If you are holidaying in Rome, visiting the Sistine Chapel is essential.
The Sistine Chapel, earlier known as Cappella Magna, was restored by Pope Sixtus IV between 1477 and 1480 and is currently named after him.
It is renowned for its stunning artwork, particularly the ceiling and altar wall frescoes painted by the Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Michelangelo’s work does not solely adorn the Chapel. Other renowned Renaissance artists, including Botticelli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio, contributed to the chapel’s decoration.
The Chapel is at the end of the Vatican Museums; visitors always see them together.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Sistine Chapel tickets.
Snapshot
Hours: 9 am to 6 pm
Last entry: 5 pm
Time needed: 3 hours
Ticket cost: €30
Best time: 9 am
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Table of contents
Things to know before booking tickets
You can book tickets to the Sistine Chapel online or at the attraction.
If you plan to get them at the attraction, depending on the time of the day (and month), you may have to wait in the ticket counter line for an hour or more. When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Online tickets for the Sistine Chapel are usually cheaper than those sold at the venue.
You also get your preferred time slot when you book online and in advance.
Online tickets also help you avoid last-minute disappointments when tickets get sold out.
To book tickets, visit the ticket booking page and select your preferred date, time, and number of tickets.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets in your email. You don’t need to take any printouts.
On the day of your visit, show the e-ticket on your smartphone and walk into the attraction.
Sistine Chapel tickets
Since visitors must go through the Vatican Museums to get to the Sistine Chapel, one ticket gets you access to both attractions.
St Peter’s Basilica is free to enter, and the route from inside the Vatican Museums to the Basilica is much less crowded.
As a result, one ticket gives you access to three attractions: the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica.
Cheapest tickets
These are the cheapest and most popular tickets to the Chapel.
They are also known as Vatican Museum tickets because they get you access to both attractions.
After seeing both, you can also explore St Peter’s Basilica.
You can book these tickets with or without the audio guide.
Cost of tickets
The Skip the Line ticket, the cheapest and most popular way to enter the museum, costs €30 for all adults 18 years and older.
Kids six to 17 years old pay a discounted price of €18, and students up to 25 years old (with a valid student ID) also get a discount and pay €22 for their admission.
While availing of these ticket discounts, please have a valid photo ID card ready.
Without a valid ID, you will be asked to pay for a full-price ticket to enter, and you won’t get back the money for the discounted ticket.
Kids below six years can walk in for free.
Adult (18+ years): €30
Child (6 to 17 years): €18
Student (18 to 25 years): €22
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
*For €9 per person, you can book an audio guide in advance.
Guided tour
We highly recommend a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel if you can afford it.
Guided tours to the Chapel are possible only in combination with Vatican Museums and/or St Peter’s Basilica.
We recommend a 3-hour guided tour, which provides skip-the-line access to the three most magnificent sites in Vatican City: the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and St Peter’s Basilica.
Ticket prices may vary depending on the maximum number of people allowed on the tour (from eight to 40 people) and the tour time.
This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Children below the age of five years are allowed entry for free.
Cost of tickets
The cost of Sistine Chapel tickets depends on the tour option you select while booking.
You can opt for the Vatican Museums Group Tour in English, the Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Group Tour in English, a small group tour, or a private tour, among others.
Vatican Museum without St. Peter’s Basilica
Adult (18+ years): €64
Child (6 to 17 years): €56
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
Fast Track in English
Adult (18+ years): €106
Child (6 to 17 years): €114
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
For the ultimate Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel VIP experience, check out this guided tour with a dedicated entrance.
Private tour
When you book a private tour of the Vatican, you can maximize your time with the guide and customize your itinerary to your interests.
Since these private tours are booked in advance, you can avoid the notoriously long lines at the ticket counter.
This private tour of the Vatican is quite popular among visitors.
Ticket Price: €500
Night tour
From April to October, every Friday, the Vatican Museums are open from 7 pm to 11 pm.
During this guided 2-hour night tour, you can also explore the Sistine Chapel.
Last-minute tickets
Many visitors search for last-minute Vatican tickets or last-minute Sistine Chapel tickets because they forgot to book them well in advance.
Some tourists search for online tickets at the eleventh hour after seeing the long lines at the Vatican Museum entrance.
Either way, you need not worry.
Popular travel websites buy Sistine Chapel tickets in advance and sell them as last-minute tickets.
These same-day tickets cost €6 more than the regular tickets, but most visitors don’t care as long as they can skip the long lines.
