The Vatican Museums, established in 1506, have one of the world's largest art collections. They started as the Pope's private collection, so you won't see large galleries but rather small rooms and long galleries, where masterpieces could be displayed to wow papal guests.

You'll also visit suites of former popes who attempted to outdo their predecessors, resulting in rooms with spectacular frescos. Vatican Museums tours include time in the Sistine Chapel. Inside, you cannot take photos or talk, but most of your time will be spent gazing up at the ceiling. Michelangelo took four years to paint the ceiling’s frescos and another four years to complete the Last Judgement on the chapel’s altar wall.

Over 6 million visitors visit the Vatican Museums annually! If you want to visit, you must have a plan. This isn’t the place to be spontaneous! People without a reservation wait in line for 2-3 hours.

With over 20,000 pieces of art on display, having a guide helps ensure that you see some of the world’s most remarkable pieces of art!

BOOK IN ADVANCE: Skip-the-line tour. Suggest booking a combo ticket that includes the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.

HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 8 am—8 pm (final entry 6 pm). The busiest days to visit are Saturday and Monday, and they are closed on Sunday. Take the EARLIEST tour time slot possible!! There will still be tons of people, but it will be far more manageable than visiting in the afternoon.

NOTE: The Vatican has a mandatory dress code: knees and shoulders must be covered.

INSIDER TIP: If you have a tiny bladder, use the toilets after passing security. It will be hard to impossible to access bathrooms during the tour!