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Sistine Chapel tickets
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
Bypass the crowds and dive straight into the Vatican’s rich history with a local expert.
- Looking for the quintessential bucket-list experience? Opt for this guided tour giving you access to two tourist favourites with an expert guide.
- Without the fast-track access included in this tour, you may have to wait up to 2 hours in line. Explore more, wait less!
- Don't let the collection of over 70,000 artworks overwhelm you. Your expert guide will show you around and ensure you get to admire all the greatest masterpieces like the Raphael Rooms.
- If you want more interaction with your guide for art and history insights, upgrade your tour to a small group.
Bypass the crowds and dive straight into the Vatican’s rich history with a local expert.
- Looking for the quintessential bucket-list experience? Opt for this guided tour giving you access to two tourist favourites with an expert guide.
- Without the fast-track access included in this tour, you may have to wait up to 2 hours in line. Explore more, wait less!
- Don't let the collection of over 70,000 artworks overwhelm you. Your expert guide will show you around and ensure you get to admire all the greatest masterpieces like the Raphael Rooms.
- If you want more interaction with your guide for art and history insights, upgrade your tour to a small group.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
- Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
- Small group tour (as per option selected)
- Nighttime tour (as per option selected)
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Entry to St. Peter's Basilica and/or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
- Tip: Stop for a coffee in the Belvedere Courtyard, or extend you visit to the Carriage Pavillion at the end of the tour.
- Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
- While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatting, no phones, and no photos, just pure admiration. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the cool details before you step inside.
- Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year, certain areas of the Vatican Museums may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. Additionally, entrance to St. Peter's Basilica may also experience unannounced closures.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Explore Vatican City’s top 3 sites & Entry to the Basilica with a guided tour
- Get the complete Vatican City experience on a guided tour of its three iconic sites: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
- Fast-track entry ensures you spend more time exploring and less time waiting at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
- Marvel at Renaissance masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment.
- Get the flexibility to choose either the guided tour or a self-paced exploration of St. Peter's Basilica.
- Head to St. Peter's Basilica via a secret door from the Sistine Chapel, saving you 20 minutes of walking and skipping a 2-hour queue.
Explore Vatican City’s top 3 sites & Entry to the Basilica with a guided tour
- Get the complete Vatican City experience on a guided tour of its three iconic sites: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.
- Fast-track entry ensures you spend more time exploring and less time waiting at the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
- Marvel at Renaissance masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, including Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment.
- Get the flexibility to choose either the guided tour or a self-paced exploration of St. Peter's Basilica.
- Head to St. Peter's Basilica via a secret door from the Sistine Chapel, saving you 20 minutes of walking and skipping a 2-hour queue.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
- Skip-the-line entry or guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
- Expert English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
- Headphones
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Dome
- Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
- Accessibility: While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- Inside the Sistine Chapel, maintain silence—no chatter, phones, or photos allowed. Don’t worry, your guide will brief you beforehand.
- Expect a considerable wait at the security line, especially during peak times. Patience is key, it could take up to an hour!
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Small group tour with up to 15 guests that allows more interaction and attention.
- Say goodbye to long lines and escape the crowds with fast-track entry on this personalized tour.
- Experience the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel’s artistic wonders in a more intimate setting with a guide.
- Learn how the Renaissance shaped the Roman Catholic Church as you unveil Vatican City's best-kept secrets in your language of choice.
- Wrap up your tour in the Sistine Chapel. Experience the genius of Michelangelo's impressive frescos first-hand and get bragging rights for life.
Small group tour with up to 15 guests that allows more interaction and attention.
- Say goodbye to long lines and escape the crowds with fast-track entry on this personalized tour.
- Experience the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel’s artistic wonders in a more intimate setting with a guide.
- Learn how the Renaissance shaped the Roman Catholic Church as you unveil Vatican City's best-kept secrets in your language of choice.
- Wrap up your tour in the Sistine Chapel. Experience the genius of Michelangelo's impressive frescos first-hand and get bragging rights for life.