Ticket Prices
Adult (18+ years): €36
Child (6 to 17 years): €34
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
Vatican + Roman Forum + St. Peter’s Basilica
Tourists usually plan a trip to the Colosseum and Vatican City because they are two of the biggest attractions in Rome.
This tour provides you with skip-the-line access to St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the Roman Forum, along with the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
Once activated, your ticket is valid for three consecutive calendar days.
Ticket Prices
Adult (18+ years): €97
Child (6 to 17 years): €87
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
For just €100 per person, you can have a professional guide take you through the Vatican attractions and Colosseum on a day-long tour. Find out more
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting the Sistine Chapel
Frequently asked questions about tickets
Here are some questions tourists ask before purchasing their tickets for Sistine Chapel in Rome.
Entry to the iconic attraction is free for children aged seven years and younger and disabled visitors (74%+ disability) with one carer.
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Yes, tickets are available at the venue’s ticket office. However, due to the high demand of the world-famous attraction, there are long queues at the ticket counter. Additionally, popular timeslots may sell out quickly, so getting them online in advance is better.
Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at the Sistine Chapel. You can show tickets on your mobile to the security guards at the Vatican Museums entrance. Then, pass the security checks and scan your tickets at the entrance turnstiles.
When you book the attraction’s tickets, you must select a preferred time of visit. Security clearance time can take time, depending on the day, type of ticket (whether regular ticket or skip-the-line ticket), and tourist season. Keeping this in mind, we recommend arriving 15 minutes before your visit time.
Latecomers are not allowed in the attraction and no refund will be provided. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled visit time.
The attraction offers discounted admission to children aged between seven and 17 years and students up to 25 years old upon presentation of a valid student ID.
Yes, the attraction offers reduced ticket prices to students up to 25 years old upon presentation of a valid student ID.
The attraction does not offer a military discount on its admission tickets.
Yes, the Rome City Pass is a cost-effective option to explore over 40 top Rome attractions, including the Sistine Chapel, and enjoy local tours, optional public transport, and 48-hour hop-on hop-off Rome sightseeing bus tour. The card also allows you to explore the city at your own pace and customize your pass with 2- to 5-day options.
The renowned attraction of Rome has a strict non-refundable ticket policy.
This means that once you purchase tickets, you cannot receive a refund regardless of the reason for cancellation or no-show. This policy applies to all ticket types, including adult, child, and discounted tickets.
The attraction does not allow you to change the date and time of your visit under any circumstances.
The attraction is an all-weather experience, so all tickets are final.
The attraction’s tickets are timed and date-specific.
Sistine Chapel hours
From Monday to Saturday, the Sistine Chapel opens at 9 am.
From Monday to Thursday, the Chapel closes at 6 pm; on Friday, the opening is extended until 10.30 pm and Saturday until 8 pm.
On Sundays, it remains closed, except for the last Sunday of the month when the Chapel opens at 9 am and closes at 2 pm. The last entrance is at 12.30 pm.
The Chapel also remains closed on the 1 and 6 January, 11 February, 10 April, 1 May, 29 June, 15 and 16 August, 1 November, and 8, 25, 26, and 31 December.
How long does the tour take
Most visitors spend around 3 hours exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
Even if you want to fast-track to the Chapel, you will need at least 90 minutes.
It takes a half-hour to walk from the Vatican Museums’ entrance to the Chapel, and then you spend approximately 30 minutes admiring the art on display at the chapel.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Sistine Chapel is as soon as it opens at 9 am.
If you can’t make it in the morning, the next best time to visit the Chapel is in the late afternoon – between 1.30 and 3.30 pm.
Visitors will crowd the Vatican Museum during both periods, and the Chapel will be relatively less crowded.
Booking your tickets online helps you time your visit better so you don’t waste time standing in line.
The Rome Tourist Pass is a super saver. For just €97 per person, the pass includes entry tickets to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Pantheon and a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. You also get a 10% discount code, which you can use (five times!) to get discounts on future purchases.
Entering Sistine Chapel for free
The Chapel is open for free on the last Sunday of each month. However, since it is free, you must be ready to brave a massive crowd on this day.
The entry is also free on the 27th of September, i.e., World Tourism Day.
What to expect
The main attraction of the Sistine Chapel is its incredible artwork.
You can expect to see “The Creation of Adam,” “The Last Judgment,” and many other intricate and beautifully painted scenes from the Bible.
Visitors must remain silent to preserve the chapel’s serene and thoughtful atmosphere. This is done to respect the holy value and to maintain the artwork.
