter's Basilica, you can overlook the entire interior of the cathedral. It is an absolutely stunning visual experience. You are so close to the dome and the masters of the Renaissance, yet so far away from the world...

St. Peter's Baldachin

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漫天狂舞的飞雪August 9, 2023
5.0
The smallest country in the world, with a small population, but a high international status

St. Peter Square Obelisk

Trip Moments in Vatican

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Vatican?

Don't miss these attractions in Vatican: Vatican Museums, Saint Peter’s Basilica, and Sistine Chapel. If you like Culture & history, try Rome: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & Basilica Tour. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Rome: Vatican Food Tours, Cooking classes & Free Tours.

You can give Rome: Vatican Food Tours, Cooking classes & Free Tours and Rome: VIP Golf Cart Food Tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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