Inclusions
- Small group of up to 15 guests
- Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line entry
- Entry to St. Peter's Basilica (as per option selected)
- Expert English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, or German-speaking guide (as per option selected)
- Headsets
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Tip: The early bird gets the worm! Crowds at the Vatican start to build around around 10am. Book an earlier spot to beat the crowds.
- Strict dress code: Knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
- Accessibility: While the tour is not accessible to wheelchair users, the Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required.
- Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes: no chatting, no phones, no photos, just pure admiration. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the cool details before you step inside.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Your fast-track access ticket to Rome's most popular museum.
- The Vatican draws over 5 million people annually, so crowds are a given. Save around 2-3 hours bypassing the ticketing queue with these tickets.
- Get direct entry tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or choose to skip ticketing queues with a host.
- Admire The Last Judgement, the mighty composition by Michelangelo that has been one of the most influential (and controversial) masterpieces of all time.
- Upgrade to a hosted experience, a minibus tour of the venue, or entry to Castel Sant'Angelo.
Your fast-track access ticket to Rome's most popular museum.
- The Vatican draws over 5 million people annually, so crowds are a given. Save around 2-3 hours bypassing the ticketing queue with these tickets.
- Get direct entry tickets to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel or choose to skip ticketing queues with a host.
- Admire The Last Judgement, the mighty composition by Michelangelo that has been one of the most influential (and controversial) masterpieces of all time.
- Upgrade to a hosted experience, a minibus tour of the venue, or entry to Castel Sant'Angelo.
Inclusions
- Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
- Hosted entry to Vatican Museums with ticket redemption (as per option selected)
- Minibus tour of Vatican Gardens with audio guide (as per option selected)
- Entry to Castel Sant'Angelo (as per option selected)
- Booking and service charges
Exclusions
- Live guide
- Entry to St. Peter's Basilica
- Gratuities
- Tip: Make the most of your visit and explore some of the collections off the main route, such as Braccio Nuovo.
- Names are mandatory for all the bookings. Double check the names at check out for a hassle-free entry and be sure to bring a valid Photo ID with you to gain entry.
- Strict dress code: knees, shoulders, and back must be covered for all guests.
- Inside the Sistine Chapel, it's all about the quiet vibes. No chatter, no phones, and no photos, just pure awe. But don't worry, an expert guide will fill you in on all the details before you step inside.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- The Vatican Museums offer free wheelchair hire and free entry for visitors with mobility impairments (certified invalidity exceeding 74%) and a companion if required. Click here for the accessible route.
- Entrance to the Museums is timed. Be sure to select your activity starting time when booking. Once inside the Museums, you will be free to explore at your own pace.
- Please note that the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are separate sites from St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Please expect long waiting times during peak season for both, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Head to Rome's renowned spots Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this expertly crafted tour.
- Admire masterpieces by Renaissance maestros at the Vatican Museums followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel and time to explore St. Peter's Basilica.
- Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
- At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows hosted here in the past.
- Finish your full-day tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.
- Head to Rome's renowned spots Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on this expertly crafted tour.
- Admire masterpieces by Renaissance maestros at the Vatican Museums followed by a visit to the Sistine Chapel and time to explore St. Peter's Basilica.
- Head to the top of Palatine Hill for spectacular views of this ancient city.
- At the Colosseum, your tour guide will offer intuitive commentary on the ancient amphitheater and the larger-than-life shows hosted here in the past.
- Finish your full-day tour with a walk down the ancient path of the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra.
Inclusions
- Full-day guided tour of Rome
- Expert English-speaking guide
- Access to the Colosseum floors 1 & 2
- Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
- Access to Vatican Museums
- Access to Sistine Chapel
- Access to St. Peter’s Basilica
- Audio headsets
Exclusions
- Transport
- Tip: Don't miss checking out Pietà by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most famous sculptures to exist in the world.
- All visitors must carry a photo ID for security checks.
- Please note that in case of unexpected closures of some of the areas inside the Museums, the guide may have to modify the itinerary slightly.
