Is a guided tour of Vatican worth it?

It's recommended to have a guided tour of the museums. This way you can learn so much more about the paintings and history. There are also many different tours you can do to explore the Vatican Museums and other parts of Vatican City. We'll go through some guided tour inclusions in this blog.



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If you don't have the budget for a private guided tour, you'll still be able to enter the historic Vatican site for free. However, if you want to visit the Sistine Chapel or the Vatican Museums, you'll need to pay an entrance fee, which is around $8.50-$18 (€8-17).

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In general, a Vatican tour can take anywhere from 2-3.5 hours, depending on how much you want to see, and how many people are in your group. For example, if you're in a small group, a guided tour of the Vatican museums (as well as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica) takes around 3.5 hours.

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Book in advance. Although you can turn up on the day and queue and many many people do, you'll be more relaxed knowing you have planned ahead to avoid this. Use an audio guide or guide book or better yet a tour guide.

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The Vatican has a dress code that some travellers might not be aware of when visiting. Luckily if you're planning on wearing jeans to the Vatican, you definitely can! When you plan to visit, it's best to keep your knees and shoulders covered. And for footwear, you will need flat shoes, not flip-flops or casual sandals.

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What shoes to wear at the Vatican. There are no special rules about shoes at the Vatican and you can wear closed shoes or sandals. While there is no specific rule about wearing flip flops at the Vatican, it is good practice not to. Flip flopr are impractical for the location, often noisy and considered too casual.

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A standard guided tour includes entry into the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. If you would like to visit St. Peter's Basilica, you would have to book a Vatican tour that specifically includes access and entry into the basilica.

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One of the most popular of the Vatican Museum tours is the group tour. You skip the line of course, and have a knowledgable guide so you don't have to think about what to see or where to go. All of these tours include the Sistine Chapel, usually ending there.

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The VIP Vatican Key Master's Tour is, at time of writing, the most exclusive tour of the Vatican that you can take. The tour, which lasts for two hours, has you accompanying the official Vatican Museum's Key Master as they walk through the Vatican.

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The Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited attractions in Vatican City and Rome in general. A masterpiece by Michelangelo and a space of great religious significance for Catholics, the Sistine Chapel is a must see for art lovers and pilgrims.

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I personally recommend planning a full day for a Vatican visit if you are interested in seeing the museums and a half day (a full morning or full afternoon) if you are planning on seeing the square and basilica only.

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Can I bring a bag with me to the Vatican Museums? Yes, you can bring a small bag with you on your tour. Bags, backpacks or luggage measuring more than 40·35·15 centimeters are, however, not allowed into the Vatican Museums and must be checked at the cloakroom.

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Flat shoes: It is not expressly forbidden, but it is not recommended to visit the Vatican in flip-flops or casual sandals.

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The Vatican decrees that “low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed“, but as some of this is open to interpretation depending on your perspective, it's worth examining the rules in a little more detail!

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So, no tank tops, short shorts, skirts above your knee, and absolutely no shoulder and chest exposing clothes. It is also forbidden to wear transparent clothes and socks, even if they technically cover your body: so, don't try to cheat the rules with some see-through t-shirt.

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However, Tuesdays and Thursdays usually see fewer tourists around most of the attractions in the Vatican. It is better to avoid Wednesdays and weekends if you're on a tight schedule because the city has a tendency to be a bit busier on those days.

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