Photography is strictly prohibited in the Chapel. This rule protects the frescoes and maintains the space’s tranquility.
You should dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees. Sleeveless tops, shorts, or hats are not allowed.
What to see in Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most fantastic creations of the Renaissance period and stands as a testament to man’s genius.
The beautiful artwork of the Chapel and its magnificent scale make it a one-of-a-kind site for art, romance, and history.
Some of the highlights are:
Sistine Chapel ceiling
The Chapel ceiling is one of the most impressive works of art to emerge from Michelangelo’s masterful strokes between 1508 and 1512.
One of the masterpieces of high Renaissance art, the ceiling to this day is a beauty to behold.
Pope Julius II commissioned the Chapel ceiling, which serves as the location of papal conclaves and many other important services.
The Chapel’s ceiling features the nine scenes of the Book of Genesis, including the Creation of Adam, one of the most iconic representations of God and Man at the moment of creation.
The Last Judgement
Michelangelo painted the Last Judgement above the Sistine Chapel Altar, depicting Dante’s version of the Last Judgement as in Divine Comedy.
North Wall
The North Wall of the Chapel depicts scenes from the life of Jesus Christ by various artists.
Don’t miss Perugino’s The Baptism of Jesus, Botticelli’s The Temptation of Jesus, Rosselli’s The Sermon on the Mount, and the iconic The Last Supper.
South Wall
The South Wall of the Chapel depicts scenes from the life of Moses by various artists.
Some masterpieces to look for are Perugino’s Moses’ Journey Through Egypt, Rosselli’s The Ten Commandments, and Luca Signorelli’s Moses’ Final Acts and Death.
Dress code
Sistine Chapel has a strict dress code to allow entry into its premises.
While visiting the Chapel, you must wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect.
Therefore, sleeveless or low-cut clothing, shorts, skirts, and hats are prohibited.
If you don’t follow the dress code, you will be denied entry even if you are carrying a ticket.
Visitors who aren’t dressed appropriately can purchase plastic cloaks from the venue.
However, wearing such cloaks can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
Mass times
The Sistine Chapel does not offer mass service to the public, but other sites in the Vatican are open for mass.
Visitors who want to attend a mass can try the ones at St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, which are free to enter.
However, you must get the free tickets issued a few days before the event.
St Peter’s Basilica can seat 15,000 people at a time, but entry is not guaranteed even if you have tickets because it is popular with both locals and tourists.
That’s why we recommend you arrive a few hours before the scheduled time for Mass.
Interested in free entry to the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica, and Sistine Chapel? Buy the Omnia Card
Photography inside the Chapel
No photography or filming is allowed inside the Sistine Chapel under a funding agreement with Nippon Television Network, a Japanese Corporation that paid for the 9-year restoration project of all artworks and the Chapel.
This agreement provided the Network exclusive rights to photography and videography inside the premises.
Guards are placed to ensure nobody clicks photographs inside the Chapel.
How to reach
The Sistine Chapel is in Vatican City’s Apostolic Palace, the Pope’s official residence.
Address: Vatican Museum, 00120 Vatican City. Get Directions.
It is at the end of the Vatican Museums, and you can only access the Chapel by going through the museums.
From the entrance of the Vatican Museum, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the Chapel.
The Vatican Museums are located on the northern edge of Vatican City, on the west side of the Tiber River.
Some of the most affordable and readily available options to reach the Vatican Museums are the Subway, the Tram, and the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours.
By Subway
Subway is usually the most convenient option to reach the Vatican Museums.
The A Line has two stations close to the Vatican Museums – Cipro Metro Station and Ottaviano Metro Station.
Cipro Metro Station is best for early morning visits, and we recommend Ottaviano Metro Station for late morning or mid-day visits.
Vatican Museums is a 7-minute walk from both the Metro stations.
If you can’t figure out where to go, follow the crowd or look at directions to reach the Vatican Museum entrance.
Tram No. 19 can drop you off at the St Peter’s stop (also known as Risorgimento/S. Pietro), close to Vatican City.
However, it isn’t easy to take the Tram from Rome’s city center.
By Bus
The most commonly used bus routes to reach the Vatican are Bus No. 40 and 64.
They start right in front of the Termini Train station and end at the Vatican.
By Car
To travel by car, you must turn on Google Maps and get started.
There are multiple parking spaces around the attraction.
Sources
# Wikipedia.org
# Britannica.com
# M.museivaticani.va
# Khanacademy.org
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