- Please note that you will be able to visit St. Peter’s Basilica on your own. Your guide will not take you inside, since direct access from Vatican Museum is not possible.
- St Peter’s Basilica is an active place of worship and may be closed without prior notice for religious events: in this case, the visit will be substituted by a visit to the Vatican Library.
- Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering venues. Guests with a pacemaker will need to show a certificate to bypass security screening
- Facilities: Cloakroom at Vatican Museums
- The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, people with mobility issues.
- Strict Dress Code: In order to enter St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums, one must abide by a dress code. Sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, and hats are not permitted. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
- Note that the following are not allowed inside Colosseum: large backpacks or pieces of luggage.
- Note that the following are not allowed inside Vatican Museums: suitcases, backpacks, containers, umbrellas, walking sticks (except those required by disabled visitors), tripods for cameras and video cameras, signage of any kind.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Sistine Chapel Sistine Chapel
Top things to do in Rome
Sistine Chapel in a nutshell
Highlights: Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam, Botticelli's frescoes depicting the story of Christ and Moses, the chapel's architectural design.
Current use: The Sistine Chapel serves as the Pope's personal chapel and the site of the papal conclave.
Entrance: No separate entrance; accessible through the Vatican Museums.
Unique facts:
- Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes, a globally famous artwork, covers about 12,000 sqft.
- In the 1560s, Pope Pius IV ordered fig leaves and loincloths to cover the nudes in Michelangelo’s paintings
- The chapel, initially for worship, had thick walls for Vatican defense
Your Sistine Chapel tickets explained
Skip-the-line tickets
Guided tours
After hours access
Combo deals
Is Sistine Chapel access included?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Why go for it?
Save time. Hosted entry ensures a relaxed experience. Explore the chapel's beautiful and symbolic frescoes without feeling rushed.
Includes skip-the-line entry for an efficient visit. Active engagement with complimentary audio equipment.
Crowd-free setting for a deeper connection with art. Enjoy 30-minute breakfast in the Vatican's Courtyard.
One package for complete experience, no separate tickets or multiple bookings. Great for those with time constraints or tourists wanting essential highlights.
Starting price
€42
€68
€94
€178
Recommended tickets
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Tickets
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour
• Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel Premium Small Group Guided Tour
• Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Early Morning or After-Hours Skip-the-Line Tour
• Rome in a Day: Vatican Museums & Colosseum Guided Tour
What's inside the Sistine Chapel?
Entrance wall
The entrance wall of the Chapel is decorated with the following frescoes that depict the final episodes in the lives of Christ and Moses:
• Resurrection of Christ
• Discussion over the body of Moses
The original frescos created by Ghirlandaio and Signorelli respectively were destroyed in 1522 when the architrave of the door collapsed. They were replaced in 1522 by the works of Hendrik van den Broeck and Matteo da Lecce.
Chapel’s ceiling
The frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, include:
• Nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the iconic The Creation of Adam
• Ancestors of Jesus
• Twelve Prophets
• Sibyls
• Four corner paintings representing the salvation of the Jewish people
Michelangelo painted over 300 figures on the curved ceiling, initially commissioned for the 12 Apostles. His innovative scaffolding system facilitated the work, inspiring artists.
The northern wall
The northern wall of the Sistine Chapel is decorated with the Stories of Jesus, painted in 1481-1482:
• Baptism of Christ
• Temptation of Christ
• Cleansing of the Leper
• Vocation of the Apostles
• The Sermon on the Mount
• The Delivery of the Keys
• The Last Supper
Beyond the windows, you will also find three episodes of the Passion: the Agony in the garden, the Arrest of Jesus, and the Crucifixion. The cycle ends with the Resurrection of Christ on the entrance wall.
The southern wall
The southern wall of the Sistine Chapel is decorated with the Stories of Moses. Painted in 1481-1482, some of the famous frescoes on the southern wall are:
• Moses Leaving to Egypt
• The Trials of Moses
• The Crossing of the Red Sea
• Handing over the Tablets of Law
• Descent from Mount Sinai
• Punishment of the Rebels
• Testament and Death of Moses
The cycle ends on the entrance wall with the Dispute over the body of Moses.
