Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsArt MuseumsChurches & Cathedrals
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Probably the most famous chapel in the world because of its incredible artwork, notably "The Last Judgment," Michelangelo's stunning fresco covering 10,000 square feet of the ceiling and wall.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Vatican / Borgo
Frocked priests, colorful Swiss Guards, insistent souvenir shop owners, flag-waving tour guides, and pilgrims from around the world. This is the Vatican and Borgo, Rome's most recognized neighbourhood which acts as Vatican City's front yard. Aside from the souvenir boutiques and a few food spots, the only business conducted here is papal. In the daytime, the tiny medieval sector bustles with holy activity, as visitors vie for elbow room, or stand in line for a visit. Once the sun sets, the neighbourhood is transformed into a quiet and picturesque hamlet.
How to get there
- Ottaviano - San Pietro - Musei Vaticani • 10 min walk
- Cipro • 10 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- marc n71 contributionsSo chaotic and crowded it’s barely worth it.What can one say? Of course it was amazing. But it was in the words of my wife like “being squeezed through a tube of toothpaste”. It was so crowded and so chaotic that I really have trouble recommending it. Of course, if you’ve never been then yes, suck it up and suffer through it. It’s worth it (l think). But once is plenty.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 September 2023
- Heather GDenver, Colorado257 contributionsBreathtakingThe Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are purely breathtaking. You walk through room after room of some of the most amazing artwork in the world. This is a must see if you travel to Rome and make sure to a) buy tickets in advance and b) plan extra time in your day to take it all in. You can rent audioguides from the facility or download one on your phone to help ensure you don’t miss a thing as you tour the facility. There is artwork from Salvador Dali, and more contemporary artists as well! The bad: it is incredibly crowded and there is no AC. The large tour groups seem to create bottlenecks and so we were grateful when we would find a room without any to truly take everything in. Recommendations: watch a YouTube tour of the facility before you get there to give you an idea of what you are seeing, also you have to cover your knees and shoulders and so plan your outfit accordingly.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 2 October 2023
- advcardsReno, Nevada4,233 contributionsNo photo hereLook up. Hard to imagine the work until you actually see it. There are benches along both sides that you can grab a seat and just enjoy looking up. Definitely should be on your must do list. They actually have a good picture of the artwork outside before you start the tour.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 October 2023
- brat0029North Mankato, Minnesota232 contributionsIt's far better than you expect.Part of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel is the most famous attraction and definitely worth seeing. The Chapel is huge and the art - not just the famous Adam and God painting - is amazing. It's very crowded and you are not allowed to take pictures inside.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 October 2023
- Madi F2 contributionsMost incredible sight I’ve seenAbsolutely breathtaking. Still speechless. Beauty beyond words. We spent more than 3 hours there and could still have spent more. Definitely worth getting a ticket to skip the line. It was so gorgeous inside, would likely recommend a guide as well (audio is great too) as we could’ve learnt so much more as a lot of the artifacts are not described due to tooo many of them. Some of the writing areVisited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 October 2023
- Karim MaaroufCairo, Egypt872 contributionsVery impressive despite the limited time insideThe chapel is very crowded and the tourists can be a bit noisy but it is very impressive. I came here with a tour, which was very nice because we got a very detailed explanation of all the art work before going inside. Note that you aren't allowed to take any pictures inside.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 8 November 2023
- sashakeenaVancouver, Canada11,830 contributionsAmazing Historical Site!Our City Wonders Tour guide did an amazing job ensuring we were able to see as much of the incredible artwork. Very busy during our tour however not disappointed for the time spent. “Memories Forever”Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 November 2023
- SelpherLondon, United Kingdom8 contributionsA Must-See!The Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy is an absolute must-see for anyone looking for a truly awe-inspiring experience. From the exquisite frescoes adorning its walls, to the majestic and monumental architecture, the Sistine Chapel is an undeniable masterpiece. I was completely blown away by the masterful artistry of Michelangelo, and I'm sure you will be too!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 December 2023
- Tim MVienna, Austria33 contributionsThe pinnacle.If you appreciate art, then don't think twice, go here. The central fundamental place to confront European (and thus also American) ideologies, philosophy and esthetics in the uttermost condensed manner. "The ceiling" overshadows everything, even the Chagal, Bacon, Rafael, Van Gogh, which are on display in the same "house", but that's just how it is. Among us, we fight who has more prestige, among them - who is "more genius". Mind-blowingVisited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 December 2023
