Vatican questions and answers
St Peter's Basilica is free to enter. The Vatican Museums cost €25 online or €20 at the door, with the Sistine Chapel included. The Museums are free on the last Sunday of the month, next on 29 November.
Updated Answers hours and tickets from the Vatican Museums and St Peter's Basilica, read
Tickets and entry
Is St Peter's Basilica free?
Yes, St Peter's Basilica is free to enter without a booking. An optional €7 booking adds a time slot and audio guide.
Do I need to book Vatican Museums tickets?
No, you can buy Vatican Museums tickets at the door for €20 on paid opening days. Online booking costs €25 and adds a set time with the official Skip the Line entry.
When are the Vatican Museums free?
The Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of each month, except certain holidays. The next free date is 29 November, with opening hours of 9:00 to 14:00.
How do you get Papal Audience tickets?
Request free Papal Audience tickets through the Prefecture of the Papal Household. A guided group visit costs from €37 for 3.5 hours, compared with free tickets requested yourself.
Planning your day
How long do you need at the Vatican?
Allow half a day for the Museums and St Peter's Basilica. That allows 2 to 3 hours for Museums highlights and 1 to 2 hours inside the free Basilica.
How do you see the Vatican in one morning?
Book the Museums for 8:00 at €25. The ticket includes the Sistine Chapel.
What days should you avoid at the Vatican?
Avoid Wednesday and Sunday at free St Peter's if you want to miss its 2 busiest days. The Museums close on most Sundays, with the next free opening on 29 November.
Is the Vatican open on Sunday?
St Peter's Basilica is free and normally opens on Sundays from 7:00 to 19:00. The Museums usually close, except for the free last Sunday of the month when no holiday exception applies.
Can you walk from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's?
Yes. Leave the Museums and walk outside round the walls to St Peter's Square: 845 m, about 11 minutes.
Rules and the climb
What is the Vatican dress code?
Cover your shoulders and wear long trousers or a skirt below the knee. This meets the clothing rules at the Museums and St Peter's Basilica.
Can you take photos in the Sistine Chapel?
No, photos and videos are forbidden in the Sistine Chapel. The rule covers phones as well as cameras.
How many steps to the top of St Peter's dome?
St Peter's dome has 551 steps by stairs or 320 after the lift. The lift stops at the terrace, so the final stretch is on foot.
Tours
Is a guided tour of the Vatican worth it?
Yes, if you want the rooms explained. The 3-hour group option below costs from €49 against €25 for official Museums entry.
How much does a Vatican tour cost?
A Vatican Museums tour with Basilica access costs from €49 per adult. A group of up to 12 costs from €99, against €25 for official Museums entry.