The altar wall
The entire altar wall of the Sistine Chapel features Michelangelo's masterpiece, The Last Judgment, painted between 1534 and 1541. This monumental fresco depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment of humanity, based on the 20th chapter of the Revelation of John. Highlights are:
• Heroic central image of Jesus Christ surrounded by saints and prophets.
• Figures of the blessed ascending to heaven on Christ's right, pulled by angels.
• Figures of the damned being dragged to hell on Christ's left by demons.
• Michelangelo's self-portrait as St. Bartholomew holding his flayed skin.
• Intentionally distorted and exaggerated human proportions.
It's a climactic conclusion to the biblical narrative depicted in the chapel's ceiling and walls.
Architectural highlights of Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, built 1473-1481 under the Florentine architect Baccio Pontelli, epitomizes Renaissance design, where form and function come together to set a stunning stage for the renowned art it houses. The rectangular plan, a Renaissance hallmark, maximizes the visibility of the works, while the barrel-vaulted ceiling, a nod to Roman engineering, creates a unified space.
The six arched windows allow natural light to enter illuminating the famous frescoes by Michelangelo that accessorize the vaulted ceiling. The intricate geometric floor complements the artwork on the walls and ceiling. The marble chancel screen by Mino da Fiesole acts as a decorative barrier separating the altar area from the rest of the chapel.
Notable figures of Sistine Chapel
Frequently asked questions about Sistine Chapel tickets
Do I need to purchase separate tickets for the Sistine Chapel?
No, a ticket to the Vatican Museums includes entry to the Sistine Chapel. The chapel is located within the Vatican Museums complex. You can buy these tickets online. You can also join a guided tour with priority access.
Is skip-the-line access needed for Sistine Chapel tickets?
The Sistine Chapel can be very crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. Skip-the-line access is highly recommended to avoid long wait times and make the most of your visit to one of the world’s most significant chapels. You can buy these tickets online. You can also join a guided tour with priority access.
Does the Vatican guided tour cover Sistine Chapel as well?
Yes, Vatican guided tours do include the Sistine Chapel. In fact, it's one of the key highlights. You can explore and admire the iconic frescoes by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists with a professional guide, enriching your experience with exciting stories and lesser-known facts.
What is the ideal time frame to explore Sistine Chapel?
Most visitors spend 30-45 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo's frescoes. Of course, this can vary depending on the crowds and your personal pace. However, it is recommended to allocate a couple of hours for your visit, as you will start your journey at the Vatican Museums and explore several rooms before reaching the chapel. The Sistine Chapel is a place where you don't want to rush, so taking the time to appreciate each detail in the frescoes is essential for a fulfilling experience.
Do I need to book tickets in advance, or can I purchase them on the day of my visit?
You can book the tickets on-site, but both the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are famous landmarks and availability might run out, especially in the peak season. Therefore, to secure better deals and ensure access, it is recommended to book Sistine Chapel tickets in advance rather than waiting to purchase them on the day of your visit.
Can I take photos inside the Sistine Chapel?
No, photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel. This is to protect the delicate frescoes from the damage caused by camera flashes.
Is there any dress code for visiting the Sistine Chapel?
The Sistine Chapel has a strict dress code that requires visitors to have their shoulders and knees covered. Sleeveless tops, shorts, and miniskirts are not allowed. Proper attire is required for entry.
Is the Sistine Chapel accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, the Sistine Chapel is accessible for visitors with disabilities. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted, and there are elevators available to reach the chapel. Visitors should inform their tour operator or the Vatican staff of any special needs.
Is the Sistine Chapel suitable for children?
The Sistine Chapel is generally considered appropriate for children, as it is a significant cultural and religious site. However, the long lines, strict dress code, and need for quiet contemplation may make it challenging for very young children. Parents should use their discretion based on their child's age and attention span.