- 45AnJOCONewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom246 contributionsFeast for the eyesDont be obsessed with having to take photos inside here. Put the camera in your pocket and simply observe everything there is to see inside every single room you go into. It is a real feast for the eyes and there is so so much to see and look at. It is a real experience.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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Superpeas
Kentucky8 contributions
Jun 2019
Before you get to the chapel, expect to be herded through the Vatican museum like cattle. I was part of a tour group and our guide kept us moving so it might not be as bad if you are able to move through the museum at your own pace. The chapel was beautiful but it was very crowded when I went. I don’t know if it would be less crowded other times of the year. While it was crowded and rushed, at the end of the day you are getting to experience beautiful work by one of the greatest artists and it is completely worth it.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel&Amy
Rotorua, New Zealand309 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Man, tourists sure know how to ruin places with spiritual/religious significance. If you visit, please follow the rules and be respectful. There are far too many people who seem to think that the Chapel is nothing but a tourist attraction when it is in fact an incredibly important religious location for so many who visit. While the paintings are incredible there really is no reason for you to stand in the middle of the chapel photographing the ceiling against the wishes of the security staff. Just sit and enjoy - experience means so much more than a photo. Anyway, rant over, we loved the bustling chapel and we stayed for at least 20 minutes admiring the intricacies of the art (make sure you have some form of information to enjoy the paintings fully - we just used our phone and the good old internet).
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie B
United Kingdom314 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
On the day we visited the Chapel had been closed for 3 hours, hence routed twice around the museum. Due to the earlier closure uniformed security were ushering visitors through quickly and not allowing sufficient opportunity to take in the magnificence of this Chapel. Pity as would have liked to have stayed more than 4 minutes!
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth N
Venice, FL89 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
After an hour of being pushed and shoved by the crowds trying to get in, you enter the chapel (it’s small). The famous ceiling also looks small. The staff are rude and continually yell “silencio”. Additionally, pictures are not allowed. I felt as though we were viewed as intruders. It was not a welcoming environment at all. It was one of the most unpleasant experiences I have experienced. Very disappointed.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morrittaja
Helsinki, Finland46 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The admission fee is definitely worth it if you're interested to visit the museum while at it. Otherwise it's going to be just a crammed-in extra price to see the legendary paintings. And they're amazing, it's true, but there's also St. Peter's Basilica which has equally amazing art and it's free!
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew H
Wolverhampton, UK307 contributions
Feb 2020
We came here in Feruary and it was unbelievably packed. I cannot imagine what it must be like in August. We were ushered through by the security staff and discouraged from stopping to see any of the amazing art we had come all that way to admire. This made it a complete let down. It was too crowded to see anything on the walls and it was impossible to stand still and gaze at that amazing ceiling.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil H
Geelong, Australia55 contributions
Feb 2020
We did the early entrance tour, thank goodness. We were ahead of the pack all day. the chapel was smaller than I thought it would be, nevertheless, spectacular. The guide was very passionate about his work. Visiting in February we were surprised how busy it was. The whole museum is worth the trip and the cafeteria was very resonably priced. Do not go to the cafe across from the entrance, extremely over priced and rude.
Written 11 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chenaraf2017
Bellville, South Africa25 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We did a lovely guided tour of the Vatican museums and had a lovely guide who was animated and friendly. Our short time in the Sistine Chapel was, however, very unpleasant. I cannot believe that they allow that any people to enter at a time. It must be a big fire hazard and surely cant be healthy for so many foreign people to be stuffed into the space! It really soured what would've been a good experience otherwise. They don't allow photos to be taken inside the chapel out of respect to the religious, which really seemed quite hypocritical as there were so many people stuffed inside that I would not and could not have associated the experience with anything remotely religious! We couldn't wait toale our way out of there, and didnt really get to spend time admiring the incredible artwork.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgsnorwich
Norwich, UK965 contributions
Sept 2020
You arrive in the Sistine Chapel at the end of the tour of the Vatican museums. Top tip: hire a specialist guide who, before you enter the Chapel, will have spent some significant time with you explaining exactly what you will see in the ceiling paintings and on the wall behind the altar (we have used Emma Hamilton twice and is “worth her weight in gold”). There is no talking or photography allowed so knowing what to look for is paramount. The Michelangelo paintings are mesmerising.
This is the room where the Cardinals select the next Pope and you can see the fireplace where the famous smoke originates when a new Pope is elected.
Visiting in September 2020, there were few people so one was able to get an unhurried viewing of the paintings
This is the room where the Cardinals select the next Pope and you can see the fireplace where the famous smoke originates when a new Pope is elected.
Visiting in September 2020, there were few people so one was able to get an unhurried viewing of the paintings
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
noconnell1
Dublin, Ireland94 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Sistine Chapel is a place that I had always heard about and when I finally walked into it, it was initially underwhelming.
However when I started to take some time to absorb the stories being told through Michelangelo’s art, it became mesmerising. It is like one giant story painted into a ceiling, with all the pieces connecting in perfect ways.
The chapel doesn’t feel holy or spiritual in any way because there are so many tourists but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the work
However when I started to take some time to absorb the stories being told through Michelangelo’s art, it became mesmerising. It is like one giant story painted into a ceiling, with all the pieces connecting in perfect ways.
The chapel doesn’t feel holy or spiritual in any way because there are so many tourists but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the work
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I bought tickets through the official website of the Vatican for the museum and the chapel. Entrance is at 16h30. Will I be able to see the chapel since it closes at 16h? Of course I didn’t know that at the time of buying. I think it’s ridiculous to sell tickets for it when nog being open…
I will visit on a Saturday in May.
Written 18 March 2024
The situation is truly ridiculous, but it has been implemented for many years! There is no other way to enter. But it's worth the wait...
Written 19 March 2024
I would like to visit Sistine Chapel and skip the museum. I know that the ticket also includes the entry to the museum it's not an issue, but is there a way to skip the museum and go directly to the chapel or the only option is walking through the museum? I heard it's around 30 minutes walk from the entry point to the chapel and it's quite long.
Written 8 September 2023
When you go through the museums there is a short cut to the Sistine Chapel. There will be a sign that says short way or long way. Just go the short way and skip the museum.
Written 9 September 2023
If I book a museum and Sistine Chapel tickets how long should I allow. I want to get a ticket to visit the Basillica afterwards. Are they all on one ticket?
Written 13 August 2023
Visit basilica first. NO TICKET for it. Just go stand in line. But be prepared to wait. Give atleast 3hrs for the vatican.
Written 28 August 2023
I want to visit the Sistine Chapel but not the rest of the Vatican museums. What ticket should I buy? And is this available directly from the Vatican website, or do I need to buy a skip the line guided tour?
Written 13 July 2023
You have to buy museum tickets. They sell out quick but use getyourguide app if need tickets. They have a separate entrance, really easy to use.
Written 22 July 2023
Olá, Fabiana. Nesse caso, saindo pelo lado direito da Capela Sistina, como você mencionou, é necessário pegar a fila para entrar na Basílica ou não?
obrigado
Written 21 May 2023
What is the mobility challenged conditions? Is it wheelchair accessible?
Written 22 November 2022
Yes. The only caveat is if you go at a particularly popular time of day/seaso, the crowd may impede somewhat
Written 23 November 2022
I know it suggests long sleeve and long pants. Wondering if capris that cover knees and 3/4 sleeve s are enough?
Written 4 August 2022
Yeah that should be fine. Even dresses just hitting the knee or below will be fine. It will be hot and humid and very busy in the Vatican and especially the Chapel so stick with short sleeves or even if you go sleeveless, a light wrap/scarf around your shoulders will be fine. Enjoy :)
Written 5 August 2022
I would like a more recent response on whether long shorts are acceptable, especially for men in the Sistine Chapel. Skirts over the knees for women allowed? Thank you!
Written 14 July 2022
As long as the knees are covered (and shoulders, and no hat), you are good to go. I wore pants in June and it was very hot. Several men in our tour group had shorts on. Some women had shorts on and wrapped a thin shawl around their waist as a skirt.
Written 15 July 2022
Hi,
Does anyone know if the Sistine chapel is open at the moment (march 9-11th) amidst the closure of museums/tourists attractions across Italy?
Thanks!
Written 8 March 2020
I think it is still open, no mention on the website about closure.
Since it is not anywhere close to the quarantine area around Milano, I suppose they have no closure.
you can check the website: rome. net/sistine-chapel
Written 11 March 2020
Buongiorno se acquisto il biglietto per visitare i musei vaticani e la cappella Sistina, come faccio a visitare anche la cupola di San Pietro? Grazie in anticipo a chi risponderà
Written 4 March 2020
Sono due accessi ben distinti e credo che richiedano differente biglietto
Written 5 March 2020
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